There was urgency in the group's movement as they moved through the streets, avoiding the objects thrown by looters to smash storefront windows. The atmosphere had begun to take on a more lawless feel the further Elise guided them down the commercial streets.

But it wasn't simple lawlessness. There was a distinct feel of desperation and fear. These were people who had seen the city beginning to crumble at the seams—seen something that made them discard their fear of the law.

And despite the police's best efforts, the infected seemed to increase in number. Blending in within the chaos going unnoticed before they sprang an attack, catching an officer or looter by surprise.

Causing the streets to become littered with bodies that lay. The drab monotone grey now coloured with flourishes of crimson. That was until the dead got up and joined their brethren prowling the streets looking for another victim.

They now only dealt with the infected that attacked them. There was so much turmoil that attracting any attention would cause only trouble. There were too many people and infected roaming the streets. But the increased chaos meant they could slip through the streets, avoiding most attention. Or at least with Levi leading them, they could.

Any attracted to them met with Levi's blade, as they didn't slow a beat. Avoiding the open and travelling behind the flaming shroud of vehicles and buildings, taking detours whenever they could to avoid large gatherings of people and escape the hellish streets.

Nobody thought coming here was a good idea, but Elise's pleading and the tantalising closeness made them take the risk. After all, it wasn't far, and they could be in and out with minimal trouble. And some already regretted the decision. If it weren't for Levi, they'd already have an injury or somebody bitten.

They did manage to reach Elise's parents without anybody getting injured– although there was a close call when a leaking car exploded. But the results were disheartening as they entered the building to find it left in a hurry with things strewn all over.

Elise wanted to keep searching, overcome with emotion. But time was one thing they lacked, and before she could even complain, they were already back on the road–moving away from the area as fast as possible.

Elise was the last stop before they went for Maggie. Everybody else either had no loved ones in the city or were too far out of the way to attempt. And after what they had seen, nobody even had confidence they'd find their loved ones.

They soon approached the Harvard Bridge. Levi didn't live far from the MIT campus. As long as they passed the bridge, they would only be a few minutes away.

The bridge allowed the group to look down Massachusetts avenue and see an array of discarded cars in gridlock. With the shadows of looters weaving between the vehicles avoiding the black riot geared lines of officers.

Soon the chortle of heavy-duty trucks sounded from the bridge, causing Levi to peer and see a parade of military trucks moving along the bridge. Forcing him to usher the group backwards, avoiding the sight of the army convoy, which pulled up beside the lines of riot police.

They didn't waste time talking to the officers and lined the avenue with their men armed on the turrets. And began opening fire on the protestors causing screams to sound as the rioters attempted to flee.

But they couldn't escape the ratatat of the 50.calibre rounds which flew at the crowds. The police looked confused before they regathered, accepting the scene and moving forward.

Levi's group weren't so accepting. They couldn't comprehend what was happening. But Levi didn't allow them to gape and watch and said, "Hurry and move. We don't wanna get mistaken as part of the riots. We need to move now." Prompting the group to break out into a run across the bridge.

The sound of gunfire became fainter as they moved further across the bridge. It looked like the military forced their way through the bridge, despite the gridlock, with cars discarded aside, leaving only enough room for a single vehicle to travel across.

As the gunshots became fainter, so did the fear, as Garett spoke aloud. "What the fuck just happened?" his disbelief clear as he grasped the cold metal railings of the bridge and looked back across towards the city.

Levi killed a nearby infected trapped by the clearing job, stuck between two cars. And looked up at the man while glancing over at the group, who also looked shaken. "The military stopping a riot. As far as they're concerned, re-establishing order in the city is more important than the lives of a few."

"But isn't there a better way than killing until the crowds disperse?" Elise asked, looking back, flinching at the occasional sound of gunfire.

"You tell me?" Levi asked, "Doesn't it seem like rioters will get off the streets." Elice opened her mouth to respond but closed it without speaking.

"It looks like the military has some kind of encampment in Cambridge. Be careful moving forwards. They might not be friendly." Levi cautioned as he moved forwards.

Cambridge felt more ordered than downtown Boston, which felt more like a warzone. The military had set up camp at the MIT campus. With crowds of people waiting in lines, outside chainlink fences. Everyone clambering to enter the gates, protected by guard towers and armed military men everywhere you could see.

Though gunfire sounded on occasion, there seemed to be a sense of control. As any infected discovered got shot before they could even get close to the fence they had established.

They bypassed the military safe zone, trekking the streets Levi was familiar with. Moving through the quaint streets filled with pastel houses. Avoiding the percussion of people and cars that lined the main roads, moving towards the refugee camp. But the screams indicated that the infected also weren't far behind.

Soon they reached Levi's apartment, one of many brick townhouses that lined the street. The entrance wasn't unlocked, but that was solved when Levi kicked the door open—alerting any occupants that may await.

They moved up the stairs, where Levi knocked on a door, awaiting an answer from inside. But one never came. Unsettling Levi, who decided he'd had enough and took down his second door of the night.

Opening to an expansive lounge, which lay empty. Levi walked across the varnished wooden floor of the lounge, scanning the room for any foul play.

But found nothing as he ran his finger across the cherry wood table that overlooked the window that peered out onto the streets. The table held a mess of papers and other utensils–illuminated by a small desk lamp. That soon flickered out as the power cut out for the hundredth time.

Making Levi move across the room and rifle his hands in a draw before pulling out a torch. Illuminating the room with torchlight, as he glanced at the papers on the table that read about 'Proto-Germanic languages'. Alongside them lay a stack of textbooks about similar content, with various bookmarks and post-it notes covering their pages.

His eyes turned from the mess of the table, and he illuminated the cartons of Chinese takeaway boxes. They lay sloppily on a singular coffee table that lay atop a carpet, a phone unhooked beside a pen and scribbled paper alongside the boxes.

Levi reached towards the paper and read the scribbles of writing, making out a few names and phone numbers. Including those of the Kendo competition organisers and other university contacts related to the competition. Before the writing degraded as it circled the words state of emergency and new illness.

Levi placed the paper back down as he looked around and saw nothing else in the lounge. And as the power came back on again looked towards the TV that was still playing a news bulletin.

"Live, we bring you the reports of devastating violence and civil disorder are coming in all across the country. Several states declared states of emergency throughout the day following the rapid spread of a novel infection." the news anchor spoke, a video appearing on the screen showing the Californian Governor speaking at a press conference.

"The symptoms include a flu-like illness followed by a death-like state. After the state ends, the infected lose all rationality and display extreme aggression." he continued, showing aerial images of downtown New York where one man knocked another to the ground and then hunched over his body.

"The military has been called in across the states to control the situation. And refugee evacuation zones will be established in all the major cities across the nation." a map appeared on the screen, cycling different cities with marked spots.

"The government recommends all people to attempt to reach these refugee zones. Where the military can guarantee people's safety. But those who are unable to leave for whatever reason are advised to remain locked in their houses until the situation is resolved or they are rescued." the anchor finished before he began trailing on, but Levi raised the remote and turned the TV off.

He placed the remote back on the table and then stood for a moment. Before he moved through the hallway and opened a door leading to a bedroom. When he opened the door, the first thing he saw was a blade thrusting towards his face.

Levi jolted backwards, dodging the blade and prepared to take down the intruder. But any reaction stopped when he saw a familiar pair of green eyes staring at him.

"Maggie," he said, almost afraid he was seeing things.

But felt assured as he heard the woman before him suppress a cry before dropping the knife and wrapping her arms around his chest. "I knew you'd be okay… I knew you'd be okay." she kept repeating, her grasp tightening as if she felt he'd escape the moment she let go.

"Un, I'm okay." he wanted to say more, but he struggled to find the words. All he felt was sheer relief. He hadn't realised how much he'd been on edge. But when he knew she was okay, the rush almost took his legs out.

So he just stood there, holding Maggie in silence. Ignorant to the world around them.

Maggie regathered herself, realising others were inside after hearing movement within the apartment. And directed her furrowed brows at Levi, who shrugged and rubbed her hand as he moved towards the living room.

Inside, the group was looking around the room with caution. Acting like caught school children when Levi entered the room with Maggie by his side. He ignored them and said, "You can all come in. Make yourselves at home."

Which made him receive a burning look from Maggie, who pinched his back. But still, didn't say anything to stop the group from entering the apartment.

As Marcus entered, the last to enter, Levi felt a pang of regret looking at the door that he'd kicked open. And in a sloppy way, attempted to close the door, half succeeding as the door closed somewhat.

Turning back, he looked at the group. Sergio and Ricky wasted no time getting comfortable, and soon everybody else had followed in their footsteps. Besides Marcus and Garett, who stood looking at Levi with curious eyes.

"We settle here for tonight," Levi said, getting a few sighs of relief from the group, who looked relieved at his words.

"We need to do something about those doors you knocked down tho. I don't feel comfortable knowing one of those infected could enter at any time." Marcus responded, looking at the door behind Levi. "I'm a deft hand at this sort of thing. I used to do repairs on all my old properties. It saved costs and gave me something to do."

Levi nodded at his words, and Maggie said, "There's some tools under the sink. If you need more, you can check next door. They'd have anything your missing." getting a curt nod from the older man who caught the torch thrown by Levi and moved towards the sink.

"Everyone else can get some rest. I'll stay up with Marcus and help him sort the doors and give the building a check. In a few hours, I'll wake up Garett, and he'll take over–Eddie after that." Levi said, getting a murmur of assent from the group, who all began to make themselves comfortable under the shouts of Maggie. Who was handing over sheets, pillows and whatever else.

And soon, Levi slipped out from the apartment, Marcus in tow as they set to work. The outside door didn't take long to repair, but Levi had to deal with an infected, attracted by the sound of the drill, more than once. The second door was more straightforward, and Levi left Marcus to his own devices, instead investigating the apartment complex.

Going around each apartment building, checking for survivors or infected left inside. He got no response most of the time and left them for the time being. But on more than a few, his knocking and voice elicited groans and banging on the door. Those were the apartments that Levi had no problem opening. Taking out any infected he could find within these rooms.

Often recognising them as a neighbour, he'd seen before arguing out on the street with their spouses or coming home late after work. But they all ended up in a pile by the downstairs door anyway. Their apartments rifled through as Levi compiled a list of useful looking items for Garett and Eddie to collect on their watches.

By the time it hit three, Levi was beginning to feel tiredness creep in and moved back towards his apartment. Shaking Garett awake, who begrudgingly awoke under Levi's ministrations. Allowing Levi to slip into his room with Maggie, who lay asleep, and embrace the sweet sensation of sleep.