The back door of the café opened with a barely audible squeak. Koen went out first, his body tense and his improvised weapon raised high. Arika and Reize followed closely behind, their steps light and silent.
The alley smelled of dampness, old garbage... and dried blood.
Koen signaled for them to move forward, staying close to the wall. Arika, clutching her broken broom tightly, felt her heart beating like a drum, but she kept her face calm. At her side, Reize clenched her jaw, gripping her makeshift weapon.
The street ahead of them seemed clear, with only a few infected staggering in the distance. Night had already taken over the sky, covering it in deep shadows, while the moon began to rise slowly, bathing the city in a pale, cold glow.
—Let's go... now — whispered Koen.
They advanced in single file, crouching low, using abandoned cars and debris for cover. Every crunch under their feet sounded like thunder in the thick silence of the city.
Everything seemed to be going relatively well... until they turned a corner.
There, a few meters away, a group of infected were lurking. More than they had expected. The stench was unbearable, and a guttural growl made their skin crawl.
—Let's back off —Arika suggested, her voice barely audible.
Koen quickly shook his head.
—No. We need to distract them.
He picked up a rock from the ground and threw it at a distant window. The glass shattered with a crash, and several infected turned their heads, alerted by the noise.
For a moment, it seemed like the plan was working.
—Now, slowly —Koen said.
But just as they tried to move, Reize, nervous, stepped on a piece of rusty metal. The sharp squeak filled the alley.
The heads of the infected turned toward them instantly.
—Run! — Koen shouted.
Without wasting any time, they sprinted down the street, dodging obstacles as best they could, while beastly growls echoed behind them. Arika glanced back: there were too many of them to fight.
—This way! —Reize pointed, spotting a narrow detour between two buildings.
They ran towards it. After a few minutes of dodging streets and hiding in shadows, they managed to lose the infected. Their breath burned in their lungs, but they didn't stop until they were sure they weren't being followed.
They leaned against a wall for a moment, catching their breath.
—Are you okay? —Koen asked, looking at them both.
— Yeah... just a little tired—Reize murmured, shaking her head.
— Could be worse—Arika added, smiling slightly.
But their relief was short-lived.
As they turned a corner, they came face to face with another group: seven or eight infected staggered forward, blocking their path.
—Damn... —whispered Koen.
There was nowhere to run. The infected were too close, and turning back meant risking another encounter with the previous horde.
—There's no choice... —said Arika, her gaze hardening as she tightened her grip on the broken broomstick.
Koen nodded.
—We fight.
Reize swallowed hard, gripping her makeshift weapon tightly, but nodded as well.
—Together... as we planned —said Koen.
Arika took Reize's hand, looking her firmly in the eyes.
—Don't worry, we'll get through this —she whispered.
Then she let go of her hand and stepped forward, taking up a defensive position, ready to face whatever was coming.
The infected advanced, letting out muffled growls that mingled with the whistling wind between the abandoned buildings.
Koen stood in front of the girls, raising the rusty pipe he was carrying.
—Stay behind me—he ordered in a firm voice—. I'll hold them off. Just cover my back.
Arika frowned. She gripped her broken broom more tightly and stepped aside, out of Koen's shadow.
—I'm not that fragile —she said seriously—. I can protect myself.
Before Koen could reply, Arika had already lunged forward.
With surprising agility, she dodged one of the infected who tried to catch her. She ducked at the last moment and, twisting her body, plunged the sharp end of her weapon into the enemy's head. The infected fell heavily to the ground.
Reize, who had been slightly paralyzed, blinked in amazement before reacting and following her example.
—Damn it! —Koen growled, gritting his teeth as he lunged after them.
The combat became chaotic. Arika moved quickly, dodging clumsy swipes and striking with precision. Every movement was clean, decisive, as if she had been fighting for years. Another infected fell at her feet as she spun around, panting, to search for her next target.
Koen, for his part, knocked down those who got too close to Reize, using his brute strength and experience, crushing skulls and blocking attacks with calculated movements.
—Don't stand still, Reize, move! — he shouted, noticing how she froze for a moment at the sight of so much blood, while he deflected the advance of an infected who almost reached him with a sharp blow.
Reize nodded quickly, backing away and attacking with nervous but determined movements.
Arika, in a swift movement, struck another infected creature in the legs, causing it to fall, and finished it off with a precise blow to the head.
—Koen, on your left! —she warned.
Koen reacted just in time, turning and crushing the creature's skull with a single blow.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the last of the infected fell to the ground, leaving everything in an eerie silence.
The three stood there, breathing heavily, covered in small cuts and bruises, but alive.
Koen looked at Arika, a mixture of surprise and respect in his eyes.
—I didn't expect that from you... — he admitted, letting out a short laugh.
Then he turned to Reize.
—Did you know Arika could do that?
Reize glanced at him quickly and nodded, giving him a slight smile.
—Yes... although I didn't expect her to be that strong.
Koen looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
—Me neither. Wow... I guess I was a little overprotective — he said, smiling awkwardly.
Arika let out a slight snort, wiping her forehead.
—I told you I could protect myself —she replied simply.
Reize smiled as she watched them interact.
—I don't know about you guys... but I'd rather not do this again —she joked, though her voice trembled slightly.
Koen chuckled, easing the tension a little.
—Come on. We still have to find a safe place before dawn.
They started walking, but had barely taken a few steps when a terrifying roar echoed in the distance.
—What was that? —asked Reize.
Before Koen could answer, a growl interrupted them. Infected creatures began to emerge from the shadows, far more than they could handle.
—Shit! —exclaimed Koen, his face hardening.
—Looks like we're not alone... —murmured Reize.
Koen raised his makeshift weapon.
—We can't stay here. Let's fight our way out!
Arika, without waiting for instructions, ran toward the infected. Koen and Reize covered her advance as best they could.
The fight was brutal and chaotic. Although Arika fought with strength and determination, the number of enemies was overwhelming.
It was then that Reize, who was fighting with all her might, began to give way. Her arm trembled with exhaustion, her blows no longer as firm. An infected took advantage of that moment of weakness and pounced on her, knocking her to the ground.
—Reize! —Arika shouted, her heart sinking as she saw her fall.
Reize desperately tried to push the infected away, but the creature's weight and strength were too much. The monster's face was dangerously close, its sharp teeth seeking her neck. Arika tried to go to her aid, but the infected wouldn't let her. She realized she was about to lose her friend, that the nightmare would become reality. She felt the world stop for a second, a cold terror squeezing her chest.
—NO, REIZE! —she screamed with all her might.
When all seemed lost, a shot rang out. The infected man fell dead on top of her.
In the distance, with the first rays of sunlight, the silhouette of a man approaching could be seen.
—You should be more careful —he said with a smirk.
Koen blinked, incredulous.
—Ethan?
It was his old friend and secretary.
—I'm glad to see you again, Director. We have a lot to talk about, but let's leave that for later —he said, reloading his weapon—. First, we have to get out of here!
There was no time to argue.
Arika got rid of the infected and ran to Reize, hugging her with all her strength.
—Reize... —she whispered, still shaking from the adrenaline.
Reize took a deep breath, returning the hug as she felt the weight on her chest lighten a little.
—I'm fine, Arika...—she whispered, her voice breaking.—. Calm down.
Arika pulled away just enough to look her in the eyes. Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say something else, but instead of words, she pulled her close to her chest again.
—Don't ever scare me like that again —she said with a lump in her throat.
Reize smiled weakly, clinging to her.
—I promise.
At that moment, Ethan approached, covering them, firing at the infected who were trying to surround them.
—Sorry to ruin the moment, but we need help. We won't be able to hold out much longer on our own! —he warned, without letting up on the trigger.
The girls understood immediately. Arika took Reize's hand, helping her to her feet, and this time stood firmly in front of her: she wasn't going to let her out of her sight for another moment.
Koen, a few steps away, continued to fight with all his strength, knocking down those who got too close. Ethan, for his part, fired without hesitation, his accurate aim keeping the fragile line of defense open.
For a few minutes, they held out.
—Listen to me! — Ethan shouted, gesturing—. There's a convenience store a few yards away. We can hide there. When I give the signal, run!
Everyone nodded, and after a few minutes, Ethan gave the expected shout:
—Now!
While Ethan covered them with his gunfire, Koen, Arika, and Reize ran as fast as they could. They crossed the destroyed street, dodging corpses and debris.
They entered the convenience store, pushed the door shut, and closed it behind them.
Outside, the moans of the infected continued to echo, but inside they found a brief and necessary respite.