Dark Absentia: Blood Infernal Chapter Forty-One

Eddie gripped the steering wheel tightly as the vehicle came to a stop at the deserted intersection adjacent to the bus station. He sat there for a few moments, his eyes scanning the surroundings and his mind deep in thought. The silence was deafening, and the emptiness of the street made him feel uneasy. Eventually, he sighed deeply and drove toward the bus station, leaving the intersection behind him. The driver's knuckles turned white as his fingers clenched the steering wheel with a firm grip. Together, we gazed out at the vast, open lot lying before us without sign of life or activity.

The long line of Greyhound buses sat motionless, their engines quiet and their windows dark. Not a single passenger departed or arrived, leaving the rows of buses empty and still. Every day, a bustling stream of buses makes its way in and out of this station, ferrying passengers to and from their destinations. The constant hum of engines and chatter of travelers create a lively atmosphere that's hard to miss. The car came to a stop, and we stepped out onto the dusty pavement, surrounded by the endless expanse of the concrete desert. Eddie turned off the engine, and the only sound was the gentle rustle of the breeze through the sand. Fisher and Teddy confidently moved ahead, cautiously scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. Meanwhile, Eddie and I stayed behind with the two girls, ensuring they were safe and secure.

As I walked into the bus station, I couldn't help but notice the unusual stillness that hung in the air. The sound of our footsteps echoed eerily across the polished floors, and the usual chatter and bustle of passengers was conspicuously absent. It was as if the entire station was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

The demon calamity has brought about a multitude of unseen and devastating consequences that are wreaking havoc on the city. From crumbling buildings to frightened citizens, the city is in a state of chaos as the demon's rampage continues unchecked. As I approached the scene, my heart skipped a beat. The sight before me was ominous, with an eerie atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine. It served as a stark reminder of the lurking danger that was always present, waiting to strike when you least expected it. I stood there, frozen in place, knowing that I had to remain vigilant and cautious at all times to stay safe. Eddie's words broke the silence.

"We need to find the office with all the keys," Eddie whispered.

"Yeah, I just hope none of those demon monsters show up," I whispered.

"Radio back to Bellevue that we're at the first bus station, and everything looks clear," Eddie stated.

With my HAM radio in hand, I quickly texted the Mayor on one of the designated cellphones to inform him of the situation before reporting it over the radio. As we continued with our task, I took the initiative to update Madison and Rory on our progress so far by relaying the information to them through the HAM radio. I completed my task, and as I looked around, I noticed that Fisher had managed to locate the elusive office that held all the keys. As we were preparing to secure the room, he and Eddie joined me. We worked together to ensure the room was adequately locked and safe. Teddy was by our side throughout the process. Cindy and Beth were exploring other offices within the bus station.

In order to avoid catching the attention of the malevolent forces that roamed the city streets, we consciously decided to maintain a low profile and blend in with the surroundings. Our efforts to remain undetected were fueled by the fear of what could happen if we were to be noticed by these ominous entities. After ensuring the keys were safe, we took all necessary precautions to secure the bus station by locking down every possible entry point, including doors and windows, to make sure that no unauthorized person could gain access. As soon as the evacuation order is given, this bus station will be besieged by a horde of terrifying monsters and vicious demons. They will descend upon the station from all directions, their razor-sharp claws and teeth ready to strike at anyone in their path. It will be a scene of chaos and terror. It was evident to everyone at this point.

In the midst of the apocalypse, we faced the daunting task of orchestrating the simultaneous evacuation of every single survivor from the city. It was a race against time, with lives hanging in the balance, and we had to act quickly and efficiently to ensure everyone's safety. Undertaking such a task would require significant effort. The task at hand required absolute precision, and any mistake, no matter how small, could have serious consequences. Therefore, every step must be taken with utmost care and attention to detail.

"Rest easy, everything is secure. Let's confidently move on to the next bus station," Eddie said.

"The city transportation hub, right?" Fisher asked.

"Yeah, that's the one. We get the central hub out of all the other search teams," I said.

"I hope it's as quiet as this station," Beth whispered.

"Me, too. All this is so surreal," Cindy countered.

"Don't worry, I'm sure the other teams are faring just as well," Teddy said.

"The question is, how are we going to get possibly thousands of people to Texas or Colorado with all this terror happening around us," Beth said.

"She's right; we won't be able to travel at night. Either location is at least twenty-four hours or more. There had to be a stop somewhere along the way," Cindy said.

Her youthful blonde hair was luminous, and her intellect was exceptional for her age. As I contemplated the situation, I found myself unable to develop any viable solutions. It was impossible to ignore her attractive physique under those hospital scrubs. Beth's decision to provide her with those clothes was wise, as the garments were both practical and stylish, perfectly suiting her needs and preferences. Amidst the chaos and terror, the sight of the two women was like a ray of hope. Their presence brought a sense of calmness, and for a brief moment, the darkness of the situation lifted.

"We're going to stop on hallowed grounds. Churches are the answer to that," Eddie revealed. "These things have been hitting churches for months before this all came to a head. My brother Ben's partner is working on that problem as we speak."

Eddie's response brought a momentary sense of relief to the group. Still, it was clear that their challenges were far from over. The task of evacuating survivors from this hellish nightmare was daunting. Securing transportation was just the first hurdle, and the real challenge was getting the survivors to these transportation sites. The city was crawling with all sorts of monstrous creatures, from demons to undead, and navigating through them was treacherous. To make matters worse, a significant portion of the city's population remained blissfully ignorant of the apocalyptic dangers surrounding them. Our group had our work cut out for us, and the road ahead was undoubtedly perilous.

After hearing Eddie's response, the group felt a momentary sense of relief. However, they were aware that their struggles were far from over. The task of evacuating survivors from the current catastrophic situation was daunting. Obtaining transportation was only the first obstacle, and the real challenge was safely transporting the survivors to these sites. The city was crawling with all types of monstrous creatures, from demons to the undead, making the journey through them treacherous. Not only did they have to navigate through the hazards of the city, but they also had to deal with a significant portion of the population who remained blissfully unaware of the apocalyptic dangers around them.

As we gathered together, the weight of the challenge ahead was heavy on our minds. We were acutely aware that our group had a difficult task ahead and that the journey would be fraught with danger and uncertainty. I was determined to face it head-on and work tirelessly until we had achieved our goal. I knew Eddie, Thomas, and Ben felt the same way.

The Mayor had to plan and strategize our moves carefully to ensure the safety of the survivors. Every action we took now had to be thought through, and we had to be prepared for any obstacles that might come our way. To add to the troubles, the survivors were more than likely traumatized and in desperate need of care. They were scared and confused, and it was up to people like us to provide them with the needed support and guidance. We had to keep our emotions in check and be strong for the survivors as they navigated through the horrors of the city. We had a difficult journey ahead of us, and this mission was far from over. We had to be vigilant, resourceful, and, above all, determined to ensure the safety of the survivors and ourselves.