Free Endings: Dystopian Post Apocalyptic Zombie Thriller (Parables From The Apocalypse Book 1) by Norman Christof Page A

chimed in, "We should get going, Colonel.  It's getting later."
    Chaz shut up the laptop and placed it into his backpack.  "You need some downtime; maybe close your eyes for a few minutes?  I'll stand watch."
    "I'd rather just get going, Colonel.  The sooner we get there the better."
    Chaz nodded in agreement. "You're right.  Next time, you can take the first break.  Let's get moving."
     
     

Schools Out
     
    Chaz and Alex trucked on at a good clip for the rest of the evening.  Close to dusk, they could see the skyline of the city a few miles off.  Not making it before dark would be a bad thing.  Chances were, most of the power was out, so the city would be pretty hard to navigate.  The darkness gave zombies and other undesirables places to hide.
     
    Alex wiped sweat off his brow, and squinted as he stared down the road.  "I see something reflecting in the distance.  Something big."
    Chaz stopped and reached for his binoculars.  Peering through the glasses, he said, "It's a school bus in the middle of the road.  One of those half-sized buses. And a smaller car.  A Volkswagen, maybe.  I can't see anyone in the car.  Someone's moving in the bus.  Actually, at least a couple of people.  They're small, kids I think.  No sign of the bus driver though.  Let's get closer."
     
    They moved a bit more cautiously up the side of the road now, walking single file to make it look like one person from a distance.  As they got within a half mile, Chaz took out the binoculars, and focused on the vehicles.  After surveying the scene, Chaz remarked, "Looks like just a bunch of elementary-school kids. Some are eating, the others are just talking. No sign of zombies around.  I still don't see a driver, or any other adults."
    "I wonder how long they've been there?" asked Alex.
    "Hard to say; they don't look like they're suffering, and they have food and water.  Hang on a sec.  I see something off the side of the road.  It's got a tarp over it.  Could be a body; it's adult size.  I wonder if that's the driver."
    "Something's not right there.  Maybe they could use our help.  There has to be an adult around somewhere."
    "Well, no one is getting off the bus, so they're safe for the moment.  That bus is awfully tempting.  Especially if it's got fuel, and it probably does if it's loaded up with kids.  Let's get a closer look."
     
    ***
     
    Chaz and Alex both picked up their pace to a slow jog.  There wasn't much point in being all stealthy given they were so close.  The situation seemed odd, but relatively harmless.  Nothing they couldn't handle.  As they got nearer, the kids spotted them. A dozen or so stared out the windows, watching them.  They were talking excitedly amongst themselves, and didn't look scared as they pointed to Alex and Chaz.
     
    Chaz and Alex approached the bus and walked to the driver's side.  The kids all shifted to the same side.  Everyone was sort of checking each other out.  Alex said to Chaz, "They seem OK.  Let's see if they'll let us in."
    "That's what I was thinking," replied Chaz.  "You stay here where they can see you and I'll see if I can open the door."
     
    Chaz walked around the bus.  Most of the kids kept their eyes on Alex, but a couple moved up to the driver's seat.  Chaz reached the door, and tried pushing the door to see if it would open.  It didn't.  It was loose, but locked.  He didn't force it.  Two kids, a couple of the older boys just watched him.  Chaz said "Hey guys, how about opening the doors so we can talk?"  The kids looked at each other.  One of them said something, but Chaz couldn't make it out.  The other just shook his head back and forth.
     
    Around the side of the bus, one of the girls popped open the window just a crack.  The girl just opened it enough to talk through.  She had red hair tied back in a single ponytail with a yellow bungee.  The other kids on the bus stayed close enough to her to hear.  "What do you want?" she asked