Chapter 38 : Trap

The truck rolled down the cracked asphalt road, its engine growling softly in the quiet of the night. Daniels gripped the wheel, her eyes sharp as she scanned the horizon. Beside her, Chris rested one hand on the dashboard, his rifle balanced between his knees. The cool night air rushed in through the open windows, carrying with it the faint smell of damp earth and decaying vegetation.

In the truck bed, Marcus sat with his back against the side panel, his shotgun resting across his lap. Amelia and Henry sat across from him, checking their weapons in silence. Morrison, as always, was stoic, his expression unreadable as he leaned against the side of the truck, gazing into the darkness.

Marcus was the last to climb into the truck before they left. As he got in, he locked eyes with Kate and gave her a small nod. She returned it with a determined expression, her hand resting on the doorframe of the station. It was a silent exchange, one filled with understanding and trust. He tapped the truck twice, the signal for Daniels to start moving.

As the vehicle rumbled westward toward the ruffian base, the group fell into a tense silence. The old warehouse wasn't far—no more than fifteen minutes—but every second felt like an eternity. The soft thud of the tires against the uneven road seemed louder than it should have, each bump making the weapons and gear in the truck bed rattle ominously.

"Almost there," Daniels murmured from the driver's seat. The faint outline of the warehouse came into view, its crumbling walls illuminated by the moonlight. It sat like a sleeping beast in the middle of a desolate field, surrounded by the faint shadows of rusted shipping containers and broken machinery.

Marcus pulled his radio from his backpack and switched it on."We're nearing the base," he said. "Continue according to the plan"

"Okay" Kate said.

Marcus frowned. Something about her tone was off. It was too calm, too measured. He knew Kate well enough to pick up on her subtle shifts, and this felt wrong. He hesitated, debating whether to press her further, but time was short.

he said. "Understood. Going silent."

He turned off the radio and placed it back in his bag. Then, he tapped the side of the truck twice, signaling Daniels to stop.

Meanwhile as Kate watched the truck leave, she get in to the station and gather everyone and tell them their new plan

-----Flashback of yesterday event-------

Kate stood by the weapon rack, meticulously sorting through the supplies Marcus's team would take on their mission. Ammunition, medical kits, and makeshift grenades were stacked in neat piles, ready to be packed into their respective bags. As she reached for the radio shelf to check the comms gear, her brow furrowed. One radio was missing.

She counted again, her heart sinking. There were five radios assigned to the station: four for the mission and one backup. But now, only four remained.

Kate quickly turned and headed to Marcus's office. She found him hunched over the map, marking key positions with a pencil. His expression hardened when he saw her.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Kate nodded, holding up the clipboard she'd been using for inventory. "One of the radios is missing."

Marcus froze, his pencil hovering above the map. A shadow of concern crossed his face. "Are you sure?"

"I triple-checked," Kate said firmly. "I know what's on the checklist. It's gone."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the table. "That's not good. Radios don't just walk away."

Kate hesitated, lowering her voice. "You think someone took it?"

Marcus frowned, his gut instinct telling him this wasn't just a coincidence. Before he could answer, a knock on the door interrupted them. Daniels entered, her expression serious.

"Marcus," Daniels said, glancing between him and Kate. "We need to talk."

Marcus gestured for him to continue. "What is it?"

Daniels shut the door behind her and crossed her arms. "I noticed something during the fight earlier. Morrison… he wasn't acting right."

Kate's attention snapped to Daniels. "What do you mean?"

Daniels rubbed the back of her neck, clearly uneasy. "When we were out there, he wasn't attacking the ruffians like the rest of us. He killed zombies, sure, but when it came to the gang, he either missed or didn't make a fatal shot."

Kate's mind raced, her earlier suspicion about Morrison's behavior during the fight resurfacing. "I noticed it too. The ruffians didn't target him either. They had chances to take him out, but they didn't."

Marcus's jaw tightened as the pieces fell into place. "The missing radio... Morrison's behavior… you think he's working with them?"

Kate nodded grimly. "It adds up. If they have one of our radios, they're probably listening in on everything we say."

Marcus slammed his fist on the table, his frustration evident. "Dammit. If Morrison's a traitor, we can't confront him directly. Not yet."

Kate took a deep breath, her mind racing. "We need to make a plan. If Morrison is feeding them information, we can use that against him. but first can you call one of the person who will stay here that you can 100% trust "

Marcus crossed his arms. "sure, of all the people that will stay here the one that i can truly trust is Carla but what do you need her for?"

Kate said " you and Daniels will go out tomorrow, i need someone on your side that can back me up in case the other didn't believe what i said'

Marcus lean back and nodded." well.. You've got a point there" while signaling Daniels to call Carla to his office.

Daniels came back with Carla right behind her, The nurse entered, wiping her hands on a rag. She looked between the three of them, sensing the tension.

"What's going on?" Carla asked, her voice calm but firm.

Marcus explained the situation briefly, leaving out the suspicions about Morrison. "We need someone the other can trust to help Kate.

Marcus stood up and crossed his arms. "now you have what you needed ,What do you suggest?"

Kate leaned over the map, pointing at the station and the ruffians' base. "We make him think we're still going through with the attack, but the real plan is to evacuate the station. We pack up everything important and leave before they can make a move."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "And go where?"

"The office building near the mall," Kate said without hesitation. "It's far enough to avoid immediate danger, but close enough that we can regroup if needed. The kids and Carla can hide on the top floor. The rest of us will stay on the first floor, waiting for your team to join us."

Daniels nodded slowly. "It's risky, but it could work. What's the plan for the fake attack?"

Kate turned to Marcus. "You and your team will head out as if you're attacking the base. Once you're near, radio me. We'll use code to confirm when the station is clear. If we're ready, I'll say, 'Okay.' If we need more time, I'll say, 'Be careful.'"

Marcus frowned in thought. "And once we're near the base?"

Kate's expression hardened. "Turn around and head for the office building. By then, the station should be empty."

Marcus leaned back, considering the plan. "What about Morrison?"

Kate hesitated. "He stays with you. If he's a traitor, he'll expect the attack to go forward. Keep an eye on him, but don't confront him until we're all safe." she look at carl and said"We need someone we can trust to help coordinate the evacuation while they're gone. Can you handle it?"

Carla straightened, her expression resolute. "Of course. What do you need me to do?"

Kate stepped forward, handing Carla a map. "Once we leave, start sorting everything important—food, medical supplies, weapons so it's will be easier to pack it tomorrow"

Carla nodded. "Got it. What about the others?"

"we'll keep them in the dark for awhile," Kate said. "The goal is to make sure everyone is safe before the ruffians or Morrison figure out what's happening."

Carla glanced at Marcus. "And if something goes wrong?"

Marcus's expression darkened. "Let's make sure it doesn't."

The next few hours were a blur of preparation. Kate worked closely with Carla to pack supplies and ensure everyone knew their role. Meanwhile, Marcus's team gathered their gear, making a show of preparing for the fake attack.

Morrison was his usual quiet self, but Kate couldn't help watching him closely. Every word, every movement seemed calculated, as if he knew more than he let on. Her stomach churned with unease, but she forced herself to focus on the task at hand.

By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, everything was ready. Marcus's team loaded into the truck, with Morrison taking his usual spot in the back. Kate stood by the station's entrance, her heart pounding as she watched them leave.

Chris leaned out the window, giving her a small smirk. "Hold down the fort, yeah?"

Kate managed a faint smile. "Don't make me come rescue you."

The truck rumbled to life, its headlights cutting through the growing darkness. As it disappeared down the road, Kate turned to Carla. "Let's move."

------End of the flash back------