Screams for help jolt Charlie and Thomas awake. They rush downstairs in their boxer shorts, bare feet striking the dorm stairs as Daniel and Miguel hold watch at the secured entrance.
Daniel Roberts
There! Someone’s outside! Don’t open the barricade!
Beyond the barricade, a lone survivor stumbles through the darkness, waving frantically. A lean, unidentified infected drops from above and tears into them with terrifying speed.
Miguel
What is that thing? It’s not moving like a Viral!
The creature vanishes between the buildings before anyone can safely unseal the entrance. Blood darkens the pavement, surrounded by a backpack, loose papers, and scattered supplies.
Thomas Roberts
Nobody opens that gate. Charlie was right. That thing is hunting this route, and it just showed us exactly how dangerous Franklin may be.
Daniel keeps the barricade braced while Miguel raises the UV lamp toward the darkness. Among the survivor’s belongings, a radio emits one brief burst of static, then a faint voice says, “Water tower...”
The bitten person begins the roughly two-day turning process unless regular medication is administered.
“Charlie looks through the barricade to see if the man outside is dead or still moving.”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled -1)
Charlie peers through the narrow gap between barricade boards, keeping his bare feet clear of the entrance. The survivor lies twisted on the pavement, one hand twitching.
A weak breath fogs the cold air, then stops. The person is still alive, barely, with deep bite wounds across the shoulder and neck. The Harran infection has begun its roughly two-day turn.
Daniel Roberts
They’re alive. But they’ve been bitten badly. We can’t bring them inside without medication and isolation.
Charlie shifts for a clearer view, and a splintered board tears across his forearm, reopening the edge of his old scar. Blood beads, but the barricade remains sealed.
Thomas Roberts
Back from the gap, babe. We know what happened now. No opening the gate, not even for a rescue.
Miguel
The radio is still beside them. The voice said water tower. Maybe that person was trying to warn someone before the attack.
The survivor’s fingers twitch once more toward the radio, then go still. Static fades, leaving the body outside, the warning recorded in everyone’s memory, and the entrance secure.
✓ Quest Accepted
Retrieve the survivor’s radio
“Charlie says they can't just leave the guy out there like that. They should at least put him out of his misery and grab the radio”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Charlie Moore
We can't just leave him out there like that. We should put him out of his misery and grab the radio.
Thomas Roberts
I understand, babe. We keep the barricade sealed, use the gap, and nobody exposes bare skin or steps beyond cover.
Thomas and Daniel brace the boards while Miguel angles the UV lamp across the pavement. Charlie reaches through the narrow gap with the reinforced hammer, keeping his wounded forearm clear.
The survivor has already begun the Harran turn, breath shallow and body twitching. Charlie ends the suffering with one controlled strike, then hooks the radio closer.
Miguel
The area is still clear. Pull it back slowly, Charlie. I have the light on the buildings.
Charlie retrieves the radio and draws it through the gap without opening the barricade. Its casing is bloodied but intact, and a water-tower frequency label remains taped beneath the battery cover.
Thomas Roberts
You did what you could, babe. Now we log the radio, disinfect the contact point, and treat your forearm before anything else.
Quest Complete
Retrieve the survivor’s radio
+ New Item Acquired
Survivor radio
“Charlie nods and sits down to let Thomas treat his arm. Slowly become aware that they ran down in their underwear.”
Charlie nods and sits on the stair landing. Thomas retrieves the first-aid kit while Daniel and Miguel keep the barricade braced and the UV lamp trained outside.
Thomas Roberts
Hold still, babe. It looks like a shallow tear along the old scar, but I’m cleaning it thoroughly and covering it before we handle anything else.
Thomas rinses the reopened skin, applies antiseptic, and secures a fresh dressing around Charlie’s forearm. The treatment is careful, quick, and uncomplicated.
Charlie Moore
I ran downstairs in my underwear.
Only now does Charlie notice the cold air against his bare legs and the boxer shorts he and Thomas wore when the screams woke them. His clothes remain upstairs.
Thomas Roberts
There. Your arm is protected. We should get dressed, log the radio, and inspect that frequency label before deciding whether the water tower message is current.
Daniel Roberts
I’ll keep the barricade locked while you both change. Nothing is moving outside, and Miguel still has the approach covered.
Thomas closes the first-aid kit and offers Charlie a steady hand up. The radio rests on the desk beside the map, its taped water-tower label waiting for careful examination.
✓ Quest Accepted
Account for the unusually dangerous infected threat beyond the sanctuary
“Charlie nods and tells the two boys they did good. Then he rushes upstairs to grab his and Thomas's clothes.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)
Charlie Moore
You two did good. Keep the barricade secure and stay alert.
Charlie nods to Daniel and Miguel, then takes Thomas’s offered hand only long enough to rise. He rushes upstairs in his boxer shorts, bare feet quick on the stairs.
Daniel Roberts
We’ve got it, Charlie. The entrance stays locked, and we’ll call if anything moves.
Miguel
The UV lamp is still pointed outside. Go get dressed. We can watch the radio until you’re back.
Charlie reaches the bedroom, gathers his clothes and Thomas’s from beside the bed, and carries both sets downstairs without delay. The radio remains on the desk below.
Thomas Roberts
Thanks, babe. Let’s get dressed, then we’ll examine that label and listen for another transmission before sunrise.
Thomas accepts his clothes and checks the closed bedroom door. Below, Daniel and Miguel maintain their watch while the water-tower frequency waits to be tested.
“Charlie jokes while he gets dressed that they would have probably been a sight, fighting zombie in their underwear”
Charlie Moore
We would have been quite a sight, fighting zombies in our underwear.
Thomas Roberts
Honestly, babe, I’m glad nobody got a clear look. Although it would make one memorable defense story.
Charlie pulls on his shorts and shirt while Thomas dresses beside him. Their hurried escape leaves no complications behind, only a shared laugh in the tense dormitory.
Thomas Roberts
There. Fully dressed, properly equipped, and much less likely to freeze on the stairs. Let’s see what that radio can tell us.
They return downstairs. Daniel keeps the barricade locked, Miguel holds the UV lamp toward the dark campus, and the bloodied radio waits on the desk beside the map.
Thomas Roberts
The label says water tower frequency, but that does not prove the message came from anyone still there. We listen first, then decide whether it belongs in tomorrow’s plan.
Thomas replaces the radio batteries and turns the volume low. Static fills the stairwell, followed by a faint burst of interference that briefly resembles a voice.
“I listen carefully for the water-tower transmission”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled +1)
Charlie lowers the volume further and leans close to the radio, filtering the static while Thomas keeps the map and frequency label beside the desk.
Charlie Moore
The interference repeats in a steady pattern beneath the static.
He catches the transmission clearly: a weak voice identifying the water tower, then giving a Franklin intersection and asking whether anyone at Belmont can hear.
the water-tower caller
Belmont, this is Franklin water tower. We have two boys sheltered near the closed pharmacy. Please acknowledge. We need a safe route.
Thomas Roberts
That confirms the message is current, babe. Two boys, the pharmacy, and a direct request for Belmont.
Daniel Roberts
Should I answer them? If they know we are listening, they might hold position until the team reaches them.
Thomas Roberts
Yes, but keep it brief. We acknowledge receipt, promise nothing yet, and ask how long they can stay concealed.
Quest Complete
Account for the unusually dangerous infected threat beyond the sanctuary
Skill Upgrade: Security Superb→Legendary
“Charlie listens to Daniel relay the message and listens to the reply. Wondering how many kids need rescue in Franklin?”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled +1)
Daniel takes the radio from Thomas and presses the transmit button, keeping his voice low while Charlie listens beside the desk and watches the map.
Daniel Roberts
Franklin water tower, this is Belmont. We hear you. How long can the boys remain concealed, and are there any other survivors with you?
Static stretches across the stairwell. Charlie listens for movement, extra voices, or signs that the caller is describing more than the two children already reported.
the water-tower caller
Belmont, we copy. The two boys are the only children here. They are sheltered near the closed pharmacy. I am alone at the tower, and we can hold until daylight.
Daniel Roberts
Confirmed. Two boys need rescue, no additional children reported. Stay concealed, avoid the streets, and keep this frequency monitored.
Thomas Roberts
Two boys, babe. That is the complete count from Franklin’s current transmission. We can plan around that without assuming anyone else is waiting there.
Charlie Moore
The Franklin transmission identifies two children needing rescue.
“Charlie says they will be cutting it close. But if they leave soon, they could still rescue these 2 new boys and Thomas's family in one day. They will just have to risk leaving before dawn.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +2)
Charlie Moore
It will be cutting it close, but if we leave before dawn, we can still rescue these two boys and reach your family in one day.
The room goes quiet around the radio. Outside, darkness still covers Belmont, while the map shows Franklin’s water tower, closed pharmacy, and Thomas’s family address waiting along one dangerous route.
Thomas Roberts
Then we leave before dawn, babe. We verify the boys first, secure them in the truck, and continue only if the route and fuel hold.
Maya Rodriguez
We can make that work with strict timing. Water tower, pharmacy shelter, Thomas’s family lead, then immediate return. No wandering and no extra searches.
Evan Cole
I’ll mark the fastest service-lane sequence and calculate daylight margins. We need the truck loaded, lamps charged, and every retreat point confirmed before departure.
Thomas folds the map along the combined route while Daniel records the plan beside the radio. Priya begins assembling the rescue bags, and the dorm shifts into pre-dawn preparation.
the water-tower caller
Belmont, we copy. We will hold position until daylight and keep the boys concealed. Call again when your vehicle is moving.
“Charlie asks how many spare UV lamps they have?”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Charlie Moore
How many spare UV lamps do we have, Maya? I want the rescue team and the dorm covered without stripping our defenses.
Maya Rodriguez
Four spare portable lamps in the equipment cases, babe. Two more are assigned for immediate use, so we can outfit the truck and keep the refuge protected.
Maya opens the labeled cases and checks each lamp’s switch, cable, and battery compartment. All four spares are intact, though two need fresh batteries before departure.
Evan Cole
That gives us enough for the water tower, pharmacy approach, and truck interior. I’ll mark one spare for each retreat point and keep the last available for failure replacement.
Priya Shah
The dorm keeps its two assigned lamps. I’ll place the four spares on the departure checklist and make sure their batteries are tested before anyone loads the truck.
Charlie’s question turns the inventory into a clear allocation: four spare lamps for the Franklin mission, two lamps remaining with the refuge, and fresh batteries added to the preparation list.
Thomas Roberts
Good catch, babe. With that coverage, we can protect the boys, preserve our retreat, and leave Belmont defended while we check on my family.
✓ Quest Accepted
Ready the spare UV lamps
“Charlie says they need to make getting more a priority after this mission. So he can rig the outside of the truck with some. He could splice them to the battery cables and it wouldn't drain the battery as long as they only used them in controlled bursts. He adds this idea to the logbook.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mechanics, rolled -2)
Charlie Moore
After this mission, getting more UV lamps needs to become a priority. I can rig some to the truck’s exterior and splice them into the battery cables.
Charlie Moore
They should not drain the battery if we use them only in controlled bursts. I’m adding the design and operating limits to the logbook now.
Charlie sketches exterior lamp mounts, fused connections, cable routing, and short activation intervals beneath the Franklin checklist. He notes that the truck must remain off while the system is tested.
Maya Rodriguez
That gives us moving UV coverage without sacrificing the dorm’s lamps. Mark the battery load clearly, and nobody activates it until the wiring is inspected.
Charlie completes the entry and circles the required parts: more portable lamps, insulated wire, inline fuses, weatherproof connectors, and mounting brackets. One fresh roll of electrical tape is used securing the test diagram and cable samples.
Evan Cole
I’ll add those materials to the recovery list. Jerry’s Garage or the maintenance stores may still have suitable cable and fuses.
Thomas Roberts
Good plan, babe. We protect the refuge first, finish Franklin, then build the truck system carefully instead of gambling with our only vehicle.
“Charlie says they still have to gamble the vehicle tonight if they plan to save those kids. He checks the handgun he has been carrying in his waistband and then starts moving toward the truck.”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled +0)
Charlie Moore
We still have to gamble the vehicle tonight if we plan to save those kids.
Charlie checks the handgun riding in his waistband, confirming the magazine and chamber before securing it safely. Then he turns toward the utility truck.
His footsteps carry through the preparation area as he reaches the truck. The labeled UV cases, fuel, maps, medical bags, and tools are already secured inside.
Thomas Roberts
I know, babe. The truck is our best chance to reach the water tower before the boys are forced into the streets.
Maya Rodriguez
Then we treat tonight like a rescue, not a patrol. Lamps ready, doors locked, and no unnecessary stops.
Maya checks the nearest lamp while Evan unfolds the route map across the hood. The dorm’s two assigned lamps remain inside, preserving the refuge’s defenses.
Evan Cole
The truck is loaded and the fastest service-lane route is marked. Once Thomas starts it, we can move immediately.
“Charlie tells Daniel to radio them immediately if anything happens. And in an emegergency they should grab the other survivors and fall back to the shower. There are no windows and only one entrance to cover with a UV lamp. Miguel needs to go ahead and wait in there with Rosa until they get back.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Charlie Moore
Daniel, radio us immediately if anything happens. In an emergency, grab the others and fall back to the shower. Miguel needs to go there now with Rosa and wait for us.
Daniel Roberts
Understood, Charlie. I’ll keep the radio on, call at the first sign of trouble, and move everyone directly to the shower if the entrance is threatened.
Daniel takes the radio and checks its volume. Miguel gathers his crutch while Rosa stays beside him, and Priya points out the shortest protected route to the bathroom.
Miguel
I can make it with the crutch. Rosa and I will wait in the shower room, keep quiet, and stay away from the entrance.
Aunt Rosa
We’ll be ready to move the moment Daniel calls. One entrance is easier to defend, especially with a UV lamp covering it.
Daniel escorts Miguel and Rosa through the dorm while Priya carries a charged UV lamp to the shower entrance. The room has no windows, one doorway, and clear floor space.
Daniel Roberts
They’re inside and secure. I’m returning to the radio post now, and I’ll report immediately if anything changes.
“Charlie gives him a thumbs up as they climb into the truck and drive away.”
Charlie gives Daniel a thumbs up, then climbs into the utility truck beside Thomas. Maya and Evan secure the remaining doors and settle into their seats.
Thomas Roberts
Everyone is aboard, babe. I’m starting the engine, and we’ll keep the radio open for Daniel’s updates.
The engine turns over cleanly. Thomas eases the truck away from the dorm while Maya checks the UV cases and Evan keeps the folded Franklin map ready.
Maya Rodriguez
The refuge entrance is sealed behind us. Two lamps remain assigned to the dorm, and the mission cases are secured.
Evan Cole
We take the service lane first, then follow the marked route toward the water tower. I’ll call every turn and confirm the retreat points.
Belmont’s barricades recede in the mirrors as the truck rolls into the dark service lane. The radio rests between the seats, carrying the refuge’s silence with them.
Thomas Roberts
We’re moving, babe. First stop is the water tower, then the boys, and after that we assess the family lead together.
Quest Complete
Establish a safer route for the Franklin verification mission
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Great→Superb