WRAITHBOUND ASCENTION

Nate stared at the hallway, his eyes darting from the left wing door and his shotgun every now and then. He had been assigned to man the office and protect the boss's daughter.

As much of an honor that might have been in the past,things were now different. Just meerly a few days ago, he was so proud to finally join the SANTINI family, but now...?

He didn't even know if he would survive today.

That thing might have killed all that went to fight it.

Should he go and close the door from outside..?

That would guarantee his safety and he could escape this hell.

But where would he go..?

He had heard the situation of the outside world from his Boss. He had even experienced it himself.

He had experienced the Garden of Souls. He had seen his fellow rookie and even the second lieutenant Benjjy disintergrate into ash with his own eyes.

Though daunting, he had also witnessed Riccardo Cheves new visage.

That could have been him ! All it took was one mistake and he would be gone !

Nate pondered a great deal of things, his mind swirling as he tried to make sense of what was happening inside and outside the headquarter's gate.

They had been outside. They had seen the situation. A situation of total chaos, where commercial aeroplanes fell from a far , signalling the end of times. A situation where both abominations and their victims screamed as they tared each other for survival. They had seen it all.

In the end, they decided to return to the warehouse. Inside, food and water was stalked,and it could even last them several months. Inside, the heavy doors of the main entrance offered protection against the horrors of the outside world. Who wouldn't return to such a haven ?

Definitely not them, the decision was unanimous. They cleaned up some of the dust left behind by the the two departed and made note to stay away from the left hall of the 1st Lieutenant.

They also agreed on a certain set of rules. One of which was returning the set of clothes belonging to the 2nd lieutenant Benjjy to his office. Together with his pair of main gate keys that is.

Secondly, they would only stay in one room at a given time when they are all present. This was to ensure they see each other and restrict their movement their movement.

For hours they stayed. Not a single hindrance appearing... Apart from the periodical clawing of the Left hall door that is. Every thing was going fine, as fine as one can be in this hell. They had even grown complesent, allowing themselves to play poker at the Boss's Office.

Suddenly, their sanctuary was intruded. They were stifiled and in a bit of panic. But when the intruder did not force his way in, but easily opened the double door of the warehouse their minds conflicted.

Seeing Lucky, the Head of the SANTINI Family brought them both joy and insecurities. What would he say? Would he order them around? If he tells them to die inorder for his escape, would they follow through?

Wait, why would they follow him? The world was already in turmoil, so why would they follow orders?

This was their train of thought.

How wrong they were !!

The moment they laid eyes on Lucky, they felt the need to be subservient. He exuded the aura of a general, the aura of a king. It was the way he walked,the way he composed himself, his piercing eyes that seem to see the depth of their soul. Judging them, grading and evaluating them in every way possible.

In that instant, they you they would follow him to the ends of the world. In their minds, they already knew that one can not survive the chaos outside alone, they needed a leader, someone who would increase their chance of survival. Someone who would guide them during these troubling time.

They all knew it, that Lucky was him. The person whom they can depend on.

As lucky walked, they lined up, giving way with their heads slightly facing the ground. A form of showing respect to the SANTINI Head.

They watched him walk to his office, his daughter by his hand and a browning 9 mm hand gun in his other.

They felt reverence, they felt pride, they felt a sense of belonging . Some more that most. Nate for example.

What could that man have been through..?

How did he even make it here..?

And with his daughter to boot..!!

His reverence hit the roof, his respect for the man skyrocketed and he wasn't alone. Chris was the same.

Now , presently he was still guarding the office, his gaze still lurking on the open door of the left wing.

It had been less that fifteen minutes since Lucky and the others entered that door, but it felt like an eternity. Every second tormenting him, not knowing what will come out of the steel door. Would it be Lucky or would it be Abomination Cheves.

Then he heard a rustle, his finger reflexively on the trigger. Ready to blow whatever would come out of the door to smitherings.

"Nate !! Be reasonable and don't shoot..."

He had Tony's voice. It was low and husky,betraying his tired and mangled condition. He lowered his aim, still holding on to his shotgun.

A shadow moved, then a figure walked out of the door. In his hand a huge hunting knife dripping bits of blood. His other supporting Tony's disfigured body as they walked towards him.Bobby was behind them, his expression distorted,his head on the ground.

Nate looked at the steel door, waiting for Chris and Lucas to walk through, but they did not . He glared at Bobby, then at Tony, understanding dawning on him.

They were dead.

They didn't even survive one day.

***

Hours Earlier

The Miller Family household.

Rachel rose from the wooden floor of their desently furnished sitting room. Beneath her, a flannel shirt and trouser laid on top of a pile of ash. Beside it, a simple housedress, popular to women of the times also laid atop a pile of ash. In her tiny hands was a pair of wire rimmed glasses and a grey hair pin.

Lucas Miller and Marla Miller had gone with the wind, leaving behind a nine year old child to cater for herself in this forsaken new world.

Rachel composed herself, wiping the tears that were still rolling from her eyes as the went for the door.

Opening it, a tall woman clad in simple dress met her eyes. Rachel recognized her. She was the woman who recently became their neighbour. The woman their mother always complained about.

" Hello little Rachel."