Day 3.75
Colin peaked over the back fence. Nothing in site, just the open ground of the Greenbelt.
Low bushes, a few trees. Lots of cover.
A zombie could hide there sure, but the undead didn't sneak around.
[ Contender Has Shown Prudence. Situational Awareness Increase ]
What the fuck is Situational Awareness supposed to mean?
But Colin was on the clock, now was not yhe time for a deepdive into whatever the " Gods " had planned for him.
If Exeter wasn't contained, and the local Dead showed it wasn't, then it was going to get busy round here soon.
The Expressway should lead any herds of Dead away from Kenn, but it wouldn't catch them all.
So back to the here n now.
Colin hoisted the old ladder over the fence, gently, quietly, letting it lean on the flat outside of the barrier. The inside framing acting as its own ladder.
He carried only his makeshift spear. No backpack easily grabbed by the Dead, no loose clothing, his high workboots tight over his ankles.
Anything he could think over that he bitched about when watching horror movies.
Time to go. Offline GPS Map showed parked up vans at the bakery. Who knows how old the satellite picture was, but atleast I know their regular parking spots.
Parking spots round the back of the bakery, a good sign. Out of sight of the road.
Climbing his fat body over the fence wasn't exactly a ninja scaling a wall as he imagined, but Colin got over and dropped to a crouch on the otherside, looking around for Dead he hadn't seen.
Nothing. No growling. No staggering figures.
It would be a pleasant view if not for the situation.
He moved along the fence line and Hedgerows of the properties. As he moved into the more built up neighbourhood, more sounds greeted him from the otherside of those fence lines.
Not pleasant sounds either.
A crash of breaking glass came from one property, making him veer away briefly.
Another, a crunching, slurping sound of something eating.
Further away, screams of agony. Anguished calls for help.
Colin could not come to their aid. Or would not, not till he secured his own survival.
Can't help anyone. Not if it's gonna get me killed anyway.
After that, we'll see what we can do.
[ Contender Has Shown Empathetic Prudence. Intelligence Increase ]
Another increase huh? This thing come with a user manual?
Closing on the Bakery building, he hit his first problem. Three problems really
The first. A fence.
A chain link fence topped with razorwire coils. On three sides of the property.
Only the roadside was open to access the property.
Even without razorwire on top, I still doubt I'd get my fat ass over it. Not that I want to get over it so bad anymore.
The vans were there. Long wheelbase shiny white vans
And two other problems were Dead standing in the parking area. Two old men in highvis vests.
Who would for sure see him as he circled the fenceline.
So let them see me. You already know what to do Colin-me-boyo
Contender has Shown Tactical Analysis Ability. Intelligence Increase.
Are these Intelligence increases helping me? My plan here and now seems obvious. I'll take any advantage i can.
[ Contender Has Shown Ethical Opportunism. Well Done]
Stepping out in front of the fence, He started tapping the chain link with his spear.
The Dead turned as one at the sound, their previously catatonic state coming alive, so to speak.
They began their lurching pursuit of their prey, which just stood waiting for them.
Colin readied himself, the first Cursed being he was choosing to fight.
[Contender Has Shown Determination. Constitution Increased]
Man they were slow!
He leaned on the fence waiting for them to arrive, watching their movements and behaviour. Hyper-focused on him, they may not even notice another person.
Good Intel on the enemy.
[ Situational Awareness Increase ]
OK. So some kind of boost for judging the enemy and environment?
The first to arrive threw himself against the fence, trying to grab and bite its prey.
Colin put the tip of his spear between its biting jaws, driving the garden shear blade up through the roof of the Deads.
It instantly relaxed, turning from Dead to just plain dead, and fell to the ground.
It's partner stepped on its companion, and received the same pointed welcome.
[ Quest Complete. Cursed Being(s) Culled. Endurance Increased ]
Not so scary now are ya?
He jogged around the perimeter to the front of the building, a single Dead on the street hundreds of metres away, not paying him any attention.
He watched it for a moment, then lifted and waved his arms at it.
Still no reaction.
So crappy vision at a distance? Seems so. I'll wait for trying a sound test till I'm in the van.
Feeling more confident, Colin moved forward around the bakery building, quick and quiet, to the vans in the back parking lot.
The closer van he reached was unlocked, the back filled for deliveries.
But no keys.
The other van?
Unlocked.
Loaded up.
No fucking keys!!
Damn it!
Gotta look inside the building don't ya Colin.
He really hadn't expected the keys to be sitting in the ignition.
He just hoped he wouldn't have to search the building.
He scurried over to the open loading door and peered around the edge inside.
Clear right up to the double interior doors leading inside.
Creeping forward, he approached the doors, ears straining for sounds. Small windows in the doors showed only darkness.
Don't be a pussy Colin. Get in, get out. Go home.
[ Contender Has Shown Determination. Threshold Approaching ]
More bizarre shit. Just what I need.
He took a a breathe and stepped through the door. Straight into a Dead woman standing quietly facing away from him.
Literally walked right into her!
He almost screamed as he stumbled back through the doorway, tripping over his own feet, and landed on his ass.
Atleast he didn't drop his weapon. He raised it in defence, while trying to slide backwards to make space.
The Dead lady threw herself through the doorway on top him, impaling herself in the throat on the waiting weapon.
[ Contender Has Shown Tactical Agility. Reaction Speed increase. Threshold Approaching]
Colin twisted her sideway, slamming her on the floor and kicked her both to pull the spear and gain space.
The Dead woman gnashed her teeth at him.
But didn't move. Only her mouth moved.
Seconds passed she stared and gashed.
Standing up, Colin stared back.
Stabbed in the throat. Right through her spine I reckon.
[ Contender Has Shown Anatomical Analysis. Threshold Approaching ]
Later. I'll think about that cryptic message later.
An aimed thrust to her temple stopped all movement. He turned and headed back inside.
The door opened into a commercial kitchen, and office off to one side. A desk lamp spread light over the cluttered desk, a key box attached to the wall behind it.
He could see it was open and empty.
His head swiveling left and right for anymore Dead, Colin reached the office, scattering papers, hoping a set of keys were hidden under them.
Where could they be! The damn vans are loaded and ready to go for fuck sake.
OK. Walk the process. Vans are here already in the morning. Drivers load the vans for deliveries. Then the drivers...DRIVERS!
Colin ran back outside, sprinting over to the two Dead by the back fence.
The pocket of the first he searched rewarded him with one magical set of keys, tagged with a vehicle number.
YES!