Chapter 13: Outpost

                                    

                                          
To Sam, the week felt like an eternity as he wanted to reach his goal of avenging his friends. However, for our other duo, the week just felt like any other. I'd let you imagine the excitement Sam had when Mimi finally approached them. Zizzy, Pony, Zara, Sam and Madeline all began their journey to confront the true villain - Mr. P. As they took on the path, Sam seemed to notice Madeline zone out, focusing on the little picture in her hand, to which Sam recognised as the picture Madeline dropped in the gallery. Zizzy seemed to notice too, and slowed down to catch up to her. 
"You good?" She asked, dropping Madeline from her daze, who nodded and slipped some of the picture in her shirt sleeve. Zizzy noticed the noticable top of three heads, and raised an eyebrow. "Who's that?" She pointed out the picture, to which Madeline sheepishly slipped the picture out, allowing Zizzy to see it. 
The picture consisted three people - a girl, Madeline, and two boys. One had fluffy hair similar to Madeline's brunette locks, and styled headphones around his neck. The other one was younger, being given a piggyback by Madeline. The three were all in sports kits, each one muddy. Zizzy noticed Madeline's faint chuckle. 
"That was a few years ago. That's Jax, he's eleven," Madeline pointed to the older boy, who seemed to find comfort close to his older sister. "And then that's Tom, he's eight." Madeline pointed to the boy on her shoulders, who was rubbing dirt onto her face. "It was some football game." The last few words made Zizzy frown. 
"It was before our parents died." 
Zizzy pat Madeline's shoulder, as they caught up with the other three. The journey to the outpost was fairly short, but the cold of the night was making it feel like forever. It wasn't until Pony stopped when they realised where they were - the outpost.
"Are we really doing this?" Pony mumbled.
"It's now or never, Pony." Zizzy responded with a smile, allowing Zara, Madeline and Sam in before they wandered in through the gates, which were surprisingly open, revealing the deserted area.
"It's quiet, a little too quiet." Madeline numbled, to the space only they can hear. Sam agreed taking the time to assess the surroundings. Around the base, were openings to trenches, which Sam hoped was empty. 
"How about this," Zizzy began. "I'll deal with any soldiers if they're in there, and you four deal with getting Mr. P?" Pony's eyes widened. He didn't want Zizzy to get hurt, let alone deal with them herself. However, Zizzy had already spotted a soldier, and sent it back down, which calmed Pony down, knowing she can handle herself. 
Zara and Madeline walked off together, leaving Sam and Pony as a pair. Pony, knowing what he did, was hesitant to go with him, but quickly joined him after noticing Sam had already walked off.
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuuuuuck!"
Madeline and Zara sprinted down a set of stairs, running from a torcher, who wears a yellow helmet that matches their outfit, gray pants with black boots, gloves, and belt with suspenders. They also wear a black gas mask with a ventilator, along with dark red-colored eye lenses with gray outlines, and wield a large flamethrower with both hands. In addition, they wear a gas tank on their back, which has a black zipper to connect it to the flamethrower. The infected set fire to some of the floor, leaving it burnt, causing the girls to cry out, catching the attention.
Sam and Pony looked up from what they were doing when they saw Zara sprint forward, dragging Madeline behind. Behind them, was the troublesome Torcher. Pony gathered up all of his courage and pulled out a carrot, taking a large bite. He then ran forward and stunned the Torcher, earning applause from Zara. 
"We don't have time, we should move away." Sam noted, and the four walked off. 
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Zara found herself distant from the group, walking over to the entrance way, to catch her breath, when a familar hand touched her shoulder. It was fluffy.
"Marley?" She said, rubbing her eyes to see if she was dreaming, but no. What stood there was indeed, Marley Russell, her ex-police partner.
"Nah." Marley said, and transformed into the creature Zara hated to see. Unlike his normal variant that Zara once saw, his skin is now pale. He carries his lantern attacked to the snout and instead carries a rock on a stick on his right hand. His eyes are now blacked-out with white pupils. Streaming down his eyes, there are black cracks that resemble tears. His head occasionally twitches to the side. 
Zara shook her head, and staggered back a few steps. "Why?" 
"Why not?" The Traveller said, chuckling to himself. "Its funny." 
"I don't think its funny." Zara grumbled, earning an eye roll from The Traveller.
"Who cares if you think its not funny, its what you deserve for going against your dad." 
Zara rolled her eyes and grumbled.
"I'm just keeping my cover.." 
The Traveller snickered. Zara, keeping a 'cover?' No chance! 
"Fine, fine. But just know, you'll get karma if you do." 
Zara was about to say something else until she heard Sam call.
"Hey Zara, Earth to Zara! The door's open, lets go!" 
Zara snapped back to her reality and turned to see Sam and the others at the now open door. She looked behind one last time and ran towards them.
"So, this is it. The chance we get to beat that plump potato to the ground and leave him to d-" 
"Wait!" 
A voice turned the group around - George. Running towards them. 
"George?! I- what?" 
Zizzy exclaimed, looking angry.
"I convinced Zee and Zuzy to play a game of hide and seek.." He mumbled with a smile.
Pony looked behind George, his eyes immediately widening. Behind him, was a large group of infected soldiers that he watched Zizzy defeat so aimlessly. "Well...it looks like you attracted quite the crowd.."
"Whoopsies.." George chuckled as Sam immediately brought the little boy behind him.