Dying Planet

by C. O. Amal

  “Solar. But, not the kind on Earth. These are advanced solar panels which need only a little solar energy to power up a whole house.” Ron said.

  “Wow.” Eric said, and he fell in thoughts.

  “They are still outside.” Ruben said looking out through the window.

  “Can you see them?” Ron asked.

  “No. But, can’t you hear the shuffling noise?” Ruben asked.

  Ron and Eric went near the window and peered outside. Outside is pitch dark, but something is moving here and there, and occasionally a series of moans came from here and there.

  “What puzzles me is how on hell did they gotten through the fence. I mean, they had sentries posted on all exits, and they were heavily armed.” Ron said. Ron quickly fell in thought. “Oh, shit. I forgot. They were inexperienced with guns.”

  “What?” Ruben asked. “Who would post sentries who are inexperienced?”

  “We don’t even have enough guards for protecting Dojai.” Ron said.

  “But, you have some good supply of weapons and ammunition, right?” Ruben said.

  “Yeah. We have weapons.”

  “Then, let’s get the guns and get the hell out of here.” Ruben said.

  “Let’s wait until morning. They may wander away at that time.” Ron said. “But, we might have some trouble in finding the armory. I wasn’t a fan of exploring the city.”

  “That’s just great. So, we don’t know where the armory is.” Eric said almost striking the table with his palm. He immediately stopped moving his hand. He knows better that the creatures need only a slight sound to become active. If they made sound, those things would never go away.

  Ruben and Ron sat on the bed and they slowly lie down. Eric went near a window and he peered outside. Then he saw light coming from a building on the farthest corner, near the fence. It’s a small double story building.

  “Hey, guys. You better see this.” Eric called.

  Ruben stood up and he went near Eric. Then he too saw the light from that building.

  “Someone is alive.” Ruben said.

  Ron came near Ruben and Eric and he too saw it. They stared at the lighted building for some time.

  “We need to go near that building. We don’t know where the armory is, and whoever that is, he or she might know well about this city.” Eric said.

  “Okay. We will go. We can easily find that building in the night, and it will be difficult to find it in the day time.” Ruben said.

  “But, those things are out there.” Ron said.

  “In that case we need to be ready for a hand to hand combat. We can take kitchen knives. Knives are silent and are deadly if we use them well.” Ruben said. Ruben quickly exited the room and he started climbing down the stairs. Eric and Ron followed him.

  They quickly got inside the kitchen. Ruben and Eric went through the drawers and before long they found a set of knives. They each took two knives with them.

  “Are you sure the pilot won’t go away with our flying saucer?” Eric asked while gulping a glass of water from the tap.

  “I hope he won’t go. He probably wasn’t aware about the creatures. And he might be waiting for our return.” Ron said.

  Eric and Ruben nodded.

  Ruben quickly opened the back door and he peered outside. Ruben motioned at Eric and Ron to follow him and they did. They slowly sprinted through the streets and before long the lighted building came into view. Suddenly a shriek came from nearby. In the pitch darkness they cannot see much. They could of course see the outline of buildings. Suddenly a creature lunged at Eric. Eric put forward his knives to block the attack but he didn’t have to block it. Before it could lay its hands on Eric, Ruben quietly killed that creature by slicing its throat with a fluent movement.

  “Quick. We have to make a run for it.” Ruben whispered.

  Then Ruben without looking back broke into a sprint. Eric and Ron followed Ruben’s footsteps. Screeches and moans came from here and there. Then a series of footsteps came from behind the survivors. The creatures must be following Eric and team.

  As soon as Ruben reached near the lighted building he began to pound on the front door.

  “Please, let us in.” Ruben yelled.

  Eric and Ron reached near Ruben and they too began to pound on the door and they all yelled for help. The creatures are almost on them. Suddenly a creature appeared and it lunged at Ruben. Ruben didn’t saw it. But Eric saw it. And Eric with a fluent movement cut its throat. Ruben looked at Eric.

  “We are now even.” Eric said.

  They can clearly see one another near this house. The whole house is lighted with bright bulbs. Then more creatures appeared from here and there. Ruben continued to pound on the door.

  Suddenly the door opened and a middle aged woman appeared in the doorway. “Get inside.” They all got inside and she closed the door just in time. The creatures began to pound on the door. She quickly barricaded the door with a wardrobe. She must have placed this wardrobe here before, to barricade the door. She must have gone through a lot to move the wardrobe. Eric and Ron panted heavily and Ruben stared at the woman.

  “I am Lilly. And you’re in my home.” The woman said smiling.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 13

  Tongdo

  Lilly led them towards the dining room. There are two plates full of green food on top of the table in the dining room.

  “Juny, you can come out now.” Lilly called someone from the dining room corner. She stared at the ceiling.

  Eric and Ruben also stared at the ceiling where Lilly is looking. Suddenly a small part of the ceiling parted and a staircase fell down from the ceiling. Through the now stabilized staircase came a beautiful young boy. Eric and team smiled at the kid. The kid smiled back.

  Juny closed the ceiling door and he stood behind Lilly’s legs. He peeked at Eric and team.

  “I am sorry, he is a little shy. He is my sister’s kid. He is not used to guests.” Lilly said.

  “That’s okay.” Ruben said.

  “Hai, Juny. I am Eric, this is Ruben and that’s Ron. We are from Dojai.” Eric first looked at Juny, and then he shifted his gaze towards Lilly.

  Lilly smiled. “You must be here to distribute the vegetables.”

  “Yep.” Ron said. “How did they manage to break inside?”

  “It’s those Zang Zom’s men.”

  “What?” Ron asked in disbelief.

  “What is it, Ron?” Eric asked.

  “Zang Zom is a bastard.” Ron said.

  “Please mind your language, in front of Juny, will you?” Lilly said.

  “Oh, sorry.” Ron said.

  “Who is this Zang Zom?” Ruben asked.

  Lilly stared at Ruben with curious eyes. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

  “Me and Eric are from Earth.” Ruben said.

  “You mean planet Earth?” Lilly asked.

  “Yeah. A version of this damn plague spread on Earth. We might be the only survivors from there.” Eric said.

  “I am sorry.” Lilly said.

  “Don’t be. We have done a lot of bad things during our time. It must be a god’s wrath.” Ruben said.

  Lilly nodded.

  “So how did they bring down the fence?” Ron asked impatiently.

  “They have weapons too. Soldiers signaled all of us to fall back into the city centre when they arrived. There were at least ten of them. They killed a lot of our soldiers and they made a hole on the fence. Then, just like that, they left.”

  “How did you know they were Zang Zom’s men?” Ron asked.

  “They had their black flag. They waved it when they came outside their flying saucers.” Lilly said.

  Ron nodded.

  “Why this Zang Zom is attacking us?” Eric asked. “Didn’t he know that we are not the real enemies?”

  “Because he is the one who created this damn plague. He was a military leader. Before the formation of Dojai and Tongdo, there was a war. And during the
war he released this plague.” Ron said.

  “Why the war happened?” Ruben asked.

  “Well ... Do you know Mars?” Ron asked.

  “You mean, planet Mars?” Eric asked.

  “Yeah. He doesn’t like Martians, and he released a plague on Mars. That plague wiped out the Martians. Before their destruction, Martians found out about us and they destroyed our atmosphere.” Ron said.

  Juny, Eric and Ruben enthusiastically listened Ron’s story.

  “Then what happened?” Eric asked.

  “Then, we found that we need gold to fix our atmosphere and we send soldiers to Earth to obtain gold.” Lilly said. “We fixed our atmosphere, but our life span reduced.”

  Eric nodded. “Yeah, we heard that.”

  “Our problems didn’t end there. Then, Zang Zom wanted to destroy Earth. We didn’t agree with that. Then the whole military got divided.” Lilly said. “Nevertheless, we managed to defeat Zang Zom and he retreated to his strong hold in Zeekom, from where he programmed a new virus. And he released that virus on us. We dismantled Zeekom after that. Then the war against the infected began. There was no hope for the Martians, and I presume that the plague on Earth is same as that was in the Mars. But, we have a chance to survive here.”

  Eric and Ruben nodded.

  “Did you saw any other survivors here?” Ron asked Lilly.

  “No. I found Juny in my sister’s house. He is the only survivor I saw ...” Lilly’s eyes watered. She must be morning for her sister.

  “We are sorry for your loss. But, in any chance you know the location of the armory?” Ron asked.

  “Yes. I know. It’s near here. But, that place is surrounded by them.” Lilly said.

  Suddenly Ruben’s stomach growled. Lilly looked at Ruben and she smiled.

  “I am sorry. I didn’t ask you guys whether you’re hungry. We were trying to eat when you came.” Lilly called Eric and team to the table. “I don’t have much. But, it’s digestible.”

  Eric and Ruben nodded. Lilly placed plates near Ron, Ruben and Eric. Then she and Juny sat near them. She took some green food in her plate and she served some to Juny, then she handed over the plate to Eric. Before long they started eating their food.

  “It’s delicious.” Ruben commented.

  “Thanks. I got these vegetables from my sister’s house. Her house is a food reserve.” Lilly said smiling. She must have through a lot to get to this building after the infected started to take over the city.

  “Is it near?” Eric asked.

  “I am sorry, what?” Lilly asked.

  “Your sister’s house. Is it near?” Eric asked.

  “Yeah. A few blocks from here.” Lilly said.

  They quickly finished their food and they washed their mouth from the kitchen sink.

  “So, is there any safe path to armory?” Ron asked.

  “If you could get into the soldier’s office, you might get a safer path through the underground tunnel.” Lilly said.

  “Where is this soldier’s office?” Ruben asked.

  “It’s that building.” Lilly said pointing at a nearby building. Ruben, Eric and Ron went near the window and looked outside through the window.

  Soldier’s office is a small building and it’s clearly visible even though it’s night. In fact, the light from Lilly’s house illuminated all the nearby buildings.

  Ruben stared at the road and found some creatures strolling around the buildings. The infected are walking with no real purpose and they are waiting for a stimulus. A little sound can drive those things nuts.

  “We can go in the morning.” Lilly said. “But, we need to do something about the creatures nearby.”

  “We can throw stones. They will follow the noise. Then we can safely get inside the office.” Eric said. “I have done this technique before, and it works well.”

  “Okay. Plan well. You can sleep on the couch.” Lilly said.

  “Thanks.” Ron said.

  Lilly and Juny went upstairs. They must be going for the bedroom. Ruben and Eric sat at two corners of the couch and they slowly lie back. Ron for a moment stared at Eric and Ruben.

  “Fine. I will sleep on the floor, then.” Ron said.

  Eric smiled.

  “Suit yourself.” Ruben said.

  Before long they all fell asleep, and Lilly came to the living room and she switched off the light. Then she went upstairs to the bedroom.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 14

  Tongdo

  Eric woke up hearing sound of flowing water. He stood up and found Lilly working on the plates in the kitchen sink. Ruben and Ron are slowly waking up. It hasn’t been long since the sun rose in the horizon. Eric slowly walked towards the kitchen.

  “Do you need a hand with that?” Eric asked. Lilly is doing a hard job washing the plates.

  “Nope. I am fine. Thanks for the offer.” Lily said. “I thought you guys were tired. So, I didn’t try to call you.”

  “That’s okay. So, you’re coming with us, right?” Eric asked.

  Lilly for a moment stared at the kitchen sink. It’s like she fell in thoughts.

  “Yep. If it’s safe, we are coming with you. We don’t have a future here anymore.”

  “Okay. I better go and check on my friends.” Eric slowly walked towards the living room.

  “Okay.” Lilly said and she continued her job.

  At the time Eric reached the living room, Ruben and Ron were analyzing the road and nearby buildings through the windows. Eric stood near the window and checked outside. It seems that the infected had moved away.

  “It looks like the surrounding is free of those things.” Eric said.

  “They are there. Look at the second house in the next block.” Ruben said.

  Eric looked and found a horde of creatures standing there on the back of the building.

  “What are they doing there?” Eric asked.

  “Presumably, waiting for any sound.” Ruben said.

  “Okay, here is the plan.” Ron said. “We will throw things at a faraway building from upstairs like Eric had said. Then, we will move fast once we find the creatures are moving away.”

  “Okay. So, what are we throwing?” Eric asked.

  “Glasses mainly. We can throw the plates too, if you wish.” Ron said.

  “She is washing the plates.” Eric said.

  “Then we will throw the glasses. Anyway, she is coming with us, right?” Ron asked.

  “Yeah. She will be coming with us. I just hope that the pilot will be there.” Eric said.

  “Don’t worry. He will be there. He won’t leave without us.” Ron said.

  “Then, let’s start this already.” Ruben said.

  Eric and Ron nodded. Eric quickly ran towards Lilly.

  “Lilly, you and Juny stay near the back door. We will throw things and we will be coming immediately. You guys need to be ready to move on.” Eric said.

  Lilly nodded. Lilly quickly ran towards the bedroom and before long she came back with Juny. Juny and Lilly stood near the back door and they waited. Eric, Ruben and Ron quickly took glasses and plates from the kitchen and they moved upstairs. They quickly found the window. Eric opened the window and peeked outside.

  “We will throw things towards the next block, okay?” Ron said.

  Eric and Ruben nodded. Eric first threw a metal glass at the road passing through the next block. The glass danced on the road and the ringing sound echoed through the former silent city. Suddenly a series of moans came and Eric saw a horde of creatures appearing from the back of the nearby buildings. The creatures slowly moved towards the next block. Ruben and Ron quickly threw the glasses a little far away. The glasses met the dark stone road and they ringed. Moans and shrieks followed the ringing sound. Before long the whole neighborhood is upon the block to where Eric and team had thrown the glasses.

  “It’s our chance.” Ron said.

  They quickly ran downstairs. Eric found Lilly and Juny near the back door.

/>   Lilly opened the door and they all rushed outside. They ran towards the soldier’s office. The soldier’s office was a mess with blood marks and the front door was broken. They got inside the office and Lilly led them towards a nearby room. So far no infected nearby and the coast looks clear. Then they found blood marks on the floor.

  Before long they found two skeletons having a little flesh. Lilly closed Juny’s eyes with her hand and she led them towards the far corner of the room. From there she opened a door on the floor.

  “Is this it?” Ruben asked.

  “Yeah.” Lilly said. They quickly rushed inside. Ruben and Eric tightened their grip on their knives. “The tunnel leads directly to the armory.”

  Eric and Ruben quickly walked in the front line. Ron came at the back of the line. They slowly walked through the tunnel. The tunnel is filled with dirt and at several places roots of trees protruded from the walls.

  Suddenly a moan came from in front of them. Ruben motioned at everyone to be ready for anything. Then, suddenly an infected in blue shirt and blue pants rushed at Ruben and team. Ruben walked forward. The creature leapt in the air at Ruben. Ruben dodged the attack. As soon as the creature fell down on the ground Ruben sliced opened its neck from its back. The creature wriggled for a moment then it ceased moving.

  “Ahh ...” Juny without knowing screamed at the murder happened in front of his eye.

  “Juny, stop. You’re okay.” Lilly said.

  Suddenly a series of moans came from the soldier’s office from where they had come inside the tunnel in the first place.

  “Run ...” Ron said. Juny’s scream might have attracted all the nearby creatures.

  They all quickly broke into a sprint. Before long they found a doorway. They rushed through the doorway and Ron quickly closed the door behind him. They are now in a bunker and suddenly from the top level, two creatures arose. One creature jumped on top of Ruben and the other landed on top of Eric. Eric and Ruben struggled to keep the infected’s head at bay. Ron quickly came forward and he sliced open the neck of the creature which is on top of Ruben. Ruben quickly regained his footing. Ruben and Ron quickly went to help Eric. Before that Eric sliced open the creature’s throat. Eric stood up and panted heavily. His shirt got drenched in the creature’s blood.