I am Nicholas Miller, 42 years old businessman from the USA and friends call me Nick.
Few weeks ago I was excited to come for a romantic vacation with my girlfriend Nadia. For months we had been planning our trip here in Spain and spent some quiet time in a villa rented by my company, but see and behold what an shit show it has been.
What about the romantic day to the sea: Drinking mojitos and walking in dim moonlight watching the ocean? Forget that. Instead of watching my girlfriend smile while I feed her paella, what I get is zombies swarming every day and the world turning into shit.
Never would have I thought that instead of protecting Nadia in this fucked up environment, for first few days it was not so.
With incredible ferocity she butchered the walking dead with only makeshift morning stars, bashing their heads in. Seeing her in a new light: I felt strange, it was almost as if I fell in love with her all over again. This time it was not only her looks, but something I had never seen before.
In wonder I decided to ask her how in god's name did she do it, to which she replied in a sweet smile that all this seemed like the video games that she had played.
Usually busy at work, Nadia had plenty of time for her hobbies and I felt bad that I had no knowledge of such things. Maybe she could teach me now?
After a few more zombie kills Nadia exclaimed that she had leveled up, and invested the points to see the change. The results were near instant: While worried about her safety as she felt throbbing pain, after 10 or so minutes she started to move faster than usual. It worked.
Nadia told me that she felt hungry as a result which put my brains into overdrive. If the level ups and stat increases consume energy, could my own belly fat be used as it?
With new motivation I picked up the makeshift morning star and started to slay the zombies, until I too heard the level up signal.
Investing the points and feeling the change within me I was sure. I could finally be fit again.
And so days passed, until one day slaying the zombies we came across an unusual zombie. It was a former soldier, an assault rifle hanging from his neck but the strangest thing was the zombie's eyes.
They were glowing red and it seemed like soul flames were burning bright within them. Approaching the zombie carefully, me and Nadia prepared to attack it. Showing no signs of reaction at first we sighed a breath of relief and continued the attack, when suddenly orbs of flames started to burst out from its disgusting mouth.
A new variant came to our minds and we dodged what we could but eventually Nadia got hit to her leg and was out of combat potential. It was all up to me now. Enraged, I charged in, delivered a furious uppercut with my morning star and the impact actually broke its skull totally open. Amidst the brain matter and tissue there was crystal of sorts and curious I went to pick it up. That was when I learnt my first skill and became a magician.
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Carrying Nadia back to the villa and nursing her back to health, it would seem that for a few days she should not try to move her leg and had to stay put.
Following days I did the hunting and scavenging, while Nadia was recovering. It felt quite lonely and I missed our tag team for the fights.
Was I becoming someone addicted to fighting or just addicted to Nadia? I fell in thought.
Today started as usual, me and Nadia waking up, making some easy to cook food. The only different thing was that Nadia told me that she had fully healed and her status screen agreed with that statement.
Today we finally were going out for more supplies together again. Bashing small groups of zombies and getting whatever food, drinks and weapons we could find.
Deciding to head back to home something unusual was happening. Someone was climbing our fence.
I called out to him / it just to make sure it was not another zombie variant but an actual person. Relieved that it was not another zombie variant I asked Nadia for her input.
''Who is this dipshit? Climbing our walls looking like he has prepared to go to war. From what I can see he has been through a lot, what do you think Nadia?'' I whispered to her and she just rolled her eyes before answering.
''Dunno, maybe he speaks the truth and wants to rest for a night?''
''Should we let him stay for a night?''
''Up to you, it's rented under your reservation.'' She giggled playfully.
''Alright one night, no more.'' He whispered back to her.
Calling out my terms to the stranger, he quickly agreed. Richard, huh?
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Looking warily at the duo and saw that they held no ill will, I descended back to the ground, keeping my hands in the open without any aggressive signs.
Approaching the duo I felt tense as the black man Nick still had his assault rifle in stand-by and the woman Nadia had posture that is ready for anything. Making a forced friendly smile as I was in front of them I began to explain my intention, and approval that I could stay only for one night.
''So, tomorrow where are you going to go?'' Nick asked me in a friendly tone.
''Searching for a vehicle and heading towards El Prat airport, maybe there is still plane that is available for me to get back home.''
Nadia injected herself to the conversation at this point and reminded me of the cold hard facts.
''Even if you do get to the airport, what then? It is absurd to think that there are any planes or flights taking off. Barcelona has nearly 2 million people living in it and how many do you think are turned? You will never make it.'' Swirling her hair in her fingers she uttered, looking exhausted and continued.
''Besides, we have been here ever since this all started. Want to guess how many aircraft we have seen during this time?''
''10 ?''
''Zero. So that should tell you something about the option to fly back home in nice business class, even I was hoping there were chance to get back to USA.''
Feeling dejected I sat my ass on the ground looking blankly forward, grimacing at the sad reality of things. Of course I felt that something was strange, but paid little attention to it at the time.
''Let's go inside, I want to hear why you look like a bloodied hobo marching for war and maybe exchange some useful information.'' Nick comforted me, opened the front gate and started to walk inside with Nadia.
Picking myself up I followed in while occupied by the thought that airway traffic is no longer an option. Inside the yard it was clean and had no traces of zombies anywhere. Nick locked the gate again and we headed inside.
''It's getting late, we should postpone the conversation till tomorrow and you can go clean yourself up. The shower is on the 2nd floor, but don't expect hot water. And your room is on the 3rd floor, first door in the right hand side by the staircases.''
Grateful for their generosity to let me stay for a night, I headed to wash myself and afterwards went directly to my room, threw my clothes on the floor, locked the door and moved furniture to block it, just in case. Observed the room briefly, collapsed on the bed in my underwear and soon fell asleep.