[09:05 am]
And just like it would have happened in their high school days after lunch, the cafeteria was left empty, the sound of footsteps fading as students hurried back to class. Now, however, the footsteps were heading outside, towards two figures standing apart from the others—two gossipers who had often been late to class, sacrificing punctuality for the sake of spilling tea. Vanessa and Owen first glanced around cautiously, then made their way out of the building, ensuring they wouldn't bump into the other two. The tension was between them.
"You are lying, and I don't want to listen to your stupid arguments! It's his fault, his, and his dickhead ego!" Vanessa yelled back and forth, her voice escalating as she expressed her frustration. The unfairness of it all was crushing her, and the memory of her best friend's pain only added to the intensity.
Owen, standing a few feet away, felt the heat of the argument rising. His fingers twitched, and finally, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"Ego? Whose fucking ego are you talking about? Danny's? Danny Harding's ego? Please, remind me—when did he ever have one? When did he have the courage to do anything, and when did he ever get a fucking ego?" His voice was tight with anger, the tension pouring out in sharp bursts.
Vanessa stopped pacing, locking eyes with him. The air between them crackled with unresolved emotions.
"Okay, if you say so. Then he's just an ungrateful jerk. He didn't deserve even a bit of attention or kindness. Tell me, then—you said he knew it." Her voice was cold now, the accusation hanging heavy between them.
"I guess you're talking about Alex's changes." Owen's voice dropped, as if daring her to challenge him.
"Of course I'm talking about Alex. Tell me, Owen, why didn't he leave him in the beginning? Why didn't he just say it straight and be done with it? Why did he have to fuck everything up and play with his feelings? For what?! For what exactly?" Vanessa's voice cracked with emotion as she fought back tears. Her love for her best friend was strong, and seeing how everything had fallen apart tore at her heart.
Owen's frustration boiled over, his hands clenching at his sides.
"Vanessa, I don't fucking understand what you're talking about. What do you want me to say?" His voice wavered, half pleading, half exasperated.
"Why, for God's sake, was he pretending, doing all those things if it would end up disgusting him?" Vanessa's voice was edged with desperation now.
"He WASN'T pretending! He was FUCKING in love with him!" Owen's shout seemed to freeze the air around them. Silence followed, heavy and suffocating. The tension that had built up so fiercely was now replaced by an overwhelming quiet. His words hung in the air like a confession no one was ready for.
Vanessa stood there, her mind reeling. Owen's outburst echoed in her ears, and her heart raced. The cafeteria around them seemed to grow still, her surroundings blurring as her thoughts took over.
Owen sighed, his voice quieter now, almost gentle.
"And get this straight—Danny was never pretending. He was never disgusted by Alex."
Vanessa blinked, still processing what she just heard.
"But he isn't, like..." her voice trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"Like what? Now you don't want to say it because you might be wrong, huh? Well, you are wrong. You judged the book by its cover." Owen stepped closer, sensing that he finally had the upper hand in this conversation.
Vanessa swallowed hard.
"So, he really is..."
"Yes, Vanessa, he is. Is it that hard to imagine that Danny is gay? So if you have more arguments about Danny being disgusted by Alex, keep in mind he's a 'faggot,' as you used to say, okay?" Owen's tone softened slightly at the end, but his words were firm.
Vanessa felt a flood of confusion and guilt.
"Now I'm even more confused. Why did he—"
Owen cut her off, his voice calm but insistent.
"Listen, Nessie, let's end this here for now. Clearly, there's something unclear on both sides, but for now, let's just stop. You see how things are going. It's better not to ruin it." He moved closer, resting a hand on her shoulder. With a gentle nudge, he began leading her back toward the building.
The halls were quiet, their footsteps echoing softly in the stillness. They walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The weight of unanswered questions hung between them, heavy and unshakable. As they passed a window, Owen suddenly stopped, his gaze drawn outside. Vanessa followed his eyes, her brow furrowing in confusion. But then she saw it—a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Curious, Vanessa stepped closer to the window. Outside, she saw the scene that had caught Owen's attention. Danny was chasing Alex, his hood full of leaves, while Alex had a few stuck in his hair. They were laughing, running around like kids in the middle of an autumn leaf fight. It would have seemed childish if they were still in high school, but now, it was a rare moment of joy amidst the chaos of adult life.
"And you want to tell me they're twenty-five years old?" Vanessa asked, a smile creeping onto her face despite herself.
"Twenty-four and twenty-five, yeah. I don't think so," Owen corrected, shaking his head.
"They haven't aged since high school, at all. Maybe you're right. Let's forget about the past," Vanessa said, turning back toward the hall.
"Wow, really? After all this?" Owen raised an eyebrow, surprised by her sudden change in tone.
"Of course not." Vanessa smirked as she began walking again. "I won't rest until I find out the real truth. But... I don't want to take away Alex's joy. I hate to say it, but I haven't seen him this happy in years." Her voice softened as she spoke, her steps growing quieter as she disappeared down the hall.
Owen stayed behind for a moment, his eyes lingering on Danny and Alex through the window. His heart warmed as he watched them, their laughter breaking through the gloom of the day. He shook his head with a smile.
"Those fuckers," he muttered under his breath, the grin still on his face as he turned to follow Vanessa down the hall.
12:34 AM
Alex stepped out into the chilly evening air, the sky a somber canvas of gray clouds that threatened rain. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, the cold biting into his skin as he made his way toward the outdoor shelter where he and Pablo had arranged to meet. In a short period, the weather had completely changed, the wind carrying with it a deeper chill. Across the way, he spotted Pablo, standing stoically, his eyes fixed on the marsh of young adolescents completing their military chores. As Alex approached, Pablo glanced up, his usual stern expression softening as a faint smile flickered across his face despite the dreary surroundings.
"Hey," Alex greeted him for the second time that day. Pablo nodded in response, removing his mask and hat so Alex could see him better—more out of familiarity than necessity. It was something he felt comfortable doing in the presence of someone he had known since their school days.
"Okay, Savs. First, start with your introduction, the one with the plan," Pablo's voice was calm and measured, a stark contrast to the shouts that usually defined his role as commander. His tone brought a sense of calmness to the moment, though it seemed almost surreal that he could speak so quietly given the chaos surrounding them.
"Yeah, so... You might not like it at first, but please, just listen to me. We're all in this situation, and no good news has come in for a while. But we have a solution—maybe. At least, something that might be a solution. But we need your help." Alex wasted no time launching into his plan, his words spilling out with a sense of urgency that matched the cold that seeped through his clothes. The bite of the wind seemed to sharpen his focus, propelling him to speak quicker.
Pablo's eyes darkened slightly as he listened, his fingers brushing against the brim of his hat before he folded his arms. "I'm listening."
"I've been researching their behavior for some time. Now, I know when and how they attack, under what conditions. And I know their eternal enemy is daylight. Vanessa found a way to stop the further spread of infection and destroy them, but we need to be at the epicenter of the chaos."
A shadow crossed Pablo's face, his brows furrowing. "I hope you're not thinking about moving toward Mosin. I've lost enough soldiers and civilians because I couldn't do anything. Now that I know the four of you are safe, I can't let your lives be added to the count." His voice, though calm, carried the weight of the decisions he had made—and the lives he had lost.
"But if—" Alex started, but Pablo cut him off.
"No. I don't want to hear it."
Alex stepped closer, his breath shallow in the cold air. "Listen to me. If we don't act, more people will get infected. And then what? Do you want the whole country to be 90% zombies, while a single shelter here holds out with you and 100 others? Pablo, you know I wouldn't agree to something that would threaten the lives of the people I care about. But this—this might be our solution." His voice didn't rise, but there was a quiet intensity in it, the kind that wouldn't back down.
Pablo's jaw tightened as he weighed Alex's words, his mind wrestling with the conflicting responsibilities he bore. "And what if it doesn't work? Do you want everyone to die because of one reckless decision?" His voice cracked under the pressure of the question.
Alex met his gaze, unwavering. "Yes. I'd rather die knowing I tried something than sit here and watch everything fall apart. Think about it—soon it'll be winter, the days will be even shorter. Zombies will be stronger, and attacks will increase. More people will die. Do you want that?" His voice was calm, controlled, even as his heart raced with the weight of what he was asking. He couldn't let his emotions overwhelm him—not when so much was at stake.
For a long moment, Pablo remained silent. The wind whistled through the open space, and Alex could see the internal battle playing out behind his friend's eyes. Pablo knew the risks. He knew the stakes. And yet, despite the doubt, there was something more—a flicker of trust. He knew this group, knew their strength, and despite everything, he trusted them.
"You have my approval," Pablo finally said, his voice quieter now. "After lunch, come to my room. We'll go over the whole plan, and I'll prepare you as much as I can."
Relief washed over Alex, the tension leaving his shoulders as Pablo's words sank in. The doubts that had haunted him for days began to melt away, replaced by a tentative hope. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. I promise."
Pablo nodded, though he had to return to his duties. He placed his hat and mask back on, his commanding presence slipping back into place. "I have your word. See you later." With that, he turned and walked back to his group, leaving Alex standing alone in the fading light, the silence settling back around him like a heavy blanket. He stood still for a moment, absorbing the reality of what lay ahead, before turning to gather his friends.
Finding them wasn't difficult—he knew exactly where they would be. Vanessa was outside with a nurse, sipping coffee as the nurse smoked beside her. Danny, as usual, was fast asleep in a room, and Owen was in the practice room. When they were all together, Alex informed them of Pablo's permission and the meeting that would take place later that day. Everything was moving so fast, and by tomorrow, they would be leaving, venturing back into the wild where danger lurked at every corner.
On their last night at the shelter, an unexpected surprise awaited them. After his final conversation with Alex, Pablo had realized that tonight might be the last time he saw them. He had called them to the cafeteria after their showers, telling them to meet him there. What awaited them was not a briefing or an instruction—there was only one light on in the cafeteria, casting a warm glow over the table in the center. From the door, they could see Pablo, Daniel, Bruno, and the nurse Vanessa had befriended sitting together. On the table, bottles of alcohol glistened in the light.
"Why are you standing there speechless? Bruno's going to drink everything before you even sit down," Pablo teased, his voice lighter than usual.
"No, no, no. I can't drink vodka without Blondie," Bruno chimed in, winking at Vanessa as he always did, taking any opportunity to annoy her. He was quickly joined by Daniel, who added, "No, she's too elegant for vodka—she only drinks wine."
"You two don't have enough chromosomes together to even drink wine," the nurse shot back, defending Vanessa with a playful smirk as they all sat down at the table.
Eight people, all huddled together, shared one last drink. They sat, laughing and joking, trying to savor every moment before the inevitable dawn. The clinking of glasses echoed softly, a bittersweet melody of camaraderie that lingered in the air. Despite the jokes and the laughter, an unspoken sadness hung over them, a shared understanding that this might be their final night together.
They drank not to get drunk like they once did in high school, but to simply be together, for however long they had left. The weight of tomorrow loomed over them, but for now, they had this moment—this fleeting, precious moment to hold onto before their paths diverged once again.
08:21 AM
After an eventful evening, the group had to begin their new journey. Officially, today marked the start of their plan to restore everything and end the horrific apocalypse once and for all. Only this time, they were not alone.
They knew that each step could lead them closer to death, but it wasn't a concern in their minds. If they were going to die, let it be while trying to change things. It had become their motto, something that perhaps others would regret not doing in the past. The four of them were still inside the shelter, completing the final preparations. Pablo had ensured the nurses packed their backpacks with the necessary provisions. Food and water were rationed due to weight, but ammunition was plentiful. They had been given new weapons—a sniper rifle, two new rifles, and a pistol for Vanessa that was easy to use. For Alex, this was a dream come true—new weapons and no need to worry about running out of ammo.
Vanessa received a new first aid kit and medicine from the nurses, including an emergency infusion bottle and needles for stitching wounds. It was more than they expected, but they were grateful. However, the biggest surprise came next.
They were handed new clothing, more protective and durable than what they had before. The boys were given tactical gear similar to what special forces wore, not military uniforms. Vanessa, on the other hand, received a new jacket, pants, boots, and leather gloves. Owen was outfitted in a black jacket with a protective vest, designed for his role as the first to attack or distract, allowing him to blend into the shadows when needed. He was also given a mask to cover his mouth, protecting him from the infected saliva or blood of zombies. In contrast, the sniper received a bright red jacket so he could be spotted from a distance during ambushes or in the dark. Danny got new glasses attached to his mask, ensuring they wouldn't slip off when he needed to focus. He was also equipped with smoke bombs and explosives. Pablo had thought of everything to help them. Alex was well-protected with body armor and gloves fitted with claw-like blades, capable of piercing a zombie's neck if one got too close.
Then came an unexpected moment of humor.
"This is like when your mom buys you a jacket three sizes too big so you can wear it for the next twenty years," Owen joked, eyeing how Alex's black jacket fit him. Although Owen wasn't much taller than Alex, the jacket hung loose and wide on him.
"It looks like you are a hanger for clothes," Vanessa added with a smirk. With his bag slung over his shoulders and the body armor tightening around him, Alex didn't care about how he looked.
"If you weren't here, I wouldn't have known that myself," Alex replied dryly.
Pablo entered the room and led them toward the exit. Daniel and Bruno had the chance to say their goodbyes, fully aware that it could be the last time they saw their friends.
"Harding Morino, survive this shit. We still need to go drinking again," Bruno called out, attempting to keep things light.
"And don't shoot each other's heads off like in basic training," Daniel added.
"We'll try," Owen responded with a grin.
"Both of it," Danny echoed, grinning alongside him.
The two embraced their old school friends in a final brotherly hug, a heaviness settling in their hearts as they turned to join Alex and Pablo. Vanessa approached, rubbing her eyes.
"Where were you? Were you crying?" Danny teased.
"No, I was saying goodbye to the girl from last night," Vanessa retorted.
"Just tell ,did you fall in love in two days," Owen quipped.
"You're just jealous because I pull girls, and you pull only the door that says 'push,'" Vanessa shot back, quick as ever.
"Which girl? The one you planned with to kill yourself with cigars?" Danny added, just like he is an instigator.
"No, the one I was planning to kill ," Vanessa replied sharply.
A little humor lightened the mood, but despite Danny's attempts to annoy her, Vanessa always found a way to respond. She couldn't stand him mentally, though the hatred wasn't mutual—it was still strong. Meanwhile, Alex stood by the fence wall with Pablo, examining the map that had been prepared for their journey. Pablo had mapped out the safest routes and areas to avoid. With no vehicles, they'd be walking on foot, but that wasn't a problem for this group.
The plan was to head south to F2, where the Vetha was located—a shelter with a small group of survivors. Few people lived there, but they had survived with the help of the army. There was a radio station, allowing for communication and updates as they made their way. They knew it would be late afternoon by the time they arrived.
"Are you sure about this? You don't have to sacrifice yourselves. Maybe there's another way," Pablo said, his voice low with concern.
"Well, someone found a way. Now it's up to us to make it work," Alex responded, his resolve clear.
"You're taking a big step, but I believe in you. I guess this is goodbye, until next time," Pablo said, offering a rare moment of emotional honesty.
"You can be depressing sometimes, you know that? Wait for our next time—with better alcohol, mate," Owen chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.
"If this works, maybe you'll even grow," Danny added with a smirk, his and Owen's usual banter hiding the sadness beneath.
As the steel gate began to close behind them, Pablo watched his brave friends disappear from view. For the first time, he couldn't hold back.
"Be careful!" Pablo shouted, his voice filled with emotion as he raised his hand in a final salute. The four of them turned briefly, their expressions solemn as they acknowledged him. It was their last greeting, filled with pride and a sense of duty. They took every next step with that in mind.
Although they were about to face something that could easily kill them, they had decided. They will live for the danger.