The jeep raced from cordon to cordon. The last roadblock loomed ahead. It was the only thing separating Kira from the mysterious zone and the sensational scoop. Here she could have been searched with her camera confiscated. Or even she might be detained, have they happen to find inconsistencies in her documents. A reporter wouldn't be allowed in. That's why Kira was going as a servicewoman. The plan was simple: drive to the military camp, look around, talk to people, gather all possible material, and leave with the first group heading for the city. Kira had run similar scams in undercover operations before. Still, she was quite nervous. Her fear was not justified. It was surprisingly easy to get through. The checkpoint greeted her with a raised barrier and a dead silence. Kira got out and looked around. Doors were open wide, and there was a slight mess in the offices, as if they had left here in a hurry or something had happened. The pass wasnt even needed. There was no one to show it to. The guarded zone welcomed her with open arms, asking no questions. The whole thing was suspicious, but it also beckoned with a mystery that demanded to be solved. Jeep drove on. The familiar and strangely empty road led south into the mountains. A backpack with the camera, flare gun, and first-aid kit was next to Kira. She was lost in thought. - You're not going there. - Reiner cut Kira off as she gathered for the cordoned-off zone. - It's too dangerous there. No news story is worth dying for. - Don't tell me what to do. You're not my daddy. - Kira smiled.
Kira and Rainer grew up side by side. Their fathers were military men, and good friends, too. Kira got used to Rainer the way you get used to the landscape outside your window, she thought he was sweet and simple-minded, and she never noticed how the boy next door grew a head taller than her, as he followed in his father's footsteps and advanced in the service. - I should break your leg. You'll be crippled, but you'll live. You'll thank me later. - You know I'll walk on crutches or crawl on all fours for a scoop if I have to. - So I can't stop you. Are you really going alone? - Don't be silly. I barely got myself a pass as it is. If I had an escort, I'd never make it. I just need to get to the military camp. I'll look around, talk to people, take pictures, notes, then I'll go home. That's it. Just a Sunday stroll. - I'd provide you with escort, if I could. I'd go with you myself, but somebody's got to back you up from here. Take a flare gun with you. I'll arrange for a rescue helicopter to fly to the flare. That's in case you do get into trouble. Youre good at that. Besides, it's dangerous out there. - You sound like you know a lot about this thing. Spit it out. - I don't know much. And what I do know, I'm not at liberty to divulge. Especially not to the press. I'm sorry. Realizing that Kira could not be persuaded, Rainer took her to the shooting range to test her shooting skills, and packed her a box of supplies for all occasions. Kira only chuckled. Her father wanted a son, and he had no idea how to raise a daughter. Kira had been hanging around martial arts classes since she was a little girl, and on vacations she went to the mountains. She learned early not only to drive, but she was also an excellent shot. She knew the place like she knew her 10 fingers, she could easily build a fire without matches, and she could make a spear or a trap for an animal from sticks and stones, or maybe something even more intricate. As for the camp kitchen, Kira could write a book about delicious and healthy food that can be prepared from whatever grows and runs in the woods. Except that it feels bad doing that to the furry little creatures theyre so cute. - Since you're going after all, listen carefully, - Rainer said his goodbyes to Kira. - Don't stop. Don't swerve. Don't stop even if you hit someone. Your life is more important. Seriously. If you stop, but the car can move on, don't get out, start the engine and drive on. If you do get out, take your gun with you and use it at the first sign of danger, or run. If the threat is not eliminated, run fast. If the car malfunctions, find an open and safe place and fire a flare into the sky. Suddenly a figure appeared right in front of the jeep. The brakes screeched, the car shook and bounced like a bump. "Don't stop even if you hit someone." Kira stopped the car abruptly and sat in a daze for a minute. "Don't get out under any circumstances, but start the engine and keep going." Kira picked up her backpack with the first aid kit and ran out of the car to help the victim. -Thank God you're alive! - Kira exclaimed, as the figure lying on the road moved and began to rise. -Dont move! I'll call for help. Kira threw off her backpack and started looking for the flare gun. Something was wrong. The man did not react to her words. He got to his feet and slowly staggered toward her. Kira clutched the flare in her hand and couldn't take her eyes off the man she had hit. He was already close. His eyes were cloudy and almost lifeless, the skin peeling off half of his face, revealing muscles and gritted teeth. He moved in a frighteningly unnatural way. And he reeked of the nauseating smell of rotting flesh. The creature had once been human, but not anymore. Kira didn't know what was happening or what she was doing. There was a throbbing emptiness in her head, where only Rainer's orders sounded. "If you do get out, take your gun with you and use it at the first sign of danger." She already had the flare gun in her hand. Kira pointed it at the dangerous figure and pulled the trigger. The shot rang out. The huge Bengal flame struck the stranger in the chest, knocking him a couple of meters away and throwing him to the pavement. But no sooner had the rocket burned out and the smoke cleared, than he began to rise again. "If you can't eliminate the threat, run fast." Kira rushed to the car. The Jeep sped off. The dead man remained standing in the middle of the empty road. Kira's backpack and flare gun laying beside him.