Looking out of the windows to distract my mind from the unease, I could finally focus on the view of the city.

The formerly beautiful and peaceful city of Valencia was in tatters, streets inhabited by multiple swarms of bloodied things eating what they could get their hands on and some buildings were burning.

''I really do hope that the city planner took account of the fire safety, otherwise in a few days it could be the second coming of the great fire of Rome (64 ad)''

While complex feelings came to me I really did like the city when I first came here, but now that day seemed ever so far away and could only think about getting the hell out of there.

Carlos and Jaume were speaking in Spanish, something that I could not quite understand but I still could recognize a word or two from between the sentences, like muerte (death) and Elena kept to herself while resting her head against her hand.

''Well the Chick & Dicks gang has never been too social with me so what could I expect? Light hearted stand-up comedy show featuring David Chopelle?'' I thought to myself and kept track of the time as we should soon be close to the escape location.

After a few more minutes of an uncomfortable car ride Marc from the driver's seat started to slow down.

When factoring the fact that he did not slow down even when a small group of zombies happened to be blocking the way, the most reasonable explanation seemed to be that we arrived at our destination.

On the contrary he just pressed the gas and musically mumbled: ''Meren bastardos, se acerca tu papi el Diablo.''

While I don't speak Spanish I could still feel with perfect clarity what he was mumbling about.

We exited the SUV and I started to look around where the escape route should be and glanced at the car, which was pre-departure in somewhat pristine condition.

''Holy shit that's one unique paint job completed with the accessories.'' I said in an exaggerated manner and all I got was a look full of contempt from Jaume and Marc.

''There is no need to marvel at it anymore, we should get a move on before the zombies from a few streets back follow up here.'' Replied Elena curtly and effectively took the lead towards the plain looking café.

I clutched my trusty Curtain-kun and mentally prepared to fight off the zombies that may be inside and followed after Chick & Dicks.

The café was plain and there was nothing out of the ordinary about it. While the storefront was just a basic rural looking café with cheap plastic chairs stationed outside, I knew looks could be deceiving.

After hearing about the smuggling route I concluded that pre-apocalypse it should have been just a front for drug distribution or money laundering.

Elena started to issue commands as we neared the store front.

''Carlos check if there are any living or dead inside, don't waste bullets if not necessary. Jaume you cover his back.''

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

''Aye aye boss lady.''

As the dick duo checked multiple windows and returned to report that there were at least 8 dead roaming around inside.

Elena issued Marc in Spanish something to which he went directly to the door, kicked it in and shouted some Spanish profanities and immediately dashed back next to our team.

When the dead were coming outside Elena told me that I didn't need to worry and she could take care of everything.

''They should all be out by now?'' Marc mused and Elena rolled her hazel eyes at him.''

As I wondered what their plan of action would be against a group of zombies I noticed something strange as Elena's eyes started to glow in cold bluish light and raised her right hand towards the group of zombies.

''Chill of winter''

My eyes almost popped out when I finally figured why Elena was not carrying ranged weapons, she could cast the previously never before seen phenomenon which was magic.

The group of zombies was surrounded by transparent arctic fog and very soon I could see that their movement kept slowing down before some of them finally fell to the ground fully frozen.

''It never gets too old to see this Elena, a sight to behold.'' Jaume exclaimed and massaged his shoulders.

''I guess it's our turn now boys.'' Jaume nodded towards Marc and Carlos.

As the dick trio went to finish off the zombie group Elena smiled at me.

''Never seen magic huh?''

''Yeah, that really surprised me. It seems super powerful.''

I told her honestly but cut the later part of what I really thought. If magic is so powerful, why have you not made the escape yet then?

''Well magic is powerful but it too has its limitations, I'd rather not use it if not necessary.''

I nodded at her and saw that the dicky boys were done with the clean up and motioned to us that we should enter the premises.

Following dicky boys I imagined how the magic I had seen before worked. If it was used against me to prevent me from escaping, how to avoid it or could I interrupt the cast somehow?

''Seems like I should be most wary of Elena in this group, I can somewhat react to guns but if that frost hits me I am done.''

We entered the premises and went directly to the kitchen, which was in its basic setting just as any other kitchen. Of course if it was clean from blood and few corpses and the overall mess that is.

Elena went ahead to the circuit board and pulled a few circuit breakers out and started to pull the circuit breaker table off, and as the table was removed what came to my sight was a safe box style numerical lock.

As she inserted the correct code in, Marc and Jaume started to drag the nearby table to the corner and Carlos removed the dirty carpet revealing a trapdoor.

As the trapdoor was opened Marc pulled 2 flash lights from his backpack and handed one to Carlos and started to descend the stairway, then it was my turn and finally Jaume and Elena came after us.

At the bottom of the stairs what came to my view was a somewhat narrow tunnel leading westbound as far as my eyes could see.

''This tunnel has not been easy to build. I can tell that at first glance... I wonder what they have planned as so far seems quite safe.''

I mused to myself and turned to look behind me only to see Jaume's face looking grim.

We continued to walk for 15 or so minutes, which in this narrow tunnel seemed like an eternity. What came to our sight finally was another trapdoor.

Marc approached the trapdoor slowly and placed his head on the door, listening if anything was inside moving and after a few minutes he shook his head in relief and nodded towards the group.

We entered through the trapdoor quietly, wary of anything and everything.

I glanced around in high tension. What could be so scary that a group of gangsters with magic users and modern weapons would not like to take the risk.

The underground area we were in was quite big, on the opposite side I saw another trap door slightly open which is likely to lead to outside of the city and there were quite a few rooms.

Strangest thing was that there were bloodstains and bullet holes on the walls and in the ground, obvious signs of combat but the complex was completely empty as far as I could tell.

The smuggling gang obviously had poured out a lot of resources to build this place.

''There is nothing in sight, let's pick up some stuff first and move out.'' Jaume whispered and Marc nodded at him and grabbed a nearby empty rucksack and followed him towards the room furthest away from us.

Finally I could sigh in relief as it seemed most of the danger about being a bait was over and I could finally get out of this fucking city.

''Hijo de puta! Todavía está aquí!''