( Third person point of view)
They ran into the courtyard, exchanging glances. There, tied to the monkey bars, were five people.
"Who did this?" Dave asked, looking around for any signs of life.
"Did you tie them up, Karlo?" J inquired.
"Nah. I just found them like this," Karlo replied with a shrug. He slapped one of the men's faces, but there was no response.
"They're not waking up," J observed, concern growing in his voice.
"Bring them to the underground. Let's go back inside first," King ordered. Karlo and Dave nodded, and the others began lifting the five unconscious men.
"Geo, follow Dave and talk to those guys. Find out how many rats they released, ASAP," Ariela instructed. He nodded and ran to catch up.
King moved to the front and whistled sharply. The crowd gathered, eyes filled with fear.
"Listen up," King began, his voice steady and commanding. "We are facing a new threat with these white rats. They spread infection at an alarming rate. We can't afford to let our guard down."
The crowd murmured, fear rippling through the ranks. Parents clutched their children tighter, and friends exchanged anxious glances.
"We need everyone's help," King continued. "We have to bring the dead bodies outside and burn them to prevent further infection. This is not going to be easy, but it is necessary for our survival. If you see any rats, even if they're dead, report them immediately. Do not try to handle them on your own."
King paused, his expression softening as he looked at the crowd. "I am truly sorry for the families of the victims. Your loved ones will not be forgotten, and we will honor them by ensuring we survive this threat together. After checking that all of you are safe we'll proceed in their burial"
The murmurs grew louder, mixing with the cries of those who had lost their loved ones. Voices cracked with pain, calling out the names of the dead.
"My son... my little boy..." a mother wailed, clutching a small, worn-out toy. Tears streamed down her face, and her body shook with sobs, each cry piercing the air.
An elderly man fell to his knees, covering his face with his hands. "Why did this happen? She was all I had left," he moaned, his voice weak but full of sorrow.
A young girl stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at the lifeless form of her father. "Dad, please wake up... please," she pleaded, her small hands shaking.
Beside her, a father clutched his wife and remaining child, his face showing silent agony. "I promised I'd protect you," he choked out, holding them tighter.
Grief and despair washed over the survivors, their sorrow heavy in the air. The warehouse base filled with the raw sound of human suffering.
Parents and children cried together. Tears streamed down their faces, carving paths through the dirt. Each tear represented a memory, a lost future, and a love that would never fade.
King watched, his heart breaking for each person. He knew words could not mend their broken hearts, but acknowledging their pain was important. He stepped forward, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, and raised his voice over the cries.
"We will remember them," he said, his voice strong yet tender. "We will carry their memories as we fight to survive. Their lives were not in vain, and we will honor them by staying strong, supporting each other, and making sure their sacrifice was not for nothing."
The sobs and whispers of the crowd mingled, showing their shared pain and determination. The weight of their collective grief hung in the air, a somber reminder of the cost of survival. But within that sorrow, there was also a flicker of resolve—a silent promise to hold on, to fight, and to honor the memory of those they had lost.
King knew the gravity of the situation, and the need for immediate action was clear. Now inside the underground, the five men were laid on makeshift beds. Geo and Dave were already questioning them, but the men remained unresponsive, barely conscious.
" Ellie, we need you here," King called. The new nurse hurried over, her face pale . She began checking the men's vital signs, searching for any clues about their condition.
"They've been drugged," Ellie concluded. "I need to find out what it is so I can counteract it."
King nodded. "Do whatever you can. We need answers."
Meanwhile, Above, Ariela organized a team to start removing and burning the infected bodies. The grim task weighed heavily on everyone, but there was no room for hesitation.
" How many rats have you guys found? " She asked the others and Azriel came holding a bucket of dead rat
" I got 10 here Mom " He said and showed it to them
" Thank you Az but don't try to touch or chase alive rats okay? " Ariela said holding her son cheek and Azriel nodded
" You too BJ, Don't touch and chase them " Bea said to her daughter and BJ nodded.
" I got 5 here Auntie " Reed said to Ariela
" Thank you kids " They said to them while the other kids is shock and couldn't move. Only staring the people carrying the dead bodies.
Back inside, the Karlo, Peter, and King stood with J, Geo, and Dave.
"We need a thorough search of the entire base," King stated. "Every nook and cranny. We can't risk missing any of those rats."
"I'll organize the teams," Peter volunteered. "We should go in pairs for safety."
As they strategized, Ellie managed to wake one of the men. His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned in pain.
"Boss, one is awake," Ellie called out, and King immediately approached the man, grabbing him by the collar.
"King, we need to know how many rats they released," Dave urged, trying to keep King focused.
King took a deep breath and said, "You heard him. How many rats?!"
The man only looked away, guilt etched on his face.
Bog!
"King, calm down!" Peter said, grabbing King's arm just before he could strike the man a second time.
"Why did you do this? You've been here for three days. Can't you see the pain and fear you've caused? Don't you feel any guilt for what you've done?!" J shouted, but the man remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.
"Answer us! How many rats?!" King demanded, his voice rising in frustration.
The man glanced at his companion before finally speaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "W-We released fifty-four rats."
"Go tell Ariela," King instructed Karlo, who nodded and hurried upstairs.
"Now, tell us why you did this! So many have died because of you! Can you even hear the cries of the families who lost their loved ones?!" King's anger was palpable, and the others could only watch in pain as he struggled to contain his rage. The sight of their once lively community now lying cold and lifeless was unbearable.
A tense silence followed.
"We know him," two teenage boys arrived, and the man's face visibly hardened at the sight of them. It was clear he recognized the boys.
"What do you mean?" J asked, confusion in his voice.
The man's eyes darted between the boys and the others, his face a mask of shame and fear.