Chapter 31

The old man's hand smacked Daniel's cheek, the sting shocking him into silence. "You fool, risking your life like that. What about your family?" His voice trembled with concern, eyes fixed on Daniel's.

Daniel's response came in a whisper, remorse coating his words. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."

"Don't do it again," the old man's tone softened slightly, but his resolve remained firm. "If you see anyone acting strange, take them out. No hesitation."

Soldier 1's voice cut through the tension, urgency dripping from his words. "Guys, trouble ahead!" He gestured ahead, his figure silhouetted against the dim light at the bus entrance.

Daniel and the old man turned their gaze to where Soldier 1 was pointing, and a chilling sight greeted them: a horde of zombies closing in from all sides.

"Get inside, quick! The gunshot must've drawn them. We can't dawdle," the old man warned, his voice tense with the imminent danger.

"Alright," Daniel replied, sprinting towards the bus alongside the old man.

"Now, drive!" the old man commanded Soldier 1, who was at the wheel, as he wrestled with a zombie hand that had nearly grabbed him through the door.

With a surge of adrenaline, Soldier 1 floored the gas pedal, propelling the bus forward at breakneck speed. The force was so powerful that it ripped the grasping zombie hands from his body. Some undead managed to latch onto the bus, but Soldier 1 skillfully swerved, sending them tumbling away as the bus careened down the road.

"That's nice kiddo, you got some skills." the Oldman complimented soldier 1.

"Thanks sir," soldier 1 replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

"I have a plan. Drive towards all the locations we had tried to pass through, the ones swarming with zombies. I'm going to take them all out in one fell swoop," Daniel announced confidently, his gaze flickering with a fierce determination.

"What? Are you crazy? You trying to get us all killed? I know I was foolish enough to follow through with your plan," the old man protested, his voice tinged with doubt as he reflected on the potential dangers ahead.

"Believe me," Daniel insisted, his voice steady and unwavering as he sought to reassure soldier 1 and the old man of the viability of his bold strategy.

"Okay, I will put my faith on you," said Soldier 1, his voice steady but his heart pounding with anticipation as he prepared to take the biggest gamble of his life.

Gripping the steering wheel with a sense of purpose, Soldier 1 approached the corner with a mixture of nerves and determination. With a swift flick, he initiated the drift, causing the massive bus to swing outwards in a calculated maneuver.

Muscles tense, Soldier 1's arms moved with precision as he wrestled with the wheel, fighting to keep the bus under control as it slid sideways. Adjusting the steering with a steady hand, he modulated the throttle to maintain the drift, his focus unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around him.

Each rotation felt like an eternity as Soldier 1 guided the bus through the 360-degree spin, the tires protesting loudly against the unforgiving asphalt. Despite the challenge of drifting in reverse, Soldier 1 remained calm and composed, his movements calculated and precise.

As the maneuver reached its climax, Soldier 1 expertly corrected the steering, bringing the bus to a halt facing the opposite direction. With a quick glance, he hit the acceleration, propelling the bus forward once more towards the danger they had narrowly escaped which was filled with zombies.

The bus rumbled through the desolate streets, where hordes of zombies roamed like shadows in the dusk. Soldier 1 gritted his teeth, pushing the accelerator as the bus surged forward, plowing through the undead masses. But their numbers were overwhelming, halting the bus in its tracks.

"I told you this plan was foolish," the old man grumbled, his voice tinged with frustration.

Outside, the zombies closed in, pressing against the bus like sardines in a can. Some clawed and gnashed, desperate to breach the protective iron mesh welded over the windows.

Inside, Helen, the old man, and soldier 1 exchanged anxious glances, finding solace in the sturdy barricade holding the zombies at bay. But their relief was short-lived as a creaking sound echoed through the bus, signaling the strain on the welded barriers.

"What's your next move, Daniel?" the old man inquired, his tone edged with urgency.

Daniel's hand darted into his bag, retrieving a small switch. "It's almost time," he replied cryptically, his gaze fixed on the ominous horde outside.

"But why wait? We need to act now," the old man demanded, his frustration mounting.

Daniel remained silent, his focus unwavering as he scanned the darkness beyond the bus windows.

Suddenly, the bus lurched upward, jolting everyone inside. Daniel's eyes widened with realization, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Gotcha, you bastard," he muttered under his breath.

With swift determination, Daniel pressed the switch, sending a surge of electricity coursing through the welded mesh. The air crackled with energy as the zombies convulsed and spasmed, even the colossal figure holding the bus aloft succumbing to the deadly shock.

As the giant zombie fell lifelessly to the ground, the bus plummeted with a deafening crash, the impact reverberating through the desolate streets like a thunderclap.

The crash left them disoriented, ears ringing and hearts pounding. Helen coughed, her throat raw from the dust swirling around them. Soldier 1 braced himself against the wreckage, his breath ragged with exertion. The old man, his face etched with worry lines, checked himself for injuries, relief flooding him as he found none.

Through the haze, they surveyed the scene, the stench of burnt flesh lingering in the air. The once-threatening horde now lay scattered and motionless, their charred forms a grim testament to the power of Daniel's makeshift defense.

"It worked, my plan worked," Daniel exclaimed, a glimmer of triumph in his eyes.

The old man nodded, though weariness lined his features. "Yes, it worked," he conceded, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "But it nearly got us killed, in case you've forgotten."

"I'm sorry about that," Daniel said, his excitement fading as he recognized the gravity of their situation.

"I hope we don't do that again," Soldier 1 chimed in, his tone reflecting the lingering tension from their narrow escape.

Helen nodded in agreement. "I second it," she added.

Authors Note ;

"Hello, everyone, it's the author here. I just want to make a quick notice that from now on, the old man will be called Victor, while soldier 1 will be called Jake's. Thanks for reading."