Chapter 17

In the face of distress, Daniel's reply came, "Even if it were, nothing we can do." A mix of sadness and worry etched across his face.

"Let's go, Helen," Daniel urged, and she gently took one of his hands, placing it on her shoulder. Together, they moved away from the old man, heading in the opposite direction. The surroundings seemed to close in on them, casting shadows that mirrored the heaviness of their hearts.

"Wait, where are you going to?" The old man's voice echoed with concern, pausing their movement abruptly. His wrinkled face showed confusion, struggling to grasp the young man's determined actions.

"Evacuation center, my wife and daughter could be there," Daniel explained, urgency lacing his words.

"Hmm, evacuation center," the old man mumbled, squinting at the distant figures of Helen and Daniel as they pressed forward, fading from his view. He pondered the uncertain journey they embarked upon, his weathered eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and worry.

"Oh damn it, I can't let this young man run to their death," exclaimed the old man. He started sprinting ahead until he glimpsed Daniel and Helen. Out of breath, he shouted, "Hold up, you two! I am too old for this."

Helen and Daniel were taken aback by the old man's sudden intervention, thinking he had no intention of joining them. They stopped in their tracks, waiting for the old man to catch up.

When he finally reached them, Daniel questioned, "I thought you didn't want to follow us."

The old man scratched his head, scrambling for a quick response. Suddenly, a lightbulb flickered in his mind, and he blurted out, "Well, I better make my way to the Evacuation center too if I wanna stick around a bit longer."

Hearing the old man's words, Helen let out a weary sigh, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Let's keep on the track ahead. I remember there's a hospital nearby."

Turning to her side, she spotted a nearby car. Curiosity tugging at her, she approached to check its usability. Peering into the car, an unexpected surprise awaited. Suddenly, something from inside the vehicle collided with the windshield, startling both Daniel and Helen. They instinctively recoiled as the figure continued bashing its head against the car's glass.

As the scene unfolded, the fear crept into Daniel and Helen. The unmistakable sight revealed a trapped zombie within the car. The realization sent shivers down their spines, prompting an immediate retreat from the notion of using the car. With a shared glance, they abandoned the vehicle, opting to press forward with the old man in tow.

"Let's move forward; it will be safer than here," Daniel reassured, attempting to quell Helen's fear.

"Okay, let's keep moving," agreed Helen as they continued their journey, the old man following closely.

—--

Hours passed, and exhaustion crept upon Helen and Daniel. Breathing heavily, sweat dripped from their faces. The old man observed silently, words unnecessary in the shared struggle.

Suddenly, the old man's alertness broke the silence, "Wait, stop, both of you!" he warned.

Helen and Daniel turned towards the old man, their curiosity piqued.

Pointing at a hidden string and a grenade on the other side of the road, the old man explained, "Looks like someone doesn't like visitors trespassing his territory."

Shocked, Daniel exclaimed, "What is this?"

"A trap," replied the old man, his tone revealing the danger they narrowly avoided.

A voice commanded, "Hands up! The three of you, don't move, or I'll shoot."

Fear gripped Daniel as he pleaded, "We are civilians, please don't shoot. There's a woman, an old man, and an injured person. We mean no harm."

Soldiers emerged, uniforms crisp, and weapons ready. "Put down the gun," one demanded.

Apologizing, Daniel complied, "I needed it for support, there's a reason." But his explanation was cut short, "Put it down if you don't want to get shot."

With a surrendering gesture, Daniel lowered the gun, the metal clinking against the pavement.

"Boss, what should we do with them?" asked a soldier.

"Go tell the platoon leader there are civilians here," ordered the leader. Turning to Daniel, now on the ground, he reassured, "Are you okay, sir? I'm disarming the trap."

The old man observed, muttering to himself, "These two were just kids, too young to be soldiers."