Chapter 69
Theo moved closer, boots silent against the tiles. There, beneath the edge of the vending machine, a seam. Vertical, faint. A doorframe.
His gaze sharpened. Someone had tried to cover it, on purpose.
Theo crouched and brushed his hand along the edge, then pushed lightly. No give. He pressed his ear to the surface. Silent.
He knocked once. “Is anyone inside?” he said, voice low and calm. “It’s alright. The danger’s gone. You’re safe now p>
No response. He waited, then tried again. Still nothing.
Theo straightened, took a half-step back, and planted his shoulder firmly into the side.
CRACK!
The door budged, resisted, then broke loose as the jammed items behind it gave way with a loud snap.
It flew open-
SWOOSH!
A mop came flying straight at his face.
Theo ducked on reflex, raising his arm but held back a counterstrike the second he saw the attacker. A thin boy, maybe no older than ten, stood there, gripping the mop with both hands, eyes wide and red with exhaustion. Behind him, another child, maybe four, crouched low and shaking in a pile of dirty blankets.
“Back off!” the boy shouted, voice cracking but firm.
Theo didn’t move.
The stench from inside hit hard, days of human waste, stale air, and moldy bread. The tiny janitor’s closet was crammed with half-eaten food, empty bottles, and a bucket in the corner.
An air vent above was slightly ajar.
Theo slowly lowered his hands. “Easy. I’m not here to hurt you p>
“Are you bitten?” the older boy snapped, still holding the mop like a weapon.
“I’m not bitten,” Theo said simply.
The younger child peeked up from behind the boy, hugging a torn stuffed animal.
“How long have you been here?” Theo asked, scanning the small, cramped room.
“She was bitten,” he went on, voice cracking. “She didn’t say anything… just smiled and told us to stay and behave. She pushed the big machines over the door and said, no matter what happens, don’t open it p>
He was trembling by the time he finished. The mop finally slipped from his hands and clattered to the floor. Tears streamed silently down his face, but he didn’t wipe them. He just stood there, shaking, jaw clenched like he was trying to hold back everything else.
Theo didn’t speak right away.
He let the silence stretch, gave the boy space to breathe and cry without judgment. The younger one stayed quiet but clung tighter to his stuffed toy, watching the boy and him with wide eyes.
Theo exhaled slowly. “She saved you both p>
The boy’s hands dropped to his sides. The mop lay forgotten.
“What’s your name?” He asked gently, lowering himself to their eye level.
Theo nodded, then looked toward the smaller boy. “And him p>
“Dion. He’s my little brother p>
Theo offered his hand. Leon stared at it for a moment, then reached out and took it. His grip was tight.
“You did good, Leon,” Theo said, voice low and steady. “You protected your brother. And your mom was brave. I know she’d be proud of you p>
Leon didn’t say anything, but his lip trembled again. His shoulders sagged as if the weight he’d carried for days was finally starting to lift.
Theo gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m here now. No more hiding. I’ll get you both out of here p>
He smiled, just enough to be reassuring, and gestured with his free hand.
“Let’s go p>
Before they left the storage room, Theo took a moment to check the nearby hall again. He remembered the three bodies slumped in the aisle near the fallen shelves, partially hidden under broken boxes and scattered supplies.
He didn’t want the boys to see them.
Theo turned to Leon gently. “Stay here for a bit. Just a minute p>
Leon gave a slight nod, still holding Dion’s hand.
Theo moved quickly. The bodies were women, bloody, bruised, their features barely visible under dried blood and soot. One of them still wore a name tag on her supermarket apron. Another had long dark hair, matted with dust and ash.
It could’ve been their mother. Theo didn’t stop to ask questions or wonder. He simply acted.
He pulled each body carefully to the side, dragging them behind a fallen rack and covering them with a discarded tarp he found nearby. His hands were quiet. Respectful. The smell was sharp, but he kept his face calm.
By the time he returned to the boys, the aisle looked clear, like nothing had been there.
“Alright,” he said quietly. “Let’s go p>
Leon held Dion’s hand tightly as they walked. The younger boy stumbled a bit, but didn’t cry. Just leaned against his big brother’s side.
Theo walked ahead, clearing the way, glancing back every few seconds to make sure they were okay.
They reached the hatch then Theo tapped the comm device on his wrist and opened a secured line.
“It’s me,” he said.
A crackle of static, then Brix’s voice came through his earpiece. “Theo? Status p>
“I found two survivors. Boys. The older one’s name is Leon, the younger is Dion. They’ve been hiding since the outbreak started p>
“Understood,” Brix said sharply, already shifting into command mode. “I’ll reroute a patrol near your position and notify the checkpoint p>
Theo gave a nod even though Brix couldn’t see it. “Copy that p>
“You sure there aren’t more?” Brix asked.
“I checked every room. Cleared the aisles. These two were hidden behind cleaning supplies and blocked in by appliances. If there was anyone else, they’re long gone p>
“All right,” Brix said.
Theo glanced at the boys. Leon stood close, still quiet but alert. His eyes were still red from crying, but there was a steady focus in them now. Dion had started sucking his thumb, leaning against his brother, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.
Theo knelt to their level again, keeping his tone calm and steady.
“Help will arrive soon,” he said. “But until then, I’ll stay with you both. You have to stay strong, alright? Once they get here… I’ll be gone p>
Leon frowned. “Gone p>
Theo nodded once. “I’m not officially part of AMSO. I’m AMS, yeah, but not registered. I’m not supposed to be inside a red zone like this. So I need to leave before they realize I broke protocol p>
Leon tilted his head, studying him. “Are you like… a hero who doesn’t want to be recognized? But… you don’t even have a mask or costume p>