Chapter 21

That night, Red Wolf and I were still on watch.

Over time, the number of zombies in the complex had steadily declined.

So we were both pretty relaxed.

Then—movement in the binoculars.

A figure staggered into view.

Its movements were stiff, but something about it felt… wrong.

Closer inspection revealed tattered clothes, swollen limbs oozing pus. A zombie.

But instead of shambling forward, it leaped—using a tree to vault through a first-floor window.

Since when could zombies jump?

"…What the hell?" I muttered.

Red Wolf exhaled sharply. "You seeing this?"

Seconds later, two camouflaged armored vehicles rolled in, stopping by the dried-up fountain.

Too dark to tell friend from foe. We tensed.

Then—a glint of red stars on their uniforms.

Soldiers.

And among them—the same squad that had diverted the horde!

They were alive.

The team fanned out, examining footprints before sweeping the area.

One soldier—a woman with short hair—blew into her cupped hands, her nose pink from the cold.

"You think they’re tracking that zombie?" Red Wolf asked.

"Two trucks for one zombie? What’s so special about it?"

No time to speculate. I launched the drone, careful not to alert my parents yet.

The soldiers immediately raised their rifles at the buzzing sound.

Precise, disciplined. I trusted their reflexes.

As the drone neared, I’d taped a message to it:

"Zombie jumped into Building 13 via the tree beside you."

"Parking garage entrance is southeast."

The short-haired soldier’s eyes widened—then she grinned and saluted.

After strapping on gear (thick enough to break zombie teeth), they unleashed a K-9 unit.

A quick huddle, then they split—half to the garage, half into Building 13.

My drone followed.

They moved like shadows, weapons ready, the dog sniffing the air.

First floor—clear.

Second—clear.

By the ninth, my lungs burned from holding my breath.

The tension was suffocating. Rotting corpses lined the halls, but the squad climbed steadily, unfazed.

Then—the dog froze at a door.

A silent signal. Riot shields locked into formation.

The standoff lasted seconds before they breached the door.

The zombie lunged—straight into a shield!

It thrashed, forcing the soldier back.

Bang! Bang!

Bullets barely slowed it. With a snarl, it bit the woman’s arm!

"NOW!" she yelled.

A syringe plunged into its temple.

The zombie collapsed, twitching, as restraints secured it.

They’d wanted it alive.

Back outside, the woman noticed my drone still hovering.

"Survivors," she told her CO. "We should check on them."

He nodded. "Take supplies. Rest of you—sweep for others."

I radioed in: "Really, we’re fine!"

Laughter crackled back. "Civilians turning down aid? First time for everything!"