In only two days, the zombie-hunting squad had dwindled from four hundred members to barely three hundred.
Although Miles hadn't witnessed the aftermath of the recent skirmishes, he could easily imagine it. Driven mad by hunger, people descended into chaos—the outcome was all too predictable.
Ryan suggested to Miles that it might be better to let these people fend for themselves. After all, aside from Andrew, no other zombies had been spotted so far.
But Miles was resolute. "The zombies will emerge, and they will attack humans. If we let things go unchecked, the situation will spiral beyond control."
"Those people are hard to manage, though," Ryan pointed out.
Once just a security captain, Ryan was unprepared to handle such a large, unruly crowd. Many of them looked at him with open disdain, regarding him as nothing more than Miles' lackey.
Miles chuckled. "Managing them is simple. Win over the squad leaders, make them loyal to you, and the rest will fall in line."
Strike where it hurts; take down the leader first. With so many residents, it was impossible for Ryan to subdue them individually. Even if he could, it would be far too exhausting.
The next day, Ryan made his point clear. He deliberately emerged half an hour late. Outside, Anthony, Sini, and a few other squad leaders were talking and pacing to keep warm.
"This weather's insane," Sini muttered, hands bundled in thick gloves. "We were supposed to meet at nine—what's taking that Ryan so long?"
Her lackey spat, "He's just a lackey himself—what's he acting high and mighty for? Push me too far, and I'll take him down myself!"
At that moment, Ryan stepped outside, eyes settling on the man. "You were saying?"
The lackey stiffened, about to retort, but Sini quickly intervened. "He's just a hothead, Ryan. Don't mind him."
Ryan ignored her, instead gesturing for Anthony to approach. Though Anthony held little respect for Ryan, he feigned deference and hurried over with a grin.
"What's up, Ryan? Just say the word."
Ryan's gaze shifted to the insolent lackey, then he casually tossed a pack of cigarettes to Anthony.
"Kill him."
The lackey's face paled, and he spat, "You think you're the boss of me, Ryan? Go ahead, make a move, I dare you!"
Bang!
Without a word, Anthony raised his gun and fired, his lips curling in a satisfied sneer as he lit a cigarette from the pack.
"Anyone else who thinks they're above Ryan will end up like this."
Unlike the refined, elite residents, Anthony understood the language of power. In his previous life, working under Andrew, disobedience had been dealt with in one way: death.
He was, after all, loyal to the highest bidder. Now, Ryan represented Miles, and Miles was nothing less than a godlike figure. If he wanted to keep his stomach full, absolute obedience was a given.
"Let's move on to area assignments," Ryan said, his tone even. "Anthony, you're with me in sector F. Sini, you and your team will handle sector H."
"Yes, Ryan," Sini replied, not daring to argue further. She had seen enough. Ryan was here to establish dominance; anyone who pushed back would be next in line.
Behind her, a few residents grumbled.
"H sector? That's way up north in the high-rises! We'll be exhausted by the time we get there."
"Yeah, why do we get the farthest area?"
"Silence!" Sini snapped, face twisted in anger. "Anyone who complains can forget about getting any food today."
Though now lacking her right-hand man, Sini wasn't concerned. It wouldn't take long for her to recruit another loyal follower.
Sector F was also comprised of high-rises, but its proximity to the villas made it a much shorter trip.
Ryan led his group of over a hundred people through the search, but as evening approached, a sudden, piercing scream echoed from sector H. Soon after, a mob of residents burst from one of the buildings, shouting, "Ghosts! Ghosts!"
Ryan's heart raced. Zombies—had they finally arrived?
He signaled to Anthony. "Everyone, follow me to sector H, but stay alert. Keep your distance; don't let them bite you."
The squads converged on sector H, warily edging forward as fleeing residents continued to scream of ghostly apparitions.
"Damn it," Anthony muttered, gripping his gun tightly. He had no fear of men, but zombies… Zombies were an entirely different beast. He had seen Andrew fall and transform, bullets seemingly powerless against him.
As they approached, they saw Sini standing in the open, shouting orders with a pale face, "Surround it! Don't let it escape!"
The remaining residents hesitated only a moment before forming a cautious circle, brandishing sticks to ward off a lone figure at the center.
The creature was female, its eyes crimson, face mottled with dark blotches, and twisted veins snaked beneath its skin.
Several residents recoiled, horrified.
Just an hour earlier, many had dismissed Miles' warnings, scoffing at the idea of becoming his "lapdogs." But now, faced with undeniable proof, they had no choice but to believe.
Zombies—were real.
"That's not Andrew…" Anthony said, horrified. "Is someone else infected already?"
The infected woman lunged, snarling, but the circle of residents held fast, their sticks thrashing in unison, forcing her back with every advance.
"Capture it!" Ryan commanded, his voice steady.
Yet fear kept many rooted in place, dreading the thought of her bite.
Sini called out, "Remember what Miles promised! Any team that captures a zombie gets a whole roast chicken. Are you going to let that chance slip by?"
The power of food proved too tempting. Hesitation turned to resolve as the residents closed in, overpowering the zombie and binding it tightly, stuffing her mouth to prevent any further threat.
A deathly silence hung over the crowd as they led the captive creature forward, the only sounds the shuffling of their feet and the occasional low growl.
But among the group holding the leash, eyes shone with triumph. They had captured a zombie, and that meant tonight, the three of them would feast on an entire roast chicken.