Chapter 6

"Shit, Shit, Shit Shit" This is all Abner can say as he was running towards what God knows he went, he lost track of how long he was running to escape his enemies. He turns around and saw the infected still chasing him all the way where they are right now. He cursed himself as he doubles his effort to lose them. Alas, he didn't.

When they reached the end of the city, Abner saw the cliff in front of him, flabbergasted and dismay was written on his face as he was going to go around yet, he decided to look around to see if there are any possible escape routes for him to have the best chance to survive alas, there is no alternative escape route for him.

All he could see were waves of zombies swarming to him like a herd of wild, hungry wolves rushing to their prey, he had no choice but to take the leap of faith.

As he reached the edge of the cliff, he makes a jump for it. As he jumped, the zombies followed him as well. Typical zombies. Back to Abner, as he was free falling through the sky, he managed to take out his knife and stab through the rock.

Trying his best to survive, but unfortunately, the blade broke causing him to lose his balance. Abner cursed himself once again as he tries to regain his balance and focus, alas, he decided to grab and hold on to what kind of God he didn't know.

Luckily, he felt his hands hanging on solid ground. He prayed that the rock wouldn't give in, yet it didn't. Sigh in relief, Abner pulled himself up as he saw the cave in front of him. Abner knew that he was exhausted and take this opportunity to relax.

He looked around and saw nothing but a barren wasteland, ruined buildings, and unrecognizable streets even he saw zombies lying around or roaming around.

"I'm still breathing?... Of course, I am, not like it's the worst day of my life. Get up."

He angrily thought to himself as he stares at his bloodied hands and start fixing it.

"Look around... Up or down? Aim for the top I've heard... It's all his fucking fault… Why didn't he just change the plan when he has time, he knew it was going to happen. If I know he'd put me through this shit, I'd just put a bullet in his head at first chance. No joke, this was not in my mission description. I'm sure I'm not alone wanting to do that though. But, why? All of this? Does anyone know? Saving earth my ass. The only thing I know is I ain't giving up". As he reached the top of the cliff, Abner catches his breath knowing that he reached the top, and takes a moment to rest, processing what he was doing for these past few hours, as he got enough rest he needs.

Abner got up and started walking towards the ruined city that was in front of him, he stops for a moment to catch his breath, a moment of silence as Abner stared, listening as the wind blows in front of him. It sends shivers down his spine.

Abner steeled himself, despite the fear ravaging his heart. He took a deep breath and started walking towards the valley of darkness and death, a place where even the light was swallowed up by complete darkness.

Hosting one of the vilest and most dangerous creatures' dwells and lingers, where no one ventures and makes it back alive. However, this decision of his changes the outcome of the war between the living and unliving things that will echo for generations to come.

*Meanwhile at the Base*

As Davis, Willard, and the remaining survivors of their unit survived the carnage, were in a state of downcast, vexed, battered, weary, and soulless eyes. For Davis, this was the worst day of his life. He lost his friends, family, possessions that he hardly bought for, and now his best friend or brother by blood.

"Goddamn it, Abner why did you do that?" He thought to himself. Not knowing what to do, he readied himself to face Maia and the rest of the military force. As for Willard, tears flow into his cheeks as his mind played repeatedly, he watches Abner run off to face the horde all by himself.

His mind was debating itself, as some part of him wanted to stop him, and the other chooses to go with him. But deep inside, Abner knows what he was doing, he did that to keep them safe and alive.

As they reached their destination, they opened the doors and revealed all the officials around the globe were waiting for their arrival waiting to hear the good news.

When the guests and the officials saw them, they were flabbergasted by what they'd seen before them, where no human survive. This unit was the best and most experience who deals with the infected, thanks to Abner's knowledge, many officials even foreigners were expected to see Abner again.

When they saw Davis and Willard going out on their Humvee with solemn looks on their face, further that, they didn't see Abner with them.

As Davis and Willard were outside of the Humvee, Davis was about to punch the door. A loud smack came from Willard, shocked to see his commander frustrated and penitent. Never see this part of him, "Abner, you fucking son of a bitch, why?" Willard muttered and composed himself. He turned around and left, leaving stunned Davis. The sergeant shook his head and followed his commanding officer.

When Davis and Willard found themselves facing the highest official all over the world with Maia standing beside his grandfather, the two cannot speak as the pressure weigh over their shoulders, they were waiting for the news.

Willard tries his best to remain strong despite the sadness overflowing to his heart, however, Davis has a tough time to deal the pressure. A pregnant pause, as Willard looked at Davis Ashford and Maia even the highest officials were watching as well.

The shocked look on their face was when Davis caught his breath and look around and saw many people were looking at him, the officials and their bodyguards were looking at him surprisingly. Others were amused, Willard and Maia were chuckling at this, the two of them knew what was going on.

"It seems Abner was rubbing on him. "The two thought as they saw Davis talking to the officials like Abner did in the past, they silently prayed that Abner was doing fine. Not knowing that Abner survived and well.

*Meanwhile at Abner's position*

While Abner was walking towards the streets, he saw buildings, both unscathed and destroyed continue to bypass them. He needs to know where he is and start gathering much information he has, Abner looked up in the sky and saw the sky was setting. It's not a good sign, he needs to find a higher place fast.

Shook his head as he checks his pouch to see if he has spare weapons to defend himself, he felt a sharp metal inside. Felt relief and took out revealed his favorite seal knife, earning a chuckle at this. A pregnant pause as the wind blows widely to the east side, he kneeled and tried to adjust his hearing to see if there was another sound that might come to him fast before he even recognizes it at any moment.

And there's a moaning sound coming from the corner, he felt his gut tighten. Knowing there's something wrong over there, abruptly a sound of footsteps rushing towards him. Not knowing if it's human or not when the footsteps come closer. Abner was prepared to fight, as he peeked and saw no one.

Strange, Abner looked around one more time before making his appearance. A sudden gunshot heard from the distance; Abner takes cover to see what's going to happen. He looked around to see if there's a high building nearby, alas he found it. He makes his way to the building with his favorite knife and a flashlight, once he entered the lobby, he noticed a cartridge lying on the floor.

He turns around and saw a couple of dead zombies, bullet holes, and cartridges all over the place. Knowing there's a battle that happened a few minutes ago, Abner held his breath and pray for the best.

As he slowly makes his way through the second floor as finished clearing the ground floor, the captain slowly turns around to see if there's someone there. Luckily, no one's there. Sigh in relief, Abner just stopped as he heard some noise coming from the hallway.

Startled by this, he quickly cleared the room to see if there was anyone inside one of these rooms. As he reached the end of the hallway, he clearly heard the noise inside. Abner began to think if he was going to make his appearance or not until he heard a mumbling noise growing stronger.

Abner immediately went to the other room to hide, as he heard the door open Abner peeked and revealed a man in his late 30s armed with a machete, and a flashlight. The captain quickly hides when the light shone through the hallway, the man slowly walked not knowing what kind of danger lurks in the dark. Seeing this, Abner decided to 'borrow' him for a while.

The man was petrified, not knowing what to do since he got abducted by someone or something out of the blue. He was covered by its hand and dragged down from another hallway to make him more vulnerable, not until Abner knocked him out cold silently. As Abner did that, he turns around to see if they heard the noise, but none showed up. That's a good start, he proceeds with what he was doing lately.

*a Few Hours Later*

Dizzy, regain his vision as he saw a light swaying with a muffled sound coming from both sides, finally after a few minutes. He regained consciousness; He looked around and saw 2 of his companions were tied up and their mouths were sealed with tape.

A pregnant pause in the room, the two of his companions' faces turned pale when they heard the noise slowly getting louder and closer.

The man finally understands the situation that unfolds before him when he was about to move. He felt his hands were restrained and his feet as well, all his best 'weapons' were binding the chair he was sitting in.

Right now, all he can do is wait. Waiting for what kind of thing it, as the noise was getting louder and louder until they heard the door open. Temporarily they froze as they watched the door slowly open like death was coming to them.

It revealed a man in his late 20s, a black balaclava, black BDU, and black gloves. The man quickly realized what they are dealing with, he accidentally speaks Norway.

"Please, don't hurt me, I need to go home" causing Abner to stop his track, not knowing that there was a foreigner in his hands, he knew that this could help bring some help from the other countries.

Abner knew that he needed all the help he can get, now he needs to cool off the tension he created.

"Norsk?" He asked, earning a man look straight into his eyes with curiosity and at the same time conflict with what he has just witnessed today. The man didn't know how to reply and nodded.

"What the fuck are you doing here". Abner replied in Norwegian, and he received a dry chuckle. Our main protagonist shakes his head as he knew that he needed to play his cards right, He looked at the others who were watching the interaction between him and the foreigner before them, and Abner quickly added.

"Sir, I'm sorry about this. But I need you to trust me, just calm down," he slowly walked towards the foreigner whose flinched at this approach, Abner on the other hand tried his best to remain calm and control the panic that was written on his captives' faces.

All of a sudden, he heard a loud thud causing the three alarmed about what they have been heard except Abner who narrowed his eyes in the direction where the noise occurred a few seconds ago. Facing an unknown line that he needed to cross, Abner immediately starts cutting the ropes. The foreigner and his two companies were watching Abner, who attempted to free him.

When Abner freed the foreigner, he handed the knife to him to free the others. The two looked at each other with curiosity and respect.

Abner went towards the door to guide them while the foreigner starts releasing his companions, As Abner is guarding the door, he glanced back and start questioning his captors.

"Who are you," he asked in the same language to remain in communication with him, the foreigner noticed this and continue freeing his companions. Abner was aware of this and decided to shrug it off. As he heard the final rope was cut, the two groaned and another loud thud occurred on the far side of the hallway.

"Your stuff and weapons at the cabinet at the far side of the left corner of this room and be quiet would ya" Abner reminded them as the trio look at him disgusts and discomfort look written on their faces.

"Jævla drittsekk” whispered the other man, Abner heard this clearly, shakes his head off in amusement, and replied.

"Det hørte jeg" causing the identified Români guy to look at Abner in disbelief, not knowing that he also understands Romania's language hell even he said it, and start getting his stuff back.

As the trio finished packing and armed themselves, they start following him like they have no other choice. Abner looked at them and said, " Stay quiet and keep your head down, don't get separated, stay together understand?" the trio nodded, and Abner nodded back.

“Names Sven Elden Berg, sir”, causing Abner to look at the man named Sven who flinch at the site of Abner’s stoic look that was written on his face.

Sibilate his breath and glance back to see if they are ready when he saw their eyes that they are ready. Abner looks back and starts moving, leaving the building behind where their fates bind together, and they will meet again someday.