"Good." Evan spoke into his cell phone. He peered out of the glass door into the park blocks, breathing slowly in and out to acclimate himself for the exertion he was about to engage in. He would have examined the surrounding area from the rooftop again, but with daylight gone it would be much more limited how useful that would be. "So when I come by, you or whoever else just pass it to me through the bars and don't open the gate. That's how we keep this as safe as possible."
Jennifer hesitated on the other end of the line, her voice uneasy and nervous. "You really sure you want to do the hero thing?"
"I just can't wait around and do nothing when someone needs help." Evan thought to mention the zombies were too clumsy to actually catch him, but considered it better not to mention that he had chosen to fight one. It wasn't like he could only expect to encounter one zombie at a time.
"I understand, sweetie. That's what I love about you. But it still makes me scared having you out there like this. Especially in the dark." There was a brief pause, during which the sound of murmuring came through the line as she spoke to someone else close to her. It made the silence in Blackwood's lobby all the more noticeable. The only sound Evan heard coming from nearby was the faint babble likely produced by the television within the common room and Leon's quiet breathing. Jennifer's voice came again. "Okay. Zach said it's clear at the gate and around the building. We're ready for you."
"Don't worry. I'll see you in a minute. And when I get back here safe I'll give you a call. See you in a bit." Closing and replacing his cell phone within his jeans pocket, Evan took a moment to breathe a deep cleansing breath of air and calm his mind. He had already committed himself to this action. There would be no turning back now. He stepped aside and nodded to Leon, indicating he was ready to proceed.
"I'll be waiting for you here." Leon examined outside for possible movement before unlocking the front doors and moved aside. "Call me if there's a change of plans."
Evan silently assented to the statement with a nod and opened the door ever so slightly to take a careful look around the blind edges of the building.
Although he didn't feel comfortable with venturing into the night, the sooner and faster this was finished, the better. From moving the corpse under the bench just minutes before, it was evident there wasn't another zombie immediately nearby only a short time ago. There was no guarantee that situation would last for long, so he ought to take advantage of the opportunity as soon as possible.
Evan rushed through the broad glass doors and dashed to the left, not waiting to ensure that Leon locked up afterwards. With the initial step, the biting chill of the air immediately stung the exposed skin on his face and hands as he charged down the modest slope. Accompanying that sensation was an uncomfortable stinging that would later turn to numbness if he spent too long outside.
When Evan had originally left for Blackwood, it had been a bit warmer than it was now and he hadn't anticipated venturing outside again. The light tan jacket wasn't very warm, but he was glad to have brought it. Although Evan had very warm blood, the temperature had taken a relatively big dip during the hours after he had arrived here.
The pedestrian walkways flitting throughout the university grounds were mostly adequately lit. The entire length of the corridor of greenery was dotted with lamps that automatically lit once dusk approached. Just like the lights of the city streets surrounding the university. He had chosen his short route to stay in the well lit areas. Still, Evan tried to remain focused and vigilant, keeping an eye on the nearby irregular shadows and the distant shapes for signs of movement.
Uncharacteristic, desolate silence echoed within the city environment, the only sounds the blowing of the wind through dead tree branches and his own slow, deep breathing and heavy footfalls with each motion. Occasional lights or moving shapes in the tightly sealed chambers of living spaces reminded Evan that he was not truly alone but with the harsh shift in environment and aura of isolation, he may as well be in another world.
Slowing his run carefully at intervals to peer cautiously around the buildings or scattered trees, Evan continued downhill. Passing by an administrative building that had been converted from an old two story house, he remained on the cement walkway where there was more space and the area was more adequately lit.
The next block contained a tall apartment building, set in the shape of a thick cross with its edges at the corners of the square. An empty plaza filled the spaces around it, normally offering various fast food or meeting places for students studying. But now stood empty, its metal benches and brick facade only populated with sparse litter.
A narrow, empty road ringed the tall apartment building's plaza, and Evan ran down the slope along the narrow path. The pavement continued on for another block further than Evan was heading, where it met up with the normally busy city street defining the outer edge of the university grounds.
As he advanced to the second block, Evan snapped his head around when he heard the isolated sound of a car backfiring. Or possibly, a gunshot. He reassured himself that it sounded too distant to concern himself with immediately and moved on. Turning left, he jogged between the apartment building he had just passed at his side and a low school building on his right. The barren centerline of the road provided an easy, clear path.
Ahead, the road ran parallel to the green space. A broad, pedestrian walkway cut between the two squat school buildings on the other side of the street. Sitting beside the structure on the right stood the gated opening of the U-shaped dormitory of Mansfield. A dozen or so parking spaces lined the far edge of the service road although only one car was currently parked there.
Jennifer and Zach stood next to each other in dark coats, obscured behind the metal bars of the locked gate. Jennifer was a hauntingly beautiful girl with creamy smooth skin, dark hair, eyes and an ample chest notable even through her heavy coat. Zach had short, dull blond hair and a stout build, with heavily toned well defined muscles and broad shoulders. They stood beside one another quietly watching the street without getting too close to the gate.
As Evan arrived, Jennifer quietly moved forwards, reaching through the opening and holding out the bottle of medicine in the palm of her right hand. She had a sad, almost moping look on her face, but smiled a little as Evan made reassuring but brief eye contact with her.
Snatching the bottle and turning back to make the return journey, Evan only took a dozen steps before the light wavered around him. The city lights quickly winked out and vanished, leaving him in utter darkness.
