Bzz!

Bzz!

Bzz!

God! What the fuck is that?

In the silence I could hear a vibrating noise one after another. I stopped moving to pinpoint where it’s coming from and finally walked back onto the balcony.

In the corner was a black back of a phone…

My phone!

I quickly picked it up and turned it over. In no surprise, I could see that there was a spider web of cracks all over the screen. Sigh, watching videos on this would be a hassle once more. Why do all my phone screens crack like I didn’t just pay five hundred dollars for them?

Answering the phone call, I held the device a few inches away from my ear.

“Are you really an idiot! Do you have a death wish? Should I just come over and bite you on the neck before a zombie does? What is wrong with you!”

Ah, the tech nerd seems to be really upset. Maybe I should pretend my phone completely broke? Wait.

“Bite me on the neck?” I asked puzzled.

The other side became quiet.

“Die out there.”

Was the last of what she said before shutting the phone off. The drone whirred itself onto a nearby table and parked on top of it. I’m guessing not to waste its battery.

Still though, did she just say bite my neck?

….

For some reason I’m getting turned o-

Bzzt!

Bzzt!

The phone again?

I picked up the call without hesitation and put it next to my ear.

“So what’s the plan?” Asked Kayla in a non-angered tone.

I smiled a bit unconsciously but then came back to my senses.

“Well, I’m pretty sure the lobby must be empty now since I made all that noise earlier. I’ll just go across the street and have a talk with our neighbors.”

…

“Is that really the wisest idea? What’s up with you and wanting to go talk to some stranger? Especially one who has a gun. During an apocalypse no less. What’s the reason?”

I can’t tell her that it’s a quest from a random system in my head right? And who knows what will happen if I don’t listen to it and have the thing reach zero. My head might just very well explode!

But I can’t tell her that…

“Can’t you just scavenge some food from the apartment you are in and bring it back here? We aren’t even low in supplies and if you bring over some more, we could probably hold out until this whole thing blows over… what do you say? Jack?”

“I— I can’t. I have to go over.”

Will this quest change if I don’t go over? There’s too many things I don’t know. Who knows… maybe the reason the system is telling me to go is because he knows something as well.

“Fine, whatever. Leave the drone out on the balcony. I’ll scout ahead. Do you have earphones?”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Earphones? No, don’t have any.”

“Well, try looking around for some. I want to stay on call with you while you’re outside.”

“Mm okay.”

I wonder if the system vending machine has some ones I could make… let’s check.

Summoning the mental vending machine, I scrolled through the catalog. The drone was off so I couldn’t see what I was doing but the tech nerd was still on call.

Ah! Found it!

… two-hundred fifty credits?! What the duck!

Why are earphones so god damn expensive. Along with phone chargers and stuff. Ahhh, the developers of this shit system really do want me to suffer.

I went into the room deflated and started rummaging through drawers. It seemed like a couple lived here. I found a framed picture of a girl and guy on a hiking trip… really hope I didn’t kill someone’s family. If there was a way to cure someone I wouldn’t know how to live with myself.

Finding a single cord of wired earphones, I fitted it into my phone and right ear to see if it worked.

“Say something.” I ordered.

“Hello, hello?” Kayla answered into my one ear.

Perfect. It works.

“Hello, hello? Can you hear me. Hello! Jack!”

“What the f— why are you screaming?!”

“Oh it works. Answer the first time I ask, idiot.”

Maybe I should just keep this thing on mute…

An hour or so later, I finished stuffing my bag with extra food. It took so long because I had to rearrange my stuff and I spent most of the time arguing with the tech nerd with what not to bring with me.

Like the person before me has this flat screen HD tv and you are telling me we are just going to leave this here? I wouldn’t mind making multiple trips!

Plus there’s a game console here with a few games. Plus the computer. Ahh, there’s just so much… maybe I should just live here?

No, no, no… my arcade machines and desktop is downstairs. Who knows… Kayla might find my “folder” and use it against me. I definitely can’t let her see that. I would rather turn!

So as of now, my bag was filled mostly with non crunchable foods so they couldn’t make sounds as I moved about. Don’t want to be a walking buffet for these corpses after all.

I fitted the bag over my shoulder and carefully peaked out. The halls were still dark so I had to readjust my eyes. However, it seemed like no one was on this floor. Did the zombies not make a pit stop here?

Well, this is good for me!

I tiptoed my way over to the stairwell. Creeping down the stairs, I walked alll the way down to the first floor without making contact with a single zombie. When I came into the hall, I could see one zombie thumping it’s head against the wall. It almost made me feel bad for the poor thing.

I took out my phone and sent a text over to Kayla.

“Go make noise.” Was all I said in my text.

I could hear the tech nerd in my ear as she grumbled something under her breath. What’s he mumbling about now? Does she want to be the one out here while I’m inside? Hey, if she had the system instead of me and I got to be worry free inside my room then by oh means, let her have it!

Thud!

A loud noise emanated from the door that made the lone zombie in the lobby snap its head towards it. It hurtled its way over and fell through the door.

Through the small amount of time I got to see outside, I could see multiple zombies running in the same direction. That must be Kayla.

I quickly made a break for the door and gently pushed it open so no sound except for a tiny creak would be made because of its age.

When I got outside, the sky was orange and I could tell that the sun was peeking over. What time is it? I haven’t been out for that long have I? If the zombies gain their sight…

I’m screwed.

I turned my head over to see that the drone was hovering above a wrecked car. Zombies were piling over each other to try and reach up to the thing but to no avail.

It’s now or never!

I carefully made my way across the street. When I got to the halfway point though, a street lamp down the street flickered on which caught my attention. Why and how did that turn on?

A few seconds later, a lamp post next to it also decided to turn on! What’s happening?

Slowly I watched as the whole street turned on in succession of the other. Until eventually, the lamppost above my head started to flicker on.

One click… two clicks… three clicks…

Ding.

I covered my eyes as the light above me shone in full force.

Without even being halfway across the street, I became stuck like a piece of meat surrounded by a horde of flesh eating monsters. A wry smile appeared on my face as I aimed my eyes lower and lower.

Until I was staring at a bunch of fucked up faces eyeing in my direction. This may not be the sun. But this is a fucking disaster!

The zombies started hurtling towards me like I was the only watering hole in a desert.

“Run! Run! Get out of there now!” Yelled Kayla.

“Haaaah, this is not looking too good.”

I felt my legs shaking underneath me but I still attempted to run. I sprinted as hard as I could. Having my eyes closed, I could sense the disgusting creatures coming closer and closer.

Let me live! Let me live! Please god! Let me fucking live!

Bang.