As if the world ends. Chapter Six

The Chopper landed and we jumped off. “Louie if you want you can stay in charge for a few hours or take a rest.” I told Louie. “alright Cap’n I think I’m gonna keep running the show for now.” He replied. “Ok, see you later.” I told him. We walked up to Steve the man I left in-charge of getting the apartments cleaned up. “Alright, Russ, we’ve cleaned out tone entire building with fresh linens and we’ve finished the food and clothe pantry. Although building two isn’t clean yet, most of the units in building A have been taken, we have a one bedroom and a two bedroom left in building one. And most of building two is still vacant.” He said to me. “Well. Sam, what do you want? The one bedroom in building A or another unit in building B? I asked Samantha hoping to hurry up so that I could get to a unit and sleep. “Only building A has been cleaned right?” she asked Steve. “Yes, Ma’am.” He told her. “Then the one bedroom in building A is mine.” She said assertively.

“Ok, Amanda we have to go to our apartment now.” I told her. “Shouldn’t I go with the other children?” she asked “Do you want to?” I replied. “No! I mean, not really.” She said. “well then grab your pack and let’s go.” I told her as Steve handed me the key. Samantha had already run off to her apartment. “Hey Steve, what unit is Sam in?” “Well, lets see…. Ah 3G.” he replied. “Thanks, Steve.” I said as Amanda and we headed off to our rooms. Crying was abundant in the rooms for lost ones that people would no longer see. And guards switched shifts from watching for ghouls to sleeping for a bit. The scene was of despair and depression. No doubt someone would commit suicide soon.

“Yup, here we are. 5D. Let’s get settled in Amanda.” I said as I checked for running water. Yes! The faucet spat fresh warm water. I tossed a towel into the bathroom and then checked if the tv still worked. To my luck it did. “Hey Amanda! “ I yelled to her room. “The tv works! Mind just watching in your room while I was up?” I asked her after she came out of her room. “No problem, dad.” She said it before she could stop herself. “Uhm, I’m sorry, it’s just you remind me so much of him.” She said frantically trying to take it back. “Stop, stop.” I told her. “Do you want to call me dad. Or was it just an accident?” I asked trying to get her side. “Well, you are a lot like him. So if it’s ok, I would like you to be my dad.” She said kinda sad thinking of her dad. “It’s ok with me if that’s what you want.” I told her. “Now, run off to your room and get settle in, ok?”

“Ok, dad” she said which seemed to make her face light up. ‘We’ve been through a lot today.’ I though as I set my vest on my bed and put my boots next to the dresser in my room and tossed my clothes on the floor. I quickly found some soap in the cupboard in the bathroom and stepped into the shower. The warm water felt great as started to think about what had all happened in the past ten hours. “DAD!” Amanda yelled from the living room. ‘oh no! the ghouls have penetrated security.’ Was my first thought. I quickly pulled on my pats and shirt. While I grabbed my gun. “What is it Amanda?!” I yelled as I ran into the living room.

“There is a person here.” Amanda said from the other side of the room. “Not a ghoul?” I asked. “What? No.” she said looking confused. “It’s Samantha, she stopped by.” She explained “O well, hi Samantha, sorry for the towel let me get dressed….” She interrupted me by throwing a bag at me “It’s a few new uniforms, some socks, etc. Got get dressed.” She told me. “Alright Amanda you can play with Samantha if you want, I’ll be right back, ok?” I asked Amanda. “Ok, dad.” She said as I walked into my room. I quickly pulled on the fresh clothes Samantha had brought, what luck! Just got out of the shower and Samantha brought some clean clothes. I walked into the living room while I finished strapping my pistol to my waist. “Sam do you know what’s happening?” I asked hoping to get an update.

“Well as far as I can tell, things are almost under control for this section of the city. We’re still broadcasting the emergency plans for anyone who wants to try and fight their way to us. Plus teams are making their way to the 911 transfer center to put it back online for dispatch services.” Alright, well. We can just sit here for awhile or go back on active duty and help out.” I told Samantha. But then Amanda yawned and I decided to stay here so that she could sleep. “Hey Amanda, honey, are you sleepy?” I asked to see if she’d accept that she needed sleep. “Yea, dad. I want to sleep. Where is my teddy?” she really wanted know, I assume she won’t sleep without it. “it’s in your pack sweetie.” She grabbed it and took her bear to the room.

“Sam, we need to do something huge.” I told her. “I’m not helping you raid anymore evidence lockers.” She said. “No, I meant go to an un – clean part of the city so that we can get some things for Amanda. She needs new clothes and some things for her room. So that we can make her more comfortable.” I really wanted to make her transition comfortable. “Well it does seem like a good idea.” She said as she got up off the floor and sat in the chair next to mine after I brewed a pot of coffee. “We should take her with us so that she can get what she wants.” She added after chugging the first cup.

I grabbed my radio. “Louie! You busy?” I radioed on my secure channel. “Cap’n, that you? We’re awfully busy here. We’ve requested back-up, but no one has responded yet.” He explained his situation. “Alright, I’ll send some units to assist you immediately. But I need to know if the shops have been clear yet.” I transmitted back. “Yes the financial district is cleared. And the shops are almost cleared. Once that back-up arrives.” He replied. “Roger, we’re on our way.” I replied. I suited up and grabbed my gear. “Samantha stay here. I’m headed out on the chopper. Stay here and watch Amanda. I will be back.”

I quickly ran down the stairs and yelled at three civilian guards to join me. Then grabbed a helicopter and flew us to the battle. We touched down immediately behind the battle line. “Louie get everyone down, now!” I yelled. He yelled for everyone to hit the deck, they did and immediately I told the gunner to open up. His m60 ripped the ghouls as easy as a knife through butter. A belt of bullets later. Most of the ghouls were down. The last few were dispatched with rifle shots from the men commanded by Louie. “Louie grabbed his radio and called into home base. “Home this is Squad alpha in the shopping district, it has been cleared, thanks once again, to rusty and his tactics.” He made sure to report. I ordered Louie and his men onto the chopper since they had no transportation now.

We touched down two minutes after take off. I proceeded to run upstairs and remove my gear from my vest. Amanda had already woken up. “DAD!” she screamed as she ran up and hugged me. “I was soo scared, you wouldn’t come back, just like… papa.” She almost cried. Her stomach growled, someone is hungry! “what do you want to eat?” I asked her. “Uhm, What do we have?” she asked with a bright face. “Well, I haven’t gone to the pantry yet to get something, so I’ll be right back, with pizza!” I told her as I walked out the door headed for the lobby food pantry. I grabbed three personal pizzas and ren back up stairs. “Eat, up you two. When we’re done, we’re going shopping!”