With everything ready, the atmosphere inside the house grew much more tense.
Elion finished adjusting the strap on his backpack and took one last look at the folded map he kept in his jacket pocket. Koen checked the magazine in his gun before securing it to his waist, while Reize finished adjusting her backpack on her shoulders.
Everyone had gathered near the front door to see them off.
Stella couldn't hide the worry on her face
—Be careful out there… —she murmured as she adjusted the scarf around Elion's neck.
—We'll be back before nightfall — he replied calmly.
Though even he didn't seem entirely sure of that.
Hael watched silently from a corner next to Mian, who was wagging his tail slightly, restless from the tension in the air. Althea, on the other hand, was gently clutching Reize's sleeve.
—Promise you'll come back — the little girl said softly.
Reize smiled gently and crouched down a bit to be at her eye level.
—I promise.
Althea nodded slowly, though she still looked worried.
Near the room, Arika watched the group in silence. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her.
Koen noticed.
Before leaving, he approached her for a moment.
— Don't worry —he said with a small, relaxed smile—. We're not going on a suicide mission.
Arika looked at him immediately.
—That's not funny.
Koen let out a soft laugh at her quick response.
—I know… but if we all stay this tense, we'll be exhausted before we even leave.
Arika was silent for a few seconds. Then she lowered her gaze slightly.
—Just… come back safely.
Her voice was low, almost muffled, but Koen heard her perfectly.
For a moment, his expression softened.
—We will —he replied calmly.
He gave her a friendly little tap on the shoulder before stepping back.
A few steps away, Ethan finished checking his weapon and stood next to Reize. She was trying to look calm, though the slight movement of her hands gave her away. Ethan noticed it immediately, but said nothing.
Finally, Elion finished adjusting the sling on his rifle and looked at the group.
—Everyone ready?
The others nodded.
Elion walked to the door and opened it slowly.
The cold air from outside rushed into the house.
For a moment, no one spoke.
The silence outside was unsettling.
Finally, as the clock neared noon, the four of them left the house and began walking down the alley.
The door closed behind them.
The outside was deserted.
Abandoned cars, patches of dried blood, and broken windows dotted the empty streets. The wind swept leaves and small pieces of paper across the cracked asphalt.
They moved slowly, alert to any sound.
Elion led the way at the front. Behind him walked Koen, constantly scanning the surroundings. Ethan stayed close to Reize, who was bringing up the rear.
Although she tried to stay calm, Reize couldn't help but feel nervous; her hands trembled slightly around the gun.
Ethan noticed it immediately.
Without saying a word, he gently took her hand for a few seconds and squeezed her fingers lightly.
Reize looked up, surprised.
—Hey… I'm here —Ethan said softly—. So don't be afraid.
She looked away slightly.
—I'm not afraid.
—Sure.
—I can handle this on my own.
Ethan smiled faintly.
—I never said you couldn't.
Koen, who was a few steps ahead, turned around when he heard them.
—Hey, Reize —he said, raising a hand—. I plan to protect you too, so it's not all on Ethan.
—How thoughtful of you —she replied with a small smile.
—Koen… —Ethan muttered wearily, without letting go of Reize's hand —. Do you always have to butt in?
Koen raised his hands, feigning innocence.
—I'm just saying you're not the only one here.
Reize let out a small laugh.
Elion, who was still walking ahead, spoke without turning around.
—If you're done, focus.
Elion's serious voice made everyone snap back to attention.
Then he raised a hand slightly, signaling for them to stop.
Everyone tensed up immediately.
A few meters ahead, amid the abandoned cars and the light mist on the street, several figures began to move slowly.
Low growls echoed through the air.
A small horde of infected was blocking the path.
Reize swallowed hard.
Koen quickly scanned the surroundings.
—We could go around them—he suggested quietly—. Take another street.
But Elion shook his head.
—It would take too long. Besides, we already know this route. We don't know what might be waiting for us on the other side.
Koen sighed in resignation.
—I suppose you're right.
Elion slowly drew his gun.
—We'll clear a path quickly and keep moving. Don't make any unnecessary noise.
Ethan then pulled out a small knife and handed it to Reize.
She blinked in surprise.
—And this?
—In case you miss a shot —he replied—. It'll be more useful at close range.
Reize took the knife and nodded seriously.
—Thanks.
The infected began to notice their presence.
One of them let out a sharp growl before lunging at the group.
—Now! —Elion ordered.
It all happened fast.
Elion fired first, piercing the head of the infected one coming straight at them. Koen moved to the right and struck another with the butt of his gun before finishing him off with a shot.
Ethan grabbed Reize by the arm and pulled her out of the way just as another infected tried to pounce on her.
—To your left!
Reize reacted quickly.
She plunged the knife into the infected man's neck and shoved him hard before backing away in a panic.
Two more appeared from among the vehicles.
Koen fired at one while Elion wrestled hand-to-hand with another who had managed to get too close.
Grunts filled the street.
One of the infected managed to lunge at Ethan, knocking him to the ground.
—¡Ethan! — Reize shouted.
Without thinking, she ran toward him and shot the creature directly in the head before it could bite him.
Blood splattered on the asphalt.
Ethan gasped for breath from the ground.
—That was close. Thanks for saving me.
Reize crouched down and helped him to his feet, pulling him up by the arm as he caught his breath.
—Now we're even.
Koen let out a brief laugh as he reloaded his gun.
—How romantic.
—Shut up and shoot! — than growled as soon as he managed to get back on his feet.
The fight continued for a few more minutes.
Every second seemed to last forever.
Finally, the last infected fell to the ground with a thud.
Little by little, silence returned to the street.
The motionless bodies of the infected lay scattered across the asphalt, while the echo of gunfire faded away among the empty buildings.
All that remained was the group's heavy breathing.
Reize rested her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Her heart was still pounding hard after the confrontation. She felt her hands trembling slightly from the adrenaline.
Ethan immediately approached her.
—Are you hurt? —he asked with obvious concern as he quickly scanned her with his eyes.
Reize shook her head slowly.
—I'm fine… I just need a second.
A few steps away, Koen wiped his cheek with his sleeve, cleaning off a small smear of blood that didn't appear to be his.
—Well… that definitely could have gone a lot worse —he muttered.
Elion, scanned the group with his eyes, making sure no one had been bitten or injured.
—Is everyone okay? — he finally asked.
Ethan nodded first.
—Yeah.
Reize also replied, though he was still breathing heavily.
Koen took a swig from his bottle before giving a thumbs-up.
—All good. For now.
Elion sighed and slowly holstered his weapon.
—We can't stay here any longer.
His gaze drifted toward the end of the empty avenue.
—Los disparos atraerán más infectados tarde o temprano.
The group's expressions changed instantly.
Reize straightened up, taking one last deep breath.
Elion gave a nod.
—Let's keep moving. The shop can't be far.
Everyone nodded.
And without wasting any more time, the group set off again through the city's silent streets, gradually disappearing among the abandoned buildings and the gray mist.