Chapter 81 - Town Camp

Mark noticed the look David was giving and sighed. Helpless, he said, "David, we need to go. This wasn't part of the deal. We need to get to Evergreen city and there is still a long way to go there. So let's go. These kids were able to get out of the camp. I am sure they will find a way back to it." With a tinge of seriousness. He didn't want to order him, just because he saved his life. 

David heard him and knew he was right. But both the teenagers grew anxious at the thought of them leaving and forced to go through what they just did. But they cried as they were too scared to face the zombies again. They realized their mistake and wanted to go back. But the way back was too hard of an option for them. 

David looked back to Mark and said slowly, trying to convince him, "Mark, Evergreen city is still a very long way from here. We won't be able to reach today and it will probably take another whole day. Why don't we stay here today? We will drop these kids at their camp and stay there for the night. It's already 2 right now and the sun will go down in another 3 to 4 hours. We probably won't be lucky enough to find a place to stay overnight like yesterday." 

David thought this was the best possible reason he could come up with at that moment. Hearing him, Mark went silent. He looked at David and said, "Alright, we will go and drop them at their camp. But we need food and a room to stay for the night from them." Mark didn't want to negotiate with them. 

Hearing him, the girl instantly became happy and said, "Sure that is ok. My mom is the mayor of the town. I am sure she will accept your condition for a single night if you drop us there. I promise you this. Just please drop us there." 

"Can I hold your words accountable?" Asked Mark, raising an eyebrow at her. He couldn't blindly believe what the girl said. When they go there and the mayor says to go away, he might want to kill her off.

The girl eagerly nodded when she heard Mark and said, "Yes, don't worry. My mom loves me. I am sure she will accept it if I asked her." 

Mark nodded and said, "Alright, then hop in. But remember, if you can't do what you promised. I will make sure I get it. This is a two-way deal, not a free service." Being completely serious about it. Both of them nodded. David exhaled in relief when he saw Mark finally accept. 

Mark turned to the back and opened the door to his side. He looked at Suzie, who was observing the whole situation from the inside and sighed. Both of them got in along with David, also got in, and started the jeep. The girl sat in the middle beside Suzie while the boy sat next to the window. 

He looked at the back and asked, "So where is this camp of yours?" 

"It's the town hospital. They made our temporary camp there for now. I will show you the way. First, go straight from here." And the boy started showing the way to their camp. David followed the instructions and drove. Whenever any zombies were in the way, it was only David who got down.

Mark did not even try to help. David was ok with this. Asking to drop these kids at their camp was too much to ask, so he sealed with the zombies himself. They finally reached the vicinity of the town hospital and they noticed only a very few people with guns. Fewer than the school camp organized by the underground back in Stargaze city. 

Most of the guns were basically pistols, like the Glock 17 used by the police. Mark understood this camp wasn't only ruled by the mayor, but the police force also helped in maintaining the place. This was nice as the citizens wouldn't have any speck of hope to survive on their own with no weapons. And getting weapons was very hard in the country. Normal countrymen wouldn't have guns without a permit from the central government. 

They slowly went up to the entrance and the guards. The boy instantly went down the car and went before the man. Seeing the boy, the man reacted and exclaimed, "Ah, it's Dereck. We were searching for you the whole day. Is Gwen with you? Where were you guys and why are you in a jeep?"

"Uncle Ross I will explain everything later. Can you let the jeep in? They are good people." Asked the boy named Dereck. 

Ross looked at Dereck and then at David and nodded at the people behind him to let the jeep in. He looked at Dereck and said, "Ok then. All of you wait at the main entrance of the hospital inside. I will tell the mayor about this." And took out his walkie-talkie and said, "Mayor, this is Ross from the main gate. Your daughter Gwen and Dereck are back. They are no where with a group of people and a jeep." 

The voice on the other side came quickly, "Alright let them in. I am coming down to the main entrance right now." Ross nodded and nodded at David. David slowly drove the jeep in and stopped right before the main entrance of the hospital. 

Gwen was the first to jump out and Mark got out next. After a few more minutes a group of people came out of the hospital, led by a woman in her 40s. Mark could see some similarities between Gwen and her. This was the mayor of the town. Gwen ran up to her mother and hugged her while sobbing out loud how sorry she was about leaving the camp. 

The woman immediately consoled her daughter. After she did, she looked at Mark and said, "Did you save my daughter?"

Mark nodded and said, "Yes, my partner saved her and her boyfriend as they were being chased down by a horde of zombies in a street crying for help. But it isn't for free."