At the front of the entrance to the town, John and the siblings followed the man's instructions. Just a peek, John made an observation. By focusing his eyes to the very end as they calmly walked onward, the man that gave the order stood next to a few men and on them they had positioned themselves with lethal weapons, weapons meant for range. The guns varied. John's eyebrows raised up, and for whatever reason, he had a hunch that this men were not to be triffled.
When John and the siblings came close to the entrance, one of the men spoke heavily, "Stop right." They did - it was Tahira who stopped head first then John. For Tahira to stop suddenly meant she must have noticed these men as well.
_______________________________________________________________
At the Lossiemouth town, front entrance....
The front entrance to the town seemed heavily fortified, or at least that is what the locals tried to achieve. From left to right, it seemed as if their best efforts were to seal all the walls and fences, and create new ones, with whatever they could salvage from their available supplies. If they needed more, they had the tools to cut down trees. The trees made for a good reason to create wooden spikes and traps. It also providee the perfect fort with walls made entirely of wood.
The things coming from the outside, wanting to invade the town wasn't something of a surprise. Apparently, news broadcasting and radio channels warned of the infection. But the warning came too late. Mixed feelings arose from the sight of violent images and people getting killed out of the blue, plenty of locals became skeptical, agitated, anxious and some even calling it hox. Evidently so it proofed futile. Only a few days later did they realize their mistake and made sense of the whole news.
One attacked and killed did they realize. For a moment they killed it, it wasn't the end. Beyond the town's walls the turneds came from all over the place. Armed with a leader whose sole goal he did to respond, gave the locals and the town a chance to overcome the problem.
The town wasn't much said of a protected place. Neither time wasn't on their side, but the town did eventually settle down and the interior and exterior had been fully put under control. Four exits - the Main, the back, one leading to an old road, and a private one - spots were held under strict rules. The fourth was left to a private landowner; one that the people couldn't take control of even if they wanted to, for he wasn't much of a person to deal with kind negotiations.
Next few days, during midday, two Tower posts stood firm. These watch towers looked over the exit leading to the old road. Capable men, who could be trusted and admitted were assigned to the place. There objective and target was: to ensure that nothing passes through the entrance. That also meant the turneds who were coming from that side in numbers.
As if it was like a normal day, two men entrusted with a rifles stood on the side, aimed, and took out the remaining turned's that came walking their way. Bang! - One of the shooters fired. The shot hitting the target falling to the ground. He shot multiple times again and ultimately took out three in a row.
On his right, the other men eyed him indifferently. With a swift movement, he aimed and lucky for him took out the last turned. The first shooter wanted to take it but inevitably he didn't need to. At least they didn't have to worry.
Overcome with excitement, the first shooter was first to speak after they finished, "Hey man, I thought you wouldn't get, but I guess I was wrong." He joked.
"It's fine sir, I think I've got the hang of it," the second shooter said confidently. He lifted his rifle and suspended it on his shoulder with the a rope attached.
"Well," the first shooter said a bit puzzled and challenged, "If that's all, I hope you'll do great recruit." He joked again.
Aside from being a called a recruit, the second shooter didn't like the term he used. At an age of 17, he willingly thought of himself as an adult. A person who can make his own decisions. And as of what he is doing there, at the frontal defense, he just voluntarily volunteered to help out.
His captain, or his assigned leader, was the man who is complimenting him right now. He is in his 40's. Someone like that should be old, but to his surprise he was no where near that. His looks said otherwise. A sharp nose; short blonde hair; light blue eyes and a manly jaw. He still looked perfect at his age. Standing at around 5'9, he had the physic of an almost possible bodybuilder - though appearance hidden by clothes - the first shooter had a chance to see in person, without his shirt on. It was stupendous.
As for the first shooter, he looked ordinary and bland; just like the rest of the folks. He wanted change. Joining the day to day team, on watch-out duties was one thing expected to benefit him greatly. However, the first shooter didn't quite like the duty hours. Not that he hated it, but because the captain was there. He disliked him. He was a good person, the captain really - to others anyways. The only reason: he had to do with family.
After taking care of the rest of turneds, a guy below the two shooters standing on ground level raised his voice and asked the captain, "Sir, is everything done."
The captain replied, "Yes it should be," with a expressiveness.
"But what about the bodies. Is it alright to just keep them there, won't it attract animals nearby?" The guy asked awkwardly. The guy, reluctant to ask, needed reassurance that unwanted attention won't be caused by the dead rotting corpse. He sounded worrisome.
To the lead captain - he looked at the corpses- he too knew of certain risks. He turned back and said with a soothing demeanour to alleviate the situation. "We'll round them in the night, for now we have duties. Is that clear!" He gave a hand gesture/signal to the man.
The man nodded in agreement.
Being the leader and all, the captain keeps things, up to wraps. The position to take arms, lead the way, and guard the entrance had little to do with his decision. Awhile back, he was just a normal lead farmer if you could call him that. Strong and fearless he always made a job well done. People admired him. The 17 year old kind of looked up to him as well, at a certain way. But when the news broke out, and the town experienced an incident that that almost broke into chaos, he acted free-willingly. After that he was the few among the locals to be selected by a majority vote. He gladly accepted it - because for some reasons there was no other way. If not him, then who; for a town that hasn't seen a bit of sunlight from the outside, there isn't a single person but them to go around. A painful matter too, the locals, a majority of them are old - some still capable and others bedridden.
The 17 year old though hates to say as he stands and watch the captain, he feels beaten. The whole volunteering gig was for him to at least pay him some improvement. But. Compared to him and the captain he doubts he's ability. What should he do then?
As the 17 year old contemplated, the captain walked softly towards him and with a snap of his fingers, woke the kid from his thoughts - Flick! "WAKE up kid," the captain said abruptly.
"What, huh," the kid shocked cleared his mind from the distraction.
"Don't sleep on the job, your on duty remember," the captain reminded kid in a fitting manner.
He gulp. "Yes sir," the kid replied as if he heard it the first time with a tight grip to his voice. Sure the kid was thinking - yet he had a difficult time. His eyes flicker. His breath slow like a windmill. Mind feeling frail. The kid's body movement show signs of seismic vibrations, almost as if he was going inbetween wake and sleep.
When the captain saw the kid's tiresome self, he too knew the outcome of their duties. For a person to volunteer meant that a good night's rest is a rare possibility. While they guard, their families may sleep properly. Although it's not a bother for him, and his other members on the watch, it is for the young lad. Turning to young kids to join the guards isn't worth it. Not even for him.
"Hey kid," the captain said, "Take that there," he handed him a covering cloth. "GO on, you know what to do," the captain added one more time.
"No sir, I'm good I can—"
"No you won't. Get some rest, and I can't have my team falling asleep while on guard."
"Yes sir."
It happened without a complaint. The 17 year old went as he was told to. He felt ashamed. He was supposed to be on guard but now he thinks of him as just a failure, not entirely. Of course, the captain said what he did, he didn't want him to fail. He wanted to refute but accepted it anyways. Later on, he may prove himself useful some point.
~~~~~~
Quiet. That was the word that described the feeling as of now. With the captain at a wood and metal platform reinforced to the walls for standing on watch and look-out, the time passes as it goes. For the captain, it seemed that a couple of seconds passed nut really it was minutes or even hours - finding it odd even though he hasn't checked the watch - and a few other team members on ground level did their duties diligently. As the captain looks over the wide open field, it seems to absolutely be free of noise - no incoming hostiles, either. The team members did their job on point as well. Just about their patrol around the walls, limited to a certain range, the guys have not found any sort of abnormalities that could go wrong. It was safe to assume that the area was clear for the day.
"Did you find anything!" The captain shouted from above when the guys returned from their routine duties.
"No sir, everything is clear," one said, "Yeah same," another confirmed along with others nodding there heads with certain confirmation of their legal truths.
'That's weird. It's like they all disappeared?'
Just as everything was going smoothly, the sudden arrival of footsteps alerted one of the team member which his attention quite caught him off place to react - and react to who exactly it was. Far from where they stood (the team members and the captain) a group of men where headed their way, faster and faster.
"Uhm, sir, I think we've got a situation," one of them shouted to the captain and pointed at the upcoming men. Reaching his ears, partially distorted, the captain didn't know what was the commotion his comrades where whining about. Analysing just the hand of that person pointing in a direction, he got the gist of the situation. The soon arrival of the men and a ruling leader walking infront of them, themed a rough question. He wanted to ask what exactly where they here for. Aside from sitting in comfortable chairs all day, rather than being a contributor to the defensive side, what could they really be coming here for.
Arrived at the inner entrance, the group of men and their leader beholded a scene for all to see. The leader of the group was a man named Samuel. On his side and rear were armed men; carried or strapped on them some unique weapons.
Since the relevancy of their appearance popping out of nowhere is of the captain's own responsibility. He jumped down the platform with a flattering descent and then walked to Samuel as not to take provoking sets of moves. Luckily for him, he knew too well what was right and wrong. He walked gentler than he usually does but didn't stop him from talking in his a way he usually do. "So it seems the lion has come out of it's Dan, the lion accompanied by his trusted supporters. For my group is but only mere to defend. So tell, why does the lion prey on us - the weak." The way he said it conveyed a message. He taunted, maybe a little.
Gritting his teeth, the sheer words from the captain triggered Samuel. He was about to pop. Though wanting to engage in a frenzy, the boiling temper in him lowered quickly, revealing somewhat a cool composer. Instead of a tantrum, he rather got straight to the point for his arrival. "Enough of your silly games LETCHAD! I have no time for such trivial matter.....but what I want to know, is you!"
Letchad is flabbergasted; usually the guy is triggered so easily, however his tone changed. Full name Samuel Kilmore is one of those guys that will eventually take things too seriously even if it is a joke. He was a normal guy. Before the whole incident took everybody by surprise he used to help out with Letchad. They were friends - partners if you may. But after awhile, things happened so instantly that people took different paths, some going astray as so for other folks who remained.
Seeing Samuel as a top figure was confusing to say the least. Letchad remembered him in a different fashion; not in the way he is now. From humble beginnings to a bitter end he was as old as an antique relic.
It didn't register in his head as he wanted it to be. "Well. You going to answer," Samuel said as if he was about to blow up.
This enraged Letchad. "What do you want?!" He battled him with a striking question.
Samuel replied, "You know what I mean!" he said coldly.
Although uneven with Samuel's questioning, Letchad didn't budge. Their eyes gazed at each others. He was feeling a broad instinct to hold his ground. Fairly enough, this growing situation could escalate. With unique guns on their side; what was the reason not to bring them along. It sounded fishy.
'Just what are you doing,' Letchad fastened his thoughts. He didn't say a thing. He stood his ground; there he wanted to make a point until he knew what really was going on. Why did he change his attitude? Why come with men bearing guns more dangerous than their older models?
At a point where Letchad didn't respond, he took it upon himself to make a forward approach, backing up and hailed a serious spectacle.
"So this how you want to be!" he said openly as everyone turned to him, "Then it's settled: Letchad, you and your men, are to vacate this area immediately!"
When Letchad heard it the feeling of relief turned off like almost on the very surface of the scorching sun. "WHAT!" He declared his dissatisfaction.
The information didn't stop there. Samuel continued. He then put further emphasis on his presence and so-called authority. "Anyone who objects may seek the major for details. For no other reason, your position is no longer helpful. NOW OUT!"
To enhance the taste of order for these men who have been up to the bone when the whole incident started, he point with his finger in the other direction. A direction leading them jobless.
Letchad couldn't have anticipated this sudden wave of information that flowed into his mind, and the sheer audacity from just one man. That man who regarded as a friend, and family, was no more. Standing right before him, he saw them as if he was the boss, bossing them around and looking down on them like a poor, disgraceful and sickening puppy. His eyes and character said it all; his eye pupil as if soaked in red and expression looking like a Tyrannosaurus.
How? Who? Why even command such a thing? They really think they can get away with it. Can they.
Not about to lose, Letchad stepped in, otherwise he proved weak to defend their side of these terms. "I don't get what your on about, but you have no right to take over," he pat his chest with an open palm, "If you haven't forgotten, I'm still part of the majority vote. What authority do you have, but only an appointed agent on behalf of the town's folks."
Irritated, Samuel was becoming unstable to keep his cool. "What did you say!" He turned his head.
"I said what is right; besides your duty as a lap dog trained to take orders from your superior-"
"DAMN YOU, you PIG!"
"Yeah, that's right. You know I'm right." He added a taunt, "No proof, huh."
Between the two opposing sides, Samuel's gunmen were on edge, and so was Letchad's men training their weapons sharp like an eagle. Letchad was quite calm for his side, although he provoked them too much, it was purposely done - and it over-exceeded his expectations. If they were to engage it would be disastrous astrous. Letchad knows this. He wants them to act, and he perfectly grasps the consequences if they do fire.
Until that fight could come into fruition, there was an unexpected turn-about that caused the collapse of the situation on hand.
Down on ground level, a watcher (Part of Letchad), sounded a stressing call. This watcher was close to the entrance so he knew what he was doing. "SIR WE'VE GOT MOVEMENT 12 O'CLOCK AHEAD THE FIELD!" The watcher burst out into an incredulous alert.
Everyone who was at the base had a real eye-opener. They responded quick.
"What! Now!" Letchad hesitated.
Apart from all this commotion, Letchad just wanted to scare Samuel away. But it seems that wasn't the case. He and everyone were left speechless, except Samuel.
Recognising an opportunity just hovering above the air for him, Samuel took it upon himself and step out of his boundaries. Stalling for time didn't suit the current mass they were in, instinctively so, he indiscisively waged his supposed measures.
"We'll take it from here." He assumed.
"W-what, are you doing," Letchad asked painstakingly. Samuel added a bit, "If you don't move, we'll have to use force." It is there a few of his men slightly responded with their weapons jolted when they got closer.
It seemed his plan is not cutting out about now.
Placed with unprecedency, Letchad has an unsteady conclusion - the odds staked at his favor. Reason for there arrival was just something else. It didn't fit anything he remembers, unless somethings come up, and he's one of those people who is blamed. Whatever the case is, the only solution was to sort it out with major, since that's where the source lied at probably. But by the time he could discuss any concerning matter with the higher ups, something has to be done - with Samuel's short-term skirmish - so he can leave out of this area unharmed.
In search of a suitable decision it dotted on him as he gave out a sigh of misfortune. Whether he like it or not, it was best to let it slide. With that, he inevitably let Samuel and his men pass through. He spoke as he, still the captain, will resolve the issue afterwards, "Right. Put your weapons down folks."
The team members were unrelenting at first but came to realize the second the captain spoke again. "It's alright, we will let you pass. Everyone, put your weapons down. I'm sure we can come to terms."
Although he said that this matter could be resolved without either side entering into a fight, he didn't expect the plan to possibly backfire at a fast rate. This was done when Samual didn't have care in the world and just walked past him.
But one thing is forr sure, that Letchad wasn't going to let it slide, as before Samuel was about to pass him. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said in calmer voice, "I hope you know what you're doing," he looked Samuel in the eye.
For Samuel to accept he wouldn't - as he simply brushed of the hand - and walked away again, even a bit tougher retrieving his shoulder as he swung it back to the side.
Samuel just left.
~~~~~~
"You there," Samuel ordered to the man that alerted. "What do you see?" He asked him what was going on the other side.
It took awhile for the watcher to respond but when the time came he openly talked. He said as he simplified it to the best of his ability, "Movements of silhouettes are walking towards the entrance sir."
"What do they look like?"
"Unable to tell sir. I can't make out the characteristics from here, visibility....is weak."
Then, Samuel told one of his man to hand him over, something onto his left hand.
"Here, catch this," Samuel said as he threw the item above.
The watcher was spooked. The item was about to slip off his hand. His hands fiddled with the item trying to catch it until for a second he ultimately grabbed it. His off hand holding it tightly in a clumsy manner.
"Shhhhh," Samuel sighed like he was surrounded by idiots. "NOW GIVE ME A REPORT," he once said again with a deep and a little meager accent.
The watcher used the item: a pair of binoculars.
He searched the area once more. To his surprise, the figures went at there place. Thinking he might have lost them, he hurriedly looked else where but was stopped when silhouettes closing on the gate, this time much closer. That must be the figures, he thought.
The watcher chose to climb down and inform the new captain.
When the watcher climbed down, Samuel was moved somehow. Maybe this time at least someone can listen for once, he thought.
"Sir, here to report."
"What is it?"
"If I'm being frankly honest sir, it's doesn't suit the descriptions of turneds....."
"What! Then what is it?!"
The watcher gulped. "There people, sir. I-I think.....there survivors."
~~~~~~
Letchad's guys were then told that their duties have been suspended temporarily. Meaning they'll be out of work; until then, they will be heading back into town. If not, they'll help out with the locals. However, he told them if something comes up they'll be back to their duties in full-action.
It was just Letchad - a lone wolf - and one of his group member that wanted to stay behind. Tagged the ex-captain along, for a reason he couldn't tell; but the captain knew.
"Sir, what do we do now," the comrade nearby asked.
"Don't worry. We'll just watch from the corner; keeping in touch for today," he stayed affirm, "....Then I'll discuss this with the mayor. Hopefully, I'll get to the bottom of it."
The comrade slightly twitched.
Letchad waited and watched how Samuel and his crew would do their job. Five minutes went and the sound of a gunfire lit the sky.
BANG!
BANG!
Another shot rang after the other.
"It seems their doing Our job then."
"It sure looks like it.
Letchad didn't know what was really going on that side. For all he knew that they must be handling the sudden appearance of turneds. But was it really though?
Before Samuel and his friends came around giving orders, there weren't any turneds when he was incharge at the time. On top of that, his men did a thorough sweep of the walls, looking for abnormalities. For some reason, the turneds, as they liked to call them, had no apparent appearance afterwards. So while that may be the case, what were Samuel's men firing at nowadays?
As if they wouldn't get an answer from the likes of the state they were in, the answer came at a moment of desperation, and in light of that, a voice aside from Samuel's men leapt across the walls along the lines of a soft pushover.
Kids?
Letchad reacted normally with an impact on his thoughts, pondering why he heard that type of sound. On his face, he had the. word 'stupefaction' written all over him.
It is uncertain.
After taking in a deep breath to clarify if he was just imagining the whole thing, the gates of the entrance - made entirely out of wood and a few metal pieces for strengthening the frames - promptly oscillate forward, opening the gate at a full stop.
What came entering the entrance, he didn't understand if it was real or not; not only him, but mostly everyone there. For once, they thought nothing could survive the outdoors, but they were wrong, and in their presence were survivors.
The distance between him and them was quite far, but it didn't mean the view wasn't that bad; in fact, he still proved resilient to make a fine adjustment. He stayed at a safe spot and took into recognition who these people were.
In front of them (unknown people) it was: a woman at first, a man and two girls from behind.
The first woman, if she was one, looked younger and was taller than the two girls. She wore a loose-fitting brownish shirt. Her pants, an overall murky and bright, had a certain looseness fashion to it.
Compared to the two girls, they were entirely different. One big and one small. The little girl had a bean bag-type of hat, and an oversized black hooded long-sleeve sweater jacket. The pants are a simple tone of colour.
Apart from her, the big girl had the same as the women's shirt this time, white with a bear image. And instead of long pants, it was just shorts ending on the knees.
Besides the girls and all, the man who was in the middle had just the type of clothing seen in that of a hiker and an outdoorsman.
It was a zipper jacket, military-themed with an undershirt. The same goes for the pants but exchanged into an urban style. To further add realism, his feet accommodated a pair of fairly track boots to go along, a nice touch to it.
While Letchad was too keen on analysing who these people were, his moment was gladly interrupted when a fight broke out. It was the big girl. She was being pulled by Samuel. As if the situation couldn't get worse, the man got in front, splitting them apart.
Though this resulted badly, making Samuel upset.
So in spite of the trouble that was brewing, Letchad instantaneously stepped in to stop them from hurting innocent people.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Letchad said behind Samuel. He turned to see who it was.
BAM!
Samuel was punched in the face as he rolled on the ground.