Comrade or Foe?

Chapter11: A Comrade or foe?

"Fernando" I coldly spat his name.

"Well! Well! Well! Don't look at us like that. You are the one who forcefully trespassed here." He said " It's been a long time since we've met little princess"

He's wearing a plain black t-shirt with a stain of blood on it, army lime green pajamas, and black boots. On his both waist he has Trench Knife while on his shoulder he carries an ASM-DT amphibious rifle. It shows how professional he is because of his posture and dangerous equipment but I know this is not the time to admire this guy.

"Stop calling me little princess as*shole and don't you ever hurt that kids or else you want to die," I said calmly with a poker face.

"Ow easy I know what you feel, I'm not going to hurt this kid instead I'm here to help those people who can't save themselves" Hearing those words Erin burst out laughing.

"HAHAHAHA seriously? That really came from you? Did you hear what you said? You really got a real nice joke there " I can't control my emotions now. I know it's far too long but the pain and trauma are still there. Some memories will never be forgotten especially if there's are strong emotions attached to the situations.

"Hey, I know what I did to you and also to other kids but I changed. I'm so sorry for what I did to you, please give me a chance to prove that I'm no longer the person you know. I'm also a father now with a lovely and beautiful wife and have three children in my life that I will take care of. " He looks in my eyes directly and said " Past is meant to teach us from our mistakes to became a new version of ourselves to serve the world for the better and this is now my time to correct all my past mistakes" He curved a sad smile on his face and I really see his sincerity on it. But I know too well to not trust this man's words easily.

"But now I need to do this first" he pulled out a white handkerchief and place it on the child's nose. The children suddenly fall asleep.

" What the f*ck are you doing?" I grab my Beholla pistol that I got from my training.

" Hey calm, they are too young to witness this kind of scenario in their life. Don't worry they are safe and just sleeping, it's one of our main agendas to not harm innocent people. By the way, we have our main base stationed to the plantation where we all used to live before."

My eyes turn cold as I point the gun towards him, ready to shoot anytime. His men point their guns to me too. But Fernando only signals his men to put down their weapons.

"I know it sounds eerie to you but that is the best place for us to hide. That place is so far away from this city. My family and other people who are not affected are there."

Yeah, he could be right. The high walls surrounded the plantation are perfect for protection. But wait, isn't that place were closed and burn to ruins? I put down my pistol. The men also lower their guns.

"The plantation is already burned? Is there any place that still able to house there?"

"I suppose it is still started renovating the place around nine months now, to serve as an orphanage for homeless children with the government support."

My eyes squirmed when I remembered the orphanage I was brought in. But he says, the government supports it? Did he really change? And is it enough to trust him? I don't know. I should keep my eye on him now.

"I know you still confused but this place is our main base. It seems too that you're still not affected by those monsters, so would you like to join our team?

"What kind of team is that? If that's illegal you guys just wasting my f*cking time."

" Can you just let me finish first? This group's sole purpose is to help people who are still not affected. And with what's happening right now, do you think the law still stands?"

*Bang!*

We all look at the door that has been banged probably by those monsters

"And it looks like you have no choice for now, Are you willing to take our offer, Erin?"

"Tsk. I'll join you but on one condition, we're gonna save my friends first. If we save them I accept your offer." I said firmly

"Then that's the deal? I'm in" He shows up his hands to make a handshake.

"Deal" I accept his hands as we hold them firmly before letting go.

"Don't worry about the kids they are now in safe hands" he looks at me then winked "Okay boys it's now time to play again. Our friends need a help"

"Yes, sir"

He looks like the leader of this group because the other men follow his order. They all now preparing their own equipment. Then Fernando suddenly throws at me one of his rifles. It's an Excalibur rifle which I catch it so easily.

"Nice catch huh. You need that to save your friends." He said with pure energy in his voice.

"Thanks," I said.

" Nah, this is not the right time to say thank you, say that after we save your friends" he hugs me and pat my back which I'm quite surprised that I almost kneed him to the place where the sun won't rise again but I halt when I hear his words "I know what I've done to you before was tragic, cruel and inhumane but right now the only thing that I can amend all of this is to help you and your friends. I'm really sorry, staying in prison taught me a lot"

I don't know what to say. My body is all stiff but thankfully he let me go. but all I know is I feel comfortable with his presence.

*Honk!*

We heard a huge buzz of truck outside which got our attention. Soon the banging on the door stops. Then multiple shouting was heard from the outside.

"Boss all clear!"

" Are you ready to become a hero?" He said with a grin as he looks at me.

"I don't plan to be a hero, those who play heroes in this situation tend to die first," I said as I walk past him and load the rifle. As we made it out I saw multiple zombies lying on the ground Their heads have been blown out. Another four guys with military clothes are outside and in their hands where sniper guns. I see then this place must have been their place and they probably find out about me before I entered here. And there is a huge FMT vehicle ready outside.

How in the world did they acquire military trucks and weapons?

We rode the vehicle and hit the road.

It's almost a half-hour now we still didn't find them. I'm in the passenger seat while Fernando was the driver, on my lap are the two kids that sleeping peacefully. His ten men are at the passengers shooting whenever they saw zombies on the way. They all look professionals at how they handle their guns. Fernando's group were not some kind of thugs. There is more to them. As if and answering what's on my mind, Fernando speaks.

"When I'm out of prison, I was forced to serve under the military troop called Government Task Secret Force (GTSF). And somewhat under my time there, I rose on top and become a squadron leader. They are all from my group well train so don't worry about them they can handle themselves."

I see, I did hear from my superiors that our government build some secret military group.

"I see then if what you said is true what is your whole group doing in the city now? All of you should be at the country's border garrison?"

"We are here to do a secret operation but before we could do it, the world already turns hell," Fernando said with a glum voice.

I just nod my head and turn my attention on the road. There are still many questions in my mind but I'll just save them for some other time.

The places are messy and wrecked. Some cars are emitting smoke and there's have a lot of blood spoiled everywhere. Many people before got saved are crying, fighting, angry. There are so many emotions on different faces.

Then my eyes widen when I saw one particular car that gets my attention.

"Oh my! Wait that's Liza's car. Stop the truck!"

I hope they still alive. Oh Lord please I wish I'm not late.

"Boys check the car" Fernando shouted as we came out. I carefully came out of the truck and entrusted the kids to an elderly couple that the soldiers got to save.

Those men get off the truck to see if my friends still there.

"Boss there are no people in the car. And looks like some heavy fight took place there." One of the men with a tan skin color reported.

When I heard that I run towards the car only to find out that it's empty. Something that glows in the back seat caught my attention. I check it out. It's the IWC Schaffhausen silver watch of Tom.

They are really been here. Panic began to rise from my heart as I try to look around for them. Are they ok? Where are they? Did Carlo make it in time?

"Erin!!!" My whole attention got back when I heard that loud shout from someone.

From some ruined convenience store a certain group runs out. To no avail, I run towards them and closed them with a group hug which they greatly return.

"Omg Erin! Thank God!" I hear Liza's voice that makes me feel at ease, tears almost fell from my eyes.

"Guys, I'm so glad that you're all alive and alright," I said with joy and relief.

"It's good to see you still breathing too Erin," Fred said.

"You!" I become mortified when I saw Carlo broke out from the hug and pointed his gun at Fernando who is standing a meter away from us.

We all broke the hug. I could see the anger, and hatred, in Liza, Tom, Fred, and Carlo's eyes.

"Why is here?" Carlo coldly asked.

I massage my temples before I speak. "Long story short, I was in danger and he helps me. I also made a temporary deal with him to look for you guys since if you saw those monsters already, they can't be handled alone. I also lost my bike. They also have already a safe base with other survivors,"

"Then do you expect us to just agree with you, Erin? Did you forget what that man cause us?" Liza grits her teeth as she clenches her fist.

"That man makes our life hell!" Tom said as he points at Fernando with seething anger.

*Bam!*

My eyes widen when Carlo fires the gun and turn to see if he shot Fernando.

But he didn't. What he shot is a zombie that is sneaking behind him. Fernando just stood there without flinching as he bows his head looking dejected.

"I will hear all the explanations later. But let's head first with the place you said that there safe base." Carlo said as he rode on his bike.