Chapter 7: The Journey for Survival

The morning sunlight seeped through the curtains of the penthouse as the group gathered for breakfast. Anjali Aunty insisted on preparing the meal. As they sat around the table, enjoying the warmth of the food, Anjali began to share stories from her past.

"My husband was an officer in the Indian army," Anjali began, her eyes misting with memories. "He was a brave man, always ready to protect and serve. We met during a difficult time in our lives, but his strength and courage saw us through. A very reliable person how thought about everything before hand itself. You could say that i was slowly being spoiled by him and his over protectiveness" aunty slightly laughing reminiscing about her days with her husband

Seeing that she had brought the mood down early in the morning she decided to tell something funny to lighten up the mood

"when ever the street kids used to mess around in out garden" Anjali continued with a wistful smile. "He used to scares them off using a gun he had, a memento from his service. He used to try and scare people with it all the time, always claiming it was for protection. In reality, I think he just loved the look on people's faces and the way they run back to there homes."

While the children were laughing, Jack and Raj exchanged excited glances. The mention of gun sparked a sense of hope and determination. Such a weapon could be invaluable in their fight for survival.

"Where is the gun now?" Jack asked eagerly.

"It's at my house," Anjali replied. "But my house is quite far from here."

Jack and Raj quickly formed a plan. They would need a vehicle to make the journey safely and efficiently.

"We should check out one of the car rentals nearby," Raj suggested. "From there, we can drive to Anjali's house and retrieve the gun and anything else useful."

Jack nodded in agreement. "It's a good plan. I'll go with Arjun to show me the way. You stay here and watch over Priya and Anjali aunty."

Raj agreed, understanding the importance of someone staying back to protect their base. Jack and Arjun prepared for their journey, gathering supplies and weapons. The Divine Interface provided Jack with useful information and a sense of confidence.

As they set out, the streets of Mumbai were eerily quiet. The once-bustling city was now a ghost town, with abandoned cars and debris scattered everywhere. They moved cautiously, always alert for any signs of infected.

After a while, they reached a car rental. Jack carefully picked the lock and they entered, searching for a suitable vehicle. They found a rugged Toyota Hilux, an off-road beast equipped with extra floodlights, perfect for their needs. Jack and Arjun quickly loaded the vehicle with supplies before heading towards Anjali's house.

The journey was not without obstacles. They encountered several infected along the way, but managed to avoid direct confrontations. Jack drove over many stranded infected creatures and avoiding large groups of them who were gathered underneath the shadows of the tall building while Arjun kept watch and provided support.

When they finally arrived at the house, it was late afternoon. They quickly searched the house, searching for the gun, it was a sniper rifle and along with it they found some ammunition and other useful items. The house also had canned food, bottled water, and medical supplies, all of which they loaded into the Hilux.

As they were finishing up, they heard a noise from one of the back rooms. Jack motioned for Arjun to stay quiet as they approached the sound. An infected suddenly burst out of the room, lunging at Arjun. Jack swung his axe, but the creature was fast. Arjun barely managed to dodge, the infected's claws grazing his arm.

With a swift, powerful strike, Jack decapitated the infected, its body collapsing to the floor. Arjun was shaken but unharmed.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked, breathing heavily.

Arjun nodded, his face pale. "Yeah, i think soo!."

Jack consulted the Divine Interface, which warned him that infected were present in large numbers in the area. They needed to leave quickly. As they packed up the last of the supplies, the sky darkened, and Jack felt a sense of urgency.

"We need to get back to the penthouse ASAP," Jack said, glancing at Arjun. "It's getting dark, and the infected will be more active."

But as they stepped outside, Jack realized the streets were already swarming with infected. The Divine Interface flashed a warning: "Infected activity is high in this area. Proceed with caution."

"We can't make it back now," Jack said grimly. "It's too dangerous. We'll have to stay here for the night." knowing that going out there at that time was walking straight to death.

They quickly fortified the house, blocking doors and windows with furniture. Jack poured vinegar around the house to mask their scent, knowing the infected could easily smell living beings. He let Arjun sleep while he stayed awake, the weight of responsibility heavy on his shoulders. He could feel the number of infected increasing and was very weary. No wonder the Divine Interface had suggested him to go to the tall building to avoid this situation at the start.

As the night wore on, Jack's senses were on high alert. Suddenly, he heard another noise, this time from the upper floor. His heart rate skyrocketed. Low visibility, an unfamiliar place, all disadvantages for Jack. Gripping his axe tightly, he cautiously made his way upstairs.

The noise led him to a room where he saw a cat perched on top of a wardrobe, hissing at an infected dog that was trying to reach it. With quick reflexes, Jack charged at the dog, swinging his axe with precision. The infected dog turned to face him but was no match for Jack's strength and determination. One powerful blow and the dog was dead.

The cat, realizing it was safe, cautiously approached Jack, rubbing against his leg. Jack picked it up gently. "Looks like we have a new member," he whispered, the cat purring softly in his arms.

He returned to the room where Arjun was sleeping, the cat nestled comfortably in his jacket. The night was long, but Jack remained vigilant, knowing that survival depended on his alertness and the strength of their fortified position.

As dawn approached, Jack could feel the tension easing. They had survived another night, and with the sniper rifle and new supplies, they were more prepared for the challenges ahead.