chapter 14

Chapter 14: Ambush

An hour into their journey, Marcus decided to stretch his mental abilities, surveying their surroundings and honing his skills. For 30 minutes, he scanned the horizon, his mind probing the air for any signs of danger.

Then, suddenly, he sensed something.

Marcus focused his mental abilities, zeroing in on the threat. His eyes narrowed as he discovered a Level 3 zombie hurtling towards their convoy at breakneck speed. But what made this zombie even more formidable was its dual abilities.

"Uncle, we've got a Level 3 zombie headed straight for us," Marcus warned, his voice low and urgent. "It's a dual ability zombie."

Marcus swiftly loaded his gun, his movements practiced and smooth. "Mark, squat down in the vehicle, now!" he ordered.

Derick's eyes widened in alarm, but he reacted quickly, slamming on the brakes and bringing their car to a halt in the middle of the convoy. The sudden stop caused a commotion among the other vehicles, but Derick didn't hesitate. He leapt out of the car and sprinted towards the military convoy, shouting a warning to get ready.

As Derick rushed back to their car, he reloaded his gun, his face set in a determined expression. Elise, meanwhile, had readied her weapons, her eyes fixed intently on the horizon.

The air was electric with tension as they waited for the zombie's attack.

And then, in an instant, the dual ability zombie exploded onto the scene, its sheer power sending a shockwave through the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the zombie's attack ripped through the side of the road, sending debris flying everywhere.

The convoy held its collective breath, waiting for the zombie's next move.

Elise sprang into action, reacting swiftly to the zombie's attack. She leapt out of the vehicle, knowing that hiding was a death sentence. With her guns blazing, she took aim at the zombie.

Marcus followed close behind, shielding Elise from the side as he unleashed his thunder ability. Thunderbolts crackled through the air, striking the ground mere feet away from the zombie. But the agile creature dodged with ease, sending shockwaves flying towards Marcus.

Marcus sidestepped the attack, narrowly avoiding the shockwaves. A soldier seized the opportunity, unleashing a blast of fire that singed the zombie's skin but did little damage.

Undeterred, Elise summoned an ice spear, hurling it towards the zombie's head. But the creature blocked the attack with its arm, the ice shattering on impact.

"Marcus, I'm going to melt my ice abilities into water and send it towards the zombie. Then, use your thunder ability to electrocute it!" Elise shouted, already putting her plan into action.

Marcus nodded, synchronizing his movements with Elise's. Together, they unleashed a joint attack. The water enveloped the zombie, and Marcus's thunderbolts struck, electrocuting the creature and dealing severe damage.

Derick seized the opportunity, firing the final shot that killed the zombie instantly.

As the zombie collapsed, the military assessed the damage. The shockwaves had caused minor casualties, and a survivor's car had been overturned, injuring the family inside.

The convoy breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful that the attack had been repelled. But they knew that in this new world, danger lurked around every corner, and they needed to remain vigilant to survive.

"Who here is a nurse or a doctor?" James shouted, his voice carrying across the convoy.

"Extra food will be given to any nurse and doctor!" another soldier echoed, amplifying James's call.

A slender man, holding a woman's hand, stepped forward from the crowd. "I'm a doctor, and my sister is a nurse," he said, his voice clear and confident.

James's eyes locked onto the man. "What's your name?" he asked.

"I'm Daniel, and my sister's name is Lea," Daniel replied, his eyes meeting James's.

James nodded, his expression serious. "Okay, Daniel, you and your sister should help treat the wounded."

As James turned to head towards his uncle's car, he asked, "Uncle, are you guys okay?" his voice laced with concern.

Derick nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "We're fine, James."

But Derick's expression turned somber, his eyes clouding with worry. "I think the zombies are getting stronger and stronger, leaving us no way out."

James's face set in a determined expression, his jaw clenched in resolve. "Uncle, we will try to survive."

As they waited for Daniel and Lea to finish treating the wounded, James's eyes scanned the horizon, his mind racing with strategies and plans.

"When they're done," James said, his voice firm, "we'll move to a safer place to camp."

After the injured were treated, the convoy resumed their journey, heading towards an abandoned hotel. Upon arrival, James dispatched a team of soldiers to survey the hotel.

"It's clear, sir," a burly soldier reported.

James nodded, instructing the survivors to disembark from their vehicles. He also ordered some soldiers to distribute compressed biscuits and water among the survivors.

One young man with yellow hair spoke up, his tone rude. "Is this all you're going to give us?"

James's expression remained neutral. "If you don't want it, you can throw it away."

He thought to himself, "After all we've done to protect them and feed them, they still don't appreciate it."

James walked towards the room where Elise's family was having dinner. The table was filled with dishes, and James's stomach growled in response.

"Jamie, what are you doing standing there? Close the door and come eat dinner," Anita said, smiling.

James apologized and joined them for dinner.

After dinner, they convened a meeting. Derick asked, "James, what information do you have?"

James's expression turned serious. "Although the base is safe, the Skyla family is causing trouble with the Wright family, our family, and the military."

Derick's voice filled with anger. "His son is a bastard, so is he."

Elise seethed with anger, realizing she hadn't sought revenge against Zane and his family, who were already causing trouble.

Marcus remained silent for a moment before speaking up. "Sky, why bother with a buzzing fly?"

Marcus's malevolent smile sent a shiver down their spines. "When we get to the base, we'll arrange them how we want."

James chimed in, "No one touches my loved ones and goes scot-free."

Marcus's ominous tone calmed them down.

James continued, "Okay, Marcus, we may have to arrange a funeral if they don't settle down."

James took his leave, saying, "Alright, uncle, let me leave you guys now so you can rest. At 7 am tomorrow, we'll move to City Z."

Derick dispersed the group, saying, "Alright, guys, go and sleep. We have a long day tomorrow."

As they retired to their rooms, each person was lost in their own thoughts, the tension and anticipation building for what lay ahead.