Smiths POV
It was sometime after midnight when I heard the first Pales start to shriek. I didn’t know why the den hadn’t been cleared yet, this was the second night. The wall guards were tripled up this night, again I had no idea why. I was sitting inside the checkpoint station on a chair. My job was to sound alarms in emergencies, but none really ever happened.
I stifled a yawn, it was going to be a long night. I couldn’t see anything eventful happening tonight. Except for the Pales being shot at. For the most part it should be a boring shift. The Pales shrieked and howled again, closer this time. It seemed they were approaching the base now.
The guards up on the wall started shooting now. Letting out controlled bursts, the
Zane’s POV I woke up to a nudge from Daniels’, I guess I had fallen asleep at some point in the Humvee. I looked over at him; tired as well as a little drowsy from sleep and asked, “What’s up?” “We are almost at an abandoned base a few miles away from boston. We had a hell of a night so it will be a great place to stock up and rest.” He said this very sadly. “What’s wrong?” I asked him directly. “Well I just lost my home man. I’m bound to be sad and depressed.” He said this very down and out. As if he had given up. He didn’t want to chat so I let it be. He had a point though. We were driving along the country backroads as highways would be congested in abandoned vehicles. I took in the beauty of the countryside. We were driving past a farm, the fields had overgrown and crops had either died or fought to survive against the weeds. Crops like corn and wheat were doing fine from what I could tell. It looked as if nature itself had taken over what was once tended to so tediousl
It has been ten years since the collapse of society in western nations as we know it. Ten years since the Pales took over and ravaged cities and local wildlife in their lusting hunger. Cities lay barren and falling apart, cars left lying and decaying, with towns also deserted. In the beginning the Pales had large numbers of them banded together to feed and ravage cities. They have since separated into packs around the country. They were hurt by UV light so many survivors of western society had adapted to live in high places or behind large walls with UV lights to protect them at night or travel during the day. The Pales were frightening, the biggest stood ten feet tall and was a formidable entity. They had claws to tear their prey apart like a lioness tearing into their own meal. A Pale’s arms hung very long and their legs were lengthy as well. Their heads were big and narrow filled with razor sharp teet
I woke up to the shrieks and howls of the Pales, they were close. Possibly near the entrance to the highway to the city. I held my breath as they got closer. Then an ear deafening shriek was heard outside of the tank. I put my hands over my ears and gasped. They must have followed the scent of the blood from my wound! They were in a frenzy right outside screaming, shrieking and howling. I could hear claws scraping the tank, leaving gashes in the armor. I couldn’t tell what time it was but it must have been midnight. I assumed that the adult Pales had gone for a hunt, found nothing and resided elsewhere from their nest. That was the only explanation as they were not present when I killed the pups. Now they were in a frenzy having found their pups slaughtered. This went on for hours leaving me exhausted by morning. I decided I would spend the day in the tank sleeping tomorrow, as I would be too tired to ge
I wake up from a peaceful sleep; no shrieking, howling or screaming. I open my bag, grab my can opener from its pouch and select a can at random. Minestrone. I open it and drain the can’s contents into my stomach. I didn't need to drink water since it was soup. I’m saving the MREs for when I'm surely hungry and can't find much, there are only 3 of them. I put the can opener away in its pouch, strap on my backpack and go downstairs. I checked the first cupboard to find it empty, the second empty and the third had tomato soup. I take it and put it in my bag now noticeably getting heavier. I look outside and see rainy clouds. Fuck,I thought. Then I notice a closet I didn't see on the way in, I open it and see a dusty umbrella. My luck is too
I woke up to a nudge from one of the soldiers, “Wake up we are in city limits.” he said gruffly. I read the sign on the way in “BOSTON.” The sight that befell me stunned me as I looked on in silence. Nature has overtaken everything As we drive down the streets through the city I admire the beauty. I see birds flying around and vegetation everywhere, the subways are flooded at the entrances and I spot a few deer which take off as they hear the engines from the Humvees. Cars are stricken with weeds and overgrowth. The roads were grassey as well as the sidewalks, I see a few rabbits along the way eating grass and weeds, they too take off at the sound of us approaching. I almost become serene with the beauty. The soldiers smirk at the look of wonder on my face, seeming as they had grown used to this beautiful sight.
I woke up to a nudge from one of the soldiers, “Wake up we are in city limits.” he said gruffly. I read the sign on the way in “BOSTON.” The sight that befell me stunned me as I looked on in silence. Nature has overtaken everything As we drive down the streets through the city I admire the beauty. I see birds flying around and vegetation everywhere, the subways are flooded at the entrances and I spot a few deer which take off as they hear the engines from the Humvees. Cars are stricken with weeds and overgrowth. The roads were grassey as well as the sidewalks, I see a few rabbits along the way eating grass and weeds, they too take off at the sound of us approaching. I almost become serene with the beauty. The soldiers smirk at the look of wonder on my face, seeming as they had grown used to this beautiful sight.
Daniels POV I walked towards headquarters and entered the door, I was greeted by a few people walking in. Two staff sergeants started to approach me upon entry, Mikels and O'reilly, I should mention Staff sergeant is the highest rank on the base. They were both short men about 5’5, Mikels had shaved brown hair with brown eyes, he was about 40 years old. O’reilly was a shaved blonde man also around 40, with blue eyes. Both of them were in uniform as they walked up and I saluted them. Mikels then said, “At Ease Daniels.” “Yes sir!” “How was your patrol of the town?” Asked O'reilly. “It was quiet sir.” I responded. “But me and my team came across a civilian who has lived on his own for eight years, we have br
Zane’s POV It took about an half hour but Daniels came back and dismissed Richards. He then turned to address me. “Alright so your destination is barracks J, bunk four. There should be a pillow and blanket there but if not check the closet near the bathroom. I’ll walk you there.” “Alright, I’m probably gonna take a shower and do some laundry. Been eight years since I did either of those. I’ve bathed in lakes where I could, but no showers and no laundry. I’m excited to be honest!” “I bet you are.” Daniels said this with a big bright smile. We moved past the headquarters into the tented area in silence. We got past the tents and suddenly it hit me that I didn’t know the camp’s name. So I asked him as we move