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The once glittering and opulent establishment of the Encore Casino now stood as a grim fortress, a testament to the world’s descent into chaos. Its makeshift barricades and strategically placed car barriers painted a stark picture of the reality of the apocalypse. Yet, in the brutal afternoon sun, it stood tall, casting long, ominous shadows on the blood-stained terrain that surrounded it. To Anne and Kai, it was a beacon in their desperate quest for survival.
Standing at the makeshift entrance, they called out, their voices echoing in the eerie silence. “Anyone there? Hello?”
Their call was met with the chilling sound of a gun being cocked. “Who’s there? Infected?” a voice shouted back.
Without missing a beat, Anne responded, “No! Survivors! We came from Cambridge after hearing of shelter.”
“Open the door, Jim, before they come back!” another voice ordered. The door creaked open after a tense moment of shuffling and Anne and Kai quickly made their way inside. As soon as they were through, Anne collapsed. The harsh realities of their journey had finally taken a toll on her.
“Check her now! Does she have bite marks? Was she bit?” A towering figure, with fiery red hair and a built to match, demanded. He looked at Kai, his sharp gaze searching for any signs of deception. “No! She… I just lost my father on the bridge,” Kai confessed.
The burly man scrutinized Kai for a moment longer before a voice cut through their tense exchange. “Macky, stop harassing people! They need help, not your harassment!”
Macky turned to face the new voice. “But… we need to make sure we are safe, Jane.”
Jane, a tall, green-haired woman, whose agility belied her age, rushed over to Anne’s side. Her swift, measured movements revealed a physique that was well-defined, a clear indication of her strength. “We are helping them, now help me carry her!” she ordered.
Kai followed closely as Macky and Jane carried his mother deeper into the casino, his heart filled with a mix of relief and worry. They had finally found a sanctuary, but at what cost?
Kai tried to keep pace with Macky and Jane as they hurriedly carried his mother across the once luxuriously carpeted casino floor, now stained with blood and grime. They made their way through the sliding glass doors and continued until they reached a cash booth, now serving as an improvised infirmary.
As Anne was carefully taken inside, Macky’s firm grip stopped Kai. “Hold on, kid. We need to make sure your mom’s not been bitten, for your safety and ours. We should probably check you too.” He raised his voice and called out, “Doc, where are you?”
“I’m in Booth #10,” came the reply.
Guiding Kai towards the voice, Macky’s strong hand on his shoulder was unyielding, despite Kai’s attempts to resist. With a nudge, he was pushed through the door of Booth #10.
Inside, a thin man with long, nimble fingers and glasses perched on the bridge of his nose was engaged in what appeared to be a delicate stitching job. “Hmm, you’ll live. Be careful of those barricades, though, we’re still not sure if the infection can transfer through blood… Hmmm,” he mused, then turned his attention to Macky and Kai. “A new arrival, I presume?”
Macky explained the situation, matter-of-factly, “His mother collapsed as soon as they got in. Jane’s checking her. He said he lost his father on the way here.”
Kai’s eyes flashed with anger at Macky’s insensitivity. “My dad saved us,” he retorted, fists clenched tightly at his sides. “He fought that giant zombie on the bridge on the way here. And we don’t even know if he’s dead, he fell into the river after the bridge collapsed.” His voice wavered, but his determination was unwavering.
Doc turned his soft gaze towards Kai, his well-practiced hands reaching out to him. “Have you been bitten?” he asked, locking eyes with Kai.
“No… I haven’t… I only ran,” Kai admitted, guilt creeping into his voice.
Doc seemed to understand the turmoil Kai was in. “I’m going to check you quickly, just to be sure, okay?”
Kai nodded in agreement. The check was necessary, not just for him, but for everyone in their newfound sanctuary.
Doc’s examination was swift and thorough, and he declared Kai clear of any bites or major injuries. As Kai donned his armor again, he felt a wave of reassurance wash over him, the memory of his father’s comforting touch on his shoulder before they had left home never far from his mind.
“So, am I okay? Can I go see my mom now?” Kai questioned, impatient to be reunited with his mother. Macky’s eyes held a hint of suspicion, but Doc didn’t seem to share the same sentiment. “Yes, let’s go see her. Macky, which booth is she in?”
Macky grumbled a response, and Doc, taking Kai by the arm, led him towards Booth #4. Upon reaching the booth, Doc gave a polite knock. “It’s Doc. Can I come in?”
“Enter,” Jane commanded from within.
As they stepped inside, Kai’s eyes instantly fell on Anne. She was seated, with Jane offering her support and a bottle of water. “How is she?” Doc inquired, his tone professional.
“She’s overall okay, doesn’t appear to be bitten,” Jane reported with a clinical precision. “She does seem to be suffering from severe fatigue, though. And the boy?”
“Mentally fatigued, but overall good. Probably suffering from PTSD, but aren’t we all these days?” Doc added, a hint of humor in his voice in an attempt to lighten the mood.
“I’m okay,” Anne reassured them, extending a weak smile. “Thank you, Doc, for taking care of my son. And it’s nice to meet you.”
Jane’s eyes flicked from Kai to Anne, her expression serious. “Can you tell us what you know, what has happened to you and what you’ve seen?”
Anne nodded, understanding the importance of Jane’s request. She looked at Kai, her expression softening. “It’s okay. He’s been through all of this with me. He’s not a baby anymore,” she said, her voice tinged with sadness. Taking a deep breath, Anne began to unravel their tale, their journey through the apocalyptic world they now inhabited.
