Chapter 16 

August 11 2014, 2 45 p.m. Monday

Saad, Caleb, Harvey, Seo Jun, Emma and Grey in alternating and sometimes at the same time they shot and eliminated the Ghouls, who were terrorizing the town. Each of them brought their unique skills and strategies to the fight, ensuring that no Ghoul stood a chance against their united front, at a safe distance and that the airflow that flowed in the area was opposite of their direction,

providing them cover from the Ghoul's strong, keen sense of smell, allowing them to move undetected. Saad's sharpshooting skills were unmatched, as he took down Ghouls with precise headshots from afar. Caleb's agility and speed made him a formidable opponent, swiftly manoeuvring through the chaos and delivering lethal head and chest shots.

Harvey's expertise in handling the grenade launcher proved invaluable in strategically placing all six rounds at the building to incapacitate the Ghouls. Grey's martial arts mastery enabled him to engage in close combat, swiftly incapacitating Ghouls with lightning-fast strikes in the head using a Bowie knife, while Emma and Seo Jun' made sure to eliminate those that were gaining some unwanted attention on what they were doing,

Within half an hour, the area was now clear, but they never exposed their location. Arrogance was also a weakness that Major Andrew Dan Chevalier mentioned to all combatants. emphasizing the importance of staying hidden and maintaining a tactical advantage. The team understood that remaining undetected was crucial not only for their safety but also to ensure the success of their mission. They continued to move stealthily, blending into the shadows as they searched for any remaining Ghouls in the vicinity.

The fear of death was always in their heads., Grey and Lailah were strong believers in being cautious; this trait came from being chevaliers. Every move must be calculated, even if it looks like a risky action. Favourable conditions must be placed and considered, weighing the potential risks and rewards. They knew that a single mistake could not only cost them their lives but also jeopardize the entire operation. With each step, they remained focused and alert, relying on their training and instincts to guide them through the dangerous terrain.

Grey always tell the team, it's his responsibility as the leader to ensure their safety and take all the risk, command responsibility was a big matter to him, because he has many years of training than the rest and, this was carved into his very bone that being Dead tell no tales

so for more than seventeen successful clearing operations, Grey never took unnecessary actions without checking the conditions from ammo, health and line of communication, if a team member became silent and wasn't able to confirm his or her condition, grey will cancel the mission and prioritize on that particular member, time and time again they were to save each other from getting killed,

demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the team's safety and well-being. This level of trust and camaraderie allowed them to work seamlessly together, ensuring that no one was left behind in the face of danger. Their bond grew stronger with each mission, solidifying their reputation as an unstoppable force in the field.

they were now sweeping the entire block and made sure to check every dead ghoul that was on the ground, some of them carry a retractable spear that Thomas Blair, father of Andrew created as per request of Grey, in its unretracted from about as long as Arnis, with a pointed tip for stabbing, when retracted it was three feet long,

It was light and durable and made a secondary weapon in case they had to defend themselves by hand-to-hand combat, having distance was the most effective way to survive in their line of work. The team understood the importance of being well-equipped and prepared for any situation, and this secondary weapon proved to be a crucial asset in their arsenal.

but some just welded a bayonet at the t edge of their assault rifle, it has been a routine activity to always stab the head of any Ghouls laying on the ground especially if its head was still intact, the chance that it can lunge toward them and bite their legs was a common occurrence, and Grey wasn't paying attention to this their number will be already cut in half,

every step was a stab in the ghoul's head, and Grey was leading them up front hoping that the blast sound they produced won't attract more Ghouls or worst a group of Viles,

Being Cautious was never an issue, as they knew that their lives depended on it. Emma and Saad gave out a hand gesture that the area was clear, with a smile Grey gave a thumbs up and gesture a hand signal of questions them if they were hungry

Caleb, Harvey, and Seo Jun, gave their answers with a heart-shaped hand gesture, indicating that they were indeed hungry. Grey nodded in understanding and motioned for the group to move forward towards a nearby possible shelter and begin securing the area, ensuring that they would have a safe and protected space to eat and rest.

As they approached the shelter, their eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any potential threats or signs of danger. making sure to check for any potential threats or dangers. As they approached the shelter, Emma and Saad took the lead, carefully scanning their surroundings for any signs of trouble. Meanwhile, Caleb, Harvey, and Seo Jun kept a close eye on their surroundings, ready to assist if needed.

they were preparing the MRE they usually bring and eat on missions, but at the Alpha bunker they always ear home cooked food, this type of food was favourable because it was easy to prepare and eat, nobody was allowed to bring any other food because of the enemy keen sense of smell, as reports all over the world were still able to broadcast and were fighting back, humanity was not dead yet as many still found a way to bring this information,

many powerplants were destroyed but like what his uncle told him, even if the apocalypse comes humanity will never crumble like that, he was sure that eliminating technology and humanities advanced civilisation will need more than a few nuclear meltdowns and explosions to have the envisioned Apocalypse they commonly create in tv series and movies, the reality is far from those we all watch and read in books,

half of the population was gone, and certain places are now uninhabitable due to radiation, life was now divided into just two things, fighting and surviving, many people with certain personalities that are too stubborn to change and accept the reality where the world is no longer the same,

Even after millions of deaths and suffering, many still ignored the signs and warnings and, using pejoratives, perceived themselves as entitled and demanding beyond the scope of what is normal. This sense of entitlement and disregard for warnings persisted despite the immense loss of life and widespread suffering. Many groups were roaming the land to obtain and secure resources; these were the people Grey hated the most. The arrogance and sheer attitude of always thinking they were above everybody else made him annoyed.

Texas is well-known for its famed cowboy culture, which explains why many individuals are survivalists, gun owners, and rugged people with pride, bumptiousness, mesquite stump-like perseverance, family orientation, and a profound belief in God. This cowboy culture has also fostered a sense of self-reliance and independence among Texans, which can be seen in their strong emphasis on personal freedoms and limited government intervention. It is this unique blend of traits that often attracts individuals like Grey, who value their own autonomy and despise those who infringe upon it.

But many migrated here because, for many reasons, they do not have the same mindsets, so like in any other place, personalities clash and conflicts arise. This diversity of perspectives can lead to both enriching exchanges and heated debates, as individuals from different backgrounds strive to find common ground while preserving their own values. Nonetheless, the dynamic nature of Texas continues to shape and challenge its residents, fostering a vibrant and ever-evolving cultural landscape. The struggle,

the barrier of being rich and poor was still evident in the state. Economic disparities persist, with some areas experiencing wealth and prosperity while others face poverty and limited opportunities. This divide creates social challenges and highlights the need for ongoing efforts to address inequality and ensure equal access to resources for all

Grey would constantly listen to the news with his corded earbuds. The word of the mutated Ghouls and Vile spread around the country, warning everyone to be on the watch since there is no limit to how huge the mutation may grow, posing a serious threat to public safety.

The government has issued warnings and asked individuals to exercise caution, such as avoiding contact with any unusual substances or creatures. It is critical for communities, especially since they declared that certain big cities, such as Washington, Columbia, and Delaware, were able to regain control of their domains. Dallas, Denver, and Jersey City

Malik was able to intercept a transmission on an open channel that a group of scavengers are patrolling five clicks north-east, and he perceives them as unfriendly until it is proven otherwise, but Grey will never open their doors, and strict conditions must be met to become part of their community, such as proving one's loyalty and commitment to the community's values. The restoration of control over major cities has allowed for better coordination and protection against external threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of community members.

Grey gave them some time to rest before going back and informing the city mayor about the conversation they intercepted. Some understood Grey's concern, but some ignored this information, thinking that maybe it came from the government to help them. Grey never added any additional information or argued with those who didn't agree with his suggestion, respecting their autonomy and decision-making process. However, Grey remained vigilant, knowing that sharing crucial information could potentially save lives and contribute to the overall safety of the community they consistently trying to help.

Grey thanks the mayor and his staff for their continuous coordination with them, as they prepare to return home, some of the city populace sees their actions to be conceited and still claim that being in a safe location filled with so many resources they tend to delegate just enough to stay alive within a few days to have the bare minimum, these people were an all ungrateful and narrow-minded group of people that insisted that they have the right over their secret community has,

without considering the sacrifices made by the individuals who established and maintained it. However, it is important to recognize that the leaders of the secret community have a responsibility to ensure its survival and cannot risk jeopardizing it by accommodating every demand of the ungrateful few.

even if the Greys team risk their lives to give them food, these people were just asking too much, and because they have killed and eliminated many Ghouls and Vile they often wonder how much they have stored in their underground community, these people were feeling the harsh treatment of reality and silently demand the mayor and their leaders in forcing them to give more,

But because the religious leaders would intervene, mentioning that the infection of the madness affects none believers, they all hid under the guise of being faithful for their own selfish reasons; they were unconsciously planting the seed into whom this madness will enter.

unaware of the potential consequences. Little did they know that their actions would inadvertently contribute to the spread of this madness among their remaining community, blurring the lines between believers and non-believers. The consequences of their hidden motives would soon become apparent as the infection began to infiltrate even the most devout individuals. especially the relative of the five bullies that became a fused mutated Vile,

as they have been planning something, they just need the right opportunity and, the information about the unknown patrolling group was that sign,

August 11 2014, 4:15 p.m. Monday