The Last Dawn
Chapter 9. Emergency Service Station

After a tense journey through the desolate streets, Logan’s group arrived at the emergency services station just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The building, a sturdy, nondescript structure, stood as a silent sentinel amidst the chaos that had engulfed the city.

As they approached, they could see that the station’s main entrance was barricaded, suggesting it had been used as a shelter at some point. The windows were boarded up, and the front door had a makeshift barrier composed of various pieces of furniture.

“Looks like we’re not the first ones to think of this place as a safe haven. Let’s be cautious; we don’t know what or who could be inside.” Logan whispered.

The group moved to the side of the building, where they found a less fortified service entrance. With a collective sense of apprehension, they carefully removed the barricade and opened the door, their senses heightened for any signs of danger.

Stepping inside, they found themselves in a dimly lit hallway. The air was stale, and the silence was almost oppressive. The walls were lined with notices and emergency protocols, now irrelevant in the face of the current crisis.

“I guess we should probably search the place.” Sarah suggested.

The group split up to search the station, moving through the building with a mix of hope and fear. The station’s layout was a maze of offices, storage rooms, and garages, all eerily empty and quiet.

As they proceeded, the signs of a hasty evacuation became evident. Desks were cluttered with paperwork, a half-empty cup of coffee sat abandoned on a counter, and personal belongings were scattered in disarray.

Despite the apparent abandonment, the building provided a temporary sense of security. The thick walls and heavy doors offered a degree of protection that the city streets could not.

Sarah and Shannon headed towards the medical room. Inside, they found shelves lined with first aid kits, bandages, antiseptic solutions, and a small stock of over-the-counter medications. They gathered as much as they could carry, knowing how vital these supplies could be.

Meanwhile, Logan and Cody explored the storage rooms. They were relieved to replace several crates of bottled water and non-perishable food items such as canned goods and energy bars. In one of the lockers, they also found a stash of batteries and flashlights, which were quickly added to their growing stockpile of resources.

Ty ventured into the garage area, where he discovered a few emergency response vehicles. Though they were low on fuel, he managed to replace a small cache of useful items in the trunks, including blankets, a crowbar, and a road flare kit.

As they regrouped in the main office with their replaceings, the reality of their situation began to set in. While they had managed to replace essential supplies, the station’s eerie silence and the encroaching darkness outside served as a reminder of the dangers that lay beyond its walls.

“Looks like we have enough supplies for a couple of days, at least until we leave the city. I cant wait for this to be over.” Sarah said looking over the supplies.

“Hopefully this hasn’t left the city. But who knows.” Logan said worrying about what BioCorp has done.

After taking inventory of their newly acquired supplies, Cody suggested they take a moment to rest and mentally prepare for the challenges ahead. The group settled into a small break room within the station, the dim light from their flashlights casting long shadows on the walls.

“The past few days have been rough, lets just chill here for a little while and relax.” Cody suggested.

In the quiet of the room, each member of the group seemed lost in their thoughts. The events of the past days had been a relentless assault on their senses and emotions, and the brief respite provided a much-needed opportunity to process everything.

Sarah stared at the wall, her mind replaying the recent harrowing experiences. The images of the infected, the chaos in the streets, and the loss of Tony and Mary haunted her. Yet, amidst the turmoil, she found a sense of purpose in helping the group survive.

“I don’t understand how this has gone to shit so fast.” Sarah said.

Cody, nodded in agreement. “I just wish we had some damn answers.”

Ty, sitting quietly in a corner, spoke up, his voice tinged with sadness. “I keep thinking about my brother, wondering if they’re safe.”

“I work…well worked for a company called BiCorp. We studied things from prehistoric mammal DNA to modern viruses to ancient viruses.” Logan said thinking about the recent documents found.

“I think BioCorp was working on a virus they created.” Logan said.

“Created? Like how?” Shannon asked.

“I’m not sure, I think it’s a variant of COVID-19.” Logan replied.

“That was over a decade ago?” Cody said.

“I know. COVID-19 was more like a base line. It traveled fast. BioCorp used it to create what they were calling COVID-2193.” Logan replied. “I was trying to replace out more about it when all of this happened.”

The main office was spacious enough to accommodate them all. They moved desks and chairs to the sides, creating an open space in the center of the room. Using blankets and emergency sleeping bags from the station’s supplies, they prepared makeshift beds.

“I think we should pair up in two’s taking shifts to stay up. I’ll take an extra shift.” Logan suggested.

The group agreed, understanding the importance of keeping watch. Despite their exhaustion, they knew that staying vigilant was crucial for their safety.

As the night deepened, a sense of calm settled over the temporary shelter. The group, each lost in their thoughts, eventually drifted off to sleep, the day’s events catching up with them. The dim light from a couple of flashlights provided a soft glow, casting a comforting ambiance over the room.

As the group settled down for the night, Logan and Cody took the first shift for the night watch. The station was quiet, the only sound being the occasional rustle of sleeping bags as someone shifted in their sleep. Logan peered out through a small gap in the barricaded windows, scanning the dark, deserted streets outside.

“So how long have you worked for the school?” Logan asked.

“Twenty three years now.” Cody replied looking at Logan.

“Any kids? Wife?”

“Kids no. Wife is down in Florida visiting her parents. If only I had gone with her when she asked.” Cody laughed a little. “What about you? Can’t be old enough for kids. How long have you and Sarah been together?”

Logan smiled, “Yeah, no kids. I’m twenty five. And Sarah and I have known each other for a couple of years now. But we weren’t together until recently.” He said looking over at Sarah sleeping with her back towards him.

Sarah, pretending to be asleep smiled as she listened to the conversation.

Cody nodded, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room, ensuring everyone was safe. The responsibility of the watch was heavy, but both men understood its necessity.

“You think this has traveled?” Cody asked.

Logan thought for a second, “It’s hard to say. If BioCorp created this as a weapon than it wouldn’t be airborne or waterborne. But creating an engineered virus is dangerous far beyond what we understand.”

“How so?”

“They’re unpredictable. They could mutate to an uncontrollable state, no telling how fast either.” Logan replied thinking about what he had learned in biology. “Our bodies can withstand a lot. But I don’t know about this.”

Two hours later, Sarah and Shannon took over. The silence of the station was unnerving, and Shannon found herself jumping at every small noise. She kept her focus on the entrance, her hand instinctively resting on a piece of pipe they had found, now serving as a makeshift weapon.

“Hopefully this ends soon.” Shannon said.

Sarah forcing a smile. “It will. We are almost out of the city.”

“What happens if this thing has traveled?”

“I don’t know.” Sarah replied thinking. “I’m sure the government has secluded this to the city.”

“I just cant wait to get back home.”

“Where are you from?” Sarah asked.

“San Diego. I was out here on a business trip.” Shannon replied.

“What kind of work do you do?”

“I’m a project manager for a consulting firm.” Shannon replied.

“We’ll make it through this.” Sarah said noticing the worry on Shannon’s face.

Shannon nodded in agreement, her eyes never leaving the door. The quiet of the night was a stark contrast to the chaos they had endured over the past days.

As their shift ended, Ty and Logan took over. The night dragged on, each hour feeling longer than the last. Ty, despite his exhaustion, remained vigilant, his thoughts occasionally drifting to his family.

“How you doing man?” Logan asked.

“Tired.” Ty replied. “You?”

“Worried.” Logan replied.

“Oh hell man, this will pass I’m sure it hasn’t gotten to any other place.”

“Maybe.” Logan said knowing the worst was very much possible. “I feel like I should’ve done something faster.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, you didn’t know.” Ty said.

Logan nodded.

The night passed without incident, each pair taking their turn, watching over the group as they slept. The simple act of keeping watch was not just a practical necessity but also a silent promise among them to protect each other.

As dawn broke, the first light of the morning filtered through the cracks in the barricade. The group stirred awake, grateful for the uneventful night but aware that a new day brought new challenges.

Throughout the night, as members of the group took turns keeping watch, the silence of the station was occasionally broken by distant, unsettling sounds, the faint cries of the infected or people screaming occasionally, the crackling of fires somewhere in the city, and the sporadic echoes of unknown disturbances.

Every creak of the building and rustle outside the barricaded door set them on edge, their senses heightened to every potential threat. The night was a constant battle between the need for rest and the instinct for survival.

Logan, looking over the map they had found, called the group’s attention. The table was spread with the map and various notes they had taken.

“We are almost out of the city. What’s next?” Logan asked looking at the group.

“If we cut through where the clinic is, we can gather a few supplies.” Cody suggest.

“We need to get out of the city, fuck the clinic.” Logan replied.

Sarah looking at Logan, “I think Cody’s right, what if its not just this city? Anything would help.”

Logan knowing that they are probably right, “Okay, but we can’t stay long.”

“Agreed.” Ty replied nodding his head.

The group huddled around the map, examining the proposed route. The clinic wasn’t far, but navigating through the city streets was risky, especially during daylight when its easier for the infected to see.

“We should avoid main roads as much as possible. Back alleys and side streets might be safer, even if it takes us longer.” Sarah suggested.

Cody, familiar with the city’s layout, pointed out a few shortcuts and less known paths they could take. “These back routes should help us avoid the worst of it,” he suggested.

Logan acknowledged this, affirming the need to be cautious with their resources. “Let’s take only what we need and keep our packs light. We have to be able to move quickly if necessary.”

The group agreed on the plan and began preparing their backpacks with the necessary supplies. The atmosphere was one of focused determination; they knew the risks but were resolved to push forward.

Shannon, who had been quiet, spoke up. “We should also keep an eye out for any other survivors who might need help. We’ve been lucky but others might not be as fortunate.”

Logan nodded in agreement. “We’ll help where we can, but our primary goal is to stay safe and reach the clinic.”

Having set out from the station, Logan’s group proceeded cautiously along the less-traveled routes of the city. The air was tense with the unspoken knowledge that every corner could hold potential danger.

As they turned down a narrow alleyway, a sudden movement caught their attention. A lone figure stumbled towards them, his clothes tattered and dirty. He looked exhausted, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Logan immediately raised his hand, signaling the group to stop and be ready for anything. He cautiously approached the man.

“Hey you okay?” Logan asked.

The man, panting heavily, looked at Logan and the group. Relief seemed to wash over him as he realized they weren’t a threat.

“Do you have anything to drink?” The man asked.

Sarah stepped forward offering the man some water. As the man drank the water, he explained in a shaky voice that he had been part of a group that tried to hold up in a nearby building. But one by one, they had succumbed to the infection, and he was forced to flee.

“Feels like I’ve been running for days.” He said.

Logan looked around, ensuring they weren’t drawing attention. “We’re heading to a clinic to stock up on supplies, then planning to leave the city. You’re welcome to come with us.”

The man nodded eagerly, grateful for the offer. “Yes, please. I don’t know where else to go.”

“What’s your name?” Logan asked.

“Daniel.”

With the new addition, Logan’s group continued their cautious trek through the city. Daniel, though still visibly shaken, began to share more information as they walked.

“I overheard some people talking about a safe zone before everything went downhill. It’s supposedly outside the city, set up by the military. They said it’s well-protected and has regular supplies.” Daniel said.

“How could there be a safe zone?” Logan asked.

“I don’t know, some guy I ran into said he was part of a relief unit that was sent yesterday. Said they started setting up a small camp on the other side of the bridge outside the city.”

This information piqued the group’s interest. A military safe zone could offer the security and stability they desperately needed. However, Logan remained skeptical, mindful of the risks of trusting hearsay.

“I think its worth checking out.” Logan suggested.

Sarah, walking beside Daniel, asked him if he knew anything about the situation at the clinic. Daniel shook his head, his expression grim.

“I haven’t been that way since everything started, but I heard it was overrun.” Daniel said.

The group absorbed this news with a mix of concern and determination. The prospect of facing danger at the clinic was daunting, but they were running low on supplies.

Cody, who had been quietly listening, chimed in. “If the clinic is too risky, maybe we should consider replaceing this military safe zone. It could be our best chance.”

The suggestion sparked a discussion among the group. The idea of a secure place was tempting, but the uncertainty of its existence and location made the decision difficult.

“We don’t know what we’re walking into with either option. But staying in the city is a no go for me.” Shannon remarked.

“Let’s check out the clinic real quick. If we don’t replace anything in five minutes we leave.” Sarah suggested, the group agreed.

As the group approached the clinic, they were met with a scene of desolation. The clinic, once a beacon of care and healing, now appeared abandoned, its windows shattered and the main entrance ajar. The uneasy silence in the air was a stark contrast to the chaos they had anticipated.

Logan motioned for the group to halt a safe distance away. They huddled together, weighing their options in light of the clinic’s foreboding appearance.

“Definitely been looted.” Logan said.

“Honestly it might be worth looking.” Sarah suggested.

Daniel, still catching his breath from the journey, nodded in agreement. “I think we should at least check it out. But that safe zone... if it’s real, it might be a better option for us in the long run.”

The group deliberated, the uncertainty of the clinic’s condition weighing heavily against their desperate need for supplies. Finally, Logan made a call.

“We’ll split into two teams. One will scout the clinic for any useful supplies. The other will keep watch outside. If anything goes wrong, we meet back here and head for the location of the military safe zone Daniel mentioned.”

Cody, looking towards the clinic, added, “And we do this quickly. We can’t afford to linger in one spot for too long.”

“Five minutes.” Logan said looking at Sarah.

With the decision made, the group prepared to execute their plan. Logan, Daniel and Ty readied themselves to enter the clinic, while Sarah and Cody positioned themselves strategically outside to keep watch.