Nothing Is as It Seems

"I told you time and again that we shouldn't have strayed from our predetermined route. Now we're prisoners of rebel soldiers, and we'll be lucky to make it out alive," Alex complained about Donald's decision, who remained silent.

Donald Okafor looked around at the completely empty place and asked, "Where are the people?"

"Didn't you just see them all set free?"

"I don't understand; how did those soldiers trust that those civilians weren't sick and would become infected?" Donald couldn't grasp how the authorities in this place could change fear into cooperation with civilians and disregard orders to such an extent.

If he could meet that man, at least he could ask him what he hoped to achieve with these decisions.

At that moment, footsteps were heard from afar, and Stuart, accompanied by Diaz, descended the stairs. "I apologize for leaving you alone for so long; we had to make sure we'd be okay, and now that we have our answer, it's better with three cups," Stuart said.

"Who are you?" Donald asked after a moment. Even from behind bars, he didn't seem afraid of Stuart, who appeared quite dangerous with his full beard and tattoos on his arms.

Stuart assessed this soldier and knew he was different from the rest.

Right now, it would be impossible to have Donald by his side, so the best they could do was stay on separate paths or kill him.

"Who am I? Hmm, let's say I was once a prestigious soldier within the military... Damn it, I served this country for many years, only for a damn old woman to accuse me after retirement, and only because of that did I have to pay her an absurd amount of money."

Stuart was somewhat muscular, giving him an imposing presence, with striking tattoos on his hands adding a rebellious touch to his appearance. His full beard and short hair reinforced his rough image that few could match.

This time he was playing a different game than he was used to because he needed information from Donald and to know if they were a problem or not.

"Damn it, the world has now gone to hell, and that old woman has probably passed away... I'm not a special person; I'm just here surviving in our own way according to the orders of those who have gathered us," Stuart said, approaching the cell where these two soldiers were, whom they should not trust.

Donald looked Stuart in the eyes and asked, "So, where is your leader?"

"It doesn't work that way; very few know him or have dealt with him. But damn it, that guy, he had information about everything that would happen in this place." Stuart expressed his admiration for Dominic, knowing that everything had now gone to hell.

Everyone was grateful to have listened to Dominic because, thanks to him, many were still alive.

"Then release us; we are not enemies. As far as I know, we are soldiers; we just follow orders, and this will remain so until we control this." Donald did not back down under Stuart's gaze, who had not moved away.

Stuart shook his head and said, "The government's plans are to bomb the cities and set fire to the streets until Operation Cobalt is completed. But guess what? We are all infected, and when we die, that virus will activate in our bodies, turning us into one of those things out there."

"You're lying!"

"I never lie!" Stuart shouted loudly and said, "The government's plans will lead to the destruction of their own system; the military will mostly be dissolved, and now we only have to ensure our own safety."

"We'll all do that," Stuart said, wanting to make sure these people weren't a problem.

"So, what do you gain by keeping us in this place?" Donald changed the question to one that intrigued him more.

"We are ordered to let you go once our helicopters are in the sky; we'll remove the armament from your helicopter, leaving you only the fuel so you can return home." Stuart laid out his plan immediately.

Donald didn't say anything, but his steadfast gaze at Stuart was too challenging.

"You just have to wait, and you'll be released; you have my word." Stuart then withdrew, knowing there was nothing more he could do here.

Donald wasn't a problem for the base, and that was fine because that way they wouldn't have to kill them.

When everyone left, Alex, who was still beside Donald, asked, "Why don't we join them?"

"I won't be a deserter," Donald said with a cold expression.

Alex was a little ashamed and pointed out, "It's not that we're deserters; we're just following the smartest people, and that's the only way we'll be saving lives."

Donald remained silent, his calm gaze revealing little of what he was thinking. He knew that at least these people were intelligent, as returning to a military base would mean living in a depressing environment that few could endure.

...

Safe community near the provisional base, a few hours after sunrise.

At this moment, helicopters were approaching the streets and landing wherever there was space, without caring about anything else.

Everyone was scared; they didn't know what was happening, but they still approached. When they saw Daniel emerge from one of the helicopters, Travis, who was at the forefront of his family, asked, "What's happening?"

"We need to evacuate; the military will be withdrawing from now on, so we'll go with them. Everyone is being taken to a safer place; of course, you also have the right to choose." Daniel raised his voice so everyone could hear him.

Immediately afterward, there were many shouts asking what was going on—something that would warrant an evacuation—but that answer was never given.

Alicia looked at Daniel; she knew what was happening and was surprised that he arrived faster than expected. "Mom, we have to go with them."

"No, we're not going anywhere before talking to major mayors." Travis wanted to know what was going on before making a decision that involved his entire family.

Alicia, annoyed, pulled her mom aside and said, "Dominic has information; he told me they'll bomb the entire city, so it's prudent to go with them. The military will abandon us, but Dominic said he had a plan to take control of the base, and now is the time."

Madison looked at her daughter with confusion and asked, "How is it possible for a nineteen-year-old boy to do that?"

"Smart people survive; besides, Dominic is not ordinary."

Nick, who was listening to his sister, slowly backed away and murmured, "I think she's right; we should leave now, and the sooner, the better."

Many disagreed with leaving; they wanted to demand that the military protect them here, but things wouldn't work that way.

Daniel did his best to share what would happen if many stayed; now it was up to those people what they would do next.