We're out !

Still in shock, everyone's thoughts seemed to be in slow motion.

What had happened? Why did he fall? Had he stumbled? Did he have no strength left?

They didn't understand and stood there dumbfounded.

"No one hurt?"

Shane's voice broke the heavy silence and eyes turned to him.

Although he could see most of the action, the last few seconds were out of his field of vision.

He didn't know that the teenager wasn't one of the survivors.

Jake looked at the little boy. Still lying on the ground, staring into space, he didn't seem to realize what was happening.

Not wanting to remind him too abruptly, Jake moved closer to Shane, cleared his throat before whispering what had happened.

The driver frowned but said nothing.

There was nothing to say.

As they all got up, they saw that although he was in shock, the boy had no other injuries, which was a relief.

And also that he was clinging desperately to Kyle, not letting go of his arm for a moment.

Helplessly, Kyle let him do so and led him to sit in the seat next to him while Jake decided to take Kyle's place as co-pilot.

They continued on their way, in a darker atmosphere than before.

The zombies behind them were not pursuing them, or at least not yet.

And there was no doubt about what was occupying them as they fled.

In a silence interrupted only by the roar of the car, they continued on their way, trying to detach their thoughts from recent events.

After this long and uncomfortable moment, they arrived at the edge of the city, a heavily barricaded building that prevented any impromptu exit of the monsters.

This building was surrounded by long, fortified fences and what appeared to be an electric fence had been installed along the entire length of the boundary, and all indicated that it went all around the city.

It was a very well done and effective fortification for something done in a hurry. Well, effective for the humans, because there was no sign that the zombies had tried to get through.

A gate at the side of the building opened quickly as the car arrived, and closed just as quickly after it passed.

For the two sisters, despite the striking scene they had just left, which still disturbed their thoughts a little, questions began to appear as they observed all this.

The car stopped and they had to swallow the burning questions as they saw a soldier approach. Shane opened his door and got out to join him. After a short, whispered discussion between the two men, Shane returned to take his place behind the wheel and the car set off again.

Nora and Millie looked at each other briefly before turning their attention back to their driver. In the rush, they had not been overly interested in how their rescuers had made it safely into the city, but on second thought...

These policemen were strange.

But soon their eyes were drawn to the scenery before them. It was nothing extraordinary, just a road stretching to the horizon.

Yet in that moment, that road became the most beautiful landscape in the world.

Because it meant that they were finally out of that cursed city. Away from this hell.

~ ~ ~

Capital

~ ~ ~

Sitting behind his desk, Arthur Rainfrew was conscientiously reading the files laid out before him. No word escaped his eyes as he quickly scanned the paper.

This is how his wife, Laurene, found him.

The serene beauty had strained features and fatigue could be seen in her posture, but the gleam in her gaze made no doubt of her newfound strength.

Her daughters were returning, and with them the vitality of their mother.

The latter came closer to her husband and, when she reached him, wrapped her arms around him, embracing him gently.

"What are you reading?"

Bringing his wife's hand to his mouth, he gave it a gentle kiss before answering calmly:

"The files of the four policemen."

"Are you worried about them?"

"No."

Laurene inclined her head.

"Leaving aside the monsters besieging the city, which I'm not pleased about, believe me, but... They're four young men accompanying your two girls. Aren't you even a little worried?"

Her husband's face tensed and his hand tightened on the pages. Laurene sighed, shaking her head.

"You have never been able to lie to me, my love. If it makes you feel any better, I think that the wife and newborn child of one of the policemen included in the trip should ensure their safety. Besides, our girls aren't necessarily the most tender-hearted and naive, they'll be fine."

"It's better for them."

"But that's not the only reason you read their files."

Arthur thought for a few moments, trying to figure out how to phrase his sentence.

"Let's say... that they have a profile that interests me."

Laurene squinted her eyes.

"You are being unfaithful to me, aren't you."

Her husband smiled.

"No one interests me more than you."

The woman picked up one of the files and looked through it quickly. As she read, a glint appeared in her now serious eyes.

"There is a word that comes to mind."

Arthur looked at her, attentive. Laurene returned his gaze and handed him the file.

"Potential."

Even putting aside the fact that they had saved their daughters, their records showed real capabilities in the making. They were just babies at the moment, but what was written on those sheets already gave a hint of what they could accomplish later. Moreover, willingly diving into this city to save someone showed unwavering loyalty. And the fact that they made it out alive proved that it wasn't just a crazy move.

"Do you have any plans for them?"

"No. I'm putting them on hold until our girls are back. Eddy's handling their return, so no one will notice them."

"Perfect. Dad will keep an eye out for any information on the situation, he'll let you know as soon as he hears anything."

Arthur nods before frowning.

"Your mother's been pretty quiet since they got back from overseas..."

"For now."

"I thought she was supposed to contact her friend to help Nora."

"She did. Now she's concocting a plan to disintegrate the zombies."

Her husband let out a grimace.

Seeing his face, Laurene let out a small laugh.

"Don't worry, Miranda's channeling her."

The room fell silent, only interrupted by the rustling of leaves. Gently massaging Arthur's shoulders,

Laurene sighed.

"I feel like we're forgetting something."

"The investigations are underway, and we've got everything planned for our girls' return. What do you think we're forgetting?"

"I don't know. It's just a feeling. I must be imagining things."

At that moment, the forgotten 'thing' violently opened the doors of the room and approached with a determined step.

"When were you going to inform me of the situation?"

The couple, surprised, looked at each other.

Oops!