CHAPTER I

Today was a long day. I was running away from zombies all day. I had to find a safe place to hide and avoid the zombies. I want to go back home, I want to find my Dad. But it's impossible, considering the situation I'm in.

I've been on the run for months, going from one house to the next. I'm constantly scavenging for food, water, and other necessities. Everywhere I go, the zombies are after me. I have to stay on the move, turning and weaving through the streets, hoping to outrun them. Fear and adrenaline are my only companions, and each new day is like an eternity of dread. But I must stay strong because no matter how far I get, the zombie horde is always just a step behind.

How long would I have to live like this?

I check the backpack for food, but my hopes are low. I find a few pieces of stale bread and some browning apples. I decide to keep them just in case, but I'm sure I won't be able to tolerate the taste. I try to ration the food, but it's not much. I'll have to look for fresh food soon if I don't want to starve. Maybe I'll find a place with food, or I could find some edible plants. I just hope I find something soon.

After a few hours, I stepped outside the house where I stayed for a while, taking in the quiet serenity of my surroundings. The sun was setting, and the sky was gradually turning a burnt honey orange. There was no one around - just birds chirping and leaves rustling in the wind. I started walking, looking around for food. I spotted a few wild berries, so I picked some and placed them in my bag. As I kept walking, I stumbled across a few patches of mushrooms and some wild apples, so I took those as well. I was happy with my haul of wild food and started to walk towards an abandoned grocery store just a few walks away from where I'm at.

I stepped cautiously into the abandoned grocery store, trying not to make too much noise. The air was stale and the place was incredibly dusty. No one had been here in a long time. I slowly walked around, checking my surroundings and listening for any sounds. There were no signs of life or movement, only the faint echo of my footsteps. I sighed in relief when I determined that no zombies were lurking around. I was relieved but still uneasy. I quickly checked if there was still food and medicine left. I was relieved to find that there was still plenty of food and medicine in the store. Most of the items were still safe to consume and had not expired. I was able to get enough groceries to survive for several weeks, and the medicines were the exact dosages I needed. It was a great relief to not have to worry about finding sustenance during this uncertain time.

"Look how lucky I am today," I smiled while I was putting everything inside my backpack, "I think there are some other things that are useful here," I went to the far side of the store.

I searched for something that could be used to fight off zombies. I eventually found a heavy-duty hammer that had a long handle and a wide head. It seemed perfect for smashing zombie heads--just what I needed to stay safe. I took the hammer and felt its weight in my hand. I took a few practice swings, getting a feel for the grip and the balance of the hammer. When suddenly, a zombie staggered into the store. It was groaning, its eyes glazed and empty, and bits of flesh were missing from its tattered clothes. Fear riveted me and my heart pounded as I watched it slowly approach. When it reached the cashier, it just stood there, swaying back and forth. I quickly backed away, desperate to not become its next meal.

"Aaarrrgggghhhhh!"

I felt a chill run down my spine when I heard the zombie's groan. My heart raced as I watched it rush towards me. There was no escape. The shock is all-consuming. My muscles become rigid, and my hammer falls to the ground with a clatter. My movements are beyond my control, and I'm helpless to remain in place. All I can manage to do is take in long, deep breaths until the shock passes and I can move again. Until then, I'm rooted to the spot.

What should I do? Am I gonna die here? Am I gonna die like this?

I closed my eyes and...

CLUNK!

The zombie was down, with a large gash in its skull. Blood pooled around it, and its body lay lifeless. The silence was deafening. Suddenly, a bat swung from the darkness, connecting with the zombie's head with a loud CRACK. Its head shattered on impact, the sound echoing through the area. The zombie was no longer a threat. The one with the bat must have been brave and determined to take on the zombie with such courage. I looked at the one who swayed the bat.

A man in his early twenties is standing right where the zombie is. He had a strong jawline and a rugged look that made him seem like the strong, silent type. He had dark, shiny eyes and a full head of thick, black hair that was cut into an angular shape. His complexion was a deep olive, with a hint of a tan, and a trim, muscular physique. He radiated an air of confidence and assurance that was both captivating and alluring. He also had an aura of warmth, as if he had a certain charm that was impossible to resist. His style was both classic and modern, and his outfits seemed to be carefully composed. Even with all the sweat and blood that covers him, he still looks hot.

"This way! Hurry up!" The man's grip was tight as he pulled me out of the store. He was running for his life, yelling for us to hurry up. There were hundreds of zombies coming our way, swiftly making their way closer, ready to devour us. Fear was stuck in my throat, and I knew this was the end if we didn't move fast. We ran for what felt like forever. Finally, when the zombies were left far enough behind, we stopped and caught our breath.

"Are you okay?" said the man who saved me earlier at the store.

"Wh-who... are you?" I said while breathing heavily.

"No 'thank you' ?" he smirked. "By the way, we need to get going, it's getting dark," he said as we continued running into an abandoned school.

We cautiously approached the old abandoned school. The abandoned school is securely fenced off to keep away any potential zombie intruders. The fence is composed of thick metal spikes and barbed wire, creating an impenetrable perimeter. The school itself is dilapidated and decayed from years of neglect, with its paint flaking and exterior crumbling. Taking one last glance behind us, we opened the gate and stepped inside. As we went inside, the only contents are dust and cobwebs, a stark reminder of its previous purpose, thankful that the shed and fence had provided us with a safe refuge.

"Ken!" a girl rushed to the man's side and was relieved to see that he was alright, "Are you hurt?" she said while checking the man.

"Hey, Ken. Did you get the one I told you?" another girl came out of nowhere.

"No, I didn't get that medicine you told me. I checked for it at the store but there's no more medicine in there," he said sadly.

"Oh, this can't be," the girl was overwhelmed with emotions. Her tears began to flow as she buried her face in her hands.

"Hey, what kind of medicine are you looking for at the store?" I asked the man I met at the store.

"And who is she?" said the girl who approached first.

"Her? I met her at the store earlier while I was on an errand. She was nearly attacked by a zombie that's why I helped her," the man explained, "By the way, I was looking for an Ibuprofen," he continued.

"It's been days since my sister has had a fever. I'm afraid she might not die because of the zombie but because of sickness," she cried.

"I think I have something here for fever," I checked my backpack for medicine, "Here, I have an Advil," I gave her the medicine bottle.

"Thank you so much," she hugged me.

"Hey, we need to get upstairs to the main room now. A zombie might hear us here," the man said.

We quickly moved towards the main room of the shed, where we saw a few more survivors.

THIS STORY IS TO BE CONTINUED --

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