[A/N: Hello everyone.
Alex will meet new characters.
There won't be much time left before the society disappears.
Comment or donate power stones.]
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In the morning, Alex's house.
After someone fell behind the girl, everything went haywire. She started running and tried to assist the wounded while trying to escape from the people who were starting to attack each other. They also tried to leave, but when they did, they realized they were trapped in a quarantine area. After a few minutes, the transmission ended.
"Did you see that, Alex?", David asked me, who hadn't yet finished the call.
"Yes, I saw it", I replied calmly.
"This must be happening in many parts of the world", David expressed, worried.
"That's right", I nodded.
"I know this had already started; even you encountered the zombies, but seeing this live is much more shocking than I imagined", David commented, fear in his voice.
"Yes… I've had more time to process the situation, but on Sunday, when I saw one in person, I was completely paralyzed with fear", I shared with him about my own fears. "David, I need to get ready for work", I said, changing the subject.
"Are you going to continue working?", he asked, surprised.
"Yes, I will continue", I stated in a neutral tone. "I know it's risky, but I've been carrying weapons with me since Monday, so I'll be safe", I added calmly.
"Be very careful", he commented with resignation.
"I'll keep that in mind. We'll talk later", I said before ending the call.
At noon.
"Alex, thanks for coming", a man said.
"You're welcome, boss", I replied respectfully.
"Do you know what's been happening with your coworkers?", he asked, quite confused. "Lately, everyone's been quitting, taking vacation or sick leave. Even Rick left", he mentioned, visibly upset by the situation.
"I've heard things are getting complicated", I mentioned subtly. "They say there's a COVID-like disease that could cause a new pandemic", I added, pretending to be unaware of the matter.
"Do you think so too?", he asked worriedly.
"Yes, I think so, boss… You should prepare, get food, medicine, and even weapons", I suggested kindly. "By the way, I'll only be able to work until Friday, and if nothing happens over the weekend, I'll be back to normal on Monday", I added.
"Okay… I understand", he said sympathetically. "And thanks for the advice. If you're already preparing, maybe I should get some things too… hahaha", he commented jokingly, although his face reflected a different state of mind.
A few hours later.
"Fuuu… another afternoon of immense fatigue", I commented tiredly.
"Yes, I'm feeling very fatigued", David said, sitting next to me.
"I have an idea", I mentioned after thinking for a moment. "We could go out for some drinks and some good food", I suggested, hoping to find some normalcy in this chaos.
"Sounds like a good idea", David agreed. "I think I'd rather have pizza", he commented as we headed toward my truck.
"Pizza sounds great", I commented.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, Day 4.
Grrr, grrr.
"I shouldn't have eaten so much last night", I said ruefully as I stroked my stomach.
Yesterday, after finishing organizing all the day's supplies, David and I went to a place that offered pizza and beer, and we spent about three hours eating and drinking nonstop. We knew this might be our last chance to enjoy something like this, or to have the freedom to do so.
"Despite the discomfort, I don't regret it… Hahaha", I said, smiling.
I took out my phone and called David.
"How are you feeling?", I asked him as soon as he answered.
"Not so well… My stomach is hurting a little", he replied in a pained tone.
"Me too", I replied.
"Are you going back to work today?", he asked me again.
"Yes", I replied in a subdued tone.
"Then I'll see you later", he said, a little annoyed. "Today we need to go get the spears. They contacted me yesterday after we parted ways and told me they're ready", he added, subtly changing the subject.
"That's good news", I said. "Have you heard anything about the girl in the quarantined building yesterday?", I asked, remembering what we had seen on that live stream.
"Just a few unfinished business", he replied. "They say she may have started other broadcasts and sent a couple of videos. In them, you could see her escaping or hiding in various apartments in the building, and those who were attacked by zombies ended up converting. Now the local police and the country's army have evacuated the building", he explained in detail.
"They're probably hiding something", I said, somewhat angrily.
"It's like in the city", David commented. "I heard the military took a group of homeless people from the park where you were yesterday. All they said was that it was an eviction ordered by the commander in chief, and that those people were relocated", he added, also annoyed by the situation.
"Things are likely to get tense on the streets", I said, worried.
"It seems so", he replied. "They already have a couple of protests planned for tomorrow and the next day", David commented.
At night.
"Now all the houses are ready. There's no more room for anything else", I said with a pleased tone.
"Yes, now we'll focus on the perishable goods in the warehouses and the large refrigerators in the houses", David told me.
"Yes, that would be the last thing we can organize", I confirmed. "Although I would like to acquire things that aren't really useful, we could appropriate those things when there is no longer a law governing this place", I said playfully.
"Hahaha… There will surely be more relevant issues than worrying about the theft of some superfluous luxuries", he commented, laughing at my thoughts.
"That's true… It's time for me to go", I replied as I said goodbye.
"Okay… Tomorrow we'll finish the rest of the work and then we'll settle in", he said nonchalantly. "By the way, are you really not interested in joining us?", he asked unexpectedly.
"No, thanks", I replied negatively.
"Are you sure?", he asked again. "I found a place where we can take shelter with my friends. It's a new neighborhood in the northwest part of the city, in the industrial zone, for people who will be working in the nearby factories", David told me, hoping to persuade me.
"No, I'll stay here for a few more days", I replied gratefully. "Anyway, we'll keep in touch via radios… Right, thank your friend for me. He's helped us a lot with the radios; he even managed to set them all up with emergency and military frequencies", I commented to David.
"Yeah, Edwin is quite talented", David stated, proud of his friend's skills. "He'll be with us. He helped his family prepare and will stay in the city, although he'll probably try to reunite with his family if the situation worsens", David added worriedly.
"David did Ron mention to you about some countries that have closed their borders?", I asked, changing the subject.
"Yes", he replied. "Also, I investigated with the help of members of the group, and in those countries the military has taken control of the cities due to alleged terrorist attacks", David added.
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[A/N: This could be useful for more spin-offs hahaha]
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"Things are getting worse", I said, distressed.
"That's true, and tomorrow there will be protests downtown. Not only have they evacuated those homeless people, but they've also closed off some villages around the city", he commented worriedly.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, Day 5.
Ring, ring… Ring, ring, ring.
"Who is it?", I asked sleepily.
"It's me, Alex", my father's voice answered.
"Dad? What's going on? Why are you calling me so early?", I asked anxiously. "I hope nothing's happened to them", I thought as I waited for his response.
"Nothing's wrong", he replied reassuringly. "Well, there is something. Your friend from the army sent a group of soldiers to pick us up. We didn't know what to do, and I was only able to call you now that I'm in the truck", he explained, sounding a little nervous. The sound of a truck could be heard in the background.
"I understand", I said in a more relaxed tone. "Bryan kept his promise", I thought, feeling relieved.
"Do you understand?", he asked, confused. "Did you already know? What's happening?", my father inquired.
"Hmmm... Bryan told me there's a much more dangerous disease than the last pandemic, and he promised he would help keep us safe. However, the plan was that we would only resort to this if things got worse", I explained. "Does this mean things are really bad?", he asked uneasily.
"Unfortunately, yes", I confirmed ruefully. "A lot has happened around the world these past few days, and it will be much safer for you to go with Bryan", I told him firmly.
"I understand", he said dejectedly. "Are you going to join us?", he asked with a glimmer of hope.
"Not right now", I replied. "But if things get complicated, I'll come find and rescue you", I assured him firmly.
"Don't put yourself in danger. I'll take care of your mother and…" he said, concerned about my situation. "I have to go, we're almost there", he ended the conversation.
After finishing the conversation with my father, I sent Bryan a message thanking him and reminding him of some tips on how to handle those zombies. I also shared the location of two homes near the town where my parents live, which were equipped with plenty of supplies and the same security measures we use in our city homes.
"You're welcome. I'll only use them if absolutely necessary", he replied.
At lunchtime.
"Alex, I need to ask you a favor", my boss said.
"Sure, what do you need?", I replied.
"As you know, many of your colleagues aren't working", my boss began to explain. "And tomorrow it's imperative that we deliver an order to the military at that camp they've set up, so I need you to handle that move", he pleaded.
"Hmm… I'm not sure if I can do it", I replied uncertainly. "Just on the day all the chaos starts, I have to help with an important order", I reflected ironically.
"Come on, Alex, you're the only one who can help right now", he commented almost pleadingly. "If you want, I can offer you more money", he told me.
"I don't need money", I replied bluntly. "However, I'd like to ask you a favor", I said in an enigmatic tone.
"What is it you want?", he asked.
"Tomorrow, I have to transport agricultural materials to my parents' land", I began to explain, using an excuse that came to mind at that moment. "And since I don't want to make multiple trips, I need to use some trucks. Can we borrow the trucks that are free?", I asked after clarifying everything.
"Hmm… I can accept that, but only for one day. You'll also be responsible for any damage", he replied after some thought.
"Thanks a lot, boss", I replied happily. "Now I can use those trucks to store more resources", I thought optimistically.
Several hours later.
"Are you telling me you got more trucks from the boss?", David asked, surprised.
"Yes", I agreed with a big smile.
"That's fantastic", he said. "I'll take my friends to the company later, we'll take the trucks, and we'll buy more stuff", he added excitedly.
"The only downside is that I won't be able to help you today", I said. "I can't mention that I'll be scouring the city for zombies", I thought.
"Don't worry", he replied, unbothered by my absence. "It looks like we won't see each other again until this all starts. Take care and call on the radio if you need support", he said worriedly.
"I'll see it through", I replied. "I wish you and your friends great success", I told him as I walked away.
Thirty minutes later.
"Justice!", "Where are the people who were taken?", "We demand the military leave!", "Go to hell!", shouted numerous voices during the protest in the heart of the city.
After talking with David and saying our goodbyes, wishing each other luck, I came to the city center to observe the protest and keep an eye out for zombies. There was a large crowd of people at the march, of all ages and ideologies, and there was also a group of police officers patrolling the surrounding area, waiting to respond to any acts of vandalism.
"Nick, I finally found you", said a young woman. I turned to look at her and the man standing next to her.
"What are you doing here, Alicia?", the man asked.
"Our parents were worried. You haven't been home in weeks", she said, annoyed. "Did you start using drugs again?", she asked, noticing her brother's condition.
"It's none of your business, sister", he said, angrily at his sister's words.
"It's none of my business, are you saying?", she said, now visibly annoyed. "So, the next time I get a call from a hospital because of you, I'll just hang up", she said, scolding him.
"It was only once", he said, a little uncomfortable.
"It seems he's a drug addict, and his sister has had to take care of him more than once", I thought, as the crowd grew increasingly energetic.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Thanks everyone for reading.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. No more filler, or at least not the tedious kind.
Comment if you guessed the characters.
Read my other novel called Vinland Kingdom: Race Against Time.
You can find it on my profile.]