Chapter 2

2

The rescue chopper didn't wait.

It sealed its doors and lifted off, leaving us on the tarmac.

My team exploded in anger.

"Caleb, you damn lunatic！ You've killed us all！"

"And you！ You ran back home just to grab a vintage violin？ Who were you going to play for, the devil？"

Chloe turned pale under the barrage of insults.

"I'm... I'm sorry. This violin is my most precious treasure. I didn't think it would delay us this much..."

She hid behind Caleb to escape their hateful glares.

The team looked at me with resentment too.

"Elena, you've saved us so many times. We trusted you as our leader, but how could you be so foolish？"

I put on a guilty expression and patted their shoulders.

"It was my fault. I let my emotions get the best of me, but there's no point in arguing now."

"Don't worry. I know a temporary bunker nearby. We can take shelter there."

Caleb held Chloe close, snorting with disdain.

"You bunch of cowards. Elena is still here. She's led us through three outbreaks already. Who cares if we missed one flight？ We'll just wait for the next one."

The team was furious, but the immediate danger kept them quiet.

Half an hour later, we reached the bunker.

As the heavy blast doors slammed shut, the roars of the zombies were cut off.

"Finally safe..." Everyone collapsed in exhaustion.

Then, a teammate checked his tablet and gasped.

"It's over. I just got word. That was the last evacuation flight. The military is abandoning this sector！"

"You mean we're trapped here forever？！"

The team was shaking, their faces white with terror.

Caleb just rolled his eyes.

"Stop being babies. This place has enough food for three months. If the army doesn't come, we'll just trek out ourselves."

I opened my military comms device and entered a code.

"Don't panic. I've contacted high command. They've promised a special ops team to extract us in three days. Use this time to rest."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Caleb beamed, squeezing Chloe's hand.

"Chloe, see？ We're going to be fine！"

The team's expressions remained grim.

"Elena," the deputy whispered, pulling me aside.

"Do you have enough seats on that flight？ We have eight people including those two."

I nodded slowly. "Yes, but I only requested seven spots."

He looked confused, then a realization dawned on him.

"So... someone has to stay behind？"

I glanced at Caleb, who was busy feeding Chloe water.

A cold smile touched my lips.

"Don't worry. Your spots are guaranteed. As for the extra person, it'll be up to them to decide who stays."

We shared a knowing look.

Caleb was busy wiping sweat from Chloe's forehead, oblivious to everything.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I'll get you to the safe zone no matter what."

I felt a surge of anticipation.

When the next rescue arrives, what will Caleb choose？

Will he keep his promise？

Or will he show the ugliest side of human nature？