>>6170281He’d promised he’d be there for her, no matter what. That’s the kind of man he was. But now, with the streets becoming more chaotic by the hour, could he get to her?
Jace stared out the window of his small apartment, taking in the sight of the city as it descended into panic. Smoke rose in the distance. People screamed. A woman, her face twisted in some sort of monstrous, primal rage, was charging down the sidewalk, knocking over a mailbox in her path. He could hear the distant wail of sirens, and then, the unmistakable sound of screams.
Jace’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t a drill.
There were many roads to Sarah’s apartment, but he knew that taking the quickest route would likely lead him straight into the chaos. He could try to drive, but the streets were likely clogged, and the possibility of running into something much worse was all too real. He needed to make a decision—and he needed to make it fast.
His phone buzzed again. Another message from Sarah.
"Jace, please! They’re trying to break in. They’re getting closer. What do I do?"
The panic in her message made his heart ache. But he couldn’t get there by waiting around. His mind raced with possible solutions.
He grabbed his jacket, his keys, and slung a duffel bag over his shoulder. There was only one thing he knew for sure: he needed to move. Now.
The options were clear, but each one carried its own dangers.
Options:
Take the main roads: Jace decides that speed is of the essence. He’ll drive through the main routes to Sarah’s apartment, hoping to beat the gridlock and get there as quickly as possible. It’s risky, but it's the fastest way.
Take the back alleys and side streets: Jace knows the city well and figures the back roads may be less congested. However, these routes are dark and dangerous, especially in a crisis like this. He'll have to navigate on foot or in his car through areas that aren’t well lit, and there’s a chance he’ll encounter the infected in places where they won’t be easily avoided.
Head for the local police station: Jace knows the police station is a fortified location. If he can get there, he might find people with more resources and a plan. It could be a place to regroup and make a safer decision, but getting there will take time—and there’s a chance it may be overrun by infected already.
Reach out to friends for help: Jace texts his old friend, Chris, who lives not far from his apartment. He hopes Chris has a car and might be willing to help him reach Sarah. There’s a small chance that Chris is still safe, but it’s just as likely that he’s either already on his way to his own family or trapped in a bad situation.
What will Jace do next?
