"Everyone evolves in different ways. Some become more intelligent after a few weeks. But in some cases, their speed decreases, and if the infection in their bodies keeps spreading, it wouldn't surprise me if the fungus starts covering parts of their bodies."
"In the early days, the infected actually have greatly enhanced senses. They're strong, they don't get tired, but they're still human. If you hit them in vital spots we know, they can be killed relatively easily. However, to be safe, it's always better to aim for the head."
"Is that why you use quieter weapons?" Carlos had learned many things he hadn't known before, which was helping him understand more about the infected.
"Yes, that's why we'll first send out a group of four, whose only mission will be to help clear the path to the motorcycle. After that, we'll focus on following the plan we came up with to get out of here."
"What you say makes sense, but… are you sure it wouldn't be better to leave at night?"
"We already talked about this. There's a nearby road we can use to exit the city. If we get out without obstacles, no one will get hurt. But if we leave the way you're suggesting, more than half of us will die."
"But there don't seem to be many around..." said Raj, watching the low density of infected outside, slightly skeptical.
"I've fought many infected before, weeks after all this started... And what I can say is that the infected know how to ambush, evade, and hide. When they sense something dangerous, they group together and try to attack at night or when we're not looking."
"I've noticed that before too," Claire added, having witnessed something similar.
Eduard looked at his brother and then said, "We'll set the bait—and the sooner, the better. If we leave now, we might get out before nightfall."
With that, Alan began giving orders for everyone to get ready.
He walked over to a box of bandages and asked Claire to help him wrap his arms, hands, calves, and abdomen with thick layers. The simplest way to protect oneself was to avoid being bitten, scratched, or having any wounds come into contact with infected blood; that way, they'd have a better chance of surviving an attack.
"Is this thick enough?" Claire asked, slightly worried about what Alan was about to do.
While no one was watching, Alan whispered to her, "If things go wrong, head to this point in the city. Tommy will be there—once you reach the streets, you'll be within his line of sight, and he'll cover you from above."
Alan had told her about Tommy, an experienced sniper. Now that they had more powerful rifles, killing infected from kilometers away wasn't a problem for them.
He had also told Claire that if it were just the two of them, getting out of here would be much easier. But since neither of them wanted to abandon these people, they were doing this to avoid everyone's death.
If they couldn't protect these people, they wouldn't be ready for the future.
"Take my heavy gear. I need to be light so I can move much faster." Alan was feeling better in his knee, so running from the infected wasn't an issue.
Claire agreed and asked, "If everything goes well, do we meet at the same place?"
"Exactly. I made a deal with Raj to help him find his family after I meet up with Tommy. We'll secure the building, gather whoever's still alive, and once everything is under control, we'll head for the outskirts," Alan explained while wrapping Claire's bandages.
She nodded, put her weapon away, and said firmly, "If you don't come back in time, I'll go looking for you—understood?"
"Just follow the plan. We'll all make it out of this together. Remember that once you reach the truck, stick to the plan—even if I don't arrive on time. Nothing will happen to me. I can get out of any situation, and I'm better off on my own."
As Alan wrapped himself in bandages, he made sure none of his physical abilities were hindered. He took a deep breath, placed several knives on his body, skillfully held his machete, warmed up his muscles to avoid cramps, and prepared mentally.
"Turn right, you'll find a black motorcycle. Get on and start it. Then ride toward the orange buildings and, at the end, turn on the speakers..." Alan closed his eyes, memorizing every instruction he had just received. He visualized his surroundings and took a deep breath, feeling the nervous energy course through his body.
This was no small thing. Any mistake could cost him his life. He couldn't stop thinking how strange it all felt, like being trapped in a simulation. How was it possible that he was about to run for his life while virus-infected creatures chased him to the death?
"Alright, here we go..." Alan murmured as he tied a bandana over his face and pulled on a cap to cover his head. He gripped the handle of the machete tightly.
"We have two on the right, three on the left, and four straight ahead!" whispered Eduard, holding a hammer in his right hand.
"Now!" shouted Carlos as he opened the door, and Alan lunged forward.
Rrrrr!
Crack!
Alan didn't look to his sides. He trusted the group escorting him to cover his flanks, allowing him to reach the motorcycle faster.
But along the way, he didn't waste time: spotting an infected roaring like a bloodthirsty beast, eyes full of savagery, he readied himself to attack. There was no room for hesitation. Now was the time to kill and keep moving.
Suddenly, the noise of blows, screams, and gasps filled the area. The tension grew with every second. Alan felt the adrenaline driving him to move quickly, his heart pounding in sync with the fast-paced battle that had just begun.
"Kill them all!"