The billowing smoke was still clearly visible in the distance, and the situation in the neighboring town didn't look good. Zayn and his friends widened their eyes at the incident.
No wonder planes or helicopters never came to their city because it seemed that some flying monsters had nested around their city.
The government must also consider Lab X as the cause and key to salvaging the current situation. So, mass bombings will definitely not be carried out in their city. However, a bombing had just occurred in a neighboring town.
It didn't take a genius brain to think the situation there was precarious and dangerous.
Arnold gaped and gulped his saliva. He then muttered as if there was no more hope. "Is that why no planes have ever crossed the skies of our city? City X is completely sealed, and we are now surrounded by powerful super zombies? What was that white shadow just now? The planes just exploded."
"It's like a very fast projectile. We don't know for sure, but we better get out of here quickly. Our presence is too obvious to attract a dangerous predatory monster." Zayn beckoned his friends to get into the car. It was time for them to leave.
"Yeah, I don't think I can afford to face a high-rank zombie like this anymore." Arnold sighed and held his forehead.
"What are we going to do with this red devil? Its shield-like skin is incredibly tough and can deflect my sniper bullets, and even anti-tanks have a hard time damaging it." Frankie glanced at the four red shields on the red devil's legs and arms.
"You want to take that as a shield? It contains a dangerous VIrus X. It can infect us into zombies, you know?" Alex frowned.
"Hmm, I guess the zombie mutation will only be effective through wounds. We also don't inject anything in. Oh, I remember. Zayn has some anti-zombifying serum, right? Is it possible that those shields can be extracted and sterilized from the virus?" Frankie dropped his fist onto his open palm. He remembered Zayn had a solution to his dilemma.
"I don't know, but we need a microscope to check the development of mutated cell changes. While that could be a good shield, it would be suicidal if it became one that corrupted us into a zombie." Zayn took a box of serum from the car and gave it to Frankie.
"That high-rank zombie's tough skin is cracked and broken everywhere, but those shield-like shells are still intact. Can you extract them?" Alex folded his arms and glanced at the zombie corpse.
"That's easy enough. Just give me a few minutes." Frankie felt he could do it because the previous bombardment had destroyed that high-rank zombie's body.
"Please don't come into direct contact with it. Apply the serum to the shields' surface and seal them in a metal case." Zayn reminded Frankie of the common good.
"Okay, boss." Frankie put on surgical rubber gloves and started doing a little mutilation. He managed to extract the four shields from the high-rank zombie's limbs, and then he immediately followed Zayn's instructions.
Once secured the shield in the metal box, they leave the vicinity as soon as possible. They went to a medical supply store to get some tools before returning to their prison base.
Half an hour after Zayn's group left, a scary human-like creature came to the flyover. That creature stared at the mangled corpse of the high-rank zombie there in wonder, but it simply gathered those meats and left.
When Zayn's group returned to their prison base, several people came to approach them.
"What did you get or find today?" A warden asked while looking here and there.
"City W is being bombarded by fighter jets. It might just be a matter of time until it arrives." Alex smirked.
"Nonsense. Sir James said that the government would not dare touch City X because this city is the most special, but also the most dangerous." Another warden jerked.
"Ho? So, we take refuge in the most dangerous place? There may come a day when we have to leave here." Frankie frowned.
"The safest places can also be in the most dangerous places. There's no escape because the zombies have spread across the continent." An inmate sighed and shook his head.
"Wait, where's Sam? You lost someone again today?" A warden suddenly realized that someone was missing.
"We are attacked and targeted by high-rank zombies. Sam sacrificed himself to blow up that monster and make a way out for us to escape from the zombie hordes. He died a hero. We will do our prayer, don't disturb us. You smell like alcohol." Zayn stated the real situation and heaved a subtle sigh. He then walked away.
"You killed him? Zayn, this may be a bitter truth, but you will run out of people if you sacrifice people every day on your mission." A drunk warden made a bit of an offensive provocation.
"Life and death are in God's hands. We pray to those who have fallen for a place in heaven. We cleaned up the zombies around here while looking for the truth. Yet, the losers like you dare to judge us, the vanguard? Who do you think keeps this place safe other than the vanguards like us? If you feel so great, why don't you go out and destroy those zombies." Alex immediately grabbed that drunk warden's collar.
"God this and God that. Heaven and God never existed in the first place, fools! You were only tricked by Zayn and his brainwashing methods. Open your eyes, the world has come to an end, and the end has come! Hahaha! If there was a God, none of this would ever happen." The drunk warden laughed loudly.
"Then what kind of preparations do you have when death comes to you? When our end comes, we do our best to collect good merit for our provisions. May God enlighten you. You are drunk, go and wash your face." Zayn glanced back and gave a signal to his friends. They won't get anything to argue with drunken people.
He found there were also two of his followers who were also drunk around there, and it really broke his heart. Apparently, what Sam said earlier was true.
Zayn didn't want to find out about the others. Right now, he just wants to go immediately to do his routine prayer and then give a prayer to Sam.
"Heh, I'll remember you. I look forward to it when you're sober. Do you still have that ridiculous guts or not." Alex let go of that drunk warden and left from there.
"..." Frankie just walked in silence. He also noticed two of Zayn's followers lying drunk and unconscious.
Some people have abandoned the routine prayer too. In that case, God might not lead them to the path of truth and forgiveness. Those who turned away were wretched.
"Hey, wanna see what they got in their car?" The drunk warden invites his comrades while pointing to Zayn's car.
"Did you forget the rules? We can't touch anyone else's property." Another warden warned fearfully.
"Wouldn't it be fine if no one found out? They're gone too. Hey, where are the guys who are back on the fun road? They're Zayn's group, right?" The drunk warden smirked.
"They're drunk and unconscious."
"Tsk, useless."
"We'd better not try our luck. You're either thrown into the zombie crowd by Alex or James if you break the agreed-upon rules."
"Tsk, very well."
The drunken group then went to their corner and returned to having fun. There were some women there too, which would be so much fun.
After Zayn's group finished praying for Sam, Arnold suddenly went beside Zayn and spoke with a solemn expression. "Zayn, please forgive me. However, I can't follow you on your exploration for that Lab X anymore. It's mission impossible, and some super zombies must have been far beyond human capabilities. That's a suicide, Zayn. We should flee to the west and attempt to escape the continent. We need to go overseas."
Zayn could see the great doubt in Arnold's eyes. Arnold felt it was impossible to continue the quest for Lab X, but Zayn had already decided what he should do.
"I see... That's fine, Arnold. The danger is everywhere. Your desire may come true if everyone is willing to go as a solid group. You can convince James to do so. However, I felt compelled to find Lab X despite being aware of the risks. God will guide me for it, and we're close to uncovering the truth. That place is likely in the north, and I'm sure of that." Zayn smiled faintly and patted Arnold's shoulder.
They had already explored the western, eastern, and southern city areas. Even though they had arrived around the border, they couldn't find the Lab X sealed area.
So, just north, and it must be there. Although the road access far to the northern part of the city had been cut off, Zayn had to go there because of God's guidance which he often received from dreams and forebodings.
"It's fine for you to step down right now. The opportunity is still there. I can't bear to see my close friends die with me. Whatever you do in the future, please don't forget your prayers. God will always be with the believers." Zayn heaved a subtle sigh and smiled at Alex and Frankie.
He would still look for Lab X even though he had to go alone. He must end the zombies' spread as soon as possible. His father was in the Middle East continent, and he didn't want the zombie virus to spread wider. There must be answers and solutions to all situations.