The End Of Life

As their discussion ended, Mark checked the time and found it was already 2:45. He clapped his hands, gaining their attention, and said, "Alright, we are running out of time. Let's get moving. We need to go to the military camp before the sun sets." Clapping once again. Everyone nodded as they went to their vehicles. Mark did not want to drive and just took the map from David to guide him easier. 

David started the jeep, and they hit the road. Mark turned around and saw Suzie sleeping in the back seat, leaning against the window. There wasn't any expression on her face, but Mark was glad she was taking some rest. She probably didn't have any sleep the whole time she was trapped in that place. 

"She slept as soon as she got some food inside her. She must have been hungry and tried for too long." Heard Daisy. He nodded and continued to look at his traumatized friend. He could only shake his head.

They slowly drove through the streets, only making a few stops when they had to kill zombies to get through the roads more freely now that they had many cars following them. The sun slowly set as they reached the camp area and were only a few minutes away from the first gate. David turned the headlights on and continued to drive. 

When they reached the camp, the soldiers situated there stopped them. Mark took out the ID he was given by Donald and passed it for inspection. The soldier checked the ID and found it genuine and let them pass by. 

David slowly drove through the streets into the main campsite. As they reached the main campsite, Mark got down from his vehicle and went to the checkpoint this time. As he reached the small booth, he noticed the man in charge and passed the ID once again and said, "Can you please inform Colonel Steve that I'm looking for him." he wanted to ask for Donald but knowing he was a General rank officer, he would be busy so he went with Steve.

The man checked the ID and noticed it was issued by the General himself and accepted Mark's request. He then looked at the cars following the jeep and the people in it and said, "All the people who are new should take a check-up." Mark nodded as he knew the standard procedure the military set up for accepting the refugees. 

He took the ID back, and the guy motioned for the gate to be opened. After the jeep entered the cars followed it and the gate was once again closed. He stood against the Jeep waiting for Steve as the soldier made his way to call him. After a few minutes, Steve came with his lieutenant Sophia in tow. 

Steve had a smile across his face when he saw Mark and said, "Mark, I thought you wouldn't be coming back here anytime soon." extending his hand for a handshake. Mark responded back with a smile of his own and gave Steve a handshake as he said, "Even I didn't think I will be here anytime soon but circumstances I faced said otherwise." looking at the cars behind his jeep. 

Steve followed his eyesight and noticed the various cars behind the jeep he lent Mark the other day. He understood they were refugees but couldn't understand why Mark saved them. He looked at Mark with a questioning gaze and asked, "You saved them?" he knew Mark was the type to care about himself and the people he cared for and thought anyone else he wouldn't care if they even died. 

Mark immediately shook his head and said, "Of Course not. I went to find my friend, and they already had a small refugee camp with them. I had no other choice to bring them with me. It was good that they weren't that much of a burden." shrugging at the end. 

Steve said nothing and turned towards Sophie and said, "Have them all checked and sorted out." Sophie nodded. He turned towards Mark and said, "Alright then Mark, Sophie will be with them. Ask them to form a line and follow Sophie."

Mark nodded and went towards Ray and Jacob. Noticing Mark coming, they got out of the car and asked, "Is anything the matter, Mark?" 

Mark shook his head and said, "No, Everyone who is new should get themselves checked before they are settled in the camp. That's the standard procedure. So you and your people follow this soldier here and he will take you to the testing area." Ray and Jacob nodded as they got to work. 

He went towards the jeep and got it. He said to David, "I need you and Daisy to also get checked with the military. Daisy, can you take care of Suzie." turning towards Daisy at the end. Daisy nodded and Mark looked at the still sleeping Suzie and decided it was time to wake her up. 

He slightly shook her body, which startled Suzie. She woke up as her body shuddered. She looked around in panic as she covered her face with her arms. Mark patted her back and slowly said, "It's me, Suzie. No one will hurt you here. It's ok to relax." trying to calm her down. 

His words worked as her body relaxed when he heard his voice and slowly uncovered her face. She looked at Mark and then at Daisy and David. Mark relaxed when he noticed she was calmer and said, "Suzie, I need you to follow Daisy here to get some tests done. Don't worry, I will be here at the camp. If you ever need me, you can ask the officer who will be with you and I will get to know. I will come to you immediately." 

He quickly explained when he noticed her panic increase at the moment he implied they will be separating. The current Suzie was completely dependent on him. Suzie calmed down when she heard he would come for immediately if she asked and nodded.

"Good, Suzie. Once you are done with the tests, I will come and meet you. Stay with Daisy all the time." with a smile once he noticed she could still properly understand his explanation.