"We apologize for the disturbance and fear what's going on in California has caused the world. We ain't certain how long the internet here would last." The newscaster read. "Let me rephrase the news just in case you haven't heard or you're just connecting. As the plague is on the increase in California and other cities situated around California, it's getting increasingly difficult to contain some areas. Our rescue team is trying its best to rescue survivors- till then hang on. I'll share with you what to do and how to know if the person you're with has been infected. Those who are infected unintentionally become violent, make beast-like noises, their skin becomes pale, their eyes suddenly vanish and they have an insatiable hunger for human flesh. Some areas in California have reported that these monsters show signs of cannibalism. Not only does the infected attack, but they also feast on the flesh of their fellow humans. Our president is urging those who have been bitten or seen others bitten to stay away from the survivors. If you happen to come across a person who has been bitten, use the nearest object and aim for their brain. I repeat, they ain't humans so you ain't committing murder. The only way to ensure they are dead is to smash that brain. Just one person can cause the death of a million people."
"Any news from Aguilera?" Inspector Fred asked, exercising his legs. "Her phone's switched off."
Dare poured himself the tenth cup of chocolate. "No. I've called every single contact on my phone and no one's coming. We're on our own. I never imagined in my 10 years of training surviving would be this hard."
"How many gallons of chocolate is your friend going to have?" Mr. Pong, the owner of the shop asked. He drew his little girl close to his chest, covering her eyes to hide her from the cruel reality of their lives now. No one had guessed a day would come when they needed to kill their loved ones to survive. Mrs. Pong succumbed to the cruel fate of life. After an infected customer had come into their shop, everyone including his wife got bitten. If only Inspector Fred and Dare hadn't come in time, everyone including his little girl would have been infected. "There's hardly any left for others." he continued.
A young man probably in his thirties, crawled up to Inspector Fred and Dare. He threw his cigarette into the trash can. "I need to go home. My kid is waiting for me."
"You have a kid and you were here smoking and partying with a lady." he shook his head in disgust. "You should have died earlier."
Seven days had gone by since the virus spread around California. Many cities had been infected. The American government had told the news that they sent out many of their rescue teams to rescue survivors but failed to locate any. People who were in hideout couldn't come out due to fear of being bitten- two of the planes sent to rescue Prestige's owner and prominent people hiding in there crashed. Inspector Fred recalled how he and Dare were about to leave for Aguilera's house when they stopped to have coffee at Mr. Pong's shop. Hardly did he serve them, a lady ran into the restaurant, crying for help when she supposedly bit his wife, putting everyone's life at risk.
For the last 4 days, he and Dare had sent out several calls and messages to their superiors, asking for backup. No one was returning their calls. Mr. Pong hid close to the counter with seven other customers- four men and three ladies.
He didn't wait for Dare's hand to reach, he snatched the last bottle of chocolate drink on the table and offered it to his little girl. Dare turned to look at him in self-pity, realizing how insensitive he had been. The world was going crazy. If only he listened to his instinct and stayed in Africa, he would have been a successful doctor or teacher. he reasoned.
The soft footfalls of one of the ladies who looked like she was in her twenties awakened the third lady from a tireless slumber. She yawned, revealing the way down to her throat. Raising her back a little higher, she sat down. Her right hand served as support while using the other hand to take the tray of cinnamon rolls and milk offered to her by the brunette girl. "Thanks, dear. What's your name?"
"Sarah. I'm 22 years." She replied, in a wobbly tone. "I just want to go home. I'm really scared."
"Everyone's scared, dear." She munched slowly, trying not to show the girl her fear. "We'll make it out alive together. And we'll tell the world our story." Defeated by her emotions, tears rolled down her eyes. It was difficult to stay positive in a situation like that. She surveyed the small restaurant, rolling her eyes at the empty fridge and scattered pots. There's basically no hope of surviving. There's hardly any food and water, and the monsters outside? She mumbled. They outnumber us by far; even if we decide to fight our way out, there's no guarantee everyone would make it.
The other girl nodded encouragingly. Mrs. Dolly spoke comfortingly to everyone as they stared at her with compassion. Even if they made it out, there was no way she could go that far. She caressed her baby bump again. If only her car hadn't broken down in front of Mr. Pong's shop, she would have been in the hospital instead. She munched the last cinnamon roll in the tray, feigning ignorance at their gaze. "Mrs. Dolly is right, Sarah." The other girl broke the long silence. "We just need to have faith and trust that those two men over there," Her index finger pointed at Inspector Fred and Dare. "Would save us somehow. We can't give up without a fight. I'm Jada by the way. I'm a year older."
"What if we don't?" the young man from earlier interrupted, looking up with interest. "Why the positive shit when we all know it's a lie! We're gonna die. No one's coming to save us. Look at us. There's no successful person here. I bet, Prestige's already getting a lot of help. I knew I should have gone there instead." his lip drew back in a snarl. I should have gone there.
Prestige Restaurant. He's said something sensible for once. "We need to find a way out of here. There's scarcely any food left for us all thanks to you."
Dare gave him the innocent look; the one that irked him every time. "You know I can't help it. When I get edgy I love to eat too much. I can't stop my belly from requesting more food."
"Do all Africans..."
"Hey...hey..hey. No need to be racist."
"If you would just let me finish you would know that I wanted to ask if all Africans have surviving instincts or they are just like you."
"Ahhh. There's a strong stench of racism in your question but I forgive you." I wonder if he will ever get married with this attitude. Will either of us have a chance to get married? "There's only one restaurant close to this place. It's pretty far a little bit- but it's the only place we can get food and water."
It's close and it's far. Does he ever hear himself sometimes? His mouth set in a hard line. "Good. Where's this restaurant!"
"Prestige? If we use the faster root, we'll arrive in time."
Inspector Fred stood up and walked towards the door, measuring the distance from the shop to Mr. Pong's car. "There are 20 living dead out there. If we open this door, there's probably going to be more of them. We need a plan that doesn't involve Mrs. Dolly. She has to stay behind and pray she doesn't get bitten before the Holy Spirit takes her."
Secretly downcast, Mrs. Dolly beamed at him. "No worries as long as I still have enough cinnamon rolls to last me and my child." She held up her glass of milk. "I knew I should have brought my milkshake. I'm craving ice cream right now."
"This is insane!" Jada jabbed. She snatched the cricket bat from the round table. "We can't just leave her here. She's the only reason that dumb monster didn't bite your neck."
"Come again." Inspector Fred moved towards her, fuming at every sight. "What did you just say?"
"No need to act all tough. I saw it. If not for Mrs. Dolly, your head would have kissed my bat. Let's not begin with what I heard you two talking over there. How this whole shit started spreading due to your ego."
"You!"
"Dude." Dare stood in between, pulling Inspector Fred away. "She's just a kid. Let her be. To be honest, she ain't wrong." He didn't want to start a dispute with him. They were both right. Bringing Mrs. Dolly would only slow them, but leaving her behind wasn't an option either. She didn't outlast that far just to die that way. "Let's try even if it's once. If she can't make it, we'll find where to keep her." He drank the last drop of chocolate in his glass and then flipped it over. "This place isn't safe at all. It's not just one life but two lives, Fred."
We do need someone to use as bait. Maybe they are right. He nodded. "Fine. Make sure that girl doesn't come close to me or I won't hesitate to put a bullet in her head."
This plan ain't gonna work. I can't turn into those monsters. No. The guy from earlier panicked. While everyone was carried away with Inspector Fred's brilliant plan, he moved back slowly till he got to the end of the room. Pulling out the gun from his back pocket, he scanned the shop one last time with teary eyes, recalling old memories. It's better than having to turn into that.
"Sarah and I will wait by the door with Mrs. Dolly; once you guys get the car..."
"It's my plan, Missy." Inspector Fred said in a grating tone. "So,"
"Hold on." Jada's loud voice drew everyone's attention to Diego. Everyone stood up simultaneously, shivering in fear. "Diego put that away. Does this look like a movie to you, huh? You think you can just die whenever."
"I never liked you so your words won't hurt me."
Nearly overwhelmed with hysteria and despair, Mrs. Dolly sat up. Inspector Fred's head twitched at the sound of someone driving Mr. Pong's car away. All hope was lost. Mrs. Dolly wrapped her arms around her stomach, praying fervently.
"You had a plan?" Diego scoffed. "Did it involve that? What happens now? I told you not to give anyone false hopes. I will never become a monster! I won't!"
"Good news, attention seeker, you are already a monster." Inspector Fred's voice echoed. "Now give me that gun!"
"Guys," Sarah called.
"No!"
"I said give me the fucking gun!"
"Guys."
"Stay away from me or I'll put the bullet in your head instead!"
"Guys!"
When Diego wasn't looking, Dare grabbed the gun from him, pinning him to the ground. His reaction had come a little bit late as the living dead outside ran towards the shop at full speed. Sarah gulped down a lump of saliva, hiding behind Jada. "Fuck. I think your noise attracted them."
"Thanks, Jada for pointing out the obvious."
"No! Give me the gun. I can't turn into that." Diego fought hard to free himself.
"Fred, we have to do something. The door isn't going to hold them for much longer!"
A loud bang on the door swept Mr. Pong off his feet. He pressed his lips on his daughter's cheek, brushing her hair to the side. "It won't hurt dear. We are going to a better place. Just shut your eyes. Everything that's happening is a dream."
"Daddy, I'm scared." was her first word since everything happened. She held onto his trousers, burying her face in between his legs. "Are we going to die?"
"Daddy's always going to be with you no matter what."
Sarah pulled out her buzzing phone and read the voicemail message sent to her.
"Dear," It played. "Mummy is going to be fine but Pinky is safe. Make sure you survive. Stay alive, my little angel."
"Mum." She sobbed at the actuality of what had occurred. "This isn't fair."
"This is it! We fight or die."
"The time has come." Mrs. Dolly whispered while admiring her baby bump. "I'm glad I didn't bring you out to this world to witness this. I've always wanted to be a mum. I hope in my next life, I get to carry you again. Thanks for making me feel what it's like to be a mum."
"I hope my country makes me a statue after this" Dare teased.
"I'll make sure Africa never forgets your name." Inspector Fred's last statement and the door falling coincided. In a split second, the shop was crowded with blood-slurping monsters. Everyone fought hard to survive. Jada attacked with her bat while protecting Sarah. Mr. Pong embraced his little girl once last time, allowing the monsters to bite and suck them dry. He smiled reassuringly to Mrs. Dolly who was already a victim. Reaching out her hand to him, she shut her eyes firmly. Tears trickled down her cheek as a dozen more living dead pounced on her and Mr. Pong.
"Diego! Use this!" Jada passed him a gun. "Inspector Fred, look! Sarah!" There are too many of them. We are not going to make it.
"Dare, no! Dare!" Inspector Fred fired his rifle in the air, running towards the back window.
This is it. It's finally over.