The warehouse door creaked open, breaking the silence of the night. The air inside was damp, and a foul smell immediately assaulted their senses.
"This isn't a normal smell," Rico muttered, raising his weapon higher.
From the corner of the darkness, the sound of dragging grew louder, like something dragging its body across the floor. Everyone stood on alert. Pan signaled for them to remain quiet.
From the darkness, a figure emerged that froze their blood. A man in ragged clothing stood before them. However, his eyes were hollow, and his movements unnatural.
"He's one of them!" Hart shouted, immediately firing his weapon, causing chaos inside the warehouse.
A fierce battle erupted in the small room, forcing the team to find a way out before they were completely surrounded.
Back to the Present...
November 20, 2058 – Afternoon
The sky began to turn a deep orange as Aegis Squad approached the Omega Zone's border. The wind carried the scent of dust and destruction, enveloping the team in a suffocating silence. Dead trees lined up like dark shadows, and abandoned houses stood as silent witnesses to the tragedy that had once occurred here.
Major Pan Colman led the way, his sharp eyes scanning every corner. Beside him, Hart guarded the team's rear, weapon always ready. In the middle, Elis walked hesitantly, her gaze constantly scanning the darkening sky.
"We need to find shelter before nightfall," Pan said, stopping in his tracks. He pointed to an old warehouse in the distance. The warehouse appeared unused, with a sagging iron door and walls covered in moss.
"Are we sure we want to go in there?" Hart asked, his voice filled with doubt. "If it's their nest, we'll be trapped."
"We have no other choice. Night is when they hunt," Pan answered firmly. "Elis, stay close to us."
Elis nodded slightly, clutching her sweater tightly around her neck. Although she said nothing, fear was clearly written on her face.
The Warehouse That Holds Secrets
Once they entered the warehouse, the atmosphere changed drastically. Darkness surrounded them, only illuminated by the small beam of Hart's flashlight. The sound of their footsteps echoed, adding to the eerie feeling.
In the corner of the room, Pan found several wooden boxes that appeared to still be intact. He opened one carefully and found canned food and a few bottles of water.
"At least we have supplies for tonight," he said, handing some cans to Hart.
However, the atmosphere quickly shifted when Elis heard a rustling noise from behind. "What's that?" she whispered in panic.
Hart immediately raised his weapon, and Pan signaled for everyone to remain silent. They held their breath, trying to listen carefully. The noise came again, this time closer. It sounded like something dragging its body across the floor.
"Get ready," Pan whispered.
From the darkness, a figure emerged that froze their blood. A survivor in tattered clothes and a body covered in wounds stood before them. However, something was wrong. His eyes were hollow, and his movements were unnatural.
"He's one of them," Hart said, his voice trembling.
Fighting in Confinement
Without warning, the figure attacked. Pan quickly shot, but the gunshot triggered more zombies to appear from outside. They broke through the warehouse door, screaming terrifyingly.
"We're surrounded!" Hart yelled as he backed toward the wall.
Pan tried to think fast. "We need to hold out until they leave. Hart, barricade that door! Elis, help me block the windows."
They worked quickly, using anything they could find in the warehouse to fend off the attack. Elis, despite trembling, managed to help lift a table to cover the broken window. Meanwhile, Hart kept firing with the remaining ammo he had.
But the zombie attack intensified. One of them broke through the back door, causing Elis to fall. Before the zombie could reach her, Pan slashed it with the large knife he carried.
"We can't hold out here much longer," Hart gasped. "We're almost out of ammo."
Pan nodded. "We need to find a way out. If we stay here, we're dead."
Hope in the Midst of Despair
Just when they were about to lose hope, the sound of an approaching vehicle could be heard. The bright headlights illuminated the warehouse, causing the zombies to stop momentarily. In the distance, a voice shouted, "Over here! Quick!"
Without thinking twice, Pan led the team out through the side door. They ran toward the light, passing by confused zombies. A large military truck stopped in front of them, and a man in ragged uniform helped them climb aboard.
The truck sped off, leaving the zombie horde behind. However, the tension inside the truck was still palpable.
"Which squad are you from?" the ragged man, Leoric, asked while driving, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror.
"Aegis Squad," Pan replied briefly. "Thanks for the help."
"Don't thank me yet," Leoric said in a deep voice. "We're not out of danger yet."
Suddenly, a loud noise came from the truck's roof. Everyone exchanged wary looks.
"There's something on top!" Hart shouted as he raised his weapon.