Chapter 9 Glimpse of Hope

May 25, 2191
Saturday, 10:00 Military Time
Days had passed and we were still staying on the rooftop of that same building. I creased my forehead. Or was it a week already? I lost track of time.
Thankfully, there were no signs of drones or any aircraft that surveyed the place but the problem emerged one by one as the supply of the water in the tank had already depleted and the zombies had appeared on the streets around the area of this place. Jayson speculated that some of them would have probably been inside the building and were searching for any living being inside the area.
It was a wrong move that we remained here for that long. But where would we go? It was the safest place we knew yet and the stake of looking for people below has no guarantee that we'll survive another wave of zombies.
No help from any particular authority came back and we had already expected that since the past days had been silent and what we only did during those despairing hours was to wait for Li to get any signal from his radio. But all we just heard was the buzzing noise on his headset for days and we're starting to lose hope.
We rationed our food and we only have two days left until we die with an empty stomach.
"It's the last five bottles of water." Timothy gazed at the bottles of water on the table and swallowed. We were all looking tired and vulnerable due to a lack of sufficient nutrition. We've been just eating canned goods and confectionery bars since we came here and my body was already yearning for real foods.
I occasionally thought of vegetables, especially a freshly prepared veggie salad and a basket of varied succulent fruits. Or maybe a chicken soup, beef stew, and buttered mashed potato...
Shutting my eyes so tight, I swallowed as I felt the rumbling sound of my empty stomach.
The day was hot and we had to stay under the shed of the tent. It was past afternoon and the prickling heat of the sun made me feel dizzy as I felt my sweat running down my neck. If this heat continues, we will all be wilted in no time, and having not enough water was the most unpleasant thing for all of us.
"F*ck!" Jason swore and threw his head back in disappointment. The sun was blazing hot up in the cloudless sky. At night, we had to huddle together to keep each other warm against the teeth-rattling cold. We might get significant kinds of illness and having no proper food to eat will make it worse.
Li was starting to get troubled and puffed harshly as he felt the distress of making the radio work. Mona was not moving from her side of the tent, looking as fragile as we were. Her face was ruddy and there were sunburns on her shoulder. I was scared that she wouldn't withstand this kind of weather.
We were all in a desperate time and we couldn't just stroll around this area, not knowing the safest place to go. It's either we perish in the hands of the invaders or get devoured by the infected.
The heat of the sun made me feel as if we were on a desolate island surrounded by undead sharks.
"We can't stay here any longer, Harriet. Tell me. What should we do next?" Jason asked for my idea as he wrinkled his nose from the heat, his face, sweaty. "I'm afraid a heatwave might happen any moment and we will surely be toasted here."
Timothy kicked the concrete wall out of frustration upon hearing what Jason said.
"I don't know," I said in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper. I looked down; feeling disheartened by the idea that we were all stuck in here and lifted my face at him. "While we do not know about what was going on out there, I'm not sure what will happen to any of us. I-I'm sorry. We could try to go down and look but I'm too scared. One of us might die while betting our lives looking for help that might not come." My voice broke and tears welled from my eyes.
Jayson's face softened. He walked towards me and embraced me. That was when I found out I was already shuddering in fear. I sniffed as sobs rose from my throat. I was appalled. Too scared to encounter those monsters again but I knew we had no choice but to face this nightmare together. I struggled to encourage myself that we'll survive this again. I really hope we will.
"Hey, hey... It's ok. We'll get through this. We'll find a way." Jason brushed my arm and he pulled me closer to his chest, trying to comfort me.
I inhaled and pulled myself together as I gathered all the courage that was still left in me. Jason gently released me from his arms and stared at me straight on my face. Although he was trying to reassure me, there was no mistake that I could also see the despair and fear in his eyes. He was also scared and he didn't hide it from me.
"Sorry," I recoiled from him, realizing his arms were still on both of my arms as I embarrassingly looked down and wiped my tears with the back of my hand.
"It's ok Harriet. You don't have to feel tough always."
I nodded at him agreeing and gave him an awkward smile.
All of our attention diverted as a shrill, distorted sound from Li's improvised radio device disturbed the silence of our surroundings. Li's face brightened with excitement and euphoria as we all walked to the small table where he placed the radio.
He unattached the cord of the headset from the equipment and connected a small speaker instead, so we could all hear.
"To all—" a distorted voice of a man spoke, the line was unsettled. "Here in the underground railway... this is your President—"
Timothy elbowed Li in excitement. "Fix it!"
"I'm trying!!!" Li yelled at him, his voice apprehensive. His trembling hand moved the antenna of the radio. We all struggled to hush a cry of excitement as we huddled closely around Li's work of art and listened intently.
"To all of the survivors out there and victims of the attack of the Scarlet Tundra, we provide food, shelter, and medical subsidy. Our nation is at war. We found out that the terrorist contrived a bioweapon and used it on the poor citizens left in the Basil Airport as a warning, and a way to reduce the population of the Arcania. They had been utilizing these poor souls to spread this frightening disease that would turn a person into a zombie. We call them Creepers instead."
"Creepers?" Li repeated the word.
"SHHH!" we shut him in unison.
He scoffed at us and focused on fixing the antenna again.
"We are calling all the survivors to evacuate and move in every bunker concealed in all subsurface railroads. I repeat. In every bunker concealed in all subsurface railroads. Stay Alive and God bless Arcania."
And then the signal went contorted again.
We all looked at each other's faces, not knowing what to say.
I felt like a heavy thing had hoisted on my chest as I breathed out. There was a small smile of hope on my lips. There would be a possibility that Carl and dad must be in one of the bunkers here. I couldn't wait to see them again!
Li flashed a proud smile at all of us, knowing that his work had given us a chance to survive this place while Timothy jabbed in the air in relief.
"I knew my uncle won't abandon his people." Timothy blurted proudly. Our eyes widened when we realized what he had said.
I wasn't surprised at all because I already knew his relationship with Flitzenberg. His father had great influence in Arcania and he used it so that the husband of his younger sister would succeed in the election. It was not difficult for them since the people needed powerful and influential leaders of Arcania. Especially since the economy here was starting to boom.
"The President is your uncle?!" Li exclaimed in disbelief, his one brow rose.
"And he"s the son of the famous Flitzenberg, the billionaire," I added to Li for his surprise.
He looked at Timothy as if his jaw would drop from his face.
"We'll overcome this. We just have to prepare ourselves and plan how to get to the nearest bunker here. Do any of you know the whole area of this city?" Jason asked, rubbing his chin. His brows furrowed in deep thought. "We have to know what the quickest way to the bunker is. We can not afford to march down there and search for it while the creepers are all over the place.
Jayson gave me an anxious look.
I knew this would be a suicide task but we have no other option.
We have to be prepared for it.