Welcome Hope

Sarah’s gaze bounced between the exhausted Nade and the dead presidents.
She closed her eyes and shook her head. Then she took a long, cleansing breath and exhaled it in one go.

‘Okay, then we should grab ourselves some weapons. Maybe we can find some survivors!’

‘The moment we step outside, the battle starts. And right now, we aren’t really armed. It’s no big deal for me, but I doubt I’ll always be able to protect you when I’m busy dealing with ghouls. So, what are you going to do?’ Sarah walked over to her chair and broke off the legs. The bottom of each leg could be removed, revealing a hidden gun inside. As she examined the weapon, she said:

‘I never trust anybody. That’s why I always bring this chair to every meeting. The seat can be lifted—inside, I keep ammunition and two daggers.’ Sorry, Nade. I showed you my ugly side. Everything going on with Kale was... well, new to me. But now I’m back.’ She loaded her gun, her gaze sharpening. She radiated confidence and strength. Yes, that was the President of England. She looked back at Nade. ‘We should go. If we fight our way to the basement, there should be a helicopter there. On the way, we grab weapons and soldiers. Then we fly to the nearest airport and get ourselves a plane—or whatever we can.’

‘I like this plan. Then let’s go!’ Sarah closed the black box and grabbed it. In one hand, the gun. In the other, the box.

On the Battlefield

There he stood, staring at his fallen comrades—those torn apart by the ghouls, and the ones he had to kill with his own hands. Dae slapped himself.

‘Get your act together!’ He turned to Rayshel and the others, pointing to the forest behind them, a few kilometers away. ‘We’ll take the battle against the Legends there!’

‘And then what?’ a soldier shouted. ‘We’re screwed, even if we win! I’m sure no help is coming!’ Some soldiers shouted him down, but Rayshel kept eating the snack she had brought. So it was Dae who responded.

‘He’s right! Before fighting these monsters, we were told to wait fifteen minutes for backup. Those fifteen minutes are long over. We shouldn’t expect rescue. But now what? Are you going to sit here and cry like little cowards? Is that what you were trained for? Hell no! We kill these damn Legends and move deeper into the forest. From what I remember, there should be a city or village on the other side. I’m not sure anymore. But something—someone—will be there! I have no use for people who’ve lost hope. You’ll only drag us down!’ He turned and marched toward the forest. His words were harsh—but was he wrong? He had just killed his friends. Expecting a comforting pep talk from him would be asking too much. Rayshel had finished her snack. She walked over to a soldier, took a bottle from his bag, and chugged half a liter of water.

‘Ahhh, that hit the spot. And do you know what else is good, soldiers? A warm meal. Seeing our families again. Everyone who wants that—follow me. And those who’ve already given up on life? Do us a favor and shoot yourselves. At least that way you won’t turn into those ugly creatures!’ She jogged after Dae. Her soldiers exchanged looks—and suddenly, their spirits lifted. They were far from done.

In a City in England

‘Hope is a nice name,’ Larah said. Sark interrupted the quiet moment.

‘We should keep moving. If we stay out here on the open street, we’re just begging these monsters to come eat us.’ They jogged down the street, eyes scanning for danger. Luckily, no ghouls so far. As they passed a grocery market, they spotted survivors. The doors had been barricaded. Dean moved toward them, but Sark grabbed his arm.

‘We’re not in a time when we can help everyone. First, we need to take care of ourselves. And they barricaded themselves in there. I doubt they want to leave.’ Dean glanced down but didn’t argue. They kept going. The street led to an intersection, with a massive fountain in the center. Ghouls roamed around it. But there was something else—cars. Some of them even had keys still in the ignition. They hid behind a building.

‘Okay,’ Sark began. ‘There are two ways to the hospital. First, through the city—on foot. But with all these ghouls? No way. Or we take the bridge east of the city to reach the motorway. For that, we’ll need a car. Here’s the plan: Dean and I will distract the ghouls. Larah, you’ll secure a vehicle. Thankfully, Hope is asleep. Everyone okay with that?’

They nodded. Just then, they heard footsteps. A lot of them. Another group had the same idea. Suddenly, a crowd charged the ghouls. Yes, it looked like help—but Dean saw the problem first.

‘Secure a car, no matter what!’ he shouted, dashing into the chaos. (Sark: Damn, he’s right! These people have no reason to help us. Worst case, they’re infected themselves!) Sark sprinted after him.

‘Larah, new plan—stay here! We’ll come pick you up!’ Dean nearly reached a car—just as someone else got in. The passenger door opened, letting in a ghoul. Dean dashed past the vehicle, hissing. The hiss echoed back—louder—when a ghoul landed in front of him. Dean didn’t flinch. He sprang off a nearby car, flipped over the creature, and four gunshots followed. The ghoul dropped dead.

‘Dean!’ Sark yelled from inside a blue car. ‘Let’s get out of here!’ Grinning, Dean sprinted toward the vehicle, dodging people, ghouls, and moving cars. He made it. He jumped in, and they sped off toward Larah. She was running, but the ghoul behind her was faster. Suddenly, Larah tripped. She shielded Hope with her body. (Dean: She’s not going to make it!) Peng. Peng. Peng. Bullets hit the ghoul’s right leg, throwing it off balance. A figure emerged behind it—a cop. But not just any cop. It was Jessie. One hand gripped a gun. The other, an axe. A bag was strapped to her back. With a swing of her axe, she split the ghoul’s head in two. She was covered in blood and riddled with wounds—but her eyes burned with hatred. That hate kept her alive. She helped Larah up—and when she saw the smiling baby in her arms, the hatred in her gaze briefly faded. The car screeched to a stop before them.

‘Larah, get in!’ Sark shouted. ‘And you—thank you for the help. But damn, you look bad! Were you bitten?’