Disclaimer: This is a work of original fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 4.1 -- Fall of Grand Isle Safe Zone (Part 1)

Freida's Personal Room, House Unit 2-4, Residential District, Grand Isle Safe Zone, Grand Isle, Vermont, USA, 8 November 2020, 0042 hrs

The sound of the safe zone’s alarm awakes the lieutenant, and she immediately springs out from her bed to wear her ACU (Army Combat Uniform) jacket. Meanwhile, a nearby radio speaker stated that Code Exodus was in effect. Straight away, it alarms 1st-Lieutenant Freida upon hearing the codeword. She thinks the breach of the safe zone’s defenses is not just the work of zombies. She believes that the Young Templars were the ones behind the attack. Worried they may kidnap Erika by force, she plans to get Kodey and Erika to leave the safe zone together in her personal Humvee.

After wearing all of her combat military uniform set, she puts on her IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) military vest. Then she packs all the essential items into her US military Molle backpack in a hurry before carrying it on her back. Next, she slings her M4 Carbine Rifle on her left shoulder before putting on her military ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet). With everything all set and ready to go, 1st-Lieutenant Freida takes the vehicle key from a nearby key holder before leaving the room.

Living Room, House Unit 2-4, Residential District, Grand Isle Safe Zone, Grand Isle, Vermont, USA, 8 November 2020, 0048 hrs

As she closes the door, the lieutenant sees Erika sitting on a sofa in the living room. “Erika, where’s Kodey?” Eleanora asks as she doesn’t see Kodey’s presence in the room. “Mom, Kodey is still in the room packing his stuff,” Erika replies. Immediately, 1st-Lieutenant Freida walks to the door of Kodey’s room and opens the door. “Kodey!” Eleanora calls out his name as she enters the room. “We have to go to the emergency assembly point, and they will leave us behind if we don’t make it in time!”

“Sorry, Mom.” Kodey apologized. “I was doing a last-minute check on whether I took all the essential items with me,” Kodey explains as he slings his M16A4 assault rifle onto his left shoulder. “Ok, everything is all good. We can leave now. Let’s go, Mom.” Kodey tells Eleanora before they leave Kodey’s room, with the lieutenant closing the door behind them.

Before they leave the house, 1st-Lieutenant Freida wants to give some instructions to both Kodey and Erika first. “Alright, you two. Listen up carefully,” Eleanora begins. “Currently, the safe zone is under attack by zombies. However, I don’t believe this is just a mere zombie attack. I have a gut feeling that Young Templars are involved as well.” The words: Young Templars, alarm both Kodey and Erika as they know it is big trouble if what the lieutenant said is true. “Mom, I don’t want to see the Young Templars kill you and my brother. I don’t want them to take me away and convert me into one of them.” Erika pleads in a worried voice. “Relax, Erika. I won’t allow them to take you away from us,” Eleanora reassures her adopted daughter. “I already got a plan for us to escape from here during the chaos.” .

“Ok, we will go to where my personal Humvee is. Then, Erika will wait in my vehicle until me and Kodey return.” Eleanora explains. “You don’t want us to evacuate with the others at the assembly point?” Erika questions. “Yes, I think it’s too risky to join the others. There’s a possibility that the Young Templars may attack the evacuation assembly points.” Eleanora answers. “Mom, are we now deserting from the New York National Guard?” Kodey asks.

“Not really. I’m doing this for all three of us. Once we leave the safe zone, we shall head West of the mainland US. I heard Seattle is a zombie-free city, and we will head there. It will be a long and treacherous journey ahead. But this is the only way for us to find refuge.” Eleanora tells them before passing a vehicle key to Erika. “I want you to hold this key, Erika. If I never return, pass the key to Kodey when he returns. He will drive my Humvee and leave this safe zone for good.” .

Erika feels sad upon hearing this. She wished all three of them to leave the safe zone alive and head west to search for refuge. The lieutenant pats Erika lovingly as she understands her feelings if she does not return. “I know you are afraid to lose me, just like losing your mother to the zombies. But you and your brother must mentally prepare to live on without me, Erika.” Eleanora says before her eyes glaze at Kodey. “As for you, young man. Please look after your sister when both of you journey across the forsaken mainland.” .

“I will. Don’t worry, Mom,” Kodey assures in a confident tone. “Good. I will bring both of you to where my personal Humvee is and drop Erika there. Then, you shall head into the armoury to get the ammunition we need, and I will head down to the cafeteria to get as much food as possible. After that, we shall rendezvous at my personal Humvee before leaving the safe zone. Got it?” Eleanora questions them as she finishes instructing them. Both of them nod their head as they give a firm reply — “Yes, Mom!”

Glad that both of them accepted her instructions, the lieutenant knows it’s time for them to leave. “Alright, time to go. I want you two to stick to me closely while moving towards my personal Humvee. Don’t get separated from me in the chaos.” Eleanora instructs both Kodey and Erika as she brings them to the door. “Ready?” Eleanora asks as one of her hands holds the doorknob. Both of them nod in agreement, and 1st-Lieutenant Freida twists the doorknob as she opens the door.

With the door opened, the trio see lots of people moving everywhere. They witness surviving civilians carrying their belongings as they rush to the emergency assembly point. Also, they notice several US military soldiers moving back and forth to guide the civilians to the assembly point for evacuation. “Follow me and stay close!” Eleanora orders while pulling Erika’s hand as they leave the house. They soon join the chaotic crowd while moving towards the lieutenant’s personal Humvee.

To be continued...

End of Chapter 4.1

Note: All the characters, places and storylines of the Hellwave story are owned by Jeremy Mountbatten. All rights reserved by the author. Feel free to give some feedback and don't forget to like and subscribe. If you want to support me, you can tip me on Ko-Fi (link provided below).

Support me on Ko-Fi --> https://ko-fi.com/jeremymountbatten

Hellwave's Discord Server --> https://discord.gg/PNmBvYTkvE