I warned everyone that the military was leaving after they left all sorts of explosives but most of the adults didn't believe me. So I told the girls to pack their stuff since we are leaving. I was impatient so I quickly packed their things and started walking towards the door. Alice's mom tried to stop me. But I used hypnosis to make her get out of my way. I dragged my mother kicking and screaming to the bus while the others dragged the kids and their relatives. I used hypnosis on the guy handling the controls and he obliged me. I stepped on the gas pedal and drove off towards the apartment complex with a hidden basement.
We made the block when they heard an explosion. Everyone ducked and yelled. I stopped around the corner. I walked out and the others followed me. We got inside and I made sure to lock the door. I made dinner and saw that everyone was huddled together holding flashlights. I walked to one of the walls and flipped a switch. The lights came on and everyone dove into the meal. Sonja was the first to finish eating. She started to talk about how the military was enforcing the supposed grandma's house rule. I chuckled, "Everything that is safe was written in their grandma's will as theirs" Irene started swearing in Ukrainian. Her mother slapped her on the back of the head. She stopped swearing and agreed with me. Mom was curious how I knew and Sonja explained that the military had approached Ravencroft academy. The headmistress refused them and soon after the academy had one slight incident with a zombie. They followed us to Winter and was told by the headmaster that they can't have it. Some time later a zombie hoard showed up and we had to make a run for it. We speak from experience so the others had nothing to counter with. This earned a few dirty looks from the adults.
I gave the kids a hug. I stroke their hairs as I promised them the nightmares are over we are going somewhere these menaces weren't going to be a problem. They will grow up safe and sound. They will be loved. They all hugged me and cried. My mom was surprised by the level of maturity so she stood watching me. I tucked them into sleeping bags and stood guard. Mom asked me to sleep but I made it clear that ever since I had injected this substance I haven't slept a wink. She gave me a smile as she went to sleep. The next day I snuck out and discovered a civilian convoy not far from where we were. I woke the others up. We cleaned up and walked till we got close. I saw Shaw conversing with one of the people and he was redirecting them towards a nuclear silo. He guaranteed that the place was safe till one of his buddies made a mistake saying that they were being summoned for specimen collection. The leader said that they are heading north where there is no infection but thanked him for his recommendation. As Shaw walked off he smacked his friend on the back of his head.
The convoy waited till the military were away before they started to pack their stuff. We ran to them and these people were first skeptical but after they made sure we had no bite marks they welcomed us with open arms. The kids got on the school bus. Mom and I hopped on the van. While the rest climbed onboard the ambulance. We drove past the military convoy as they drove into the middle of the zombie infested area. I saw them use blood bags to attract them. These limped, crawled and ran towards the smell of fresh blood. They can't seem to get enough of it. A few soldiers weren't so lucky as the zombies ate them. I heard them scream for help but as hard as the others tried they had no choice but to watch their brothers in arms get eaten. I kept my mouth shut as what was left of soldiers dragged the specimens to the modified vehicle. They were talking about setting a trap for me. Lucky I will be miles from here.
Soon we were on the open road and away from the city. We reached a ghost town and soon we found a small accommodations that could fit all of us. Everyone took a bath and came downstairs to eat. We took out the supplies and started to cook dinner. A few stood outside with guns keeping an eye out for trouble. People took turns eating and sleeping. I volunteered to stand guard and was told that I was too young. My friends and I shared a room. I stood watch as they slept. The next morning we got out and was told that the food supplies were low. So they are going on a scavenger hunt for food. I recalled that one of the donors was a forager so I knew how to identify a few edible mushrooms. I told them that and they said that they will go to the woods first.
When we arrived I went to work. I found loads of chicken of the woods. Some wood ear mushrooms. And a few button mushrooms. I also got a few dozen eggs and fish. The adults were amused as I came back with a box full of food. Mom was surprised but kept to herself as the Bilyk women happily grabbed the box as I went back to get the last box. When I came back with it the adults gave me a pat on the back. A few gave me a thumbs up but I kept my head down. I was scared that the moment they find out what I am they will happily shoot me. Irene gave me a hug and kissed my forehead. Mom gave me a look. It took her a moment before she figured out my insecurity. She was still apprehensive about me so she just gave me a nod as she walked off.
I asked for a walkie talkie and one of the men happily gave me one. Unfortunately it was broken. I had spent time repairing things so it was not a problem. It took me about an hour but I fixed it. Soon I was listening to a few idiots on the radio. I stopped when I heard Batou's. I told him where we were and he told me that he is going to have some difficulty getting to me. So I pretended to use the bathroom and ran off to find Batou. I found him on top of a pharmacy with his baby sister. He saw the zombies part ways for me and his sister actually pointed her gun at me till I showed her that I wasn't bitten. She wanted to know why the zombies let me pass. I chuckled as I asked her if she likes to eat meat from sick animals. She said no and Batou pieced together. He told her about my sickness. The real question was how were they going to get out. I told him to her and stay as close to me as possible while we walked out of there. She protested but in the end Batou won. We walked out and he stood as close to the wall as possible. We walked till we found a working vehicle I told which way to go and also asked him to keep this a secret. I am not comfortable with people. Both promised their mouths firmly shut as they were concerned that I would end up a science experiment.
We reached camp an hour later and after a minute of par down they were welcomed to the group as well. We had lunch and everyone started to pack their stuff so we could roll out. Since we were cramped in space some hopped on Batou's vehicle. Mom being one of them. I sat with Sonja and mom asked me to come with her but Irene said she wanted to feel safe. Mom wanted to argue with her but in the end the leader of the convoy told her to continue after we reached our destination. We will be driving all day and night. Mom gave me a sad look as she hopped shotgun with Batou. The van door closed as Carolina drove the car. I found a broken laptop and started examining the thing. Annie and Daisy asked me if I was going to fix it.
The driver was a young man in his twenties. He is in charge of communication and he has a full set up that helps monitor from zombie activities. Satellite feed, CCTV footage and his own personal sensors. They were mini drones that he placed a hundred yards away as a perimeter. He asked me if I can fix things. Daisy boasted that I built my laptop. He grinned till he saw the busted walkie talkie working. He almost stomped on the brakes. He asked me if I could fix one of his drones. It was on the top shelf. It took me fifteen minutes but I fixed it. The guy was ecstatic as he announced my tech savvy on the walkie talkie. A few compliments were expressed on the walkie talkie.
Finally Batou said skeptically that I am not even allowed to touch the TV because mom is scared that I might get an electric shock. How on earth did I learn to fix a complex miniature espionage device. Sonja boasted that while the government was making the zombie apocalypse I was online learning how to fix things. Batou and sent a few compliments my way but I shrugged it off. The girls gave me a hug as I cried. I was sad that I had to leave Alice behind. Annie reminded me that Alice's mom is a giant pain in the butt. She and her mom are probably fine. They can take care of themselves. It still felt wrong to leave them behind but after much back and forth I let it go. I was about to say something but I sensed a trap so told the guy to take a different route since it felt familiar to me. Daisy figured that it was the robbers. The guy called it in and we took a left turn. Moments later we heard bangs and I waited till the coast was clear. It turns out those girls had placed trip wires and grenades. All so they can pillage and loot.
Sonja's aunt had a few words to say in Ukrainian after I covertly explained what had happened. The others asked for a translation. Mom translated the only word she understood. It was pathetic. The rest was a mystery. One of the guys asked me what I had said. The woman quickly said she was talking about what happened when we left Ravencroft academy. Irene concurred. Sonja nodded her head as I quietly told the others what was going on. They had a few bad words to say till their moms told them to grow up. The rest of the trip was quiet since we were passing by a military facility. I was so pissed as I saw specimens being dragged down to the subbasement levels. Something tells me that soon we will face a newer version of these beasties. They won't be so easy to kill. I involuntarily let out a growl. The driver got a little anxious but the girls hugged me. I told them my theory and they concurred. The driver asked me if I was alright. Daisy said that my stomach was growling since I had given my portion to one of the youngsters. His demeanor changed as he said that there are a few candy bars in one of the drawers. Since I had fixed his baby I am welcome to enjoy a bar or two. Sonja found and I absentmindedly chewed on it as I tried to figure out my next move.