Genres
Fiction | Thriller | Post-Apocalyptic | Gore | Comedic Undertone |
Romantic Subplot | Zombies | Multiple Protagonists | Apocalypse | Evolution |
Friendship | Action | Adventure |
β | We're all going to die. | β |
βCinnamon |
Overview
All Of Us Might Die began on January 5, 2023, as an idea proposed by Julie^ ^. It was later brought to life by KniFe. This novel represents the first alternate universe story in the Minors Gang Gang Universe and is authored by Shen. You can find the story on Wattpad, although please note that it is no longer being updated. If you'd like, consider checking out Steel Requiem as that story was built on the foundations of this one. The setting was heavily built from here.
Summary
A group of teenagers, suddenly thrown into a post-apocalyptic world, must learn to navigate and figure out how to fight off the undead in order to survive.
Virus
In the first couple of days while being introduced to the virus, people infected will turn into walking corpses, otherwise known as zombies. They spread the virus through scratches and body fluids, meaning that if a living creature were to be bitten they would have a chance of being infected. Once infected, organs within the body start to deteriorate and rot, slowly being replaced by cores within their chests.
Zombies
All zombies can be killed once their core is destroyed. For mutated zombies, they'll have another core located within their heads. This core can be consumed in order to give humans and regular zombies abilities, or further evolve already existing ones. Regular zombies do not have any extra cores or special abilities, they are slow and less perceptive of their surroundings. Zombies are unable to see through glass.
Core | Element | Experience | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Red | Fire | Strength and aggression. Zombies with red cores will be stronger and more aggressive when in battle. | |
Orange | Earth | Orange cores signify that the zombies have greater defense. It'll take harder hits to take them down. They can control the ground, changing the terrain to their favour as well as controlling plants. | |
Blue | Water | Zombies will have greater elemental control and healing abilities. | |
Green | Wind | Green cores mean that zombies will be able to control wind. They are faster than most zombies. | |
Purple | Electricity | Purple core zombies can summon lightning bolts and conduct electricity. Their speed is increased. |
Characters
Name | Artifact | Abilities | Role | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
KniFe | Knife | Blade Manifestation | Protagonist | Deceased
|
Julie^ ^ | Steel Bat | Enhanced Senses | Protagonist | Deceased
|
Cinnamon | Pocket Knife | N/A | Protagonist | Alive |
rJ | Coins | Metal-Telekinesis | Protagonist | Deceased
|
LunarSeong | Phone | Artifact Morphing | Protagonist | Deceased
|
Mentallyunstable | Tertiary | Deceased
| ||
Drinkswithice | Tertiary | Deceased
| ||
SodaLite | Escrima | Tertiary | Deceased
| |
Eden | Adjustable Quarterstaff | Teleportation | Antagonist | Deceased
|
Helly | N/A | Illusory Manipulation | Antagonist | Deceased
|
Luca Theron | N/A | Purple Core Zombies, Electro kinesis | Antagonist/Tertiary | Alive |
Appearances
Character | Chapters |
---|---|
kniFe | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Julie^ ^ | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Cinnamon | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
rJ | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
LunarSeong | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Luca Theron | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Drinkswithice | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
SodaLite | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
mentallyunstable | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Helaina | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Eden | First Appearance
Chapter 1
Other Appearances
|
Abilities
Name | Details | Limitations | Phases |
---|---|---|---|
Blade Manifestation | Gives user ability to manifest weapons with a blade, e.g. Sword, Katana, Knife. | Only able to manifest blade weapons. Blade manifestation depends on users strength and ability to wield. | Single Phase Ability |
Enhanced Senses | Increases all five senses of a human | No specified limitations. | Single Phase Ability |
Metal-Telekinesis | Ability to manipulate metal | Depending on ability's phase, user will be dragged towards the object of manipulation if level is too low. Unable to manipulate metal within a living being. | Unlimited Evolution Phases |
Artifact-Morphing | Allows user to morph an artifact into something else. | Unable to morph into consumables or living beings. Can only tie one object to users morphing ability. Morphed buildings or storage spaces are unable to store humans. | First Phase
Can morph object into short range weapons and smaller items such as knives or pens. Second Phase Third Phase Fourth Phase Fifth Phase |
Teleportation | Inter-spatial transport within a certain range | Power holders can only teleport to places they can see, they are unable to teleport more than a certain distance. | First Phase
Teleportation range of 10 meters (1000cm). Final Phase |
Illusionism | Illusion casting ability. The illusion ends once the caster is killed or cancels the spell. | Caster must be present within their own illusion. They are unable to cast individual illusions for people. | Unlimited Evolution Phases |
Chapters
Chapter 1
Chapter 1 expand / collapse
The night sky was a light with the eerie glow of the full moon. It lingered, an unblinking eye, an unwilling witness to the chaos unfolding in the streets surrounding us below.
The silence that hung in the air was thick and pressing, intense enough to make me feel like the sight of the zombies outside was the least of my worries. I knew, deep in my heart, that we were all doomed. We were all too scared to tell each other this though, so, instead, the seven of us stayed, unmoving and silent; the only sound being our own labored breathing. Clinging to hope that the monsters beyond the glass could not reach us.
My heart was pounding, and I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead even though it wasn't hot inside the restaurant. I wanted to shut my eyes and pretend like none of this was real, but I couldn't move. I crouched still, glued to the spot, watching as Lunar peeked out from under the counter a fifth time to see if the undead were still shuffling around the rooftop.
We had been hiding in this restaurant for what felt like hours and I was growing more and more afraid with each passing minute. Around us, I could hear the occasional groaning from the zombies that had taken over the streets, as well as the screeching of cars skidding across the asphalt in the midst of chaos and screams.
None of those monsters outside seemed to notice us here huddled together, even when one of us occasionally rose from beneath the counter, they completely ignored our existence. Which was surprising considering the entire restaurant was surrounded by glass walls, asides from the area towards the kitchen.
I couldnβt help but sigh bitterly as my mind drifted back to a few days ago.
It was the. I had been sitting on the rooftop, surrounded by people, enjoying the soft sounds of chatter and the feel of wind blowing through my hair. One of them, kniFe, Fey for short, stood tall with her dark wavy shoulder-length hair, confidently showing off her new pocket knife. She was dressed in a black tank top and dark navy green cargo pants, the same outfit she wore to every meeting.
ββββββββββββββ
On the side, rJ and Sophia were deeply engrossed in a conversation that piqued my curiosity, though I found it hard to follow their topic.
Their starkly contrasting aesthetics made for an odd sight, with rJ's tousled hair framing his face, dressed in a beige button-up shirt, paired with a light gray undershirt and baggy green pants. Sophia, on the other hand, had her dark-hazelnut curly hair tied up in a ponytail, highlighting her striking features. Her stylish leather jacket and black jeans exuded an air of effortless elegance, perfectly suiting her relaxed yet refined style. Everything on being was a dark shade, making her stand out in contrast to rJ's more muted outfit.
Despite their different fashion choices, they seemed to be getting along well, with animated gestures and occasional bursts of laughter mid conversation.
I shifted my gaze, I couldn't help but notice Helly and Lunar standing out with their distinct appearances. Helly's strawberry blonde hair fell gracefully just above her shoulders, framing her face beautifully. Her simple yet stylish t-shirt and shorts perfectly complemented her hair color, giving her an effortless and put-together look.
On the other hand, Lunar sported a tight-fitting jumpsuit that hugged her curves in all the right places, topped off with a stylish harrington jacket, boots, and a neat ponytail fixed on her head.
It was hard not to notice the overall attractiveness of the women in our group.
As the rest of our group indulged in their own activities, I noticed Julie, our eldest member, seemed lost in her own thoughts.
I couldn't help but linger on her beauty for a moment longer, taking in all that I saw. Julie had auburn red hair, styled into two fairly long braids adorned with green ribbons that rested on either side of her shoulders. Her stormy blue eyes stood out, accentuated by her heavy mascara and colorful eye makeup that she wore to "look more awake than I really am". Even when she was serious, smile wrinkles were always present on the outer corners of her eyes, a testament to her tendency to awkwardly smile and giggle. She was dressed in a brown tank top with two green stripes across the middle and dark blue bell bottoms. She loved her Doc Martens, even if her long bell bottoms didn't show them off. She was a fashion experimenter and enjoyed exploring her wardrobe.
After snapping out of my daze, I approached Julie to inquire about what was bothering her.
"Hey, Cinnamon," she greeted me with a wide grin on her face, and I couldn't help but feel a little lightheaded.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream shattered the air, causing everyone present to startle. Our heads turned to the bottom of the stairwell and what we saw made our blood run cold.
A man was being attacked by something. It was hard to make out in the shadows, it looked like a person, but it couldn't be. Not with the way the man was thrashing around, trying to escape as the other figure was tearing into him...
As we peered down the stairwell, we could hear the sickening sound of flesh being torn apart. The man was screaming, but his cries were cut short by the gruesome sounds of the other βpersonβ ripping through his flesh.
The man's head was thrown back in pain as teeth were sunk into his neck, tearing through the soft tissue like it was paper. Blood spurted out in all directions, painting the walls and floor with a crimson spray.
It was relentless, its grip on the man's body unyielding. It clawed and bit at him, ripping off chunks of flesh and exposing bone as it went. The man weakly begged for help, but his words were barely audible above the sounds of the gruesome attack.
We watched in horror as the man's body began to convulse and spasm, his limbs flailing wildly in all directions. The person- no...it couldnβt even be described as a person from the beginning - the monster's grip on him tightened as it continued to feast on his flesh, ignoring his feeble attempts to fight back.
As we watched the scene unfold, a sense of fear and dread crept over us. We were frozen in place, unable to move or even breathe as we stared at the creature. Its eyes seemed to glint in the darkness, reflecting a fierce and malevolent intelligence that sent shivers down our spines.
For a moment, it felt as if time had stopped. The only sound that could be heard was the rustling of leaves in the wind, as if even nature itself was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.
"He's being eaten alive," Sophia whispered, horror etched on her face.
Julie turned away, retching loudly. "Oh my god, I can't look," she gasped.
Lunar clutched rJβs arm tightly, her nails digging into his skin with disgust painted across her face.
"What on earth is happening?" rJ trembled.
Fey had been standing frozen in shock, her eyes wide and unblinking. "Is thatβ¦a zombie?" she asked, her voice shaking in terror.
Helly took a step forward, squinting into the darkness. "We have to do something," she said firmly, her jaw set. "We can't just let him die like that."
βDonβt.β I said, holding out my arm to prevent Helly from making any moves. This wasnβt something we could deal with.
There was a moment of hesitation before she silently retreated. All of us watched in anticipation, waiting to see what the creature β person or whatever it was β would do next. After a few more minutes, the man who was being mauled seemed to have stopped struggling. His whole body falling limp and still, becoming nothing more than a piece of meat for that monstrous thing.
Suddenly, the monster lost interest in the lifeless body and turned its attention directly towards us.
Then the creature began to move.
βRun!β rJ yelled, breaking the spell. We all turned and bolted, scrambling away from the stairs as fast as we could while rJ struggled to drag Lunar away, who seemed to be in a daze.
The group sprinted towards another stairwell located on the other side of the rooftop leading to the office floors, we could hear the sounds of low growls and screams coming from the rooftops first floor below us. I didnβt know what was happening but I could guess and the thought sent chills down my spine.
We had to get to safety and fast. I could feel my heart racing in my chest as we made our way towards the stairs. Just as we were about to reach, an ear-piercing scream, followed by a chorus of guttural moans and the sound of flesh being ripped apart. It was more of those guys.
The monsters let out loud groans once they spotted us and began to stagger towards us. A group of us turned and bolted towards the closest shelter we could find - a restaurant on the rooftop. Meanwhile, a few others had dashed off in other directions.
βWait! Come back!β I tried yelling at them but they had already disappeared down a stairwell, most likely leading to another part of the mall.
Helplessly, I dashed into the restaurant, slamming the door shut once everyone else was in.
"Quick, under the counters!" rJ said urgently, ushering everyone underneath the restaurant counters.
As we crouched down, hiding from the zombies outside, I turned to check on everyone. "Is everyone alright?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.
Everyone looked at each other, faces pale with shock and fear. Julie was still retching in a corner, Fey was crying and shaking uncontrollably, while Lunar and rJ were panting heavily from the exertion of running. Sophia and Helly were trying to calm everyone down, murmuring soothing words.
βWhatβs happening out there?β rJ asked, looking around frantically.
βI donβt know,β I admitted, my voice trembling. βBut we have to find a way to get help.β
In an instant, nearly everyone had their phones out, feverishly dialing different numbers - parents, emergency services, anyone who could help. But the signal was down or blocked, and none of us could get through to anyone outside. Panic set in as we realized we were cut off from the rest of the world.
Lunar slammed her phone down in frustration. "What the hell is going on?" she demanded.
Helly was frantically scrolling through social media, looking for any clues or updates. "Nothing is loading," she muttered, her eyes glued to the screen.
Meanwhile, Julie and Fey were still gagging and crying, unable to compose themselves. Sophia was doing her best to comfort them, rubbing their backs and whispering reassuring words.
rJ was pacing back and forth, his fists clenched in anger and fear. "We have to find a way out of here," he said firmly. "We can't just sit here and wait for help that may never come."
I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with possibilities. But as we huddled together, listening to the groans and snarls of the zombies outside, it was clear that our situation was dire. We were trapped, cut off from the rest of the world, and surrounded by danger on all sides. The only thing left to do was to try and survive.
"We need to find help," I stated firmly, looking around at the group.
βHelp?β Fey repeated, her voice quivering. βWhoβs going to help us? The police? The military?β
βWe donβt know,β I said, trying to keep my voice steady. βBut we have to try.β
βTry what?β Helly asked, her voice hoarse. βWeβre trapped here, with those things outside.β
I could hear the low growls and groans of the zombies from outside the restaurant, and my stomach sank. It was true β we were trapped, with no way out.
βWeβll have to barricade the doors,β I said, looking around the restaurant. βWeβll find anything we can use as a weapon, and weβll fight if we have to.β
Everyone looked at me, some with fear, others with determination.
βWeβll do it,β rJ said, nodding his head. βWeβll survive.β
As we barricaded the entrance with whatever we could find, the sounds of the zombies grew louder and more frenzied. We knew we had to work fast.
Chairs, tables, and even a few decorative plants were hastily arranged to block off any possible entry points. We were all in a state of panic, working quickly but cautiously as we kept our eyes peeled for any signs of the monsters.
Once we were done, we all huddled under the counter again, our hearts racing with fear and uncertainty. The only sounds we could hear were the shuffling of the zombies and the pounding of our own hearts.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2 expand / collapse
For a few moments, we sat there in silence, catching our breath and trying to process what was happening. The reality of the situation was slowly sinking in, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me.
"We need a plan," Helly said suddenly, breaking the silence. "We can't just stay here forever."
"I know," rJ replied, his voice grim. "But what can we do? We're trapped."
"We have to try something," Fey spoke up, her eyes determined. "We can't just give up." I nodded in agreement.
"Let's observe and gather more information before making a plan," Lunar suggested. "I can keep an eye on those zombies while you guys work on a strategy."
"Could they be actual zombies?" Julie asked in disbelief.
"Given their behavior and appearance, it's reasonable to assume they are zombies," Lunar remarked, as she scanned the surroundings for any signs of movement.
"Okay, guys, let's assess what supplies we have in our bags," I said.
Lunar reached into her backpack and retrieved a first-aid kit. "I have this," she announced, displaying it to the group.
"Why do you have a first-aid kit? We were just hanging out," Sophia asked incredulously as the rest of us gazed at Lunar speechlessly.
Lunar simply shrugged. "You never know when you might need it. It's always good to be prepared."
I suppose she was right, but wasnβt this a bitβ¦too much?
Helly pulled out a small flashlight from her purse. βThis could come in handy,β she said, turning it on to test it.
Fey pulled out a Swiss Army knife from her pocket. βThis has a bunch of tools we could use,β she said, unfolding the different blades and tools.
Julie rummaged through her tote bag, looking for something to contribute. βAll I have is a bag of gummy bears,β she said, holding up a bag of candy.
We all looked at her in disbelief, but then Lunar spoke up. βActually, those could come in handy too,β she said, taking the bag from Julie. βWe might need some sugar for energy.β
We all nodded in agreement and started to plan our next steps. We needed to find a way to get out of the building and find help, but with the zombies blocking the exits, it wasn't going to be easy. We had to be smart and resourceful if we wanted to survive.
"How are we going to leave this place?" Sophia directed the question towards me.
As I frantically searched my memory, the layout of the building slowly began to come back to me. It was a 20-story structure, with the top 15 floors dedicated to office space and the bottom 5 floors serving as a mall. In order to make our escape, we would have to transfer from the office elevators to the mall elevator, which was located on the building's 6th floor, also known as the officeβs first floor. However, in order to even access the elevators, we would have to take the stairs down into the office area. The closest staircase was located byβ¦
"The cleaning quarters," Lunar and I said simultaneously, our eyes briefly meeting in recognition.
I looked at her in surprise, not expecting anyone else to have memorized the building's layout as thoroughly as I had.
"Right," I nodded in agreement.
Lunar continued, "We can take the staircase that leads to the cleaning quarters. From there, the hallway should take us directly to the office elevators."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Helly urged us on.
"Too many zombies outside," Lunar said,"there's no way we're making it out of here for a while."
Silence fell over our group as Lunar's words sank in. We sat there in despair, each lost in our own thoughts for a few moments.
Noticing our depressed moods, Lunar hesitated before speaking again. "Let's wait a bit longer, maybe they'll disperse."
We all nodded in bitter agreement, resigned to our helpless situation.
Suddenly, a loud crash jolted me out of my reverie and brought me back to the present. Lunar quickly ducked under the counter, her eyes filled with distress.
βWhat was that?β I asked, my heart pounding.
βIt sounded like a car crash,β rJ said, his body tense and alert.
βLook, the zombies seemed to be attracted to the car crash.β Sophia exclaimed excitedly, her voice rising with hope. βMaybe we can use that to our advantage,β
Sophia was right; the zombies seemed to be attracted to the noise, gathering around the point on the roof closest to the crash.
"What do we do now?" Fey asked, looking around anxiously.
Lunar peeked out from under the counter again. βWe follow the plan,β she said, her voice low.
"We'll need something to defend ourselves," rJ pointed out.
I looked around the restaurant, searching for any kind of weapon we could use to defend ourselves. All I could see were mentos and cigarettes over the front counter. Useless. But what about the kitchen�
Hurriedly, I made my way to the kitchen and located a knife block. I wrapped several of the knives with a cloth and left out a cleaver, which I stowed away in a concealed pocket of my bag.
Walking back out I looked at the others, trying to gauge their thoughts. Fey looked defeated, her head hanging low. Julie looked scared but determined. Sophia looked uncertain about the situation and seemed to be observing everyone's reactions closely. rJ appeared to be quiet, but his eyes showed concern. Helly and Lunar seemed to be the only ones with any fight left in them.
"I have some knives," I announced, quickly distributing them to the others in the group.
"Alright, let's go," Fey said, aiming to take the lead.
"Wait, what about our defense?" rJ pointed out, stopping Fey in her tracks and gesturing towards the haphazard stack of chairs and tables we had piled up in front of the restaurant's door.
"Take them down quickly, and do it quietly," Sophia instructed.
"Let's go," Lunar said, grabbing her backpack.
Working together, we swiftly dismantled the barricade we had created using the restaurant's furniture.
Lunar took the lead and dashed out of the restaurant into the open space of the rooftop. We ran as fast as we could, maneuvering past the sluggish zombies that were distracted by the loud crash from earlier. However, as we were running, I heard a small yelp coming from behind us. I quickly turned and saw Julie lying on the ground, her face twisted in pain as she struggled to get up.
βJulie, what happened?!β I asked, sprinting back towards her.
βI twisted my ankle,β she said, wincing in pain. βI can't run anymore.β
Lunar and I exchanged concerned looks as a couple of zombies stumbled towards us, attracted by the sound Julie had made. Our minds were buzzing with worry as we assessed the situation. We couldn't just abandon Julie, but staying in one place for too long wasnβt an option.
βQuick, give me a piggyback ride!β Julie implored, hopping towards Lunar on one foot.
Lunar was taken aback. βAre you serious?β
βI can- β
βYes, hurry!β Before I could offer to help in Lunarβs stead, I was cut off by Julieβs insistence as she began to climb onto Lunar's back.
With the sounds of shuffling zombies growing louder, Lunar reluctantly crouched down as Julie climbed onto her back.
βI'll stall for time!β Fey declared, brandishing her little pocket knife. With a flick of her wrist, she threw the knife towards a zombie's head. However, she had used too much strength, instead of traveling through the air, the blade was sent straight to the floor, hitting it with a clang, attracting even more zombies.
βI guess that didnβt go as plannedβ¦β Fey chuckled awkwardly.
After a quick exchange of glances, Lunar and I started sprinting as fast as we could with Julie holding onto Lunar's back looking like she was having the time of her life.
βI feel like a jockey in the Kentucky Derby!β Julie exclaimed, her arms flailing in the air.
We eventually made it to safety by the cleaning quarters entrance, and as soon as Lunar set Julie down, she gave Lunar a solid pat on the back.
βThanks for the ride,β she grinned.
Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, Lunar responded. βYou owe me big time.β
I couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. βTry to be serious, will you guys?β
After that brief moment of laughter, the solemn mood returned. The sounds of zombies in the distance being a constant reminder of the danger that surrounds us.
Without wasting any time, we quickly made our way down a flight of stairs and into the cleaning quarters.
The cleaning quarters was a wide corridor, with several rooms lined up on either side. I guessed some rooms were being used for general storage, while others were designated for cleaning supplies. The dimly lit atmosphere created an eerie ambiance, with all the room doors shut. However, I could see light emanating from the little glass panels located at the top of each door.
"I suggest we check the rooms for additional supplies," I said.
The rest of the group nodded in agreement and promptly separated to search through the rooms for resources.
As they scoured the area, I took a moment to observe our surroundings. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of footsteps echoing and rustling echoing through the hallway. The walls seemed to close in, and the dim lighting cast eerie shadows on the floor. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if we weren't alone in this place.
A loud crash reverberated through the hallway, accompanied by a stream of expletives. Without hesitation, I pivoted and raced towards the source of the sound to investigate. There, I discovered Fey struggling to regain her footing after accidentally knocking over a pile of supplies.
The commotion had evidently attracted unwanted attention, as I could hear unsettling shuffling noises emanating from the adjacent room. Suddenly, a zombie sprang out and latched onto Fey, prompting me to take swift action.
"Fey!" I yelled, retrieving the cleaver I had hidden away earlier. With swift and decisive action, I swung the weapon at the zombie, enabling Fey to break free from its grasp. As I fought off the undead attacker, the rest of the group quickly rallied to my aid, surrounding the creature and delivering a swift and decisive blow.
"Are you okay?" I inquired, my concern palpable as I hurried over to Fey's side, while the others fought off the zombie. "Any scratches or bites?"
"I... I think I'm okay," Fey replied, spinning around and frantically checking herself for any signs of injury. Despite appearing somewhat shaken from the experience, she seemed to be unscathed, save for a noticeable pallor to her complexion.
"Looks like we're dealing with a different breed of cockroach," Lunar commented as she proceeded to deliver a merciless blow to the zombie with her knife. Her snorts of disgust only added to the grim ambiance of the situation.
"It's still coming at us, even without its head," rJ exclaimed in exasperation. I glanced over to confirm that the zombie was indeed still lunging towards us, but now its movements were uncoordinated and erratic. It stumbled and hit the corridor walls a few times in its futile attempts to reach us.
"What the...?!" Fey gasped in horror, clearly taken aback by the unsettling turn of events.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 expand / collapse
"Have you tried attacking its heart?" I asked, hastily making my way towards the fray to join the fight.
Sophia responded to my inquiry by fiercely slashing at the zombie's chest, hoping to find its heart.
"Well, we have now!" Julie shouted, as the group continued to strike at the undead creature with renewed vigor.
As I observed the zombie's body closely, I noticed a faint white glow emanating from the spot where Sophia had delivered her blow. Just as I was about to suggest that we all target that area once again, the zombie's movements suddenly intensified, becoming more rapid and violent.
In a split second, the zombie hurled itself towards Helly with alarming force, sending her tumbling into one of the nearby rooms and causing her to fall to the ground.
Without hesitation, Lunar sprinted towards the room, set on helping Helly. As the rest of us followed closely behind, we could hear the sickening sounds of chomping and flesh tearing, causing my heart to sink in dread.
In the next few seconds, Lunar emerged from the room, slamming the door behind her with a resounding bang. Her face was now ashen and grim, clearly indicating that something terrible had happened inside.
βHellyβ¦β I began, my own face now pale and filled with dread when Lunar didn't immediately respond.
βLet's go,β Lunar said coldly, turning away from us and striding off towards the exit. Her expression was distant and detached, as if she were in a trance-like state.
We exchanged concerned glances with each other, and then silently fell into step behind Lunar. The atmosphere was heavy and somber, with everyone lost in their own thoughts. Fey was wiping tears from her eyes, and Julie was visibly shaking again. Sophia was uncharacteristically quiet, while rJ appeared to be lost in thought.
We reached the elevators, and as we stood there in silence, Lunar finally spoke up, her voice low and monotone. "The zombies have white cores. Youβll need to destroy it in order to kill them," she said, her words echoing in the empty corridor.
"Sort of like a heart?" Sophia asked, to which Lunar nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah, but it's located towards the middle of their chests," she added, her voice still cold and distant. We all exchanged looks, realizing that we were in for much tougher fights than we had anticipated. It was a disturbing revelation, and one that made us all feel even more uneasy.
"Should we head down?" Fey asked hesitantly.
"I believe it's best if we rest for the night," rJ replied.
We all nodded in agreement, feeling utterly exhausted from the events that had unfolded.
With no other choice but to wait, we settled down within the cramped confines of the elevator room. We broke up into smaller groups, seeking comfort in the familiar faces around us.
I let out a deep sigh as I gazed out through the expansive glass windows enclosing the elevator room. Below, cars whizzed down the streets, and several clusters of buildings were engulfed in flames. In the distance, I noticed a few helicopters flying over the city.
With hesitance, I retrieved my phone and dimmed the brightness to avoid disturbing the others who were all trying to get some much-needed rest. I dialed in my mother's phone number and held the phone to my ear, listening to the familiar ringing tone.
"Hello?"
My face brightened with joy upon hearing my mother's familiar voice.
"Mum, are you guys okay?" I asked anxiously.
"Cin, right n- nows- no- not-" The call was breaking up, and my mother's voice sounded distorted.
My mother's voice was cut off mid-sentence as the call disconnected, returning the room to a deafening silence. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I stifled soft sobs, careful not to wake the others.
I looked up to notice Lunar standing in front of me, her eyes fixed intently on me. The silence lingered for a moment before Lunar broke it with her comforting presence. With a sigh, she sat down beside me and gave me an awkward but much-needed hug.
"You'll see them again," she said softly. Though her words offered little to no comfort, I managed a polite smile, a silent thank you to her for trying.
"I know," I replied, though the uncertainty of the situation hung heavily over me. The chaos unfolding outside the glass walls of the elevator room was a constant reminder of the danger that we were all in.
Despite the exhaustion and worry, sleep eluded me. I sat there, lost in my thoughts, while Lunar kept a watchful eye on me. It wasn't until the first light of dawn crept in through the windows that I finally closed my eyes and leaned on to Lunarβs shoulder, hoping for a few hours of rest before we had to face the day ahead. I groggily opened my eyes to the blinding sunlight shining directly on my face, making it difficult to see. I felt disoriented and confused for a moment, trying to remember where I was. Then it hit me - I was still stuck in the elevator room, with a tissue stuck to my face..?
"Oh, you're up?" a voice sounded beside me, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see Lunar looking at me lazily, her shoulder covered with multiple layers of tissue paper. My face flushed with embarrassment as I realized that I must have drooled on her shoulder while sleeping. I couldn't help but wonder if the multiple layers of tissue paper were really necessary, though.
My right eye began to twitch fiercely as I asked, "D-did I�"
"Drool on me? Numb my shoulder?" Lunar raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips. It seemed like she was back to her usual playful self. "Absolutely," she finished, causing me to flush an even deeper shade of red.
"Sorry..." I mumbled, my voice barely audible.
As I rubbed my eyes, trying to fully wake up, the reality of our situation hit me once again. We were still trapped, unsure of what the day ahead would bring. With a sigh, I sat up and began to stretch, hoping to shake off the last of my grogginess.
"So, are we heading off?" rJ asked, breaking the silence and shifting our focus back to the task at hand. As I looked around, I realized that the others had been watching me and Lunar's whole interaction.
Feeling a bit self-conscious, I shot a playful glare at Julie and Sophia who were giggling quietly in the corner, clearly amused by the whole ordeal.
"Hey, don't mind us," Sophia said, still giggling. "We're just glad to see you're up and ready to go." Julie finished for her.
Despite my embarrassment, their lighthearted teasing helped to ease the tension in the room. With a smile, I stood up and walked towards the elevator doors.
"Let's go," I said, pressing the button to call the elevator. We all waited in anticipation as the doors slowly opened, revealing a large and pristine space.
As we stepped inside, I couldn't help but marvel at the sleek design of the elevator. The walls were made of glass, and the floors were a glossy black. It almost felt like we were in a luxury hotel rather than an office building.
rJ pressed the button to our next destination, and the elevator began to descend. As we passed the floors leading to our destination, my heart sank as I noticed zombies seemed to be present on every floor. My anxiety grew with each passing level, and I could see the same unease in the faces of my companions. Julie and Sophia were clutching onto each other tightly, while I could see the fear in Fey's eyes.
The only one who seemed unfazed was Lunar, who was leaning against the elevator railing calmly, eyes closed and arms crossed, as if completely unaware. Meanwhile, rJ, had his vision blocked by the elevator's button panel, making him remain blissfully unaware of the danger that surrounded us.
I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself, but as the elevator descended deeper and deeper, the bad feeling in my chest grew stronger, and I couldn't shake the sense that something terrible was waiting for us on the 6th floor.
The elevator came to an abrupt halt, and we heard guttural groans coming from outside. Peering through the glass, we could see a few zombies aimlessly wandering around.
As the doors slowly opened, we were faced with the undead, and we found ourselves frozen in place, stuck in a deadlock with them. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as we held our breath, waiting for the zombies to make their move.
β..uhm..wrong floor..?β Julie whispered.
βWhat do you mean wrong-β rJ started before peeking out from behind the elevatorβs button panel. βYep, this is definitely the wrong floor.β he said, snapping his fingers upon seeing the zombies. Everyone else in the lift glared at him.
Suddenly, the zombies rushed towards us, clambering over each other to reach the lift.
βOh my god..theyβre running..β Julie said, horrified.
βClose the door. Close the door!β Sophia shouted, panicked.
Frantically, rJ and I both pressed the close button, but as we did, I reached over and randomly pushed a button to another floor in hopes of escaping. However, just as the elevator doors were about to close, a zombie unexpectedly launched itself inside, and we found ourselves trapped inside, along with this wretched creature.
As the zombie closed in on us, we could see its rotting flesh and glowing eyes. The stench of decay filled the air, making it hard to breathe.
Fey was quick and agile, dodging the zombie's grasping hands and stabbing at it with her knife. I followed up with my cleaver, hacking away at its arms and legs, trying to slow it down.
Despite our efforts, the zombie was relentless, and it kept coming at us. We had to work together, using our weapons to keep it at bay and avoid getting bitten.
Finally, with a powerful swing of my cleaver, I managed to decapitate the zombie, and its body fell to the ground with a thud. We both breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then the elevatorβs doors opened again with a ping. We all turned to look outside the doors.
βGrrRrraaAAaaarWugHuuuUhh..β
β...β
βOh fuck me.β I said frustratedly.
βSure, when?β Lunar responded.
While the others in the elevator were left speechless, I could only glare at Lunar. She had a habit of cracking jokes at the most inappropriate moments. It seemed like now was one of those times.
"Get ready," I turned to the others, ignoring Lunar and preparing myself for another fight.
"Sure thing," Fey responded, pulling out her weapon. The others merely nodded silently.
As the zombies lurched towards us, we swung our weapons with precision, using the little knowledge and experience we had acquired earlier, to take it down swiftly.
Breathless and covered in sweat, I turned to the group and let out a frustrated sigh. "This is getting ridiculous."
Lunar smirked. "What, fighting zombies or the fact that you're still resisting my offer?"
I rolled my eyes, knowing that Lunar wouldn't let it go. But before I could retort, we had reached the next random floor and more zombies appeared, forcing us to fight again.
After what felt like hours, we finally reached a floor that wasnβt infested with zombies. We had passed five floors, all with zombies wandering around, trying to attack us more than twice.
I walked out of the lift before collapsing onto all fours, heaving deep breaths and trying to calm my pounding heart.
βPrime positioning?β Lunar exclaimed as she walked out of the lift languidly, a small smirk forced upon her face.
βDonβt start now.β I growled. Being both exhausted and annoyed, I might become a bigger threat than the zombies if Lunar didnβt shut up now.
With a grunt, I turned and plopped down onto the floor, my breathing heavy and labored. It had been a tough fight, and we were all exhausted.
Chapter 4
Chapter 4 expand / collapse
Fey had it the worst, with tears and holes in her clothes from the earlier encounters.
After catching her breath, Fey made her way to an office chair and collapsed into it. Her cheeks were flushed from the physical exertion, and she looked like she was ready to pass out any minute.
Looking around, I could see that the rest of us were in similar states. We were all covered in sweat and dirt, with light tears and a couple of holes in our clothes.
Julie was an exception. She had been behind me most of the time, as the group tried to keep her out of the fights due to her mildly sore ankle.
Meanwhile, Lunar was a complete anomaly compared to the rest of us. Despite the intense battles, she appeared completely unfazed. Her body unscathed, without a scratch and her clothes completely spot free, aside from the little blood stains on her boots. She had left us all in disbelief with her ways of dodging and avoiding attacks. The little corner climb she had executed left us all speechless at her dedication to remain untouched.
βYou look like you've had fun, let me join in next time.β Lunar chimed, throwing a wink in Feyβs direction, before sitting down on another chair. Once again she had garnered a couple of glares and left everyone in the room speechless.
Sophia's voice cut through the silence, filled with worry. "Hey, did you guys notice that they're running now?"
The group looked at each other, their expressions mirroring the concern in Sophia's voice. The zombies were becoming faster, more aggressive, and it seemed like their numbers were increasing with each passing moment.
βYou donβt think they can evolve do you?β rJ asked, his expression turning sour at the thought.
"If they do, it's going to be a real headache," Fey groaned in exasperation.
βOr it could be that there are different types of zombies?β Julie said with uncertainty.
βI donβt know if either one is better.β I sighed frustratedly.
βWhat are we going to do now?β Julie asked as she shakily sat on the floor.
We were currently stuck on the 19th floor, with zombies wandering around on every other floor. We needed to find a way out and fast, before we were trapped here forever.
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. We couldn't take the elevator as it was now blocked with zombies, so we had to find another way.
βStairs.β I said, quickly standing up.
Lunar raised an eyebrow, "And how do you suggest we do that? We don't even know where the stairs are."
She was right, I realized. Despite being in the building the previous day, I only knew the basic layout of the building and the rooftop.
I scanned the room and suggested, "Maybe the office floor directory is here."
We divided into groups to search the rooms, hoping to find useful items or the directory.
Eventually, rJ called out, "Hey, over here! We passed it." He was standing by the lifts.
We gathered around him and saw the emergency stairs marked on the directory for each floor.
I quickly located our current position with my finger and realized that the stairs were on the opposite side of the building.
"We need to head to the emergency stairs on the other side of the building," I explained, pointing to the location on the directory. "From there, we can make our way down to the mall."
Without wasting any time, we headed towards the emergency stairs. While walking, I glanced at my reflection in the corridor windows and saw that I looked like a complete mess. My brown hair was sticking out in every direction, and my face was sweaty. I was wearing a plain white t-shirt and ripped jeans that were stained with blood. Ugh, I needed a shower.
Once we reached the door to the emergency stairs, we heard a few low groans and growls. There were zombies in the stairwell too.
βAre you kidding me, what are we going to do now?β Julie asked frustratedly.
"I say we fight our way through," I stated firmly, looking at everyone with determination.
However, I could see the hesitation on their faces as Fey voiced her concern, "But we don't even know how many zombies are in there..."
I understood their doubts, but we had been running from the zombie horde for too long. We had to take a chance and make a stand. "We can't keep running forever. If we're going to survive, we need to take risks," I argued.
Sophia interjected with a challenge. "But what if we get overwhelmed? Won't we be trapped and unable to escape?"
I thought for a moment. She had a point. We needed a plan. "Okay, here's what we'll do. We'll try to sneak in and take out as many as we can quietly. But if things go south, we'll have to fight our way out. And we'll have to stick together no matter what."
The group nodded, but I could see the fear in their eyes. I took a deep breath and tried to reassure them, "We can do this. We've made it this far, and we'll make it through this too. Just stay focused, and remember, we're in this together."
With that, I opened the emergency stairs door, keeping as quiet as possible. As we crept down the emergency staircase, I could hear the moans and shuffling of the undead echoing inside. The stark concrete surroundings gave off an eerie atmosphere. The flickering fluorescent lights, casting a pale glow, made it seem like we were in some kind of horror movie. The walls were a dull gray, and there were no windows to let in natural light.
The stairs themselves were made of rough concrete, worn down by years of use. The white paint that had once coated the stairs was now chipped and faded, and there were scuff marks from countless pairs of shoes that had trodden upon them.
Every now and then, a light would flicker and dim, casting long shadows on the walls that seemed to move and sway with our every step. It was hard to tell if the shadows were just a trick of the light or if something was lurking in the darkness.
Despite the sense of foreboding, we pressed on, taking each step with caution and care, trying to make as little noise as possible. We knew that any sound could attract the attention of the zombies lurking nearby, and we couldn't afford to be careless.
As we reached the 17th floor, we found ourselves face to face with a group of zombies. They had sensed us and were quickly making their way towards us. Without hesitation, we attacked, taking them out one by one. We drew our knives and charged towards them, determined to survive.
rJ moved first, his knife flashing in the dim light as he took down the first zombie, his eyes blazing with determination.
Lunar joined in next, her movements quick and precise as she lunged forward and plunged her knife into the chest of another zombie. She was acutely aware of the danger of any physical contact with the undead, so she moved with lightning-fast reflexes, dodging their attacks and striking only when it was safe to do so.
Fey and Sophia fought back to back, their knives flashing in the dim light as they worked together to take down a group of zombies. The two of them spun around, slicing through the zombies that surrounded them.
Julie hung back slightly, using her quick reflexes to dodge the zombies' attacks before darting in and delivering a swift blow with her knife. As she fought, I stood by her side, defending her from any zombies that got too close. "Keep moving!" she urged the others, her voice low and urgent, as she continued to fight with all her might.
Panting heavily, we looked down at the aftermath of the intense battle. All of us were covered in blood, our clothes torn and tattered from the fight. Unexpectedly Lunar, who had incredible dodging ability, couldn't avoid getting a little dirty too. Although it was only her jacket that was stained, she was already quickly wiping the blood off with a tissue, trying to clean herself up as best as she could, a look of disgust present on her face the whole time.
"They can evolve." Sophia stated, her face grim.
As we had been fighting the zombies, we noticed that they had initially been slow and lumbering, but as the battle progressed, they seemed to become faster, more agile, and more coordinated. Before long, they were running and leaping towards us, making it much more challenging to defend ourselves. It was a disturbing realization that these undead creatures were adapting and evolving to become even more dangerous.
Our knowledge of their weak spots and ability to take them down quickly had been crucial in preventing the situation from turning dire. If we hadn't known how to defend ourselves effectively, the outcome could have been disastrous.
"Let's keep going," I said with determination, leading the group further down the stairs.
We had a long way to go before we could reach our destination on the 10th floor of the building. But we had no other option but to keep moving forward, fighting our way through the horde of zombies as we went. We had been at it for what felt like hours, and yet we had only made it down a few floors. The onslaught of zombies seemed never-ending, with barely any breaks in between as we continuously fought to stay alive. We had to find a way out of this place and make it to safety, no matter what it took.
As we made our way down the stairwell, it became increasingly dangerous to continue on. We had come too close to being bitten or scratched by those things a few times already, and we weren't sure if they could infect us through means other than biting. We needed to come up with a new plan before it was too late.
I slumped down against the wall and let out a deep breath, not caring about the bloodstains it left on my pants.
Sophia gasped for breath and then exclaimed, "We won't survive this if we keep going this way."
Lunar rubbed her temples and remarked, "It seems like taking the lifts straight to the 6th floor wouldβve been more efficient."
I looked at everyone, trying to gauge their reactions. They all looked back at me with varying degrees of fear and exhaustion etched onto their faces. I knew we had to make a decision quickly.
"I think we should head back and recuperate," I said firmly. Even though it might lead to some resentment from the others, taking unnecessary risks wasn't a wise decision.
Fey spoke up, her voice sounding exhausted. "Could we just rest here for a bit?"
"It's not safe for us to stay here," Lunar began. "I'll check this floor and the one above to see if they're clear. Perhaps if we're lucky, we can find a safe place to rest there."
Without waiting for a response, Lunar quickly moved towards the stairs, her footsteps silent. We watched her disappear up the staircase, and then looked at each other, feeling the weight of exhaustion and fear on our shoulders.
As we waited for Lunar's return, we sat down in a corner, trying to catch our breaths and calm our nerves. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of our ragged breathing. Minutes passed, feeling like hours, until Lunar finally returned. She signaled for us to follow her, and we did, grateful to leave the eerie stillness behind.
We climbed up to the next floor, quickly barricading the door with office chairs and desks. I noticed that it was already evening now.
Lunar broke the silence with a practical plan for the next day. "We can take the lift straight down from here and storm the 6th floor once we're all rested." Grateful for a more efficient escape route, we all nodded in agreement before settling in to rest.
I took a moment to glance around the office floor, my mind racing with thoughts. The spacious open-plan design and modern furnishings felt boring and distasteful, it was something I saw too often. I couldn't help but notice that the floor was an exact replica of the 19th floor, complete with the same sleek design and high-end amenities.
I found a spot in the room and slumped against the large glass windows of the office, letting out a deep sigh. My eyes shut as I thought back to the misjudgment and stubbornness I had displayed earlier today. I should have thought everything through more carefully and taken Sophia's words to heart before insisting on heading down the emergency stairs. I couldn't help but feel guilty for putting our group in this dangerous situation. I made a mental note to listen to my any suggestions or comments more carefully in the future. We had to work together if we wanted to make it out alive.
"Hey, Cin..." Julie's comforting smile greeted me as I opened my eyes to find her sitting next to me. βNot beating yourself up are you?β
I gave a half-hearted smile. "Maybe a little," I admitted.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 expand / collapse
"Well, we all make mistakes sometimes," she said with a giggle. "Just know that none of us are angry or blaming you for the slip-up. We're all in this together, and we'll figure it out."
As Julie spoke, I felt my heart pounding in my chest. I cleared my throat, trying to shake off the sudden feeling of nervousness that had overcome me.
"Thanks, Julie," I managed to say, my voice slightly shaky. "I appreciate it."
Julie smiled warmly, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Beauty was truly my weakness.
"Here," Julie offered, patting her shoulder and gesturing for me to rest my head on it. "No more tissues in your face, I promise," she added with a laugh.
I couldn't help but grimace as I thought back to earlier when I woke up to Lunar's smirk.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling my heart race and my cheeks flush, before finally letting my head fall onto Julie's shoulder. Perhaps it was the combination of her scent and the comfort of her presence, but I soon drifted off into a deep and peaceful slumber.
"Mmm...Julie?" I murmured, shielding my eyes from the blinding light that enveloped her. Her trademark grin was on full display as she giggled, making her smile appear even more radiant than the bright lights behind her. I couldn't help but wonder why it was so bright.
Julie's lips moved, but her words were muffled by the overwhelming sound of the ringing in my ears. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog that had settled in my mind, but it only seemed to worsen.
"I..." I began to say, but before I could finish, Julie leaned in close to me, her face just inches from mine, and I caught a whiff of her familiar perfume.
And then, as suddenly as it had started, the blinding light vanished, and I found myself jolting awake in a dark room. My eyes flew open, and I tried to sit up, only to feel a sharp pain in my forehead as it collided with something hard.
I heard myself let out a small yelp, and as I rubbed my forehead, I squinted my eyes to adjust to the brightness surrounding me.
As my eyes adjusted, a soft chuckle could be heard from in front of me, "You're finally awake."
It was Julie who had spoken, she was kneeling and clutching her forehead. Her signature smile was on her face, and I couldn't help but feel relieved to see her familiar expression.
Feeling embarrassed and disoriented, I stumbled to my feet, swaying slightly. Julie offered me a steadying arm, and together we both tried to stand up. "S-sorry!" I stuttered, still feeling groggy and out of sorts.
"That was quite the hit there. You two alright?" Lunar asked, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
I looked over at Julie, who had also just gotten to her feet. She gave a small nod and a reassuring smile, indicating that she was okay.
"Yeah, we're okay," I replied, still feeling a little woozy from the impact.
βHowβs your ankle, by the way?β I asked, turning to face Julie once again.
βItβs alright now, a little sore but I think I can run.β She replied with a smile.
βWeβre all ready!β I turned my head to see rJ, Fey and Sophia standing by the elevators. rJ and Fey had metal chairs by their sides, meanwhile Sophia was holding a broom.
βWhat are you going to fight with that broom, dust?β I said, looking skeptically at her.
You never know, it might come in handy!" she said, shooting me a playful glare.
βMy bad.β I chuckled, shaking my head. I was grateful for the light-hearted banter amidst the tense situation.
"Right, where's my backpack?" I said, quickly scanning the room.
"Here." Lunar handed me my backpack, and I slung it over my shoulders.
As we reached the elevators, I remembered the knives I had found in the restaurant kitchen earlier. I reached into my backpack and pulled them out, distributing them to the others.
"Not sure why I hadn't done so sooner," I muttered to myself. "Maybe the fights from yesterday would've been easier."
The others nodded in agreement as we entered the elevator, each lost in our own thoughts.
I leaned against the elevator railing, steeling myself for what was going to happen, as the elevator traveled down to the fourth floor. rJ and Fey were holding their metal chairs, ready to ram the zombies that would greet us.
We knew the risks that lay ahead. As soon as the doors opened, I was sure the creatures that nightmares were made of were going to come pouring in. But we couldn't let fear get the better of us. We had to stay focused and be ready for anything.
The elevator binged, and the doors slid open to reveal a dark, ominous hallway. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and I could hear the faint sounds of shuffling and growling coming from further down the corridor.
"Shit," Fey whispered from the front of our group.
Just then, multiple pairs of sickly yellow eyes turned their attention towards us with loud growls to follow, making everyone in the lift freeze. Feeling the hairs on the back of my neck standing up, I braced myself for the worst.
But rJ and Fey didn't hesitate. They charged forward just as the zombies started to run towards us. With their metal chairs held high, they plowed through the creatures with a force that sent them crashing to the ground.
Sophia followed close behind, sweeping the legs out from under any zombies that managed to get too close. Lunar, Julie and I hung back, providing cover fire with our knives as we picked off the creatures from a safe distance.
The fight was brutal and exhausting, but we managed to emerge victorious. As the last of the zombies fell to the ground, we took a moment to catch our breath and assess our injuries.
"Well, that was exhilarating," rJ said, a note of excitement in his voice.
I couldn't help but agree. Despite the danger, there was a rush that came with fighting for survival. It made me feel alive in a way that I never had before.
But the adrenaline soon wore off, and the reality of our situation set in once again.
"I'll take a look and see if there are any more of them around," Sophia said, stepping cautiously into the room.
We waited anxiously as she peered around the corner, her broom at the ready. After a few tense moments, she gave us the all-clear signal, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Alright, let's move out," Lunar said, leading the way towards the lifts that would take us down to the mall.
We all reached and entered the elevator. As we descended to the lower levels of the building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. We were entering uncharted territory, and there was no telling what dangers lay ahead.
βWhat if there are zombies in the mall?β I suddenly asked. Everyone looked at each other silently. What if there were zombies in the mall?
The atmosphere in the lift grew tense as we contemplated the possibility. Julie broke the silence, "We'll just have to be careful and stick together. If we encounter any, we can take them down like we did before."
I nodded in agreement, but the pit in my stomach didn't ease up. The doors of the elevator opened with a ding, revealing the mall's lower level.
One word to describe it all?
Chaos. Utter Chaos.
Everywhere we looked, zombies were running amok, chasing after humans, smashing storefronts and tearing apart mannequins. Blood smeared the walls and floors, making it difficult to determine whether it belonged to the living or the undead. It was a horrific sight that made our stomachs churn.
Amidst the carnage, I noticed a group of people huddled in a shop with glass doors, and to my surprise, the zombies didn't seem interested in breaking in. It was a similar situation to what we had encountered in the restaurant, and it dawned on me that these zombies couldn't see through glass.
Before I could share my revelation with the group, a pack of zombies charged towards us, and we scrambled to avoid their attacks. Lunar took charge, yelling for us to split up and head for the nearest exit. With no other option, I followed her lead, cursing under my breath as I ran.
As I ran, dodging and weaving through the throngs of zombies, the chaos around me only seemed to escalate. Blood and guts splattered against the walls and floors as the zombies attacked anything that moved. I saw a man screaming as he was dragged down by a pack of zombies, his flesh being torn apart as he fought for his life.
My heart raced as I felt a cold hand brush against my shoulder, and I turned just in time to avoid a zombie's deadly grasp. Its decaying flesh reeked of death, and I could see its bloodshot eyes staring hungrily at me as it lunged forward, teeth bared.
With a quick motion, I pulled out my cleaver and slashed at the zombie, feeling the blade slice through its neck with ease. Blood spurted from the wound, covering my face and clothes as the zombie fell to the ground, lifeless. But there was no time to celebrate my victory as I heard more zombies closing in. All I could hear was screams and zombie groans.
I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the next wave of undead. The mall was swarming with zombies, and I knew I had to fight my way out.
I darted forward, dodging another group of zombies and bringing down my cleaver on one's head. It split open like a ripe melon, and the zombie fell to the ground, twitching.
I swung my cleaver again and again, taking down zombies left and right. But there were too many of them, and I could feel my strength waning.
Just as I spun round, I came face to face with something I really did not want to see.
βSophiaβ¦God noβ¦β I gasped as I saw her lying on the ground, chunks of flesh bitten off all over her body. Some of her skin was gray and decaying, hanging off of her like wet tissue paper.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched her rise up from the floor, the horrifying sounds of bones cracking as she twisted and turned, spasming in her rise.
I didnβt know what to do. Part of me wanted to run, to escape the horror unfolding before me. But another part of me knew what I had to do. I had to put her down, for her own sake and for the sake of everyone else.
Trembling, I raised my weapon, steeling myself for what I had to do. It was a mercy, I told myself, as I brought the weapon down on her head. The sound of flesh and bone giving way was sickening, but it was over quickly.
I stood there for a moment, catching my breath. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away the last of my tears and reminded myself that I had to keep moving forward if I wanted to stay alive. With that thought in mind, I ran on.
As I made my way through the mall, fighting off zombies with my weapon, I caught a glimpse of Lunar in the distance. She was skillfully wielding a knife against a group of zombies that had cornered her. Her face was smeared with blood, but the determination in her eyes was unwavering as she fought to survive.
I ran towards her, my cleaver still in hand, and began hacking my way through the zombies that stood in our path. The sound of flesh being sliced and bones cracking filled the air as we battled our way towards the exit.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we burst through the doors and into the open air, gasping for breath as we looked back at the carnage behind us.
βWhere are the others?β I said breathlessly. Lunar looked towards the entrance of the mall as rJ, Fey and Julie came rushing out.
Suddenly, Julie collapsed and began to writhe in pain on the ground, clutching her ankle. It was clear that she had been injured, likely by a zombie scratch. I felt a wave of panic wash over me as I tried to think of what to do to help her.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 expand / collapse
βFirst aid kit,β Lunar said as she handed it over to me, snapping me back to the present moment. Without a second thought, I began rummaging through it, searching for the supplies I needed. My hands shook as I fumbled with the zipper, but my hand eventually closed around the alcohol wipes and bandages that I needed.
I approached Julie and began to tend to her injuries. The blood was oozing out of a scratch on her leg, and I knew that I had to act fast to prevent infection. With a steady hand, I gently cleaned the wound with the alcohol wipes, ignoring Julie's cries of pain as the disinfectant stung the cut. Once the area was clean, I carefully wrapped it with a bandage to provide support and protection.
As I heard Julie's whimper, a sense of worry crept over me, causing my eyebrows to furrow with concern.
Fey's hesitant voice chimed in, "This...you don't think she could be infected through this, right?"
"I hope not," I replied, slowly helping Julie to her feet.
rJ suddenly spoke up. "Where's Sophia?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.
I couldn't help but tremble at the sound of her name. I took a deep breath before replying, "She's... gone."
Everyone fell into a somber silence after I spoke about Sophia's passing. It was a moment of mourning for our fallen friend, and the weight of her loss hung heavy on all of us.
"We have to keep moving," Lunar said, her voice firm. "We can't stay here."
She was right. We had to keep moving, had to keep fighting, if we wanted to survive. We set off again, navigating through the streets and fighting off any zombies that got in our way.
We quickly walked away from the mall, but the screams and groans of the zombies only seemed to get louder as we stepped out into the street. I noticed rJ turning his head, wanting to look back at the mall.
"Don't," Lunar said firmly, placing a gentle hand on rJ's shoulder and directing his gaze away. "Heroism isn't possible right now. We need to focus on surviving."
rJ nodded, but I could see the conflicted emotions on his face. It was clear that he wanted to do something, to help those who were trapped inside the mall. But Lunar was right; we needed to focus on our own survival, especially since we were already down two members.
As we continued to make our way through the streets, Julie leaned on me and Fey for support as she limped along. We could hear shuffling footsteps, guttural moans, and the occasional sound of glass breaking as zombies continued their relentless pursuit of fresh meat.
Suddenly, a loud growling noise that surpassed even the guttural moans of the zombies sounded. It was my stomach, protesting loudly at the lack of food. I tried to ignore it, but the hunger pangs were becoming unbearable. We had been surviving off gummies and water for a couple of days now.
βI think I am in pursuit of food.β
The others glanced at me, their faces reflecting the same hunger and fatigue. We needed to find food soon, or we wouldn't have the energy to keep going. The sounds of the zombies grew louder and more intense with every passing moment, adding to our sense of urgency.
As we turned a corner, we stumbled upon a small convenience store with a glass front that hadn't been looted yet.
"Is it safe to go in there?" Fey asked, gesturing towards the building. "Wouldn't the zombies be able to see us?"
Lunar considered Feyβs question seriously before speaking up. βWe can just quickly run in and grab supplies before continuing on,β she said. βAs long as we stay quiet and donβt draw attention to ourselves, we should be fine.β
Remembering my earlier revelation, I quickly interjected, "Actually, we'll be safe inside. Didn't you guys notice earlier that the zombies don't seem to be able to look through glass?"
The others looked at me in surprise. "Are you sure?" rJ asked, his eyebrows raised.
I nodded confidently. "Yes, I'm positive. Remember when we were hiding in that restaurant? The zombies were outside, but they couldn't see us through the glass windows."
Lunar grinned. "Looks like we have a new plan, then. Let's go grab those supplies."
We hurried inside the store and started scanning the shelves for any items that could sustain us. While the others searched, I made my way to the back of the store to ensure that there were no zombies lurking around. To my relief, it appeared that the store had been abandoned.
As I left the back, Lunar spoke up. "There's something wrong with Julie," she said.
We all turned to look at her and immediately saw what Lunar meant. Julie was in an extremely sluggish state, her eyes unfocused, and her breathing labored. Her bandaged ankle was dripping with a yellow substance, and her skin looked pale and clammy.
βJulie? Julie!?β I called out to her but she was unresponsive.
Fey and I rushed to her side, supporting her weight and trying to keep her steady. "What's wrong with her?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.
"She...might be infected," Lunar responded, her expression seeming quite grave. We all looked at each other, the gravity of the situation sinking in. We knew all too well what that could mean in a world overrun by zombies.
Fey and I supported Julie as Lunar examined her ankle more closely. It was clear that the infection had spread and was causing Julie to become increasingly weak and disoriented.
"Maybe we could tie her up?" rJ spoke, unsurely. His suggestion hung in the air, and we all exchanged uncertain glances.
"Tie her up?" I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief. "What good would that do?"
"It's just a precaution," rJ said, trying to defend his idea. "In case she turns."
I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. "You can't be serious."
But before I could say anything else, Lunar cut in. "He has a point. It'd be better to tie her up and observe any changes than to possibly leave her behind."
I was taken aback by Lunar's agreement with rJ's suggestion. "You really think that's necessary?" I asked, hoping for a different answer.
Lunar turned to me, her expression firm. "I do. We need to be practical and think about what's best for all of us. None of us wants to leave Julie behind, but if she turns, we'll be putting ourselves in danger by keeping her with us."
I hesitated, but Lunar was right. If there was any chance of keeping Julie by our side, then this would be a good idea. We couldn't risk our safety for sentimentality. "Fine," I said, reluctantly. "Let's tie her up and keep a close eye on her."
rJ and I worked quickly to secure Julie's hands and feet, ensuring that she couldn't harm us if she did turn. It wasn't a comfortable or easy decision, but it was necessary for our survival in this new and dangerous world.
Four hours had passed, and Julie wasn't showing any signs of improvement. If anything, she seemed to be getting worse. Her body was covered in cold sweat, and we discovered that she had a fever.
Thankfully, the convenience store had some supplies that could help. We gave her water, some light food, and fever patches to help bring down her temperature.
"Surely we can untie her now. She looks so uncomfortable," Fey spoke with concern in her voice.
I turned to Lunar, hoping for a positive response. "What do you think? Can we untie her?"
Lunar was silent for a while, thinking carefully before responding. "I understand your concern, but we need to be cautious. Give it a little longer," she said finally.
I sighed, frustrated but understanding the need for caution. We couldn't afford to let our guard down. "Alright, we'll wait a bit longer," I replied, reluctantly agreeing with Lunar's decision.
We continued to keep an eye on Julie, monitoring her condition closely. Despite the discomfort of being tied up, she seemed to be resting more peacefully now, and her fever had gone down.
Suddenly, Julie stirred and let out a low groan. We all rushed to her side, relieved to see her waking up.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, my voice filled with concern.
Lunar finally gave the nod to untie her. rJ and Fey worked quickly to remove the ropes, as I began to explain everything.
Julie slowly opened her eyes, looking around at all of us, still dazed. "What happened?" she asked, her voice weak and confused.
"Well," I hesitated at first. "We thought you were infected and would turn into a zombie, so we tied you up."
βGee, thanksβ¦β Julie mumbled, massaging her wrists. She tried to sit up, but I gently pushed her back down. "Let's take it easy for a moment," I suggested.
Then, Lunar suddenly spoke up, "How'd you enjoy your first exposure to BDSM?"
Everyone looked at her in shock and silence descended upon the group.
βReally? Did you have to say that?β I spoke exasperatedly. Lunar merely shrugged in response, looking unfazed.
After a few minutes, Julie seemed to regain some of her strength. She took a deep breath and attempted to stand up, and I quickly came to her side to help her. However, as soon as she put weight on her feet, she clutched her forehead and nearly fell back.
"Julie!" We all yelled in unison, rushing to her side.
"I-I'm fine," she said quickly, pushing us away as she tried to stand up. We hovered around her, unsure of what to do.
"Is it just me or is everything really loud?" Julie said, her eyes darting around the room.
I exchanged a worried glance with the others. It was clear that something was wrong. "Julie, can you hear me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
She nodded, but her expression was tense. "Everything just sounds so loud," she said again, wincing.
I put a hand on her shoulder, trying to ground her. "Iβm sure itβs just your body adjusting.β
rJ suggested, "What do you guys think about setting up camp here for a bit? It's a decent spot. We've got plenty of food and the zombies won't be able to spot us."
Everyone looked around and nodded in agreement. It was a relief to finally find a place to rest for a while.
"Sooo... what's the plan for clothes?" Fey interjected, gesturing towards our ragged attire, except for Lunar's, of course. Her jacket had only a small tear, which was the only damage we could find in her clothing.
"Any chance we could try to locate a clothing store?" Julie suggested.
"We should've thought of that back at the mall," Lunar pointed out, looking at us speechlessly.
βRiiightβ¦β rJ replied with an awkward chuckle.
"Oh, I remember now - there's a big clothing store not too far from here," I recalled.
Fey perked up at my words, "Really? Do you remember the name of the store?"
I paused for a moment, trying to recall the details. "I can't remember the name, but I do remember passing by it a few blocks from here."
Julie chimed in, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out!"
Excited by the prospect of new clothes, we quickly gathered our things and headed down the street towards the clothing store.
As we walked, we kept a low profile, scanning the area for any potential danger. The streets were eerily quiet, and the only sounds we heard were the occasional groans of zombies in the distance.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 expand / collapse
After a few blocks, we finally arrived at the clothing store. The front windows were shattered, but the entrance was still intact. We cautiously entered the store, scanning the racks for any clothes that might fit us.
Fey and I browsed through the racks, searching for suitable clothing. After some searching, I found a sturdy leather jacket that would be perfect for the chilly nights ahead. Meanwhile, rJ and Lunar had disappeared deeper into the store.
As I walked further into the store, I heard hushed whispers coming from a nearby corner. Curiosity piqued, I approached the source of the noise and found Lunar and rJ engaged in an unusual scene. Lunar held up a dress while trying to convince rJ to try it on, but he seemed hesitant.
"It would look good on you," Lunar urged.
"I am not wearing a dress," rJ replied firmly.
Lunar persisted, "Come on, just try it."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the odd sight of rJ and Lunar constantly battling over a dress. It was clear that Lunar was determined to see rJ in the dress, while rJ was just as determined to keep his current attire. Despite the absurdity of the situation, there was something endearing about their playful bickering.
"Come on, just try it on for a second," Lunar pleaded, holding up the dress to rJ's chest.
"No way," rJ replied, swatting the dress away.
I cleared my throat to announce my presence, just as Lunar was aggressively tugging on rJβs shirt. Startled, they both turned towards me, Lunar still holding onto the shirt and rJ looking a little flustered.
"It's not what it looks like," rJ began, only to be cut off by Lunar.
"It's exactly what it looks like," Lunar declared.
rJ's expression transformed into that of someone who had just seen a ghost.
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight before me. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" I teased, grinning at rJ and Lunar.
rJ tried to compose himself, "It's not what you think. Lunar was just trying to-"
"Trying to get you to try on a dress," I finished for him, still chuckling. "I never knew you had a secret fashion sense, rJ."
Lunar interjected, "He would look great in it, wouldn't he?"
I shrugged and said, "I don't know about that, but I think we should pick up the pace on our fashion hunt before we attract any unwanted attention."
"Agreed," Lunar replied, her eyes narrowing in determination.
The thought of encountering zombies sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that we were being watched. The abandoned mall had an eerie atmosphere, and the silence was deafening. I knew that we needed to be quick and efficient if we were going to find everything we needed and make it out of there alive.
We split up, each of us scouring different sections of the store. I made my way to the shoe section, hoping to find a sturdy pair of boots that would be suitable for the rough terrain outside. Fey went in search of warmer clothing, while Sophia scoured the accessories section for any useful items.
As I browsed through the racks, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It was as if the air around me was thick with an unspoken threat. Suddenly, I heard a faint groaning noise coming from the other side of the store.
My heart raced as I quickly made my way over to where the noise was coming from. Peering through the racks, I saw a group of zombies slowly making their way towards me. I could feel the panic rising within me as I tried to think of a way out.
Without a second thought, I called out to my friends, "Guys, we have a problem!"
Just as I turned to run, a loud explosion rang out next to me. My eyes widened in shock as I froze in fear, looking towards the source of the noise.
I looked back to see my friends staring at me with equally wide eyes, their faces twisted in shock and fear.
Fey spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "That was a lightning bolt."
For a moment, we all stood in stunned silence, trying to process what had just happened. The air was thick with tension, and the sound of our breathing was the only thing that broke the silence.
"Cinnamon, watch out!" Julie suddenly lunged towards me with an urgent shout. In a split second, my mind snapped back to the present, and I realized with horror that I had forgotten about the monsters behind me.
Without thinking, I stumbled forward, trying to put as much distance between me and the creatures as possible.
βJulie!β I yelled when I saw her charge past me towards the pack of zombies.
My heart pounded in my chest as I heard the sound of their claws scraping against the floor and the sickening crunch of bones and flesh being torn apart. "Julie. Juli-" My voice caught in my throat as tears threatened to spill over, but the sight that greeted me when I turned around halted me in my tracks.
As I watched in awe, Julie charged towards a zombie with supernatural speed, her hand slicing through it and shattering its core. The world seemed to freeze as we all processed what had just happened, including Julie, who looked equally stunned.
βFight now, shock later,β Lunar's voice shattered the silence, bringing us back to reality as she engaged in combat with another zombie, preventing it from getting too close to Julie.
βThis oneβs faster than the others,β Lunar said, her frown deepening as the zombie evaded her attacks and dodged Julie's strikes effortlessly.
The rest of us quickly followed suit, dropping whatever articles of clothing we had been holding and drawing our weapons. As we advanced towards the zombies, we noticed sparks flying around the one Lunar had previously engaged with.
As Fey and I cautiously closed in from opposite sides, a bolt of lightning struck again, narrowly missing me. It was the same bolt that had targeted us earlier, and we realized that the source was the zombie we were trying to take down.
"The zombie has powers!" I shouted, turning to warn the others as Fey and I continued to circle around it, trying to avoid its attacks.
"What?!" Julie's voice was laced with disbelief and fear as she exclaimed, causing her to momentarily lose focus on the zombie she was battling. She turned her head towards us, narrowly avoiding the zombie's sharp claws.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," rJ muttered in frustration as he dispatched the zombie he had been battling. Without hesitation, he rushed over to our aid, joining us in the fight against the power-wielding zombie.
Lunar and Julie fought together with impressive coordination, taking down the remaining zombies one by one. Soon, it was only the power-wielding zombie left, and we knew that this one would be the toughest challenge yet.
The power-wielding zombie stood before us, crackling with lightning that danced between its fingertips. With a sudden burst of energy, it slammed its hands on the floor, causing the ground to crack and shake beneath our feet.
In a split second, Julie found herself in the direct trajectory of the shockwave and was sent flying through the air, crashing into a nearby wall with a sickening thud.
"Julie!" I shouted, desperate to rush to her aid. But before I could even take a step, the power-wielding zombie was upon us, its lightning bolts striking out with deadly accuracy and surrounding us in a blinding, crackling storm.
We were completely trapped, with no escape from the onslaught of energy raining down upon us. It felt like a completely one-sided battle, with us constantly on the defensive, dodging and weaving to avoid the zombie's deadly lightning bolts. Despite our best efforts to strike back, we couldnβt even get close due to the torrents of lightning that surrounded the zombie like a shield.
"It's like Thor!" An excited voice rang out next to me. I turned in shock to see Julie standing perfectly fine, with stars in her eyes as she looked at the zombie with a mixture of awe and admiration.
"You-how?" I stuttered, staring in disbelief at Julie, who should have been severely injured after being hit by the zombie earlier.
Julie shrugged nonchalantly, but Lunar's voice snapped us back to reality.
"Oi, will you focus?! The zombie's powers seem to be on cooldown. Attack now!" Lunar barked, her voice urgent and commanding.
As Lunar yelled out her command, I noticed that the barrage of lightning bolts had indeed ceased. I wasted no time and charged ahead, with the rest of the group following, all of us converging towards the zombie. However, just as we were about to reach it, Julie shot through, piercing its chest. The sound of the zombie's white core shattering reverberated through the air as Julie gracefully landed on the other side. The zombie crumpled to the ground, defeated, its body utterly destroyed by the force of Julie's lightning-fast punch.
We all stood there, panting heavily and looking around at each other in disbelief.
"A-ah...I didn't mean to punch so hard," Julie said jokingly, flashing an awkward smile in an attempt to break the silence.
"L-let's get going," I suggested, and the others nodded in agreement. We had to move quickly to avoid any further problems.
As we gathered our clothes, I suddenly realized that I had only grabbed a leather jacket. I quickly scanned the scattered clothing racks and found a decent outfit that I could change into later.
After gathering all of my belongings, I walked around to observe what the others were doing. Julie was wiping the blood from her body, cleaning up after her close-range encounters with the zombies. Fey was helping her out. Meanwhile, rJ stood idly by the entrance, as if on the lookout for any other threats. As I passed by Lunar, I saw that she was poking the severed head of the lightning zombie with her knife.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my face scrunching up in disgust.
"Just inspecting it," Lunar replied nonchalantly. As she spoke, her wrist flicked up, and she sliced the zombie's head, revealing a small purple orb nestled inside.
"Huh..." she murmured, squinting at the purple orb.
Lunar used her knife once again to pluck the orb out, sending it flying into her hand before tucking it away in her pocket.
"What do you need that for?" I asked, my gaze fixed warily on the pocket where she had stowed the orb.
"Who knows, it might come in handy," she replied, muttering to herself.
Despite feeling unsettled by Lunar's actions, I decided to let it go and walked over to join the others, who were already waiting at the entrance.
"Let's go," I said, gesturing for the group that we could set off.
We stepped out of the store and into the deserted street, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the silence. As we made our way down the road, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. It was too quiet, too empty.
A low growl echoed through the street, as my eyes scanned the surroundings before locating the sound coming from an alleyway.
"Seems like we're not the only ones here," Julie said wearily.
As she spoke, a figure emerged from the alleyway ahead. I braced for an attack, but to my surprise, it was a friend who had been with us on the rooftop.
"Andrae?!" Julie exclaimed in disbelief.
Speechless, we gazed at him. He was adorned with an odd assortment of items, including car license plates repurposed as makeshift armor for his shoulders.
"Hey-!" Just as he opened his mouth to respond a zombie leapt out from behind a dumpster and pounced on him, cutting off his words with a bloodcurdling scream.
We watched in horror, our mouths agape with shock. Quickly snapping out of our daze, we rushed over to help him. However, before we could even get close, the zombie stopped its attack, and Andrae slowly rose to his feet. The parts of his body that had been bitten were recovering slowly, but they were now taking on a sickly gray color.
"That was fast," Fey mumbled.
We all exchanged glances before charging towards the now zombified Andrae and his attacker.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 expand / collapse
Exhaling a sigh of relief, I collapsed onto the convenience store floor and leaned against the wall. After cleaning ourselves up with the help of a small staff bathroom at the back, we changed into fresh clothes that we had selected.
I wore a beige turtleneck with high-waisted light blue skinny jeans tucked into black ankle boots with a small heel. Completing the look, I added an edgy brown leather jacket for warmth and protection.
Julie stood out with her simple yet vibrant outfit, wearing a bright yellow turtleneck that added a pop of color to our otherwise muted surroundings. Her practical choice of clothing reflected her no-nonsense attitude, but the color of her top hinted at a more optimistic outlook. She paired it with dark jeans that hugged her figure snugly, with a black belt looped through the waistband. Her black boots were sturdy and practical, allowing her to move quickly and confidently.
Fey was decked out in a mix of clothes and accessories including green cargo shorts, a flannel shirt, and a black leather harness. Two knives with handles were visible, strapped against her shorts.
Meanwhile, rJ sported a light pink button-up shirt paired with black dress pants, completing his outfit with black boots. His outfit seemed to draw inspiration from the flamboyant style of Howl from "Howl's Moving Castle."
Lunar raised an eyebrow at rJ's outfit and exclaimed, "Howl?"
rJ flashed a smile and replied, "How could I resist such a stylish and dashing look?"
Fey chuckled, shaking her head. "You always know how to make an impression," she said.
Julie grinned, clearly amused by rJ's outfit choice. "I have to admit, it suits you," she said.
"We've spent enough time on fashion," Lunar started, casually tossing the purple orb she had taken from the zombie earlier. "Let's talk about Julie's newfound power, shall we?"
We all turned to look at Julie, who was standing awkwardly. The atmosphere grew tense as Lunar's words hung in the air, carrying a mixture of curiosity and concern.
Lunar leaned against the wall, her hair cascading over her shoulder, as she crossed her arms. "How'd it feel?" she asked,
"I... I don't know what happened," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was like a surge of energy consumed me, and suddenly, everything changed."
"You don't think it was a zombie scratch, was it?" Fey asked, her voice filled with excitement. "We all saw that zombie earlier, it had lightning powers."
"There's indeed a chance Julie obtained those powers from the zombie," rJ agreed, deep in thought.
ββββββββββββββ
"What's our next move?"
I thought for a moment and said, "Well, unless we want to venture out and scavenge for more supplies, it looks like our best option is to stay put here and wait until our resources run out." Everyone nodded in agreement, showing their approval of the plan.