Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

For the time we have left until sundown, we chucked off all the bodies we put down while the rest gathered all of the medical supplies and equipment they could. After that, we placed them inside our huge truck, maximizing space by placing obscurely shaped items onto our other vehicles available. Furthermore, we also checked the vehicles below if there was anything of value we could take home like fuel, food, or even the vehicle itself.

"Emergency room first! Oh! There's also that room on floors 3, 5, and 7!"

"Roger-- hey! Tatiana! Don't head to the cafeteria! We were just told to--"

"The fuck are you talking about? We need food on a daily basis! In a way, it's more important than medicine!"

"Ah..."

"Ooh! A twinkie!"

"..."

After that, we also marked the rooms where the bigger machines were affixed so we'd be able to formulate a plan as to when we would try and take them back home. A place to properly install them also needed to be reconstructed but locating the biggest piece of the problem was accomplished.

The only thing we wouldn't be able to accomplish was to tackle the 27-floor building at the end of this medical center. It would at least take us the whole day and some change to successfully clear it out but we just don't have the time right now. However, that would be the top of the agenda first thing tomorrow morning. We just made a group watch the building while we were working in case anything occurred unexpectedly.

I pointed to a luxury SUV near the entrance, "How about that one, Unc? I checked it earlier, it's--"

"Hmm~ It's still mint and the scratches here and there could be easily buffed off. It's good but in terms of utility, we should just bring home that truck with those oxygen tanks. It's half-full but you could fit stuff in the back… Umm… That Escalade too if you feel like it."

"Fine, fine. Let's fill them up with a bit of gas and some of the boxes we took from the emergency room."

"Alright."

After a while, we were ready and about to head home but I took one final look at the last building. It was still standing tall but the only difference it had with the building we blood washed was that it had little to no movement even when we created a fuck ton of noise. It was supposed to be the one that had more to throw at us but it was the complete opposite.

'Am I missing something here?'

I was deep in thought but we eventually drove off the premises, and our team brought the rear. I was sitting comfortably at the back but as I looked at the far distance, the team I sent to deal with the dead stranded on a street right next to the river seemed to be done with their work as well.

It was because I saw two places where black smoke was billowing at opposite ends of the street they told me they were having small issues.

I wasn't exactly sure they cleared the whole area but they decided on a proper time to punch their attendance cards out.

'Resting is also part of the process...'

We continued to drive the same way back and we even met with other groups using the same way as us. A few words were exchanged and we just turned into a long convoy heading straight for home. Surprisingly enough, we didn't encounter many deadheads on the way home because maybe we took down a lot of them today compared to a normal clearing group doing their rounds.

When we got back, the sun had already disappeared into the horizon and the guards on duty before we left have already tagged out with the guards for the evening. Night protocols were also being enforced and the streets were starting to get empty. Only our patrols were allowed to travel freely unless there was a viable reason or an emergency.

We then left the truck at the back of the DDR Camp before we went straight to our compound.

'Finally home...'

As soon as we stepped out of our vehicle, we were warmly welcomed by everyone inside. We were only gone for the whole day but it was always a relief getting back in one piece, it felt like we were away for ages. Nevertheless, everyone else felt drained and we just opted for a short meeting after eating dinner.

I first gave a summary of what happened on our trip but I didn't skip the deadhead's behaviors. However, when I was just about to end my report, something struck my mind.

'Wait-- That's what we-- That's what I fucking missed!'

I was staring blankly at everyone and Oscar addressed it.

"Kid, are you okay?"

Several things went into my head but I was roughly calculating the amount of goop that flowed out from the third floor, along with the bodies we put down, taking into account that I watched all of it get flushed down to the 1st floor. I glanced a few times at my team to almost ask a question but everything was finally clear.

I blurted out, "We missed something."

Oscar was confused, "What?"

I turned to my group once more, "We definitely missed something."

Artem looked at me deeply before asking the same question as Oscar, "What did we miss?"

I sighed before looking at everyone, "We missed the elevator."

"Elevator? What elevator?"

Katya interjected, "We did not. We opened the-- oh. We just wedged the doors from the 1st and 3rd floor."

"Get it now? We opened the doors to it but we have never seen… it. It's probably on the last floor and we didn't even think about checking that small space..."

Matthew interjected as well, "But… does it matter? It could be nothing? How much space it could hold? Is it enough to give us trouble?"

I sighed once more before starting to scratch my head, "It could be nothing but what if it's something? Our rule is--"

Oscar waved me off after Marina cleared it up for him, "Kid. You're going back tomorrow, right? What's the problem? Oh, right... That thing of yours. It could be nothing? Right?"

I was starting to scratch my head more furiously then I replied, "Uh-huh. Tomorrow… Sure..."

I started feeling like a woodpecker was drilling a hole in my head but I tried my best to calm myself down. However, I wasn't able to pay any attention to the rest of the people that gave their reports so I let Oscar take over for this night.

'I already had the thought of checking it but I didn't check-- This isn't like me… shit...'

What I wanted right now was an intense workout to help me forget about it for the time being and the gym upstairs was the best solution. As soon as the meeting ended, I just went ahead of everybody and ran on the treadmill like I was trying to outrun my shadow. After that, I increased the repetitions I would do for lifting weights by two sets and I ignored almost everybody that tried to talk to me.

I just noticed that Kaley was waving me over, "Hey~! You're gonna teach a class, right? Everyone's waiting down-- Everyone's just getting ready!"

I continued to pull myself up from a bar, "What? I am? I thought-- Sure! Just let me finish then I'll do it right after."

"Oh, okay! See you then!"

"Sure."

To be completely honest, I couldn't even understand almost anything that everyone told me while I was pushing myself hard, and my short conversation with Kaley was the only one I could remember.

After a while, I just noticed that I was alone in the gym while music was still blasting, and my clothes were drenched with sweat.

I looked at the wall clock and it was exactly midnight. I thought I would only be increasing my workout for a bit but it seemed like I doubled it. However, I still felt refreshed even if my muscles were aching quite a bit.

'I guess I forgot a little too much...'

I just scratched my head and removed my shirt before heading down to grab a towel from my room. However, once I opened the door, everyone was just in the middle of taking off our high school uniform and changing into their pajamas. A few props were on the table for some play as well and a costume was also set aside for me.

Kaley was the first one to notice me and she was shaking her head while pouting by keeping air on one side of her cheek.

"You doofus! You're late!"

I was confused, "What? Oh… the 'class'..."

Cynthia laughed awkwardly, "Oh… do… do we put this on again? Kaley?"

Rin turned to Kaley as well, "W-We do… r-right?"

Kaley just shook her head, "Don't bother… sorry… it was supposed to be a surprise… It would be better if he came in here when we're still wearing it… I think we lost the element of surprise..."

Tatiana chuckled, "That's true. We wore this costume once and that was one of the best times I ever had! I can't even remember how much I squirted on--"

I just cut them off before saying, "Okay, I'm just gonna grab a towel here and take a shower for a few minutes. I actually saw nothing and I'll let you guys continue with whatever you're doing… When I'm back, whatever happens, happens…"

The four of them just looked at each other before letting out a smile. They seemed to be figuring out a few things given the time and I left them alone to complete it. I really did just grab a towel to take a hot shower in the bathroom and even took a short soak to release some tension.

Once I got back, I was met with a different scenario.

All of them were wearing different-colored pajamas and they were 'sleeping' soundly on the bed. They were all in various positions but I already know what this meant. I would be doing almost all of the work but let's just consider it appeasement for forgetting a little too much and being late for our nightly escapades.