CHAPTER VI
Only two days left on our journey, and I was still grappling with the unanswered questions about Remi's transformation. How did she become a zombie? Was it the virus that spread through the air? And why hadn't it affected us? My mother, sensing my turmoil, tried to offer some explanation. She knew me well enough to read the confusion and grief etched on my face.
"Sam, there's something we didn't tell you," she said gently. "The day we left home and you went to the supermarket to get milk, we heard a strange noise while you were inside. Remi thought you were in danger, so she got out of the van and grabbed one of your guns. That's when she encountered a zombie. She managed to fight it off, but not without getting scratched by its nails. We didn't think much of it at the time, but it seems that was enough to infect her."
I felt a mix of emotions: shock, anger, and regret. "Mom, you shouldn't have let Remi go out like that," I said, my voice shaking. "Dad, why didn't you stop her?"
But before anyone could respond, a loud crash echoed through the air, followed by the sound of screeching metal. Our van had been hit, and we were all thrown off balance. The world around me went dark as I lost consciousness.
As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about Remi and the events that had led to her demise. I replayed the moments leading up to her transformation, wondering if there was anything we could have done differently. The pain of losing her was still fresh, and now, we were facing another challenge – surviving the aftermath of the accident.
The uncertainty of our situation hung over me like a dark cloud. Would we be able to recover from this? Would we make it to our destination? The questions swirled in my mind, but I had no answers. All I could do was hold on to hope and pray that we would come out of this alive.
As I slowly opened my eyes, I was met with a scene of chaos. Our van had collided with a bus, and the impact had left us stranded in the midst of a tangled mess of vehicles. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks - it was my fault. I had forgotten that we needed to navigate through a tunnel, and my lack of focus had led to this accident.
I got out of the van, shotgun in hand, and surveyed the damage. The tunnel was a nightmare, with cars, vans, buses, and trucks crammed in every direction. There was no clear path to escape, and the thought of navigating through this maze was daunting. I knew I had to be cautious, as the outside world was full of unknown dangers.
I returned to the van, my heart racing with every step. I didn't know what kind of zombies might be lurking outside, and I wasn't about to take any chances. I grabbed a water bottle from the poly bag and began to revive my family members, starting with my mother. As she came to, she began to speak, but I quickly silenced her, my finger to my lips. "Shh, mom, we need to be quiet. We're not safe yet."
I gently roused my father and Mon, my voice barely above a whisper. "Everyone, stay calm. I'm going to check if there's another vehicle we can use to get out of here. And remember, no one gets out of the van until I say it's safe."
With my shotgun at the ready, I stepped out into the unknown, scanning the wreckage for any sign of a drivable vehicle. The air was thick with tension, and every creak of metal or groan of twisted metal made me jump. I moved cautiously, my senses on high alert, as I searched for a way out of this claustrophobic nightmare. The thought of being trapped in this tunnel, surrounded by the undead, was a constant fear that drove me forward. I had to find a way out, no matter what.
I began to scan the wreckage, my eyes scanning every vehicle in search of one that might be able to get us out of this predicament. But every car seemed to be in a state of disrepair. Just as I was about to lose hope, I spotted an ambulance that had been reinforced with protective measures. However, the driver slumped over the steering wheel was dead, likely a victim of the zombies.
I cautiously approached the ambulance, verifying that the driver was indeed deceased before carefully removing the body. As I made my way to the rear of the ambulance, I discovered a group of survivors - a team of doctors who had been traveling to California in search of a cure for the zombie virus. They had been trapped in the tunnel, unable to escape, and none of them knew how to drive the ambulance.
The doctors pleaded for my help, and I agreed to assist them on one condition: my family and friend had to be allowed to join us in the ambulance. A young woman, likely around my age, who appeared to be the leader of the group, hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
I asked them to wait while I escorted my family to the ambulance. As I helped my mother, father, and Mon into the vehicle, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. Relief washed over me knowing we might finally escape this nightmare, but anxiety lingered about the unknowns ahead.
The doctors' team seemed resourceful, and their presence brought a glimmer of hope. With their expertise, perhaps we could find a way to overcome the challenges ahead. As we prepared to leave the tunnel, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. We were one step closer to survival, and I was resolute in getting my loved ones to safety.
With everyone settled in the ambulance, I took a deep breath, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The doctors' team seemed to be working together seamlessly, and I hoped their collective expertise would prove invaluable in our fight for survival. As we set off, the silence between us was palpable, but I knew we had to work together if we were going to make it out of this alive.
As I prepared to start the ambulance, a wave of anxiety washed over me. I noticed we were running low on fuel, and my heart sank. I knew I had stored plenty of petrol in my van, but the thought of going back for it filled me with dread. I took a deep breath and turned to the others, trying to sound calm. "Please, give me a moment. I'll grab the fuel from the van, and then we can leave."
My father, ever the protector, offered to accompany me. "Sam, I'll go with you," he said, his voice firm and reassuring. But I knew I had to be the one to go. I had to ensure their safety, and taking my parents or the elderly doctors would put them at risk. It was a difficult decision, but I knew I had to take Mon with me. Her safety was just as important to me as my parents', and I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her.
The weight of responsibility was crushing me as I looked at Mon and nodded. "Let's go," I said, trying to sound confident. With my gun at the ready, we made our way back to the van. It was a relief to reach it without incident, but as we began to gather the fuel and other supplies, our tranquility was shattered. Zombies emerged from the shadows, their eyes fixed on us with a hunger that chilled me to the bone.
My heart racing, I quickly put down the items I was carrying and drew out two sharp swords. I knew I had to be quiet, avoiding any noise that might attract more zombies. The thought of fighting off these undead creatures filled me with a sense of dread, but I steeled myself for the battle ahead. I gripped my swords tightly, ready to face whatever lay ahead. The fear was palpable, but I knew I couldn't let it consume me. Not now, not when my loved ones were counting on me.
As I stood there, frozen for a moment, I knew I had to act fast. I glanced at Mon, and our eyes met in a moment of understanding. We were in this together, and we would fight to survive. With a deep breath, I raised my swords, ready to face the zombies head-on. The outcome was uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure - I would do everything in my power to protect the people I cared about.
I began to take down the zombies one by one, their sheer numbers forcing me to move swiftly and decisively with both hands. As I fought, my exhaustion grew, but I couldn't afford to stop. I paused for a moment, my hands on my hips, gasping for breath, when I saw a zombie lunging at Mon. My instincts kicked in, and I sprang into action, taking down the zombie with precision. The adrenaline rush was intense, and for a moment, I forgot about my fatigue.
With the immediate danger neutralized, I gathered our supplies and we made our way back to the ambulance. As we loaded up, I couldn't help but check Mon over, ensuring she wasn't hurt. She was watching me with an intensity that made me feel a little uncomfortable. I methodically examined her, relief washing over me when I found no signs of injury. "Thanks to God you're okay," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.
Mon's gaze lingered on me, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. It was Evelyn who broke the silence, her voice calm and professional. "Sam, you're bleeding. Let me check if you've been bitten."
As Evelyn drew my blood and examined it under the microscope, my parents and Mon looked on with worry etched on their faces. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear myself, but Evelyn's expression remained reassuring. "It's not from a zombie bite," she said finally. "It's just a scratch from something else."
The tension in the ambulance dissipated, replaced by a collective sigh of relief. Mon's face lit up with joy, and in a moment of unbridled enthusiasm, she leaned over and kissed me. The gesture caught me off guard, and I felt my cheeks flush. The awkwardness was palpable, but I didn't know how to react. Without a word, I slipped into the driver's seat, Mon taking the passenger seat beside me. As I started the ambulance, a mix of emotions swirled inside me - relief, gratitude, and a hint of something more.
With the engine roaring to life, we set off towards California, the uncertainty of our future hanging over us like a shadow. But for now, we were alive, and that was all that mattered.
To be continue.....