Chapter 24
Chapter 24 The Dogs Left Behind
Chapter 24 The Dogs Left Behind
10 Free Colna
Theresa watched the group closely through her cameras, ready to act if they dared cross into her bunker. Yet, to her surprise, they weren’t causing trouble.
Instead, they were methodically clearing zombies from the road, drawing them in and taking them down one by one.
Then something unexpected happened. They opened the back of their truck and let out a pack of dogs.
Theresa leaned closer to the monitor, squinting at the infrared feed. She couldn’t make out the people’s faces or outfits, but the heat signatures didn’t lie–a whole group of dogs had just been released.
After a brief argument, the people climbed back into the car and drove off, leaving the dogs behind.
Theresa watched as the dogs chased after the trucks, running full speed toward the city. She frowned, her curiosity piqued. What are they up to?
The following day, Theresa woke carly, as usual, to keep up her workout routine. Even though the system no longer rewarded her for staying active, she knew the importance of staying sharp and fit.
Just as she stepped outside to jog along the perimeter of her bunker, her alarm went off.
She pulled out her phone and connected it to the monitoring system. The sight on the screen made her
pause.
The dogs from the night before had returned.
There were fourteen or fifteen of them standing right outside her bunker. Each one wore a uniform, though they were battered and torn from whatever they’d been through.
They had stopped at the same spot where they’d been released, pacing in circles like they were waiting for
someone.
A notification popped up on her phone. “The Ansford rescue operation is underway! Rescue vehicles have entered Ansford. Survivors, please gather at the designated assembly points.’
Theresa quickly figured out that the people from yesterday must have been part of the rescue team, and those dogs were theirs.
She then drove to the edge of her bunker to check on them in person. The main road was eerily quiet, free of zombies for the first time in weeks,
The dogs were still standing guard at the road’s entrance, their eyes fixed on the city’s direction.
They looked rough–covered in scratches, bite marks, and other injuries. Some had torn ears or missing tails.
One dog, in particular, caught her attention.
Its hind legs were mangled entirely, with exposed bones glinting in the sunlight. It dragged itself forward on its front legs, its determination painfully clear.
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Chapter 24 The Dogs Left Behind
F10 FME Caine
Theresa felt a pang of sympathy as she stepped out of the car and looked over the weary, battered dogs. She reflected bitterly, 7hey must’ve chased after the rescue team all night, fighting through endless waves of zombies And when they couldn’t find their eteners, they came back here. Sigh… they’re still holding on, hoping their people will return for them.
“In this apocalypse, no one’s coming back. Looks like you’re mine now, she muttered under her breath.
Theresa knelt down and started patching up the dogs one by one. She worked quickly, wrapping wounds and applying makeshift bandages where she could.
When she got to the severely injured dog, she hesitated. Its breathing was shallow, its body trembling from exhaustion and pain.
With a heavy sigh, she pulled up her System Store and exchanged twenty points for pain relief gel.
Applying the gel to its wounds, she spoke softly, “Charlic, this is a big deal, okay? I spent twenty points on you. You’d better stick with me now, understand? I don’t abandon anyone, so don’t you dare give up on
me.”
The dog seemed to understand. Its eyes locked onto hers, full of an eerie intelligence, as if it were trying to say thank you.
Once the bandaging was done, Theresa brought out some of her best supplies–fresh beef and bones.
“These are for you,” she stated, placing the food before the dogs.
At first, they hesitated, glancing at her as if asking for permission.
She encouraged, “Go on. It’s yours. Eat.”
They finally gave in, devouring the food like they hadn’t eaten in days. It was apparent how hungry they
were.
Just then, something strange happened.
Once they’d eaten their fill, some of the dogs picked up pieces of the leftover meat in their mouths and started heading for the gate.
Theresa blinked in disbelief, thinking, You’ve got to be kidding me.
Summer, her oversized system–enhanced dog, sprang into action. Twice the size of the other dogs and far more powerful, Summer barked loudly and cut off their escape.
The military dogs froze, their tails dropping as they grouped together nervously.
Theresa walked over, placing a calming hand on Summer’s back.
“Let them go,” she spoke gently, shaking her head.
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