The chaotic symphony of screams and gunshots reverberated through the once-quiet lobby. Stalker's gaze flickered from Sarge to Cob and Jackal, determination etched across his face. "Let's go help them!" he hissed, urgency propelling him towards the escalating cacophony.
As Stalker rounded the corner, a nightmarish scene unfolded. The survivor from earlier was ensnared in the clutches of two biters, their agonized screams slicing through the air. One biter sank its teeth into the man's shoulder, sending waves of pain echoing through the lobby.
Without hesitation, Stalker raised his rifle, aiming with precision. The crack of gunfire disrupted the grim tableau as he dispatched the biters preying on the unfortunate soul. In the tumult, Jackal and Sarge joined the fray, blades gleaming with a deadly intent.
Jackal swiftly drew his blade, driving it into a biter's skull with a swift, decisive strike. Sarge, armed with a gun, unleashed controlled bursts, splattering the lobby with viscous black blood. The survivor, now on the ground and defeated, looked up at Stalker with a mix of despair and gratitude. "I tried," he confessed, his voice laden with sorrow.
Stalker, acknowledging the grim reality, aimed his gun at the survivor. "I know," he replied somberly, the gunshot ringing out as he mercifully ended the man's suffering. He pivoted, confronting the relentless horde of biters attempting to breach the lobby.
A dynamic duo emerged from the chaos—Marcel and Julie. Marcel, with a distinctive short afro and a scar marking his cheek, wielded a mace with deadly finesse. His brown jacket adorned with fiery wings and a skull spoke of a turbulent past.
"Julie!" Marcel's call echoed as she skillfully fended off biters with a makeshift spear. Her short brown hair framed determined blue eyes, clad in a blue hoodie and black sweatpants.
"THERE'S A LOT HEADING OUR WAY!" Julie's warning reverberated, underscoring the dire situation. Meanwhile, Andrew, ever vigilant, turned to Maddy.
"Zoe, Maddy. Protect Zach at all costs. I need to see what's up," he instructed, the weight of responsibility evident in his gaze. Maddy, resolute, nodded and drew her gun, ready to shield Zach from the impending storm.
Cody's determination shone through as he looked at Raven, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "I want to see what's happening. They may need our help." Despite the injuries that lingered, Cody's resolve was unwavering. Raven, gauging the gravity of the situation from the rising smoke, hesitated but ultimately nodded in agreement.
"You're injured, kid," Raven pointed out, concerned for Cody's well-being. However, Cody dismissed the concern with a determined glance at the smoke. "I'll be fine. Gather people quickly, and let's go." His directive was clear, setting a chain of actions in motion.
"Dogface! Ed! Mr. Peterson! Come with us!" Raven's voice cut through the air, summoning a diverse group of individuals to join their impromptu mission. Rose, observing Cody's intent, interjected. "You just woke up," she protested, worry etching her features.
"I'll be fine, Rose. I want to help them," Cody asserted, grabbing his gun and extra magazines. The interchange between them showcased Cody's resilience, his spirit unwavering even in the face of adversity.
"You need to recover," Rose insisted, her concern genuine. Cody responded with a gentle smile, affirming his commitment. "What I need to do is help those people, okay?" He joined Raven, ready to embark on a perilous journey.
"We are coming with you," Aya declared, joined by Aryton's silent nod. Bandy and Spike, eager to contribute, pointed at themselves, expressing their willingness to join the mission. Even Ted, the cheerful companion, voiced his enthusiasm through Emmy.
"Okay. Gather people who want to go," Emmy directed, prompting a rallying cry for those willing to face the unknown. Dr. Newton, recognizing Cody's resolve, offered a cautionary glance. "Be careful," he warned, a sentiment echoed by the others.
Andy assured, "We'll keep the gang safe," with a reassuring smile. Bob, while expressing concern, nodded and delivered a stern warning. "Don't die out there, okay?" Cody's affirmative nod reflected his determination to return safely.
Guts, ever the stoic presence, pledged his participation. Ed, a beacon of practicality, started the bus, offering a piece of advice before departure. "Don't die out there, don't get bit," he warned, emphasizing the importance of survival.
As the group prepared to leave, the scene shifted to Stalker, entrenched in a desperate struggle. He aimed his rifle, delivering swift kicks to fend off approaching biters. The rhythmic staccato of gunfire echoed, Julie and Marcel demonstrating formidable skill with their weapons.
Two other survivors, armed with machetes, engaged in close combat, shoving back the relentless horde. Dobby and Tommy, displaying a unique camaraderie, fought side by side. Stalker, amidst the chaos, transitioned to his blade, slashing through biters with determined precision.
Tommy, his blond hair tousled by the wind, kept a vigilant eye on the stairs. The urgency in his green eyes heightened as he spotted two armed survivors rushing toward them. His voice echoed through the chaos, cutting through the roars of the encroaching horde. "ERIC! ASHLEY!"
As he turned back to face the oncoming biters, Tommy's commitment to the imminent clash was palpable. Swinging his weapon with swift determination, he fended off the relentless advance of the undead. The air crackled with tension as Eric, momentarily hesitant, fumbled with his weapon.
"There's..." Eric's words lingered, caught in a moment of uncertainty. Ashley, decisive and resolute, spurred him into action.
"Come on!" she yelled, gripping her spear with unwavering resolve. Eric, spurred by her determination, gave her a simple nod and followed her lead into the fray.
Back on the bus, Rose watched the departing vehicle with a mix of concern and apprehension. Hayden, beside her, caught her gaze. "Worried about them?" he inquired. Rose, nodding, admitted, "Cody's injured. It's gonna be bad out there. That smoke probably drew in the whole city."
Hayden, absorbing the weight of the situation, nodded in understanding. "While they are gone, we have to protect the kids," he declared, aligning their shared responsibility to safeguard the vulnerable members of their group.
Meanwhile, Cody clutched his crowbar, a strategic choice for the upcoming challenges. His knife remained sheathed, a rifle slung across his back. A touch of humor entered the tense atmosphere as Cody remarked, "13 and looking like a soldier," glancing at Mr. Peterson.
Ed, offering a subtle chuckle, chimed in with a pragmatic reminder. "Yeah. Be careful, though. Stick together." Ed navigated carefully within the confines of the bus, highlighting the preparations they had made by clearing obstacles beforehand.
Cody and Aya shared a glance, silently acknowledging the uncertainties ahead. "Let's hope these aren't the people that attacked us," Cody speculated. Raven, shaking his head, dismissed the notion.
"No. It's the military that did that. I don't know why they did that, but that's what they did," he disclosed, unraveling a layer of mystery behind the events that had transpired.