Chapter Two - Welcome to the Greenspot

 “May day! May day!! May day!!!”

 A hard blow on my head woke me up from a horrible nightmare, my eyes were sleepy heavy despite the blood dropping from my head, it took a while for me to realize that we're still in the chopper. 

“I've lost control!” The pilot shouts.

 Quickly, I grab my bag and fasten the straps. The chopper jerk again and this time it slammed me to the metal floor. My nose bleeds but as I tried to stand up, someone held me.

“Don't stand, or else you'll fall again” 

I turned to the person who just spoke, but due to the blur vision, I couldn't see clearly.

“Everyone, grab what you can, we're about to land”. The pilot announced again.

 Suddenly, a loud bang jerk the chopper again, but everyone already laid down waiting for the rough landing metal door suddenly burst open making the violent wind from outside whoosh in. The sound of the chopper blade slap reduced gradually and the free fall began. 

“Hold on tight!” A voice from behind screamed, then the loudest bang followed.

************

 “He's alive” a voice said.

 “Sure he's not going to die like that” another voice said followed by a giggle.

 I feel a soft touch on my face, but I find it hard to move. Quickly, I shut my eyes almost immediately I open them, my face was looking straight at the bare sun.

 “Let's dig him out” another voice said.

 The moment I open my eyes again, my heart dropped. My body is half buried in the sand, leaving my head dangling in the open.

 “Easy, I got you”. The voice said again, and I turned to look at the young girl beside me, blond, light skinned and her slim hands kept digging through the sand until one of the boys returned with a shovel.

 “We'll get you out soon” she assured me as the other guy kept digging. He's also blond, tall, and skinny, he had this long face and extremely pink lips, his cloud eyeballs kept looking at me while he shoves little particles of sand to my face anytime our eyes meet. 

 “Larry” the girl called, then he giggled. “Stop”.

 He plunges the shovel blade to the sandy floor, then he stretch his arms to me. “Ok, big boy, let's get you out of your grave”.

 He pulls my right hand while the girl pulls the left, they pulled me out instantly after the count of three. I laid on the sand for a while, then I finally stood on my feet.

 “I'm Mel” the girl said as she stretch forth her hand for a handshake. 

 “Adam” I said, clenching my left hand with hers. We stared at each other for a while until she squeezes my hand, at that moment I realized that we're still shaking hands.

 I quickly let go and turned to the gentleman who saved me as well. “Thanks”.

 He turned and shook his head. “Larry, nice to meet you”. He lifted his bag and joined the two other people in front.

 “What happened here?” I asked.

 “Our chopper crashed” she said pointing at the shattered parts of chopper remains.

 “How about the pilot?” 

 “Dead, he's human, not a meta. No normal person is capable of surviving such a fall” she lifts her bag and threw mine at me. “Let's go join the others”.

 There was a slight smile on my face when I zip my bag open, it has all I need. Guns, ammunition, knives, grenades, and a wristwatch. At first, I drew out my suit and take a closer look at it, there's a badge slightly below the collar at the left-hand side, while on the right there's a flag badge. Vertical green, white and green, Nigerian flag. Dr. Fred told me that I was part of the Nigerian army, that's where I got my training from. Though I don't know if he's telling the truth,, but it's certain that my fighting skill isn't inborn.

I placed six loaded magazines into my waist pocket, a six-inch dagger in my waist pocket, my two handgun into my knee holster. I carried my rifle after cross-checking other items in my bag before zipping. 

Furthermore, I sat up and marched to the others who were already dressed up. 

I sight another female but unlink Mel, her hair is dark, hair is kohl-black, and it plunged over her shoulders down to her waist. She has this narrow eyes and slender eyebrows, with a pointed nose slightly lower. 

“You are awake, finally”. She said as soon as I got closer behind her, I suspect she must have seen me through her sword reflection. 

“I'm Adam” I said. She looks at me and nods.

 “I know, I've heard about you. You are the person who delayed us by taking long to wake up from his coma”.

Slowly, she slides her sword into the red sheath beside her.

 “I'm Xiao, Xiao Ji-li” she said.

 “Ok then, it's nice meeting you” I said, then I leaned closer to her "are you Asian?”

 “No, I'm Chinese”.

 She sighed and wipe the sand off her pants as she walks out of me. What's the difference, Chinese and Asian should be the same thing.

I turned to Mel as she puts on an American flag bandanna with her hair slightly raised, her body was filled with knives like some kind of butcher. Larry, on the other hand, wore a red beret with the Australian logo in front. 

 “Attention!” 

 A man from afar called, and all of us rush to him. We had met earlier before embarking on this mission. Dr. Fred introduced him as the Captain to lead the mission, I also heard that he's the first meta that was recorded. He looked physically fit, six feet tall, huge, tall and muscular with tattoos on both arm. He's on a sleeveless shirt with several dog tags dangling on his chest.

 He pocket his two handgun as all stood still waiting for him to address us like a captain would. He looks straight at me for a while, then he starts talking.

“This is nothing like you've ever seen. As soon as you step in there” He pointed to the forest behind him, “That is the beginning of another life journey. I want you to keep in mind that we are doing this for the future, the fate of the world lies in our hands”.

 He paused and then reach for his pocket and distribute a small paper to each of us.

“Here are the three basic rules” He continued “Firstly” he said pointing a finger “On no condition should you be alone, wherever you go, go with someone. Yes. Even in the bathroom”.

 Larry turned to Xiao with a naughty smile on his face, she gave him a scornful look in return. 

 “If I see you close to the bathroom while I'm in… I'll cut that snake dangling in-between your lap”. She whispered

 Mel and I couldn't help it as we burst into laughter.

“Secondly” Eddy continues “the fact that you are now stronger and tougher than you used to be that doesn't make you Superman, call for help when needed, know when to fight and most importantly know when to flee”.

 “Thirdly, the plan may change on the long run, but. The goal remains the same..... Crystal!”

 “Clear.” We all chorused.

***********

(Ten minutes later).

 We marched into the forest, cautiously and alert. Xiao led the way, she's the one with the map showing on her tablet screen. 

Over the weeks, I have heard several rumors about how fierce and relentless the zombies can be, most especially when they see humans. My last training at the facility made me realize that you kill a zombie before it kills you. I can still recall the horrible look of those creatures, throughout the first night of my encounter with one, I couldn't sleep as image of the zombie keeps appearing in my head.

 Eddy suddenly stopped, impulsively, we all stood still and quiet.

 “What's wrong?” I whispered curiously as I hold on to my rifle.

“Shhh” he whispered, raising two fingers and points it forward, Mel and I marched. 

The rattling sound continued then the others squat and aimed towards our direction. The tall grasses begins to shake vigorously, slowly, Mel looked into her gun's aim lens, but still, the rattling keeps increasing. Whatever is approaching is coming towards us. She bent down with her rifle aiming towards the movement direction. A white bunny swiftly hops out of the bush, standing a few inches away from her with a small carrot in its mouth but, as soon as the bunny saw her, it bolts away dropping the carrot. I almost pulled the trigger when it hurriedly bolts past me.

“Relax, it's just a rabbit”. She said, then we stood up and lowered our guns.

 “Look!” Xioau said, pointing at a distance.

 We turned to see a brown wooden signboard with some words written on it with a blood paint. “YOUR LIFE ENDS HERE”.

 Captain Eddy scoffed then he shoots at the signboard which split instantly.

“Let's get going, we're close to the city” he said as he pockets his gun.

 I had a strange feeling as I walk past the signboard, feeling like someone who's about to fall into a pit filled with knives. I had to read it aloud to be sure of what I just saw,

 “Your life ends here” my eyes widened as I said it, I felt like it was written for me. The more I muttered it, the more it scares me.

Mel tap my shoulders. “You don't have to be afraid, come on you're a meta, you are as equally strong as what were about to face”, she sounded assuring as we keep moving.

 I nod and made a witty smile but deep down I'm petrified. Larry gave me a friendly punch as he passed by then he threw a black handkerchief at me.

 “Clean your sweat, scary pant” he said.

 I held the handkerchief then I turned to the signboard, but It's not there anymore. I had to look again to be certain that it's not a mirage, there was a signboard beside me just now. Where did it go? I asked myself. 

******

 “Here we are” Eddy said.

“What the hell happened here?” Larry asked.

“Apocalypse” Xiao replied 

We get to a wasteland which seem like once a city. Rotten bodies shattered around, insect feasting on the bodies, some were bloated while others are nothing but skeleton. 

“Let's move” Eddy ordered then we march forward. “Keep your eyes open, they could be anywhere” He advised.

I got closer to a car, there were dry blood stains on the glass, and a corpse inside; the dead body of a little girl whose throat has been ripped off, I felt sorry for her. One could wonder if people once lived in the half crumbled houses around, most were burned while others were tainted with blood stains. Such a horrible experience for those who were alive during the first wave.

 Though the mutation might have made me stronger than I used to, but there's one thing that remains in me; fear.

 “Stay close” Eddy said as he passed by me, I was still staring at the little girl's body. It was difficult for, but I had to look away and joined the others as we marched around carefully.

 “Anything?” Larry said, turning to Xiao.

 “Nothing, no movement of any sort”, she replied.

 “Where did they all go?” He asked.

 “Away from the light. This place is filled with Night walkers, they may be lurking and waiting for the dead of the night” Eddy respond.

The day was getting dark and night seems to be drawing near. Anytime from now the night walkers will be out. 

After a while of marching around, we finally get to an entrance of a half crumbled three storey building.

We stood in front of a giant black gate, then Larry drop his bag, he quickly zips it open and pull out a mini drone. He placed a chip on it, then he opened a smaller part of his backpack and pull out a remote with a small display screen in the middle.

“Ok, let's see what's inside”. He said as he taps a button, gradually the drone fly higher as we watch it move into the building through a broken window. Larry's eyes were fixed to the screen, while I stare at the door trying not to look around, the sight of the corpses terrifies me. 

After what seem like half an hour, the drone finally lands in front of Larry.

 “All clear, it's safe to go in”

Mel pulled the door handle vigorously, she sighed and let go, then she points her gun to it, but Eddy holds her hand before she pulls the trigger.

“If you shoot, it'll attract night walkers”. He said, then Larry stepped forward to pick the lock using a small flexible piece of metal, in less than a minute, he unlocks the door.

 We hurried in and Larry quickly shut the door. The irritating smell of corpse mixed with dust almost cause me to puke. Quickly, I cover my nose with my palms as soon as we stepped in. The whole place was filled with different sorts of irritating stuffs. Xiao coughs, then she pulls her neckerchief to cover her nose, while Eddy opened the windows for ventilation. The cool breeze coming from the window can reduce the dust at least, but the smell remains a problem. I reach for my pocket and drew out a small torch then I mounted it at the upper tip of my gun. 

All Objects in the house are covered in dust, cobweb with bodies of dead spiders all over the walls. The room is huge and spacious, it's no doubt a sitting room. 

There are two hallways at both side of the room, I wondered what's at the end of the hallways as I pointed my torch towards it, but all I see is pitch black. A portion of red liquid squirt to my body as soon as I stepped on something, in my mind I pray it's not what I think it is. My legs were still fixed on the floor as looked down to see shattered parts of flesh soak in blood and a mixture of brain particles under my boots, the liquid on my face begins to stink, my throat vibrate then I bit my lip trying not to vomit as I wiped the congealed blood on my face.

Dead bodies filled the whole room, lying around on each other. Unlike the ones outside, the bodies here are in military uniform. I wondered what really happened to them.

“Bullet holes”.

Eddy squat to touch the wound of the bloated body lying in front of him. He dips his finger into the corpse's neck, I looked away, then he sighed.

“This is no work of a zombie” He said.

“Zombie bodies outside, soldier corpse with bullet holes inside” Xiao said confusingly.

Mel drops a bullet she pulled from a corpse body, then she turns to Eddy.

 “These people are not killed by Zombies”.

“But where's their guns?” I asked after looking around without spotting any.

“Those who attacked them must have taken it”. Larry said.

“But who on earth attacks humans in the middle of an apocalypse?” Mel asked. 

Eddy called us to attention, “Whatever happened here is none of our business, we are not here for an autopsy, we have a mission to carry out” He turned to Larry “Night is drawing near, go fix the generator. The nightwalkers will flood the whole city soon”.

Larry carried his shotgun and backpack then he rushed to the room leading to a hallway, his footsteps echoed for a while then gradually it trailed off. Xiao and Mel mount the blue bulbs while Eddy and I dragged the bodies.

 That was the worst task ever, I smelled horrible, but it seems Eddy and the others aren't bothered by the bad smell.

Finally, the lights suddenly switch on , but I wished it never did. It makes the whole place looks more terrifying. The scratch and splattered dry blood on the walls complemented with bullet holes, one could not stop to wonder if it's the zombies who did this or something else or should I say someone else.

“Stay away from the window, they could see you” Eddy warned. 

Mel moved away from the window, she had been staring blankly at it, I wonders going on in her mind. 

Larry returned with his hands stained with black oil, he sighed and threw himself on one of the dusty leather chair drilled by several bullets, then he threw his backpack to the floor.

Xiao drew out her shinny sword, then she took a piece of clothing to clean it. Mel was busy with her sausage, eating without concern. 

 The piled up bodies at the corner made it impossible for me to think of eating, the smell worsens it.

 Feeling bored, I stood up and head towards the dark hallway, hoping to find one or two useful items.

************

 I walk carefully as my footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. Each room at the side of the hallways is lock, and I want to avoid barging in after encountering dead bodies in three rooms.  

A mouse startles me as it rush past me and jumped into a room through the open door. I followed it, trying to see what's in the room, unlike the others; it's pitch dark with no windows, I pointed my torch towards the wall in front which is marked by claws and blood stains as usual. There were photos of different female pop musicians on the wall, covered with dust. The dented mirror at the corner and pile of stained teddy bear proved the owner of this room is a girl.

I turned to the small table beside the bed, to see a small pink journal on it with the name 'Becca' written on it. The book is covered in dust, as soon as I pick it up, the dust tickled my nose, but I tried to hold back sneezing. 

'My escape plan' I read out slowly, and I felt sorry for whosoever wrote this, I wondered what she must have been through, I hope the plan was successful, but my hopes were filled with doubt.

I marched out of the room with no tangible item to take. The bulbs were blinking, few were bright while the others were no brighter than a torch with an old faulty battery. A footstep echoed to my ear from behind. Quickly, I drew out my handgun, turned and aimed at the human figure behind me.

“It's me…. Mel” she said with her hands raised.

 The sudden rush of adrenaline reduce, then I lowered my handgun and shove it into my waist sheath. 

“Don't sneak up on me like that”.

“I wasn't, besides, remember the rules; you don't walk alone”.

“Yeah, I was just checking the rooms to see if there's something useful”

“Did you find anything?” 

“No, just a pile of dead bodies and nothing else”

 “Oh my” she said, pointing behind me. Her eyes widened.

“What?”

“Behind you”

 My heart raced as soon as I turned to see what Mel is pointing at. The terrifying sight sent a shockwave from my chest to toe. I stood a distance apart, while Mel moved closer and place her palms on the glass filled with ice bodies.

“What the hell happened here?” I asked.

“I don't know, I think we should go check it out”

Mel hands over her torch to me then she held on to the door handle and pull it aside, the door slide open then she stepped in. My body hairs stood erect as soon as the ice current hit my skin.

After a few seconds, I began to shiver. But Mel didn't feel bothered by the cold. Unlike the other bodies outside which are exposed, these still look fresh and alive.

 I bent down to observe the corpse in front of me, the frozen body of a beautiful blonde lady, probably in her thirties, got my attention.

 I looked all over her body, but there's no bite mark of any sot. She is human.

“They are all humans”, Mel replied as he accidentally pulled off the arm of a corpse.

“What's really going on?” I asked.

“Well, my best guess is that these people must have locked themselves into this place to avoid the apocalypse?”

“No one in his or her right senses will run into a cold room just to hide from a zombie which is certain that they may die later”.

Mel turned to me with a strange look on her face, she narrowed her eyes then she shook her head. “You are right, it's either someone locked them in here, and leave to freeze till death”. She pointed to the glass door which is still open “There's no lock from the inside”.

"This makes sense now, the cold room is solar-powered that's why they have been freezing all these while, the only lock is from the outside. But who the hell could do such a thing?”

Mel walks past me. “I don't know” she said as she got behind me. “Let's get out of here”.

I looked at the bodies one more time and hope none of them is Becca.

******************

The others were still awake when we returned. Xiao is busy with her tablet, Larry ears were plugged with earphones, Eddy is still seated on the dusty couch staring at us.

"Should we tell them?" I whispered to Mel, as I drew my face closer to her ears.

“Tell us what?” Eddy asked.

“Nothing” Mel blurted out. But I don't think it's a good idea to hide secrets from the others.

I opened my mouth to speak, but a loud blasting sound made me paused as the whole room turned pitch black, my heart raced knowing that in no time the night walkers will be here. 

“What happened” Xiao asked, pointing her torchlight at Larry.

“I don't….”

A loud interrupting growl form outside cut Larry's explanation short. The noise must have attracted them, and the darkness serves as a green light.

“Everyone! Get ready!!” Eddy said as he reaches for his sheath and drew out his handgun. Mel and I rushed to pick up our rifle, Larry carried his backpack and torch

“I'll go check it out” He said as he hurried past us.

 Xiao sheath her sword to her back and pull out her gun. Everything was happening so fast. We all stood facing the door, waiting for what's going to happen next. The entrance door is lock and I hope it holds them down. Larry is taking longer than expected, I looked at my wristwatch, It's half past one, we still have a long night ahead.

 The thumping sound of thunderous footsteps heading towards us, accompanied by hungry moans very loud and terrifying, one could only wonder how many they are. The more closer they get, the more the ground shakes.

The bang at the door was so loud and disturbing. Their noise didn't do any good to the situation, my best guess is; they are doing it to attract others to the scene. My heart pound with every bang, as sand particles fall from above then suddenly the chandeliers fell from the ceiling, a loud clattering sound echoed all over the room making me to twitch.  

We stood far from the door with our guns pointed straight at it.

The bang suddenly stopped, and this makes me more worried. 

“Are they gone?” Mel asked.

Eddy shook his head, “I don't think so”.

A ragged looking man jumped through the shattered window, his left eye is missing, his nose is scraped off, part of his face looked chewed off with no cheek covering his scattered teeth, his pale skin proved how long he has turned, only a few strands of hair is left on his white head. He rushed towards us with his bent legs, moaning with his disfigured mouth. But he dropped as soon as a bullet burst his unsteady head.

The banging at the door continued and in less than a minute, the whole room was filled with zombies jumping in through the windows. 

 “Ready” Eddy shouts  while we corked our guns.....

”fire!”