The sound of military vehicles and helicopters echoed through the streets as the support team made their presence known. They were patrolling the area, searching for survivors and assessing the damage left behind by the infected creatures. Harley and John looked towards the window, their senses on high alert.

Harley observed the military presence outside and addressed everyone gathered in the office. "Looks like you'll have some protection, shelter, and food soon," he said, his stoic demeanor unwavering. The implication was clear: he was unlikely to seek refuge alongside them, accepting his fate as an infected individual.

John, his eyes fixed on Harley, asked the question that lingered in everyone's mind. "But where will you go, Harley?" His voice held a mixture of concern and bewilderment, knowing that Harley was infected and likely considered a threat by the military outside.

Harley's cryptic response only added to the ambiguity surrounding his plans. He dismissed John's question, merely stating, "We'll see." The lack of elaboration left everyone wondering what his intentions were, especially knowing that his condition made him a dangerous individual in the eyes of the support teams.

The soldiers of the support team made their way inside the office, efficiently dispatching any remaining infected creatures in their path. Their presence created a sense of security and hope, a stark contrast to the desperate situation that had prevailed in the building. Everyone watched as the military gained control over the premises, their faces reflecting a mixture of relief and caution.

As the others eagerly headed towards the comforting presence of the military, Harley quietly slipped away. With an air of aloofness, he left the office, his eyes fixated on an unknown destination. The employees watched him leave, their hearts heavy with a mixture of relief and worry, wondering what fate awaited him outside.

Harley moved silently down to the basement, the sound of his footsteps echoing against the walls. The parking area was quiet, the cars parked in neat rows like silent sentinels waiting for their owners' return. He strode towards a remote corner of the basement, his destination clear in his mind.

Harley had a routine. Every day, he would arrive at the office in his car, commuting like any other employee. Today, however, was vastly different. He had come to the office as usual, but as fate would have it, a catastrophic occurrence unfolded that changed everything. The world as he knew it had been shattered, and the comfort of his daily routine no longer provided solace.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Contrasting the chaotic scene in the streets, where cars were abandoned and wrecked, Harley's car stood as a symbol of the past normalcy. Protected in the parking lot, it remained as pristine as when he had left it. He sat in the driver's seat, the silence of the basement broken only by the distant sounds of the support team's activity above.

The basement was quiet, the noise of the military shooting the only sound filtering down to where Harley sat. The gunshots echoed through the area, a constant reminder of the battle above. Harley sat in his car, his expression stoical as he stared into the distance, seemingly detached from the chaos above.

Surprisingly, the parking lot in the basement was eerily devoid of any zombies. It was as if the creatures had bypassed this area, leaving it untouched amidst the havoc they had wrought on the rest of the building. Harley noted this, a small quirk of his lip the only indication that he found the situation ironic.

Irony indeed, thought Harley, his mind grappling with the stark contrast of his situation. He was infected, transformed into a being the others saw as a threat, and yet, here in the basement, he was safe and untouched. The others, while still human, were locked in a deadly battle against the creatures above. It was a morbidly ironic twist that fate had dealt him.

Harley started the engine, the hum of it breaking the silence of the basement parking lot. With a steady grip on the wheel, he navigated his car out of the parking lot and into the open city beyond. The chaotic scene spread out in front of him, the aftermath of the outbreak evident in the deserted streets and damaged buildings. Undeterred, he drove out into the ruined city.

As Harley drove, the distant sight of the military evacuating citizens caught his attention. They had noticed his car, a lone vehicle making its way through the otherwise empty streets. The military personnel looked at him with a mix of suspicion and surprise, wondering if he was a survivor or something more dangerous.

end of chapter-