Speedster In The Apocalypse

Chapter 4 : Allies

"... Who are you?" Andrew warily asked the mysterious white-haired person who appeared to have saved them from the infected creature.

He had fired his shotgun the moment he appeared with his arms raised. He refused to believe someone killing an infected with a single hit, and with their bodies no less, was a normal human.

He was even more convinced of this theory when he appeared completely fine and snatches his shotgun before he could react.

"My name is Philip, and don't worry, I don't intend to hurt you." The person, Philip said with a reassuring smile, though Andrew didn't buy it for a second. He was already reaching for the combat knife strapped on his waist.

"I can fully understand your apprehension. After all, what I did should be impossible. I still have trouble believing it myself." Philip said and muttered the last part to himself.

"So why did you save us?" Andrew asked carefully. He doubted his combat knife would be any good considering Philip had ignored a shotgun blast to the face, but there was no way he’d let this man hurt him or his sister even if it was futile.

"Out of the goodness of my heart." Philip shrugged, and then his expression became strange.

"What, happened?" he asked and Andrew's eyes knit in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Andrew also asked.

"To the city. It was perfectly fine before I lost consciousness. So what happened?" Philip sounded genuinely distressed, but Andrew's guard raised even more. How in the world was this person unaware of what happened to the city?

"You have to be joking." Andrew said with obvious disbelief. However, Philip shook his head.

"I know how unbelievable it sounds but it's the truth. I've been unconscious and I want to know for how long. One moment everything was okay, and now the city is like this." Philip gestured everywhere.

Andrew looked at Philip hard, but from start to finish, his face hadn't changed and his voice hadn't wavered. He seemed to be telling the truth.

"Fine." He sighed and let go of his knife.

"It was about the third of last month. A large number of infected suddenly appeared. Everyone in the city was taken by surprise, and because of that, the situation deteriorated before the military could intervene. And by the time they did, it had already reached the point of no return." Hearing this, Philip frowned.

The third of last month. That appeared to be the day he got infected!

"I see." He said simply.

"Wait, you said that you were unconscious. Does that mean you were unconscious for a whole month?" Andrew's sister, Dina suddenly spoke up.

He wanted to tell her to be quiet, but he too was curious.

"... It would seem so." Philip answered with furrowed brows.

At that moment, his head suddenly snapped up.

"Ah, crap. Seems like your shot from earlier made too much noise. We have to leave." Immediately Philip said that, and Andrew and Dina's faces paled. This is what they had been trying to avoid.

"Wait, how do you-" Dina started to ask.

"No time to explain, we need to leave, Now!" Philip's face was dead serious.

The siblings briefly glanced at each other before running out of the store.

The two followed Philip who appeared to be jogging, however, he outpaced the two of them by at least five steps.

They just barely managed to keep up and they soon left the area.

They went into an alleyway and Philip cocked his head as if he were listening to something before blowing out a sigh.

"Okay, we're good for the time being." Hearing this, Dina finally couldn't help but ask.

"How did you know infected were coming." Philip looked at her with a small smile.

"Well, my hearing appears to have been enhanced as well." Andrew frowned.

"Enhanced?" When he said this, a helpless look appeared on Philip's face.

"Okay, don't freak out, but." A wry smile appeared on his face.

"I may or may not be infected." The instant he said that Andrew's eyes widened as he pulled Dina to his back and removed his combat knife.

"What are you trying to do!?" He demanded and Philip shook his head.

"I'm not trying to do anything. I'm still not completely sure of the whole situation myself. I think I'm infected because I got scratched by a cat before I lost consciousness. When I woke up, it was a month in the future and my hair and eyes changed. My body also became stronger along with my five senses, and my speed also received the biggest increase. I honestly don't know why this happened and I'm still trying to figure it out." Philip said in a pleading tone.

"Fine. Maybe you're telling the truth. But if you really are infected, how are we sure you won't suddenly turn violent and try to kill us? And even if you don't, how careful are you to not accidentally infect one of us!?" Andrew asked.

"Two very good points. And I honestly have no answer to them. For all I know this could be some sort of fantasy an infected is put in while my actual body could be ripping someone apart right now. Too many uncertainties and I hate it. But there's nothing I can do about it except move forward and try to find answers." Philip said sounding and looking frustrated.

A small part of Andrew felt pity for the guy, but the bigger part still wanted them to split. Before he could say it though, Dina suddenly tugged at his shirt.

"I think we should let him stay with us." Andrew's eyes bugged out when he heard his sister.

"Are you out of your mind?! He's a walking time bomb for crying out loud!" He whispered.

"You don't know that. Besides, he's saved us twice so far. And you tried to kill him once. I think we should give him a chance." She said calmly and Andrew hesitated.

"... You're sure? You trust him?" She shook her head at this.

"I'm not sure of anything. And I also don't trust him. But while he could spell doom for us, he could also be our saving grace. It's a huge gamble but it's one I'm willing to take." Dina looked at him with her big green eyes and Andrew gritted his teeth as he had an internal battle. Then he sighed.

He turned to face Philip who had been waiting patiently and said.

"Fine. You can join us." But then his gaze immediately became sharp.

"But if you show the slightest sign of wanting to hurt me or my sister, I'll carve your heart out." Despite the threat, Philip appeared elated.

"No problem. By the way, I didn't catch your names." Philip said and Andrew debated telling him. Well, might as well get to know his new ally.

"My name is Andrew Hughes. If you haven't already noticed, this is my sister. Dina Hughes." Philip nodded.

"Philip Drew. A pleasure to meet you." Philip said and held Andrew's shotgun to him.

Andrew eyes the weapon, then Philip. Then he nodded and grabbed it.