Alan once had big dreams that led him to join the army. But after having done the things he did, all symbols of duty ended for him.
At the end of his career, he never knew who he was really fighting for. Was it for his country? He never fought for his homeland or freedom, it was never for them, and that was what hurt him the most.
In the early days of the chaos, he thought the military, with its enormous power, could solve the problem. Now, after the incident at the police station, he began to feel that maybe the army wasn't strong enough to face the infected.
Alan searched every office in the station. He remembered that larger police precincts used to have armories to store ammunition.
Most of the personnel at the station were public security officers and administrative employees. They probably only practiced with firearms a few times a month, making them barely more skilled than ordinary people. Of course, the person he had seen earlier killing infected people was an exception.
But even as an exception, in the end, after a battle with numerous infected, death is the only thing that awaits them.
Alan descended to the basement. He discovered that the building had an additional underground level. At first, he was excited, thinking he had found a secret facility of the Police Department. But it was just another floor with several offices along a hallway. Nothing mysterious or secret.
However, one office in particular stood out. Its iron door was clearly deformed. There were marks of infected's fist strikes and dry black blood everywhere.
Alan used his axe to force the door open. Although it was daytime, the room was dimly lit; only a little sunlight came through a couple of vents the size of a human head. He pushed the door, and with the faint light, he was able to see what was inside.
The office was filled with large filing cabinets with folders. On a small desk lay a corpse in a police uniform.
Alan felt strange looking at the corpse, which seemed to be simply taking a nap. It was too normal of a posture. Or rather, too abnormal. Outside, the world was plunged into chaos. How could someone die like that, so calmly?
He carefully observed the place. Dust had accumulated on the files, there were cracks in the vent, and pieces of wall had fallen off.
He approached the body, which was neatly dressed in uniform and cap, lying on the desk. Above his head were several papers covered in writing, carefully placed under his body. Alan moved the body with respect and read the notes:
September 5, 2013
It turns out that the zombies from American TV shows were real. Yesterday I saw with my own eyes how my colleagues turned into monstrous beings. John Nolan, Tim... Even Wesley Evers, our families were the first to die. At least I was lucky, I was in the file room looking for information when the infected entered the station.
When I heard the chaos, I wanted to leave when they called for reinforcements, but the sergeant appeared outside, with red eyes and his body trembling. I don't know what made me do it, but I shut the door and hid.
Later, I saw everyone adopt that look... I knew the situation was serious. With no phone signal, I decided to stay. I could hear gunshots. Someone else must have survived, but not for long.
...
September 6, 2013
I shouldn't have looked through the door. Now the infected are outside banging on it. Maybe I'm going to die.
...
September 7, 2013
I still can't communicate with anyone outside. What's happening? Did everyone turn into a monster? I haven't eaten in two days, but I have some water.
...
September 8, 2013
The infected are still outside. I'm locked in. I want to survive. I can hear gunshots, so I'm not alone. Where is the government? I can't even hear any army intervention anymore.
...
September 9, 2013
I tried to leave, but I couldn't. Am I going to die?
...
September 10, 2013
If you're reading this, I'm dead. I worked hard to be the deputy section chief. My name is Bob. If anyone finds this, please take care of my wife and children. They live in the apartment building on Sierra Vista Drive, west of Loop 250, near the intersection with Godfrey Street.
I beg you. Maybe there is no hope left for me in my situation, but I hope they're alive.
From what I observed, a person turns into an infected within seconds of being bitten, some take longer.
I saw it with the sergeant, though I didn't count the exact time.
In Midland, you can find infected everywhere. In our department, everyone who wasn't on the streets was infected, regardless of blood type, gender, or physical strength. My friend Tim, a former soldier with much more training, died the same way.
No one survives an infected's wound.
However, I heard voices. At least five more people didn't transform immediately. There must still be humans out there. I hope they survive.
If it was a virus, or if they were aliens, it's fine. But if it was terrorists, please kill them all, no matter who they are. I've seen my friends turn into monsters, and I won't forgive those who caused it.
Oh, by the way. The room inside my office is the bureau's armory. I hid the weapons, most of them are behind the file shelf, there you'll find AR-15 rifles, Remington 700 rifles, pistols, and plenty of ammunition, along with first aid kits.
If you stopped to read my last words, then you can take them.
Since most were on the streets, there aren't many weapons left. But there are several houses of acquaintances on the outskirts of Midland where there are plenty of weapons, you should be able to find more in those places. I'll point them out below, be kind to the residents if they're alive.
Whoever you are, please find my family. Thank you.
I can't go on...
I'm dizzy, I haven't eaten anything in four days.
This is an area near downtown, with many buildings unsuitable for survival... Maybe there are still people alive on the outskirts. Please help them.
I wish you luck!
Wife, son, if you read this, live well! With much love, Fat Bob.
...
At the end of the letter, the handwriting became weaker and weaker. Alan held the note carefully. Bob was a good cop, but he had bad luck. Even in that situation, he tried to leave useful information for others.
He didn't know that the one reading his last words wouldn't be the army he expected, but an ordinary man fighting to survive like him.
Alan returned Bob's body, which showed signs of decay, to the floor.
If the army left Midland, that means they have their shelters close by, so Bob's family might be in those places.
Bob wasn't a hero, he never killed an infected, but he was a man who was committed. He didn't break. He did the best he could until the end.
Alan closed the door to the file room with all the weapons in a long backpack.
He decided that later he would go to Bob's house to see if they left or if they died instead. He owed Bob a favor, and besides, it was on the way to where he stayed with Joel and Tommy.
Alan wasn't a just or virtuous man, but he had the goodness of an ordinary citizen.