Chapter 7 Patrolling the Safe Zone
January 16, 2025
The following day, Sylas and the others were divided into several groups and assigned specific locations and tis for their patrols.
Sylas and Dylan, along with eight other soldiers, were tasked with patrolling the west side of the safe zone from morning until noon, and then again during the first half of the night. Serena, anwhile, was stationed at the gate to protect the female nurses, as there were no female patrol guards available.
After breakfast, Dylan and Sylas quickly changed into their camouflage uniforms and headed toward the west side of the safe zone.
"Since there are new patrol mbers here, I'll introduce myself," said a man holding an AK-47/AKM assault rifle. "I'm Luke, the captain of the patrol guards for the west zone."
"Let make this clear once again: do not take this patrolling lightly. Even though we're far from the town, never let your guard down. Always rember, the survival of everyone behind these walls depends on us. We are the shield between them and whatever's out there." Luke with a stern face said.
"Yes, Captain!" the soldiers responded in unison.
Sylas and Dylan were each handed an assault rifle.
"Do you know how to use it?" Luke asked, his tone asured as he passed them the weapons.
"Yes," Dylan and Sylas replied in unison.
Luke paused briefly, then said, "Well then, handle it carefully and stay vigilant."
"I didn't expect you to know how to handle firearms too," Dylan remarked, holding his rifle as he carefully inspected it, his fingers running over its tallic surface.
" neither," Sylas said as he stood by the wall and scanned the surroundings.
Ti passed quickly, and soon it was noon.
"Everyone, you've worked hard. The evening team has arrived to take over. Be back tonight at 7:00 p.m.," Luke said, walking away with his assault rifle slung over his shoulder.
Sylas and Dylan, along with the other soldiers, made their way back together and headed straight for the dining hall. Since it was noon, it was ti for lunch.
However, just as they reached the dining hall, the sound of car horns and commotion caught their attention. The noise ca from the direction of the gate. Turning their heads, they saw the military jeep from the previous day leading a convoy of vehicles. Behind it were a few military cars and five heavily loaded trucks.
At the gate, the soldiers on duty quickly ordered the crowd waiting for inspection to move aside and make way for the incoming vehicles.
As the convoy entered the safe zone, the man from the jeep—the sa one from the previous day—jumped out and hurried toward one of the military cars. The car doors opened, and several soldiers erged carrying wounded comrades.
"Quickly! Get them to the third building!" the man shouted, rushing ahead to lead the way.
The soldiers beside Sylas and Dylan imdiately rushed toward the military car to help carry the injured soldiers.
Dylan and Sylas exchanged a quick glance before following behind to assist.
The third building had been converted into a hospital by the army. Inside, several injured soldiers lay, groaning in pain. The trained military doctors and nurses rushed forward to attend to them.
"What happened, Major Kyle? The casualties this ti have increased," one of the doctors asked as he got to work.
Major Kyle rubbed his temples and replied, "The convenience store where we took the supplies was filled with infected. The sound of gunshots and the sll of blood attracted more zombies. We were overwheld... and we lost so of our comrades."
Only then did Sylas realize that the man from yesterday was a Major, leading a team of soldiers outside the safe zone to retrieve supplies for the people.
"Let's go back and have lunch. We have to patrol again in the first half of the night, so let's get so sleep after lunch," one of the soldiers said to Sylas and Dylan.
Sylas nodded and headed back.
After lunch, Sylas lay down to sleep for a while, but he kept turning and tossing.
"What's wrong? Can't sleep?" Dylan asked.
Sylas sighed and sat up. "How long do you think we can stay here in this safe zone?"
Seeing the military risk their lives to bring back food and supplies for the people, Sylas had been lost in thought.
How long can the military provide for the people?
How long will the food last? It's only a small town—one day, all the supplies will run out. What then?
Can they continue to selflessly provide for the people without expecting anything in return?
The people inside the safe zone were protected and provided for by the army, but what about the soldiers?
Dylan seed to understand what Sylas was thinking. "I don't know how long we can stay here, but one thing I'm sure of is this safe zone won't last long," Dylan said, gazing at the ceiling above him.
Evening ca, and the patrol guards assembled in the west to begin their shift.
Late into the night, Sylas, holding his rifle vigilantly, patrolled near the wall. From ti to ti, he heard the sound of gunshots coming from the gate. Survivors were still pouring into the safe zone, while infected individuals were imdiately shot down at the entrance.
As Sylas continued his patrol, he heard the rustling of bushes about twenty ters away. He imdiately aid his rifle in that direction.
He stood still, his senses on high alert, but after a minute, there was no further movent. Sylas frowned—he was certain he hadn't heard wrong.
Just then, he spotted the silhouette of a person in the bushes.
He stepped forward imdiately, and another nearby soldier, who had also heard the sound, advanced as well.
"Who's there? Show yourself imdiately!" the experienced soldier demanded, aiming his rifle toward the bush, finger poised on the trigger.
There was no Sound or further movent.
"If you don't co out, I'll shoot," the soldiersaid, inching closer.
"No, wait! Don't shoot! I'Il co out" a
woman's voice called from the bushes as
she stumbled forward.
The soldier kept his rifle aid on her,
maintaining a safe distance. "What are you
doing here? What's your purpose? Answer , or I'Il shoot," he demanded.
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