The End Of Life

Standing on the balcony, Mark looked at the rising sun. He couldn't sleep properly with the thought of something happening to Suzie as he slept. He looked at the sun and the peaceful surroundings. There wasn't a single sound around him, and it felt like he was the only person left in the world.

He snapped out of his thoughts as he heard the door knock. He looked back and noticed David opening the main door. Mark already knew who, based on the footsteps he heard. It surprised him, how he could hear them, and felt like his senses got heightened. Deciding to test this strange phenomenon later, he looked at Ray and Jacob who entered the house.

"Ah! Uncle, you are here already. So early." Going into the living room once again. He noticed the chart in his hands.

"Yes, I figured you would want this quickly. So I had the person work the whole night and prepare this map for you." Spreading the map on the floor. The details on the map amazed Mark. Everything was pinpoint. It had everything included from the classes to the restroom and also the storage room. They divided the entire map into 2 parts, with each part representing a floor.

"He did an outstanding job with the map," said David from the side. Ray smiled and replied, "Well, the man worked there for over a decade. So he knows everything about the school that one needs to know."

Mark continued to observe the map, thinking of ways to get inside. He then looked at Ray and said, "Alright, I will think of a plan. Meanwhile, I need you to go back to your base and round up everyone. Search for vehicles to travel in before noon. That is when we move out."

"Why cars?" asked Jacob.

"We will go to the military camp after this. So if you want to tag along you can."

Ray nodded and stood up. He looked at Jacob before making his way towards the door with him. As they exited the house, Mark said, "Oh! And I need a fast bike." Hearing him, David was confused, but Ray nodded and closed the door.

As the guests exited the room, David turned towards Mark and asked, "Why the bike?" Mark replied as he continued to look at the map, "Cause I need a vehicle to go there."

Hearing his reply David got confused and said, "Don't we have the jeep." but as soon as he said that, he realized a part of Mark's plans and shouted, "Mark are you planning to go there alone? You must be crazy."

"That's right, I am doing this alone. I need you to drive the jeep and lead these people to a place. After I am done saving Suzie, I will meet up with you and we can continue forward."

"No, Mark. That's too dangerous for even you. You can't just go against an entire camp of underground goons." shaking his head. He knew about Mark's excellent gun marksmanship. But he still felt it would only invite trouble if he goes alone.

"No. it's better only if I go. I can make my way in quietly and get her out. I am not dumb enough to face an entire camp. I know my abilities. And it would be risky to bring the group with us there. You need to be with them and go on a safer path, I am going to draw on the city map. I will meet you at that point and we can go to the military camp from there."

Listening to Mark, David knew this was the right decision. He looked at Mark's serious gaze; he knew nothing would change his decision and simply gave up. He went into his room and saw his daughter still sleeping peacefully and let her be.

After dropping her in the camp, he didn't know for how long it will be to meet her again or if he will ever meet her again. But his heart remained calm as the decision he took was the right one. He didn't want her to risk her life and hoped to stay inside the camp, protected. He slowly caressed her hair with a smile.

Mark was sitting on the floor looking at the map before him. It wrinkled his eyebrows as he was thinking of a way to get in. He looked at all the possibilities and couldn't come up with one solid plan. As he continued to think of ways, he noticed something particular on the 2 sides of the wall and smiled.

"This would be perfect."