《Inside the Dead Barrier》 Pilot It was a boring Monday, and Jason was counting the minutes until the end of history class. Four months down, five weeks to go. That was all that stood between him and freedom¡ªcollege, a fresh start, and no more of Mr. Grege¡¯s raspy lectures. Jason slouched in his seat, his notebook open but blank. Mr. Grege, a grizzled old man with coffee-stained teeth and a permanent scowl, was droning on about Reconstruction. Jason didn¡¯t care. The man had no mercy, assigning a group project over winter break, and Jason was still salty about it. He glanced at the clock. Five minutes left. He could survive five more minutes. When the bell finally rang, Jason was out of his seat before the sound faded, swinging his bag over one shoulder. As he stepped into the crowded hallway, Ricky intercepted him with a slap on the back. ¡°Yo, did you see what happened in Jersey?¡± Ricky asked, falling into step beside him. Jason smirked. Ricky was always buzzing about some conspiracy or another. They¡¯d met freshman year on the track team, and even though the season was over now, they still stuck together like glue. ¡°Pretty sure everyone¡¯s seen it,¡± Jason said. ¡°Some gas leak made half the city go crazy. People attacking each other and all that. But the government¡¯s got it under control now.¡± Ricky snorted. ¡°Gas leak, my ass. That¡¯s just the cover-up. It¡¯s zombies, man. Z-o-m-b-i-e-s. I¡¯ve got proof. Listen to this podcast¡ªthis guy was there. A survivor.¡± Jason rolled his eyes. ¡°One guy out of ten thousand? Pretty sure the rest of the survivors are backing the gas-leak story. Come on, Rick, you don¡¯t really buy into that, do you?¡± Ricky threw up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Fine, fine. You¡¯re a skeptic. Whatever. That¡¯s not even the crazy part.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Jason asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s crazier than zombies?¡± ¡°They wiped the whole city off the map.¡± Ricky leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°Leveled it. Every building, every street, gone. Just rubble.¡± Jason frowned. ¡°Wait, what? They bombed the city?¡± ¡°Hell yeah, they did. Flattened the place like it was never there. And there were still, like, twenty thousand people in quarantine.¡± ¡°Okay, that¡¯s weird,¡± Jason admitted. ¡°But I¡¯m sure they had a good reason. Containment or whatever.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Anyway, none of this matters. We¡¯ve got gym class to get to.¡± ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Ricky said, smirking. ¡°Gym class. That¡¯s what you¡¯re so eager for. Not Jessy, right?¡± Jason groaned. ¡°Shut up.¡± Ricky laughed as they made their way to the locker room, the conversation fading into lighthearted teasing. But Jason couldn¡¯t shake the thought of what Ricky had said. A whole city wiped off the map. Even for the government, that was extreme. Jason and Ricky shoved their way through the crowded locker room, the smell of sweat and deodorant already thick in the air. Jason grabbed his gym clothes from his locker, shaking his head as Ricky kept rambling. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, the government doesn¡¯t flatten a whole city unless they¡¯re hiding something big,¡± Ricky said, pulling his shirt over his head. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Jason replied, rolling his eyes. ¡°Save it for your conspiracy blog.¡± As they stepped out onto the gym floor, the rest of their friend group was already gathered near the bleachers. Jessy was stretching, her short, dirty-blonde hair tucked behind her ears. She waved as Jason and Ricky approached. ¡°About time you two showed up,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°What, were you solving the world¡¯s mysteries back there?¡± ¡°More like Ricky was inventing them,¡± Jason shot back, smirking. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s called being informed,¡± Ricky said, pretending to be offended. Beside Jessy, another girl rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn¡¯t pop out of her head. That was Hannah, the self-appointed realist of the group. Her long black hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, and her expression was its usual mix of mild irritation and sarcasm. ¡°Let me guess,¡± Hannah said. ¡°Zombies again?¡± Ricky pointed at her dramatically. ¡°See! Even Hannah knows what¡¯s up.¡± ¡°No,¡± she deadpanned. ¡°I just know you can¡¯t shut up about it.¡± Sitting on the floor a little farther away was Elliot, the nerd of the group. He was hunched over his phone, probably reading some obscure science article. His thick glasses slipped down his nose as he looked up. ¡°Actually, the gas-leak theory isn¡¯t totally implausible,¡± he said, pushing his glasses up. ¡°If it were a neurotoxin, it could cause aggressive behavior and¡ª¡± ¡°Oh my God, Elliot,¡± Hannah interrupted. ¡°Please stop before I lose the will to live.¡± Jessy laughed and nudged Hannah with her elbow. ¡°Be nice. Not everyone can survive on caffeine and spite like you.¡± Jason grinned as he dropped his bag on the floor. This was his group¡ªchaotic, loud, and sometimes annoying, but they made life interesting. Coach Thompson blew his whistle, signaling the start of warm-ups. The group reluctantly got to their feet and started jogging laps around the gym. Jessy fell into step beside Jason, falling into an easy rhythm with him as she tied her loose ponytail tighter. ¡°You¡¯re quiet today,¡± she said, glancing at him with a small smile. ¡°What¡¯s got you so serious? Usually, you¡¯re keeping up with Ricky¡¯s nonsense.¡± Jason shrugged. ¡°Just thinking about college. Five more weeks of this place, and we¡¯re free.¡± Jessy gave him a sidelong glance, her smile turning playful. ¡°Free? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re actually going to miss us. What¡¯ll you do without gym class and Ricky¡¯s survival theories?¡± Jason grinned. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯ll survive.¡± ¡°Sure you will,¡± she teased, lightly nudging his arm. Behind them, Ricky¡¯s voice cut through their conversation. ¡°Jason, don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see that. You¡¯re not even trying to deny she¡¯s the reason you¡¯re still sane around here.¡± Jason rolled his eyes, his ears burning. ¡°Ricky, just focus on not tripping over your own feet.¡± ¡°Smooth deflection,¡± Jessy said, her tone light, but the faintest flush touched her cheeks. Hannah jogged past them, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. ¡°I swear, you two make laps around the gym feel like a bad romantic comedy.¡± Jason sputtered. ¡°We¡¯re not¡ª¡± Jessy cut him off with a laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Ignore her. Let¡¯s pick up the pace before Coach starts yelling at us.¡± She sped up, her steps quick and effortless. Jason watched her for a split second too long before snapping back to reality. ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± he muttered, trying to act like his legs weren¡¯t suddenly working against him. At the back of the group, Elliot groaned, his face red from the effort. ¡°Can we all just agree gym class is some kind of cruel social experiment?¡± he muttered, doubling down on his slow jog. After warm-ups, the group regrouped near the water fountain. As they caught their breath, a sharp voice cut through the chatter. ¡°Nice job keeping up, losers,¡± Tina, the mean-spirited yet oddly loyal member of their group, said with a smirk. She flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms. ¡°Tina, your compassion is overwhelming,¡± Jessy said, rolling her eyes. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m just calling it like I see it,¡± Tina replied. ¡°Elliot looked like he was about to keel over.¡± ¡°I survived, didn¡¯t I?¡± Elliot shot back. ¡°Barely,¡± Tina said, smirking. It was the moment every student longed for during school hours¡ªother than the dismissal bell. Lunch. Should it really be called lunch when it was barely 9 in the morning? Probably not, but no one cared. For the seniors, it was a sacred time to unwind, even if they were still sweaty and gross from gym class. Today was pizza day, a tradition as questionable as it was irresistible. Sure, the pizza was little more than greasy bread with a thin layer of lukewarm cheese, but there was something about it that made everyone line up for a slice. Maybe it was because the alternative was an even sadder mystery-meat sandwich. Jason led the way to their usual table, balancing his tray with a mix of practiced ease and exhaustion. ¡°You¡¯d think they¡¯d at least give us time to shower before feeding us this stuff,¡± he muttered, flopping into his seat. ¡°They know better,¡± Ricky said, plopping down beside him. ¡°Showering would mean skipping class, and they can¡¯t risk anyone being too happy.¡± Jessy slid in across from them, dropping her tray with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re all just mad because you got smoked in gym.¡± ¡°Smoked? I wasn¡¯t even trying,¡± Jason shot back. ¡°Keep telling yourself that,¡± Hannah said, joining them and poking at her pizza slice like it might spring to life. ¡°Honestly, the only thing worse than gym class is this.¡± ¡°Hey, pizza day is sacred,¡± Ricky declared, taking an exaggerated bite of his slice. Elliot was the last to sit down, carefully adjusting his tray to avoid spilling his milk carton. ¡°Statistically, the food¡¯s nutritional value is inversely proportional to how much people look forward to it.¡± ¡°Statistically,¡± Hannah repeated, rolling her eyes. ¡°Do you ever stop being a nerd?¡± ¡°Do you ever stop being annoying?¡± Elliot shot back, earning a laugh from Jessy. Before anyone could reply, a loud laugh interrupted their conversation. ¡°ZOMBIES are here! HAHAHA!¡± The group turned to see Bobby, the class clown, sauntering up to their table with his usual flair. He slapped Ricky on the back, making him nearly choke on his pizza. ¡°What are you talking about, Bobby?¡± Jason asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, you seriously haven¡¯t heard?¡± Bobby said, grinning like he had the best secret in the world.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Haven¡¯t heard what?¡± Jessy asked, leaning forward. ¡°Well, I was hinting at the violent gang attacks downtown,¡± Bobby said, drawing out the words for dramatic effect. ¡°Reported like 20 minutes ago. Guess it¡¯s only a matter of time before they show up here!¡± He let out another over-the-top laugh and strolled back to his own table, leaving the group confused. ¡°Gang attacks? At 9 in the morning?¡± Jessy asked, glancing at Jason. ¡°That¡¯s... weird,¡± Jason said, frowning. ¡°Not weird,¡± Elliot chimed in, pushing up his glasses. ¡°Statistically, early morning incidents are uncommon, but not unprecedented. Could just be a coincidence.¡± ¡°Or it could be something bigger,¡± Ricky said, pulling out his phone. ¡°Oh, great. Here we go,¡± Hannah said, rolling her eyes. ¡°What¡¯s your conspiracy theory this time?¡± ¡°No theory, just facts,¡± Ricky replied, holding up his phone. ¡°Look¡ªthere¡¯s video. People are losing their minds downtown. Fighting, smashing windows... it¡¯s chaos.¡± Jessy leaned over to see the screen. ¡°Isn¡¯t that near Five Points?¡± ¡°Yeah, like two miles from here,¡± Ricky said, his voice more serious now. Jason pulled out his own phone, scrolling through his notifications. His stomach tightened as he read the headlines: BREAKING: Violent Riots in Downtown Atlanta. Emergency Services Overwhelmed. Multiple Casualties Reported in Gang-Related Clashes. ¡°Wait, what? I thought this stuff only happens in movies,¡± Hannah said, her usual sarcasm gone. The table fell quiet, the lighthearted mood quickly fading. The greasy pizza sat untouched on their trays as a sense of unease settled over the group. Whatever was happening downtown, it was too close for comfort. hen lunch was over, the group said their goodbyes and scattered to their next classes. The buzz of lunchtime conversation faded, replaced by the dull routine of third period. Jason was halfway through a math worksheet when the loudspeaker crackled to life. ¡°All students are to remain in lockdown. I repeat, all students are to remain in lockdown. This is not a drill. All free teachers and staff are to report to the office immediately.¡± The room went silent, tension rising as everyone exchanged uncertain glances. Jason¡¯s phone buzzed on his desk, the vibrations loud in the quiet classroom. He glanced at the screen. Bing Bing Bing. A text popped up from Ricky: Jason, tell me you¡¯re hearing this. Is this about Bobby¡¯s ¡®gang attack¡¯ thing? Before Jason could reply, another message came through from Jessy: It has to be connected. My teacher¡¯s freaking out, whispering with another teacher in the hall. They look scared. Jason: What do you think it is? It sounded crazy when Bobby said it, but now I¡¯m not so sure. Ricky: I don¡¯t think it¡¯s just gangs. Look at this¡ª A link popped up from Ricky, but Jason hesitated to click on it in class. Another buzz interrupted his thoughts. Hannah: Guys. My mom just texted me. She said something¡¯s happening downtown¡ªpeople attacking each other. She told me to stay safe. Jason felt his stomach drop. Another text came in, this time from Elliot: Okay, so not gangs. But if it¡¯s not that, then what? Jessy: Ricky, what did that link say? Ricky: It¡¯s a news article. They¡¯re calling it ¡°violent riots¡± or ¡°mass hysteria,¡± but some witnesses say people are¡­ biting. Hannah: Biting? Are you serious? Jason: Like Bobby said. Zombies. Elliot: No way. That¡¯s not real. It can¡¯t be real. Jessy: Whatever it is, it¡¯s real enough to lock down the school. Another buzz lit up Jason¡¯s phone. Ricky: Guys, the news says there are reports of it spreading. Not just downtown. It¡¯s heading toward us. Jason¡¯s phone buzzed again, this time with more urgency. Everyone in the classroom was tense, whispering or staring at their phones. Jason glanced at the texts flooding his group chat. Jessy: Okay, this is getting scary. What are we supposed to do if it¡¯s heading toward us? Hannah: Should we just wait? I mean, the teachers know what¡¯s going on, right? They wouldn¡¯t just leave us hanging. Ricky: Hannah, come on. They¡¯re as clueless as we are. My teacher just locked the door and sat down like that¡¯s gonna help. Elliot: Guys, we should just do what we¡¯re told. Stay put, wait for the lockdown to end. That¡¯s what we¡¯re supposed to do. Tina: Of course you¡¯d say that, Elliot. You¡¯re the type to die because you blindly follow orders. Jason: Tina, seriously? Now¡¯s not the time to turn this into a debate. Tina: No, I¡¯m serious! Think about it¡ªif this is as bad as it sounds, staying in one place makes us sitting ducks. Hannah: So what, we just walk out? They won¡¯t let us leave the school, Tina. Tina: You¡¯re overthinking it. Teachers are all panicked right now; they won¡¯t even notice if we slip out. My car¡¯s parked just around the block. If we leave now, we can avoid whatever¡¯s coming. Jason: Leave the school? Are you sure that¡¯s a good idea? Ricky: Finally, someone talking sense. Staying here isn¡¯t safe. Bobby said this was close, and if the news is right, we¡¯re next in line. Elliot: You¡¯re all insane. What if this is just a misunderstanding? Leaving could make things worse. Tina: What misunderstanding, Elliot? There¡¯s news reports, lockdowns, and people losing their minds downtown. Face it, something¡¯s happening, and sitting here isn¡¯t going to save us. Hannah: But we¡¯d get in so much trouble if we leave! They¡¯d suspend us or worse. Jason: A suspension for a few days doesn¡¯t sound so bad if it means staying alive. Jessy: Jason¡¯s got a point. If this is nothing, we¡¯ll deal with the consequences later. But if it¡¯s real¡­ The group chat went quiet for a moment, everyone processing Jessy¡¯s words. Ricky: I¡¯m in. Tina, your car¡¯s behind the school, right? Tina: Yeah. If we leave now, we can make it before anyone notices. We¡¯ll stick together. Better chance that way. Hannah: I don¡¯t like this. What if we¡¯re wrong? Jason: And what if we¡¯re right? Look, we¡¯re wasting time arguing. We need to move. Jessy: Okay, but we need a plan. If we¡¯re leaving, we do it quietly and fast. No second-guessing. Tina: Finally, someone making sense. Meet me by the north exit in five minutes. Jason slipped his phone into his pocket and glanced around the room. His teacher was pacing nervously by the door, muttering into a radio. No one was paying attention to the students anymore. Jason made eye contact with Jessy across the room, and she gave him a small nod. It was time to move. They slipped out of the classroom, their footsteps soft against the tiled floor. As it turned out, they weren¡¯t the only ones with the idea to leave. Other students were already gathered near the north exit, whispering nervously or checking their phones. The faint hum of tension filled the air, but no one dared to make a sound louder than necessary. ¡°All right, let¡¯s go,¡± Tina said, pushing the door open. The cool air hit them as they stepped outside, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere inside. The group followed Tina¡¯s lead, staying close together. What was supposed to be chaos¡ªjust five blocks from downtown¡ªwas eerily silent. Too silent. ¡°Stick close,¡± Tina whispered over her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re not strolling; we¡¯re moving. Fast, but not enough to draw attention.¡± The group picked up their pace, navigating the quiet streets. Once they cleared the school grounds and Tina¡¯s car came into view, they instinctively sped up, their brisk walk turning into a light jog. No one spoke; their focus was on the car. They reached it in record time, piling in like sardines. Jason slammed the door shut beside him, glancing nervously out the window. ¡°Where to, guys?¡± Tina asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly. ¡°My house,¡± Hannah suggested quickly. ¡°It¡¯s the furthest away from the area.¡± ¡°Guys, look at this,¡± Ricky said, his voice trembling as he held up his phone. The screen lit up with a flood of notifications from news apps and social media. ¡°It¡¯s everywhere¡ªsix different locations now.¡± The group leaned in, reading over his shoulder: BREAKING NEWS: Violent Gang Attacks Reported Across City UPDATE: Police Struggle to Contain Coordinated Assaults¡ªCivilians Urged to Shelter in Place ALERT: Unverified Reports Suggest Attacks May Be Spreading to Suburbs LIVE: Witness Claims ''It¡¯s Not Just Gangs''¡ªPanic Grows in City Center EMERGENCY BROADCAST: Lockdown Protocols Activated in Schools Across Metro Area ¡°My house,¡± Elliot said firmly. ¡°It¡¯s a clear path up the road, and it¡¯s got a top floor. We can see everything from there.¡± ¡°Good idea,¡± Jason added, nodding. ¡°We need somewhere we can regroup and figure out what¡¯s going on.¡± Tina didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Okay,¡± she said, starting the car. The engine roared to life, breaking the oppressive silence around them. As Tina pulled out, they glanced nervously at the empty streets. Whatever was happening, it wasn¡¯t just a random gang attack anymore¡ªand they all knew it. As they drove through the desolate streets toward Elliot¡¯s apartment building, the silence seemed to grow heavier with every passing block. It was as if the entire city was holding its breath. Then, without warning, it shattered. Screaming. Yelling. The distant wail of sirens. But the most jarring of all was the deafening roar of jets slicing through the sky above them. ¡°Why are there jets in a city?¡± Hannah asked, her voice trembling as she stared out the window. ¡°I fucking told you!¡± Ricky shouted, gripping the car seat in front of him. ¡°Zombies! They¡¯re real, and now they¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Shut the fuck up!¡± Jason snapped, his tone sharp and cutting. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time. Something is actually happening, and we need to stay calm.¡± ¡°It is weird, though. You have to admit that, Jason,¡± Jessy chimed in, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of worry. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a scare tactic,¡± Elliot offered from the back seat, adjusting his glasses nervously. ¡°Like a psychological operation¡ªjets flying low over civilian areas can create mass panic and compliance. The military has done it in conflict zones before.¡± ¡°Well, whatever it is, we¡¯re here. Let¡¯s go,¡± Tina said as she parked the car in front of the apartment building. The group didn¡¯t waste any time, jumping out of the car and sprinting toward the building. The eerie silence of the city was now replaced by a cacophony of chaos in the distance. They reached the front door and rushed inside, instinctively avoiding the elevator. They¡¯d all seen enough horror movies to know how that could end. Taking the stairs two at a time, they finally reached Elliot¡¯s apartment on the top floor. Elliot fumbled with his keys but managed to unlock the door, ushering everyone inside. ¡°Lock it,¡± Tina said immediately, and Jason turned the deadbolt with a loud click. Elliot headed straight for the TV, grabbing the remote. ¡°Let¡¯s see if the news has anything,¡± he said, flipping through the channels. The screen came to life, showing a frazzled news anchor sitting in what looked like a hastily arranged studio. ¡°This is an ongoing emergency. Reports are flooding in from across the metro area of violent attacks. Authorities have issued a citywide lockdown and are urging everyone to stay indoors. Avoid contact with unknown individuals and secure all entry points to your home.¡± The screen switched to shaky cell phone footage showing a group of police officers barricading a street. A small crowd of people surged toward them, and the camera caught a brief but horrifying glimpse of someone breaking through the barricade. Their face was pale, their eyes wild, and they lunged at the nearest officer with inhuman speed. The footage cut abruptly. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± Jessy whispered, leaning closer to the screen. The anchor reappeared, her voice shaking. ¡°Unconfirmed reports suggest that these incidents are similar to those that happened in Atlantic City last month. Authorities are urging calm, but resources are being stretched thin. If you are in a safe location, do not leave.¡± Ricky shook his head, pacing the room. ¡°This is it. This is the apocalypse. We¡¯re all screwed.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not. Calm down,¡± Jason said, his voice firm. ¡°This is a bigger city than Atlantic. They have more resources to handle this gas leak.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still on the gas leak? It¡¯s zombies!¡± Ricky shot back, exasperated. ¡°Calm down,¡± hannah say, the tension palpable. ¡°Can we get to the roof from your apartment?¡± Jason asked. ¡°Yeah, you can. I¡¯ll show you,¡± Elliot replied. ¡°You guys stay here. Tell me if something comes up on the news. Me and Elliot will see what the outside looks like,¡± Jason said, his voice resolute. Chapter 2 ¡°This is it, the roof access,¡± Elliot says. ¡°Okay, do you want to go first or should I?¡± Jason asks. ¡°That¡¯s all you,¡± Elliot replies. Jason pushes open the door to the staircase leading to the roof. Each step creaks under his weight as he ascends. By the time he reaches the top, he grips the handle and turns it; it groans in protest from disuse, but it opens nonetheless. Blinded by the sunlight for a moment, Jason steps onto the roof. The sky above is clear and blue, almost too perfect for the chaos unfolding below. If only it were a little warmer. Then, the illusion shatters. The distant screams and now distant gunshots break the serene facade the sky holds. The sound of gunfire echoes faintly in the air. Jason¡¯s nose twitches¡ªsmoke. He can¡¯t see the source, but the absence of fire trucks racing toward it makes his stomach tighten. Whatever¡¯s happening out there, it¡¯s bad. ¡°Look, that¡¯s the school,¡± Elliot says, pointing across the roof. His building, the tallest in the neighborhood at five stories, gives them a perfect vantage point. His parents own the building but are rarely home, so Elliot had always enjoyed the quiet solitude of the top floor. Jason squints into the distance. ¡°Holy shit, it¡¯s like a war zone,¡± he mutters under his breath. The school, usually a place of routine and order, now looks like something out of a nightmare. Several police cars are parked outside, their lights flashing in an eerie strobe. The buses, once used to transport children home, are now being used to form a barricade of sorts, lined up end-to-end like a makeshift wall. Despite the chaos, there are people outside, moving in scattered groups. Some are working together in a frantic, disorganized manner, trying to set up some kind of defense. But it¡¯s clear they¡¯re outnumbered. A large group, the size of a small mob, is slowly making its way toward the school. They¡¯re staggered, some limping, some stumbling, but all heading in the same direction¡ªtoward the school. Meanwhile, another group is running in the opposite direction, some toward the school, but others are simply fleeing, as if they can¡¯t even be bothered to look back. Panic is written across their faces. The sense of dread in the air is almost palpable. But what stands out the most is the strange emptiness of the roads. Where there should be cars, there are none. The streets are unnervingly quiet, as if the city itself is holding its breath. The only movement is from the people scrambling to and from the school, caught in some kind of unexplainable chaos. (The faint whirring of a helicopter¡¯s blades cuts through the tense atmosphere, growing louder as it approaches.) ¡°Look, a news helicopter,¡± Elliot says, pointing toward the sky. The helicopter hovers overhead, its camera swinging from side to side, capturing the scene below. The distant sounds of sirens and chaos seem to intensify with its presence. ¡°Let¡¯s go back in,¡± Jason says urgently, his eyes scanning the scene below. ¡°We don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening out there, and we don¡¯t need to be caught in it.¡± Elliot nods, his face tight with concern. He turns to head back toward the door, pushing the thoughts of the outside world from his mind, at least for now. The helicopter''s shadow sweeps across the roof as it circles, adding another layer of unease to an already volatile situation. ¡°You guys made it back just in time,¡± Hannah says, pointing to the TV. The news broadcast flickers on, showing a view from the helicopter above the city. The voice of the reporter fills the room, crackling with urgency. ¡°We are now flying over Riverstone High School, where chaos has erupted as one of the three large groups of rioters is heading straight for the school. What started as a desperate attempt to hold them back has quickly turned into a scene of panic.¡± The camera angle shifts, showing the school from above. Police cars are parked in a defensive line, while school buses are arranged in a barricade-like formation, clearly intended to stop the advancing crowd. The reporters¡¯ voice picks up the intensity as the scene unfolds. ¡°We¡¯re hearing gunfire. Do you hear that? They''ve opened fire! Police are trying to push back the crowd, but it¡¯s not working¡ªpeople are scrambling to break through the lines.¡± The camera zooms in on the chaotic scene below. The once organized police line quickly crumbles as a group of rioters surges forward. People are shouting, some visibly injured, others desperately trying to flee. ¡°Civilians are now being caught in the crossfire as the situation escalates. The police are being overwhelmed¡ªone officer down, and the barricade has just been broken. The line of cops is completely overrun now. There¡¯s no more control here. I can¡¯t even see if the authorities are regrouping; the school¡¯s front gate is being breached as we speak.¡± The helicopter camera pans away, zooming out to give a wider view of the area. ¡°Elsewhere in the city, reports are flooding in of similar chaos. Hospitals are swamped, emergency services are stretched thin, and authorities are scrambling to maintain any semblance of order.¡± The helicopter hovers above the area as the sound of helicopters and distant sirens fills the air. The screen flickers briefly before the news anchor''s voice fills the room again, though it sounds increasingly frantic. "We are receiving reports that the main police headquarters downtown has been overrun. The National Guard is currently attempting to stem the chaos, but the situation is worsening by the hour. Authorities continue to urge all citizens to stay inside and lock their doors. Avoid contact with anyone outside unless absolutely necessary." Jason''s eyes remain fixed on the screen, but his heart is hammering in his chest. Outside, the air feels thick with uncertainty. They can hear distant sirens, but they¡¯re getting fewer as time passes. The newscaster¡¯s voice falters for a moment, as if trying to maintain composure. "We will keep you informed on all the latest updates as long as we¡ª" A sudden, blood-curdling scream cuts through the transmission, followed by the sound of frantic shouting. The camera jolts and then falls to the ground with a sickening thud, its lens capturing the chaos as the newsroom erupts in panic. The camera shifts, showing glimpses of the host stumbling backward, trying to flee. "Get down! We¡ª!" One of the producers screams, but the transmission is cut abruptly. The screen goes black for a split second before it flashes back to the familiar static. "What the hell was that?" Elliot murmurs under his breath, as Jason just stares at the screen, unable to find any words. "What do we do?" Jessy asks, her voice tight with anxiety. "Let¡¯s stay here," Tina says firmly, her eyes scanning the room as if she can sense the danger lurking just outside the door. "Now you want to listen?" Elliot scoffs, shaking his head. "No, we need to get out of the city." "No, she¡¯s right," Ricky interjects, his tone steady despite the chaos around them. "In the school, we were exposed. Here, we¡¯re at the top of a building with only one entry point." "I agree. We should block the staircase," Jason adds, his mind already working through the logistics. "Are any of the tenants home?" Jessy asks, hoping for a solution that doesn¡¯t involve barricading themselves inside. "I don¡¯t think so. They all have work," Elliot replies, his eyes shifting toward the door as if expecting someone to burst through at any moment. "Then we should block the main staircase," Jason says, making a decision. "If they can¡¯t get up here, we¡¯re safer." They pause for a moment, everyone digesting the plan. "Okay, let¡¯s do this," Jason says, his voice hardening with resolve. He moves toward the door, reaching for the handle, his mind racing with the image of what they might face on the other side. The plan is simple: block the staircase to the roof, secure the doors, and hold out as long as they can. He opens the door cautiously, peeking out into the dimly lit hallway. The place is eerily silent, but Jason knows that won¡¯t last long.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Grab anything heavy. We need to make sure no one gets up here," Jason commands as he steps out into the hall, signaling everyone to follow him. The others move quickly, gathering furniture, metal pipes, anything that can be used to block the staircase and prevent anyone from making it up to the second floor. "Ready," Tina says as she hefts a large chair, positioning it against the staircase entrance. "Let¡¯s do this," Jason repeats, his tone firm as he helps secure the barricade. "Now what do we do?" Ricky asks, tossing a chair into the now-blocked stairwell. The pile of furniture is a makeshift barricade, with the largest item¡ªa couch¡ªwedged between the wall and the stairs. As much as they could manage to stack, the pile rises to the top of the narrow staircase. No one¡¯s getting through that¡ªat least, not without crushing themselves in the process. "Let¡¯s all get some rest while we still can," Jason says, heading back up to the fourth floor to Elliot¡¯s apartment. The others follow him in silence, each absorbed in their thoughts. "Should we rest?" Hannah asks, her voice tight with worry. "What if something comes up on the news?" "We can take turns watching it," Jessy suggests, trying to offer a semblance of calm. "Sounds good," the others agree in unison, the tension slightly easing. "I¡¯ll watch the first one," Jason volunteers, already stepping toward the TV, his mind still on the barricade they¡¯ve created. "Everyone, wake up, look!" Jason says urgently, his voice sharp as he stares at the screen. "What time is it?" someone asks, still groggy from their sleep. "12:30," Jason replies, his eyes fixed on the television. "But the news is back." The screen flickers before showing a reporter in front of a large, makeshift barricade. "Hello, this is Karen Hale with Atlanta News 7, coming to you live from City Hall," the reporter begins, her voice steady but laced with underlying tension. "We¡¯ve lost the main site and had to evacuate. We''re now here at City Hall." She pauses for a moment before continuing, "In our absence, several developments have occurred. The U.S. National Guard has set up a temporary barrier around the city to contain the protesters. While this is a strange and unprecedented situation, it¡¯s important to note that a large portion of the city remains unharmed and still under control. It is estimated that only 25% of Atlanta is currently in chaos." The reporter adjusts the mic in front of her, her face serious. "The police and National Guard units that were still inside the city have contained five violent protester locations, but many areas are now surrounded. City Hall itself is surrounded by large groups of protesters, but we are safe here, for now." Her eyes flicker to a map shown on the screen, highlighting the area of the city that is most affected. "Anyone in the Downtown and Midtown areas of Atlanta, which account for about 25% of the city, is advised to remain indoors and only allow police personnel to enter their homes. We strongly urge you to avoid engaging with protesters. Those in the areas surrounded by barricades should stay inside and lock their doors." The camera cuts to footage of damaged buildings and smoke rising in the distance. The reporter¡¯s voice cracks slightly as she speaks again. "As for the destruction so far, we¡¯ve seen widespread damage. The police headquarters, several clinics, and local schools have been overrun. Several clinics are completely out of service, and the damage to the police headquarters has been estimated in the millions. As of now, power has been cut in many parts of the city." "We are still awaiting confirmation of casualties, but reports suggest that the situation is starting to stabilize in most areas, though violent outbreaks continue in key locations." She takes a breath, her expression hardening. "We expect the protesters to calm down soon, possibly before the real military units are deployed. But for now, we urge everyone to stay inside, stay safe, and remain alert. We will continue to monitor the situation closely." The broadcast cuts to black for a moment before a new alert flashes across the screen, warning citizens to avoid areas where police and National Guard forces are actively engaged. "Damn, it''s the same shit, but it looks like they''re getting it under control," Jason says, his voice flat with disbelief as he watches the news. "That''s what they said in Atlantic City, and they had to bomb it into the dirt," Ricky replies, his voice hard, a note of anger in it. "I''m telling you, this isn¡¯t gas, it¡¯s a virus or something. They won¡¯t be able to stop it. They''re zombies, they¡¯ll break through and infect the whole city." No one denies it. They all saw the videos, the footage of people tearing each other apart, the chaos spilling out into the streets. The silence in the room hangs heavy, each person processing the same thought. None of them dared to look outside. They knew the sounds they heard¡ªthe screams, the gunshots, the running¡ªwere a sign of something they couldn''t ignore. The block had long since quieted down, but it didn¡¯t ease the fear gnawing at them. They all knew if they looked out the windows, they''d see bodies¡ªmaybe even people just standing there, frozen in a trance-like stupor, waiting for something they couldn¡¯t name. "I¡¯ll take over the watch," Ricky says, standing up from his seat with a hard resolve in his eyes. He knew they needed someone watching, someone keeping track of what was happening. "You guys get some rest." Everyone nods silently, the weight of what they were facing pressing down on them. They didn¡¯t know if they¡¯d be able to sleep, but for now, they needed to rest¡ªphysically and mentally¡ªfor whatever came next BOOM! A massive explosion rips through the air, shaking the building with a force that rattles their bones. The power goes out instantly, leaving only the dim emergency lights to flicker to life, casting eerie shadows across the room. "Everyone to the roof!" Jason shouts, already moving toward the roof access . The others follow him quickly, not needing to ask why¡ªthey know the roof is their safest option, far from whatever chaos is brewing below. They scramble up the stairs to the rooftop, and as they emerge, they¡¯re met with a thick cloud of smoke rising from the west, darkening the sky. The source is clear¡ªan explosion has left Town Hall burning. "What time is it? I left my phone charging downstairs," Jason asks, his voice tense as he looks around, trying to take in the full scope of what¡¯s happening. "It¡¯s 3:20," Jessy calls out from behind him, her voice barely audible over the distant sounds of chaos and crackling flames. "Guys, isn¡¯t that Town Hall?" Elliot points toward the rising smoke, his eyes wide in disbelief. "I thought they said they had the protesters under control." "It¡¯s not protesters," Ricky growls, his tone sharp and focused. "This is zombies." "You don¡¯t know that," Elliot argues, but he¡¯s quickly interrupted when a scream echoes from below. The group turns to see a girl from their school, running down the block. She trips, and before she can get back up, she¡¯s surrounded by people¡ªno, things. The unmistakable sounds of flesh being ripped apart fill the air, sending a chill down their spines. "Looks like a zombie to me," Ricky says, his voice deadpan as he watches the horrific scene unfold below them. The others on the roof recoil in horror, some of the girls gagging, unable to hold back their disgust. Elliot stumbles back, pale and shaken, and they rush back down into the apartment in a panic. But Jason and Ricky remain on the roof, their eyes fixed on the street below. "Are we just gonna stay here?" Ricky asks, his gaze never leaving the street, his voice tinged with both concern and resolve. "Yeah," Jason answers, his tone calm, though his expression is hard. "It¡¯s the safest place. We have a clear view of everything from up here. If it gets worse, we¡¯ll see it coming." Ricky and Jason walk back into the apartment, where the others are already in the midst of conversation. ¡°How much water is in the roof tank?¡± Hannah asks, her eyes scanning the room, worried about their supplies. ¡°About half a tank,¡± Elliot responds. ¡°It should last us a week, maybe two, if we don¡¯t shower.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll run out of that long before,¡± Hannah mutters, frustration in her voice. Jason steps forward, his mind already calculating. ¡°Why don¡¯t we gather all the food from the fourth, third, and second floors, along with anything useful¡ªclothes, tools, whatever we can use to make weapons?¡± The group nods in agreement, realizing that Jason¡¯s idea might be their best bet. ¡°Did anyone own a gun in this building?¡± he asks. ¡°No,¡± Elliot answers, ¡°but we did have a single security guard. He had a pistol; it should still be in his office.¡± ¡°And where¡¯s that?¡± Jason asks, already heading for the door. ¡°First floor,¡± Elliot replies. ¡°Shit,¡± Jason curses. ¡°Well, we can¡¯t take the stairs. We¡¯ll have to make a rope ladder.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jessy asks, her face twisted in confusion. ¡°Is it really that important? Can¡¯t we just stay here?¡± ¡°No,¡± Ricky interjects, his tone grim. ¡°When this happened in Atlantic City, the only reason ten thousand people made it out alive at the beginning was because the military had not dealt with this type of thing. That was before the city was walled off. After that, only a few hundred were rescued¡ªand only rich or smart people like doctors.¡± He pauses, his eyes narrowing. ¡°They¡¯re already starting to wall it off here.¡± ¡°But that was Atlantic City,¡± Hannah protests. ¡°This is Atlanta, with a population in the millions. They can¡¯t just leave us all to die.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all the more reason to act now,¡± Jason counters. ¡°More people to contain, bigger risks. They probably won¡¯t wait as long as they did in Jersey to bomb here.¡± Before anyone can respond, Jessy suddenly pulls out her phone, eyes glued to the screen. ¡°Guys, look at this.¡± The group gathers around, watching the news report unfold. "This is Emily Harper, reporting live from the skies over City Hall. The barricade that held the infected out of the city has now been breached, and we¡¯re seeing widespread infection throughout Atlanta. As the situation worsens, the National Guard has been mobilized, but chaos continues to spread.¡± The camera shakes slightly as the helicopter flies over a war-torn scene. Below, the camera picks up flashes of gunfire as soldiers scramble to hold their ground. ¡°On the ground, City Hall is under siege. A statement from the government confirms the gas used in the initial outbreak has now spread across the city, and the infected have overwhelmed many of the barricades set in place. As we fly over City Hall, we can see the last stand unfolding. Gunfire continues to echo in the streets, but the infected are pushing through. It is estimated that nearly half of the city has already fallen, with significant damage reported to key locations, including the police headquarters, schools, and local clinics. Infected swarms are reportedly pushing toward government buildings, and authorities are preparing for an evacuation." As the helicopter hovers over City Hall, the sound of gunfire grows louder. The camera zooms in, catching glimpses of soldiers retreating toward the roof, leaving the lower floors in flames. ¡°City Hall has already been breached,¡± the reporter continues, her voice strained. ¡°The last survivors are gathering on the roof for an emergency evacuation. Military helicopters are being deployed to pull out key personnel.¡± Jason looks at Ricky, his gaze firm. ¡°We have a plan. I¡¯ll take the second floor. You guys spread out and bring everything you can find here.¡± Ricky nods. ¡°Got it. Stay safe.¡± Chapter 3 Jason gives a sharp nod before heading toward the staircase. The building feels eerie¡ªtoo quiet for comfort, even though the faint sounds of chaos outside filter through the walls like a distant storm. The muffled screams and sporadic gunfire seem both too far to matter and too close to ignore. The stairs creak under his weight as he descends to the second floor. Each step echoes slightly in the hollow stairwell, and the sound of his own breathing seems louder than it should. The others'' footsteps fade as they move further down, leaving him alone on the final staircase to the second floor. Jason pauses at the landing, gripping the railing tightly as he scans the dimly lit hallway ahead. His heart pounds, a dull thud in his chest, but he forces his breathing steady. A quick glance down confirms the blockade to the first floor is still intact, the makeshift barricade holding strong. That¡¯s one small relief. He approaches the door to the second-floor apartment, its frame still ajar from when they hauled out the couch earlier. The memory of how easy it was to walk these halls earlier that day now feels alien, almost taunting. Back then, they didn¡¯t know the infected had swept through. Now, the silence is heavier, oppressive. Jason hesitates just inside the doorway, his eyes sweeping over the darkened room. The apartment is still, but his gut twists as if warning him otherwise. The gnawing uncertainty eats at him¡ªwhat if something managed to climb up to the second floor? He shakes the thought off. He knows it¡¯s empty. It has to be empty. He steps further inside, each movement deliberate and cautious. Dust motes drift lazily in the faint shafts of light peeking through the blinds. The living room is cluttered but undisturbed¡ªdiscarded magazines, an overturned chair, and the faint smell of mildew. His eyes catch a metal bat propped up against the wall near the doorway. A relic of some homeowner''s false sense of security, now a lifeline for him. Jason grabs it, feeling the cool weight of the metal in his hands. His grip tightens instinctively, his knuckles going white. A sudden creak from the floorboards behind him makes him whip around, bat raised, but it¡¯s just his own footfall settling. He lets out a sharp exhale, muttering under his breath, "Get it together." The tension in his shoulders doesn''t ease as he moves deeper into the apartment. He scans the kitchen first, rummaging through the cabinets with swift but quiet movements. A few cans of soup, a box of crackers, and a half-empty bottle of water¡ªbetter than nothing. He stuffs them into his bag, every rustle of plastic or scrape of metal against wood making him wince. From the hallway outside, a faint thud echoes¡ªlikely a door shifting in its frame somewhere else in the building. Or at least that''s what Jason tells himself. He freezes, his ears straining for any follow-up noise. Nothing. Just the distant hum of chaos outside and the oppressive silence inside. With his bag half-full and his nerves stretched thin, Jason gives the apartment one last glance. Nothing moved, no new sounds. Just the same eerie stillness. He backs toward the doorway, bat at the ready, and steps out into the hall. His shoulders sag slightly, but the tension never fully leaves him. The second floor is clear¡ªfor now. ¡°All right, so we¡¯ve got about seven days¡¯ worth of food,¡± Elliot said, his voice steady but tinged with exhaustion. ¡°Did everyone manage to find a weapon?¡± Jason asked, his eyes scanning the group. ¡°Yes,¡± came the replies, each punctuated by a brief display of their new tools. Elliot held up a crowbar, gripping it tightly. ¡°It¡¯s not much, but it¡¯ll work.¡± Ricky smirked as he raised a wrench. ¡°Found this. Solid and simple.¡± Hannah unfolded a small hatchet, her face calm but serious. ¡°This will do for now.¡± Jessy revealed a sharpened kitchen knife, holding it with both hands. ¡°It¡¯s all I could find.¡± Jason tapped the metal bat he¡¯d taken earlier against his palm. ¡°Good. Looks like we¡¯re armed enough to defend ourselves.¡± ¡°I also found a paper map,¡± Ricky said, unfolding it and holding it up. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan now?¡± Jason studied the map briefly before replying. ¡°It¡¯s already four. We should wait until tomorrow before heading out. Let the city settle a little. If it still seems too hot by then, we¡¯ll wait longer.¡± He looked at each of them. ¡°In the meantime, get your bags ready to go. Change into more protective clothes if you found any¡ªwe¡¯ll need to be able to run fast. And let¡¯s start making rope out of the clothes we don¡¯t need. It could save us later.¡± The group nodded, the weight of their situation settling in as they got to work. Jason¡¯s phone buzzed suddenly, shattering the tense silence. He glanced down at the screen, his face hardening as he read the message aloud to the group: ¡°This is an emergency broadcast. The City of Atlanta has been declared under martial law. Any survivors are instructed to proceed immediately to one of the following safe zones: the National Guard Armory, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the CDC headquarters, or Grady Memorial Hospital. These locations are under federal protection. Avoid all other areas. This message will repeat.¡± The room went silent as everyone absorbed the gravity of the announcement. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not exactly comforting,¡± Ricky muttered. ¡°They''re funneling people to those places,¡± Hannah said, her brow furrowed. ¡°If the military is focusing there, then...¡± ¡°Then the rest of the city is being written off,¡± Jason finished grimly. Sometime later, the group was jolted out of their uneasy quiet by the sudden increase in gunfire echoing through the darkened streets. The crackling shots, sharp and relentless, seemed closer than before. Jason immediately stiffened, signaling for everyone to stay quiet as he strained his ears. ¡°What the hell is going on out there?¡± Ricky muttered, gripping his bat tightly. The distant pops of gunfire intensified, joined by the heavy booms of something far more menacing. "Let¡¯s get to the roof," James suggested, his voice low but firm. Without waiting for a response, he moved toward the stairwell, the others falling in line behind him. The group emerged onto the rooftop, greeted by the cool dusk air. The sky was a bruised shade of purple, transitioning rapidly into night. It would be dark soon. From the west, new plumes of smoke curled into the sky, their origins obscured by the maze of buildings. Faint flashes lit up the horizon, followed by deep, thunderous booms that reverberated in their chests. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like normal gunfire,¡± Ricky said, his voice uneasy. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Elliot replied, squinting into the distance. ¡°That¡¯s cannon fire. Probably from armored vehicles.¡± The group¡¯s attention was drawn to the sudden roar of engines below. They peered over the edge of the roof and saw a convoy of vehicles speeding through the streets, their headlights piercing the encroaching darkness. The convoy didn¡¯t look like civilians¡ªit moved too quickly and efficiently, with military trucks leading the charge. ¡°They¡¯re retreating,¡± Jason muttered under his breath. As the last of the convoy disappeared into the distance, the gunfire behind it began to sputter and fade. Then came the final desperate shots, sporadic and isolated, from whoever had been left behind. Silence followed, a haunting stillness that made the air feel heavy. ¡°Was that... the military?¡± Hannah asked, her voice breaking the silence. ¡°Why are they running?¡± Tina questioned, her tone sharp with disbelief. ¡°They can¡¯t hold the line,¡± Jason said grimly, his eyes fixed on the distant smoke. ¡°But shouldn¡¯t they have, like... plans and stuff? Contingencies?¡± Jessy asked, looking to the others for reassurance. ¡°They should,¡± Ricky agreed, his brow furrowing. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. Now that I think about it, shouldn¡¯t planes have been flying all day? ¡° ¡°They might be bombing outer parts of the city,¡± Hannah suggested hesitantly. ¡°Maybe,¡± Ricky said, his expression darkening. ¡°But... I think they might blow up the whole city. Like they did in Jersey.¡± Hundreds of thousands of survivors. Jessy¡¯s eyes widened as she voiced the thought hanging in the air. ¡°But there are hundreds of thousands of people still alive here!¡± ¡°I said I think,¡± Ricky snapped, though his tone softened when he saw her face. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Jason interjected, his voice cutting through the rising anxiety. ¡°The military won¡¯t help us. That much is clear. They just abandoned the hospital. We need to leave on our own.¡± "This is a government emergency announcement. The city of Atlanta is now under full quarantine. No entry or exit is permitted under any circumstances. If you are currently in a safe location, stay where you are and await further instructions. Military personnel will be deployed to assist you as soon as possible. If your location is compromised, proceed immediately to the National Guard Armory. All other designated safe zones have fallen. Repeat, all other locations have fallen. Stay where you are if you can. You have not been forgotten." "That''s bullshit," Ricky muttered, pacing angrily. "Maybe, but it doesn''t change anything," Jason said, his tone firm. "We still need rest if we¡¯re going to move tomorrow." Ricky stopped and exhaled sharply, frustration still etched on his face. "Let¡¯s get some sleep," Jason added, glancing at the others. "We¡¯ll need all the strength we can get." A faint, rhythmic thrum broke the silence, gradually growing louder. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Hannah asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and fear. Jason tilted his head, listening intently. ¡°I think that¡¯s a helicopter.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s two,¡± Elliot interjected, squinting toward the sound. Jason''s eyes widened. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the roof. Maybe they¡¯re actually rescuing people!¡± The group scrambled up the stairs, urgency driving their movements. Bursting onto the roof, they were met with an incredible sight¡ªthe darkest sky any of them had ever seen. With the power outage, the stars seemed impossibly bright, their light casting faint glimmers over the distant city. ¡°There!¡± Hannah exclaimed, pointing to two barely visible shapes gliding across the starlit horizon. ¡°I think those are Black Hawks,¡± Elliot said, his tone equal parts awe and relief. ¡°Yeah!¡± Ricky added. ¡°Get something¡ªanything¡ªto grab their attention. They¡¯ll fly right over us at this angle!¡± The thrum of the rotors intensified, becoming a deafening roar as the helicopters drew nearer. Suddenly, a sharp whooshcut through the noise, followed by an ear-splitting boom. A fireball erupted in the air, illuminating the rooftop in a flash of blinding orange. ¡°Holy shit! Everyone get down!¡± Jason shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. The struck helicopter spun wildly, its tail snapping like a broken toy. It careened downward, its metal frame groaning and shrieking as it spiraled out of control. The sound of the impact was deafening, a sickening mix of shattering glass and tearing metal as it slammed into the side of the building. The entire structure trembled, bits of debris raining down around them. Smoke and dust billowed upward, choking the air. The chaos was overwhelming¡ªshouts, the crackle of fire, and the distant echo of secondary explosions filled the night. ¡°Is everyone okay?¡± Jason coughed ears ringing, scanning the group as he tried to steady his breathing. Jason looked up, his vision blurred and ears ringing, to see everyone sprawled across the rooftop, coughing. Ricky was slowly pushing himself off the ground, disoriented. Jason staggered over and helped him to his feet, then moved quickly to assist the others. Stumbling to the edge of the roof, Jason peered down through the swirling smoke. His voice was hoarse as he yelled, ¡°It hit the third floor!¡± ¡°What?¡± came the muffled response from behind him. ¡°WE NEED TO GO! GET YOUR STUFF!¡± Jason shouted, his words barely cutting through the ringing in their ears and the rising panic. Smoke billowed from the gaping hole in the side of the building, dark and ominous. ¡°Do you think anyone survived that?¡± Ricky asked, his voice shaky as the group¡¯s hearing started to return. ¡°Maybe,¡± Jason replied grimly. ¡°You guys get the bags and ropes. I¡¯ll check it out.¡± Without waiting for an argument, Jason turned and sprinted for the stairs. The rest of the group hesitated for a moment before heading into Elliot¡¯s apartment to gather their supplies.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Jason took the stairs three at a time, his heartbeat pounding louder than his footsteps. By the time he reached the third floor, the air was thick with acrid smoke, stinging his eyes and throat. He stopped in front of the door, his hand wrapping around the handle. It wouldn¡¯t budge. With a grunt, Jason threw his shoulder into it, the impact sending the door crashing open. He stumbled forward and hit the ground hard, coughing as he scrambled back to his feet. The hallway was rapidly filling with smoke, swirling like a living thing as it sought every corner of the room. The wreckage of the helicopter was embedded deep into what used to be a living room, its cockpit completely obliterated from the impact. Flames licked hungrily at the edges of the wreck, casting long, flickering shadows across the walls. Jason didn¡¯t hesitate. He sprinted toward the twisted remains of the chopper, sparks raining down on him from exposed wires. The interior was a hellscape of smoke and fire, the acrid stench of burning fuel making it hard to breathe. Inside, Jason¡¯s eyes darted frantically. Six bodies of soldiers lay crumpled among the wreckage, motionless. His stomach twisted, but he pushed the feeling down. His eyes landed on a pile of bags and rifles, thrown haphazardly in the chaos. ¡°Gotta move,¡± Jason muttered to himself, urgency pushing him forward. He grabbed two of the bags, his hands trembling as he hoisted one onto his back. The weight pressed heavily on his shoulders, but he didn¡¯t stop. As he turned to leave, the heat from the growing fire became unbearable. Flames crackled and roared, the sound deafening as the smoke thickened around him. Just as he was about to sprint out, something caught his eye¡ªa movement. Jason froze, heart skipping a beat. One of the soldiers shifted, their hand twitching weakly amid the debris. -"Move it, Hannah!" Ricky barked, his voice sharp as he slung both his and Jason''s bags over his shoulder. "Let¡¯s go!" He watched as Hannah, Jessy, and Tina bolted for the stairs, their faces pale with fear. As Elliot passed, Ricky thrust James''s bag into his arms. "Take this. Get the ropes across to the next building and make sure the girls get over." Elliot hesitated, his hands trembling as he grasped the bag. "I... I got it," he stammered, nodding before disappearing up the stairs. Ricky turned back to the doorway, his chest tightening as the smoke thickened, curling around the edges like an ominous warning. The pit in his stomach deepened with every second that passed. ¡°Goddammit, Jason,¡± he muttered under his breath before he made a decision. He charged out the door and down the stairs, the heat hitting him like a wall. The smoke stung his eyes and lungs, making it hard to see or breathe. He reached the third floor just as Jason burst through the doorway, coughing and staggering under the weight of a soldier slung over his shoulder. ¡°Grab him!¡± Jason gasped, his voice hoarse. Ricky didn¡¯t hesitate. He rushed forward and grabbed the soldier¡¯s other arm. Together, they hauled the man up the stairs, the air growing hotter and more suffocating with every step. As they reached the final stretch, Ricky glanced back and saw flames licking at the doorframe, the fire roaring hungrily as it devoured the hallway. The two of them burst onto the roof, dropping the soldier as gently as they could onto the concrete. Ricky doubled over, coughing violently, his lungs burning from the smoke. "So, how do you plan on getting him across?" Ricky asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm despite the panic in his eyes. Jason wiped sweat and soot from his face. "We¡¯ll lower him down with the rope," he said, already moving to tie a secure knot around the soldier. "Then we head down ourselves." The group worked quickly, Elliot tying the rope off on a sturdy pipe. Jason and Ricky secured the soldier, making sure the harness would hold. ¡°Okay, lower him slowly!¡± Jason commanded. The soldier dangled precariously as they eased him down, the rope creaking under the strain. Below, the fire had spread to the lower floors, the heat radiating upward in waves. Smoke billowed from broken windows, swirling into the night sky. "He''s almost down!" Elliot called out, his knuckles white as he gripped the rope. Suddenly, a loud crack echoed through the building. The roof shuddered beneath their feet, sending a jolt of fear through the group. ¡°The building¡¯s going!¡± Ricky shouted. Jason cursed under his breath. "Keep going! We¡¯re not leaving anyone behind!" The soldier reached the ground just as another loud groan rippled through the structure. A chunk of the roof collapsed nearby, sending debris tumbling to the street below. ¡°Now us!¡± Jason yelled. One by one, they descended the rope, the girls first, followed by Elliot, then Ricky. Jason stayed behind, holding the rope steady until everyone was down. As he prepared to descend, the roof buckled again, the edge crumbling beneath his feet. ¡°Go, Jason!¡± Ricky yelled from below, his face lit by the glow of the fire. Jason slid down the rope just as the roof gave way entirely. He hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact. ¡°You good?¡± Ricky asked, rushing to help him up. ¡°Yeah,¡± Jason grunted as Ricky helped him to his feet. The group turned to look at what remained of Elliot¡¯s apartment building. It had collapsed in on itself, a smoldering ruin sending plumes of smoke into the dark sky. The sight was both horrifying and surreal, but for the first time in what felt like hours, they were safe. ¡°At least for now,¡± Jason muttered. He glanced at the others, their faces streaked with soot, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and relief. ¡°Check the door,¡± Jason said, nodding toward the exit on the building. Jessy stepped forward, trying the handle. ¡°It¡¯s locked,¡± she said with a sigh. ¡°We¡¯ll have to figure out how to open it.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s worry about that later,¡± Jason replied, his eyes drifting to the unconscious soldier. ¡°See if we can wake him up first. He might have answers... or a plan.¡± Jason shakes the soldier¡¯s shoulder more firmly. ¡°Hey, wake up,¡± Jason urged, his voice sharp. The soldier stirred, groaning as his head tilted to the side. ¡°What... what happened?¡± he muttered, eyes fluttering open with a dazed expression. ¡°Your helo was shot down by a missile,¡± Jason said, helping steady him. ¡°It crashed into our building.¡± The soldier blinked, his breathing uneven. ¡°The rest of my men... what happened to them?¡± Jason hesitated, his tone softening. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. They didn¡¯t make it. They... they died on impact.¡± The soldier leaned back against the wall, his face pale in the dim light. ¡°Damn it,¡± he muttered under his breath, clenching his jaw. Jason pressed forward. ¡°Why were you guys even here? Were you sent to pick up survivors? Are there evacuation plans?¡± The soldier¡¯s expression tightened as he shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you that.¡± Jason frowned, frustration simmering. ¡°Can¡¯t or won¡¯t?¡± ¡°Both,¡± the soldier said flatly. Jason exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Fine. How about your name, at least? Or is that classified too?¡± The soldier glanced up at him, his eyes filled with fatigue. ¡°Captain Logan,¡± he said finally. Jason backed away from Captain Logan, his mind racing with everything that had just happened. He rejoined the group, who were huddled together near the edge of the rooftop, their faces illuminated faintly by the distant glow of fires on the horizon. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Jason asked, keeping his voice low. Ricky glanced around, then spoke decisively. ¡°Let¡¯s wait until sunrise. We¡¯ll have better visibility, and we can figure out where we¡¯re going.¡± ¡°Good call,¡± Jason said, nodding. ¡°But we need a route before then. Pull out the map.¡± Ricky dug into his bag and unfolded a crumpled city map, spreading it out on the ground. Hannah leaned over it, tracing a finger along the faded lines. ¡°What about this path?¡± she said, pointing to a route that cut through the heart of the city. ¡°It¡¯s the fastest way to get out of here. If we follow it, we¡¯ll hit the interstate and make it to safety quicker.¡± Jason squinted at the map, frowning. ¡°Maybe, but we¡¯d be going straight through the worst parts of the city. It¡¯s risky.¡± Tina knelt down beside them, shaking her head. ¡°No, no, look at this. If we take this path here,¡± she said, tracing an alternate route that curved around the city¡¯s outskirts, ¡°we¡¯ll go through the suburbs instead. It¡¯s longer, but it should be safer. Fewer infected, fewer surprises.¡± Jason was about to respond when a voice cut through the quiet, startling them all. ¡°You can¡¯t take the first path,¡± Logan said, his tone grim as he approached from the shadows. The group jumped, their heads snapping toward him. ¡°Damn it, man, don¡¯t sneak up on us like that!¡± Ricky hissed, his hand clutching his chest. Logan ignored the outburst, his expression serious. ¡°There¡¯s a horde of fifty thousand strong moving through that area. If you take that route, you won¡¯t make it out alive.¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°Fifty thousand?¡± ¡°At least,¡± Logan said. ¡°They¡¯ve been funneling through the main streets, tearing apart anything in their way. You¡¯re better off going with the second route, even if it takes longer.¡± The group exchanged uneasy glances. Jason broke the silence. ¡°How do you even know that?¡± Logan¡¯s expression darkened as he stepped closer, his voice steady but grim. ¡°That¡¯s the same group that took out the hospital. By the time you¡¯d get to that area, it¡¯ll have been twelve hours since they moved through. But current estimates believe it¡¯s going to become one of the city¡¯s main hoarding zones once the chaos settles and the survivors go into hiding.¡± Hannah¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Main hoarding zone? What does that even mean?¡± Logan sighed, his gaze flicking between them. ¡°Infected like that don¡¯t just keep wandering forever. They¡¯re drawn to places with people, and when things go quiet¡ªwhen survivors stop moving¡ªthey group up. Big hordes like that settle down in centralized locations, waiting for something to disturb them.¡± Jason folded his arms, frowning. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying we¡¯ll be walking straight into a death trap if we take that route.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Logan said. ¡°If you¡¯re lucky, they¡¯ll just pass through. If you¡¯re not... well, let¡¯s not test that theory.¡± Tina studied the map again, her hands trembling slightly. ¡°The suburbs route... it¡¯s safer, right?¡± Logan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s less likely to have high concentrations of infected. Longer, yes, but survivable. If you stay quiet, keep your pace steady, and don¡¯t draw attention, you¡¯ll have a fighting chance.¡± Jason exchanged a glance with Ricky and the others, then looked back at Logan. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll take the suburbs route. But you¡¯d better be right about this.¡± Logan¡¯s lips curled into the faintest hint of a grim smile. ¡°Trust me. You don¡¯t want to see what happens if I¡¯m not.¡± The sun broke over the horizon, casting a pale orange glow across the desolate cityscape. Its light caught the attention of the group, interrupting their quiet huddle against the cool, rough surface of the roof access wall. Across from them, Logan sat slumped against the opposite side of the roof, his head resting awkwardly on his chest. At some point during the tense night, he''d succumbed to exhaustion, likely from his injuries. As the sunlight stretched across the skyline, it illuminated a haunting tableau. Burnt-out cars and shattered vehicles littered the streets, their twisted forms standing as stark reminders of the chaos that had unfolded. Bodies lay scattered¡ªcops, military personnel, and civilians alike. Some were piled grotesquely together, others sprawled where they had fallen, riddled with bullet holes. But what gripped the group more than the carnage were the figures still standing. They were unnervingly still, motionless in the eerie quiet of dawn. Not as many as there had likely been during the night¡¯s battle, but enough to chill the blood. Their silent presence was a grim reminder of what waited below. The smell began to rise with the warming air, a sickly, nauseating blend of burnt flesh and decay. It clawed its way into the group¡¯s senses, making it impossible to ignore. ¡°So that''s why the gunfire was so loud yesterday,¡± Hannah murmured, her voice a mix of awe and horror. ¡°Yeah,¡± Ricky replied uneasily. ¡°Are we really sure we need to go down there?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the only way out,¡± Jason said firmly, though his own eyes betrayed his unease as they swept over the scene below. A low, gravelly voice broke their deliberation. ¡°It¡¯s too late for you to get out.¡± They turned to see Logan, still sitting on the rooftop, his gaze now fixed on the horizon. His voice was steady, but his words carried the weight of grim certainty. The sun crept higher, casting long shadows over the chaotic tableau of burnt cars and lifeless bodies. The air carried the stench of death, heavy and inescapable. Jason broke the silence. "What do you mean, it''s too late?" he asked, turning to Logan. Logan, still seated against the wall, glanced at the group with tired eyes. "The city is completely sealed off by now," he said. "What do you mean?" Ricky¡¯s voice wavered. "Like in Jersey?" Hannah pressed, her tone urgent. Logan nodded slowly. "Yes." A collective silence fell over the group. Jessy muttered under her breath, "Shit." Elliot, the youngest of them, clung to a shred of hope. "Maybe if we go, they''ll let us through." All eyes turned to Logan, whose grim expression didn''t falter. "Maybe they will, maybe they won¡¯t. I don¡¯t know. They might be overrun by now, too." Jessy¡¯s voice cracked as she asked, "Overrun? You think that¡¯s possible?" Logan leaned his head back against the wall, his voice low. "Normally, I¡¯d say no. But someone has missiles...so anything¡¯s possible." The teens absorbed the weight of his words. Fear was etched on their faces, but it was Jason who finally broke the paralysis. "Doesn¡¯t matter. If we stay here, we¡¯ll die." Ricky nodded, determination hardening his features. "Yeah, you¡¯re right. We have to go." One by one, they agreed, their eyes shifting to Logan. "Will you come with us?" Jason asked. Logan hesitated, then shook his head. "No. I have something I need to do here." He glanced at each of them, his voice softening. "Good luck." Jason took a deep breath and turned to Elliot. "Give me the crowbar." Elliot fumbled for a moment, then handed it over. Jason gripped it tightly, the metal cool in his hand, and began prying at the door. The sound of creaking hinges and groaning metal echoed across the roof. Jason finally forced the door open with a metallic groan, the sound echoing ominously in the still morning air. He turned to the group, his grip tightening on the crowbar. "Alright, let''s go." Just as they began to move, Logan¡¯s voice cut through the moment, calm but firm. "They''re attracted to sound. The less noise you make, the better your chances." The group froze, absorbing the warning. "Thanks," Jason replied with a curt nod, his voice steady despite the tension. One by one, they filed through the doorway. Jason led the way, his every step careful and deliberate. Ricky followed close behind, glancing over his shoulder. Jessy and Hannah clutched each other¡¯s arms, while Tina kept a sharp eye on Elliot, the youngest and most nervous of the group, as he brought up the rear. The door creaked softly as it closed behind them, shutting out Logan and the relative safety of the rooftop. Ahead lay the unknown, each step into the darkened stairwell echoing faintly. The group switched on their flashlights, the beams slicing through the dim interior. The building¡¯s hallways looked eerily pristine, untouched by the chaos outside. Furniture sat undisturbed, and coats still hung on hooks near the doors of the empty apartments. It was as if the inhabitants had simply vanished, never making it back to the sanctuary of their homes. They moved cautiously, descending the narrow stairwell floor by floor. The silence pressed on them, every scuff of their shoes against the stairs sounding unnaturally loud. When they reached the first floor, Jason raised a hand, signaling for them to turn off their lights. Darkness swallowed them again, save for the faint glow seeping through the cracks of the front door. The group huddled near the entrance, exchanging tense glances. Jason exhaled quietly and whispered, "Alright, let¡¯s do this." Gripping the handle, he began to push the door open slowly. ERRT. The groan of the door''s hinges shattered the stillness. Everyone froze, their breath caught in their throats. Jason clenched his jaw, his knuckles white on the handle as he eased the door open further, praying that no one or nothing had heard. Blinding sunlight poured in as the door creaked open, momentarily dazzling the group. They blinked against the brightness, stepping forward cautiously. It happened in an instant. A shadow streaked toward them¡ªfast, feral, and deadly. The creature¡¯s guttural snarl cut through the air as it lunged, its twisted form inches from Hannah¡¯s face. She stumbled back, a scream catching in her throat, but before it could sink its teeth into her¡ª CRACK! The sharp report of a rifle echoed across the street, and the thing crumpled to the ground mid-leap, a gory hole where its head had been. Jason¡¯s head snapped up to the roof. Logan stood there, silhouetted against the rising sun, rifle in hand. He chambered another round and bellowed, ¡°RUN! NOW!¡± The urgency in his voice spurred them into action. Jason grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm, yanking her forward as the group bolted. Their footfalls pounded against the asphalt, adrenaline surging as they left. Gunshots cracked behind them, sharp and relentless, echoing through the empty streets. Each shot sent a jolt through the group, their legs pumping harder as they sprinted away. The sounds of Logan¡¯s rifle grew distant but remained a grim reminder of what chased them. They didn¡¯t stop not until their lungs burned and their muscles screamed for relief. Only then did their pace falter, slowing to a trot as they entered a deserted road. ¡°Ok, so where do we go from here?¡± Ricky asked, his voice low but anxious as he scanned the empty road ahead. ¡°We need to head down Elm Street,¡± Jason said, glancing at the map and pointing forward. ¡°Down there?¡± Tina asked, her voice rising slightly as she gestured to the dimly lit stretch of road. Wreckage and shadows stretched ominously, concealing who-knew-what dangers. Jason nodded firmly. ¡°Let¡¯s move quietly.¡± The group crept forward, every footstep feeling too loud in the oppressive silence. The air felt heavier here, thick with the scent of smoke and decay. Their flashlights flickered along the cracked pavement, illuminating fragments of broken glass and scattered belongings. They rounded a corner, nerves already frayed¡ªand froze. A small group of infected stood just ahead, scattered in the middle of the street. They moved erratically, their heads twitching at unnatural angles. One of them paused, sniffing the air.