It was te into the morning, the bus housing the survivors was moving down the desote, debris ridden streets. The bus's metal groaned as the drive shook them up and down as their tires fttened any potential blockages. The people inside were mostly quiet, a few sparse conversations starting and trailing off, Ember and Jake rode their bike beside the bus, Jake giving a wave or thumbs up now and again to convey the pair's readiness.

  As they delve further towards the city's edge the building and roads seem clearer, but it just makes the dead air all the more apparent. Like the entire sprawling metropolis took a vacation at the same time, leaving their homes to rot.

  Sheepish gnces left the bus windows taking in the ghost town around them, it was unnerving, not even the sound of birds or swaying trees filled the air. Nothing but the sound of the bus's engine and the subdued conversations filled the streets around them.The only evidence of the developing apocalypse was graying stains of blood and the tattered help signs that now splotched the brick buildings and cracked sidewalks.

  Charlene, having taken the driver's seat before Sani managed to snatch it, was unsettled. She didn't even see any infected.

  She hoped it was because the military dispatched them all. Keeping her gaze centered on the road she drove on. The distant pine forests of Edgeridge's North appeared in the horizon, barely seen through the tightly packed buildings and towering skyscrapers.

  The drive took longer than they hoped, many of the streets blocked off by military barriers, unmanned, but impenetrable. For their bus, anyway. The day drags on. The tension in the bus increasing as the passengers got more frustrated with every new detour.

  The finally. The gate. Taller than the bus and made thick with steel, was reinforcing a long winding chain link fence that protected the encampment. They couldn't hear much, the camp itself was far from the gates edge, the tents and temporary buildings pced around a rge monument.

  The camp was backed onto a natural reserve, which had become a sort of park to the city, the statuesque visage of Edgeridge's one 'Endorsed' God, Jaktu, a man whose legend says in ancient times when Veristanna was known by another name, ascended to Godhood from personal strength and tradition alone, and who went on to found the first settlements that became Edgeridge.

  The statue wasn't incredibly detailed, it looked old, ancient, the wear of the elements, especially the rain, had damaged it significantly despite the restoration attempts. The main details of him being a wide framed bald man with a bushy beard, he was said to be extremely tall and unwavering in his morals, even help write some of the ws Edgeridge still enforces to this day.

  The statue clearly wasn't the center of the evacuation camp. Most of the bulk of it was far to the East, towards the end of the once bustling city. There seemed to be marks in the ground however, dead grass or scuffs on the concrete indicating buildings or tents had been removed or pced elsewhere.

  Seeing no movement, inside or outside of the camp, the survivors began to file outside of the bus, Sani was the first to shove his way out. Pushing past Phil as he attempted to be the first out, making the short few steps towards the rge gate.

  The thick metal was an off green, almost grey, there were a few letters and numbers written faded white paint on the top left and right panels, the gate looked like it could take the bus hitting it a full speed with no problem, seeming rooted into the street itself, but the chain link fences surrounded it looked damaged, there were hasty repairs of wood pnks and even other bits of fence woven in, breaking up the otherwise perfectly repeating pattern of links.

  Monet bristled, wondering when they repaired it, some, most, of the damage seemed semi recent to her untrained eye.

  “Should we honk?” Phil asks, gncing back at the mostly empty bus. Ewell lingered by the door.

  “Stay with me, don't leave my side, understand?” Debra seriously instructs, looking down at her two boys beside her. Steve reluctantly nods but Bill is bust staring at his father.

  “If we honk the Cress will find us.” Sani remarks, sending a gre Phil's way. Phil sneered back.

  “How else are we going to get their attention?” Phil snaps.

  “We should keep our voices down.” Charlene scolds the two men, both of them huffing.

  Ember, still wielding her weapon in one hand and the fiery wand in the other, approaches them as Jake parks the bike. Leaving the keys with it just in case.

  “Should we knock?” Ember smirks, joking as her words come sarcastically.

  Waylon however perks up, gncing at her “Maybe there is a bell?” he said earnestly, a faint smile on his lips. Ember stares at him, unsure if she should make fun of him or if she thought he was endearing.

  “The pce looks empty.” Monet murmurs, slowly approaching the gate, or the fence beside it. Trying to peer into the camp searching for movement.

  “I honestly am a bit underwhelmed.” Bernadina remarks, crossing her arms and looking over the group.

  “I think there's someone way back there? I can't tell.”Monet adds, pressing against the gate trying to get a better look.

  Dern inched closer to Bernadina, he clutched the baseball bat tightly, nervous to be ambushed. He looked around at the tall buildings around him, mostly store fronts with apartments above, it was eerily clean which added to the uncomfortable stillness.

  He stood beside her, the two almost the same height but the way he stood he managed to look up at her with his brow knit together with worry. Bernadina pats his arm, gently pulling him ever so slightly closer.

  “Maybe we can break in?” Charlene asked, gncing at the bus debating if she wanted to ram the fence or not.

  “Oh it was a statue.” Monet says with a hint of disappointment in her tone. Then she giggled lightly.

  Squinting her eyes Charlene crept forward “The fence looks weak on the left there-” Charlene started, but her voice was almost instantly overpowered by the ringing bst of a pistol shot.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Sani snapped, spinning to face the noise.

  Phil was stood in the center of the street holding a pistol up into the sky, his finger loosened from the trigger before he brought the gun back down, pointing to the concrete but holding it tightly in his hand.

  “Where did you get that?” Debra asks, staring at his back. Her eyes searched her husband's frame.

  Phil was about to speak, about to start his defense, when a bone chilling yowl cut through the desote streets, the hollow howl of the Wootcat rang through the city like it was returning a call.

  “Fuck!” Jake excimed, jumping from the sound. He quickly moved to the bus.

  “Look what you did! You alerted the whole city!” Ember screamed at him, gesturing widly around, taking a few deep and panicked breaths trying to calm her nerves. Scanning alleyways and connecting roads, trying to discern where the massive beast will come from.

  Jake approached the bus door were Ewell was lingering, he met Ewell's one exposed eye and felt a sense of dread. Jake forced a smile at him as Ewell sheepishly stepped aside allowing him to walk inside.

  “We'll be behind the fence it won't fucking matter!” Phil snapped back.

  “Phil, no...” Debra whines nervously.

  “Shut up!” Bill shouted, pulling away from Debra. Debra startled, Steve balling his hands as he took a step towards his father.

  Two loud, shrill, honks blew out into the camp as a small buggy, or maybe it was a golf cart, it was modified a bit to carry some supplies and it seemed fairly damaged as it bunched on the rather even sidewalk.

  Monet sighed in relief, leaning back from the fence and waving towards them. Happily she gnced back at Charlene and Creed, noticing Jake return with a bundle of weapons in his arms. Dropping the melee weapons on the ground before he began to hand some out.

  The engine of the buggy rattled but a few of the group, the more keen of hearing, heard something under the rumble of machinery. The city around them began to shuffle, the distant sounds of disturbances in remaining debris were nearly unnoticeable under the shouting and the commotion.

  “Finally! Open the gate!” Phil shouted out, waving once. They watched as the two arm soldiers got out of the cart and climbed to the top of the gate, it stood maybe nine, ten, feet tall. Causing the two to stare down at the rge group of survivors all shifting under their bnk gaze, the masks and goggles making the soldier impersonal, indistinguishable.

  “Are you infected?” shouted back a deep voice, the rger of the two soldiers aimed down at them, towards Phil's front, ready to take a warning shot near his feet.

  “What?” Charlene called, confused. Creed took a weapon from Dern, his heart racing. He then immediately moved to Charlene's side, offering her a baton, keeping a near identical one to himself.

  “No.” Ember sternly replied. Her gre narrowed, she didn't trust the military, not after they've botched the defense of the virus. Also Ember watched movies, she didn't want these two to end up being a pair of psycho's with guns.

  “Just let us in!” Sani snapped, pointing harshly at the gate and themselves.

  “Are you infected? Have any of you been bitten or been in contact with the red flowers?” The gruff voice called back out, never moving his aim. His head however looked between them all, trying to make out the survivor's features, their intentions.

  “Flowers?” Charlene gasped.

  “Like Priscil.” Creed's voice ghosted sadly. He then shook his head 'no' to the armed men. Charlene twisted the baton in her hands, nervous, heart sinking into her chest as the memories of the st few days, which felt like months to her, returned. Taking a deep breath she tried to fight it off, block the thoughts for now. Keep her hope on surviving.

  “Repeat. Are you infected!” Demanded the man.

  “No!” Charlene excimed, throwing her arms down.

  As their pleas rang out hoping to convince the man Ewell was lingering in the back, watching them all. Ever since he woke up he was having trouble focusing, he was leaning against the edge of the bus, his one exposed eye drifting to the dingy city.

  Phil felt a rush of frustration fill him, fingers tensing and twitching. “Just open the gate!” Phil shouted, waving his arms aggressively as he tried to get his demand across.

  Spotting the gun in his hand another voice spoke “Sir. Put the gun down.” the second figure called. The slightly shorter soldier gnces to their fellow after commanding Phil, shifting on their feet anxiously. Seemingly waiting for lead.

  “Phil.” Debra called.

  The soldier leaned into his shoulder, speaking into a radio but they couldn't hear from the distance.

  “Dad?” Bill whines, shifting in pce as she stares between Steve and Phil, Debra still held him close. Not wanting the boy to get too far.

  “My family is out here, let us in!” Phil shouted, noticing Steve come to his side. He pces a hand on his son's shoulder and gres at the two armed, shifting on his feet.

  “Sir, there are kids...” the younger of the two soldiers, spoke, their voice hardly carrying, only heard due to the tense silence. They took a step closer to the taller man but recoiled when he began waving his arm

  “Do you want another outbreak in camp? Shut up.” Shouted the soldier, shaking a fist before dropping his arms, shooing the other soldier away and silencing them.

  “We're not infected!” Charlene excimed, she stepped closer, hoping they could see the mix of fear and desperation on her face as she pleaded with them. She looked at Creed, she gripped his arm when he stepped up beside her, he waved at them trying to get the man's attention.

  “None of us are infected! Please let us in!” Creed begged.

  Ewell raised his head, drifting his absent gaze towards a connecting alleyway.

  Phil gently pushed Steve back a step making sure he was in front of his child, arms waving and gesturing as his voice became strained “Open the gate!” he demanded, gesturing towards the metal door with the gun in his hand.

  The soldier was getting agitated, it was clear in his voice and his movements as he briefly pointed the barrel at Phil, screaming “Put the gun down!” before pulling the barrel back to Phil's feet.

  Shouting voices attempted to be heard over one another, Bernadina getting uncomfortable, pulling Dern back with her. Whispering about her distrust of the armed men.

  She whispered to Dern but as the words left her thin lips a screaming yowl cut through the streets again, an angry, hollow, sound, fighting to leave the undead's beast clogged throat as the Woolcat continued to search for them, this time the howl sounded closer. Almost close enough for it to disturb the rapid beats of their living hearts.

  “That thing is getting closer fucking let us in!” Sani shouted, him and Phil both advancing a few steps, only stopping when that rifle pointed at them again.

  “Don't fucking move.” Growls the soldier.

  “Sir!” the shorter soldier called, a fearful warning in their voice.

  “Ma'am...?” Ewell called softly, stealing a gnce at Ember's back, however his voice was overpowered by the shouting around him.

  “Open the gate please!” Charlene excimed.

  “You don't have to take us to the camp, just let us behind the fence!” Monet begged.

  “Please we'll die out here!” Jake said, waving his arms as the soldier's attention snapped between the shouting survivors.

  “If you don't let us in, that cat is going to show up and kill all of us! You too!” Sani screamed, his voice nearly cracking from his anger.

  “Are you threatening me?” the soldier replied.

  Ember startled, she felt a touch on her arm. She spun around at the gentle prod and gripped the jagged pipe in her hand, only to pause when she saw Ewell's bruised face.

  “Fuck, kid!” she excimed nervously, her voice almost a whisper compared to the shouting. Her eyes gave a quick scan of him, trying to understand what he wanted without him speaking.A second ter Ewell turned his head, pointing.

  Ember's eyes went wide when she saw a few shambling figures approaching, the shadows of the alleyway keeping them silhouetted but the broken way the moved and how their bodies lurched forward she knew they weren't living Veriyn. She felt her heart drop, without even thinking she snatched Ewell's arm and dragged him back, Ewell winced but obeyed, following as she pced him at the front of the bus and quickly got Jake's attention.

  “What?” Debra murmured, noticing them drop Ewell off beside her. Bill suddenly cried, yelping as he pressed himself to Debra's side hiding his face, he caught a brief glimpse of the shambling corpses and grew too scared. He shook holding on to her and she quickly knelt down to comfort him. Holding him tightly.

  Almost as if in response to them the undead Cress moaned out in hunger, their fingers twitched with a hyperactive energy as they smelt the scent of the living in the air, chests forward as they began to pick up speed towards them.

  “Phil!” Debra didn't know what to do, she shouted, eyes darting between Phil and Ember and Jake as the two bikers began to stand to defend.

  Charlene yelped at the sight of undead approaching and looked up at the soldiers “They're coming please before it's too te!” she cried, fighting off her tears. Her chest, her throat, she felt wound up so tight she couldn't breathe.

  The snarls were loud enough for the two armed gunmen to look towards the alleyway before looking back towards Phil and Sani, who stormed forward without their attention. Now just a few feet from the gate they craned their necks to look a t the two men, rage and desperation on their faces, spitting lips shouting demands and pleads never letting the aggression leave their voices as they attempted to brow beat them into opening the door.

  “Fuck!” Creed reluctantly left Charlene's side as Ember brought her pipe down onto the infected's head, watching as two more Cress crept forward quickly repcing their fallen comrade with no thought or feeling. Encroaching with drooling mouths and dead eyes, more growling began to join in, the distant snarls and guttural bellows joining with the two in the alleyway.

  To finish it off. The Woolcat called out. Closer. Ever closer.

  Bill sobbed against Debra's gentle embrace. Screaming for his father.

  “More are coming!” Ember called, informing the others. She held her bloodied pipe ready. Dern and Bernadina shifted back further, unsure where to go between the noises of the undead surrounding them and the threat of a bullet at their front.

  “Please! Open the gate!” Monet repeated, saying it over and over hoping they would finally listen. She moved to Charlene's side not wanting to be alone, her hands wrapping around Charlene's arm seeking comfort.

  Sani stomped his foot in anger, voice stammering between cursing to grumbling, trying to find the perfect combination of words to open the gate.

  Phil didn't have his temperament. He surged forward and smmed his boot against the gate, kicking it hard and angry, then he struck again “Fucking open!” he demanded before both his feet touched the ground.

  “Sir! Back away!” shouted the shorter soldier. Waving their arm at Phil trying to distract his attention. Their masked face gnced the way of the fighters, Creed, Jake, and Ember, who had just killed the extra duo of Cress, but more were coming. With their vantage point they could see shadows down the street, on both sides of T split in the road. Even more noises came from the alleyways around them, from all sides. The soldier looked back at the small camp, then down at the dder.

  Phil's kicking echoed across the field.

  “Hey!” Shouted the taller soldier quickly startling the other out of their head “Stay put.” he demanded. They were looking down at Phil as he continued, louder in a commanding shout. “Do not touch the gate. We're waiting for backup!” as if that expined everything.

  “My boys, please just let the boys in?” Debra asked, suddenly standing. Bill broke free of her loose hold and dashed to his brother, clinging to Steve's arm “Please? Just them?” she begged, tears rolling down her cheeks. She couldn't settle her gaze, not on her husband, or kids, not even on the soldiers. Her eyes went unfocused and she desperately fought back her sobs.

  “Just the boys?” the shorter soldier whispered, leaning closer to the commanding man.

  With a frustrated sigh the older gunmen snapped his head around to face the other guard “Do you want another outbreak in camp?” His voice was low and strict. A fast retort that shut the other up immediately, uselessly stammering coming from the shorter “Higher ups are coming.” he assured sternly.He turned back to address the survivor's, most of whom were now too concerned with the growing noises of the encroaching horde to pay the soldiers much mind. Letting Phil focus on that.

  The guard started again, trying to ease the tension but it was clear the group felt he was patronizing “We need to wait for a superior officer to clear-” “Fuck that! Open the gate!” As Phil lost the st of his patience and aimed the gun up at the soldier, his face was red with anger and his eyes watered in a mix of anguish and distress.

  “Sir put the gun down now!” demanded the soldier.

  “Please, sir, lower your weapon!” his companion followed.

  “Open the gate!” Phil screamed back, both hands now trembling as he held the weapon, pointing it at the soldier's middle.

  “Put it down!”

  “Last warning!”

  Phil looked away, his attention moving to the sickening sounds of snapping bones, he saw more Cress come from the alleyways, even more appearing down the street, sweat ran down his face and his heart pounded in his ears.

  Jake killed another, ending its undeath.

  Phil saw his wife, her lips moving as she pleaded with the guards to take their children, he saw his boys looking between them unsure where to go, what to do. He knew he had to do anything to get his family behind that gate, to safety. Phil's vision blurred as he quickly spun around, expression more determined than ever. He held the gun steady “Open the fucki-” the loud pop of a gunshot rang out, cutting off Phil's words as the bullet struck him. He fell to the ground without another noise, aside from a dull thud.

  Horrified screams and unanswered questions broke the sudden silence. The survivor's all calling out and pleading, some focused on the undead other's screaming obscenities at the older guard who swiftly began pointing his gun at the rest of them.

  “Get away from the gate now!” he screamed, causing even Sani to take a step back.

  Debra couldn't hear any of it, not the concern of her companions, not even the sobbing of her dumbstruck children, time had stopped for her.The short distance between herself and Phil's lifeless body was only a few feet but it felt like a marathon's length to her, she ran forward screaming his name so loud she nearly choked herself. She fell to her knees beside him.

  Bill sobbed louder, crying in with a horrible screech. Tears ran down Steve's cheeks but he grabbed Bill's hand and ran to the bus.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you!”

  “You killed him!”

  “Oh my Gods...”

  Steve pushed past Ewell at the front of the bus before he pulled himself and his brother inside. Bill screamed and begged for his father and Steve's once gentle shushing turned into shouting 'Shut up' as they both sobbed.

  Debra's quivering hands hovered over Phil's body, his shirt turning a deeper and deeper red as blood seeped through the hole in his chest, staining the fabric. His eyes open, staring up towards the sky with nothing behind them. She cried out to the Gods, she grabbed at his limp form trying to force him to stand, begging him to open his eyes and come back to her.

  Ember gnced back briefly, hardly able to see Debra from how quick she looked, not wanting to take her attention off her attackers. The undead straggled together, bumping off one another as they crept ever closer.

  “Fuck this!” Ember excimed “We should get out of here!” She added as the numbers grew, she staggered back, the three all slowly retreating as the horde seemed to pour into the alley, the stomping steps sounding out all around them.

  “Back to the bus?” Jake stammered, eyes locked on rotting fleshing and gaping mouths.

  “You fucking monsters!” Charlene screamed at the soldiers, Monet yanked at her, pulling her back away from the gate. Monet startled when that rifle briefly pointed towards the two of them.

  “We'll go!” Monet excimed “Just let us go!” she pleaded, tugging at Charlene who was screaming every curse and insult she knew.

  Monet looked back, behind them, towards the bus. Her eyes went wide, she couldn't even focus on escaping as the hulking form of that beast came into her view.

  The ccking of unkempt nails and exposed bone echoed towards them, all attention on the fork in the road. Matted fur and bloodied teeth turned the corner, blocking the Bus' only escape, the hanging jaw of the beast craned as it rose its head and roared. Like a wave against stone the horse of infect Veriyn split around the beast and poured down the main road, twinged whiskered twitching as the Woolcat chirped, chattering like a house cat that spotted a bird.

  Hollow slits of its eyes staring them down. The beast licked its lips.

  Squidble