“We should still get some clothes from the workers here before heading for that store you mentioned.” [Ryner]

Ryner said to an unhappy-looking Jessica. After exiting the office of her former boss, the duo was walking around the 20th floor that was littered with corpses.

“Like this lady right here! She’s got pants that you could wear, even if they smell bad. And that one over there has shoes without high heels. It’ll make going through a crowd of zombies much easier.” [Ryner]

“Um… I’m already used to my high heels, so… Can we not take anything that belongs to them?” [Jessica]

“You don’t want this free bag either?” [Ryner]

He asked as he held up a black handbag that looked expensive.

“A bag is okay. A coat I could endure for a bit. But, shirts, pants, shoes… I have to put it on my body, against my skin… I just… Thinking that it’s theirs, that I might get their rotten scent on me again… I can’t stomach it… I, I want to leave it all behind…” [Jessica]

Jessica said in a shaky voice while hugging her arms, her shoulders trembling and her face turning green.

“… Well, fine. It looks like it’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth.” [Ryner]

Ryner threw the handbag behind him.

“I’m really, really sorry.” [Jessica]

“So long as you carry that backpack like you said you would, then we’ll wait before doing your shopping.” [Ryner]

“Yeah… And thanks.” [Jessica]

On Jessica’s back was a black backpack that had been stuffed with various supplies such as food, water and medicine. Moreover, tucked in the side pocket was a glass bottle with a white rag sticking out of it. She had agreed to carry the backpack despite her extreme discomfort at holding onto anything belonging to an employee of her workplace. However, there were some exceptions.

“Jessica.” [Ryner]

When Ryner headed for the stairs, he noticed that his companion wasn’t following him and was instead standing still, gazing at a corpse.

“Again?” [Ryner]

He asked, sounding a bit exasperated since she had done it several times already.

“… This is Roussel.” [Jessica]

Jessica said as she kneeled down next to the rotten body of a greyish, dark-skinned man with short, black hair.

“Besides Goldfrey, he’s the last person I talked to when the outbreak started.” [Jessica]

She expressionlessly stared at his deformed face. His lips were ripped off and his forehead was caved in.

“This person often talked big, said I was bad for the company’s morals… But, he didn’t mind doing the same as everyone else.” [Jessica]

The blue-eyed woman took from the deceased the red ID card that every D-Rubicon employee possessed. Ryner had seen her do the same with her former boss and several other coworkers. To him, she looked like a hunter claiming a trophy from her quarry.

“Didn’t you say you’d rather not take anyone’s stuff?” [Ryner]

“This is different. I feel like I have to.” [Jessica]

“Carrying around so many is useless. It’ll weight you down.” [Ryner]

“I’ll throw them away later. Right now… I just want to collect them.” [Jessica]

Jessica said, unable to properly explain what compelled her to snatch up their keycards.

“… People can only take so much before they break.” [Ryner]

Ryner muttered under his breath when he saw her blank expression and the lack of malice, hatred or grief in her eyes as she gazed at the card. There was only a murky obsession.

“What?” [Jessica]

“Nothing. You alright?” [Ryner]

“Uh, yeah, yeah, I’m alright. Let’s go.” [Jessica]

The two then went to the dark stairwell where they began their descent. Zombies were still present inside, which was why Ryner went first to clear the way. On his signal, Jessica would follow and stick close to him. From behind, she would watch him work using a flashlight as he repeatedly and single-handedly wiped out every infected that threatened him. One swing of his sledgehammer would usually dispatch an undead instantly.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Then, the one behind it would take its place, only to be eliminated by a powerful blow to the head that shattered its skull. To her, it looked as if they were lining up to die by his hand. Even though she flinched every time she heard the wet and crunchy sound of flesh and bones getting crushed, she oddly felt at ease. Ryner made sure that he was always positioned between her and the zombies.

So, despite being in a dark, narrow stairwell with walking corpses approaching her, Jessica did not freak out. When the coast was clear and there were no more undead, the two descended the flight of stairs, avoiding the bodies at their feet, and reached the first floor. Taking a step outside of the building, Jessica felt moved. Standing in the middle of the road, she looked at the blue sky that was not obstructed by a ceiling with teary eyes.

“I finally escaped from that place after two months…” [Jessica]

She said and closed her eyes to savor the moment before turning towards Ryner.

“Thank you...!” [Jessica]

She told him, packing as much gratitude as she could in two words. Ryner’s attention, however, was focused elsewhere. He was keeping watch of their surroundings and noticed them.

“HEEEY! PEOPLE!” [???]

A male voice called out loudly from their left. A group of six individuals was jogging towards Ryner and Jessica, jumping on top of the abandoned cars or circumventing them. Each of the men was wearing everyday clothes such as T-shirts, pants and comfortable shoes. Some also had a jacket or a hoodie on them, but everyone carried a backpack, and everyone was armed. Either a firearm or a melee weapon could be seen in their hands.

“The rescue is here!” [???]

“Yeah, bro!” [???]

After arriving within ten meters of each other, a dark-skinned man of average appearance energetically declared to which one of his friends happily approved.

“Well, look at that. Six people. Six whole people that aren’t zombies.” [Ryner]

Ryner said, wondering why he had tried so hard to find a single survivor when six of them would just come running on their own. Meanwhile, Jessica had already hidden behind him. She was fine when confronted by the undead, but she could not handle having to suddenly interact with other living people, especially men.

“Of course we’re not zombies! We’re SURVIVORS, bro!” [???]

“Hell yeah!” [???]

“Hell yeah!” [???]

“““Hell yeah!””” [???]

“That’s great, seriously great, but who are you and could you keep it down?” [Ryner]

“What? Worried about the zombies? No problemo, bro! This place is cleeeaaar! Anyway, I’m Jason, the leader of this band of misfits. You can call me Jay.” [Jason]

The dark-skinned, dark brown-eyed man, who was in his early twenties, introduced himself. His black hair was cut very short. He was dressed in a dirty, white T-shirt and a brown jacket. He wore a pair of blue jeans and black and white shoes. The man was slightly taller than Ryner and possessed a lean and strong build. In his left hand was a black, semi-automatic pistol. He smiled and showed his white teeth before knocking on the shoulder of his friend on his right.

“This here’s Gary, the G-man!” [Jason]

“Thanks, bro!” [Gary]

“Anytime, bro!” [Jason]

Gary, who was also in his early twenties, bumped his fist with Jason’s. He had blue eyes, a light skin tone and black hair cut short with long bangs combed to the right. There was a trimmed mustache on his slightly handsome face. He wore a black hoodie and black pants with white shoes that were kept squeaky clean. His physique was similar to Jason and he similarly carried a semi-automatic pistol.

“Aaaand that’s Taj, Tommy, Tucker and Tahir.” [Jason]

“Hey! Why were our intros so sloppy, bro?!” [Taj]

“Yeah, bro!” [Tommy]

“I demand a redo, bro!” [Tucker]

“Hell yeah, bro!” [Tahir]

The rest of his friends, who were in their twenties, booed him in unison. Ryner noted that one of them, possibly Taj, had a handgun while the other three were waving around baseball bats and a pipe. Moreover, he checked his surroundings as a precaution. They were in the middle of the road with abandoned cars everywhere. The closest one was to his right, only a few steps away. Furthermore, like Jason said, no zombie was in sight.

“Guys guys guys guys guys! Look, chill! The important part’s not our names! The important part… Is that we’re BROTHERS FROM THE BROTHERHOOOOD!!” [Jason]

“True, bro!” [Gary]

“Hell yeah, bro!” [Taj]

“Awesome, bro!” [Tommy]

“My name is still important, bro.” [Tucker]

“Shut up, Tucker!” [Tahir]

The group of six were getting excited among themselves before quickly calming down.

“Anyway, dude, what’s your name?” [Jason]

“Ryner, and she’s Jessica.” [Ryner]

Jessica, having been named, peeked from behind Ryner. Then, she slowly stepped aside to show herself.

“… I’m Jessica.” [Jessica]

“““OHHHHH!!!””” [Brotherhood]

The six brothers from the Brotherhood all got excited again.

“Bro, she’s a super sexy ho-gah!” [Gary]

“Idiot, G! We’re supposed to say ‘lady’ remember?!” [Jason]

“What a beautiful lady…” [Taj]

“She’s easily a Diamond-Class.” [Tommy]

“Damn it! We can’t touch a Diamond-Class, bro!” [Tucker]

“Goodbye, my first love… Or was it my third?” [Tahir]

Gary rubbed his sore flank that got elbowed by Jason. The dark-skinned man seemed to be composed compared to his friends who were all eyeing Jessica. However, he couldn’t hide the way his gaze licked her all over, which made her shiver.

“Well, NOW, we definitely have to bring you two back with us to the Brotherhood!” [Jason]

As such, he was no different and kept staring at the glasses-wearing woman like his brothers while talking to Ryner.

“The Brotherhood. Is that the name of your group?” [Ryner]

“Yeah, but officially, we’re the ‘Brotherhood and Ladyhood’! Saying ‘Brotherhood’ is just faster, and cooler than ‘BL’ or ‘BAL’ which sounds lame.” [Jason]

“All ladies are welcome!” [Gary]

Gary suddenly shouted from the side.

“And we’re here to save you!” [Gary]

He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it off. Written on it was a short message requesting help.

“Is that…?” [Jessica]

Jessica realized that it was one of the sheets of paper that she had thrown outside after writing down her plea for a rescue.

“I knew the handwriting belonged to a lady! I just knew it! Didn’t I tell you I knew it, Jay?” [Gary]

“You sure did, G-man.” [Jason]

“Hell yeah?” [Gary]

“Hell yeah!” [Jason]

“Hell yeah!” [Gary]

“““HELL YEAH!””” [Brotherhood]

----------------------------------------

Item of interest

Handbag:

* Shiny, black leather handbag.

* Super expensive.

* Didn’t actually belong to the previous owner.