Chapter 31

- Xenon -

We woke up at sunrise the next day, as is the usual whenever they go out of camp. There was only three of us, so we would be taking a single car, though Jim was nice enough to offer me his car, something I appreciated a lot, as nobody else did so. I politely declined, thanking him for the gesture.

"Don't stay for more than ten days." Shane told me. "If you do, we'll assume you're dead. You're a man now, I don't need to tell you the risks."

"Yeah, I got it, don't worry." I nodded. I wouldn't hold a grudge over something like that. Shane was the kind of guy who didn't sugarcoat his words, even when he really should. Someone else might hate him for it, but I understand that if something happens to me in the city, when they don't even know where I'll be going, they won't risk sending search parties for me.

Everyone else was sleeping, only Dale and Shane were awake, so we didn't waste time on goodbyes. I personally disliked them, as they usually have death flag vibes, and I like my poor little life very much. And so, we drove away from camp towards Atlanta City.

I could sense both of them sweating buckets, especially Theodore. Glenn already had experience with this kind of thing, and while he was nervous, he didn't show it much. I was nervous as well, to be honest, but I was excited as well. Being in the middle of the city will be far more interesting than staying at the camp. I can level up faster, get more quests, perks, items… It came with risks as well, obviously, but I was the fucking protagonist here! I've got the system on my side! There is no way I'll die, right?…. Fuck. I probably shouldn't have said that. I'll have to be extra careful.

"So, what's the plan, Xenon?" Glenn said in a low voice. "Do you have any, or will you just be looking around, hoping to find a gun?"

"There are many places you could find a gun. A police station would be my first guess, or the places where the military were stationed. You might find some guns laying around." Theodore added.

"I'll be looking at the outskirts of the city, rich neighborhood or nice houses. Will also make for a nice place to stay in." I joked. "Other than that, I'll just be trying my luck mostly. I can't go to the police station. For one, I don't know where it is, and if it was really that easy to hit, Shane would've gone there already."

"You're right." Glenn nodded. "Shane did ask me about the police station, it's too dangerous."

"Want me to grab you something on the way?" I offered. They spent a moment to think about it.

"I wouldn't mind some magazines." Theodore said vaguely. "If you know what I mean." We both chuckled.

"Porn. Got it." I nodded. "Glenn?"

"Well… It gets pretty boring back in camp, so if you find some video games… something small… I'd really appreciate it." Glenn said uncertainly.

"That's a good idea, actually. I'd like to play some as well." We continued the rest of the trip in silence, as we would soon be stopping.

"Alright, we're here."

"We gotta get you a ride first." Theodore said, to which I nodded. We stopped under a highway bridge, where not a single car could be seen. I could tell this route wouldn't lead out of the city, which is why there were no cars in it. When the outbreak happened and panic took over people, their first reflex was leaving the city, where the situation was 'dire', unaware that everyone else would be thinking just the same, and therefore blocking the street indefinitely. That's why the road leading out of Atlanta was ridiculously full of cars, making it unusable.

We had to walk on foot for a while, to reach a gas station, one they had already came to before. Not that it had much in the first place, the place was emptied way before everything went to shit, and didn't have the time to restock. There were quite a few cars stationed there, probably ex-employees.

I already knew how to hot-wire vehicles, but Glenn and Theodore would be helping. Jim warned me against trying it on newer car models, so we chose a car that looked pretty old, a pickup actually. Theodore said something about it having good horsepower, so I could theoretically drive through a group of undead, but I had no intention of doing that, as enticing as it sounds.

Though, as seen as we revved it up, we noticed what the problem was with this car.

* VROOM VROOM *

"Son of a bitch." I exclaimed. "This one is a screamer, alright." They both laughed at me.

"Should we look for another one?" Glenn proposed.

"Nah, I'm good." I put my hand on the wheel, and could immediately feel myself moving on instinct. It looked a bit awkward, as I didn't really know what I was doing.

"You sure you know how to drive this thing?" Theodore asked me again.

"Yup." I nodded, turning to them. "Well, this is it then. I'll go the other way to drag the geeks away from you."

"Appreciated." Theodore nodded. "Be safe, man."

"Take it easy." Glenn gave me one final advise. "If it looks too dangerous, don't risk it. Keep the car always close for a quick getaway."

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." I nodded and drove off.