Rachel - Interactive Story - scene 17

Continued from scene 16

Rachel looks at Bailey and pinches the bridge of her nose. "I'm British intelligence. Think of me as James Bond's good-looking sister."

Bailey blinks with a frown. "Yeah, right." Her brow furrows, and she glances at the satellite phone. "Wait… you're serious?"

Rachel nods. "I work for the British government. It's why I know how to survive something like this." She takes a deep breath. "But we don't have time to go into details. We need to get to Dr. Slater. Grab my duffel bag and your backpack. Let's move."

Bailey hesitates for a second longer before grabbing the gear. Rachel scoops Daisy up, feeling the limp weight of her body, and heads out the door. She falters for a moment but cradles the unconscious woman against her chest and turns to go out the door sideways.

I can't believe I'm doing this. Saving one life and putting me and Bailey in danger. I must be absolutely bonkers.

Outside, the chaos of the outbreak unfolds all around them. Distant screams cut through the air, and the growl of engines reverberates through the streets. Sirens wail from different directions, clashing with the shouting of neighbors. In the distance, a gunshot cracks like thunder. The once-quiet suburban area feels like a warzone around them.

Rachel reaches the Jeep parked nearby, easing Daisy into the back seat. Bailey throws the duffel bag in, and they slide into the vehicle. The moment the engine roars to life, Rachel pulls out, tires squealing as they head down the road. As she drives, she sees abandoned cars, some smashed into lamp posts or each other. People run wildly between the houses, their faces twisted in panic, clutching children or bags of belongings. A few unlucky ones lie on the ground, limp and unmoving, while figures in the distance stumble with the telltale signs of the infected. Windows are shattered, and smoke rises from somewhere nearby.

They make it about five blocks before a police cruiser pulls up behind them, red and blue lights flashing. Rachel glances in the rearview mirror, her jaw tightening.

Two officers sit inside the car—one man and one woman. The man has a thick neck and closely cropped hair. The woman beside him looks younger, with dark hair pulled into a tight bun, her sharp eyes scanning the road ahead.

Bailey glances at Rachel, nerves creeping into her voice. "Are you gonna pull over?"

Rachel's eyes remain locked on the mirror, her mind racing as the police lights flash behind them.

Continue to scene 18