Episode 4: The Hijack

Episode 4

"The Hijack"

(Brad)

It felt like an eternity sitting in that freezer room. My hair was frozen stiff, and I was haunted by the dead bodies that surrounded me. Every time I glanced at a pale, cold, dead body I got more angry. My hatred for Charlie intensified. That man is pure evil, and I feel disgusted to even have worked for him. I wanted to go up to that twelfth floor right now and put a bullet in his head, it would feel so good, but I know I can't do that. Charlie thinks I'm dead, and the only reason I'm still alive is because the soldiers that worked here woke up and realized what an awful person Charlie is. Not all of the soldiers have woken up though, I'm just lucky the ones that were ordered to execute me knew. I just cheated death, and I was still getting over the fact that how close I was to death. So many innocent people died though, and it killed me inside. I kept feeling like there was something I could have done, there must have been something I could have done before to stop Charlie. I was too stupid, that's why. I killed Lindsey out of fear for what Charlie would do to me. Would she save me? She probably would. I betrayed her, and I can't help but feel responsible for all the deaths in this room. Even kids had to die, it's disgusting.

The freezer door opened and I jumped, fearing it would be some other soldiers here to finish me off. It wasn't, Jack was there with a few other soldiers. He walked over to me and grabbed my hand, lifting me up.

"You ready?" He asked, "Sorry we took so long, but it's safe now. We have a clear path back to the planning room where you won't be seen."

"Alright, I'll follow you guys." I responded.

Jack led the way, walking out the door and checking the hallway. He motioned for us to follow, and I followed everyone else's lead. The soldiers made sure to walk in a group around me, to hide me from any others. After what felt like walking forever we finally made it to the room. We headed down to the second floor where Jack's room was. I read on his door, we were in room 97. It felt so long because I was so nervous the entire time. I really didn't want to get caught. Luckily I didn't. When I got into Jack's room, I was surprised. This place was a mess. There were a bunch of other soldiers in here too, they all must be against Charlie. There had to have been around fifteen soldiers in here in total. There was food wrappers scattered all over the floor, and the occasional stain here and there. But what really caught my eye was the wall. On the wall was a tacked map of Kingston, and beside it a drawn map of Lockwood, listing all of the floors and what's on them.

"Sorry for the mess Brad, we've been hiding out in here for a few weeks now. There are more of us too, this is just the most people we can fit into our meeting room at once. There have to be about fifty or sixty more of us that know what Charlie is up to."

"It feels good not to be the only one," I said, "for the longest time, I was certain that I was the only one that knew what Charlie was up to. I thought everyone around me was blind. It's refreshing to say the least."

"Well I'm glad," Jack swung his arm around my shoulder, "welcome to the team buddy!"

I walked over and sat down in an empty chair and brushed my hands through my hair, trying to figure out what to do next.

"So what do you guys have planned?" I asked.

"We're going to get a bunch of guys to escape, you included. We already have the plan ready."

"Perfect," I said, "I can't wait to get out of here. So what's the plan?"

Jack walked over to the map of Kingston and started drawing on it.

"See here," he said, marking where Lockwood is, "this is us. Every week Charlie sends out a team to go on a supply run. We have more supplies than we could possibly need, but Charlie doesn't want to run out. It's pretty greedy to say the least, he's draining Lockwood of all of the materials and other survivors in Kingston aren't getting any. Anyways, Charlie doesn't know about our plan. The only person he knows about is Brad. So we're going to request to join in on the next supply run, and we'll also sneak Brad in the truck. Then once we leave, we don't return."

"Is it seriously going to be that easy?" I asked.

"See, there's one problem. We're most likely going to be paired up with other soldiers too, the ones who normally do the supply runs. Those soldiers are still listening to Charlie. They either don't know of the crimes he's committed, or they just don't care. We're going to have to hijack the truck from them."

"That's insane! Kill our own people?" I asked.

"I never said kill. Maybe we can just hold them at gunpoint, steal the truck from them. If they don't listen, killing them would have to be an absolute last resort. I don't want to kill our own people either Brad, but we have to make sacrifices. Just like he had to kill those innocent people in the freezer room so we wouldn't blow our cover."

I put my head down in sadness, still hurting for those people in the freezer room.

"I understand."

"I've already sent some soldiers to go request a supply run from Charlie and his managers," Jack said, "I should hear back from them soon. Until then, I need everyone to go back to their rooms. We'll meet again in the morning once I get word from the soldiers."

With that, everyone left. One other man stopped though, he turned to me. This man looked like the saddest man I'd ever laid my eyes on. He had short brown hair, a scar across his cheek and his eyes were drooped and dark. He was a very gangly looking man.

"The name's Max. I've always wanted to meet you Brad," he said, shaking my hand, "what was it like working for Charlie? Doing his dirty work for him, do you feel bad?"

I looked at the ground, ashamed of myself. I do feel bad, the things I have done for Charlie, are too much.

"I'm sorry." I said.

Max looked at me with sadness in his eyes, then turned and left the room.

The room cleared out and soon enough it was just me and Jack.

"Sorry about Max," Jack said, "his daughter was living on the fourth floor when the whole outbreak happened. She was killed in the freezer room."

"Damn." I said with my head still down.

"So what do I do until then?" I asked.

"I need to ask you something Brad." Jack said, pulling up a chair next to me.

"Truth is, we're planning something much bigger than just a simple escape from Lockwood."

"What do you mean?"

"Brad, we're planning a rebellion."

I was shocked by this, I had to take a few moments to take this all in. A rebellion? In Lockwood? How crazy is that? Is Jack really planning on taking on Charlie and his entire corrupt empire?

"Impossible!" I cried, "Charlie is too powerful!"

"I know it seems like a lot, it is a lot. I understand that. Thing is, I can't live with myself knowing Charlie is still wielding power. He's too evil to be near power. He'll soon expand, I know it. The guy's a power junkie. He will never be satisfied. He's already run the supplies dry in Kingston. He'll keep expanding, and if he keeps gaining the edge, I think he might try to become the new government. Not just the leader of Lockwood, but establish a new government now that the old government was wiped out from the apocalypse. He wants to rule the world Brad."

"No way," I said, "why would you think that? Where's your proof?"

"I just know Brad. I know what he's like. I'm surprised you haven't picked up on that, you did work for him not too long ago."

I grunted in disgust, I hated people bringing that up. I hate myself for working for the degenerate.

"So what are you asking?"

"I want you to help me with this rebellion. Stay in Lockwood, and help me plan this. We could use you as an advantage. You knew Charlie personally, and you were close with him. You can help us win this war." Jack told me, with a fire in his eyes.

"No, I can't do it. I'm sorry. I'll take the truck out of here tomorrow with the rest of the soldiers that want to escape. You can plan your revolution without me. Good luck."

Jack looked disappointed. I felt bad, Jack had saved my life, but I can't be here anymore. I need to get as far away from Lockwood as I can.

"Fine." He said, "Stay here for the night, don't want you being seen."

With that, Jack turned off the lights and settled into bed. I was left sitting in the dark, feeling like a prick for what I had done. I wouldn't be any use in the revolution anyways, I was never a fighter, I'd probably get caught by Charlie and killed for good this time.

Later in the night, I kept thinking of Jillian. She didn't live far from here, just a few doors down. I wanted her to come with me tomorrow, I couldn't leave her here. She still thinks I'm dead probably, I need to see her more than anything. I looked over at Jack who was fast asleep. I decided I was going to sneak out to her room. I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. She was so close. I had to risk it. I walked over the the door and opened it ever so slowly and quietly. I crept down the hall, making sure nobody was there before leaving. Luckily for me, the hallways were empty. I made it a few doors down and stood by Jillian's door. My heart beat faster, I started sweating. I couldn't wait to see her. I knocked on her door and waited for a few seconds. After about twenty seconds, she opened it. She looked at me for a little bit, with a blank expression on her face. She was wearing a nightgown, I must have woken her up. Then she started crying and hugged me and held me tightly. She pulled me into her room and closed the door behind her, locking it. She then hugged me again.

"Where were you? I was so worried."

"I'm sorry," I said, "it's complicated."

I sat down with her that night and explained everything. It was about time she knew. I always wanted to shield her from the horrors that were Lockwood, but she deserved more than anyone right now to know. She seemed shocked by all of this, I wasn't surprised. I was expecting this to be hard for her. She broke into tears and had tissues beside her. She couldn't believe that Charlie was as evil as he was. She thought he was a good leader. Jillian had been very ignorant for very long, she had no idea what kind of a mess that was going on around her.

"I know it's a lot to take in all at once," I started, "but I have a solution to all of this."

"What's that?" She asked.

"We're going to leave Lockwood, for good. We'll have freedom to do whatever we want again. Just you and me."

"I don't know Brad. It's very rough out there, I've survived out there before. It's not good. I'm safe here, even if Charlie is who you say he is."

"I'm not though," I said, "I have to leave, I can't show my face around here. I have to leave with or without you, so I'm asking, will you come with me?"

"Brad... I don't know. It's so awful out there with the stranglers. I don't think I'd survive long."

"I will keep you safe!" I pleaded.

"Will you though? Where will we get our supplies? Everything is run by Lockwood! There are no supplies left in Kingston! Where are we gonna go?"

"I'll figure something out!"

"Brad, I can't go with you."

My heart dropped when she said that. I thought she would jump to the idea of running away with me. I thought she loved me.

"Jillian it's about to get a lot worse here, trust me. A revolution is going to happen soon. They're planning it now. I want you to be safe."

"Do you though? Or do you just want me to come with me for your own sake? You have no idea if we'll survive out there. I'll just be another mouth to feed. I don't want to go back out there. I'm sorry Brad. I'll take my chances in here."

I started tearing up, I couldn't believe this. I was so caught off guard by this. Was I doing this for her own good, or mine? That really made me think. Jillian was right though, I knew deep down that she'd probably be safer here than out there. I just didn't want to leave her, I finally found someone I can love, and now I have to leave them.

"But, I love you." I said.

"If you do then you will let me stay. I know it hurts, but it will hurt even more when you see me die by the hand of a strangler. If we go out there, it will happen. The stranglers are too dangerous." Jillian said, holding my hands.

She leaned in and kissed me.

"Now go Brad."

I stood up in tears, and walked towards the door. I really didn't want to leave, but I knew that was my only option. I better make it back to Jack's room before he notices I'm gone.

"I won't forget you." Jillian said.

"I won't forget you either." I said.

With that, I opened the door and left Jillian for good that night.

I made it back to the room without anybody seeing me, if I got caught in those halls, I don't know what would have happened. I opened the door and was greeted by Jack standing there. He looked panicked, but breathed out a sigh of relief when he saw me. That relief quickly turned to anger.

"What the hell were you thinking?" He shouted at me.

"I- I'm sorry," I said, "I just wanted to-"

"I don't care what you wanted to do!" Jack interrupted, "you could have ruined the whole operation! What if you were seen out there? Do you not understand how important this whole plan is for us? You probably don't, you sit on your high horse and disobey the rules because you used to be manager, but those days are over! You're a nobody."

I swung my head down in defeat, I was too tired to argue with Jack tonight, I was too upset about what happened with Jillian just now. I walked past him and headed for the couch.

"So you have nothing to say?"

I clenched my fists.

"I went to go see my girlfriend, asked her to come with me on this escape. She turned me down. This was the last time I was ever going to get to see her. It's over now."

Jack's temper seemed to calm down a little bit once he realized why I left. I'd like to think he probably felt bad for exploding on me, but that doesn't make what I did any less wrong. I was being selfish, Jack was right. I could have ruined everything just because I wanted to see Jillian.

I collapsed on the couch while Jack opened the door and checked the hallways, I probably made him paranoid that someone saw me. I wanted to tell him to relax, and that nobody saw me, but I was too tired. I closed my eyes and fell asleep instantly.

I was woken up with Jack nudging me. I sat up from the couch and looked around the room to see a bunch of soldiers standing around in the room. They were all drinking coffee and looking at the planning board.

"Hey Brad," Jack said to me, "we got greenlighted. We got a bunch of soldiers set up on escaping; the ones that have been wanting to leave for a while. We are going to sneak you on. It's going to be difficult, but we have a disguise set up for you. It should hide your face pretty well."

"Alright," I said, groaning as I lifted myself out of bed, "thanks."

"No problem, we'll be sending the soldiers off in about an hour. Get that disguise on and see how you like it."

I walked over to the bed, where my disguise was lying out for me. There was padded soldier armour with sunglasses and a helmet. I should look like just another ordinary Lockwood soldier with this on. This is a pretty simple plan, but at the same time effective.

"Oh yeah and by the way Brad, you might want to shave. We need you to look as different from yourself as possible. That means the beard as well."

I wasn't going to argue, that was a good idea. I had barely noticed the beard that I had grown. Ever since I had been fired from my managing position I kind of just gave up. That's when everything started going downhill.

Looking in the mirror of the bathroom, I really took time to take a good look at myself. It's been a long time since I've done this. I've been so fed up with everything that has been going on. I never took a moment to just stop and think. All that has been happening, it was ridiculous. That's all going to end today though, today I am going to be free again. I picked up the shaving cream canister and exaimined it.

"Alright," I said to myself, "time for a whole new life."

I walked out of the bathroom after shaving, I put my disguise over my clothes and went over to the mirror to check myself out. I looked completely different, there's no way anybody is going to suspect me in this. I adjusted my helmet in the mirror and decided I was ready. Jack clapped his hands together and got everyone's attention.

"Alright guys, it's time. We're schedualed to leave in about twenty minutes, we'll head down there now and get the truck started up. Remember, act normal. We are going to be paired up with other soldiers too, use any means necessary to take control of the truck. Use killing as an absolute last resort. Make sure to take the truck when you are far enough away from Lockwood. To avoid detection from the outposts, make sure to hijack the truck while you are closest to the highway. Around that area is where the outposts view is slightly obstructed. Try to take the vehicle quietly and calmly, just incase an outpost sees. Then, drive the truck out of the city and into the forest. From there you guys are on your own. Good luck."

Everyone started leaving the room one by one until it was just Jack and I left. I stayed back because I wanted to thank him for helping me all this way, even if I didn't deserve all of this. Before I could say anything to him, he said something to me first.

"Hey Brad, I've been meaning to ask you something important. I was going to tell you last night but with the whole argument we had, I never got a chance."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well, believe it or not Brad, I'm not just helping people escape from Lockwood, I'm leading a rebellion."

This caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting this, that's for sure. Leading a rebellion? I thought this was just a simple escape mission, nothing more than that. Who would be crazy enough to try and overthrow Charlie?

"I'm sorry what?"

"You heard me right," Jack started, "a rebellion. A big beautiful rebellion to make Lockwood an actual safe haven for the people. I think we can really do this. The people coming with you on the hijack mission were soldiers who wanted no part in a rebellion. So I helped them leave. Truth is, a lot of soldiers in Lockwood are awake to what is happening, everyone is just too afraid to make the first move. I think I could use your help in overthrowing Lockwood. Do you want to stay back with me and fight?"

There was no hesitation, I immediately denied his request.

"I'm sorry, but no. I can't risk my life in this. I already cheated death once, I can't push my luck any further. I want to live."

"Ah, I see." Jack said, he looked disappointed.

"I'm sorry Jack, I really am. I appreciate what you've done for me so far, you've saved my life. You've given me a second chance. I am grateful for that. I just don't think I have any fight left in me."

"It's alright, I understand," Jack said, "you're always welcome back to Lockwood once we overthrow Charlie. I want it to be a safe haven for everyone."

"Good luck with that, you're a hero Jack." I patted him on the shoulder.

"Goodbye."

We shook hands, and then I left. I caught up with everyone else and headed down to the lobby to start the hijack mission.

Being in the lobby was the scariest part for me. I was so nervous the whole time that somebody knew it was me, somehow I thought someone would see through my disguise. I knew that was impossible though, there's no way anybody could know. As far as everyone else knows, I'm dead. I told myself to stop being paranoid, I need to act natural. The group that was in on the hijacking mission lined up as a woman in a suit passed them through, she reminded me of Lindsey, and it made me sad. I shook it off and kept walking with the group. I made it to the lady in the suit, I was last in line. She looked at me and checked something off on her checkboard.

"Alright," she said, "that should be everyone. Load the truck up!"

I followed the group out of the building and wiped sweat off my brow. That was intense. The truck already had three other soldiers who weren't in on the hijacking mission inside and ready. There were about six of us, and we all loaded up in the back of the truck. The soldiers who weren't in on the plan stayed in the front. I loaded my rifle that was given to me, as did everyone else before we left. I looked at a soldier in the back and he gave me a nod, assuring that everything was going to go fine. I nodded back, giving a, "I sure hope so." to him.

The truck started up and before I knew it we were driving through the streets of Kingston. As we got further and further away from Lockwood, I got more and more anxious. This was the first time in a long time I was outside the walls of Lockwood. This felt weird. I've always been garunteed the safety of Lockwood, but recently I know I'd be safer out here. I wish I didn't kill Lindsey looking back on it, I was a coward. I should have run away with her. I should have spared her life like Jack spared mine; but I was a coward. No, I need to stop dreading on the past, I made mistakes before, but I'm a new person now. I gripped my gun tighter as the truck turned around a corner and behind a bunch of buildings. We were pretty close to the highway, it was now or never. I looked at the other soldiers in the back, they all had the same idea. It was go time.

"Hey, where do you reckon we'll stop?" a soldier asked the driver.

"I don't know, one of the managers, Colin reccomended an old thrift shop that might have some valuables still left in it," said the driver, "might be worth checking in there. Most of the materials in Kingston are run dry as it is, I heard the managers talking of expansion. Lockwood might be setting up in Toronto so I've heard, big city that doesn't have a government yet."

Jack was right. I thought it was just some conspiracy theory that Charlie wanted to take over and become the new government, but I heard it right here. Holy shit. This was more serious than I thought. I put the concern in the back of my mind for now, right now I needed to focus on helping hijack this truck. After all of my cowardous moments I've had, all of my cowardous acts, killing Lindsey, supporting Charlie, not helping Jeff, I decided I needed to take charge. This was the least I could do. Time to see what I'm really made of.

I subtly pointed my rifle towards the driver, nobody noticed yet.

"Hey," I said, "can you pull over for a sec?"

"Why?" He turned and looked at me, then noticed the gun I was pointing at him.

With no hesitation, his face turned a pale colour and he slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road. The other soldiers in the back jumped up all at once and pointed their guns at the unsuspecting soldiers. They were all shocked.

"What the hell are you traitors doing? A soldier asked.

"Listen," I started, "we don't want any trouble, just hand over the truck. We're leaving."

"Wait a second," the driver started, "you sound like the last manager, Brad was his name?"

Shit, how the hell did they figure that out? Now what was I going to do?

"Yeah you're right," another soldier started, "but that's impossible, that Brad should be dead. Unless he didn't really die, and that's why he's trying to escape Lockwood. I wonder what Charlie would think of this."

In a state of complete panic, I pointed my gun at the soldier, and shot him right there. He laid his head on the dashboard. Blood splattered all over the windshield.

The other two soldiers screamed and put their hands up, I pointed my gun at them and started yelling at them.

"I don't want anybody to die! We just need this truck! You can come if you want to, if you want freedom. Or you can walk back to the nearest outpost. Your choice! A bullet whizzed past me and smashed through the windshield of the truck. I looked in the direction it was coming from, and there was an outpost just over one of the buildings we were behind. Dammit! I was too reckless, they're onto us now.

"We gotta move!" I shouted, jumping into the drivers seat and pushing the soldier out of the truck and onto the street, the second soldier jumped out of the truck and kept his hands up. I floored on the gas and the truck schreeched away, leaving tire marks on the road. More bullets hit the truck, but luckily they all missed us. I kept driving until the bullets stopped and I found a way out of the city and towards the forest. Freedom, here I come.