The car started to skid on the loose gravel, veering off the road and crashing into a ditch. The impact was jarring, throwing everyone forward. The airbags deployed, filling the car with the smell of burnt rubber and smoke.

For a moment, there was only silence and the distant sound of moaning from the undead.

"Is everyone okay?" Keith asked, his voice shaking as he pushed the deflating airbag aside.

"I'm fine," Cayden replied, helping Regine out of her seatbelt. "Cara, are you alright?"

"I'm okay," Cara said, visibly shaken. "Pranav?"

Pranav didn't respond. He was slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious, with a deep gash on his leg. Blood trickled down his shin, and his breathing was shallow.

"Pranav!" Cara screamed, shaking him gently. "We need to get him to a hospital. Now!"

Keith and Cayden carefully pulled Pranav from the wreckage. With the car no longer an option, they had to find another way. In the distance, they spotted a hospital sign, a beacon of hope in the darkened town.

"Come on," Keith urged. "We can carry him there. It's not far."

They hoisted Pranav between them, moving as quickly as they could. The eerie silence of the abandoned town was broken only by their footsteps and the occasional distant moan of zombies. The hospital loomed closer, a large, imposing building that had once been a place of healing.

The automatic doors opened with a creak, revealing a dimly lit lobby. It was clear that the hospital had been abandoned in haste; equipment and papers were scattered everywhere, and the faint smell of antiseptic lingered in the air.

"Find a gurney," Cayden instructed, his voice strained from carrying Pranav's weight.

Regine and Cara rushed to find a gurney while Keith and Cayden gently laid Pranav on a nearby bench. Moments later, they returned with one, and they carefully transferred Pranav onto it.

"We need to find the emergency room," Keith said, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "He needs medical attention now."

They navigated the maze-like corridors, finally reaching the emergency room. It was a mess, but they found basic medical supplies. Regine, who had some first aid training, quickly began to clean and dress Pranav's wound.

"We need to find a doctor or at least someone who knows more than basic first aid," Cara said, her voice trembling.

Keith nodded. "Cayden, you and I will search the hospital for anyone who might still be here. Regine, stay with Pranav. Cara, keep an eye on the entrance. We don't know if those things or other people will find us."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

They split up, the dimly lit hallways amplifying their unease. Keith and Cayden moved cautiously, checking each room they passed. The hospital seemed deserted, but they didn't lose hope.

"Over here," Cayden whispered, pointing to a sign that read 'Doctor's Lounge.'

They pushed the door open, revealing a surprisingly intact room. A man in a lab coat lay slumped over a desk, a note clutched in his hand. Keith gently shook him, and the man stirred, blinking in confusion.

"Are you a doctor?" Keith asked urgently.

The man nodded slowly. "Dr. Harris. What's going on?"

Cayden explained quickly, "Our friend is badly injured. We need your help."

Dr. Harris stood, still groggy but understanding the urgency. "Take me to him."

They rushed back to the emergency room where Regine was still tending to Pranav. Dr. Harris immediately took over, assessing Pranav's condition with practiced efficiency.

"He's lost a lot of blood," Dr. Harris said. "We need to stabilize him and get him into surgery to stop the bleeding."

The group worked together under Dr. Harris's guidance, gathering the necessary supplies. The hours passed in a blur as they fought to save their friend's life. Finally, Dr. Harris stepped back, wiping his brow.

"He's stable for now," the doctor said. "But he needs rest, and we need to keep an eye on him."

The group breathed a collective sigh of relief. Pranav was safe for the moment, but the challenges they faced were far from over.

"We need to make this place secure," Keith said, looking at the others. "This hospital could be our new base, at least for now."

They nodded in agreement, ready to do whatever it took to survive in this new, terrifying world.

After a few hours, Pranav woke up. Blinded by the bright white hospital lights, he was confused and exhausted. With what little energy Pranav had left, he asked the group what happened.

“You went unconscious while driving the car. It crashed into a ditch and got destroyed. We can't use it now,” replied Regine.

Without having any second thoughts, he exclaimed, “SO YOU GUYS BROUGHT THE SUPPLIES BACK HERE, RIGHT?”

The whole group was quiet. They left all their belongings and survival equipment on one of the busiest roads in Eldervale. Keith panicked. He asked Cara to follow him. The two went to Dr. Harris and asked if they could borrow his car. Realizing the urgency of the situation, Dr. Harris just pointed his eyes at his car keys. They then went outside the hospital to the car park. There were only a few cars. One of which was immediately recognizable and was sure to be Dr. Harris’s car. It was a Porsche Macan Turbo. They unlocked the car, started the engine, and started accelerating.

They were traveling as fast as a speeding bullet. The trees of the forest on either side of the car seemed as if they were flying past. The two could feel the rubber tires driving over the loose gravel road. Amidst all of this, the environment inside the car was chill but alert.

“How can you drive so well?” asked Cara.

Keith replied, “My dad used to be an amazing teacher.”

Despite the atmosphere being chill, Cara knew she made a mistake. Keith said ‘used to be,’ which means his dad was no longer alive. But despite dwelling on the past, the two soon reached the destination of the crash. Everything seemed to be alright when they checked the trunk. Their baggage was untouched. But since the trolley couldn't be sealed properly, all their medicine, painkillers, and other supplies were destroyed. The containers were half filled with blue and white pills. Cara clasped her hand over her mouth. A single tear fell from her eye.

Keith put his hand on Cara’s shoulder and comforted her. But Cara just pushed away his hand and began trying to salvage what she could.

The two then put their baggage in the trunk of the Porsche and drove back to the hospital.

At the hospital, Pranav was able to walk and talk normally again. The anesthetic had worn off. Luckily by then, Cara and Keith had arrived. But this time, Dr. Harris called all of them to the hospital lobby. By the looks of it, he had something important to say.