IMPORTANT NOTE:
This is my P_A_T_R_E_O_N link please support me. Thank you guys
patrèon.com/Tony_stark_3000
remove the è and put a normal e.
If Patrèon is not your cup of tea, then buy me a coffee 😉.
https://buymeacoffee.com/Tony_Stark_3000
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sorry for the delay over the last few days, guys.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
The helicopter descended steadily from Alaska, following the western coastline of Canada. Below it, the land unfolded like a scarred map of humanity's downfall. Snow-covered forests gave way to abandoned highways, collapsed bridges, and silent cities swallowed by rust and decay. As the aircraft moved farther south, it passed over Seattle, then San Francisco—once bustling metropolises, now nothing more than hollow skeletons standing against the sea wind.
Inside the helicopter, the White Queen leaned forward, her hands resting lightly on the glass as she stared ahead. In the distance, a massive city appeared. Its skyline was fractured, towers broken, smoke stains clinging stubbornly to ruined buildings as if the city itself were bleeding.
"Los Angeles is ahead," the White Queen said softly. Her tone was calm, but her eyes reflected unease. "The city looks… badly damaged."
Jack followed her gaze. Before him was a mountain-like city, sprawling and lifeless. This had once been the land of dreams—Hollywood, fame, bright lights, and endless ambition. Now, all of it lay buried beneath destruction.
"Los Angeles is finished," Jack said indifferently. "And Hollywood along with it."
Alice remained silent. She stood near the cabin door, her eyes fixed on the ruins below. She wasn't admiring the destruction—she was searching. Searching for movement, for smoke, for any sign that life still existed down there. Deep inside, she knew the truth. The biochemical catastrophe had lasted far too long. Anyone still alive at this point was either extraordinarily resilient or desperately clinging to survival.
Suddenly, Alice's gaze sharpened.
"There are people," she said, her voice tight with disbelief.
The White Queen adjusted her vision slightly. "Yes. Some people are still holding on. That large building ahead—it's the biggest prison in Los Angeles."
Everyone looked forward. The prison stood like a black fortress in the sea of ruins. Around it, countless zombies pressed in from all directions, their bodies packed so tightly that the ground itself seemed to crawl. They clawed endlessly at the walls, drawn by instinct alone.
Jack's lips curved faintly. "You're right. There are survivors."
"Fly past it," Alice said immediately, her tone firm.
"No problem," Jack replied easily. "Perfect timing, actually. We're almost out of fuel. We need a place to stop."
Alice frowned. "Out of fuel?"
"Of course," Jack said casually. "We've flown a long way. We can still go a few more kilometers, but landing won't be an issue. Relax."
Alice opened her mouth, wanting to argue, but ultimately said nothing. She knew that pressing further wouldn't change anything.
---
On the prison rooftop, a militant stood guard out of habit more than hope. He held a telescope loosely, scanning the sky with tired eyes. Suddenly, his body stiffened.
"A helicopter…" he muttered.
"Fuck." He lowered the telescope instantly and ran across the rooftop, pulling a whistle from his chest.
Wū—wū—wū—
The shrill sound cut through the air, echoing across the prison like a desperate cry.
"It's a helicopter! A helicopter!" A middle-aged man wearing a battered western-style jacket rushed out, shouting excitedly. Beside him, a diminutive South Korean man with a large nose and deeply set eyes trembled, his excitement barely contained.
From another entrance, a tall, bald Black man stepped out calmly. He looked up at the helicopter without shouting, his expression steady and reserved.
"They're coming to save us!" the middle-aged man yelled, jumping wildly. "We're here! Hey!"
The helicopter hovered above the rooftop, its blades roaring loudly. Slowly, it descended.
Jack and the others stepped out—and were immediately surrounded.
"You came to rescue us?" the big-nosed middle-aged man asked eagerly, his eyes shining with hope.
"Arcadia! Are you from Arcadia?" the South Korean man blurted out. "Did Arcadia send you?"
"Shut up," Jack snapped impatiently. "You're noisy."
The tall Black man stepped forward and extended his hand calmly. "Luther."
"Ortiz," said the militant who had blown the whistle.
"Alice," Alice said briefly.
Jack smiled faintly. "Didn't expect to run into survivors here. I'm Jack."
"I'm Crystal," said a full-figured woman with black hair. Her face was lit with excitement, as if seeing the helicopter alone had reignited hope.
"Enough with the introductions," the big-nosed middle-aged man said impatiently. "Did Arcadia send you to rescue us or not?"
"Of course," Crystal said excitedly. "Arcadia isn't polluted. There's food, security, and shelter."
Alice shook her head. "No. We also received the Arcadia broadcast."
"It doesn't matter!" the middle-aged man shouted. "Your helicopter can take us there!"
"It's out of fuel," Jack said calmly. "We can only fly a few kilometers."
"What?!" The man's face twisted with rage. "Then what's the point? Useless trash!"
The South Korean man and Crystal both froze, their hope shattering instantly.
Jack stepped forward without warning. He grabbed the middle-aged man by the collar and lifted him effortlessly, dragging him toward the edge of the rooftop.
Below them, countless zombies reached upward, their hands clawing at the air, their mouths opening in anticipation.
"No! Don't kill me!" Panic flooded the man's face. "I spoke wrongly! Please don't!"
"Hey! What are you doing to Bennett?" the South Korean man shouted, retreating several steps in fear.
Luther moved to Jack's side. "He talks too much, and I don't like him either. But we're survivors. Don't go that far."
"I can't stand fools like this," Jack said coldly. "No ability, noisy all day, wasting resources."
With a casual flick of his arm, Jack threw Bennett off the rooftop.
"Ah—!"
Bennett fell straight into the zombie horde and was torn apart instantly.
Silence fell.
Everyone stared in shock. No one had expected Jack to actually do it.
"How can you be so cruel?" Ortiz shouted.
"This kind of person would only become a disaster if kept alive," Jack replied indifferently.
The South Korean man stared at Jack with pure fear and staggered backward. "You killed Bennett… you really killed him…"
Alice shook her head slightly. To her, killing someone like that wasn't surprising—just brutal.
Luther frowned deeply. "Jack, that was too much."
"I act as I please," Jack replied coldly.
Luther suddenly swung his fist. "Let me see what kind of strength you really have!"
The punch stopped ten centimeters from Jack's face.
Luther roared, his arm frozen in mid-air, unable to move.
Jack tilted his neck slightly. Thought Power surged forward and slammed into Luther's body.
"Ah—!"
Luther was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the rooftop.
"Luther!" Ortiz raised his weapon and fired repeatedly at Jack.
Seven or eight bullets stopped in mid-air one meter from Jack, spinning slowly.
"Should I return these to you?" Jack asked calmly.
He waved his hand.
The bullets shot back.
Ortiz's eyes widened in terror.
At that instant, Alice's eyes changed. Thought Power surged forward, stopping the bullets just in time and saving Ortiz's life.
"Jack," Alice said coldly, "I didn't come here to watch you kill people."
The wind howled across the rooftop as tension thickened in the air, heavier than the smoke rising from the ruined city below.