4 Chapter 4

The sound of multiple vehicles was heard outside. When Nikolai looked out, he saw many high armored army vehicles alongside numerous people in camouflage. The bodies in green quickly spread out, six of each going to a house to knock before kicking in when they didn't receive an answer.

Six men, each of them with grim appearances came to the door but didn't have the chance to knock before a teenager already opened it. The frontman gave the young man a look over. He was 3-month-old quick to judge the teen before telling his companions to enter the house.

"Name?" the man said as he took out a tablet.

"Nikolai Agin," the teen said unemotionally. The army man took a glance at him before continuing.

"Anyone else in the house besides you?"

"No," the army man nodded his head as he clicked around the screen. Behind him, Nikolai can hear shooting with roars and screams in the mix. The man in green in front of him remained unresponsive to it. His green eyes looked tired, having dark circles around them alongside worry lines from constant stress.

"You can go straight ahead. There will be a person there that will check to see if you were infected. We will also be taking supplies from your home for the protection of the base please don't make a fuss," the man said as he patted Nikolai's shoulder before entering the home to join his companions.

Nikolai took a look behind him. Through the open door, he can see the six men going through closets and rooms. They cooperatively talked to each other, telling each other what they found.

Nikolai looked once more inside the familiar house he grew up in before walking ahead. People in green were everywhere with regular people walking in between. Each person looked battered as they either laid trembling on the floor, crying or screaming. There were only a rare few that remained calm and collective.

When he continued walking he saw a line of people with hurrying nurses going to each person. Joining the line he looked at the army people around him. His thoughts on the United States' military were so- so. He didn't have much of a viewpoint on them compared to the Russian Army. To him, the United States Army resembled actual people while the Russian army resembled machines. Without thought but deadly.

"Open your mouth please," An older woman said, taking him out of his thoughts. Cooperating quietly Nikolai felt the woman put a thermometer in his mouth, while she turned to another person to do the same. When the sound of the thermometer went off the lady quickly came over and confirmed the number before giving him a mask. "Not infected. Please wear this mask at all times, so you and those around you will be safe."

Nikolai grabbed the mask before putting it on. The mask quickly made his face warm and the smell of antiseptics was quickly detected.

"Once you're done taking your mask please enter the trucks and remain seated," A woman in green said leading the crowd to where the armored trucks were. Nikolai went to sit down in a dark corner of a truck that had the least amount of people. Soon other people came in, filling the spacious truck quickly.

Nikolai discreetly observed the surrounding people. He did quick analyses on each one, keeping a few of them in mind to be wary about. All of a sudden sounds of yelling between a man and a woman could be heard in front of the truck.

"You're seriously bringing a baby with us?! Are you insane?! The thing is a literal bomb! You're going to slaughter us all if it cries!" the man said getting physical with the woman who made a scared screech.

"S-she will be fine! M-my baby was born mute! She will have no trouble!" the woman said looking at other people for their support. The people in the truck all turn their eyes away, afraid of getting involved with the scuffle. The man and the woman went back and forth before the army woman came to settle everything. The man was put in another army truck while the woman hugged her baby to her bosom as she slowly moved forward until she sat across Nikolai.

Her red hair was a chaotic mess while her blue eyes were brimming with unshed tears as she comforted the silent crying baby. Nikolai stared thoughtfully at them for a second before moving his sight to his lap. He fiddled with his coat string when a cat paw appeared and started chasing it within his coat.

Putting his hand into his coat, he patted the cat's head, as he closed his eyes. It took two hours before everything was prepared, as they then took off. The people in the trucks didn't have seatbelts, thus they sometimes piled over the person next to them. When they exited out of the gated community, the people in the trucks finally saw what the outside looked like. The streets were deserted as dead bodies, and ruined cars were laid everywhere. The scent of blood and smoke was thick, causing many to cough or plug their noses.

Nikolai especially felt the smell was overbearing. His nose felt like a bunch of needles is stabbing within it as he took breaths through it. He tried breathing through his mouth, but it felt like he could taste it. He decided to just breathe through his nose to get used to it.

The trip was unnerving for the people in the trucks. Regularly they would hear the shouts of the soldiers and the sound of shooting close by. The further they went, the more the people grew numb to the situation they were in. The people barely talked, most choosing to sleep while others stared blankly outside the truck. The sun was about to set when the truck finally stopped in front of an armed fortress. The people were told to get off as the main head of the operation walked up to the gate.

Nikolai was the last to get off. He looked around to recognize this place to be near Vincent Beach. The buildings looked gloomy as most had scorched marks and broken windows. The air was chilling causing people around him to complain and huddle together. Finishing observing the area, Nikolai turned around to look at the main general who was currently yelling at the tall hurried-built fortress. The people around were finally talking to each other after the long journey of silence. Most had ecstatic expressions as they walked in the same direction as the chief general trying to be the first to get inside the refuge.

"Something not right Nikolai," Lily whispered tensely inside his coat. The teen's eyes narrowed as he took steps backward when. From far away Nikolai could see the general look confused as he talked into the walkie-talkie. The general turned to look at the shoulder next to him before the fortress doors slowly opened. When the door opened all the way, everybody could see a crowd of people there. They couldn't see what the people looked like as it was foggy due to being close to the ocean.

Nikolai could see through his heightened vision that the people's figures looked abnormal. They were swaggering, and bent awkwardly, as some were even missing limbs. The acrid scent of blood became more prominent than it was before.

Nikolai took steps back, directly knocking into someone. When he turned around he saw the mother with red hair also looking at the gate in horror.

Some citizens didn't seem to realize the odd situation as they walked up to the gate in a fast manner. The general that realized something was wrong yelled at them to stop, but before he could finish the sentence an agonized scream pierced the air as one of the people was bitten by one of the people in the fog.

It felt like time stopped for everyone. They all stared at the man who was getting ripped apart and eaten in big gulps. Blood directly sprayed on the nearest people quickly getting them out of their stupor. Screams soon spread out throughout causing many others to wake up.

Immediately people fled. Sounds of crying and praying could be heard as people pushed, stomped on, and left other people. The sound caused the other zombies in the fortress to quickly rush out. The army settled up in position before firing. The zombie bodies collapsed one after another, but the empty spaces were quickly plunged back up with more.

Nikolai didn't wait to see the result as he quickly ran to one of the least amounts of damaged cars. When he ran past one of the trucks he saw a familiar case that was at his home.

"My sniper rifle…." Nikolai thought before quickly grabbing it and hurried his way to an abandoned black Jeep Wrangler.

Opening the unlocked door and putting everything on the passenger seat before he quickly got in. Opening up the compartment he started working on the wires. It took him 5 seconds before the sound of an engine was heard causing heads of running people to look his way. Not sparing them a glance, he put the car into reverse before speeding off.

He drove fast but accurately, he didn't stop speeding until he was a safe distance away. He breathed a quiet sigh before looking in the mirror to see the three extras in the back. There he saw the red-haired woman with her newborn baby and a boy that was about 7 of age.

The woman flinched when their eyes met. Her hand tightened on the fruit knife she was holding as she stared at him like a cornered lioness. They stared at each other for a while before his eyes quietly went back to the road. Nikolai could hear a sigh of relief from behind him.

The drive was quiet. None of the three made any sound of noise as the shock was still evident in their bodies. Nikolas' mind was wondering when he felt movement in his coat; making him remember the little lynx. He patted the cat that was still in his coat signifying to come out. Soon after a little white head popped out before, the rest of the body followed.

"Kitty!" A childish voice sounded out in the car. A pair of chubby hands appeared before once disappearing with a white cat in hand.

"Nikolai! Save me! Why is this child so rough! Hey, hey watch the fur goddamn it!" Lily's voice yelled one minute later. Nikolai took a glance at the mirror seeing the 7-year-old heavily pet the kitten's head causing her head to bend backward and making her face stretch. The mother beside them looked like she was trying to save the kitten but whenever she tried grabbing it, the boy would hug it tightly.

Nikolai was silently amused. His eyes crinkled in laughter that no one noticed before instantly returning into his stoic face.

"Careful," Nikolai finally spoke out after a bunch of cursing was spewed out the cat's mouth.

"Ok," The boy said, as he began petting the kitten softly. Nikolai can hear Lily's sigh of relief as she began purring.

Seeing everything was fine back there, Nikolas once again went back into his thoughts.

"No one can hear her except me," Nikolai thought. He still remembers the time before he passed out, his hand that looked normal right now was transforming into something inhuman-like. He still remembers the sensation. His body felt like it was breaking and rearranging, but his hand had a tingling feeling. It didn't hurt and even gave a sense of comfort.

"Where are you driving to," the mother in the back asked. Getting out of his thoughts, Nikolai pondered for a second.

"You know how to fight?" Nikolai asked back.

The woman looked dazed from the shift of the conversation but still nodded her head. "I used to practice archery, but I haven't touched a bow for a while…".

Nikolai hummed in response as he drove through all the wreckage. The car became silent again as he made his way through the streets, crushing zombies along the way. He didn't stop until he reached a gated house in central LA. The house was something Nikolai liked looking at and visiting to see whenever he was bored. The house was newly built with a high-security program, solar panels, and even its own water tank and water filtering. A rich celebrity was supposed to move in later in the year, but that person may not be alive anymore.

Nikolai drove next to the gate before getting out. The surroundings were quiet with no signs of movement anywhere. The neighborhood didn't have much of a population in it as no one lived in the unfinished buildings.

Nikolai got closer to the locked sturdy gate before grabbing it. Seeing he didn't get electrocuted, he went back to the car.

"Get out," Nikolai said as he grabbed his bag. He once again walked to the gate and waited. The woman came in a hurry with a bag on her back, a baby in one hand and holding a little boy's hand in the other.

Nikolai finally took the time to look at the boy, he didn't see in their truck. The boy was African American. His eyes were a rare lighter brown and his hair was full of natural curls. He had light scattered freckles on his all over where his dark skin can be seen. His eyes were full of purity with a mixture of maturity hidden within them.

"His mother pushed him down and left him there while she ran. He was sitting there spaced out, so I grabbed him along the way to the Jeep… you don't think it's considered kidnapping right?" The woman asked nervously after noticing Nikolai's stare.

Hearing her question Nikolai lifted an eyebrow at her. "Don't think people will care right now, too busy fighting the dead," Nikolai responded. His Russian accent is mild but still very much present. The woman nodded her head as she rocked the now awake baby.

The boy was still holding the cat in one hand while looking around the surroundings. "Lily," Nikolai said. The cat meowed before escaping the child's arm and came running up to him with her tiny legs. "In your biggest size, you think you can jump over the gate?".

The cat looked at the gate after his question. Her head turned sideways in thought. The woman behind them looked at Nikolai like he was crazy while the boy stared curiously at the cat that seemed to understand.

"Hmm, this height shouldn't be hard. My agile power is much more flexible despite my new size," When she finished a glow covered her body, and what stood there was a feline the height of 5ft and the length of 11ft. The sound of inhalation can be heard from behind. When Nikolai looked at the woman her eyes were obtuse, while she held the baby tighter and led the boy behind her.

"Calm down. She mutated when the zombie virus came out. It might be something related to it," he said before getting on Lily's back. "Come,".

The woman looked hesitant as she stared at the feline than at him. A look of pondering came over her face before she cautiously walked over. She hesitated before handing her baby to Nikolai, so she could get the young boy on.

Nikolai was surprised before he grabbed the baby that was handed his way. Even though Nikolai had younger siblings he never got to hold them. His mother didn't like anybody to be near the twins as she finally got the girls she always wanted. The baby was soft and fragile. Her eyes were a lighter blue and her head was thick with red wavy curls. The eyes stared at him curiously as her hands got out of the blankets because of his loose hold and waved about as if wanting to touch his face.

The feeling of tapping was felt on his shoulder as the woman had gotten up onto Lily. "Thank you," she said as he gave her back the baby. Lily stood there for a second before walking back away from the gate. On his back, Nikolai can feel the little boy's clutch onto his shirt as well as the woman's hands that held his waist.

When she walked a far enough distance, Lily turned back around. She stood still for a second before tension was felt from the people on top of her. They all clutched on tightly before she finally sprinted. The speed was fast and jolting as she dashed towards the car. Jumping on the Jeep she used her momentum and pushed off the car, leaving a dent on the roof.

A sound of cheers from the boy can be heard as they flew over the gate and into the gates home. Lily landed softly onto the ground causing no one to fall. When she crouched down the woman was the first to get off.

Her red hair was in a bigger mess than it previously was, her eyes looked shaken as her legs kept wobbling underneath her.

"I just rode a tiger, I just rode a tiger. I just rode a magical feline like I was in a cartoon or something. What hell is the world coming to…" she muttered to herself.

Nikolai's eyebrows furrowed as he watched the about-to-be crazy woman walk to the door with a giggly little boy following her.

".... I think I broke her," Lily said beside him, also looking at the poor woman. Nikolai gave the happy-sounding feline a look before walking to the house. The 3-story house was a light grey. The entrance was a double door made of hard to break Australian Buloke wood and the windows tinted. The lock on the doors was supposed to be a high-security lock, but the workers weren't supposed to install it until the celebrity moved in thus the lock was a standard one.

Bringing his bag in front, Nikolai dug through the various items in it before a lock-picking item was pulled out. Moving the bag behind, Nikolai skillfully calmly unlocked the door until a click sound announcing the door was unlocked.

"Wiring cars and pick locking?" The woman asked as Nikolai opened the door. The teen gave the now calm woman a look before continuing into the house.

"When I was younger there were many situations where I was locked in or gotten lost. Over the years skills like picking locks and hijacking cars are something that I had to pick up for that situation not to happen again,". He answered.

The woman stared at the teen's back. Her eyes were full of wanderings she knew she shouldn't ask.

The house instantly opened up to a guest waiting area. Hallways opening up in both directions while a staircase was right in front. The floors were of dark wood while the walls were a light grey. The stairs instead were black, which had a navy blue carpet on it. The furniture matched the stairs, full of black letters with grey and navy blue pillows. Above them a classical chandelier that screamed rich and fancy to those that enter.

"Wow!" A tiny voice ringed out as the child ran in and walked in a circle looking at everything his little can see. His eyes shone with wonder while his curls moved about on his head.

Staring at the boy, Nikolai instantly thought of a young puppy finally exiting their birth box.

"Charlotte," the redhead said beside him. Giving her his attention she once again said "My name is Charlotte. This is my daughter Fiona; the boy said his name was Christopher,". She pointed at each of them giving brief introductions. She stood there for a second before again continuing "I just want to let you know that I'm grateful you brought us along. You didn't have to, but you did, you don't know how much that means to me. I know we don't know each other and likewise don't trust each other, but I'm willing to work with you if you are as well," she finished.

Nikolai stayed silent as he stared at her. His brown eyes felt like he could see Charlotte inner thoughts making her slightly uncomfortable, but she still didn't move her eyes wanting him to know that she meant it.

It was a couple seconds later before he pointed to the big cat next to him, "Lily," he said softly before pointing to himself "Nikolai," he stretched out his hand, which Charlotte appropriate. "Happy cooperation."