Apocalypse: The Ice King Returned

Chapter 34: Survivor’s Troupe

"Come on, Eric, Oliver used to work on a scaffold. Didn't he say we could use a cable to get from the top of the Navarro restaurant to the police rooftop? I've worked on the force for a while and I know my way around a precinct. Once we’re inside, I can get us to a weapons locker."

"Don’t be an i***t. The Navarro restaurant isn’t far enough from the police station. Don’t you get it? We can’t get there without attracting another horde. That’s the whole reason why we can’t get inside the station!”

"That's enough, Eric. You and your brother would be dead if it weren't for me. If you want to leave, then go ahead and leave. I won't stop you." Oliver spoke firmly, clenching his fist and breathing evenly. He was obviously angry, too.

Luther could tell that Oliver was probably the leader of the squad. He may even be an erazer, considering the way he took the lead of the others so easily.

"I don’t want to hear any more excuses. Let’s go."

Their plan sounded feasible, but if they managed to rile up any zombies in the process, Luther wouldn’t be able to return to the station after them.

Luther stood up, "Hold on."

"Who are you?"

The first person to react was the policewoman, who pulled out a gun and pointed it at Luther.

"Answer the question. Who are you?

"Calm down, I'm just another survivor. I just overheard your plan to get weapons from the police station."

Luther spoke calmly, "And I would like to join you."

The group all looked at each other. They weren’t sure what to make of this strange man.

Luther was in his twenties, with handsome features and not hard to look at. But what attracted people's attention was not his appearance, but the blade at his waist. A sword like that was difficult to come by. It was considered an antique to them.

In the small square, the smell of decay was always present. It was doomsday, and a stranger was not someone to welcome with open arms.

Although the world had only changed a few days ago, they all witnessed the ugliness of human nature by now. No one knew how to respond.

"I mean no harm. I’m alone out here and I just want something to protect myself. I’m just one more person; I won’t hold you back. If you want, I can even go in first to make sure it’s clear for all of you.”

Luther seemed sincere in his words.

Oliver decided. "Alright, you can join us. But you do exactly as I say."

"Absolutely. My name is Luther."

"Call me Oliver. So far we’ve been staying together to form a survivor’s troupe of sorts."

The policewoman put back her weapon and introduced herself as well. "Elena, Chesapeake police academy. Six months of service."

Luther began to inspect them over the next few minutes.

Chesapeake police academy, commonly known to be one of the top police academies in the country, was full of top talents.

Just from Elena's quick reflexes when Luther first spoke up, he could see her skill.

Oliver was a little different. He was an erazer with an affinity for jumping. According to him, he could jump up to 5 meters high and leap over 10 meters. And his hands were able to absorb massive shock and vibration, allowing him to climb walls in a few seconds.

After their further introductions, they had come to know each other. Luther shared his knowledge about the zombies that he learned firsthand.

There was a park in front of the square. Elena's plan was to take a shortcut to the park. Then, through the back of the Navarro restaurant, the CloudCom building would give them cover. They had only to walk a short distance to reach the police building from there.

Elena's idea was for Oliver to use his power, with the help of sliding locks, to have everyone jump over the three buildings. This operation would avoid alerting any zombies near the police station and easily get the guns inside.

"I like your plan." Luther agreed.

"Ok, let's go through the park first. I’ve been watching it. There’s a horde of ten walking around there. We need to get rid of them as soon as possible. Remember, don't get bitten or scratched, or..." Oliver spoke with determination in his eyes, but his voice trailed off.

Luther noticed that a man in the troupe was staring sullenly at Oliver. It was Eric, the man who had just spoken up to Oliver.

From the look in his eyes, Luther could sense that the man was not going to be the most cooperative partner.

They nodded their heads in agreement. From everything they had seen, they were all on high alert and ready for action.

"Okay, let's go."

Eric pointed to Luther and said, "Wait. Let him go ahead."

Luther frowned. He was ready to step out ahead of the group, but Eric spoke up before he had the chance. Luther was disgusted by anyone who couldn’t meet the standards and skills of the people they complained about.

Oliver hesitated, "Well...we don't know what he's capable of."

"He said he would go first, so I say we hold him to his word. See if he’s as chivalrous as he says he is. How else are we going to trust him?" Eric squinted at Luther, then turned to Oliver.

The truth was, this was how he planned to discredit Oliver, and he was upset that Luther was so welcome in their group when he only felt like an outcast.

Eric's words embarrassed Oliver, as the captain of the team. Though they just met, Luther showed maturity and humility where it was needed. Oliver had a good impression of Luther.

Luther did say he would lead the way, but Oliver worried that Luther wasn’t physically able to take on any infected ones by hand.

"I'll lead the way. Luther is new here. We’ll give him some time to get acquainted with the situation." Oliver decided. 

Oliver had always been a trailblazer, especially now that he had this new power. He was the most capable to dodge and avoid an attack.

Luther looked at Eric indifferently and said, "It's ok. I'll do it. I stick to my word.”

Eric looked dismissive. He just wanted to put Oliver on the defensive and make him look weak in front of the others. Luther’s response really took satisfaction away from him.

He was also disgusted by Luther's immunity to his harsh words. Eric even felt humiliated by the way he was unable to get a crude remark out of either of them.

Eric sneered, "Dude, just remember not to freeze up if you see a zombie coming at you.”