CHAPTER FOURTEEN: REPUBLIC OF THE NEW WORLD

A Welcome Turned Trap

Jace and Kunle stood near the train terminal's entrance, relief washing over them as Kaypde's group emerged from the treeline. They were exhausted, their faces streaked with dirt and dried blood.

"Kayode!" Jace called, stepping forward.

The younger man exhaled, nodding. "You made it."

Kunle clapped on his shoulder.

"Barey. But yeah, we did."

The reunion was short-lived. As they approached the terminal, men in heavy armor and black uniforms greeted them with fake smiles and open arms. The symbol of the Republic of the New World was stitched onto their vests-a golden phoenix rising from flames.

"You are safe here," said one of the men, his voice smooth and deceptive.

The gates slid open, and they were led inside.

That's when the ambush began.

In seconds, metal restraints clamped onto their wrists, and armed guards surrounded them.

"What the hell?" Rebecca screamed, thrashing against her captor.

Kayode fought back, but a rifle smashed against his stomach, dropping him to his knees.

Jace and Kunle lunged forward, but there were too many.

"You bastards!" Jace growled as they forced him to the ground.

"Silence," ordered one of the guards, pressing a boot against Jace's back.

They were thrown into a cargo hold, the doors slamming shut behind them.

Darkness.

The train rumbled to life, carrying them somewhere unknown.

They arrived hours later at a massive settlement surrounded by high walls. The Republic of the New World.

It was a city built from ruins, repurposed into a fortress. In which the wealthy elite lived in luxury, while the far back end was meant to contain the slaves.

Jace and the others were forced into the lower levels, where filth and suffering reigned.

They learned about the Ologun-Ofe, the Republic's ruthless enforcer. He was a man of immense power, feared by all. His men abused their authority, especially over the weaker ones.

Some women were taken. Some never came back.

Jace seethed with rage, his fists clenched.

"We're getting out of here," he told Kunle in the dim slave quarters. "I don't care what it takes."

Reed, a man who had been a prisoner for months overheard him as he was passing by the house.

"You think escaping is possible?" Reed whispered. "No one ever has."

Kunle wiped the sweat from his brow."Then we'll be the first."

For weeks, they studied the guards.

Reed, once a soldier, noted the weak points in the security.

"The second gate near the salve quarters is the best chance," he told Jace. "But we need a distraction."

Jace's mind worked fast. "We kill the guards, take their weapons, and release the walkers outside."

Kunle smirked,"That'll burn this whole place to the ground."

They prepared in silence, gathering tools, and observing the guads' schedules.

Then, the night came.

Reed moved first.

As a guard walked past, he snapped his neck silently, taking his knife.

Jace and Kunle took down two others, slitting their throats before they could scream.

Kayode and Bayo grabbed guns from the fallen guards, handing them to the others.

Reed rushed to the slave quarters, Whispering, "Go. Now!"

Chaos erupted as prisoners poured into the second gate, overwhelming the few guards stationed there.

Jace and Kunle forced the gate open.

A wave of undead stood outside, drawn by the commotion.

Jace grabbed a torch and threw it over the wall, shattering a fuel canister.

Fire erupted.

The walkers charged in.

Screams filled the night as the Republic crumbled.

The battle was over. The elites were left unprotected.

Jace stood amidst the burning ruins, panting heavily.

Reed patted him on the shoulder. "You did it."

Before Jace could respond, the morning sky turned red.

Something massive tore through the heavens, screaming toward the earth.

A meteorite? No... a ship.

The ground shook violently as it crashed into the open land of Kwara County, Nigeria, sending shockwaves across the land.

Even the undead turned their heads, sensing something unnatural.

Jace and Kunle exchanged looks.

"What the hell was that?" Kunle muttered.

Jace exhaled. "I guess we're about to find out."