Chapter 16: Safe Haven

Azie's POV

"I think... we have to go.." I heard Chelsea mumbled after a long deafening silence.

I can still feel the ringing in my ears from the shot that Helen just fired.

"I.. leave me alone for the moment please." Helen said without looking at us.

"Sure." I replied and walked away from her. Arius and others did the same.

I can't help but feel responsible because of what happened. I lean my back at the bus and stared at my own shaking hands.

My lips started to quiver. Shit.

"Hey.." I looked up and saw Arius walking towards me. He saw my hands shaking and he immediately held it.

"Look, it's not your fault Azie." He started. I can feel a strong emotion rising from my system. My eyes started to sting.

No! I can't cry! I have to be strong.

"I..." My voice broke. I can feel a lump forming into my throat as Im looking for words to say but found none.

He didn't said anything, instead he just engulfed me into a tight but warm hug.

I'm not an emotional type of a person. My parents raised me to become strong and independent at a times where I felt like its my downfall or I feel so hopeless. They told me crying won't make any changes for the things that already happened and so I can't cry.

I lean my head on Arius shoulder and forced my eyes shut. I think I'm starting to feel comfortable on his arms.

"Please don't blame yourself..." I heard him said that made me snap out of my thoughts and pulled away from him.

I saw his expression changed into something I can't decipher and then turned back into his emotionless face.

"I don't think I should go with you." I shifted my gaze from Arius to Helen's face. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying.

"What do you mean?" Dearil asked.

"Yeah, what are you talking about?" It's Kaliya. We all stared at Helen. Waiting for her reason.

Instead of saying anything, she just showed us her right arm. My heart dropped.

"Y-you're bitten too..." Roxanne said stuttering. I balled my fist and bit my lower lip hard that I felt it bleed.

"Fuck!" I blurted out. Pissed off with myself and trying not to cry.

"A-azie.." Helen called out to me. I can hear the girls started crying. I faced Helen.

"I don't blame you, 'kay? I mean... all you did is to save us.. you helped us live and I can't give you anything in return for your goodness. All I wanted is that... don't blame yourself... it's not your fault. It's no ones.." She said holding my hand while crying. I shut my eyes, not wanting to see her reaction.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered as I open my eyes. I saw her smiling at me.

"It's okay.. I prefer to stay with Alby. You know, he was my man before all this things happened. After all, I wanted him to be the last person I see before..." I nodded. I get what she means.

Tumingin sya sa kasama namin at ngumiti.

"Thank you guys, for everything..." She said. She raised the gun she's holding.

"Can I have this? I don't want to turn like those infected, so..." I smiled at her.

"Y-yeah." She return the smile and hugged me.

"I trust you with them Azie.. I know you will be their hope." She whispered before breaking the sudden embrace.

"Now, go."I turned my back away from her.

***

We've been walking for ten minutes now under the scorching hot weather when all of us from walking after we heard a gunshot. I closed my eyes and heaved a deep sigh before continuing my walk.

Kamuntik pa akong ma out of balance ng ayusin ko ang backpack na suot kung hindi dahil sa pag suporta ni Gifflet sa likod ko.

"Thanks." He just smiled at me.

I fixed myself before looking at all of them. Frustration and tiredness were obviously written on their faces.

"We have to get going." I said sternly saka tumingin sa harapan namin. We're in the edge of the cement dirt road that leads to the deepest forest of the city. Towards the mountain.

"I'll lead us the way. It will be a long walk but I'm sure we'll arrive their as soon as possible." Drake stated. I nod my head at him and we started walking in silence.

Lumiko na kami sa kanang bahagi ng daan saka maingat na naglakad papasok sa gubat.

"Be careful.. there might be some snakes or what." Says Rodrick. Good to know he's trying to light the mood up.

"So, tell me about your brother, Drake." Chelsea said while the eleven of us listened. I glanced at Arius and saw him carrying Luna on his back whispering something to her as she giggle.

I smile at myself.

"Uhm... he's kind of a something who's obsessed with stuffs like this, you know apocalypse. And so he lived off of us, got himself in the army and then I heard him built his own safe haven." Leaves and tree branches were crushed beneath our feets as we step on them. Cold gust of wind brushing past us making me shiver.

I remember, it's going to be winter next two months.

"So, he kinda knows this will happen?" Flora joined the conversation.

"I don't actually know. But, it seems like it. He's quite eccentric to be honest. And, you know, army's the second people who know what's happening around the state. Especially those ones whose assigned to protect the secret government."

"What's secret government?" Kaliya asked trying to walk the same time with the Drake, Chelsea and Flora.

"You've heard of Area 51? You know, stuffs like that, that ordinary people doesn't know existed. Officials kept the secret hidden yet they don't succeed because there's always one among them who'll talk about it."

"Well, you're right."

I heaved a sigh. I think we've been walking around for an hour already.

"How far should we go?" Thankfully, Dearil heard my mind.

Drake stoped so we did too. He roam his eyes around.

"A little bit more walk, I think. Until we can see the river bank down this dirt pathway. After that, we'll be seeing some of my brother's signage along the way that will lead us towards this big sturdy wooden gate that he told me he himself made it." He explained.

"Wow. That's just crazy of him."

We continue our walk down the dirty pathway while listening to the conversation in front of us.

I'm so tired. How I wish we arrive there before the sun sets.

***

"Holy shiz.. is that... what you're brother built?" All our mouths were wide open.

Standing in front of us is this big door made of steel and I think the most tallest brick walls I've ever seen in the middle of the woods. The top bricks were surrounded by barb wires and  if I'm not mistaken, that caution sign that says 'High Voltage' is actually legit.

"I.. I think so too." Drake replied still gazing in front of us with amazement.

A sudden static caught our attentions.

"Who are you and what are you doing at my place?" Says a voice that booms around us. I search for something that can help the voice travel and saw some speakers plastered on trees not far away from where we are.

There were also hidden cameras that if you don't look closely, you won't even notice it's existence.

I nudge Drake and pointed all of it to him. He stood in front of one of the cameras and awkwardly wave at it.

"T-Toby.. Hi.. it's me. Drake Oakley. You're brother." With that introduction of Drake, the steel door slowly opens and we're greeted by this big guy wearing a Military uniform and helmet, gun on his hand and pointing at us.

"Gen the fuck down on your knees or I'll shoot!" He shouted angrily that made all of us jumped.

"Oh crap. Not again." I heard Kaliya muttered as we all drop on our knees, hands raised.