Chapter 33: Emergency Broadcast
The pickup truck wheezed, battered and filthy, staggering back into the motel's U-shaped courtyard.
Kenny slammed the brakes. The vehicle screeched to a stop beside the RV.
The survivors who'd barely escaped with their lives slumped in the truck, gasping violently. The air reeked of gasoline, gunpowder, and sweat. No one spoke for a long moment.
Only the distant, faint howls of walkers reminded them the world remained dangerous.
"We... we actually got it..." Glenn broke the silence first, voice still trembling but filled more with disbelieving excitement.
He looked back at the five fuel drums in the truck bed and the supplies packed to bursting.
Hanks leaned against the bed's sidewall, eyes closed, chest still heaving violently. The overload exertion and sustained tension had drained him of massive energy.
Now that he'd relaxed, every muscle screamed in protest.
He touched the P226 at his waist. Magazine empty. The gun still held residual heat from firing.
Kenny slapped the steering wheel hard, finally showing a relieved grin. "Damn right it was worth it! This old rust bucket never ran this fast before!"
Lee climbed out from the passenger seat. Looking at the haul filling the truck, even his usually calm face couldn't hide his excitement.
He helped start unloading supplies. The commotion outside drew people from inside the motel.
Carley and Katjaa ran out. Seeing this scene like returning raiders, both gaped in shock.
"My God... did you loot an entire supermarket?" Carley marveled.
Doug also came out to help despite his injured arm, face full of admiration.
Lilly stood in the doorway watching everyone bustle. Her gaze swept the pile of supplies with a complex expression.
She lingered on the food and medicine for a moment but ultimately said nothing and turned back inside.
Clementine bounded out of the RV like a little rabbit, immediately running to Hanks's side.
Her small hand grabbed his sleeve. She looked up at him, big eyes filled with worry and lingering fear.
"Hanks! Are you okay? Glenn was yelling so loud on the radio... I was so scared!"
Hanks took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his exhaustion. He crouched down to meet her eye level and ruffled her cap.
"I'm fine, little Clem. We succeeded. With all this, we can drive the big car away."
Clementine nodded hard, small arms hugging his neck. "Yeah! Hanks is the best!"
Night slowly descended.
Amazingly, several old streetlights in the motel courtyard actually turned on automatically as darkness fell.
Maybe the motel's electrical line hadn't been cut yet. Either way, there was light now.
The steady glow pushed back some of the darkness, bringing a long-absent sense of normalcy to this temporary shelter.
Kenny and Lee had already poured all the siphoned gasoline into the RV's tank.
Five drums filled the RV completely. They used the scavenged parts to start servicing the vehicle.
Carley and Katjaa used the canned goods, compressed rations, and bottled water to heat up a simple dinner.
Though hardly gourmet, after a full day of life-and-death struggles and frayed nerves, this was undoubtedly the world's finest comfort.
Everyone gathered in the courtyard's center, eating quietly by lamplight.
The atmosphere was somewhat silent, but a sense of relief at surviving and the faint cohesion born from shared struggle flowed quietly through the air.
Clementine sat pressed close to Hanks, nibbling a chocolate bar in small bites, stealing glances at his profile now and then.
Hanks quickly finished his portion of food, feeling some strength return.
He pulled out the Macon County tourist map, studying it carefully under the light.
Clementine curiously leaned over. "Hanks, what are you looking at?"
"Checking tomorrow's objective." Hanks pointed at the Macon County Sheriff's Station on the map.
"We completed two-thirds of our goals today. Also burned through all our ammunition."
"So tomorrow we have to hit the police station. Once we stock up on ammo, we can prepare to leave."
"Then we can go to Savannah!"
Clementine nodded with partial understanding, asking quietly, "Savannah... will Mom and Dad really be there?"
Hanks put away the map. Looking at her pure, hopeful eyes, he nodded solemnly.
"They will be. We'll definitely find them."
This was his promise to her, and also the core driving force keeping him going through this hell.
"Hey, guys, look what I fixed!" Doug walked over excitedly carrying a portable radio.
"Found this in a room drawer. Battery still has juice!"
"The tuning was a bit wonky, so I took it apart and fiddled with it!" He set the radio on the makeshift table in the center like presenting a treasure.
This small technological artifact seemed to carry some kind of magic, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Doug carefully turned the tuning knob. Harsh static crackled intermittently.
An intermittent, extremely weak but barely audible human voice cut through.
"Kssshh... This is... California CDC, day 180 investigation report broadcast."
Everyone's breathing stopped instantly.
Doug immediately froze the knob, his hand remarkably steady.
"Today marks day 200 of the Green Flu's global spread. The International Health Organization still hasn't found patient zero or even the flu's origin."
"Everyone please shelter in place. Avoid going outside to prevent infection or mass transmission."
"Early infection with Green Flu presents as severe influenza. Initial symptoms closely resemble serious flu or a bad cold, making it extremely easy to overlook or misdiagnose!"
"This is followed by persistent high fever, severe coughing, and extreme weakness and drowsiness."
"Mid-stage symptoms..."
The portable radio emitted another burst of static. Doug had to turn the channel button again.
"This is a joint broadcast from FEMA and the Georgia National Guard."
Mixed with electrical interference came the intermittent announcer's voice, urgent keyboard typing in the background.
"Under Presidential Executive Order 73, the entire state of Georgia is now under emergency status. All residents must immediately comply with the following directives:
No travel: All personnel must remain indoors. Seal doors and windows. Avoid contact with infected individuals.
Relief stations open: The National Guard has established a safe zone in downtown Atlanta, providing medical supplies and armed shelter.
Infection protocol: If you discover suspected infected individuals, isolate immediately and call the emergency hotline. Do not directly contact bodies or blood."
The broadcast suddenly cut out for two seconds, then switched to a more urgent male voice.
"Supplemental notice—Cranwall High School relief station has fallen! Repeat, Cranwall High School is no longer safe!"
"All survivors please evacuate toward Decatur. The 101st Airborne Division is establishing new defensive lines!"
Gunfire and alarm sounds came through in the background. The announcer's previously sweet voice now trembled.
"We're still fighting... but if you hear this broad... prioritize self-rescue!"
"God bless America!"