Ignite Part 1

There are only a few things that can ruin the Walter's family peace. That was when Alex and Daniel competed over the most nonsense of things. It started one morning, after eating breakfast, they were building a cupboard for the kitchen.

"No, I can do it better."

"No, I'm better. "

Anna and William were at the table, eating breakfast and watching the scene unfold curiously. It was an easy build, nothing too complicated for an adult but a little difficult for children so they let them put their unlimited energy into fixing. Max was sitting next to Alex quietly, actually doing most of the work while these two argued.

"Max! Who do you think built it better?" Alex directed it to him.

Not expecting to suddenly be the centre of attention, Max scratched his head. "Umm I guess Alex?"

He chose Alex because Alex didn't read the instructions. He was using his sense and observations to actually put it together unlike Daniel. Alex was good at crafts.

At that Daniel folded his hand over his chest, upset while Alex grinned victorious, now actually paying attention on the cupboard. As they were fixing it, Daniel stopped Alex. "No, this isn't supposed to be here."

"Yes, it is."

"No, it doesn't!"

Again, they were arguing. "Max, who do you think follows the instructions better?"

William and Anna were amused by the situation but they didn't say anything.

"Well... Daniel follows it better." Max tried to be as quiet as he could because he didn't like to compare their efforts. They both had their strengths and weaknesses. Daniel smirked while Alex glared.

"Max! Which brother do you prefer?" Alex bitterly switched up the subject into an extreme one.

"What?" Max was dumbfounded. Anna noticed Max being in a pickle, quickly intervened. "Boys! Time to go to school."

"But-" Daniel started, wanting to know the answer too.

"No but! Let's go before we are late." Alex and Daniel grumbled as they went to get their backpack. When they were not looking, she winked at Max who smiled at her for saving him.

However, this topic didn't die down. Everyone knew the boys were going to bring it up to Max one way or another. It was late afternoon when Alex and Daniel cornered Max in their backyard.

"So? Me or Daniel?"

Hiding behind the wooden fence of their backyard, William sat on the ground, watching through a rather large hole while Anna stood on her tiptoes, staring from above. The boys weren't the only ones competing against each other. Anna and William also had to one up another. Copy my homework but change it little. They were getting heated on which one knew the kids better. Of course Anna believed she knew them because she spent most of her time with them! Unlike Mr. William here. While William thought he knew them better because he analysed their behaviour. Unlike Mrs. Anna here.

However, one thing he couldn't predict was his son, Max so he brought his research paper to document it. "I think Max would choose Alex."

At that, Anna snorted. William further explained why, "He likes to imitate Alex. From the way they dress, to the way they play. He always plays with Alex unlike Daniel who is more of a bookworm. Alex and Max are more alike than different because Max enjoys playing more than reading."

The explanation actually made sense now that he pointed it out. It was true... but she won't accept defeat easily. "He likes Daniel more because Daniel takes his side more. Whenever he needs help, who does he go to? Daniel! Whether in homework or when he gets scolded, he knows Daniel always defends him. Plus he dotes on Max more unlike Alex. He showers him with gifts and always puts him first."

Electricity zapped in between them as they both tried to get the upper hand. However, even though both gave a reason and were feeling competitive, they knew one thing;

"Would Max even choose?" Anna wondered out loud. That doesn't seem like something Max will do.

"He would not," William acknowledged. He won't pit and make his other sibling feel less than the other. Although he had no clue how he would escape this. "This question is too difficult for him."

"So?" Alex and Daniel blocked all escape Max could take, determined to get him to choose. "Which brother do you like better? Me? Or Daniel!"

Max looked between Alex and Daniel with a smile. "I like Alex more when I'm with Alex and I like Daniel more than I'm with Daniel."

Anna was surprised by the answer. It was strangely diplomatic.

"Ah... that's actually a good answer.." William beside her nodded, impressed. It turned out both of them were wrong.

"No, pick. Whom do you like more?" Daniel insisted.

Max, for a moment, paused to think. His head titled above as he spaced out. "Let's say I have a hundred hearts to live with. I'll give fifty to Alex and fifty to Daniel. That's how much I love you too."

Both Alex and Daniel frowned because that was the same answer as the previous. While Anna smiled because she believed that meant he loved them equally. On the other hand, William frowned because that answer implied something else completely. That Max doesn't love himself.

"But if you really want to know!" Max stringed them along a little. "I like mommy more!"

He giggled, running off so they wouldn't catch him..

"He avoided conflict by throwing them off... very interesting." William mumbled.

She looked at her husband bewildered. Not because he was impressed by Max but because he is seriously taking notes. He was actually learning from Max how to socialise! She held her head at her future.

"What! How can mommy be the best brother?" Daniel exclaimed. Alex nodded. "First of all, mother is a woman, if there is one thing she should be, it would be a sister, at least."

Alex looked like he was so done with Daniel's explanation. "THAT'S what you are focused on?

"I mean... of course mother can't be the answer." Daniel coughed lightly, fixing his mistake. "Max can be so weird sometimes."

Alex sighed in agreement.

"I prefer you over him. At least you make sense and I can communicate with you easily," Daniel mused.

"Yea, I agree. It's also much fun to play with you when you are not focused on studying," Alex admitted. "Hey, want to play the new game we got? William brought us four new games."

At that Daniel grinned, a bit flustered but happy. "Yes! Let's go! I haven't played in a while."

Alex smiled as well as the two started running to set up their console for these new games.

"Hmmmm, his strategy made them reconcile somehow? How much did he plan for this?" William mumbled as he continued writing on his notes his new observations. "This was masterfully done."

Anna was one hundred percent done with this family. Nobody was normal here. Nobody!

Except her, of course.

__________________________________________

"I'm burning this place down."

When the lighter fell on the cigarette, unbottled sanitizer, nail polish, phone and other objects that contain either flammable or combustible substance, it ignited like a firework. Smoke started to levitate, the floor lit up like a tree during christmas. The darkness retreated. "William, this better be worth it!"

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Eric took off his jacket and tried to put out the furious fire but William restricted his hand. "You're going to kill us like this."

"No, YOU will kill, not just us, but everyone in this building!" Roars of agitated beast resonated when the fire gave sight to the unseen. They rushed to the running figures.

"Let's go!" William sprung after making sure Alex, Daniel, Anna and Max went first, in that order. Alex, being the most physically fit runner, with the exception of William, led the second riskiest position while William was on the rear. One of the infected came from one of the corners as Alex passed but his small stature helped him manoeuvre out of the way and use the bat to hit it from the behind. Daniel, after Alex, jump kicked to push it further away from them. Other people, from the chaos, also came out of their hiding spot, baffled but they all had one option in mind, escaping.

The smoke started to be blinding and suffocating. Alex wasn't a smart kid academically but when it comes to survival, he already memorised the road they too He knew the escalator they came from would show up. He looked behind to check if his brother kept up with his pace and when he saw Daniel, he returned, using his hand to feel the railing's rubber. He peddled down without hesitation. The smoke cleared during his descent. Daniel was supposed to be next but instead, Max came out first, blinking and waving his hands, coughing slightly. He jumped to slide on the railing and just skidded down. He asked a question when he noticed someone was missing. "Max, where is Daniel?"

Anna came next and she was sweating bullets, too busy trying to keep up then actually notice someone went missing. She coughed and wiped her sweat, her attention downward. More people came down and even the infected started to appear but…

Where…

Was Daniel?

_______

"Sir, the preparation is ready." One of the soldiers saluted, his commander hundred meters away from the airport staring in silence. He opened his mouth then closed it, hesitant in asking his next question. "Is… is it necessary to do this?"

Grey hair, slicked, hands behind his back, clean and organized dress code with a posture straighter than a ruler, paced around. He checked the condition of their weapons one by one and if they were in formation. "What a silly question. If you are here with half baked resolve I would recommend you to take your leave right now so you won't get in the way of the mission."

"N-No. Of course not!" At the harsh reply, he shook his head, stuttering. He took off running before he could call him out on his façade.

Victor didn't spare him a glance, holding out his own gun from one of the soldiers and making sure it had bullets, he passed through each unit, making sure everyone knew their roles.

"There is smoke coming from the airport... is the building burning? How?" Olivia stood up from her position. It wasn't noticeable but from the scope of her sniper gun, it was as clear as day. Victor curled a brow and when flames showed after a while, he almost found the situation amusing.

"Fire in the middle of nowhere… It's have to be William Walter... He is the only one who can come up with an outrageous stunt." Victor rubbed his chin, thinking. Why did he show up at Manchester? He wanted to know that.

"Are you saying he started that fire on purpose?" Olivia tilted her head, twisting the gun muzzle to the air. "Won't that kill everyone instead since we stopped the system?"

"That's his goal... he is sacrificing all the people inside just to escape. He is using them to distract those infected and getting rid of them as well." He tapped his feet, irritated but all emotions were devoid of his face. "If he comes out, don't let him escape. He will bring more trouble than it's worth."

___________

William sidestepped and with a kick at the ankle, the infected went toppling into the fire. He just continued his path without a hitch.

"You are pretty good at this." Eric was impressed. They both reached the escalator and got down just for him to hear Anna's scream as she ran around in circles but her worry isn't any infected but her son. "Daniel isn't here!"

William didn't stop, he peddled down, trying to process it and at the bottom he instructed. "There is another path on the right where the exit should be... I-" He looked back at the flames as some infected started coming down. There's no way Daniel could have survived that and if he went to search for him, he might as well be a goner too. He should give up on Daniel…

"I'll look for Daniel. Alex, everyone's safety is in your hands."

Alex looked like he wanted to say something but held his tongue. Instead he nodded while Anna frowned. She should be the one in charge, not her child. Her fist tightened but the moment didn't allow disagreement. She watched bitterly as William took the other escalator up while Alex beckoned them away.

_____________________

Daniel souffled, the heavy body of two people, crushed him under their weight. One minute he was running, the next someone flung into him, sending him into a wall, bumping his head. The big, buff, man lay on him, holding on to another being in a tight hug... or beings because they were five all over him. He held his head and twisted out, shocked at the sight. Mouth wide, he froze.

"Go!" The man kept them in a clutch. He couldn't move. "KID! GO!"

Daniel slammed a fist to his thighs and forced himself to stand, running, not sure which direction he was supposed to go anymore from all the smoke.

"DANIEL! DANIEL!" At the sound of his name, he followed it. He screamed when he bumped into an infected. It grabbed him so hard on both shoulders that he couldn’t get out. The height difference was a blessing because it couldn’t bite him immediately.

"I'm Alex, I'm Alex, I'm Alex." he chanted over and over again, scared. He kicked the jaw and when it didn't deter it, he did more aggressively after each pound. "Umm, I don't think I'm Alex."

It went down and a screech escaped from his mouth. It was over for him. A set of hands zoomed in and clutched the forehead and lower jaw, rotating it in a second. The infected loosened its grip as its head became face to face with William. Its arms were behind instead, it fell down unbalanced. William wiped his hand on the coat and side stepped to check.

"Father!" Daniel's happiness was cut short when William's fingers reached his lips and he signalled with his head to go. He nodded, coughing from the inflammation. Surprisingly, William grabbed the hands of the infected and carried it like it's a shield. "Keep me within your sight."

William charged and any infected that would surprise attack them would be shoved to the side with the decayed human shield. As they reached the escalator, William threw the infected into the ones running and jumped off the railing into the area that was clear. He looked up, spreading his arm. Daniel hesitated to jump but at the look of the infected, he just did. William caught him with ease and dropped him down. The chase went on, less and less came after them with each obstacle. William side jumped another airport checkpoint machine that closed their path and supported Daniel above it. The zombies struggled to go through, giving them time to actually observe their surroundings. Another exit closed… What was happening? Why was each exit closed? It was barricaded as if people weren't allowed out. He and Daniel walked until he found people gathering. Eric leading the group.

"I've checked each exit and only the second gate is open. If we all go there, the military will give us backup." Eric gestured for the people. There are few infected there but I'll cover everyone here until safety."

Anna started to leave with them when William grabbed her hand. Eric immediately took notice.

"We are not going." William tugged her towards a different direction.

"Why?" Anna asked but instead of getting an answer, an interruption came from Eric.

"Are you serious right now? You are safer with me. The military can help us." Eric tried to persuade him. "Do you even have a plan?"

"I do have a plan. I would suggest everyone to go above and take the longer route out. It's safer for everyone since the attack happened here. We shouldn't trust the military for assistance. They would have come in already to rescue us if they cared about us." William pointed towards the bridge. It should be mostly empty unless some infected got lost there.

"Ha… right, coming from the man who started this fire and almost burned everyone alive." Eric sarcastically responded. There was confusion in everyone's face, almost bewildered.

Anna started to scoot away from William, pulling Daniel and Max with her. She wanted to bring Alex too but he stood beside Willian, listening intently.

"You think they could be trusted? Then explain why they close the power?" The argument continued without a breathing moment.

"-how did you kn-"

"The initial goal was to sacrifice everyone. It makes zero fucking sense how all those checkups of making sure not a single scratch is on anybody YET there were dozens of them all of a sudden." All these hours he worked to make sure everyone was safe just for it to be fruitless really irritated him. Like what was the point?

"The gates-" he flapped around at his surroundings, "-were CLOSED as if they didn't want us to escape. They only left the entrance. Very conveniently placed. I wonder if it was a trap…"

"That's a coincidence! Commander Victor closed those lights because he didn't believe there was any other solution…I tried to stop him but I see now that it worked better for the safety of everyone which YOU didn't care about. You risked everyone's lives by starting the fire." At the revelation again, an old lady interrupted to make sure she heard right.

"Did he start the fire?" Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed William by the collar, pulling him towards her, shaking him.

"You demon! You killed my grandson! He caught fire and burned!" She dragged him but he simply pulled her hand away.

"Grandma please-" A young man dragged her away, afraid that William would do something to her as she struggled in his hold. William ignored the glares and disgusted looks he got from everyone.

"How can you do something so inhumane?"

"You monster! My sister died after we ran out of our hiding spot! They ate her alive!" A girl fell to her knees, crying as people comforted her.

"You risked all our lives! How can you do something so reckless!"

William wasn't deterred by the sudden hostility. He brought the topic back. "And? How did he know something like that happened?"

"We got a report about a plane-"

"You got a report but didn't warn or protect anyone. In fact, you led people there." William silenced him. "Do you really think the lives of the people who died from the fire are in my hands? No, it's in yours."

Shock fleeted through Eric's face. Not because of the accusations but the lack of compassion in William as he deflected the blame to him. "You are a sad man William."

William merely blinked, bored. Anna worriedly looked at William. That side of him was showing up again.

"I don't really care what you think we did. I'm sure there was a reason why commander Victor didn't warn people. He never does anything without a plan." Eric looked at everyone who was getting more confused from who the real villain was. Both of them sounded like one.

"I promise we will set up underground camps, save up rations. Once we confirm everyone's safety, we will eradicate those zombie-like creatures and bring you back above when we dealt with the situation." Eric tried to convince them.

"Can we trust you?" One of the men among the crowd looked at Eric and everyone waited with bated breath.

"Our job is to protect everyone. That's why I became a soldier. Your trust won't be mislead!" He saluted.

Satisfied with the answer, everyone joined him. Although a part of it was because they had no other choice. "We will go with you."

William took a sharp turn and ran his fingers through his hair to flick off the loose strands in his annoyance. He tugged Anna's hand, her head turned away from the people back to her kids. She wanted to go with them but she trusted her husband enough not to protest.

They walked up to one of the longer route escalator to the skyline area. The one that isn't burning yet. It was a one way road with tinted glass on each side that showed a view. Along the way, he got the fire extinguisher from the side and jammed it into the glass window, shattering it into piece. He did that a couple of times to clear up the upcoming smoke that will engulf this place as well. Beyond the window, down below, all of them could see the military fraction spreading apart in different areas. As if on cue, they could see the group of survivors they were with. The soldier holding his hand up in surrender and he screamed so loud that they could hear every word clearly from above.

"Captain Eric, Navy officer of Fleet Admiral Victor is at your services. Everyone here is willing to be put in quarantine to check our condition to make sure we aren't infected. I speak to you coherently to prove I still have my consciousness and plead you not make any rush moves." He was at the centre with the people behind him following his lead.

"Captain Eric! I'm glad to see you alive." Olivia sighed in relief before her expression went stern. "Commander Victor, should I set up a camp and have them quarantined?"

"No, shoot them down."

"What?" She seemed taken aback that the gun in her hand slacked, the muzzle nudged the grass.

"Sir?" Eric's mouth finally mustered the courage to ask. "You haven't checked if we are-"

Victor rose his hand up and all the soldiers prepared their guns, focusing their attention on the people. "On my command."

As if that was a signal, Eric looked at the people behind him with fearful eyes. "RAN!"

Men, women, turned back to their gates, children remained still in confusion, wondering what was going on. Victor's hand struck down horizontally. Bullets flew in rapid motion, shooting anyone and everyone. The air got stuck in Anna's throat when blood leaked from a child head before she fell down lifelessly. Eric spread his hands apart trying to shield some people, his body spasmed with each hit, blood splattered out of his mouth as he followed suit. The people who managed to make it past the gates were still caught as it pierced through the glass, towards them. A woman crawled, clutching her stomach, struggling to push herself forward but nowhere was safe. One extra hit was all it took for her head to loll. The flash, thudding and screams had Anna clutch her ears. Alex looked away, covering the eyes of Max and pulling a gaping Daniel away from the scene. After a while, everything was eerily quiet, no sound was heard. Victor nodded in satisfaction.

"Make sure you leave no one alive."

"WHY!" Olivia questioned. "Captain Eric was among them! We could hav-"

"Are you questioning my orders Lieutenant? You already knew we were going to shoot. We can't let a single one of them escape. It's safer for everyone if anyone who made contact with those infected dies. Less future casualties." Victor explained but his gaze was focused on the gate. "But… I didn't see Walter among them."

His head whipped so fast towards the skyline, his blue eyes made contact with Anna. William from behind pulled her and started to aggressively drag her. "We need to get out of here fast!"

A light prolonged noise got bigger before fading, it brought Anna's attention to the once clear tinted glass to one with a hole in the centre. When did this have a hole? She started running diagonally, holding her leg in pressure to lessen the pain. The children followed their example exceptionally as glass started to pop out each second. Her head ducked and her hand held tightly to his, trying to keep up with him but failing up miserably. She stumbled, falling forward but he continued to drag her like a rag doll. She held him with two hands, her dress making her slide go as smooth as butter. She flinched when each bullet came in but they managed to be out of reach. When they reached the underground terminal, he hoisted her up from her waist to her feet. Fresh stains of blood were over her dress. However, her leg was the least of her worries. She trembled, unable to believe what she saw. Her throat became so dry that she swallowed her own saliva to moisten it. "I- Wh- ho- that could have been us... that could have been us! How can they do this?"

"I told you he can't be trusted." He dug into his pockets in a hurry to check if the bottle of pills was still there. Relief set in then he kneed down to check her legs, covering her body as much as he could to protect her chastity. Blood trails were running down her thighs and upon closer look, everything he did to close it up came undone. "How are you holding up? The drug Daniel gave you was meant to be taken while you rest."

Not while she ran, fell and did everything that aggravated her wound. He took in her paleness, wondering how long she can last like this.

"I'm fine." She pressed a hand on her forehead, pressured by her headache as they continued, although this time, they walked instead of ran to reach their destination with William supporting her. They couldn't afford waiting around when the military had their eyes on them. "The pharmacy won't have the type of painkillers you need but if we find a hospital, we can raid for specific supplies..."

They spent 10 minutes of endless walking past all sorts of restaurants and cafe shops in the terminal two section of the airport before they reached one of the gates in utter silence. Max was beside Anna the whole time, holding her hand with his smaller ones, giving her the support she needed to push through.

"It seems like there aren't any infected here. What time is it?" William asked after a while, his phone wasn't working anymore, it needed charging and his watch busted.

Daniel checked the cracked watch on his hand, his usual kempt appearance seemed to change overnight. Patches of soot on his face and burnt blond edges of his hairs, untucked shirt made Anna worry. "It's almost one am."

William nodded. "It's about time it rains."

"Rain?" Max frowned.

"Did you start that fire because you knew it would rain?" Alex, who was far ahead of everyone, having crossed many metres, stared beyond where he could see the dark, cloudy sky. The gate slid open and small droplets of water pitter pattered on the ground. Alex's choice of words had Anna realise the implications. She thought he did it to rescue them but it seemed he had other motives as well.

"I wasn't planning to put our civilization in jeopardy when I know firefighters may not be available because of this crisis." William's simple answer made Anna wonder just how far ahead he planned. She figured he must have done his daily check up of the forecast but to plan the fire around it reminded her of his past self. The unsettling feeling she had from him settled down. He wasn't completely heartless but she wasn't sure what to make of it since people died. "It should keep any infected at bay but we don't have any umbrellas and we can't stay here for long."

"We should get out of here first. I don't feel safe." Anna admitted and she checked to see if the kids were okay with it. Max ran out into the rain with his arms spread, a wide grin on his face. He was the first to get soaked. "I love rain!"

Max's innocent remark gravitated Daniel to him, who also brought Alex. They twirled, letting the coolness calm them down. Max stuck his tongue out, letting water drop inside while Daniel cupped his hands to gather rain there to drink. Alex stared at his two brothers with a small smile on his face.

Anna and William couldn’t share any of the sentiments they had. Only a frown fixated on Anna knowing she didn't have to pretend to be strong now that the kids are gone. She locked gaze with William then moved forward, to their next destination, wherever that was…

(I dedicate this to Zom_bhiii ♡ thank you so much! Only for you I wrote. And omg, I didn't realize I forgot the intro for ch. 6 Escape part 1 so I edited it in! *facepalm* I guess writing a novel isn't without many mistakes unfortunately!)