World Apocalypse: Apocalust

Chapter 29: Chapter XXIX - Crap Plot but a Solid Plan

The three crowded into the kitchen, keeping low as they put the walls between themselves and the front door. Noah pressed his back against the counter, spear held tightly in one hand while he tried to think.

"We can’t stay here," Levy whispered. "She’s got a gun, and apparently she’s not worried about putting holes through things. I don’t know about y’all, but I like the amount of holes I have right now."

Sage rolled her eyes and glanced toward the hallway. "The windows?"

"Too exposed," Noah replied. "And we don’t know if there’s anyone else outside."

Levy looked around the kitchen, searching for another option. "Back door?"

She deadpanned. "We’re in an apartment."

"Shit, right."

Another muted crack echoed from the foyer.

Noah looked toward the damaged front door. They couldn’t stay here indefinitely, but rushing the shooter would be just as stupid. They needed a way to either get her to lower the weapon or create enough of a distraction to escape.

"We could wait her out," Levy suggested.

"No," Sage said. "She knows we’re here, and she’s already willing to shoot through the door. Waiting only gives her more time to decide how she wants to get inside."

"Then what?"

Noah opened his mouth, but before he could answer, a voice came from the other room.

"You’re thinking too hard."

They froze. Noah’s head snapped toward the bedroom and for a moment, he couldn’t place the voice. Then he remembered.

Kirk.

The three exchanged glances before slowly making their way back toward the room. Noah entered first, keeping his spear ready, while Sage and Levy followed closely behind.

He was still tied to the chair, the cloth gag hanging loosely around his neck. He looked remarkably calm considering someone had just fired a bullet through the front door.

Levy stared at him.

"You’ve been listening this whole time?"

Kirk shrugged as much as the restraints allowed.

"Hard not to."

Sage crossed her arms. "Then what do you suggest?"

Kirk looked toward the hallway.

"Let me talk to her."

Noah’s eyes narrowed.

"Why would we do that?"

"One way or another, she’s going to come and talk to me," Kirk responded. His voice returned to its unnatural calm despite his former shock. "Whether you want her to or not doesn’t change that fact."

Noah gritted his teeth. He hated that Kirk was right.

"We don’t even know what she wants."

"And you think she’ll tell you while you’re hiding me in the next room?"

Kirk leaned back as far as the chair allowed, watching Noah carefully.

"She came here looking for me. Let her have what she came for."

Sage remained silent, her eyes moving between the two men as she considered his words.

"And what happens when she gets in here?" Noah asked. "You think she’ll just walk away after having to shoot her way through the front door?"

Kirk’s expression became more serious.

"I don’t know."

The bluntness of the answer caught Noah off guard.

"But I do know one thing," Kirk continued. "She’s not leaving without me. So unless you’ve got a better idea, you might as well let me go."

Noah stared at him, weighing his options. He didn’t like any of them.

"Fuck that."

Sage pushed away from the wall and crossed the room toward the window. She pulled the curtain aside just enough to look through the glass without exposing herself, her eyes scanning the street below.

A fire escape ran along the side of the building, its metal stairs descending toward the lower floors. For a brief moment, it looked like an easy way out.

Then she looked down.

Several men were scattered across the street below, positioned at different points around the building. Some stood near the entrance while others watched the surrounding sidewalks and neighboring buildings.

They weren’t talking or wandering; each seemed to have a specific position, their attention fixed on the building’s entrances and exits.

"Yeah," she muttered. "They might have the building surrounded."

Noah looked up. "What?"

Sage turned toward him.

"Come here. Both of you."

Something in her tone made Noah immediately move. Levy followed, leaving Kirk behind as the three gathered around the window.

Sage carefully pulled the curtain aside again and pointed downward.

"Look."

Noah leaned toward the glass.

His eyes widened.

Men were stationed around the building, some close to the building and a few farther away.

Levy stared for a moment. "All of this for a bow? Are we being for real?"

Sage shook her head.

"You tell me."

Noah continued scanning the street, his enhanced vision allowing him to pick out details that would’ve been difficult to notice before.

"Where the fuxk are all the walkers? What kind of shitty plot is this?"

Levy chuckled.

"I see you still have your humor," Kirk said.

Noah ignored him.

Sage released the curtain. "So much for the fire escape."

Noah’s expression hardened. Kirk watched them from across the room, his face growing increasingly anxious.

"You see why I said—"

"Don’t," Sage interrupted.

She turned toward him.

"Whatever you’re about to say, don’t."

Kirk closed his mouth as she still wondered how he’d remove his gag.

Levy continued staring through the window, his eyes moving between the surrounding buildings and the men stationed below. His gaze eventually settled on the apartment complex directly across from them.

"Wait."

Sage glanced at him. "What?"

Levy pointed toward the neighboring building. "That complex beside us. It’s the same layout as this one, right?"

Sage looked in the direction he was pointing, then nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"If they’re built the same, then the fire escapes should line up with the floors."

Sage’s expression shifted as she followed his train of thought.

Levy turned back toward her. "We don’t have to go all the way down."

Noah’s eyes narrowed with realization.

"We use the fire escape to get to another floor," he said.

Levy nodded. "Exactly. We slip down a few levels, cross over to the other side, and exit through there."

"They’ll never expect it as long as somebody doesn’t run their mouth.

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