The subway station wasn't too far now. Their ticket out of this nightmare was getting closer by the second.
They only ran into the occasional zombie along the way, and for a brief moment, it almost felt quiet—normal even.
Y/N: "So, Jill, how did you manage to find us?"
Jill: "To be honest? I was acting as bait to lure Nemesis away from the train station. Climbed to the roof of the construction site, then I saw you guys running from him—and his new toy."
Leon: "Wait—you acted as bait?!"
Y/N: "Cool!!"
Jill: "I did what I had to. That thing moves like a tank, so it wasn't hard to lose it for a while."
Y/N: "I'm just glad you're okay."
They kept moving through the dim streets. But Jill soon noticed something odd—Y/N's hands were trembling slightly. His breathing had grown heavier, and his steps were slowing down. His eyes were fixed on the ground ahead.
Jill: "Y/N, you—"
Before she could finish, a wrecked flamethrower bounced in front of them.
Leon: "Holy shit!"
A shadow loomed above. Nemesis dropped down behind them, landing with a ground-shaking crash. He was carrying a massive metal case.
It opened—and out came a rocket launcher.
Leon: "…OH, COME THE FCK ON!!!"
Jill: "A rocket launcher?! Really?!"
Y/N: "RUN!!!"
They sprinted down an alleyway as Nemesis aimed, his laser sight sweeping across the walls. Rockets tore through the air, explosions rattling every window as debris rained down.
Suddenly, a zombie appeared in front of them. Y/N quickened his pace and threw a punch across its face—but the hit didn't even faze it.
Y/N: "D-damn it…"
Leon noticed and immediately fired, dropping the zombie before it could grab Y/N. They kept running, Nemesis's rockets exploding behind them.
Jill grabbed her radio.
Jill: "Carlos! That monster's on our ass again!!"
Carlos: "Are you kidding me?! Okay, I think I can slow them down. Head back toward the station!"
Leon: "And lead them right to you?!"
Carlos: "It's fine. Trust me!"
Leon: "Wait—where's Nemesis?!"
Before anyone could answer, a rocket flew by, slamming into the massive mascot head of the nearby toy store. The explosion sent the giant plastic head rolling down the street.
Y/N: "Give me a break…"
Leon: "MOVE!!"
They dove aside as the giant head crashed into the street, scattering debris everywhere. The group bolted through another alleyway—where Carlos was waiting.
Y/N: "Carlos!"
Carlos: "This way!"
He motioned for them to follow as he ran. Nemesis fired again—one of the rockets hit nearby, and the blast sent Jill flying.
Y/N: "Jill!!"
Y/N and Leon dashed to her, helping her to her feet as she coughed from the dust. They ran again, Nemesis closing in fast.
Behind them, a C-4 charge went off, blasting the monster into a nearby truck. Carlos appeared again, firing his rifle.
Carlos: "Hey! You three okay?!"
Y/N: "Yeah, we're fine!"
Nemesis started to rise. Carlos waved them toward the station.
Carlos: "Go! GO!!"
Jill: "Come on! Forget about him!"
Y/N: "Leon—blow up the oil tank!"
Leon nodded, aimed, and fired every bullet left in his magazine. The tank erupted in a massive explosion, engulfing Nemesis.
The group rushed into the subway station. Y/N slammed his fist on the control panel, closing the heavy blast door just as the fire consumed the area behind them.
Carlos: "C'mon—let's get out of here."
Jill: "Carlos, I know we didn't get off to a great start, but… thanks for the save."
Carlos: "Hey, you saved my ass first—and Y/N's too. You two are a hell of a lot braver than me."
---
They made their way deeper into the subway station—and there, at last, were Claire, Kai, and Sherry.
Sherry: "Y/N!"
Y/N ran ahead, scooping Sherry into his arms and spinning her around with a laugh.
Y/N: "Ha! I knew you'd make it!!"
He set her down and turned to Kai, exchanging a strong high-five.
Y/N: "Good job, brother."
Kai: "Glad you're alive too."
Claire: "Leon! Thank God you're alright."
Leon: "Good thing you're alive too—and not walking dead."
Y/N, Leon, Kai, and Carlos burst out laughing at the terrible joke while the rest groaned and facepalmed.
Preparations for departure began quickly. Everyone checked weapons, tended to wounds, and made sure the train was ready.
Y/N stood a few steps back, watching them all. His body finally began to relax—the weight of the night slowly lifting off his shoulders. His breathing grew heavier, his vision a bit hazy.
Y/N: "You… you're all alright… right?"
Leon: "Y/N?"
Y/N: "Everyone… is… alri—"
He suddenly collapsed to the floor. The others shouted his name, rushing toward him.
---
Time Skip – Two Hours Later
The train rumbled steadily through the tunnels. The cabin was quiet. Everyone sat together—Leon, Claire, Kai, Carlos, Sherry, Mikhail, Nicholai, and Jill.
Y/N lay stretched out across the seats, his head resting in Jill's lap as she gently brushed his hair back.
Mikhail: "He'll be alright."
Jill: "How do you know?"
Mikhail chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Mikhail: "You all really don't get it, huh?"
Everyone turned to look at him.
Mikhail: "Tell me—how much courage does it take to get that close to a monster and punch it in the face?"
Leon: "…So much?"
Mikhail: "Exactly. Your friend there fought all night—face to face with those things. Non-stop. No holding back. You don't understand it because it's easy to shoot from a distance. But him? He was in the thick of it the whole time."
Jill looked down at Y/N's face—his expression calm, even in sleep.
Mikhail: "He's tired. Very tired. Physically and mentally. But he didn't let himself collapse until he made sure all of you were safe. That man… is a true fighter."
Nicholai: "Still ridiculous."
The others turned toward him. Nicholai was sitting nearby, drinking from a water bottle.
Nicholai: "He just wants to look like a hero. 'Protect everyone, save my friends'—he acts like some kid from a Saturday morning cartoon."
Kai: "Don't you—"
Kai stood up, furious, but Leon quickly grabbed his arm.
Leon: "Kai, no."
Kai glared at Nicholai for a few seconds, then reluctantly sat back down.
____
To be continued...