WebNovels

Chapter 11 - Sixteen Seconds

Unlike Madison, who was filled with nervousness, Gavin appeared more relaxed in this moment. He maneuvered the car out of the parking space, skillfully avoiding other vehicles as he left the lot, all while smiling at Madison.

"What kind of songs do you like? Or do you listen to Martian Brother and Dream Dragon like I do?" 

"What?" Madison was too anxious to hear clearly.

"I'm asking if you want to listen to Menglong's songs!" 

"What Menglong?" Madison continued to whisper.

"Come on, you need to chill out!" 

Gavin playfully tapped Madison on the head before continuing. "This place is at least 180 meters away from the last zombie gathering point. When they hear the noise, it'll take at least 25 seconds for them to reach us."

"Don't think I don't know that you all complained about my tactics being too long and boring in past games."

"Let me tell you, the reason I lay out so many plans is so I can be as relaxed as I am now when it's time to act!"

With that, Gavin pressed the accelerator, and the Tyrannosaurus Rex roared to life. 

Startled by the roar, Madison glanced around frantically. It was only then he realized the car had indeed left the parking lot and was speeding toward the manor's gate!

As the Tyrannosaurus Rex burst from the manor, Gavin raised his hand and turned on the music, unleashing explosive dance beats.

Gavin continued to smile at Madison, lowering his voice. "Guess how far we can go in twenty-five seconds? Look closely—only sixteen seconds have passed. Just sixteen seconds!"

"That's my style. I like to keep the tension during the observation period and then unleash caution to kill the pressure when it's time to act."

"Screw this party villa, screw the zombie apocalypse—let them eat our exhaust!"

"By the way, what do you want to eat later? I'm craving a Fuck's burger."

"And a large Coke with double the ice!"

"Uh...ah?"

After a brief moment of confusion, Madison found himself affected by the excitement and ease radiating from Gavin, and the tension began to fade.

Responding to Gavin, he kept turning his head to look around. It wasn't until he used the scattered streetlights to confirm that the scenery was indeed the receding forest and not a figment of his imagination that he finally relaxed. He leaned back against the seat and let out a long breath.

"Huh... Wow, we made it out?"

"Shit, we escaped so easily! I thought we'd have to deal with all sorts of trouble getting into the car, like zombies jumping on the windows or something."

"I've got a plan. When the time comes, I'll kick all those filthy bastards away, then you can duck. I'll use the shotgun to blast away the zombies at your window."

"Just as the zombies are about to surround the car, you hit the accelerator and tear through the horde. That way, we can celebrate our escape, covered in zombie blood!"

Saying this, Madison opened the car window and spat out a mouthful of sour saliva. He felt embarrassed; he was so nervous he felt a little retching, and he could even taste the acid rising in his throat.

In the driver's seat, Gavin glanced at Madison and shook his head in disbelief. Old Mac was like this, always nervous, yet he became relaxed once he felt safe. But before feeling secure? Those who truly want to win cannot afford to laugh.

After silently chiding Old Mac, Gavin continued to adjust the music, lowering the volume to a nearly inaudible level. He browsed Lao Mai's playlist again. Well, eight out of ten songs in Lao Mai's playlist were rap, fitting Lao Mai's style perfectly.

While Gavin skipped through two songs, Old Mac was still chattering excitedly. 

"Gavin, I'm so lucky to have you! We got away so smoothly, haha!"

"I watched for a long time, and I didn't see any zombies catch up to us until we left. I didn't even catch a glimpse of one."

"By the way, what did you just say? Yes, yes, I am feeling a bit hungry."

"The burgers are amazing. I usually don't dare to eat them during training, but now I can indulge."

"And iced Coke—that's just incredible!"

"Wait, didn't you ask me to call home for you? Give me the number, and I'll call your parents right away."

"My family is hopeless, man. None of them have returned my calls, and none of my henchmen have checked in either."

"Where's your phone?"

Saying this, Old Mac extended his sweaty hand toward Gavin.

Gavin casually tossed his Apple Five over. "The password is four nines. Just look for my parents in the address book."

"Aside from them, there's no need for anyone else to contact us."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gavin steered the car out of the small road in the villa area and onto the main road.

The boss's estate was located near Itasca, far south of Dallas, more than 40 kilometers from the urban areas of Dallas and Fort Worth. 

At this distance, even if Dallas had been reduced to ruins, Gavin wouldn't notice anything. Besides, he didn't want to learn the situation in the city. 

What could he and Old Mac figure out? Not satisfied with the sight of three hundred zombies, did they want to venture into Dallas to witness the grand spectacle of six or seven million zombies? 

No, this was not the way to seek death.

For Gavin, he had already designated many major cities as restricted zones. Unless there was a compelling reason to enter the city, he would rather hide in the wilderness and small towns of Texas until he died than stroll around the outskirts of a big city.

As he pondered this, a cold breeze swept in from the passenger seat, gently cooling his forehead and invigorating him. 

Wait, cold wind?

"Close your windows, idiot!" 

Gavin quickly shouted at Madison, continuing to keep an eye on the road.

After his shout, Madison rolled her eyes and awkwardly closed the car window. 

The 2013 Super Bowl had taken place on February 3rd. After the Cowboys clinched their fifth championship, a parade and celebration were held immediately. Today was only February 6th.

In Texas during February, nighttime temperatures dropped to just above four degrees Celsius. Gavin was driving quite fast, and the cold wind was biting.

If he didn't worry about getting sick, he would genuinely enjoy the cool air. At least it might provide some relief to his brain, which had been battered by alcohol and stress.

Without the refreshing breeze, Madison's eyes began to blur as the warm air from the car hit her face.

He lowered his head and fiddled with Gavin's cell phone, then, wearing a heavy expression, he handed the unanswered call back to Gavin.

"Sorry, Gavin, the call didn't go through."

"It's fine, I'm not surprised. Go to your address book and find a few more numbers marked with Cowboys and call them. They all work at my house."

"Okay."

Madison nodded and continued dialing, remaining silent for over two minutes.

Just as Gavin began to slow down with an expressionless face, Madison sighed sympathetically and handed the phone back to Gavin.

"Sorry."

He said this softly.

Gavin pocketed the phone and replied, "It's not your fault."

After speaking, Gavin pointed to a gas station about a hundred meters ahead on the road. "At least we've reached the nearest gas station."

The car continued to slow until it came to a stop in front of the gas station. 

The area around the gas station was eerily quiet. Gavin couldn't see anyone, only shattered glass littering the side of the convenience store.

Gavin frowned as he surveyed the broken glass. "If the staff at the gas station and convenience store hadn't turned into zombies, there would be no need for them to break the glass and flee."

"And if they had turned into zombies inside the store, they must have encountered something worth pursuing before they could break the glass and leave."

Gavin gazed in the direction of the shattered glass.

The shattered side of the glass faced the road that Gavin would travel in the future.

Thus, Gavin pressed on.

"Old Mac, I'm afraid someone else traveled this road before us after the zombie crisis erupted."

"The convenience store staff likely heard the commotion, broke the glass on that side, and fled."

"That's wonderful! It's great to know there are other survivors!" Madison exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

"Even though we managed to escape, I don't want to endure a doomsday where it's just the two of us!"

"By the gods, if we could form a team like in The Walking Dead, at least I'd have a few little brothers to call my own."

"Unlike now, man, if it were just us two, I'd have to be the younger brother for the rest of my life, haha... uh..."

"Ahem, it's not that I don't want to. I mean, I know you're always right, and following you will make my life better."

"But even if I don't wish to be the boss, I still enjoy having a few followers and younger brothers to boss me around..."

With that, Madison tightened her grip on her weapon and scanned the surroundings through the car window.

Then he turned to Gavin and asked, "Let's change the subject. So what are the plans next, Boss?" 

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