The End Of Life

Hearing Mark, Ray and Jacob tensed up as they looked at each other. Silence took over as both of them hung their heads low. Seeing both of them go silent, Mark's heart felt some unease. Taking a deep breath and getting ready to hear the worst, he asked, "Is she dead?"

Ray slowly raised his head and shook. He slowly said with a barely audible voice, "No she isn't dead.." making Mark exhale in relief until he heard the next, Ray continued, " She was captured by those criminals and is now with them. We do not even know how she is now." Making Mark's face expressionless.

"Criminals?"

This time it was Jacob who answered, "Yes, criminals. They are the local underground gang around this part of town. After the virus outbreak, they took over the school nearby."

Hearing this, Mark shot his eyes wide. If it was the same school that he just escaped from, then he passed by Suzie earlier. He asked if it was the same school he visited and Jacob nodded, making him feel helpless. He looked at Jacob and asked, "If they took over the school, which is a bit far from here, how did Suzie get captured by them."

"They came around this area 2 days ago for supplies. We were hiding here with some other people, barely surviving with some supplies we could gather from the nearby shops and houses. These people were able to find our hideout and tried to snatch away our meager amount. Suzie tried to stop them.

As she tried talking it out with them, One of the big shots in the underground scene, the underground scene's Don's brother laid her eyes on her and wanted her. He promised to leave immediately from here if she went with him. Suzie accepted for the others who were with us and was forced to go with them."

Silence took over once again as Mark remained silent. Ray felt more anxious as the silence progressed. Mark was thinking about his friends and how she must be in that place. He took a deep breath as he thought about her. He had an impulse to rush towards that place at that moment and try to bust her out of that place, but knew he wasn't strong enough.

Exhaling, he said, "Ok then let's think about this later on. Uncle tell me how did Aunt become like that." Turning towards Ray.

Ray suddenly remembered the body and looked around, Mark understood this and said, "Don't worry Uncle. I buried the body in the backyard." Making him nod.

"It all happened so quickly we couldn't even react. Suzie was in her room studying for some exams while me and her mother we're below helping out with the shop. Then people started running in the streets and I went to check out what happened outside. I noticed the havoc and the zombies on the streets and ran back in."

"I closed the shop and there was only one customer inside the shop with our employee. But bad luck stuck with us when the customer inside turned out to be a zombie. We tried to escape above, but as we were about to close the door, he bit the teenager and scratched your aunt."

"We quickly made our way up, and I tried to treat her. We covered it up with see bandages to stop it from spreading. But it couldn't hold on long when on that night she tried to jump on Suzie to eat her. I immediately knew we lost her and killed her to save my remaining family member."

Ray felt a surge as emotions which he kept inside him leak out as he cried thinking about that day. Mark could only pat his shoulder and try to calm him down. He had to save Suzie, and that was important to him. If it was another person, he would deny the request without even batting an eye.

He started to think about a way to save her and then turned towards Jacob and asked, "Does anyone know the school's outlay. If they do them I need it."

"I think there is an old janitor who worked at that school for over 15 years, he should know most of the school." Thinking for a second.

Mark nodded and said, "Ok then ask him to draw a detailed map over the night. I might need it tomorrow." Instructing him. Jacob frowned a bit inwardly as he heard Mark's tone but nodded, nonetheless.

Ray looked at Mark and asked, "What are you planning? If it's dangerous, don't even try." Mark shook his head and said, "Don't worry, both of you should make your way back to your people. They might be getting anxious. Come back tomorrow morning and we will discuss the rest."

Hearing his words, Ray looked at Mark in a new light and stood up. He turned towards his friends and nodded. Both of them made their way out and Mark closed the door. David stood up as he retired for the night with Mark doing the same.