Everyone was gathered at the front entrance of the building, having removed the barricades. Andrew, Jun-hyuk, and Yumiko were making final preparations. Andrew laid out the plan: Jun-hyuk would move left, Andrew would go right, and Yumiko would take the center. Their job was to secure the path to Andrew's car, after which the other four would come out to retrieve the supplies.
After receiving several nods Andrew moved towards the door.
Carefully opening the doors, they stepped outside. Andrew shouldered the MP5, scanning for any infected. Jun-hyuk, after taking a moment to get used to the pistol, kept it ready in both hands, prepared to use it if necessary. Yumiko held her improvised spear in a stance that allowed for a strong, decisive thrust.
Their hearts were pounding faster. Everything that had happened the day before had left its mark. Car doors hung open, luggage and its contents scattered across the concrete, blood smeared on windows and pooled on the ground. Around the cars, not far from them, they could see shambling silhouettes moving aimlessly or standing still, covered in blood, with parts of their bodies missing.
As they neared Andrew's car, Yumiko, moving around another vehicle, came across one of the living dead lying on the ground. It was the disfigured form of one of the office employees who had left the day prior. Noticing her , the figure let out a guttural growl, reaching a hand toward her as it attempted to rise. Yumiko took a deep breath, steeling herself, then plunged the tip of her makeshift spear into the creature's skull.
Both Andrew and Jun-hyuk turned briefly to see what had happened, but the noise had already drawn the attention of several nearby infected. They quickly refocused on their surroundings. Andrew's grip tightened on the MP5, his pulse spiking, and Jun-hyuk felt the same. Andrew took aim at the nearest one, focusing on a clean headshot, then dispatched three more in quick succession.
Jun-hyuk raised his pistol, just as Andrew had instructed, aiming for the head. Five of the infected were closing in on him. His first shots went wide, hitting one in the chest and another in the throat. He forced himself to calm down, his trembling hands steadying as the next shot hit its mark. The creature collapsed. Two more tripped and fell, dragging themselves over each other in a grotesque crawl toward him. The remaining two shambled closer, growling lowly. Jun-hyuk shot another before it could get too close, stepping back as he did.
Yumiko moved in, finishing off the two crawling figures with precise thrusts of her spear. Jun-hyuk then put a final bullet into the last standing one. Once they were sure no others were immediately nearby, they gave the signal.
Anxious but determined, the four supply volunteers emerged from the building, backpacks in hand, and made their way toward Andrew's car.
While walking toward the car, one of the office employees in the supply team caught sight of his former colleague's mutilated body. His face went pale and he nearly threw up. Andrew quickly stepped in, getting his attention and speaking in a low, firm voice. "Don't look at the body. Focus on what we have to do." The man swallowed hard and gave a shaky nod.
The rest of the supply team had similar reactions — those who had known the man personally felt it even stronger. Their pulses quickened as they exchanged uneasy glances, but after a brief, tense moment, they pushed on.
Reaching the car, they opened the trunk. As Andrew had said, it contained enough canned food and water to feed everyone. While the supply team began filling their backpacks, Andrew, Jun-hyuk, and Yumiko kept a watchful perimeter around them, ensuring no infected got too close.
As Andrew scanned their surroundings, his eyes fell on the bus the teachers and students had arrived in. Along its sides, he could see small flags representing each group's country — America ,South Korea, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Canada. But what caught his attention was the presence of Chinese and Russian flags as well.
Yet, he hadn't seen any students or teachers from those nation's inside the building. Frowning, Andrew made a mental note to ask Jun-hyuk about it later. Now wasn't the time to get distracted.
After finishing loading the backpacks with canned food and water bottles, the group began heading back toward the building. Two of them carried the backpacks while the other two handled the large water jugs. They moved carefully between the abandoned cars, making sure not to make too much noise and risk attracting nearby infected. Andrew, Jun-hyuk, and Yumiko stayed close, weapons ready, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings as they made their way back.
Once inside, they quickly barricaded the doors again and made their way up to the second floor. Andrew asked Jun-hyuk for the pistol back, and he handed it over along with the spare magazines without hesitation. The improvised spear, however, remained the way it was , placed where they could grab it , if needed .
The water and backpacks were placed on a table, and the supplies were laid out. Everyone gathered around, relieved to see the food. One of the employees managed to find some plastic utensils and cups for them to use. As the cans were unpacked, the food was distributed. People were allowed to pick what they wanted, as long as no arguments started. Many were hesitant — not accustomed to eating canned food — but hunger quickly silenced any complaints.
Other employees brought snacks they managed to get out of the vending machine, and a plastic pump for the water jugs, making it easier for everyone to fill their cups.
While they ate, someone turned on the TV. Compared to yesterday's chaotic broadcasts, now it only displayed a government emergency message looping over and over.
"Emergency Broadcast: All civilians are instructed to proceed to the designated safe zones at the Atlanta Civic Center and Georgia World Congress Center. Checkpoints are active, and medical screenings will be conducted upon arrival. Remain calm, follow official instructions, and avoid all contact with infected individuals."
Most people sat in silence at one of the desks in the office , glued to their phones — either messaging family or desperately searching for more information online. Andrew did the same, scrolling through posts and news updates. It didn't look good. Social media was flooded with people sharing footage and stories of what was happening in different parts of the city and the world . A few posts mentioned the safe zones being established by FEMA , the police and National Guard.
Andrew frowned, the back of his mind recalling what happened in The Walking Dead's first season — how the so-called "safe zones" in Atlanta failed, leaving thousands dead and turned.
When everyone had finished eating, the teachers and students gathered together in one group, while the office employees did the same. Andrew figured they were likely discussing the safe zones. If they decided to head for one, he couldn't give them a reason not to , without raising suspicion . He had no intention of letting them die, but he also wasn't planning to stay and risk getting himself killed.
Lost in thought, Andrew didn't immediately notice Jun-hyuk gesturing for him to come over. When he approached, they explained that they had spoken with family and contacts in their home countries — it was happening everywhere. The outbreak wasn't limited to this city. Because of that, they'd decided to try and reach one of the safe zones. They didn't have the supplies to stay holed up in the office building and wait for the government to regain control, and they wanted to ask for Andrew's help, assuming he intended to go there as well.
Andrew hesitated for a moment, warning them that it might be dangerous, and that none of them could know for sure if the safe zones were truly secure. One of the students raised his phone, showing posts and photos about the safe zones — fences, checkpoints, shelters, armed security. They all joined in, trying to convince him.
After a moment, Andrew finally agreed to help them reach the safe zone, but made it clear that he didn't intend to stay. His plan was to leave the city as soon as possible and suggested that they should do the same . They were visibly relieved and grateful that he was willing to help, but one of them asked why he wouldn't stay, pointing out that it would probably be safer under the protection of the police and military.
Andrew sighed and answered, "As much as they say it's secured, I'm sure there'll be slip-ups. Someone bitten will eventually get inside, and it'll just be a matter of time before everything falls apart. I don't want to be in the middle of that. I plan to leave the city, find someplace safer, gather supplies, and take it from there."
His answer made them pause, several of them glancing at one another, doubt starting to creep in about heading to the safe zone. After a few moments, one of the teachers spoke up. "We should still head to the safe zone. If it turns out Andrew's right, we'll leave with him. In the meantime, we can try to get in contact with our embassies for help."
The others murmured in agreement.
Then one of the students raised a hand. When the room quieted, he asked Andrew, "How can you be sure that this… what we're assuming is a virus… is spreads through biting?"
Andrew thought for a moment before replying. "I saw it happen with my own eyes. And I've read plenty of posts from others describing the same thing."
Another student, speaking more to the room than to anyone in particular, asked, "But how is this even possible?"
Someone else suggested, "Maybe it's like rabies?"
Andrew shook his head. "It's better if none of you get bitten, whatever this is. Is worse."
A heavy silence followed, tension hanging in the air. Then Andrew spoke again. "When we were outside, I noticed the bus had Russian and Chinese flags too… but I haven't seen any of their teachers or students around."
The teachers exchanged looks before one answered, "They left a day early."
Murmurs spread through the students. Another teacher wondered aloud, "Did they know something? Is that why they left?"
"Maybe," someone else replied, "but it doesn't matter now. We should focus on what we do from here."
The group quietly agreed.
Erik suggested that they should gather what they needed and prepare to leave. At that moment, one of the employees approached them, saying they'd overheard the plan to head to the safe zone and wanted to come along.
No one objected.
After that, everyone scattered to get ready for departure. The remaining canned food and bag's of snacks were quickly packed, and water bottles were refilled from the jugs. Andrew made his way to his gear, methodically putting his equipment back on. He checked the duffle bag, relieved to find everything in order.
Gathering at the building's entrance, Andrew scanned the group, making sure everyone was ready. He received nods in return. Then, addressing them in a steady voice, he reminded them that, just like in the morning, he, Jun-hyuk, and Yumiko would take point, dealing with any infected they might encounter. Everyone else was to move carefully, stay quiet, keep close, and remain alert to their surroundings.
Once finished speaking , Andrew handed the Glock back to Jun-hyuk, along with two spare magazines. It was time to move.
Moving aside the furniture they had used to barricade the doors, the group stepped outside, Andrew leading, with Yumiko and Jun-hyuk taking positions on either side of the group for protection. Walking carefully and keeping a low profile, they managed to pass unnoticed by the undead wandering aimlessly through the street . The few that did notice were quietly and quickly dealt with — a clean headshot or a silent takedown.
At one point, an undead stumbled out of an alley. Yumiko reacted quickly, thrusting the spear into its skull. The group, startled by the sudden appearance and the grotesque sight of what was once a person, managed to stifle their screams.
They continued moving, weaving between abandoned cars , managing to leave the jammed road without much trouble — until the sudden crack of gunfire echoed from nearby. Everyone froze. Andrew motioned for them to take cover behind vehicles.
Unfortunately, one of the office employees chose to crouch beside a wrecked car without realizing its driver was still inside . The undead lunged at the employee, biting deep into her neck before anyone could react. The woman's scream shattered the tense silence, startling the entire group.
Yumiko moved fast, driving her makeshift spear through the undead's head, but it was too late. Blood poured from the woman's neck, and though a teacher rushed to her side, trying to stop the bleeding with a towel handed by a student, it was futile. She lost too much blood too fast, choking and gasping before falling still.
The teacher's hands trembled as she withdrew, her palms slick with blood. Andrew approached, placing a steady hand on her shoulder before gently asking her to step back. She nodded, dazed, and rose to her feet. With just a moment of hesitation, Andrew raised his MP5 and fired a single round into the dead woman's head.
The shot drew shocked reactions. Someone demanded to know why he'd done it.
"She was bitten," Andrew answered grimly. "She would've turned."
"But she's dead!" someone protested.
Andrew gestured toward the street they'd come from. "So are all of those walking around — until you destroy the brain, they don't stay dead."
Before more could be said, the distant rumble of engines reached their ears. Turning toward the sound, they spotted two Humvees approaching from down the road. And from behind them, the now all-too-familiar guttural growls of the undead.