Chapter 90:
An elderly man held a pole with his phone attached at the end. He checked his equipment to make sure everything was working properly, then began his livestream: "Hey everyone, welcome to my live stream! As I promised last time, today I'm here at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. We're going to take a tour of the park and explore the different varieties of flowers."
The elderly man moved forward, his camera sweeping over rows of vibrant blooms, as he started his commentary with enthusiasm. "Now, here we have Rosa gallica, commonly known as the French Rose. It's one of the oldest varieties cultivated in Europe, with records going back to the 12th century. This species is native to southern and central Europe, and its deep pink petals were once used to make perfume and herbal remedies."
He then shifted the camera toward a patch of bright yellow flowers. "These are Helianthus annuus, or the common sunflower. Originally from North America, sunflowers are notable not just for their bright appearance but for their unique heliotropism—they follow the sun throughout the day when they're young. Fun fact: their seeds are rich in oil, making them valuable for both human consumption and animal feed."
Continuing along the path, he pointed out a grouping of exotic-looking blooms with spiky red and orange petals. "Here's Strelitzia reginae, also known as the Bird of Paradise, originally from South Africa. Its flower structure resembles a bird in flight, hence the name. This plant is pollinated by sunbirds, which open the petals as they land on them, revealing the nectar inside."
He then zoomed in on a cluster of small purple flowers growing close to the ground. "These beauties are Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender. While it's associated with England, it's actually native to the Mediterranean. The essential oils extracted from lavender have antimicrobial properties and are widely used in aromatherapy to relieve stress."
As he made his way deeper into the garden, he came across a large tree covered in pink blossoms. "This is the Japanese cherry, or Prunus serrulata, famous for its springtime cherry blossoms. Native to East Asia, cherry trees have been celebrated in Japanese culture for centuries and symbolize the transient beauty of life. The flowering period only lasts about two weeks."
Finally, he paused by a bed of small, delicate white flowers. "These are Convallaria majalis, or lily of the valley, native to cooler regions in the Northern Hemisphere. Known for their bell-shaped blooms and sweet fragrance, they're often used in perfumes and are highly toxic if ingested. Botanists admire their ability to thrive in shade and spread rapidly."
He smiled at the camera, pleased with the variety of plants he had introduced. "And there you have it—a glimpse into the incredible diversity of plant life here at the Jardin des Plantes. Each of these species not only adds beauty to our world but also plays an important role in its ecosystem."
The elderly man walked up to a bed of striking blue flowers and aimed his camera at them. "Now, these are Gentiana acaulis, commonly known as the stemless gentian. Native to alpine regions of Europe, they thrive in high altitudes and rocky soils, giving them their vivid blue color. Their unique hue attracts pollinators, especially bees, and they've been studied for their potential medicinal properties. Gentians are remarkable for their resilience—"
BOOM
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion shattered the calm. The ground shook, and dust filled the air as he instinctively dropped to a crouch, his eyes wide with shock. He glanced around, his camera shaking as he tried to keep steady, the flowers forgotten as chaos erupted around him.
The elderly man saw smoke rising from a large building in the distance, and the crowd started running to escape. He wanted to do the same. On his way, he noticed a man writhing on the ground in pain. The elderly man approached the man on the ground, who was twisting and turning. He said, "Sir, are you okay?"
Suddenly, the man stopped writhing. He stood up quickly and fixed a wild gaze on the elderly man. His skin had turned slightly green, and his eyes were locked on the elderly man. He said, "I… I… HUNGRY."
The man suddenly lunged at the elderly man. Instinctively, the elderly man held his selfie stick in front of him, and the attacker bit down on it. Both fell to the ground, and the elderly man clung desperately to his stick as they rolled around. The viewers, watching the live stream, were in total shock. Suddenly, the attacker was kicked forcefully, sending him flying backward. The elderly man turned his head and saw a police officer tackling the attacker.
Then he noticed a hand extended toward him. He looked up and saw another officer asking, "Sir, are you okay?" The policeman helped the elderly man to his feet. Just then, the elderly man heard the second officer, who was struggling with the attacker, shout, "ARGH, THIS SON OF A BITCH BIT ME. JOHNNY, NEED YOU HERE—THE TASER'S NOT WORKING, AND HE'S WAY TOO AGITATED!"
The officer helping the elderly man quickly went to assist his partner, then turned back briefly to the elderly man. "Sir, get away from here immediately and find a safe area."
The elderly man grabbed his selfie stick and started running through the crowd. He glanced back briefly, and his face went pale. In the distance, he saw the attacker and the officer who had initially restrained him tearing into the flesh of the officer who had helped him. Horrified, he murmured, "What the hell is happening?"
He tightened his grip on his stick, heart pounding as he pushed through the panicked crowd. Each step felt heavier as the chaos behind him unfolded, and he couldn't shake the image of the frenzied, inhuman attack he'd just witnessed.
—
In a bustling office at the Paris police prefecture, Officer Victor sifted through a growing stack of reports. Glancing over, he saw his colleague, Chris, leaned back in his chair, chatting animatedly with two policewomen.
"So, then I told him, 'There's no way you're getting out of that ticket!'" Chris said with a grin, earning a round of laughter from his small audience. One of the women rolled her eyes playfully, "Always with the stories, huh, Chris?"
Chris raised his hands in mock defense, "Hey, I'm just here to brighten up everyone's day!"
Victor couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself, momentarily distracted from his workload. Just then, an ear-splitting alarm blared throughout the office, cutting the laughter short.
As the alarm continued to blare, the gunfire grew louder, echoing from nearby. Radios crackled with a frantic announcement:
"To all units, Code Black. Multiple terrorist attacks are underway. Confirmed biological hazards. Numerous units lost. Public in grave danger. All available units, deploy immediately."
Officers quickly drew their weapons, eyes fixed on the doors as tension mounted. Then came another announcement, cutting through the noise:
"Alert: the prefecture is under attack by multiple unarmed, extremely aggressive individuals. All units present, secure Île de la Cité and prioritize Hôtel-Dieu Hospital."
Everyone braced themselves, aware they were about to face something beyond the ordinary.
One of the officers addressed the team, voice firm, "Alright everyone, we're moving out. Tight formation, two lines. We head straight to the armory—no delays."
They gathered by the door, steeling themselves, and stepped into the hallway where other officers rushed past, urgency clear on every face. Just as they started down the hall, a group of heavily armed officers approached them. The lead officer, a man with a focused expression, said, "I'm Captain Jean-Marc. Do you have an assigned area?"
Victor shook his head, "No, Captain."
"Good, you're with us," the captain replied. "We need to secure Pont Neuf and set up a barricade there. Follow us." Victor hesitated briefly, glancing down at his own minimal gear.
"Sir, we're hardly equipped," Victor pointed out.
The captain fixed him with a determined look, "Then get to the armory now and gear up. Meet us at Quai des Orfèvres—five minutes, tops. Move!"
The other group of officers hurried past Victor and his team without a second glance. For a split second, Victor's group hesitated—until a voice called out, "What are we waiting for? Move!"
They all broke into a quick jog toward the armory. As Victor turned down an empty corridor, he was blindsided by another officer lunging at him. Reacting instinctively, Victor kicked the officer in the stomach, pushing him back. It was only then that he noticed the attacker's rank. "Brigadier-Major, please calm down," he said, keeping his tone steady. But the man's expression remained disturbingly wild, his gaze fixated like a predator. Without warning, he rushed at Victor again.
Several officers in Victor's team jumped in, grappling with the Brigadier-Major to hold him down. Suddenly, their radios crackled to life with an urgent message.
"This is the Chief of Police to all units. Be advised: A virus is spreading through the capital. Anyone infected will exhibit extreme aggression and attack any uninfected individual on sight. The virus is transmissible through direct blood contact, exposure to biological gas, or bites from infected individuals. We have received orders from the Director-General of the National Police: all infected individuals must be neutralized. Any potentially infected individuals must be neutralized. Martial law has been enacted. Protect our country and its people."
The officers exchanged a somber look before Victor aimed his weapon at the head of his attacker, murmuring, "May your soul rest in peace." He pulled the trigger, the bullet piercing through the man's skull and ending his struggle.
Victor clenched his jaw. "Let's move," he commanded, and the group sprinted through the building's corridors, descending into the basement after a few tense minutes. They finally reached the armory, which was packed with other officers hastily gearing up. A commanding officer approached Victor's group, his eyes sharp.
"Name, rank, and affiliation."
Victor replied, "Brigadier Victor Smirlov, Directorate of Local Security for the Greater Paris Area. We've been ordered by Captain Jean-Marc from the Republican Guard Intervention Squad to gear up and support them in securing the Pont Neuf."
The commander responded firmly: "Understood. Grab the heavy equipment along with the gas masks provided by the armorers. Move quickly."
Victor nodded, "Yes, sir." They swiftly moved to gather their gear and began to suit up. As they did, a radio in the room broadcasted the desperate communications from forces already on the ground.
"LUXEMBOURG PALACE UNITS HERE. WE CAN'T HOLD BACK THE THREATS ANY LONGER. THE SENATE WILL FALL IF REINFORCEMENTS DON'T ARRIVE."
"THIS IS SENTINEL UNIT 24, IT'S A NIGHTMARE AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE, WE'RE BARRICADED UP TOP WITH SEVERAL CIVILIANS AND POLICE, BUT WE CAN'T HOLD THEM FOR LONG. REQUESTING BACKUP."
"THIS IS THE POLICE BARRACKS IN THE 12TH ARRONDISSEMENT, WE'VE FALLEN. THEY'VE BROKEN INTO THE BARRACKS. THEY'VE INFECTED ALL UNITS INSI—BOOM—ARGH, GET AWAY, YOU MONSTER, AAAH—AARGH—"
The radio chatter painted a catastrophic picture, and the expressions on every officer's face grew darker.
Victor took a deep breath and dialed his wife's number. After a few rings, her voice came through, sounding both relieved and worried. "Vic? Where are you? Are you safe?"
"I'm fine, Maraya. I'm in a secure location," he reassured her. "Where are the kids?"
"They're with me," she replied, a bit calmer. "We managed to leave Paris. We're heading to your parents' place in the south. Can you come meet us?"
Victor hesitated for a moment, the weight of duty pressing on him. "I'm sorry, Maraya… duty calls. Take care of the kids."
"Be careful, Vic," she said softly. "The kids want to talk to you."
Then he heard two small, familiar voices. "Daddy? Where are you? Mom picked us up early today. We made pancakes for you! Come quick, or Grandpa's going to eat them all!"
Another small voice added, "Yeah, I want you to try my pancakes too!"
Victor couldn't help but smile. "Hide them from Grandpa, okay? Dad wants some too." Laughter on the other end filled his heart for a moment, and then Maraya's voice returned, gentle but filled with worry. "Please, take care of yourself. I love you."
"I love you too," he replied quietly before ending the call.
Victor stared at his phone for a few moments, clenched his fists, and took a deep breath. He pocketed the phone, steeling himself, and turned to see his team waiting for his orders.
Victor began, his voice steady and determined, "Alright team, listen up. Paris is in flames and drenched in blood, as you've all seen. We're not combat specialists; we're more used to paperwork than anything else. But today, our families, our friends, and our country are in danger. As police officers, we've sworn to protect the people. It's our duty to defend them."
He paused, meeting the eyes of his team, who were listening intently. "We're heading to join the Republican Guard at Pont Neuf, and there's a good chance we'll be deployed even further into Paris. So be ready for anything. Stay sharp, stay close, and let's do our duty."
With those words, the group prepared themselves, the gravity of their mission clear in their expressions.
The team exited the armory and made their way to the parking area. As they emerged onto Quai du Marché Neuf, they were met with a scene of utter chaos across the Seine. Civilians were huddled along the roadside, some sitting in fetal positions, crying or staring in shock at the devastation around them. Paramedics and firefighters moved quickly through the crowd, administering aid amidst the turmoil.
A cacophony of sirens, gunshots, distant explosions, and the sounds of cries and pleading filled the air. Victor led his team north, passing a police barricade blocking the Saint-Michel Bridge. Civilian boats and river patrols moved back and forth on the water, evacuating as many as they could. Approaching Pont Neuf, they spotted another police barricade and, at its center, Captain Jean-Marc, locked in combat with a group of infected, shouting commands to his team.
Victor made his way over, raising his voice to report, "Brigadier Victor and his squad, reporting in."
Jean-Marc turned, shouting over the noise, "Perfect timing, Brigadier! You and your squad couldn't have arrived sooner. We've just received new orders. We need to secure the Louvre Museum to establish a safe, open area for helicopter landings. This is crucial for bringing in reinforcements and evacuating civilians."
He pointed toward the advancing lines. "You'll move with the Anti-Commando Brigade, RAID, and the BRI-PP of the judicial police. You'll have cover from several GIP snipers stationed on rooftops and in helicopters."
Jean-Marc continued, "You'll be under the command of the National Police Intervention Force. Several soldiers from Operation Sentinelle and patrolling officers have barricaded themselves with civilians inside, but there are heavy numbers of infected. Stay alert. Switch your radio channel to XXX.X to receive your orders. Move out!"
Victor advanced with his squad, falling in behind a platoon from the BRI-PP. As he switched to the designated radio frequency, he immediately heard orders being barked out:
"3rd Brigade of BRI-PP, head to the Pont des Arts to secure the South entrance."
"1st RAID platoon, move to the Carrousel Bridge and assist the police group stationed there."
"1st and 2nd BRI-PP brigades, reinforce the barricade at Place du Carrousel immediately."
"Anti-Commando Brigade, initiate a sweep of the Louvre. Evacuate all civilians and neutralize any infected."
Victor keyed his radio, responding, "This is Brigadier Victor Smirlov of the DSPAP reserve squad. We've been ordered to join the operation."
The radio crackled back, "Roger that, DSPAP unit. Move along the Quai du Louvre, then turn onto Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny. Join the defensive barricade at the intersection with Rue de Rivoli. Proceed now."
Victor and his squad moved forward behind the BRI-PP platoon. Suddenly, they spotted a crowd of civilians running toward them, chased by a small horde of zombies. Instinctively, they formed a line, and a voice shouted, "OPEN FIRE!" A new cacophony of gunfire erupted as they unleashed rounds on the oncoming infected. Several zombies fell, but some still managed to close the gap toward their position.
Victor aimed at a charging zombie, but all he heard was a hollow click. "DAMN IT, OUT OF AMMO!" he shouted. Reaching for his pistol, he realized the infected was already too close. Just as the zombie closed within a meter, its head suddenly exploded, taken down by a well-placed shot. Stunned for a second, Victor looked up toward a rooftop on his right and saw a team of about ten snipers engaging the horde.
Shaking himself back to focus, Victor shouted to his unit, "LET'S KEEP MOVING!"
They advanced along the Quai du Louvre alongside the BRI-PP until Victor spotted the Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny. He called out, "This is where we split from the BRI-PP. Turn right, double line formation. Let's move!"
His team quickly adjusted, forming two close rows as they pivoted onto the narrow street. They advanced in tight formation, maintaining vigilance for any sudden threats, each officer scanning every doorway and shadow. The echo of distant gunfire and sirens filled the tense silence as they moved toward the defensive barricade waiting ahead.
A group of civilians emerged from a church on their right, followed by several priests and nuns. Suddenly, zombies burst out from a nearby café, sprinting directly toward the group. Victor shouted, "COVER THE CIVILIANS. OPEN FIRE!"
Without hesitation, his squad raised their weapons and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, aiming to create a protective wall between the approaching horde and the fleeing civilians. Shots rang out in rapid succession, echoing off the stone walls as zombies staggered and fell, one after another. But some of the infected kept charging, undeterred, forcing Victor's team to fire more precisely to prevent any breakthrough.
"Keep moving! Don't let them reach the civilians!" Victor ordered, his voice steady but urgent.
The civilians ran as fast as they could. Suddenly, shots rang out from across the street. Victor turned and spotted a small group of soldiers wielding FAMAS rifles, firing at the zombies. Within seconds, the horde was down.
Victor stepped forward, addressing the civilians. "RUN TO THE END OF THE STREET, TURN LEFT, THEN HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE BRIDGE. YOU'LL FIND SHELTER THERE."
The civilians hurried past Victor's team, some expressing their gratitude. A priest stopped briefly and said, "Thank you, my son. May God guide you in this battle against these demonic forces. Amen." He then helped an elderly person move along and caught up with the group.
As they approached the barricade ahead, a soldier stepped forward. "I'm Sergeant Samake from Operation Sentinelle. And you are?"
"Brigadier Victor, National Police," Victor replied.
A shout came from another soldier at the barricade: "SERGEANT, LARGE HORDE APPROACHING FROM RUE DU LOUVRE, 300 METERS OUT!"
Samake and Victor exchanged a nod. The sergeant raised his voice, "OKAY, EVERYONE, WE'VE GOT BACKUP FROM THE POLICE. SHOW THEM HOW WE FIGHT IN THE ARMY!"
Victor turned to his team. "Squad, take up positions alongside the soldiers. Let's show them that combat isn't just about muscle—it's about brains too."
His team moved into place, preparing to meet the advancing threat head-on.
The tension rose sharply as the soldiers and police took up positions along the barricade, aligning their weapons down the deserted street. A heavy silence filled the air, broken only by the crackling of distant gunfire and the unsettling moans echoing from down the street.
Victor scanned his team. Their faces, hardened by fear and determination, reflected the weight of the duty they were about to undertake. He turned to Sergeant Samake, who nodded grimly. They both knew this was going to be unlike anything they'd faced.
Suddenly, a faint rumble grew louder from the direction of Rue du Louvre. Dark figures began to appear in the distance—dozens, then hundreds—masses of infected, stumbling, staggering, then quickening into a horrifying sprint. Their eyes glowed with a savage hunger, faces twisted with rage. The horde had arrived.
"Hold your fire," Samake's voice came steady and firm. They watched as the infected closed in, a tidal wave of limbs and snarls. The horde was barely two hundred meters away when Samake shouted, "Ready… aim… FIRE!"
A deafening roar erupted as bullets tore through the air. The front line of infected dropped, but the mass behind them didn't falter, surging forward with relentless force. Muzzles flashed in rapid succession, pouring a hail of bullets into the horde, mowing down the first rows, yet they kept coming.
Victor fired in controlled bursts, his aim steady as he picked off targets closing the gap. Around him, soldiers and officers worked in synchrony, but the sheer volume of the infected began to overwhelm the line. The undead fell only to be replaced by more, some barely fazed by bullet wounds. Bodies piled on bodies, but they still pressed forward.
"Reload!" someone shouted, and others followed suit, quickly slapping fresh magazines into their rifles. The line staggered but didn't break, resolutely firing as the horde inched closer with each second.
An officer to Victor's right suddenly shouted as a sprinting infected closed in on him, but a sniper's shot rang out, and the zombie's head snapped back, the body collapsing mid-stride. Victor glanced up, spotting the silhouettes of marksmen positioned on rooftops, providing cover fire that saved them repeatedly.
"Grenades! Prepare to throw!" barked Samake. Soldiers pulled pins and hurled grenades into the oncoming masses. Explosions ripped through the street, shrapnel slicing through infected flesh, severing limbs, and sending bodies flying. The advance momentarily slowed as those in the front were obliterated by the blasts. Smoke filled the air, but shadows still lurked behind it, more infected pushing forward without hesitation.
Victor's heart pounded as he raised his rifle again, his shoulder aching from the recoil. They could hold them, he thought, they had to.
The line held firm as they continued their relentless assault on the horde, the front ranks of infected now only fifty meters away. The barricade was shrouded in smoke and the smell of gunpowder, and the soldiers and police fought with a fierce desperation. Each shot was a fight for survival, every movement calculated as they worked together, holding back the inevitable.
Victor gritted his teeth, his rifle firing continuously, his ears ringing with the unceasing explosions and gunfire. A figure leapt forward from the horde—a woman in tattered clothes, her face twisted into a snarl. Victor fired, and she crumpled, but another quickly took her place. The undead seemed endless.
Samake's voice boomed over the chaos. "Prepare for melee!" he shouted, signaling his men to draw closer to the barricade. The infected were already piling onto one another, creating ramps over abandoned cars and debris, using sheer numbers to scale the barricade.
Then, the inevitable happened.
A cluster of infected managed to climb atop a car, and in a frenzied burst, leapt over the barricade, landing within feet of the defenders. A soldier next to Victor was taken down instantly, his scream cut short by a horrifying gurgle. Victor spun, firing point-blank at the infected lunging toward him. Blood splattered as the zombie fell back, but more kept coming, forcing the defenders into a brutal, hand-to-hand struggle.
Victor drew his sidearm and fired rapidly, the infected closing in faster than he could take them down. A wave of them surged, spilling over the barricade. The street became a battlefield of gunshots, screams, and savage violence. An infected man lunged at him, clawing at his chest. Victor brought his pistol up just in time, pressing it against the infected's forehead and pulling the trigger. The body slumped, but he had no time to catch his breath. Another was upon him, and then another.
Samake fought beside him, swinging the butt of his rifle, bashing away the creatures that broke through the line. "Hold them back!" he roared, but even he was starting to falter.
Victor felt his arm ache as he jammed the last of his ammo into his sidearm, barely managing to hold his ground as the horde surged forward. His team was scattered, fighting desperately, their backs nearly against the wall.
In the midst of the chaos, Victor took one final look at his squad. They were fighting with every ounce of strength they had left. And in that instant, a steely resolve flooded through him—if this was where it ended, they'd go down fighting, defending every inch.
The street was a storm of blood and fury, the defenders locked in a struggle against impossible odds.
Amidst the relentless onslaught, the defenders pressed on, each one digging deep into reserves they hadn't known they possessed. Victor's movements became a blend of reflex and determination, firing, swinging, pushing the infected back inch by inch. As the last of his ammunition ran dry, he grabbed a baton from a fallen officer and continued fighting, swinging it fiercely.
Next to him, Samake and his men were doing the same, fighting tooth and nail to keep the infected from overwhelming their line. Just when it seemed they'd be consumed by the wave, a roar erupted from the squad as fresh reinforcements arrived—additional units that had seen the struggle and joined the fray. A fresh hail of gunfire tore into the infected from the side, shredding their numbers.
With renewed momentum, the soldiers and police forced the horde back, step by agonizing step. One by one, the undead fell, cut down by precision and grit, until the last infected stumbled and crumpled to the ground. Silence descended over the street, broken only by the labored breathing of the survivors.
Victor looked around, seeing his team still standing amidst the carnage. Exhausted but alive, he allowed himself a brief, triumphant smile. They had held the line.
But as he looked toward the city beyond, he knew this was only the beginning.
——
I'm using a map and multiple real names of places and streets, so if you want to follow along for fun, go ahead and track the routes, locations, and cities on a map app—have fun 👊.