Chapter 750: Sitting by the Portal, Another Sign of the Incoming Catastrophe (1/2)
Day 154 - 1:15 PM - Reading City, Pennsylvania, United States of America
As Louis stood atop the ragged wall of concrete he created, Felicia also did her share of work. There was not only the infected within the horde in the area but also some wandering stragglers. She might not be much of help in handling large amounts of infected at once. Nonetheless, she was the most effective in one-on-one battles.
”Felicia, Louis, how is the situation there?”
The radio strapped on the waist of Felicia sounded with Huey's voice as she twisted an infected's head with a powerful kick.
Without letting her attention stray away from the infected, Felicia picked up the radio.
”The situation here is pretty much under control,” Felicia replied on the radio. ”Louis already blocked the road, and there is only a small number that can climb up or jump. If needed, we probably can eliminate them, but it will take some time and effort.”
”There is no need to kill them all,” Huey replied. ”Just deal with those that can possibly become a threat. If not possible, just leave them be. Don't waste too much time and energy since we only need to delay them for another two to three hours. We might even need to pull back earlier than expected.”
”Okay, got it,” Felicia affirmed and turned to Louis atop the ragged concrete wall. ”You heard that, right? So don't push yourself too much.”
”Hah... Alright.” Louis replied with a shrug and murmured. ”We haven't even committed ourselves to each other, but she nags like we're married for years...”
”Did you say something?”
”I didn't!”
***
Day 154 - 1:20 PM - Warehouse, Lombard St., Reading City, Pennsylvania, United States of America
At the warehouse southeast of the school where Alana was positioned, Huey was overseeing their final operations in this place. Since their base was the Pagoda atop Mt. Penn, it would be a waste of fuel and time to go back and forth, especially if the scavenging run did not fill their vehicles. Thus, they decided to use this warehouse as a dropoff. Then, they would move the supplies up the mountain.
There was also another problem. The only road that would lead up to the Pagoda was on the east side of the mountain. It became an issue since the main city areas were on the opposite.
They had no choice but to make this place a drop point for the supplies they collected. It also allowed them to manually carry the supplies up the mountain through the trekking paths behind the Pagoda.
”Hurry up! Move faster!”
A loud voice urged the workers to move faster. It was no other than Ed, the masculine man among Huey's group. He was watching the workers as they filled his metal cart with supplies.
”Yes!”
The workers replied with serious faces.
”Don't push them too hard. It would be a problem if the workers collapsed.”
Huey called out to Ed from the roof of the warehouse.
”We are fine, Sir!” Instead of Ed, it was the workers that replied. ”We do need to move faster, or we might have no choice but to waste some of the supplies.”
”You heard them”
Ed added.
Huey could only shrug, but it was with a good expression.
Ed and the workers continued on their work while Huey resumed monitoring the surroundings. It was at this time that some people climbed up the roof.
”Welcome back. The infected in front had been dealt with fast.”
Huey greeted, looking at the group.
It was Jolleen, Halley, and Nicole. They had just returned after killing a small group of infected that wandered near the warehouse.
”We're back. It's not a big horde so we managed to dispatch them quickly.”
Jolleen greeted back.
”Ugh... I smell bad.” Halley complained as she sat down on a nearby chair. ”I want to take a bath.”
”I told you not to burn the infected you are fighting,” Nicole replied to Halley. ”But you still went and did it.”
”I can't help it, alright?” Halley argued. ”Something disgusting tried to jump on me.”
Huey shook his head as the two bickered.
Following the return of the three, another two people climbed to the roof, carrying two plastic containers filled with lunchboxes and water bottles.
It was Trisha and Ron.
”We brought lunch for you guys!”
Trisha announced as she put the container that she carried on a table.
”Here's the water.”
Ron said as he put his container by the leg of the same table.
Huey smiled, looking at the noisy group around him and also glancing at Ed below.
Who would have thought that the remaining people in the group of animators chased up the mountain by a feral tiger would end up like this? That group of afraid, dying regular people was no more. Now, they were powerful people capable of fighting the infected without fear.
It was fortunate that they chose the right decision when they met Mark.
With those things in mind, Huey suddenly whipped his head to the sky. He detected something.
”Something wrong, Huey?”
Jolleen asked, noticing the odd expression of Huey.
”Those guys from Auraboros are watching again.”
Huey replied, staring at the Red-Tailed Hawk that was circling in the sky.
”They aren't even hiding it anymore, huh.”