“I meant to ask, but why are we on the second floor instead of going back on the 20th to hide?” [Jessica]
“Because we’re getting out of here.” [Ryner]
Ryner plainly answered Jessica, who had joined him once no undead was left standing.
“You, you want to leave now?” [Jessica]
“It was great to know that there’s a group of survivors out there, but I don’t want to stay and run into even weirder strangers. Like, a cult that worships zombies or something.” [Ryner]
“No, I mean, there’s a horde of infected right outside. Shouldn’t we wait?” [Jessica]
“For them to disperse? Who knows when or if it’ll happen. Also, if they do, then that means that hundreds of zombies will be wandering around the area. I’d rather sneak out the back door while they’re all gathered at the front entrance.” [Ryner]
“… And… That’s supposed to be the backdoor?” [Jessica]
“Uh-huh. Coast is clear from what I see.” [Ryner]
There were large windows on the walls of the second floor and Ryner was covering one in grey duct tape. He taped a rectangular area large enough for a person to pass through with the window frame immediately on the left. Once he was done, he retrieved from his duffel bag a pair of work gloves that he put on and a toolbox from which he took out a screwdriver. Placing the tip against the duct tape, he tapped the back of the tool with the side of his fist like a hammer.
The glass cracked from the blow and he repeated the process several times starting below and working his way upward. Moreover, after hitting a taped area with the screwdriver, he pushed it with the palm of his hand, gradually applying force until the glass beneath shattered. Then, once he arrived at the top, he strongly pushed the taped area, breaking it all off from the window before hurriedly catching and bringing it inside.
“… So… We’re really jumping out of the second floor…?” [Jessica]
Jessica asked incredulously as she stared at the hole Ryner had just made.
“Pretty much.” [Ryner]
Ryner answered in a carefree manner as he similarly made a smaller hole in the window to the left, right next to the frame. He then tied a rope that he retrieved from his duffel bag around the frame after removing the glass shards on both sides.
“Ok, no zombie in sight. I’ll lower you first and then follow after. Ready?” [Ryner]
He turned around and asked an unprepared Jessica.
“… Oh god.” [Jessica]
After picking up their belongings, the two safely made it down from the second floor. Reluctantly leaving the rope behind, they crossed the street and walked on the sidewalk while crouching low.
“Let’s go. Stay behind me and do as I say.” [Ryner]
“O-okay.” [Jessica]
They headed to their left while using cars as cover, arriving at the intersection. Ryner, peeking from the corner of the building on his right, checked to see if there were any zombies. Next, he looked in the opposite direction. On the street in front of the Dacles Rubicon skyscraper where he had fought, hundreds of zombies were packed together. Simultaneously, as if they noticed his gaze, dead eyes turned towards him.
“Ah, they saw us.” [Ryner]
“What?!” [Jessica]
“Time to go!” [Ryner]
The horde slowly moved after them, forcing Ryner and Jessica to flee. They ran down the silent, desolate road of the city. Chilling groans and bloodcurdling moans followed their backs, causing great stress to Jessica. A slit had been torn on the right and left sides of her black skirt to make running easier. But, it didn’t help ease her mind and she was rapidly losing steam. Despite only jogging for a short time, she was already out of breath.
“Hey, kid, relax.” [Ryner]
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Ryner, who was right in front of her, said in a carefree manner that didn’t suit the situation.
“Sure, we’re being chased by a horde of zombies, but their greater numbers didn’t suddenly turn them into athletic runners. Just look at how slow they are.” [Ryner]
“O-okay!” [Jessica]
“If worse comes to worse, we’ll ditch everything and I’ll carry you. So breathe.” [Ryner]
With Ryner’s encouragement, Jessica calmed down a bit and followed his pace closely. Gradually, the distance between the two joggers and the hundreds of walking dead bodies behind them was growing larger.
“See? Easy, right?” [Ryner]
“Haa… I… Haa… Guess…” [Jessica]
Jessica answered while panting as she continued to run. Looking up at the sky, she then realized how blue it was, how brightly the sun shone and how it was the first time that she was running on the street that had zero traffic. It was oddly calming and liberating. Her job at Dacles Rubicon was over and she was getting farther and farther away from the skyscraper that had become like a cage to her.
“(… This isn’t so bad.)” [Jessica]
She secretly thought, even though countless zombies were aiming to tear her to pieces.
“Ow!” [Jessica]
Because she didn’t look in front of her, the blonde-haired woman bumped into Ryner who had stopped in place.
“…?” [Jessica]
Peering over his shoulder, puzzled, she saw that four people were standing there, several meters away. Dressed in everyday clothes that were easy to move in, the men and women were in their twenties to forties. They had backpacks, big and small, as well as items such as wrenches and crowbars hanging off their belts or carried in homemade pouches. Some had a sledgehammer or a fire ax slung over their shoulders by a rope.
“Eek!” [Jessica]
More prominent however were the firearms that each of them possessed which were all pointed at Ryner and Jessica.
“Seriously, why was I chasing after survivors when they’re all running at me…?” [Ryner]
Ryner muttered, sounding rather annoyed. A black-haired woman holding an assault rifle in her thick arms stepped forward. She stared at the calm Ryner and at the scared Jessica in turn, scrutinizing the two.
“… Identify yourselves!” [???]
Then, she loudly demanded to which Ryner complied.
“I’m the Great Danish and this is my sidekick, Milk and Butter, and we’re on the run from a horde of zombies.” [Ryner]
He said with a serious expression.
“““…””” [???]
“Now it’s my turn to ask questions! First off… Is that assault rifle real and where can I buy one?” [Ryner]
The black-haired woman pointed her gun at Ryner’s face.
“Die.” [???]
“I was just joking!” [Ryner]
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“So this is your base.” [Ryner]
“Keep quiet and follow us. Also, no funny business.” [???]
“Hey, I won’t shoot you in the back if your friend doesn’t shoot me in mine.” [Ryner]
Although things became tense and nearly escalated to a fight, Ryner, despite being the cause of it, managed to defuse the volatile situation. It was thanks to his negotiation skills that had been developed through years of experience and the fact that the other side didn’t want to fight.
Also, there were hundreds of flesh-eating infected on their tail, so everyone unanimously agreed that having a showdown would be a bad idea.
Once their discussion was settled and a conclusion was achieved, the duo agreed to follow the group of strangers. Each of them, wielding a handgun, a submachine gun, an assault rifle or a melee weapon, was on high alert. They were ready to take out any undead that appeared as well as shoot Ryner and Jessica if they made any suspicious moves.
After an uncomfortable trek through the city that lasted for over an hour, the group arrived at a 16-story building. Most of the windows were boarded up, preventing anyone from seeing what was inside. The wooden doors were blocked except for one that had been remodeled. Sheets of metal were bolted to it to reinforce its durability. The black-haired woman, who appeared to be the leader of the group, knocked on it three times, waited for one second, then knocked again twice.
“Ostrich.” [???]
She said and in response, a small plate of metal on the door slid to the side, revealing a rectangular peephole from which the eyes of a man could be seen.
“No casualties. Two stragglers.” [???]
The woman succinctly told the man and, after a while, he closed the peephole and opened the door.
“Let’s go.” [???]
The group entered inside where Ryner and Jessica saw other living humans walking about.
“Ryner, look…!” [Jessica]
Jessica murmured in surprise. They were men and women standing guard with guns or improvised melee weapons in hand. Others carried boxes of supplies and moved briskly to their destination. But, most importantly, on the ceiling, the lightbulbs were giving off light. The building had electricity, allowing the inhabitants to brightly illuminate the place and maintain a comfortable temperature.
“Hey, Ramirez’s team is back, and check it out.” [???]
“Stragglers, I hear.” [???]
“Whoa, the woman is HOT.” [???]
“Yeah, and the man is… Not my type. But, I like his duffel bag.” [???]
“… Dude.” [???]
Ryner and Jessica followed the black-haired woman, receiving cautious and curious glances from the whispering residents. The first level appeared to have been renovated as white walls were smashed to remove them, creating a larger, unobstructed space. Tables and chairs were placed around the area as well as floor lamps.
Located at the back was a stairwell and several elevators that were in working order, but the group of six avoided them. Instead, they went up the flight of stairs until they reached the third floor where a well-lit corridor with rows of doors on both sides greeted them. They moved in silence and arrived at a door that had the words “Leader’s Room” scribbled in black on it.
“Get in, and mind your manners.” [???]
The black-haired woman said before knocking on the door and opening it.
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Item of interest
Duct tape:
* Roll of sticky tape that comes in different varieties.
* Versatile tool that can help in many situations, like surviving on a deserted island.
* When in doubt, duck it… With duct tape that has the picture of a duck on it.