Lyra, wanting nothing more than to forget the sight of zombies, retreated to the living room sofa. It was incredibly soft, covered in what felt like expensive cashmere. Across from the sofa was a small screen, presumably for movies. Beside it, a built-in cabinet held a tray with bottled water, cups, and snacks.
The carpet felt like walking on clouds. Curtains blocked the view outside, and the bulletproof glass added to the sense of security.
Minutes ago, they'd been facing death. Now, surrounded by luxury and comfort, the horror felt like a bad dream.
She gazed around, increasingly amazed by the van's opulent interior. This transformation must have cost a fortune. Who was Zephyr?
She picked up a water bottle, then put it back. It felt rude to help herself without asking.
Like Serena, Lyra was a college student. The two were close friends, caught in the disaster together. If they hadn't run into Serena's acquaintance…Lyra shuddered to think what might have happened.
Serena hesitated, then joined Zephyr in the cab, settling into the passenger seat. It was like sinking into a cloud. The comfort surprised her.
But the view ahead wasn't so pleasant.
When the van had been surrounded, some zombies had gotten ahead. Now they could see a small car trapped up the road. The driver was being dragged screaming from his window, pulled into a swarm of grasping limbs.
Serena's face went white.
Zephyr didn't stop, driving past the carnage. A few blood-splattered zombies turned, roaring after the van, but quickly fell behind.
The highway entrance was in sight.
The toll booths were gone, replaced by military trucks blocking all but three lanes. Machine guns were mounted on the trucks, barrels trained on the long line of cars. Soldiers, armed to the teeth, guarded the entrance.
Buildings lining the road and rooftops of parked vehicles bristled with weapons. Reaching this point meant relative safety. Any stray zombies were quickly gunned down.
People in line watched nervously. Zephyr, with the van's higher vantage point, could see the entire entrance clearly.
Vehicles were checked by soldiers before being allowed through. Each check took about ten seconds. Three vehicles every ten seconds. Zephyr estimated the wait time.
Shouldn't be too bad…
He relaxed slightly. The military checkpoint offered a welcome sense of security. He'd been on edge for too long.
Serena, seeing the soldiers, the guns, the highway so close, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Speed twenty kilometers per hour. Vehicle self-check…no damage," the Etherscope reported. Zephyr eased off the gas.
Sporadic gunfire punctuated the air. Slowly, they inched forward, only a few cars from the checkpoint.
But the number of zombies behind them was growing. The gunfire was becoming more frequent. Hearing the commotion, Shao Jingjing joined Serena, looking back anxiously.
The military's firepower was impressive. Even though zombies packed the street, they couldn't advance.
It was reassuring.
They were almost there. They stared at the entrance, the dozens of trucks, the array of weaponry. A sight that would normally be intimidating, now felt like salvation.
Zephyr waited patiently. Suddenly, a burst of gunfire erupted from another lane. He glanced over. A heart-wrenching cry came from a small car as soldiers dragged out a dead man.
A bloody wound marked his arm. A woman, presumably his wife or girlfriend, sobbed uncontrollably.
"Again, if anyone has been bitten, leave your vehicle or turn back! If discovered, you will be terminated immediately! This virus is highly contagious! Those infected become monsters, endangering everyone!" a grim-faced officer announced through a megaphone.
Most onlookers were shocked, but unsympathetic. Witnessing a loved one's execution was preferable to watching them turn and tear their family apart.
The flow of vehicles continued. Then a sustained burst of gunfire erupted from behind them. Even the soldiers at the checkpoint turned, faces grim.
Zephyr checked the rearview screen. A soldier, firing his weapon, was dragged from a truck and overwhelmed.
Two trucks were already swamped by the seemingly endless horde. Screams echoed from the buildings.
In the distance, thousands more zombies converged, a terrifying sea of undead flooding the streets.
Low growls rumbled from the mass of bloodthirsty, crazed eyes fixed on the highway entrance.