Chapter 2

The rescue helicopter closed its hatch at that moment and lifted off with some of the evacuees.

Those left behind erupted in rage. "Noah Black, you're out of your fucking mind! You just cut off our only way out!

"And that jinx over there! Who the hell runs home the night before the evacuation just to get a guitar? Who are you planning to play it for, the Grim Reaper?"

Shouts and curses filled the helipad. The blood drained from Esmeralda's face. "I-I'm sorry. This guitar is my most treasured possession. I had no idea I would delay everyone's evacuation…"

Feeling everyone's hostile stares, she hastily hugged the instrument to her chest and ducked behind Noah.

Even my teammates looked at me with resentment. "You're the one who kept dragging us out of near death, Skyla. We chose you as our captain because we believed in you. How could you… lose your head this time?"

I gave them an apologetic look and patted their shoulders. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have let my feelings cloud my judgment. But it's no use arguing about it now.

"Let's stay calm. I know a shelter close by where we can take cover for now."

Holding Esmeralda by the arm, Noah scoffed. "What a bunch of scaredy-cats! We've still got Skyla, don't we? She's already led us safely through three waves of the undead.

"So what if we missed this flight? We'll just catch the next one."

His words fanned the others' anger, yet the looming threat kept them from wasting breath on him.

…

Half an hour later, we finally reached the temporary shelter.

The heavy blast doors slid shut, cutting off the zombies' roars outside.

"At last… We're safe!" Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

Just then, a teammate gasped, "Oh no... I just received word that that was the last helicopter for the day. The military… is abandoning this entire zone!"

"Are you saying the military has ended the evacuation and we're stuck in this hellhole for good?" Everyone's faces went pale, and their voices quivered.

Noah, on the other hand, shrugged. "Relax. There's enough food here to last three months. Even if the military bails on us, we can still move out on our own later."

I powered on the encrypted military comms and keyed in the password with ease. "Everyone, stay calm. I've already contacted high command. They'll dispatch a special unit to pick us up in three days. Until then, rest up."

As soon as my words sank in, relief washed over the group.

Noah lit up with joy, clasping Esmeralda's hand. "Hear that, Esme? We'll be rescued in three days!"

As the two rejoiced, the rest of the team's expressions hardened.

"Skyla," the deputy whispered, pulling me aside. "Did you secure enough seats? Counting those two, there are eight of us."

I nodded lightly. "Right, but I only applied for seven spots."

He looked puzzled when he heard that. Then, realization dawned on him, and he asked quietly, "Doesn't that mean one of us won't be able to get on the helicopter?"

I glanced at Noah, who was feeding Esmeralda water, and a cold smile tugged at my lips. "Don't worry, your spots are guaranteed. As for the extra… We'll see who she chooses when the time comes."

The deputy and I exchanged a knowing look, while Noah, who was oblivious, gently wiped the sweat from Esmeralda's forehead. "Don't worry, Esme. I'll make sure you reach the safe zone unharmed."

As I watched him fuss over her, a quiet anticipation stirred in me. What would he do when the next rescue arrived? Would he keep his promise to Esmeralda, or would the fight to survive lay bare the darkest side of his nature?