Everyone immediately assumed a defensive stance. Cong raised his weapon, scanning the direction of the noise. A large shadow moved between the trees.
"Zombie?" Rico asked, ready to fire.
Pan shook his head. "Hold. Don't attack yet."
From behind the trees, a large deer slowly emerged, clearly frightened. The animal looked emaciated and injured but showed no signs of infection.
Dail let out a relieved sigh. "Just a deer."
But Pan remained on high alert. "If the deer's scared, it means something is out there. Stay vigilant."
After ensuring the area was safe, they resumed their journey, looking for a place to shelter for the night.
November 9, 2058 – Night
Aegis Squad moved quickly along the darkening main road. The sun had set, and the night sky was dimly lit by a moon obscured by thick clouds. The forest on either side of the road felt more ominous, with the rustling of leaves carried by the wind.
"We need to find shelter for the night," Cong said, scanning the area with his night-vision binoculars. "This road is too exposed. If a zombie horde shows up, we'll be trapped."
Pan nodded and signaled the team to halt. "Rico, check for nearby buildings or shelters. We can't continue like this."
Rico pulled out a digital map, examining it closely. "There's an old storage facility about a kilometer from here."
"Good. Let's head there," Pan ordered. "Stay sharp. They could appear at any moment."
The Forgotten Warehouse
The old warehouse loomed like a remnant of a forgotten era. Its metal doors were rusted, and parts of its walls had started to crumble. Despite its dilapidated state, the building was large enough to serve as temporary shelter.
"Dail, check on Elis," Pan instructed as he carefully opened the door.
Dail nodded, carrying Elis inside. Cong and Rico swept through the warehouse, ensuring it was clear of threats.
"All clear," Cong reported after a thorough check.
Pan exhaled in relief. "Alright. We'll stay here for the night. Rico, set traps at the entrance. Cong, keep watch from the upper level."
The team divided tasks efficiently. While the others prepared the space, Elis sat in a corner with Dail, hugging her knees and staring at the door.
"Are you scared, Elis?" Dail asked gently.
Elis nodded slowly. "They… they always come. My dad said they can smell us."
Dail tried to reassure her. "We won't let them hurt you. You're safe with us."
Noises in the Night
The night deepened, and the warehouse grew eerily silent. Only the sound of the wind and the occasional creak of the doors broke the stillness. Cong, stationed upstairs, suddenly spotted movement through a small window.
"Major, I see movement outside," he reported over the radio.
Pan grabbed his rifle and joined Cong upstairs. "How many?"
Cong adjusted his night-vision scope. "Three… no, five. Regular zombies. But… wait."
"What is it?" Pan demanded.
Cong swallowed hard. "One of them is bigger than the rest. This isn't a normal zombie. It might be… evolved."
Pan let out a heavy breath. "Alert Rico to prepare. If they approach, we'll engage defensively."
A Sudden Battle
The zombies began approaching the warehouse shortly after. Rico waited by the entrance with a grenade in hand, while Dail stayed close to Elis in the corner, shielding her.
"Now!" Pan shouted as the first zombie triggered a trap at the entrance.
The grenade detonated, taking out two zombies. Cong fired from the upper level, aiming for the head of the evolved zombie. But the creature withstood two direct hits and kept advancing.
"Major, it's too strong!" Cong yelled.
Pan descended to the lower level and retrieved a heavy-duty rifle from his pack. With a well-aimed shot, he finally brought the creature down. The remaining zombies were quickly dispatched by Rico and Cong.
When the fight ended, an uneasy silence settled over the warehouse. Pan wiped the sweat from his brow. "They're getting smarter and stronger. We can't keep this up."
Dail approached, holding Elis, who was still trembling. "Major, we need a way to fight back. If they keep evolving, we won't stand a chance."
Pan looked at his team. "We leave at first light. We need to reach the border zone and learn more about what we're up against."
Uneasy Rest
Cong and Rico scouted the perimeter to ensure no more threats lingered. "It's clear for now," Cong reported, though his tone was uncertain.
Inside, Elis clung tightly to Dail's hand, her eyes fixed on the shadows in the corner of the room. "This place feels… scary," she whispered.
Suddenly, a loud creak came from the upper floor, snapping everyone to attention. Pan raised his hand, signaling for silence. Heavy footsteps echoed above, growing louder as if something was descending toward them.
...