The Brooklyn Bridge, a marvel of human engineering and a cornerstone in the history of suspension bridges, connects Brooklyn to Manhattan over the East River. Spanning 1,834 meters, it was officially opened in 1883 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at that time .
As the two vehicles ascended the bridge, the group couldn't help but feel a slight lift in their spirits. The scenic view over the East River offered a brief respite from the horrors they had just escaped in Brooklyn. Despite heading into Manhattan, an area known for its even higher population density, they felt a small sense of progress towards their destination.
The apocalypse had struck around 7 a.m., catching many New Yorkers just as they were waking up. Consequently, the roads weren't heavily congested, and the multiple bridges connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn prevented significant traffic jams. Thus, the 26-meter-wide bridge remained relatively clear of abandoned vehicles.
Soon, the vehicles crossed into Manhattan. Covering just 59.5 square kilometers, Manhattan is densely packed with landmarks like Wall Street, the Empire State Building, the United Nations Headquarters, Broadway, and Fifth Avenue. With over 1.6 million residents, it boasts one of the highest population densities in the world .
Liam was more familiar with Manhattan than Brooklyn, having worked here for two years. He had risen from a junior supervisor to an executive assistant, a role that had him traversing nearly every corner of the borough.
Upon entering Lower Manhattan, the vehicles aimed to reach Midtown, once the city's most bustling area, to access the Lincoln Tunnel.
"No zombies?" Liam muttered, frowning as he observed the nearly empty streets with only a few wandering undead. He grabbed the walkie-talkie, "Stay alert, everyone. Something's off." His hand instinctively moved to his firearm.
The scarcity of zombies was unsettling. They should have been more prevalent. Robbie glanced at the few they passed and speculated, "Maybe something lured them away." He turned onto another street, equally deserted, with towering skyscrapers and faded billboards.
"Where did they all go?" Liam pondered aloud, his concern growing. He hoped the zombies were dispersed across the island, making their journey easier. But if they had congregated elsewhere, perhaps drawn by some noise or movement, the group could inadvertently stumble into a massive horde. While the SUV could maneuver quickly, the truck's size made it vulnerable to being trapped.
"Mike, pull over," Liam instructed via the walkie-talkie, then turned to Robbie.
"What's up?" Robbie inquired, slowing down and stopping.
Liam gestured towards a small gun store on the roadside. It was a rare opportunity to stock up on ammunition, especially with the streets so eerily quiet.
Both vehicles parked along the empty street. Liam exited the SUV, speaking into the walkie-talkie, "Jason, open the truck's rear door and join Robbie and me in the gun store. Laura, keep watch outside. Everyone else, stay in the vehicles. Don't forget your silencers."
A zombie, about thirty meters away, noticed Liam and approached, growling. Liam calmly aimed and shot it in the head, then proceeded towards the store. His shooting skills had improved significantly, thanks to Robbie's guidance and his own aptitude.
Inside, the small 30-square-meter store was in disarray, with bullets and guns scattered and two zombie corpses on the floor. It was evident others had been here before, taking many weapons and ammunition.
"Grab the ammo quickly. We leave in three minutes," Liam ordered after checking his watch. He hadn't anticipated Manhattan to be this unnerving; the unseen threats were the most terrifying.
Their group had plenty of firearms, including AK-47s, M16s, Colt 2000s, and M9s, but ammunition was running low. They focused on collecting 7.62mm, 5.56mm, and 9mm rounds, as well as some 12.7mm bullets for the Barrett rifle.
Manila and Christine stood by the truck, loading the ammo boxes handed to them.
After about two minutes, Liam decided they had enough. He carried two black canvas bags filled with bullets towards the exit.
Suddenly, the sound of an empty soda can being kicked echoed through the street, followed by a chorus of zombie growls. Liam froze, then dashed outside.
"Zombies! A lot of them!" Mike's trembling voice crackled through the walkie-talkie.
Liam saw them: a massive horde pouring in from the right side of an intersection about a hundred meters ahead. They had spotted the vehicles and the humans beside them, becoming frenzied and charging forward. The sheer number caused the ground to tremble slightly.
He wasn't sure what had drawn them—perhaps the vehicles' noise or the earlier gunshot. In the silence of the city, any sound could be a beacon.
"God… kids, get in the car!" Laura screamed, waving frantically at the trio and opening the truck's passenger door.
"Jason, forget the boxes! Move!" Liam shouted, sprinting towards the SUV with the ammo bags. Robbie and Jason followed, empty-handed but running with all their might.
Christine and Manila pulled Jason into the truck's cargo area, securing the door from the inside. Meanwhile, Liam and Robbie jumped into the SUV, tossing the ammo bags onto the backseat.
The vehicles had remained running, ready for a quick escape. In the brief moments it took them to re-enter and close the doors, the zombie horde had advanced rapidly, now only about eighty meters away.
Liam glanced back, confirming the truck's door was shut, then looked ahead at the approaching undead. He hesitated for a second.
"Damn it, go forward! Plow through and turn left!" he commanded, grabbing the walkie-talkie. "Mike, follow us!"
Charging ahead seemed risky, but turning around wasn't an option. The SUV could maneuver easily, but the truck couldn't. If they tried to retreat, the truck might get surrounded.
Robbie understood and floored the accelerator. The SUV surged forward, crashing into the horde. Blood splattered across the windshield as zombies were thrown aside. Within ten seconds, they reached the intersection.
The SUV's high clearance prevented zombies from hitting the windshield directly, keeping it intact. Robbie activated the wipers, then executed a sharp left turn onto a deserted street.
The truck followed closely, benefiting from the path cleared by the SUV. They sped down the empty street, leaving the horde behind. Through the rearview mirror, Liam saw an endless sea of zombies in the distance. Cold sweat formed on his forehead.
After several turns and passing through two empty districts, the horde was no longer visible.
"Turn left ahead, take the shortcut!" Liam instructed. He had initially planned to stick to the main roads to avoid potential blockages but now prioritized getting out of Manhattan as quickly as possible.
They turned onto a narrower street lined with shorter buildings. It was still empty, with few abandoned cars, much to Liam's relief.
"Bang!" A sudden explosion startled everyone.
Mike's truck slowed down. Liam, seeing this through the rearview mirror, signaled Robbie to decelerate. He grabbed the walkie-talkie, "What happened, Mike?" He feared the worst.
"Flat tire!" Mike's voice was tinged with frustration. Such issues were unpredictable; a nail, sharp stone, or broken glass could have caused it.
The truck gradually came to a halt.
"Damn it, not now…" Liam muttered, punching the SUV's side