Chapter 28: 28

We ate happily in the early morning and the morale is really high. I gave them one more run through of the plan and everyone listened intently. A few minutes of resting, we proceeded with the plan.

“Get ready guys! We’ll head out for the truck first. Wait for us to back up here and ready the bags. Follow the plan, yeah?” I said.

I with Juan, Jenny, Allan, Chris and a few others went out the door with weapons drawn. I went first and dispatched the two closest and I went with Juan and Jenny towards the trucks while the others tried to kill the others approaching.

*slash* *slash* *shhck*

I managed to kill 3 more as we’re running towards the trucks and they now managed to start them. They are now backing it up close to the door while I helped the others clear the way.

Most of them are already carrying bags at the ready and they started to fill the trucks. A few minutes passed then they closed the truck while a few rode inside. Those were the ones that would also go to the DDR camp closest to us.

We made our way to the curve now while I lead the group with the pushcarts, they rattle as they were being pushed so I moved ahead and thanked the fact that they are moving slower compared to when they started to turn.

“They really are moving much slower after a time, freshly turned ones are much more agile than these here. However, we still need to keep our guard up since we’re not really sure if everything here has their bodies stiffen.” I analyzed in my head.

A few people in the group started to break off into their vehicles while I wait for them to pack it. The tension on the other groups are increasing while the other guys pack their stuff quickly.

*BRRRMMM*

Three cars and a few motorcycles now left the place before giving me a firm handshake or a nod and they rammed their vehicles to some of the zombies on the road.

I now pulled my AR as I threw the keys to the van towards Allan. He reacted late so it fell to the ground before he picks it up eventually. I picked a few more zombies for the others as they were on a blind spot and a few exclaims escaped their mouths.

“F.u.c.k!”

“Move! Move! Move!”

“Sorry, Excuse me!”

“Thanks!”

“Hurry!”

As we are in the front of the parking area, everyone is packing their cars at the same time. The truck is waiting at the side and Allan managed to start the armored van.

“Drive straight ahead and ram everything that obstructs your path, that thing could take it no problem. I’ll make a quick stop for my bike and follow you. Turn at the gas station when you see the one with the ‘Total’ sign.” I said.

“Got it, you sure you’re gonna get to your bike fine? Don’t you want to drive this there?” he said.

“Yeah, I’m sure. The trucks are waiting, go now!” I shouted.

We gave each other a nod and I sprinted towards the corner where I left my bike hoping that it’s still there. I made my way quickly as I let round after round from my AR. I made sure to hit precisely to not waste the shots. Luckily, the path is very clear and I only fired less than a dozen rounds before I get to my bike.

“79…” I muttered before I placed the keys to the ignition.

*brrmm*

It started immediately then I raised the stand and quickly caught up to the group. I readied my pistol in case we encounter the mob from before. Besides the two trucks following the van, another car follows them and two motorcycles. I looked at my speedometer and it reads 90km/hr. on the dot. You could faintly hear a few thuds and crashes as the armored van starts to mow down everything.

I saw it began to slow down as we start to near the depot, I pulled my radio and shouted.

*bzzt*

“Ram the car! It could take it!”

*bzzt*

I referred to the toppled cars that I passed yesterday.

*CRASH*

The cars flew a few feet on the side as they both collided. The armored van loses speed for a while but it continues on.

*bzzt*

“Woohoo! F.u.c.k this van is too awesome! I’ll name it Tiny, Hahaha!”

*bzzt*

*bzzt*

“Hah! Just keep on driving man, we’re getting close.”

*bzzt*

I shook my head and we continued driving forward. We passed by another block and I caught a glimpse of one graffiti on the walls, it said ‘Chosen Ones’ written on the top of a drawn fist.

I made a mental note of it and continued to move forward. When we reached the hospital where the DDR camp was next to, I called them to stop and they parked in front of it while the car following us moved ahead. I saw Carl giving me a nod as he drove forward.

“Hold!” one of the soldiers guarding the place stopped us.

I stood in front as I removed my helmet.

“Greetings soldier, we have a few people needing sanctuary. They brought food, water and medicine. I request you process them immediately so the rest of my group could go our way.” I said as I made a salute and adjust my posture.

The soldier made a salute and signaled to his men to open the gates to let the truck and the two other motorcycles to enter.

They opened the back of the truck and a few people came out with bags of supplies. A few of them glanced at me thankfully.

“Are you military?” the soldier said.

“Special Unit US-Philippine-Japan Collaboration. Sorry, can’t discuss more. It’s classified.” I let my silver tongue out.

He just stared at me and he nodded.

“Holy F.u.c.k! That worked! I just lied to the Philippine Army!” I said to myself.

I had a thought in my head and I asked the soldier, “Is there a civilian there named Ivan Maning?”

“Let me check for a minute sir.” He called another soldier for a list. The soldier went back and retrieved a huge notebook and he rifles through the list. His hand traces each page and then he stopped.

“Sir, we have a match and he’s staying at the 2nd floor at the west side of the hospital, do you need us to retrieve him?” he asks respectfully.

“Can you give me more information on him?” I said. The area is clear here so we had the time to talk for a while.

A few minutes, a file with his name is once again given to him by his soldier. I appreciated the degree of organization that they have.

He handed me the file outside the gate and I started to skim through it. I found words like: Type B, Male, Normal etc. But what made me frown is the marital status. It clearly says ‘single’.

“Did he just abandon them?” I said to myself. They could just be living together and never got married but this is too cruel.

“Anything wrong sir?” the soldier saw my face and he asked.

“Yeah, better put ‘widowed’ on his marital status here. We found his wife and baby yesterday. His baby is already turned while her mother is still b.r.e.a.s.tfeeding him, his baby probably died due to its high fever and her wife is waiting for him to come back for medicine…and he didn’t. Watch out for that guy yeah?” I explained

The soldier keeps a stoic face but I still saw a twitch in his eyebrow.

“Do you guys have a Sat. Phone? Call me for anything, let’s keep the communications open. My number is 0063 316 619 2316.” I said.

I said my goodbye as we continued on the road, it’s only a few minutes before we reach my place. The armored van now slowly pushes stray cars and pedicabs along the way and we finally made the turn towards the elementary school. I saw them starting to work on the fence at the end of the wall then they saw my motorcycle.

“Hey guys! Sky’s here!” my uncle Zeidrick called out while a few people came outside. I saw a few more bodies in the area where we used to place them. The guys stopped working and they welcomed us inside.

“Holy shit! Is that an armored van?!” Russel rushed to pat it all over. Allan stepped out of the vehicle while Jenny and the others did the same.

“Woah!” James, Susan’s grandchild gasped when he saw the place.

“Guys this is everyone, everyone this is guys… Hah… I’m tired… I need to sleep.” I said as I removed my helmet.

“Here he is! Get him!” someone shouted.