The piercing look in Nyra's eyes looked like she wanted to send Daniel to the next life. Nevertheless, she didn't say anything but a simple, "Fine. Come with us."
There was something in her smile that Zerra couldn't quite understand. Before she could comprehend it further, they already moved to plan the rescue.
At first, Nyra looked like she didn't want her younger sister to come, regarding her as a burden. In response, Cassias spoke up for his fiancee. "She has supplies for an emergency."
Reluctantly, Nyra agreed. Thus, the four people went to Cassias' car while Darren drove on his own, carrying several other people, including a doctor. A nervous smile bloomed on his lips as soon as he spotted Nyra.
"Do you guys already have your own car?" It was a rhetorical question. He scratched the back of his head. Zerra could see that he actually wanted Nyra to join in his car. "Is it safe?"
"It's a modified car of mine," Cassias explained. Darren's eyes flitted to the car and a look of surprise flickered there. There was a hint of envy.
The two exchanged brief pleasantries, introducing each other. Zerra's eyes gazed at their entwined hands as they shook hands with each other in pity, clicking her tongue. Soon, they wouldn't get along with each other like this.
They didn't spend much time talking. As soon as they got in the car, they headed toward the train station.
Why did Laziel take the train instead of using his own car? It was because Grandma had confiscated his car. Laziel's role before the apocalypse was akin to a second rich generation ancestor with an unbridled personality.
Grandma had caught him joining an illegal underground racing competition and got really angry about it.
That was another reason Laziel had returned to his dad's house, waiting for Grandma's anger to disappear slowly before planning to go back to Grandma's home.
He also lied about his departure back to Grandma's house to Nyra, postponing it a day later because of a date. Before Nyra could make sure that he was alright, unfortunately, she caught a fever.
As Zerra thought of this detail, she clicked her tongue. After this incident, it would surely teach that disobedient older brother of hers a lesson, she gleefully thought. Serve him right for always antagonizing her!
The drive there took around an hour and a half, with many difficulties of encountering zombie hordes. Many times, they had to go out and fight the zombies.
It was at the point where Zerra realized that in the early days of the apocalypse, people were resistant to killing them. After all, those zombies were once human like them, too.
"I-I… killed someone." The doctor in the team stuttered, on the verge of mental breakdown.
"Snap out of it, Miles. If we don't kill them, we will end up becoming like them." Darren dragged the man, forcing him to stand up.
Others also vomited at the sight of gory scenes; torn limbs, dark blood, and spilled innards.
Zerra shrunk to her seat further, and she blinked in wonder. She hadn't given herself away, did she? In this reincarnation, her reaction was indeed too calm compared to those people who did their first kill.
Her eyes flitted to Cassias and Nyra briefly. Each of them had an expressionless face, and she couldn't gauge what they were thinking.
"Listen, it's the end of the world now. Look at what the world has become. Those zombies prey on us. You have seen them gnawing on living people during the journey here–" Darren began his speech, wanting to harden those people's hearts and train them to be stronger during the apocalypse.
It was the only way for them to survive. Only after listening to Darren's words did they finally manage to lift themselves up again, barely. It would take them a while to get used to it.
They continued the journey and arrived at the train station. People went out vigilantly, carrying their weapons as they entered the area.
Cassias stood near Zerra, bringing her close to him. He handed over the pitchfork to her, making her stunned. How did he still keep this thing here?
"Protect yourself." He told her, then added, "Stay close to me."
This time, Cassias was holding the loaded gun in his hand, along with a small knife. As soon as they entered the train station, zombies swarmed toward them.
"This is the place?" Someone asked in doubt. His voice trembled. "How could there be survivors here?"
Darren glared at him, making the man shut up. Nyra looked around. Her face fell after she heard the man's words. Her shoulder noticeably slumped slightly.
"He might find somewhere to hide. Let's solve the zombies first and continue searching. Avoid getting bitten or scratched by them." Darren ordered.
The people dispersed in a few groups. Nyra was extremely fierce as she fought each zombie like her life depended on it. With a swing of her knife and cracking whip, she severed the zombie's head.
People looked astonished when they saw it.
Meanwhile, Cassias' style was also quite refined. Each bullet found its way inside a zombie's brain or heart; not a single shot missed.
Zerra knew that he didn't treasure his bullets too much. As zombies advanced in rank, they would be harder to kill and a mere bullet wouldn't be enough then.
As the first horde of zombies was killed, they went deeper into the train station, looking at every spot for survivors. This mission wasn't solely for finding Laziel.
Darren had proposed to the higher ups to send people here and gather the survivors. Hence, it was approved, and they received manpower. Nevertheless, people looked at him skeptically when they heard that.
The train station was one of the most dense places, filled with people coming and going. Because of the storms, some might have gotten stuck there. Most likely, there will be a sea of zombies there.
The Brown family had taken the chance to gather some power in this city the moment the apocalypse struck. They were more than happy to see one of Valez family's descendants perish somewhere. Thus, they supported Darren's idea.
"Ouch, a human's hand." Daniel jumped just as he was about to stomp on a severed limb, hissing in fright.
Nyra glanced at him with slight disdain in her eyes.
"This human flesh still looks fresh, though. Unlike those zombies." He continued, scrunching his face. "It seems to be holding a watch…?"
The moment he finished his words, Daniel nearly fell to the ground. Someone slammed into him, making him grunt in annoyance. It was Nyra, who had taken the human's hand and pried the watch off its hold.
Her face contorted, unmasking the myriad feelings she was going through. Her breath became shallow, like she had difficulty breathing. She muttered in disbelieving tone, "it's impossible… Laziel…"
Cassias' eyes flickered, and his expression changed. He crouched down beside Nyra, who was hugging the watch.
"There's a trail of blood. It seems to be heading there." He pointed to a ruined corner, which had some water forming into a small pool.
Nyra jumped, darting toward the place Cassias just pointed, ripping apart a zombie that stood in her way. Zerra shuddered. The female lead was so fierce when she was in a rage.
Without warning, Nyra slammed open the place. The sight made everyone surprised in an instant. They all went to approach Nyra.