Day 2 3:42

The three of us were hiding behind a well-kept hedge in the nearby backyard after our fight with the creature a few minutes ago, when suddenly Bennie spoke up, greatly disturbed.

The other two Abigail and I, were also disturbed by what we were looking at on the nearby road.

"Those things aren't people anymore," Bennie whispered.

In front of the house we agreed to find shelter at, stood at least 30 figures. A few meters apart from each other, stood completely still, covered in blood, soot, and gore. Some were missing some limbs. Chewed or otherwise blown off by something. Some were burnt, battered in a few places, insides hanging from their stomachs. Few dead bodies lying on the road. Faces that were half eaten, eyes that are looking with a dead fish expressions. Working men and women. You can distinguish the obese, fit, malnourished, sexy even ugly people, I would dig some of the babes if only they weren't covered in blood or entrails. Soldiers.. seniors, and even children, and ….. babies. Children who are no less than 12 years old can be found standing still in the group. Teens, hookers, technicians, office workers, and even police officers stood stock still like time stood for them. Strollers with something wanting to get out of it. It's terrifying and disturbing.

It was surreal. Unbelievable even.

All these mangled corpses and the sight of these creatures wanting to get out of the car wreckages? What the movies or games ingrained in people's minds about this kind of apocalypse, was nowhere close to the real thing.

We didn't know when this pandemic or whatever this is started but it affected the population fast.

"Whatever we are seeing right now. Ignore it. We can contemplate it later. Steel yourselves. We got to save ourselves first." Bennie said in barely a whisper.

"They must be attracted to sound by the looks of it. Them standing still is at least a sign for that," he added.

I looked at the creatures once again. Observed them. Bennie does have a point. I can see some creatures following a nearby crackle of burning wreckage by the road. But ignoring a running cat.

"Let's not count out if they can see or not just yet. They probably could but not very well." I interjected. " We got to get inside that house over there and prepare ourselves. We are lucky that we can only see this much traffic in this area or else they will overrun us." I hurriedly said to my companions.

"You're right. It's probably hell in the city center right now. That should be where the most concentrated area of the population would be." Bennie also added. " With no assurance where the next civilization would be, only a fraction of people should've had the resolve to escape this hell hole."

"They probably thought this will just blow over and will get taken care of by the local authorities," Abigail interjected. Nice deduction I thought. Hence they crowded the mesa looking for a better chance at survival.

"The lack of national response is bugging me. There should be planes or choppers, hell even tanks and infantry rolling out now. This is a national-level crisis." Bennie told us quietly.

Whatever the national response to this is. Something went wrong along the procedures. Okay if I was the man in charge, I would contact the National Guard ASAP to get this situation under control, but that didn't happen. The communications blacked out. I don't know why they prohibited us from bringing electronics to this town but also stated that the administration would provide the latest electronics at a 70 percent discount. That whosoever be caught bringing any electronics with them will be considered as their invitation to the town null and void, and they were thorough, passing us through several checks and re-checks. Who would want to risk their lot just because of a few electronics?

"Let's move. Keep low, don't make a stir, and avoid those creatures as much as possible. "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast," Bennie ordered. " On me."

We followed Bennie's crouch walking to the house we agreed upon. Following the hedge we carefully watched the creatures, making sure we at least be as quiet as we can be to avoid any attention to us. The least we want to happen now is for one to notice and who knows? That one creature will be followed by two, then another group, and then another to the point they will corner and overrun us. We were tired, hungry and thirsty. The last thing we want is to waste energy in a fight we could have avoided. Killing one of the creatures is already a laborious task, let alone in a straight melee when we don't have a weapon in hand. Oh except for Abigail's magic wand. Why does she keep holding that anyway? I'm pretty sure that won't do shit in a fight.

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Reaching the backdoor of the secluded house. Benny stuck to the wall by the door. As a reflex, I covered the other corner of the door making sure that I could see if anything would pop out behind Bennie. But all I can see is a haggard Abigail holding a stick close to her chest like it was a relic from centuries past. Looking anxiously from left to right, she trembled at even the slightest of sound. Something is bugging me like there is something wrong or I'm forgetting something important. I shook my head. that's not the problem right now. We need to secure a place first just as Bennie said.

Bennie looked at me, tapping his right ear with an open palm then pointing at his eyes with his two fingers. Alright, focus on sounds and sight. He's telling me to focus on corners and blind spots inside the house. We don't know how this pandemic is being transmitted so we got to er on the side of caution.

He turned the knob. It was unlocked. At least we can get inside without difficulties. The size of the house is quite small compared to what a normal-sized house would be. It is 1000 square feet long, quite small compared to the 2500 square feet long house my parents had. The house is a square shape with basic furniture and appliances. Including a bedroom and toilet with shower. A fully furnished small kitchen. This is the basic house setup the administration has given to the invitees of the border town.

Despite the chaos outside, the house looks ok. Despite the left dishes and food at the table, the disheveled curtains and pieces of clothing lying around, make it seem that nothing is wrong in this house. But as I always say to myself expect the unexpected.

Bennie signaled me that he would head towards the 2nd floor as he pointed at me and signaled the floor. Okay, secure this floor, got it. He ushered Abigail to the nearby window, whispered something to her ear, and closed the curtain but making sure she could see anything pass by the road or towards this house. That's smart. We probably don't know if this house is occupied by people other than us that is. He climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor.

I turned around and inhaled. Time to do my job. Secure the living room first, then the kitchen then the toilet and see if anything is behind the front, behind, and beside the house through the windows.

After a few minutes of nerve-racking room checking on the first floor. I concluded it's safe at least. The owners of the house either left in a hurry or preparing to leave based on the state the 1st floor was in. I locked every door on the first floor and closed every curtain I passed through. Every creak of the floorboard made my heart skip a beat all the time, afraid of attracting any unwanted attention right now. I could get a knife or something but the priority is making sure nobody is here with us first. On the off chance that Murphy showed up because I was busy looking for a weapon, it could lead to a FUBAR situation which is what we are trying to avoid right now. Checking every nook and cranny even the cupboards below the sink I sighed a bit of relief as I nodded at the huddled Gollum holding a wand in the corner. Yeah, she is very exhausted. Unlike me and Bennie who experienced playing airsoft during rains and summer heat. Abigail was not well adjusted to this kind of pressure.

At least she's doing everything she could. Even just watching the road in front of the house. She nodded back with a bit of a sigh she relaxed and continued her overwatch. I took a sit on the couch just right next to the sofa where Abigail was watching by the window. A bit of assurance reminding her that she is not alone. The last thing we need is for her to freak out right now.

That's when I saw Bennie coming down from the 2nd floor, pale-faced. He looked at me while I was looking at him questioningly. He looked straight into my eyes and slowly shook his head. Oh. I realized it even without him saying it. That look, that face he's making, and his posture. He was clearly shaken about something. Given we were inside a house without so much blood compared to the outside. I guess he found the owners on the 2nd floor. I nod at him.

He sat on the other side of the sofa where I was sitting and sighed. They clearly failed to prepare.