“Well, that sucked.” [Ryner]

Ryner muttered while sitting at a table in a dark room. The only source of light was the fire coming from a portable gas stove placed before him that was heating up a pot.

“I thought we were going to die there.” [Ryner]

“… I’m sorry.” [Jessica]

“What are you apologizing for?” [Ryner]

He asked Jessica who sat in front of him, appearing depressed.

“Because… It was my fault. I should have controlled myself.” [Jessica]

“Damn straight. You didn’t tell me about Tom, you didn’t tell me about your little revenge plan and you didn’t think things through before stabbing him and throwing him down the stairs.” [Ryner]

“…” [Jessica]

“It’s a miracle we survived that night, and that rarely happens.” [Ryner]

As expected, staying completely quiet for hours wasn’t possible. In the end, the bunk bed got crowded by the zombies in the room, their hands raised in the air. Luckily, Ryner and Jessica were out of their reach. Also, no mutated infected appeared. When morning came, Ryner got to work. He dispatched all of the undead present without too much trouble and the two made a run for it.

“Make sure you control your outbursts so that it doesn’t happen again.” [Ryner]

Ryner warned the low-spirited woman who nodded weakly.

“Well, for now, it’s good enough that we made it.” [Ryner]

Just as he finished speaking, the door was opened and light poured in. A large man that was easily two meters tall was standing there, looking quizzically at the two and at the room.

“… Why are you sitting in the dark with a pot simmering away?” [???]

He asked in a deep but kind voice.

“We’re saving on electricity and having a late-night snack at 10 pm.” [Ryner]

“There’s no point in saving electricity when we’re on the Alpha Grid. And eating at night will make you gain weight easier. At least prepare something healthy. Do you want me to go to the kitchen and whip something up?” [???]

He asked as he flipped the switch next to the door, turning on the lights.

“I was kidding. We turned the lights off so that you’d think we were asleep and not check up on us. Like you did every 30 minutes since we got here, Terry.” [Ryner]

Ryner stared exasperatedly at the big man, at Terry. He had very short, dark brown hair in a buzz cut style, blue eyes that had a gentle look in them and lightly tanned skin from being out in the sun. His large body was full of bulging muscles. His thick chest and prominent abs could easily be seen pushing against his navy blue tank top. His exposed arms were huge with his biceps being larger than Ryner’s head.

“You guys are new to Alpha Third University, so I figured I should stay with you until you’re settled in. Some people, young and old, were afraid to sleep at night when they first got here. Want a protein bar?” [Terry]

Terry asked as he pulled out a food bar in a plastic wrap from the pocket of his black pants.

“Didn’t you just say late-night snacking is bad for us?” [Ryner]

“It can’t be helped if you’re hungry. Just work off the extra calories at the gym. I can’t be with you all the time since I’m more or less the leader and folks around here might call me for a job or two. But, I’ll help with your training as much as possible.” [Terry]

He said gently to the newcomers that had arrived earlier during the day. After escaping from Caffeine Night, Ryner and Jessica reached their intended destination, which was Alpha Third University. Recommended by Omari before they set off from the Caravans, it was where a group of survivors that they communicated with had taken refuge. There, upon being discovered, they had been warmly welcomed by the leader, Terry, who had heard of them from Omari.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“You’re a really nosy wrestler. You know that?” [Ryner]

“It’s one of my strong points.” [Terry]

The man, Terry, who was in his late thirties, was a well-known professional wrestler. Because of his strength, and, mainly his popularity, he was put in charge by the survivors. The moment he invited Ryner and Jessica in, the others, though skeptical, could not refuse them entry. Still, perhaps to relieve suspicions and discontent, Terry kept an eye on them. He had accompanied the two as much as possible as they toured the place and its different facilities.

Alpha Third University was owned by the city and offered advanced programs in various fields. It possessed a large campus enclosed in brick walls two meters high and the only way in and out was blocked and monitored. Several buildings were present and a few of them still had infected lurking deep within. So, for safety reasons, the survivors mostly stayed in one. Ryner and Jessica took the chance to explore it during the day, getting familiar with its layout and facilities.

There were classrooms with long tables and chairs for the students with a blackboard and a single desk for the teacher at the front. There were also rooms where everyone had a separate desk or were on elevated rows like an auditorium. There were rooms full of computers or chemicals for studies, a cafeteria where one could buy food and offices for the teachers. Each department had different needs and equipment, and the building had it all to accommodate them.

After spending the whole day getting familiar with their new surroundings and getting introduced to the residents by Terry, the sun had set. The two newcomers were given a room which once allowed lone students to take their exams under the watchful eye of a single supervisor. It was small, windowless and was only furnished with a table and four chairs, but it was good enough. Ryner had requested a private place and it was what he had expected.

“You guys look fine so I’ll get out of your hair and see you in the morning. But, before I do, how was it? Your first day here? Do you still have any questions? Worries?” [Terry]

“Even though it’s less organized here than the Caravans and there are more people, I feel like things are running pretty smoothly.” [Ryner]

“Haha, well, what can I say? ATU is well-stocked and on the Alpha Grid, as you’d expect from a place of learning targeting the rich. But, more importantly, we’re 500 strong. Folks here are tough. They know what they have to do.” [Terry]

“Maybe, but it’s not just that.” [Ryner]

Ryner had met the other survivors that had taken refuge in the huge building.

“There are a lot of different people in this university.” [Ryner]

Each of them had their own worries, fears and peculiarities.

“Everyone’s terrified, from the adults to the children. You can tell from the look in their eyes.” [Ryner]

There were the small groups of individuals who, scared of the situation they suddenly found themselves in, huddled together and never went anywhere alone.

“No one’s willing to selflessly die for complete strangers.” [Ryner]

There was a grumpy old man who had claimed a classroom as his own and locked himself in it.

“But, all of them can play nice to survive thanks to you.” [Ryner]

There were those who carried out the chores and work needed to keep the place afloat.

“And some are stronger than they appear.” [Ryner]

There was a middle-aged woman who worked at the cafeteria and cooked food for everyone with a smile on her face.

“Because they have the glue keeping them all together.” [Ryner]

And there were the brave souls who ventured into the city to find supplies and answers that were sorely lacking.

“Because they have you.” [Ryner]

Ryner pointed at the large man who looked moved.

“Because they have John Cen-.” [Ryner]

“For the last time, my name is Terry. Terry Mack Terrence.” [Terry]

The large man looked exasperated.

“Could you stop calling me with a different name every chance you get?” [Terry]

After a short banter, Terry left. He shot a worried look at Jessica who had stayed quiet during his visit, but did not say anything. Once the leader of the survivors of Alpha Third University was gone, the two ate their late-night snack. It consisted of canned sausages and corn. It wasn’t fancy, but it was filling enough. Then, they left their dirty dishes in a nearby washroom sink, brushed their teeth and went to sleep.

Since there was no bed, they wrapped themselves in sleeping bags that were provided to them. Or at least, Jessica did. Ryner sat against the wall, staring at the door in front of him, a gun in his right hand. Terry was a good man and it did not feel like any of the residents he had met harbored malicious intent. However, he stayed on his guard just in case. His companion, who was on his left, was lying down on the floor. He could feel her gaze on him in the dark.

“Ryner…” [Jessica]

She softly called out.

“I’m sorry…” [Jessica]

“From now on, will you not cause a ruckus in the middle of the night that could kill us?” [Ryner]

“I promise… So…” [Jessica]

The blonde-haired woman reached out to him with her left hand.

“Could you hold my hand, please…?” [Jessica]

She asked, her pleading voice sounding much like a child’s. Ryner stared at her quizzically for a moment, but wordlessly complied. With his left hand, he gently held her own.

“(… Ah… This really does feel good… I wonder why…?)” [Jessica]

Jessica thought absentmindedly before she slowly drifted to sleep.

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Item of interest

Protein bar “For Protein!”:

* 20 grams of protein.

* Chocolate flavored.

* Endorsed by professional wrestler, the Terror of Terran, Terry Mack Terrence.