Chapter 3
On the way to the base that I built, the three people I'm saving are following close behind. The two children, Leo and Margaret, walk right behind me, while Anna stays at the rear, ensuring no one is left behind. Before we left the convenience store, I had briefed them about the safest route we would take. I had already scouted paths that were relatively clear of infected, places where I would have enough visibility to spot any dangers in advance. I had also given Anna a pistol for self-defense, along with a crash course on how to use it. She was hesitant at first, but with some quick instructions, she got the hang of it.
As we made our way through the desolate streets of London, the air was eerily silent, save for the occasional distant groan of the infected. The sky was beginning to shift into hues of orange and red, signaling that night was approaching. The children were visibly exhausted, their small bodies sluggishly trudging forward. Even Anna, despite her best efforts, was showing signs of fatigue.
"Don't give up," I whispered encouragingly. "Once we make it past this, we'll reach my base. You'll be able to take a proper bath and eat a real meal."
Leo and Margaret didn't respond, but I could see their determination in their tired eyes. Anna gave me a small nod, silently pushing herself forward.
As I scanned the path ahead, I suddenly noticed a figure standing about a mile away, barely visible in the fading light. I immediately motioned for the group to stop, raising my hand to signal silence. Turning toward them, I instructed in a hushed tone, "Stay quiet. No unnecessary noise. If you see something unusual, don't speak—just tap me twice."
They nodded, understanding the severity of the situation. I narrowed my eyes at the figure in the distance, but with the limited light, I couldn't make out if it was a human or one of the infected. The uncertainty made my skin crawl. If it was infected, we couldn't afford to alert it. If it was a survivor, they might be dangerous.
I considered our options. The sun was setting fast, and that alone put us at a disadvantage. If it were just me, I wouldn't be too concerned, but I had civilians with me. I wasn't willing to risk their safety.
"We need to hurry," I whispered to the group, picking up the pace. They obeyed without question.
For the next twenty minutes, we moved as quietly and quickly as possible, carefully maneuvering through alleyways and abandoned streets. Every shadow felt like a potential threat, every noise an indication of something lurking nearby. The tension in the air was suffocating, but I made sure to stay calm for their sake.
Eventually, we made it past the open field that separated us from the outskirts of the city. I let out a quiet sigh of relief when we reached the small industrial zone where I had set up my base.
The structure itself was a two-story building, solidly built and well-fortified. It had a rooftop vantage point for sighting threats, a secure perimeter, and an armored vehicle stashed in the backyard—stocked with enough supplies in case we ever needed to evacuate in a hurry. This place wasn't perfect, but it was the safest place I could find.
Once inside, I locked the doors behind us and finally allowed myself to relax, if only for a moment.
"You guys can take a shower over there," I said, gesturing toward a set of makeshift bathroom stalls I had set up. "Don't worry about making noise—this place is far enough from the city that we won't attract any infected. There's an open area around the building, so I'll be able to see anything coming from a mile away."
Anna nodded, clearly relieved, and the children practically lit up at the thought of fresh water.
"You can pick whichever room you want," I continued. "Just let me know which one, so if there's an emergency, I can find you quickly. And once you're done, head up to the second floor. I'll have food ready for you."
Leo's face practically glowed with admiration. The way he looked at me—it was like he saw me as some kind of hero. I wasn't used to that, but I wasn't going to let him down either.
While they took turns showering, I made my way to the small kitchen I had set up and began preparing a meal. It wasn't much, but I wanted to celebrate the fact that we had made it through the journey safely. I cooked up some pasta, keeping an ear out for any potential threats as I worked.
By the time the food was ready, the three of them had finished freshening up and had gathered in the small dining area on the second floor. The exhaustion on their faces was still evident, but there was also relief. The simple act of sitting down to eat a warm meal brought them a sense of normalcy, something they had probably not felt in a long time.
As we sat around the table, eating in silence, I knew one thing for sure—I had taken on a responsibility far bigger than just surviving. These people were depending on me now. And no matter what, I was going to make sure that they'll survive as long as I live.
Chapter end.