After breakfast, HK416 checked Bob's wound again and replaced the bandages.
Lux picked up the sleeping bag containing Darren's body and walked toward the door.
"There are no zombies within visible range outside, but there could be some hiding in blind spots. We should still be careful."
MDR said from the window.
"Sir, I've got your back!"
Bob said eagerly, gripping the hatchet and wearing a large hiking pack.
He had already thought it through. If he was lucky, he'd save his daughter today. If not, death was all that awaited him. He was mentally prepared.
He no longer feared fighting zombies.
HK416 lifted the shutter door. Lux carried the sleeping bag and quickly stepped out of the outdoor supplies shop.
A zombie lunged at him from the right. Lux dodged its claws with a quick step.
"Die!! Damn zombie!"
Bob's furious roar came from behind, followed by the sound of a skull cracking.
Lux turned back to see Bob's hatchet embedded halfway into the zombie's head. He yanked it free, and the corpse collapsed to the ground, gray brain matter spilling out with a foul stench.
"Well done. But watch your head wound. Even with bandages, if zombie fluids splash on it, you could still get infected."
Lux warned. Bob's face instantly went pale.
"Damn, I completely forgot about that. Sorry. Sir, check—did anything get on it?"
He asked anxiously.
"No. The bandage is still clean."
"Good. Good."
Lux placed the sleeping bag containing Darren into the truck's rear cargo area and gave HK416 a hand signal.
"It's safe outside. Candice, stay close to me. MDR, bring up the rear."
HK416 stepped out of the shop.
Candice took one last look at the store, then quickly followed.
Everyone climbed into the truck's cab.
Bob started the engine and awkwardly began backing up.
After all, he only had a Class C license. Driving a heavy truck that required a higher class was difficult.
"Bob, switch with me. You watch from the passenger seat. I'll try driving and get a feel for it."
After confirming no zombies were approaching, Lux spoke up.
If they parted ways later, driving duties would fall to him. He had never driven a heavy truck either. If he couldn't even get it started, that would be a problem.
"All right."
Bob jumped down and switched seats with Lux. Under his guidance, Lux clumsily started the truck.
Before long, he managed to get it moving.
"We can't park right at the school gate. An engine this loud will attract a lot of zombies."
"Let's stop at the West Cultural Plaza. It's wide open, next to the road, and usually deserted. There shouldn't be many zombies to deal with."
"We'll walk the rest of the way. I'll also test my aim with this compound bow. If I can silently clear distant zombies, it'll help a lot going forward."
"Okay."
Bob nodded. In apocalypse survival, Lux clearly had far more experience than he did. He had no objections.
Lux stepped on the accelerator. The truck roared and rolled down the road.
"It's less than a kilometer from the West Cultural Plaza to X High School. We should move in formation."
"I'll take point. HK416 second, covering the left. MDR covers the right. Candice stays in the middle. Old Bob brings up the rear. No guns. If a small number of zombies approach, I'll handle them."
"Understood."
HK416 and MDR replied from the sleeper area behind the driver's seat.
"If we stay quiet, we shouldn't attract large numbers of zombies. That's Plan A."
"If we encounter a small horde of more than five, we assess whether they've noticed us."
"If they have, we retreat along the same route. I'll try dealing with them using the compound bow. If that doesn't work, Old Bob, we part ways here. I have people I'm responsible for."
Lux spoke calmly.
"I understand."
Bob nodded. Lux had already done everything he could for him. He no longer asked for more.
---
Three hours later, the outline of a park appeared in the distance. Lux slowed down.
After plowing through a few scattered zombies on the road, he stepped on the brakes.
"You stay in the truck. I'll test whether I can use this compound bow."
Lux put the keys into his camouflage pocket, opened the door, and jumped down.
Grabbing an arrow, he aimed at a zombie fifty meters away, drew the bowstring, and released.
Whoosh.
The arrow flew with a sharp whistle—and sailed clean past the zombie.
"Tch. As expected, a beginner hitting the target right away is unrealistic."
Lux sighed. he had the arm strength to draw the bow, but his aim was terrible.
Arrows were limited. If he hit, he could retrieve them. But missing like that meant losing them for good.
He also didn't have time to practice.
"Everyone, get down here. Form up as planned. Prepare to advance toward X High School."
Using the mic attached to her tactical headset, he notified HK416. Soon after, everyone jumped down from the truck and quickly formed up.