The door to the room slammed open, revealing an evolved zombie with a large body and tough skin. The creature stared directly at them before emitting a loud roar that shook the walls.
"Shoot its joints!" Pan shouted as he fired the first shot.
The zombie moved with surprising speed, forcing the team to scatter. Rico and Cong tried to distract the creature while Pan looked for an opportunity to make a fatal strike. With careful teamwork, they eventually brought the zombie down, but the atmosphere remained tense.
"How many more like that are here?" Elis asked with a trembling voice.
"We can't stay here any longer. We need to leave now," Pan said firmly.
November 17, 2058 – Three Days Earlier
The afternoon sky turned gray, signaling that night was approaching. Aegis team had found an old warehouse on the edge of the forest as a temporary shelter. They organized their belongings neatly, assigned night watch duties, while the atmosphere among them felt heavy.
"I don't agree with this," Hart suddenly said, his voice firm in the silence. "Elis is only 12. We shouldn't force her to handle a weapon."
"If we don't prepare her, do you think she'll survive?" Jenna replied sharply, cleaning the small pistol she was going to give to Elis. "Zombies don't care how old you are, Hart. If she doesn't know how to protect herself, she won't stand a chance."
"It's our job to protect her," Hart emphasized, looking at Major Pan, hoping for support. "We're a military team; she's just a little girl. We can keep her safe without dragging her into danger like this."
Major Pan, who had been silent until then, finally spoke. "Hart, I understand your concern. But Jenna is right. The world has changed. Elis needs to know how to survive, even if that means learning things she shouldn't have to at her age."
Elis, sitting in the corner of the room with her knees hugged to her chest, listened to the debate with a sad expression. She finally stood up, walked over to the group still debating.
"I want to learn," she said, her voice soft but firm. Everyone froze, staring at her in surprise. "I know I'm still a kid. But I don't want to just sit here while you protect me. I want to help."
Hart looked like he wanted to argue, but the determination in Elis's eyes made him stop. He sighed, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But you have to promise to be careful. And we'll make sure it's done safely."
First Training
The next morning, Jenna, Hart, and Cong began a simple training session for Elis in the open area near the warehouse. Jenna held the small pistol she had cleaned, while Cong carried some empty bottles as training targets.
"Okay, Elis," said Jenna as she handed the pistol to her. "This is a small pistol. It's not heavy, but it's enough to protect yourself if needed. The first thing you need to learn is how to hold it correctly."
Elis carefully took the pistol, following Jenna's instructions to hold it with both hands. Her hands trembled slightly, but she tried to stay calm.
"Relax," said Cong, standing beside her. "Think of it like a game, but you have to be serious. Focus on your target."
Elis nodded, trying to regulate her breathing. She aimed the pistol at one of the bottles set in the distance. With guidance from Jenna and Cong, she pulled the trigger. The first shot missed the target by a long way, leaving her frustrated.
"That's normal," Jenna said with a small smile. "No one gets it right on the first try. Just focus on your breathing and your target."
After several attempts, Elis finally hit one of the bottles. Her face lit up, though her hands were still trembling.
"Good job, Elis!" Cong cheered, patting her on the shoulder. "You've got natural talent. Just keep practicing."
Hart, who had been observing from a distance, came over. "You're doing well, Elis. But remember, a weapon is the last resort. If you can avoid danger, that's always better."
Elis nodded. "I understand. Thank you, everyone."
Learning to Throw Grenades
The next session was grenade training, led by Hart and Major Pan. They used dummy grenades to ensure the training was safe.
"A grenade is different from a pistol," said Major Pan, showing the dummy grenade in his hand. "This is a weapon that requires timing. If you throw it wrong, you could end up hurting yourself or your teammates."
Elis nodded seriously, watching intently as Hart demonstrated how to pull the pin and throw the grenade safely.
"The most important thing is timing," Hart said. "Pull the pin, wait one or two seconds, then throw it as far as you can."
Elis carefully tried it. Her small hands held the dummy grenade, and under Hart's guidance, she pulled the pin and threw it at the designated target. The grenade landed perfectly, impressing everyone.
"Very good," said Major Pan with pride. "You're learning fast, Elis."
Elis smiled widely. For the first time, she felt like part of the team, not just someone to be protected.
A Quiet Night
That night, after training, the Aegis team gathered around a small campfire outside the warehouse. Elis sat between Jenna and Dail, looking more confident than before.
"How does it feel, Elis?" Jenna asked.
"It's fun," Elis replied with a smile. "But also scary. I don't know if I can do it when it's really dangerous."
Dail patted her shoulder. "It's okay to be scared. It means you care. And you're not alone. We're all here for you."
Elis nodded, her eyes welling up. She knew the journey ahead would be long and dangerous, but that night, she felt a little more ready to face whatever came next.
In the distance, a faint growl echoed from the forest, reminding them that the threat was never truly gone. But for now, they enjoyed a brief peace, united as a team growing stronger together.
After some rest, they decided to continue their journey. The night grew late, and the team walked toward the old warehouse standing in the ruins. Only the light from flashlights illuminated their path. Elis held Dail's hand tightly, her eyes scanning the darkness.
"Major, this place looks like a trap," whispered Cong, checking the warehouse door with his small flashlight.
"We have no choice. Night is when they hunt," Pan replied firmly.
However, as they approached the warehouse door, a rustling sound came from inside, causing everyone to immediately aim their weapons at the door.
"Get ready!" Pan whispered, while Rico slowly pushed the door open.