CHAPTER XXII
Sam, wake up! Sam, there's another team here to rescue us.
"Yes?" I replied, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
"Sam, come out! A team has arrived to rescue us. I spoke with headquarters, and they've sent their strongest officers," Aliyana's voice was filled with excitement and hope.
As I emerged from my reverie, I found myself transported back to the present. Memories of my past swirled around me, some bringing smiles, others tears. But the present moment was all that mattered now – a moment that was slowly ticking away, filled with neither joy nor sorrow.
I stepped out of the room, and my eyes scanned the scene before me. There were only four bikes, and my teammates were standing guard around some people. The sight was irritating; I wasn't exactly thrilled about meeting new faces. I'd had enough of strangers and uncertainty.
I walked over to one of the bikes and touched its handlebars. The engine was still warm, indicating that they'd arrived just moments ago. I felt a sense of detachment, wondering what this new team could possibly do to change our situation.
As I stood there, I couldn't help but think about the past and the present. The past was a jumble of emotions, memories that could bring a smile or tears to my face. But the present was different – it was a fleeting moment, devoid of happiness or sorrow.
I looked around at the new team, their faces unfamiliar. What could they possibly do to rescue us? I felt a sense of doubt, wondering if they were truly capable of helping us survive.
The uncertainty hung in the air, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were still trapped in a never-ending cycle of survival. But for now, I had to focus on the present and see how this new team could potentially change our fate.
As I waited for them to make their move, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension. Would they be able to rescue us, or would we be stuck in this limbo forever? Only time would tell.
As I turned my gaze to the people who were supposed to be grieving over their losses, I was met with a sight that left me speechless. Every single one of them was wearing a smile, and I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic "Huh! Hypocrites!" Haider overheard me and asked me to speak up, but I joined my hands and pleaded with him to let it go. I didn't want to fight with him or anyone else there.
Just then, someone from the rescue team approached me and wrapped their arms around me in a tight hug. I was taken aback and asked, "Who are you?" The person was wearing a helmet, and their voice was muffled, but I could sense the familiarity in it. "Sam, guess who?" they said, their voice filled with amusement.
"Mahi?" I asked hesitantly, and she replied, "Oh, so my clever friend recognized me!" I teased her about how she'd failed the police exam, and she playfully retorted that she'd passed on her fifth attempt. "Otherwise, I'd have had to stay away from my darling," she said with a smile.
"Darling?" I asked curiously, and she replied, "Have you forgotten already?" I chuckled and said, "Oh, I see. You're talking about Aarvi." I asked her where Aarvi was, and Mahi reassured me that she was with her, having spoken to Rajdeep Sir about their plan.
I was relieved to hear that Aarvi was safe and that they were both part of the same team now. But then Mahi dropped a bombshell – Mon was also with them. I was surprised; was Mon still a police officer? Mahi confirmed that she was.
I scanned the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of Mon, but she seemed to have become a stranger to me. Before I could find her, Aarvi appeared beside me and gave me a warm hug. Mahi jokingly reminded us not to forget about her, and the three of us shared a special hug, a moment that was truly unforgettable.
As we hugged, I couldn't help but wonder about Mon's actions. If she was still a police officer, why had she pretended to be scared of zombies in the supermarket? Had she come to California just to confess her love for me again?
Mahi seemed to sense my confusion and whispered in my ear, "I know what's on your mind, Sam. Aaru and I will tell you everything once we're out of here." I knew I could count on my friends to explain things to me. Maybe I wasn't rich when it came to love, but I was definitely wealthy when it came to friendships.
The moment with my friends was a reminder of the bond we shared, one that could withstand any challenge that came our way. As we stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, I knew that we'd face whatever lay ahead together, as a team.
Mahi's team leader, Blue, spoke with a sense of urgency and concern. "This is dangerous. Whatever is happening outside, the animals in this village are heavily infected with the zombie virus. We can fight against infected humans, but animals are much more agile and unpredictable. It's hard to protect ourselves from them."
She explained that she had spoken to a survivor from the village who was currently at the army camp. According to the survivor, the village was infested with various animals, including wolves, foxes, wild boars, monkeys, dogs, and cats. "Because of this, we won't even know when or how our teammates might get infected," Blue warned.
August spoke up, suggesting that they could use shotguns to defend themselves against the animals. But Blue's expression turned even more serious. "The list of animals isn't even complete yet," she said, her voice low and cautious.
Haider's eyes widened as he asked, "What do you mean?" Blue's response sent a chill down everyone's spine. "There's a tiger, two leopards, and three lions in the village. They were being kept by a man, and now they're all infected."
Aliyana's voice trembled as she asked about the truck that had been parked at the edge of the village, near the jungle. "What happened to it?" Blue's expression was grim. "It blew up."
The room fell silent, with everyone processing the news. Nani's voice was laced with shock. "What? How did that happen?" Looka's eyes were wide with fear as he asked, "How?"
Blue's voice was steady, but her words were laced with a sense of danger. "We don't know. When we arrived, the truck was already on fire." August's voice was somber as he asked about the guide and driver who had been with the truck. Blue's response was blunt. "They're dead."
The weight of Blue's words hung in the air, and the team's sense of unease grew. They knew they were in for a fight, not just against the infected humans but also against the unpredictable and deadly animals. The village had become a war zone, and survival seemed like an increasingly daunting task.
Nova, a member of the new team, spoke with a grave expression, his voice laced with concern and a hint of warning. "You people don't think it's going to be easy getting out of here, do you? We came with 10 members, and now only 7 of us are left. Three of our team members were killed by a lion, and it's likely that the lion is still somewhere in this mansion. The businessman who owned these animals lived here, so it's only logical that the danger is still lurking within these walls."
Nova's words hung in the air, casting a shadow over the group. His tone was serious, and his eyes seemed to bore into the souls of those listening, as if emphasizing the gravity of their situation. "We're all still in danger because you people haven't properly assessed the situation here. You're alive for now, but the fact that three members of your team are dead should tell you that this place is terrifying for all of you."
The weight of Nova's words was palpable, and the group couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over them. The mention of the lion's attack and the businessman's involvement added a layer of complexity to their already dire situation. The mansion, which might have seemed like a temporary refuge, now felt like a potential death trap.
Nova's expression remained stern, his voice unwavering as he continued to emphasize the risks they all faced. "You need to understand that this isn't just about surviving the infected humans outside. There are predators within these walls, predators that are faster, stronger, and more unpredictable than anything you've faced before."
The group's collective anxiety grew as Nova's words painted a vivid picture of the dangers that lay ahead. They knew they had to be vigilant, not just for themselves but for each other, if they were going to make it out of this nightmare alive. The mansion, once a potential sanctuary, had become a battleground where survival was far from guaranteed.
To be continue.....