Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Maven might Jinx it

One look at the red dots filling the map of the city that was spread open on the digital screen hovering in front of her, and Grace knew that Davian was speaking the truth.

Lumora might nor be able to hold for long.

Turning to face the team, she began, “Listen up. We will be traveling in two vehicles. I’ll drive the lead car with Rune and Dr. Kian, Valeska, and Aleena. Davian, you’ll take the second vehicle with Rio, Maven and Nathan. Stay close, but maintain enough distance to avoid being trapped together if we hit a roadblock.”

“Got it,” Davian said, but the frown on his face made it quite clear to her that he didn’t like the idea of staying away incase she met with difficulties on the way.

If it was the previous timeline, she would have been sure that Davian wouldn’t let his feelings for her come in the way of the mission. But in this timeline, something kept telling her that he might discard the entire world just for her.

Little did she know just how accurate her feeling was.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Rune who decided to remind her that having him around could be a great distraction.

“You sure you want me in the lead car? I could keep teasing you the whole way.” He asked with a playful smirk playing on his lips.

“Better you tease me than him.” Grace replied while swiftly pointing at Davian who was talking with Rio, Maven, and Nathan.

Before Rune could have responded, 2025’s voice interrupted. [The vehicles are ready. They are parked in the driveway of this property. I have also mapped out the safest route to Professor Neil’s location, avoiding major zombie clusters.]

“Good. Let’s move,” Grace ordered.

The team exited the backyard cautiously and made their way to the waiting vehicles. Both were reinforced, all-terrain SUVs equipped with zombie-proof grilles and spiked tires, perfect for the treacherous journey ahead.

Grace climbed into the driver’s seat of the lead SUV, with Dr. Kian taking the passenger seat. Rune and the girls settled down in the back quickly.

On the other hand, Davian took the wheel of the second vehicle with Rio in the passenger seat. Maven and Nathan took over the job of watching the flanks from the backseat.

As soon as everyone was inside and the doors were locked, Grace started the engine. The low hum of the powerful vehicle filled the air and blended with the distant groans of zombies.

She glanced at the map projected onto the dashboard by 2025 before steering the car toward the city’s edge.

“Stay sharp,” she said over the comms system linking the two vehicles. “This route takes us through some narrow streets before we hit the outskirts. There is a high chance of encountering infected along the way.”

As they navigated through Lumora’s broken streets, the devastation became clearer. Abandoned cars were clogging the roads. Their windows were shattered and their interiors were splattered with dried blood.

Some buildings had partially collapsed, while others were bearing scorch marks from failed attempts to hold off the infected.

It didn’t take long before the first group of zombies appeared in their path. Their rotting forms were shambling out from alleyways and abandoned storefronts.

Grace didn’t hesitate even for a moment. Having it done countless times by now, she gripped the wheel tightly and plowed through the growing horde. The reinforced grille of the SUV made quick work of the undead, and sent bodies flying. Just like that, she cleared the path for the second vehicle following them.

“Looks like you have become perfect at this art of mowing lawns,” Rune remarked from the backseat. His voice was tinged with amusement despite the grim scene.

“I’ll take the compliment,” Grace replied while she kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

The second SUV was following close behind, but also ensured that it stayed out of the spray of gore from the lead car.

Since Maven wasn’t made to drive the vehicle as usual, he decided to use the chance to test his shooting and power skills on the zombies.

“This isn’t bad,” he commented while reloading his weapon. “I expected worse.”

“Don’t jinx it,” Nathan muttered as he continued to scan the surrounding buildings for threats.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, the zombie density began to thin, but the terrain became rougher. The storm had called down by now but snow was blanketing the ground which made it harder to maintain traction. The roads ended up turning into winding dirt paths flanked by dense trees.

“2025, status update,” Grace called out.

[You are approximately 400 kilometers from the research camp. No major zombie clusters detected on the current route, but another storm is forming in the mountains ahead. Visibility may become a challenge.]

“Great. Just what we need,” Valeska muttered under her breath.

“We will manage,” Grace said, staying calm despite the situation. “We always do.”

Rune leaned forward from the backseat and rested his arms against the front seats. “And if we don’t, at least we’ll go out with style.”

Grace shot him a glance through the rearview mirror. “You are not helping.” She just received his signature smirk in response before silence took over.

Hours passed as they made their way deeper into the mountains, once again getting trapped in the wrath of the storm. Snow was whipping across the windshields, and the howling wind drowned out most other sounds.

Despite the treacherous conditions, Grace and Davian kept their vehicles steady with their unwavering focus. Their enhanced eyesight helping them move through the disaster.

Finally, 2025’s voice broke the silence. [You are within 15 kilometers of the research camp. The area ahead is steep and heavily forested. Proceed with caution.]

Grace slowed the SUV and her eyes began scanning the map. “This is where it gets tricky. Davian, keep close. We’ll take it slow from here.”

Her grip on the wheel tightened as she continued to drive ahead.