''You mean these people that were standing around this thing?'' She paled when she thought about that.
''No. I run away from my family. Unfortunately, when I came out to the staircase, some of these creatures heard me and went trough open door and yes, since then I was stuck inside.''
''So you are from same building?''
He nodded. ''I live in the same building, but I do not think I can go back to my apartment. THEY are there.''
Maria actually was not a bad person but his attitude...
''If you help me gather food, you can live from now on with me. I have enough space, but you will follow my rules. Or go with boys and be with them.'' She pointed at the few men, but he shook his head.
''I will follow the rules, I promise. Didn't you say you want to leave before night, I think we should hurry.'' Trough the window it could be seen that the light became a bit less so they rushed out.
Looking at just a few stores nearby she got an idea. ''Guys, there is traffic nearby and it has lots of noodles and stuff. Or we go to a restaurant and get all the food we can get from their storage?''
There were enough so they split. Two went to nearby traffic store to gather as many noodles and snacks they could while the rest rushed towards the restaurant.
The door was wide open and as they entered they could hear few growls in the kitchen. Unfortunately, they had to go there. Luckily they were ready. With big iron sticks and baseball bats, they killed the couple cooks that were left there and rushed inside the storage that was filled to the brim.
Maria got an idea. ''Go get the tablecloth and we can make packages for everyone. Quickly!''
Said done. She put evenly in each cloth the noodles, canned food, some dried meat and even some frozen meat and vegetables. She even pointed at oil and spices.
''Take those as well. How do you plan to cook?''
Looking at humongous cloth bags she sighed deeply. It will be heavy, but still possible.
''Let's hurry!'' They wasted a lot of of time by killing those creatures.
She ran towards the entrance of the building while helping Nick as well and luckily there was no one at the reception. She let one of the cloth bags by the entrance while she dragged the other cloth towards elevators.
She rushed towards the elevator and pressed for it to come down while Nick was huffing as he dragged the cloth bag on the floor.
''Why didn't you wait?'' But Nick ignored her questions as he breathed heavily.
''This is heavy.'' His face was flooded with beads of sweat.
Maria dragged her cloth and then helped him drag the other and pressed quickly door. Just before the doors closed the growling became loud again and she sighed in relief. Luckily she closed the main door again.
In the elevator, she remembered the rooms filled with all kinds of food and when she came out she pointed at the door.
''There is a balcony. Go slowly out and check the situation and I will drag this inside house. Be careful not to be seen, ok?'' She patted his head and opened the door. ''The door will be open. But please come in a few minutes, it is messy inside so I will clear a bit...''
He nodded as he realized why she actually sent him out. So he slowly lowered his body and went to the balcony while she dragged the two clothes to the mid of the living room and started putting stuff from rooms inside her space. Why did she do that?
She still had no idea who the child is really. It could be the truth and it could be a lie.
She started unpacking all the stuff they gathered inside the kitchen and left actually the frozen food into the freezer in the smaller room that was literally empty. There was one more room empty and she already started worrying how to make it comfortable for the child.
''Can I come in?'' A shy voice could be heard on the door.
''Yes of course. You must be hungry. Is there something you want to eat?'' She could see the sign of tiredness on a child's face.
''Anything will be fine. I am too hungry to choose.'' A loud growl could be heard from Nick's belly.
''Good. Now tell me, what level is your family at and what is the apartment number? If we get a chance we could find a way to get you the clothes you need and maybe bed... Tonight you will have to sleep on the sofa. Don't worry, its comfortable.''
Nick sat down and nodded. ''Wow. It's really comfortable!''
She rushed to cook something fast for both for them so she looked at the fridge and saw the piece of fresh meat she got and started frying it with some vegetables and rice that she already washed and put inside the rice cooker.
Actually the meal was fast done and as they sat on their chairs and at she could see the eyes of the child slowly closing but hunger kept him awake. She quickly stood up and brought one pair of her old pyjamas and pointed at the bath.
''Go take shower. I will prepare the bed for you. Hurry.''
The curtains are closed. There was only one dimmed light on and as Nick came out the shower, the dishes were done and food put inside the fridge.
She pointed at the sofa that luckily was huge and fluffy beddings. ''I luckily bought more beddings. Go to sleep. But before sleep, I have to tell you something. Tomorrow we will go out again as soon the sun hits the streets. Anyway, we must be careful. I will wake you up early in the morning. Go sleep.''
She put black clothes on and black hat and was about to go to out when Nick stopped her.
''Where are you going?''
''Little fool.'' Maria pushed him towards the bed and literally waited until he was in bed. ''To balcony. I am going to see how they act at night and if there is any danger in that case. I won't stay long. Go to sleep. This place is safe.''
Nick relaxed and nodded. Just as his head hit the pillow he was asleep and Maria couldn't stop herself and patted his head.
''You have been through so much. Don't worry, I will protect you from now on.''
When the door slowly closed boys eyes sleepily opened and he smiled. ''She is not bad.'' Then his eyes fell again and this time he really went into deep dreams.
On the other side, Maria really went to the balcony to check the growling zombies that just staggered now trough the streets and gathered around the thing that made noise. But as they were careless they would often hit things and the sound would gather around those spots.
She smiled and could see two people again standing on the other side and waving at her. She pointed at the sound and they nodded. They noticed that as well. She pointed at her home and that she is going to sleep and waved at them.
But she didn't go back inside...