A Desperate Escape
"Colin, it's me, Elsie. You have to fight this. I know you're still in there," she pleaded, her voice steady despite the chaos. For a moment, Colin went still, as if a glimmer of reason flickered behind his frenzied gaze. But it was only a fleeting respite.
With a primal roar, Colin broke free of Gary and Elsie's grasp, sending them scattering. He lunged at Elsie, his hands outstretched, the infection that had taken hold of his body transforming him into something feral and unpredictable. Sam and Liam surged forward, their faces scared but determined. They had to protect Elsie.
As Colin closed in on Elsie, Liam launched himself at him, taking him down to the floor with a thud. The impact nearly knocked the wind out of Liam, but he refused to let go. He held Colin in a vice-like grip, panting with the effort of keeping the larger teen subdued. Meanwhile, Elsie's eyes darted around the room in search of a solution.
"We need to sedate him!" she cried, her voice piercing the chaos. Sam, his eyes fixed on his struggling brother, snapped into action. He sprinted over to where they had stored the medical supplies. Spotting some syringes and a vial of the sedative haloperidol on a nearby tray and lunged for it. His hands trembling as he sprinted back and handed it to Elsie.
Elsie wasted no time, filling the syringe with the powerful sedative. She approached Colin cautiously, her eyes locked on his wild ones, and pressed the needle into his muscle. The medication took effect almost immediately, and Colin's frenzied thrashing slowly subsided.
The group stood exhausted, their chests heaving, as they witnessed Colin transform from a raging beast to calm and docile once more. The tension broke, and Sam released a shuddering breath, never having realized the sheer strength of his brother. He glanced up at Liam, whose eyes were dark with concern, reflecting the gravity of their situation.
"We have to get out of Silverhurst," Liam said, his voice thick with urgency. "It's not safe here anymore. The infected are everywhere."
At that moment, the chaotic blare of an alarm pierced the air, signaling the breach of the hospital's defenses. The group snapped into action, the reality of their peril hitting hard.
"We're running out of time!" Elsie exclaimed, her eyes flicking between the sedated Colin and the rest of the group.
Paisley, her face pale but determined, had already grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall and was holding it like a bat, ready to swing at any threat that came their way. Her friends were a part of her family, and she wouldn't let harm befall them if she could help it.
Liam helped Colin into a sitting position and clamped a hand over his mouth to muffle his groans. "We have to keep him quiet," he said. "The last thing we need is for him to attract more of the infected."
Sam nodded, his eyes darting around the basement, assessing their options. "The garage access—it's not far. If we can make it there, we might have a chance."
The prospect of escape ignited a spark of hope in the group, and they sprang into action, gathering their scattered belongings and tasked with preparing Colin for the arduous journey.
Suddenly, the skull-piercing shriek of an infected echoed through the basement, followed by the crashing of equipment and the sounds of frenzied feeding. The group froze, their blood running cold.
"They're here," Liam hissed, his eyes darting to the stairwell leading up to the main hospital wards. Gary a look of panic on his face whispered, "I have to go help everyone else, I'm sorry." With one last desperate look, he sprinted away, towards the makeshift clinic and disappeared from view.
Theakh! A sharp crack echoed through the basement. The infected had breached their sanctuary, and the group was trapped like rats.
Elsie's lips trembled in fear, but she hauled Colin to his feet, determined to keep him standing. Sam and Liam readied themselves, their backs against the wall, ready to fight. Paisley stood protectively in front of them, her extinguisher at the ready, eyes darting wildly for any sign of a break.
"We'll provide cover," Liam said to Elsie, his voice steady despite the chaos. "Get Colin and get out of here. We'll follow as soon as we can."
Elsie nodded, her eyes flicking between her brother and Liam, gratitude and fear warring in her expression. Without another word, she propelled Colin towards the garage exit, his feet dragging along the floor. Sam cast one final glance at his friends, then followed his sister, leaving Liam and Paisley alone to face the horde.
The first of the infected appeared in the stairway opening, their once-familiar faces twisted beyond recognition. Their clothes were tattered, and they wore the remnants of their humanity like bloody rags. The group's former classmates and neighbors had become something unrecognizable, their eyes burning with hunger.
Liam took a step forward, squaring his shoulders, and sprayed the extinguisher at the approaching infected, buying himself and Paisley precious seconds. The foam engulfed the leading edge of the horde, their shrieks of anger transforming into gags as the white foam entered their mouths and lungs.
"Come on, Paisley!" Liam shouted, his eyes never leaving the enemy.
Paisley was right behind him as they bolted for the garage exit, the infected close on their heels. Liam's heart pounded in his chest, the adrenaline coursing through his veins, as he sprinted towards the metal exit door, his lungs burning. He risked a glance over his shoulder, seeing the infected climbing over each other to reach them.
Reaching the door, Liam threw it open and pelted across the garage towards the street outside, Paisley hot on his trail. Behind them, the infected poured out of the basement, their numbers seemingly endless.
"We'll never make it!" Paisley panted, terror etched her face as she eyed the vast army of the infected.
Liam scanned the street, his eyes settling on the police station a block down. It was their only chance. "We have to try!"
Sam and Elsie emerged from inside an upside ambulance just outside the garage, Colin between them, his head lolling as the sedative took full effect. Liam's heart sank as he realized Colin's weight would slow them down, but there was no time to discuss other options.
The group hustled towards the station, the infected closing in with every step. Liam's mind raced. Reaching the station they saw the glass windows were smashed, fragments scattered across the floor, providing an ominous welcome.
Peering inside Liam saw police officers, yelling orders to their colleagues. A big burly officer caught sight of the group approaching and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Get the doors!" he barked at his colleagues. "Help these kids!"
The group sprinted towards the doors, the infected hot on their trail. The burly officer and another tough-looking female officer jumped to assist them, firing shots at the horde behind them. The thundering of the gunfire filled the air, sending the infected into a frenzied rage.
As the first waves of infected reached them, Liam felt the hot breath of their pursuers on the back of his neck. The female officer pulled him and Paisley inside, while Sam and Elsie, struggling under Colin's weight, followed close behind. The officers slammed the doors shut, bolting them securely.
The lobby was in disarray, furniture overturned, and the air thick with the scent of blood. Several officers hurried to the group's aid, ushering them further inside.
Liam turned to assess their predicament. Through the windows, the streets were swarming with the infected, their hands reaching and faces contorted in anger. The building trembled with the force of their collective rage.
"We can't stay here," Paisley stated, her voice quivering. "It's only a matter of time before more break in."
She was right, Liam thought. They needed to keep moving, but where? The group looked to Liam for answers, their young leader seemingly measured in his response, considering their options.
"We have to keep going," he asserted, determination masking his inner turmoil. "We can't stop now."
Elsie's face glistened with sweat, and she sank to the floor beside Colin, her eyes alternating between her brother and Liam. "We can't just leave him," she pleaded, referring to her half-conscious brother.
Liam knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We won't," he assured her. "But we can't risk the entire group for one person, no matter who he is. We have to think of the bigger picture, Elsie. We have to get to higher ground."
Sam stood over Colin protectively and exchanged a sorrowful glance with Elsie. He knew Liam's words were logical, but his heart ached at the thought of abandoning his brother.
The burly officer, his badge showing the number 74012, assured them they'd be safe within the confines of the police station. Liam's group was escorted to a small briefing room, away from the chaos unfolding outside.
The officer introduced himself as Sergeant Bearnard MacCrimmon, his voice steady and reassuring. "We've fortified this place pretty well. The infected can't get in here, at least not easily. You're safe for now."
Liam, determination hardening his freckled face, observed Sergeant MacCrimmon, taking in the officer's large muscly frame, kind blue eyes, and big bushy red beard. "We can't stay here. Not with so many of them outside. We need to keep moving, find a place where we can hole up, and figure out our next move."
Sergeant MacCrimmon's brow furrowed, creases forming across his broad forehead. "Kid, you've got guts, I'll give you that. But holing up somewhere isn't as easy as it sounds. The whole city's gone to hell. Looters are running rampant, and the infected are everywhere. It's bad out there."
Paisley spoke up, her voice steady despite the dire situation. "We've managed to stay ahead of them so far. We're resourceful. We can help each other."
Sam stood resolute, determination matching Liam's. "We have to keep going. We have to find a cure for Colin."
Elsie's eyes flickered between her injured brother and Sergeant MacCrimmon, seeking a glimmer of hope in the grizzled officer's stare. "Please, is there any way we can get a cure for this? Is anyone still working on finding one?
Sergeant MacCrimmon's gaze softened as he looked at the determined group of teenagers. "There are a few scientists and researchers holed up at the old Silverhurst University," he said, referring to the nearby academic institution. "They're working around the clock to find a cure, or at least something to help manage the symptoms. But it's early days yet, and hope is slim that a cure will be found soon."
Liam's eyes widened at the prospect of a cure, and he felt a surge of determination. "Maybe we can help them. We can't just sit here and do nothing."
Paisley and Sam nodded in agreement, while Elsie's face remained steadfast, her concern for Colin evident.
"We want help in any way we can," Paisley offered, her voice steady and mature beyond her years.
"We owe it to Colin and everyone else suffering from this," Sam added, determination flashing in his eyes.
Sergeant MacCrimmon appraised the group, a proud smile stretching across his face. "You're brave kids, but I can't let you leave. It's dangerous out there, probably the most dangerous place in the country right now."
Liam's eyes widened in frustration. "We know it's dangerous, Sergeant, but we have to try. We can't just sit idly by while people we know are suffering."
Sergeant MacCrimmon sighed, his broad shoulders sagging under the weight of the calamity. "I understand your desire to help, kid. It's a credit to your character. But the truth is, the city's in lockdown. No one's going outside until further notice."
Liam's determination wavered at the officer's resolute stance. He glanced at his friends, seeing the same unwavering resolve in their eyes. They wouldn't give up easily.
"Please, Sergeant," Paisley begged, her voice cracking slightly. "We can help. We're strong, and we're resourceful. We've managed to survive so far, haven't we?"
Sam shifted beside her, his jaw clenched in determination. "We won't be a burden, Sir. We can fight, and we can help those who are suffering. It's the right thing to do."
The officer's stern expression softened again as he looked at the group, reminded of the youthful courage that seemed to thrive in the face of adversity. "You remind me of my own kids, back when they were your age," he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Full of life and ready to take on the world."
Elsie spoke up, her voice gentle yet resolute. "We're not asking you to let us charge headlong into danger, Sergeant. We just want to put our skills to use, however we can.
A quiet knock interrupted their plea, and the briefing room doors creaked open. A young officer peeked into the room, his face grave. "Sorry to interrupt, Sergeant, but we've got a situation."
Sergeant MacCrimmon stood up straighter, his gaze turning grim. "What is it, Officer Drever?"
"We've got another group of infected making their way towards the main entrance. We've got to shoot them down, or they'll try to break in."
Sergeant MacCrimmon nodded grimly and turned back to the group. "Looks like we'll have to finish our conversation later." He directed the teens to a secure area within the station, a small room with a heavy metal door. "This should keep you safe while we deal with the threat. Sorry, we can't spare any officers to guard you, every able body is needed to keep the station secure."
Liam's group exchanged anxious glances but didn't protest. They understood the gravity of the situation and the limited resources available.
As they huddled in the confines of the secure room, the sounds of gunfire erupted from the station's entrance, a grim reminder of the peril lurking beyond the walls. The group tried to comfort each other, their voices barely above a whisper, each mindful of the fragility of their current situation.
Elsie tended to Colin, doing her best to keep him comfortable and monitor his condition. Sam helped her, his face solemn with concern for his brother. Meanwhile, Liam and Paisley shared a silent glance, both aware of the darkness encroaching from beyond the station's walls.
Time dragged on endlessly, each minute feeling like an eternity. The intermittent bangs and shouts from the entrance reminded them of their position. The station's officers hustled back and forth, their footsteps echoing in the tense atmosphere.
Finally, the noises ceased, and an eerie silence descended upon the station. The heavy thud of the main doors being shut and bolted echoed through the building. Sergeant MacCrimmon returned, his face worn with exhaustion, but a flicker of relief in his eyes.
"They're gone for now," he told the anxious group. "But it's only a matter of time before they return, and in greater numbers. We've got to get you out of here while we still can."
Liam stood, determination flashing in his eyes. "Then let's go, Sergeant. We're ready."
MacCrimmon shook his head. "You're not hearing me, kid. We can't just walk out there. It's not safe—the streets are swarming with those things. Your best chance is to hole up somewhere defensible until we can organize a rescue."
"We can't just sit and wait, Sergeant," Liam pleaded. "Not when there's a chance we could be helping with finding the cure. Colin is infected but we have him sedated, they could run tests on him, and well... maybe reveal some answers."
The officer sighed, "Fine," he relented. "But you're going to need supplies if you're heading out there. Let's get you equipped and give you some weapons. Might come in handy."
A spark of hope ignited within Liam, and he exchanged excited glances with his friends. Sergeant MacCrimmon led them through the station's armory, outfitting each of them, except for Colin, with a handgun and extra magazines. He also provided them with batons and a small can of pepper spray, still unsure of his decision.
"These'll come in handy for when you need to take them down," he explained. "Ammo's precious, so use the firearms only when you have to, and be warned, once you step out that door, there may be no turning back. You'll be on your own out there."
Liam's eyes shone with fear at Sergeant MacCrimmon's words, but he squared his shoulders and nodded firmly. "We understand, Sergeant. We'll make every bullet count."
Paisley stepped forward, her eyes flashing with determination. "We appreciate the weapons, but we also need information. Are there any safe zones left in Silverhurst? Somewhere we can at least hole up temporarily?"
Sergeant MacCrimmon scratched his beard in thought. "There's a few places that might offer temporary refuge. Of course, Silverhurst University comes to mind—it's got a sizable campus, and as I said before it's where the researchers are holed up. Outside of that, your best bet might be to seek out one of the survival camps springing up around the city. They're mostly well-defended, and you'll find resources and people who can help."
Sam spoke up, his voice infused with hope. "Do you know where we might find these camps?"
"I can give you coordinates for the closest one," the sergeant replied. "It's run by a former army buddy of mine, Captain Angus Barland. He'll take care of you, provided you follow his rules. But you'll have to hurry. The infected are most active at night."
Liam's group huddled together, their excitement tempered by the peril awaiting them.
"We should split up so we can recruit more help. Elsie and I will take Colin to the University, Liam and Sam you two go and find that survival camp," Paisley asserted, her voice steady despite the danger lurking outside. She turned to Sam. "We'll keep Colin safe, you have my word."
Liam nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and concern. He knew the weight of responsibility they had chosen to bear, but there was no other choice.
"Sounds like a plan. Sam and I will head to the survival camp," he agreed, giving Paisley a meaningful look. "We'll meet up with you as soon as we can."
Elsie looked nervous at the prospect of parting ways, but she understood the logic behind their plan. "Be careful," she pleaded, reaching out to squeeze Sam's hand.
The four of them shared a moment of silence, each aware of the uncertainties that lay ahead. They had faced the horrors together, and now their paths would diverge, and for how long they didn't know.