Elion moved quickly but stealthily down the side corridor of the shopping mall. His movements were agile, as if he knew the place well, and his eyes moved cautiously, alert to any shadows.
Koen and Ethan followed close behind, weapons at the ready and breaths held.
The metallic sound of the infected continued to echo, farther away now, but still present like a threatening echo that would not fade.
—This way —whispered Elion, pushing open a rusty door that creaked slightly. A narrow, dark hallway opened up before them, the walls covered with mold and loose wires.
They descended a narrow staircase until they reached an underground tunnel. The smell of dampness was thick, but the silence offered a respite.
Elion stopped next to a rusty gate.
—This will take us to some distant streets... far away from them.
He turned the handle with effort. The door opened with a groan, letting in a breath of stale air.
They crossed one by one and walked in silence for several minutes. Only the echo of their footsteps accompanied them.
Finally, the exit appeared as a sliver of gray light at the end of the tunnel.
They emerged into a narrow alley, hidden between two collapsed buildings. Everything was calm there. For now.
Elion leaned against a wall, breathing deeply.
—I don't usually share information with anyone... —he muttered, looking seriously at Koen and Ethan—. But it wasn't in my best interest to stay trapped there with those... monsters.
Ethan lowered his weapon, but his gaze remained alert.
—We appreciate the getaway. But now we're going to need more than that.
Koen took a step closer, the shadow of concern still etched on his face.
—Those infected don't behave like that by chance —he said in a low but sharp voice. —If you saw them always heading towards the same area... I need you to tell me exactly where.
Elion hesitated for a second, then nodded slowly.
—To the southeast... near the old communication towers. All the movement seemed to be concentrated there.
His eyes narrowed, suspicious.
—Why do you care so much? Who are you looking for?
Koen held his gaze for a few seconds before responding in a grave voice.
—Our people. We split up days ago and our meeting point was near here, but there's no sign of them... something may have slowed them down, and that's most likely the case since the towers are one of the routes to get here.
Elion clenched his jaw and looked away toward the empty street. His brow furrowed, visibly tense.
—Listen... guiding you there is no walk in the park —he said after a few seconds, his voice lower—. That area is infested, and crossing it is practically suicide. I already got lucky once. I'm not sure I want to tempt death again.
Koen didn't look away.
— It's not just your life at stake. They could be trapped in there.
Ethan took a step forward, his expression hardening.
—You don't have to come with us the whole way —he said, more seriously—. Just show us a safe route. We can handle the rest.
Elion hesitated. He pressed his lips together, his expression caught between caution and something else... a spark of poorly concealed empathy. Finally, he exhaled, resigned.
— Then let's not waste any time.
He moved away from the wall and adjusted his backpack.
—I can guide you. I know shortcuts and less exposed areas... but if things get complicated, I'm not going to die for anyone. I hope that's clear.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a dry half-smile on his face.
—Seems fair to us.
Koen nodded seriously.
—Good enough for us.
Elion stepped forward, his stride determined.
— Keep up with me. And don't make any noise."
Koen took one last look at the empty alley, the weight on his chest heavier than ever.
Reize... Arika... hang on. We're coming for you.
Without another word, he set off after Elion, with Ethan at his side.
The wind whipped through the deserted streets as the first drops of rain began to fall on the ghost town.
And the race against time had just begun.
They moved quickly through forgotten alleys, following the routes Elion confidently marked out. The wind swept dry leaves and dust between the crumbling buildings, and the streets seemed deserted... but they all knew that didn't mean they were safe.
Elion suddenly raised a hand, stopping abruptly next to a cracked wall.
—Quiet... —he whispered.
Koen and Ethan crouched behind him, holding their breath.
From the main avenue, a few meters away, came a faint but unmistakable sound: the uneven shuffling of feet on the asphalt, mixed with clicks and low growls.
A patrol of infected slowly crossed the street, their twisted bodies moving spasmodically. Some wore shreds of clothing, others had fresh marks from fights. Their empty eyes seemed to be searching for something.
Koen swallowed, his fingers tightening on the handle of his knife.
Elion waited patiently for the horde to vanish into the shadows before moving again.
—We're close —he murmured, without turning around —. Just a few more streets."
They quickened their pace. The ground was slippery from the light rain that was beginning to soak the city. Koen's boots splashed through dark puddles, but he didn't slow down. His gaze remained fixed ahead. His mind repeated only one name.
Arika...
They were turning the last corner when Elion raised his voice, grave.
—There they are."
In front of them, a few blocks away, stood the communication towers. Giants of steel and eroded concrete, their rusted antennas cutting through the cloudy sky.
But what caught everyone's attention was what was at their base.
Hundreds of figures moved around the structures. Infected gathered in an unnatural swarm, circling, advancing and retreating as if responding to the same invisible impulse. Among them, some larger ones, with open, deformed jaws, roared in the rain, moving with disturbing ferocity.
Ethan clenched his teeth.
—Shit... I've never seen so many together in one place.
Koen narrowed his eyes, his stomach churning.
—What the hell are they doing?
Elion shook his head, his jaw tense.
—I don't know... but that's not normal. Something is drawing them there.
Koen took a step forward, assessing the possible routes.
His voice was a harsh whisper.
—Arika... Reize... if they're near that, we don't have much time.
Ethan frowned.
—What's the plan?
Elion took a deep breath, his expression hardening.
—We could go around the old office buildings, toward the east flank. There's less movement there... but it'll be a long detour. Or we could try to cross quickly via the pedestrian bridge, just to the west. It's more direct, but it's exposed.
Koen looked down for a few seconds, calculating quickly.
Finally, he looked up, determined.
—Let's go over the bridge. We don't have time for detours.
Elion clicked his tongue in resignation.
—You're the boss...
They checked their weapons one last time. Koen adjusted the strap on his backpack, feeling the weight of responsibility tighten his chest.
—Don't stop. Don't shoot unless necessary. And whatever happens... keep moving forward.
Ethan nodded, a tense half-smile on his face.
—I thought you'd never say something like that. I like it.
Elion let out a short snort.
—You heard the hero. Let's go.
With one last glance at the towers, the three of them started running in the rain. Their footsteps echoed on the wet concrete, while danger lurked around every corner.
And time was running out.