Zombies Doomsday

Chapter 3: Traitors Fall

The train platform was really dark. It felt like the air was crushing us. The only light came from three flashlights that were moving around like crazy shining on the concrete pillars. The air smelled bad like something was. It was damp and metallic like the old subway tracks. Little bits of dust were flying around in the light like they were scared of something.

Idris Cole was standing still his boots on the floor of the broken train car. He was not hiding he was just standing there breathing slowly looking into the dark. Rhea Knox was standing next to him she was still too. She was holding a pistol and her hand was not shaking at all.

They did not say a word. The silence between them was like a heavy thing, different from the scared energy coming from the tunnel.

Rhea looked at Idris. She was still trying to understand what was happening. She could feel something inside her like a warm golden energy that was making her stronger. She used to be a fighter but now she felt different like she could do more.

It was all because of Idris. He was a scavenger but he was not like the others. He was standing there looking at the lights. He was not scared. His eyes were dark. They looked really sure like he knew what he was doing. Rhea was a little scared of him she had never seen anyone like him before.

Then a loud voice echoed through the platform "Keep your lights steady!" It was Vance. He was telling the others what to do. "Jaxon cover the side. Miller, be ready with your club. If that fallen officer is still alive she will fight, so do not hesitate, just shoot her."

The lights were all pointing at the train car now. Idris stepped out of the dark. He did not run he just walked out. The light was shining on his face.

The others were really surprised. They did not know what to do. Jaxon made a noise and his finger moved on the trigger and a bolt fired into the ceiling. Miller just stood there his club falling and his eyes were wide open. Vance stopped moving his rifle shaking in his hands.

Idris just stood there with his iron rod on his shoulder and he was looking at them.

Vance said, "Cole...". His voice was shaking. He could not believe what he was seeing. He had shot Idris. He had seen him die but now he was standing there looking healthy and strong.

Idris said, "Good evening, Vance. It is a night for a walk isn't it?"

Jaxon was stammering, "How...how are you alive? You were dead!"

Vance was getting really scared. He raised his rifle pointing it at Idris. "You should have stayed dead! You think you can take revenge with that piece of metal? We have guns!"

Before Vance could shoot Idris moved. He was really fast. He crossed the distance between them in a second.

He went straight for Miller, the guy with the club. Miller swung his club. Idris caught it with his hand and he did not even move.

Then Idris punched Miller in the chest. The armor broke. Miller flew backward. He crashed into a pillar. He was dead.

Jaxon was. He was trying to load his crossbow. Vance fired his rifle. Idris moved again and the bullet missed him.

Idris hit Jaxon with his iron rod. He broke his collarbone. Jaxon fell screaming in pain.

Vance was running backward his face white and his eyes were wide, with fear. He was trying to load his rifle. His hands were shaking too much.

Idris was coming for him. Vance knew he was going to die. He was scared of Idris because he was not human anymore he was a monster.

Idris walked towards Vance taking his time. He wanted Vance to feel every second of the fear that Idris had felt when Vance left him to die in that bunker. Idris dragged an iron rod on the floor making a loud scraping sound that echoed through the empty platform.

You left me for a package of food Vance Idris said, his voice. Hard. You shot me smiled and locked the door. You traded my life for a day of eating. Tell me was it worth it? Is that food keeping you warm

Vance dropped his gun. Raised his hands. He backed away until he hit the wall. Then he fell to his knees. Cole, please listen to me he said. It was not my fault. Our commander told us to get rid of anyone who was not useful. If I did not bring back food he would have kicked my whole team out. I did what I had to do to survive. You know how things are in this world.

Idris stopped a foot away from Vance. I do know how this world works, Vance. It is a world where you have to fight to get what you need. A world where being kind can get you killed. You taught me that when we were in Sector Zero.. Now I am just doing what you taught me.

Vance started crying. I will give you what you want he said. I have food. I have points. I know where the Iron Clad camp hides its supplies. I can help you. Please do not kill me, Cole. We were a team. We survived the parts of the city together.

Idris looked at Vance with disgust. We were never a team he said.

Idris raised the iron rod. Thrust it into Vance's chest. Vance's eyes went wide. Then they stopped moving. The platform was quiet except for the sound of someone breathing hard a few feet away.

Idris took the iron rod out of the wall. Walked over to Vance's body. He started searching Vance's pockets. Found a package of food. It was still wrapped up. Had not been touched.

A message appeared in front of Idris. It said that he had found an item.

Idris put the food in his pocket. It was a find but it was not as important to him as it used to be. It was something that could be useful later.

Idris turned around. A woman named Rhea Knox was walking towards him. She looked at the bodies on the floor. Then at Idris. You move well she said. You do not just have strength you have skill. You fight like someone who has been trained to fight.

Idris turned to face her. The world we live in makes us adapt he said. I just learned how to survive.

Rhea put her gun away. I should be dead she said.. Whatever you gave me made me strong again. I want to know who you are and what you want from me. You did not save me just to be nice. What do you want in return?

Idris smiled. You are right he said. I did not save you just to be nice. I saved you because you are valuable. You have something rare in this world. You have loyalty to what you believe in.

Idris looked around at the ruined tunnels and the bodies. The people in charge are just taking what they can from the people who are weak. The old way of doing things is dead. The people who are in charge now are parasites.

Idris took a step closer to Rhea. I do not want to join a group he said. I do not want to take what I can find. I want to build something. I want to make a system.

Vance walked through the tunnels his gun raised. He was scared. He had heard stories about Rhea Knox. She was a legend, a fighter who had held off a group of enemies by herself.. His commander had told him that she was hurt and could not fight. Vance believed that he had the hand.

Keep the lights steady he said to his team. I thought I saw something move. It was just a pile of bodies. We need to find the trail of blood. If she is hiding under one of the trains we could walk past her.

One of his team members, Jaxon was shaking. I do not like this he said. Look around. The bodies of the infected are torn apart. Not shot, not burned. Torn apart. What if she is not as hurt as we thought?

Vance told Jaxon to be quiet. His commander would not make a mistake about something like this. They had to find Rhea and take what she had. They could be heroes if they did. They could get a place to live and food to eat.

You want to eat rats and drink dirty water? Vance said.. Do you want a good life? We find her we take what she has and we go back, to our group as heroes.

Miller, the muscle of the group grunted in agreement. He lifted his club onto his shoulder. The metal scraped against his leather armor, a sound in the silence. " Let's just find the woman and get it over with Miller said, his voice showing no hesitation. A dying woman is a dying woman. I will crush her skull myself.

They moved past the pillars their lights sweeping over the edge of the platform. The broken subway car sat in the darkness at the end of the tracks its metal body groaning softly.

Suddenly Vance froze. He raised a fist signaling the others to stop. There Vance whispered, his eyes widening as his light reflected off a pool of blood on the floor just outside the broken doors of the train car. The trail leads into the carriage. She is there. Jaxon cover the windows. Miller takes the door. If she moves do not wait.

The three men moved out of their boots crunching softly on the glass. They moved like people who had survived a time in a bad place. They were ruthless and efficient. They did not care about anyone.

Vance stepped up to the train door his finger tightening on his gun. He took a breath getting ready to go inside. Knox Vance shouted, his voice trying to sound brave. We know you are there. We know you are hurt. Throw out your guns. Give us the Prototype Core. Do it now. We might let you die in peace.

There was no answer. Just silence.

Jaxon pressed his back against the train car looking through a window. I do not see anything, Vance. It is dark in there.

Throw a light, " Vance said, taking a step back. Miller pulled out a light and tossed it into the train car. The light filled the inside of the car. They all looked in. There was a pool of blood near the back and signs of a fight.. There was nobody.

Where is she Vance shouted, starting to panic. The blood is fresh. She was here a minute ago.

Maybe she crawled out the window Jaxon said, his voice rising. She might have gone into the tunnels.

No a voice said from, above them. She did not run.

The blood went out of Vance's face. He knew that voice. It was impossible. He had shot the man. Left him to die.

Cole Vance gasped, taking a step back. Idris Cole. You are dead. I saw the infected kill you.

Idris Cole stood up on top of the train car his jacket blowing in the wind. He held a metal rod in his hand. He looked calm and scary. Beside him stood Rhea Knox. She looked powerful. Her eyes locked onto Vance.

You should have shot me in the head Idris said, his voice cold. Leaving me to die was a mistake. You thought you were getting rid of a problem. You made a mistake.

Kill them Vance screamed, losing control. He did not care how Idris was alive or how Rhea was healed. He just knew he had to kill them.

Vance shot his gun. Idris and Rhea were gone. Rhea jumped off the train car moving fast. She landed in front of Vance her boots breaking the concrete. Vance tried to swing his gun. Rhea caught it and broke it in half.

My turn Rhea said, her voice. Deadly. She hit Vance in the chest breaking his armor and sending him flying. He crashed into a pillar hurt and gasping for air.

Jaxon. Shot a bolt at Rheas back.. Idris caught it in mid-air stopping it. He then pinned Jaxon's foot to the ground with the bolt. Jaxon fell to his knees screaming in pain.

Miller, the guy in the group was the only one still standing. He looked at the mess that had happened in a few seconds. His leader was smashed against a pillar. The tracker was stuck to the floor screaming in pain.

Miller was not a man who gave up easily. He relied on his strength, which had helped him survive a year of fighting against the infected. With a roar, Miller charged forward swinging his big club high above his head.

I'll smash you Cole Miller yelled, bringing the club down towards Idriss's head with force to break a rock.

Idris did not move. He stood his ground looking at the club coming down. He raised his arm and his muscles got really tough.

The club hit Idriss arm making a clang. Miller's eyes were shocked. The club did not hurt Idriss' arm. It did not even make him step back. Instead, the club broke into pieces.

You are too slow Miller, Idris said coldly.

Idris grabbed his rod and stabbed Miller in the side. Miller gasped, his big body freezing in pain. Idris twisted the rod. Pulled it back making Miller fall to the ground.

Miller's life was fading away. He did not understand what had just happened.

System Notification said that the bad guy was gone.

Idris ignored the message. Walked towards the pillar where Vance was lying on the ground. Rhea Knox was standing a few feet away watching Idris with a gaze.

Vance was coughing up blood his hands holding his chest. He looked up at Idris. Said, Cole please... I had to do it. We needed food. Briggs would have killed me if I came back empty-handed. You understand, right? It's survival.

Idris looked at Vance, the man who had shot him in the back. Idris did not feel sorry for him. The world had. Forgiveness was a luxury they could not afford.

You are right Vance Idris said, his voice calm. It's about survival.. The strong decide who lives. You made your choice. Now I am making mine.

Vance raised his hand tears in his eyes. Wait I have information. I know the patrol routes of the Iron Clad camp. I know the codes to the armory. I can help you, Cole. Please just let me live.

Your life is not important to me Idris said.

Idris kicked Vance's neck making a sound. Vance's eyes. His body stopped moving.

System Notification said that the bad guy was gone.

Idris felt a weight lift off his shoulders. The men who had tried to kill him were all dead. He searched Vance's pockets. Found a food pack. It was the thing Vance had traded his life for.

Idris put the food in his pocket. Picked up the broken gun. He took the bullets out. Put them in his bag. Resources were important no matter where they came from.

He looked at Jaxon, who was still on the floor crying. Jaxon had not pulled the trigger. He had stood by and watched. In this world that was just as bad as killing someone.

Idris walked over. Pulled the bolt out of Jaxon's foot. Jaxon. Rolled onto his side holding his bleeding foot.

Listen to me Jaxon Idris said, his face close to Jaxon's. I am not going to kill you. I am going to let you live. You have to do something for me. You have to go to the Iron Clad camp and tell Commander Briggs that Idris Cole is alive. Tell him that Rhea Knox is with me now. Tell him that if they send another team to Sector One I will destroy their camp.

Jaxon nodded, his face pale with fear. Yes, I understand. I will tell him.

Then go Idris said, standing up. The noise we made will attract the infected. If you can't run enough that's your problem.

Jaxon scrambled away dragging his bleeding foot behind him. Idris turned to Rhea Knox, who was watching him with an expression.

You let Jaxon go Rhea said. That was a mistake. Briggs will not be scared of your message. He will send a team. The Crimson Faction is also looking for me. By helping me you have made yourself a target.

I know what Briggs will do Idris said. I want him to send a team. I want them to bring their guns, their medicine and their food. I will let them deliver it to my doorstep.

Rhea raised an eyebrow, surprised by Idriss plan. You are either very confident or very powerful.

I have a system Idris said. A power that helps me get resources and better gear.. It only works when I have good allies. You were dying, Rhea. I saved you because I need someone like you. I need someone who won't betray me.

Rhea looked at her hands feeling the strength in her body. She pulled out a device from her bag, a black metal cylinder with a blue line, on it.

Rhea held up the Prototype Core. This is what Commander Briggs and the Crimson Faction are willing to fight a war over she said. The Prototype Core has the data of the virus and the master codes for the underground vaults in Sector Four. The council at the Central Sanctuary wanted to use this to control all the water and weapons on the continent. I took it because they wanted to kill everyone in the settlements so they could have all the power.

Idris looked at the glowing cylinder in Rhea's hand. He could not believe how valuable it was. It was not a device. It was the key to taking over The Grey Grid.

Rhea said, I am a soldier. I need a commander who knows what loyalty means. You saved my life. Gave me power I never thought I could have. From now on I will follow you. Where do we go?

Idris looked around the dark subway station. He could hear the infected coming from the tunnels. The smell of blood was attracting them just like he knew it would.

There is a military checkpoint on the surface between Sector One and Sector Two Idris said. The scavengers call it the Vanguard Outpost. It has walls but it is full of infected so nobody has been able to take it. We are going to clean it out tonight. We will make it our base. We will fix the gates. Wait for Briggs to send his men.

Rhea smiled. It was a tough smile. Clearing out the outpost sounds like a way to test my new strength. Let's go, Commander.

They went up the stairs. Left the subway station. They came out into the rain just as the clouds were starting to clear. The moon was shining down on the ruined city.

It did not take long to get to the Vanguard Outpost. With their strength, they could move easily through the empty streets. They jumped over cars. Moved quietly through the shadows.

The outpost was just like Idris said. It was a military checkpoint with thick walls and barbed wire. The front gate was open and infected were walking in and out.

Idris looked at the situation. He saw fifty infected in the courtyard and a few fast ones running around.

There are fifty targets Idris said to Rhea. Can you handle the courtyard while I secure the building?

Rhea took out her pistol. Checked it. I only have ten bullets left she said.. I do not think I will need to shoot.

Idris held up his hand. Wait he said. He gave Rhea a rusty knife. Take this he said. Your pistol is almost empty. I need you to save your bullets for when we fight humans. Use the knife on the infected.

Rhea looked at the knife. She was a warrior and she was used to using much better weapons. But she trusted Idris so she took the knife.

As soon as she took the knife everything stopped. Idris heard a voice in his head. He saw a bright light.

The system said, Rhea Knox has accepted your gift. You get a reward.

Idris felt a weight in his hand. The rusty knife was still in Rhea's hand. Idris was now holding a great sword. The sword was black. Had a red line, down the middle. It was emitting a hum.

The system said, You have a sword. It is very powerful. Can cut through almost anything.

Rhea looked at the sword in shock. How did you do that she said. It is like you made an artifact out of nothing.

Idris smiled. He said, My rules are different. He swung the sword. It cut through the air without making a sound.

"Let's clean out our home" Idris said. We have a lot of work to do before morning.