“Hey, I’ve got 2,000 Chad points. Why don’t we have some fun.”

“Fuck off.”

“Come on, don’t be like that. I’ll be fine with just a handy.”

{After rejecting him, I walk away but he grabs my wrist. This bastard really doesn’t know when to take no for answer.}

“If you won’t give me one then I’ll kill you.”

“Do you really think I’m scared?”

{He was threatening me with a knife but why would I be scared. His hands were shaking and his posture was unstable. There are probably hundreds of way I could defeat him without getting injured.}

{I kick the arm that was the knife before kicking him away. Seeing that he lost his weapon, he begins to back up but I’m not going to let him go. He needs a little punishment before he learns his lesson. He turns around to run away but I kick the back of his knees. He falls face first and I step on his back with my boots.}

“Don’t you dare try that again. The next time I see you do, I’ll break a bone or two.”

“Hiih, o-ok.”

{I release my foot and he scurries away like a rat.}

“Hey, what’s wrong Mako?”

“Nothing much, just another piece of trash from Chad’s faction.”

“I see. We really have to deal with them. It’s starting to become a problem.”

{It’s really been such a hassle since Chad and his group joined up with ours. Before our base in the library’s basement was attacked, Chad and his group had sought us for safety. Apparently, their base back a plaza 1 was compromised when the zombies started to notice there presence on the third floor.}

{I really wanted to reject their refuge but Lisa was too kind. She quickly took them in and I still think it was a mistake. They were only there for a few days before the base was attacked but Chad had already incorporated his damn Chad System within the group. We tried to stop them from spreading their influence but we didn’t have the time. Lisa was to busy with just trying to keep everyone alive and well.}

{But this all changed on the day our base was attacked. It was three days after Jude had disappeared that the entrance from inside the library was suddenly destroyed. A pillar of earth broke through the barricade and killed a few people. Once the barricades were blasted down, a horde of zombies began to low into the base. This attack on our base was definitely unnatural and even felt like someone had planned it. Whoever used that earth magic must have been leading those zombies.}

{The situation quickly became chaotic after the initial attack. People were injured and more were being attacked by zombies. It was a terrible day for our group. I can still remember it, the screams of pain and fear that filled the basement. Living in an apocalyptic was already harsh and losing our base made it even worse.}

{I was amazed when Lisa was able to quickly regain her senses. She immediately ordered the Shield and Attack squads to prioritize saving others. She knew our situation was hopeless so she didn’t order them to fight, just to protect and save whoever they could. They immediately followed Lisa’s orders and began saving as many people as they could.}

{They were a well-trained bunch and its such a shame that so many of them died that day. Their jobs were to protect people while they escaped through the other exit and they did their jobs until the very end. None of them backed down in the face of overwhelming zombies.}

{While Lisa, William, and Gareth were out there supporting the others, Gogo, Jill, Fifi, and I went back to our room to gather our supplies. It was our job to pack whatever we could take on the road since our journey was going to be a rough one.}

{The same room our small group slept in was the same room we used to store our supplies so it was convenient to pack up. While we were packing things into our backpacks and bags, Fifi was off doing something by herself. I didn’t learn it later but she was leaving a map for Jude.}

{The previous days, William and Gareth had already explained to us that they were going to go to their base when Jude gets back so they explained to us where it was in case something goes wrong. Maybe we jinxed ourselves but something did happen and we had to head on over to their base without Jude.}

{William had clearly explained how to get to their base and I guess it was during that time that Fifi had drawn a map for Jude. She had also prepared for the worst-case scenario of us having to leave Jude behind. Everyone around us had prepared for the worse and I’m sure if Mei 1 was back to normal then she would have done the same.}

{After we were done packing, we leave the basement while the Attack and Shield squad continues to protect the people. Lisa and I wanted to go back to save them but we were rejected. They didn’t want our help, rather, they just wanted us to survive for them. Until the very end, they never once looked back towards us. None of them hesitated to buy us time so we could survive.}

{After saying our farewells to them, we had to leave. Lisa wiped away her tears and began giving out commands. Our group consisted of William, Gareth, Gogo, Jill, Lisa, Fifi, me, and others who followed us.}

{Even though the outside was safer than inside of the basement, there were still zombies all around the campus. The only good thing was that these zombies still seemed sluggish unlike the ones in the base.}

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{Lisa’s first order was for Fifi to find us the safest path. Since she could fly, she guided our way towards safety. Our group was able to leave the campus with ease and we hid at the nearby convenience store.}

{The inside of the store was a mess but it was still relatively safe. The windows were intact and the doors weren’t broken either. We checked the entire area but we didn’t even see any signs of zombies being around the area. Since we were safe, Lisa decided that we should rest for a while. Everyone was exhausted after everything we’ve just been through.}

{Out of the over 100 people within the base, there were only 20 people in our group. A lot of people had died or were separated from us.}

{The one who was taking it the hardest was Lisa. Everyone had recognized her as the leader of the entire group and William and Gareth had even given up that position to her. On her shoulders was the weight of everyone who believed in her and she couldn’t save them. So many people have died and she was blaming herself for not being able to save them.}

{It wasn’t her fault for not being able to save everyone. No one would have expected those zombies to suddenly attack our base. The only thing I could do for her is to hold her tight and let her cry her heart out. Lisa eventually fell asleep like everyone else in the convenience store. Everyone was exhausted.}

{After an hour or so, William and Gareth began to wake everyone up. They had been guarding us and they decided it was time for us to leave. Staying at this store any longer wouldn’t be safe for us.}

{Everyone grabbed whatever supplies they could find within the store before we went on our way. The following two days were dangerous but we were able to proceed with relative ease. If we weren’t in a zombie apocalypse then getting to William’s base would have only taken a few hours, but it was better to be safe than have anyone die.}

{We were also fortunate enough to have Fifi on our side. She was able to scout out the areas and tell us whether it was safe or not. We were able to avoid facing any special zombies throughout our entire journey. Just like that, we arrived at William and Gareth’s place.}

{It was a really large place, you could even call it a mansion. There were large walls protecting the entire estate and it didn’t seem like anyone had broken into the place. This was definitely a safe place for us to stay at.}

{Everyone quickly got situated with our new base and we began getting supplies for us to survive. Lisa was able to organize a schedule for us to survive. Teams were created and sent out into the city to look for supplies and other survivors.}

{Everything was going well and our group slowly grew from 20 to 50. We were able to stock up on food and other necessities while we also had weapons to fight zombies. William and Gareth had guns which they allowed leaders of each group to use. The two leaders would each be given a handgun but they had to be trusted by Lisa. If Lisa didn’t approve of them, then the guns would be handed off to others she trusted.}

{Lisa only gave guns to those she trusted because the situation required it. Our group had been split into two factions, the Chad faction, and the Lisa faction. William and Gareth knew that those in Chad’s faction couldn’t be trusted so they only allowed those that Lisa trusted to use the guns. Even then, I’m sure they didn’t trust anyone. Wiliam and Gareth definitely had more dangerous weapons in their arsenal.}

{Everything was fine except for Chad being in our group. If only he wasn’t here then everything would be fine. It was a blunder that we didn’t notice that Chad was one of the people who had followed us when we left the library’s basement. He even brought along perm douche and other members of his faction.}

{Once again, Chad had set up his damn Chad System again. Many of the survivors we find on our scavenges would be corrupted by the Chad System. After surviving in such a hostile environment, they were all weak mentally and physically so the Chad System was all too alluring for them. They would be able to vent all of their pent up stress onto the bodies of women. I feel sorry for Professor Jane who has to deal with all of these men.}

{I really want to help her but I can’t. The situation has become to complicated. Chad’s faction has grown too much and is larger than the Lisa faction now. The only reason they haven’t done anything yet is that our side has guns.}

“Mako, you alright?”

“Oh, sorry Gogo. I just spaced out a little bit.”

“Ok, let me get back to what I was talking about. It seems like another survivor was found.”

“Alright, let’s go check them out.”

{Our current goal is to recruit any new survivor so they don’t work with the Chad faction. Chad and his faction have no guns but if their faction becomes too big then one of these days they might try to rebel against us. It would be fine if we just go in and beat up everyone in the Chad faction but Lisa is too nice. She wants us, humans, to work together to overcome our troubles but I don’t think we can work with the Chad faction.}

{Gogo and I walk down the stairs, and I hear something fly past us. It was Fifi and it looks like she was in a hurry. She’s been hanging out with Lisa lately so I haven’t had time to talk with her.}

‘I CAN SMELL HIM!!!!!!’

Mei 1, you’re awake!? What are you talking about?

{Suddenly I feel myself lose control of the body. Mei 1 is forcibly taking control of it.}

|......|

(This familiar smell. There can only be one person who it belongs to.)

“Whoa!”

“What’s wrong?”

“N-nothing.”

(That lovely voice of yours. How I’ve missed it. Your entire existence is the sole reason I’m alive!)

“JUDE!!!!”

(I couldn’t hold myself back. I run down the stairs and tackle him down.)

This smell! This feeling! This warmth! Aaaaaahhhhh!!!! I’ve missed it so much!

“Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude!”

“Sorry for worrying you, Mako.”

“Jude!!”

(His hands were gently combing through my hair. How did he become so skilled? Is this what you call bliss? I can die happy right now!!)

“Don’t cry, Mako. I’m alive and well.”

“J-Jude!!!”

(I couldn’t coherently reply back. I’m in bliss right now. Jude’s holding me tight within his embrace and he’s calmly patting my back. I couldn’t wish for anything more.)

I LOVE YOU, JUDE!!!!

“JUDE!!!!”

‘Gosh, aren’t you embarrassed!?’

‘J-Jude’s alive.’

I don’t care! Let me enjoy my time with Jude!

“Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude! Jude!”

“Yes, yes, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere anymore.”