Koen moved forward decisively, raising his weapon with both hands. His movements were confident and precise. He shot the first one without hesitation; the bullet hit the infected man squarely in the head, and he fell with a thud onto the wet asphalt.
He spun around quickly, aimed at the next one, and fired again. Another one fell.
His breathing remained steady, his eyes wide open, following every shadow, every movement. He fired twice more, taking down two others. For a moment, it seemed like he had everything under control... until one infected, much faster than the others, lunged from the side. Koen turned his head too late; he wouldn't be able to aim in time.
A sharp shot rang out.
The infected collapsed before touching Koen.
Koen stood still, perplexed, and turned his head back.
Arika, a few steps away, held her weapon in her uninjured arm, the barrel still smoking. Her expression was serene, but her lips formed a slight, slightly amused smile.
—You're talented, Koen... — she said softly as she lowered her weapon—, but not that talented.
Koen let out a soft laugh, lowering his weapon as well.
—I guess I couldn't expect to impress that much — he replied, a playful gleam in his eye.
She took a couple of steps toward him, leaning slightly to avoid putting weight on her injured leg.
— You did well... Just don't let your guard down.
Koen nodded with a sincere smile.
—I'll keep that in mind.
They exchanged a knowing glance before resuming their advance with greater confidence, weapons at the ready.
The road grew quieter. After the confrontation, the streets returned to a tense silence, broken only by the sound of their footsteps on the puddles and the faint buzzing of the radio on Koen's belt.
They moved slowly. Koen kept glancing at Arika, making sure she wasn't limping too badly. She walked on with her jaw clenched, stubborn as ever, but he could tell the pain was getting to her.
—If you want... we can stop for a second —Koen said finally, in a low voice.
Arika shook her head, but her heavy breathing gave her away.
—I'm fine —she murmured.
However, after a few more steps, she stopped on her own. She leaned one hand against the wall of a worn building, closing her eyes for a few seconds. Koen approached her without saying anything, leaving the gun hanging at his chest.
—Arika... —His tone was softer, more sincere—. You don't have to push yourself so hard.
She opened her eyes slowly and looked at him sideways. For a few seconds, her expression relaxed, tired but honest.
—I don't like feeling like a burden —she whispered, almost as if it were hard for her to admit.
Koen looked at her seriously and took another step closer, so close that she could feel the raindrops sliding down his jacket.
—You would never be a burden to me — he said firmly —. I'm here because I want to protect you. Not because you feel obligated to keep up with me. You understand that, right?
Arika blinked slowly, surprised by the honesty in his words.
For a moment, something stirred in her chest... something familiar and strange at the same time.
—Koen... —she murmured, but the words didn't come out complete.
He smiled gently, tilting his head slightly.
—Let's rest for a minute —he said as he took a small canteen and an extra bandage he had stored in his backpack out —. You won't move until I at least check that leg.
Arika looked at him, overcome by exhaustion and pain, and finally nodded silently.
Koen crouched carefully in front of her, unrolling the bandage, and began to examine the wound with steady but gentle hands.
His touch was warm and attentive... not just that of someone treating a wound, but of someone caring for a person.
Arika looked down, not pulling away, letting him take charge for once.
—Thank you... —she whispered, barely audibly.
Koen looked up at her, his eyes calm.
—You're welcome —he replied with quiet conviction.
Koen carefully secured the bandage, his fingers working steadily but gently. The rain continued to fall steadily, creating a murmur that isolated them from the rest of the world.
Arika watched him silently, until her gaze softened a little.
—I didn't know you were so good with bandages — she said with a small smile, trying to break the tension.
Koen raised an eyebrow, without breaking his concentration.
—I've had to learn quickly in this world. There isn't always someone around to take care of your wounds.
When he finished adjusting the bandage, Arika let out a soft laugh.
—Well... at least you bandage better than Reize —she said jokingly, a spark of amusement in her eyes.
Koen smiled, shaking his head.
—That's not very hard to beat —he replied, playing along.
Arika looked down slightly, her expression becoming more serious for a moment.
—We'd better keep moving. We need to meet up with the others as soon as possible.
Koen nodded, standing up and offering her his hand to help her up.
—Let's go. I'm not leaving you behind.
With a final knowing glance, they both continued on their way, the rain marking their passage through the empty streets.
The path wasn't easy, but with each coordinated step, Koen and Arika moved faster. Finally, after turning a corner and crossing a deserted street, they spotted familiar silhouettes a few meters ahead.
Ethan and Reize were standing next to a half-collapsed building, watching their surroundings. When Koen raised a hand to get their attention, Reize was the first to turn around. Her eyes widened as she saw them approaching.
—Koen! Arika! —she exclaimed, running toward them.
Ethan followed her steadily, without letting his guard down. When they met in the middle of the street, Reize stopped in front of Arika, her gaze quickly scanning her bandages and condition.
—Are you okay? —she asked, her voice heavy with concern.
Arika nodded with a slight smile.
—I'm fine, Reize. Just a few more scratches.
Koen exchanged glances with Ethan, who simply gave him a brief nod, as if acknowledging that he had done his part.
—We had some trouble too, but we managed to get through it —Ethan said, keeping an eye on their surroundings—. The important thing is that we're all here. Now we need to move before we attract more attention.
At that moment, static broke the air. Koen's radio activated with Elion's voice, choppy but clear.
—Guys... I'm near the area I mentioned. There are a couple of clear streets leading to the shelter... but further south there's movement. Be careful and come quickly.
Koen responded immediately.
—Roger that, Elion. We're on our way. Stay alert.
He cut off communication and looked at the others with determination.
—You heard him. It's time to meet up with Elion and move to the shelter.
Ethan nodded, securing his weapon. Reize looked at Arika once more, as if making sure she could continue, and Arika responded with a determined expression.
—I can keep going. Don't worry.
Without wasting any more time, the group began to move forward together, their steps synchronized and their eyes alert to any movement in the darkness of the city.
The group advanced cautiously, the wet streets reflecting the dull glints of a sun hidden behind gray clouds. The tension was palpable, every crunch under their boots seeming louder than it should.
As they turned another corner, Ethan abruptly raised his hand, stopping them.
—Stop —he whispered.
In front of them, right in the middle of the street, an overturned truck almost completely blocked their path. Around it, several infected wandered around disoriented, shuffling their feet and growling softly. There were at least six of them.
Reize clicked her tongue in annoyance.
—Great... another lovely surprise.
Koen frowned, his gaze searching for an alternative route.
—We can't take a long detour. We'd lose Elion and the clear path.
Arika, leaning slightly on her injured leg, took a deep breath.
—We can quickly pass by the right side, where the fence is broken. If we don't make any noise, maybe they won't detect us.
Ethan looked at her and nodded seriously.
—Okay. But if something goes wrong, don't hesitate. Shoot or run.
With precise movements, the group skirted the broken fence. They held their breath as they crossed a few meters from the infected, whose heads moved slowly, as if trying to locate nonexistent sounds.
When the last of them passed, Ethan exhaled with relief.
—Well done... let's keep going.
A few meters ahead, a figure appeared around the corner. It was Elion, waving a hand to get their attention.
—This way! —he whispered hurriedly.
They ran toward him, and Elion led them down a narrow alleyway flanked by worn walls and graffiti faded by time. At the end, he stopped in front of a worn metal door. He looked both ways, making sure they hadn't been followed, and raised his hand.
With precise movements, he knocked on the door in a clear pattern: two short knocks, followed by four quick knocks.
Knock knock... knock knock knock knock.
A few seconds of silence passed, and then, from the other side, the click of a lock turning could be heard.
The door slowly opened, and behind it appeared a familiar face, eyes wide as it recognized who was calling.
—Elion —murmured Hael, whose hardened expression softened at the sight of his brother.