Sylvia couldn't stop the trembling, yet even so she forced herself to stand.
'I can't let this thing get to me... no... I can't let it get anywhere.'
She had formed a pact with the creature.
If the monster truly did as it said it would, then Sylvia could forget about it's existence and focus on nothing more than surviving.
However would it truly keep to the pact?
Sylvia had no way of knowing.
Through her years in the business world, she understood one thing about people.
They would lie, cheat, and steal in order to get where they wanted.
Murder wasn't too high of a hurdle either.
And for this monster, such things were trivial.
There wasn't even a decision to be made.
To this monster, such things were likely as natural as breathing.
However there was one single comfort which Sylvia took, even given her interaction with the creature.
There was one single certainty which she could always fall back on.
It would act in it's own self interest, according to it's motives.
Because this was a creature with intelligence, that much she was sure of.
And because of that, even if she could not come to agree with it, perhaps she could come to understand it.
'I don't believe that it spoke any lies to me within our conversation. It is without a doubt true that by allowing me to live in this world, it would be able to watch me suffer, should I allow myself to become attached to any of those around me. And if I were to not allow myself to do so, then it would be able to witness as I coldly cut off those around me, leaving them to die.'
Either way, that creature would certainly be able to witness suffering, death, and betrayal.
'Therefore... I will take it as the truth that the creature will not interfere.'
She didn't understand why this monster had become a part of her, and it terrified her that such a thing was inside her, yet even so she merely needed to cut off all emotion.
Why didn't matter.
What didn't matter.
Who didn't matter.
The only thing that mattered was how Sylvia reacted from this point on.
'I need only to act for my own benefit. And the existence of that creature...'
Even as she felt her heart ache to think it, Sylvia admitted the fact in her mind.
'Benefits me.'
Stepping forward, Sylvia opened the door, approaching the children once more.
'Therefore I will do exactly as I always have done.'
With a serious expression, Sylvia once more took a seat on the couch, facing the two children.
'If it is going to use me... then I too will use it.'
----
Nope.
She couldn't do it.
Sylvia tried to view these children as nothing more than pawns for her survival.
She came up with plan after plan in her mind of how to use them for herself, allowing her to sacrifice them if things become difficult.
And without a doubt, that was her best option.
It was her best chance of escaping this place alive.
But... no matter how much she thought of it, she couldn't bring herself to enact any of those plans.
"No matter which way we look at it, we cannot stay inside these apartments forever." Sylvia started. "We have to leave, and as soon as possible. The water here has been contaminated, so if we don't find any, then within a couple days we will be dead."
"There's probably some food around, but not much. Perhaps there is some bottled water somewhere, but I don't have any in my home. If we were to search the neighbor's homes, then maybe we could find some things. I suppose that should be our first priority."
Sylvia started to explain her train of thought as the boy sat forward, putting in his own thoughts.
"If that's the case... then we should go to check our home first. We probably have some water and food in the pantry, and some other things we could use.", Shane stated as Amy nodded in agreement.
"I see. That's likely for the best, given that breaking into the neighbor's homes would cause a lot of noise. Not only that, but it might even set off an alarm, which would be a disaster. And even if it didn't, we would likely have to face any infected who were home at the time of the cataclysm."
Now that she said it out loud, Sylvia realized just how risky it actually would be to try and break into anyone's home.
If an alarm was set off, then that was it.
Hundreds of zombies lined the streets below, and those zombies would all likely pour into the building if something like that were to happen.
"Currently we're on the 9th floor out of 15.", Shane said. "Which means that we could go up or down, but going down would probably mean facing more and more zombies... however if we wanted to get out of the apartment... then we would eventually have to go down."
With a nod, Sylvia leaned forward in thought, racking her brain for the best possible course of action.
"The only safe apartments to enter would be ones which are already unlocked, however those would probably number to be next to zero. With a single exception."
Looking up to the two, Sylvia spoke in a serious manner.
"If there are other survivors."
The two children nodded in agreement.
"However, that brings forth another question. Do we want to search for other survivors? As much as I would like to, the more people we have, the greater the possibility for disagreements. Even if they help us at first... who is to say that they won't betray us later on?"
The two children looked at one another with concern as Sylvia stated this, however the woman didn't seem to stop analyzing the scenario.
"However, there are also benefits to finding other people. More fighting power, greater ability to gather resources, etc. Therefore I suppose for now at least, we will allow others to join our group."
"Hey miss... do you think that... if that bald man was still alive..."
Amy began to speak up, however she stopped speaking as she looked down in shame.
"If he was still alive, he would have been a burden.", Shane said with confidence.
Looking at Sylvia, Shane faced her, bravado shining in his eyes.
"He was going to let me die earlier. He tried to kick me off, leaving me to be eaten while he ran away."
Standing up, Shane looked Sylvia directly in the eyes.
"I don't know what happened to you earlier. You clearly weren't yourself. But even if that is the case... even if some strange monster overtook your body... I don't think her decision to kill that man was wrong."
"Brother..."
Amy looked to her brother with concern, however he didn't waver in his conviction.
"I think it's better for our survival... that he was killed."
Sylvia was completely surprised for a moment, however that surprise soon turned to a gentle smile.
"I see. Is this your way of comforting me? I killed him, you know. Even if I wasn't in control... I was the one who took his life."
"I'm not comforting you at all, miss. I'm merely saying what I think."
With a nod, Sylvia stood up.
"If that is the case... then I suppose you are right. I agree with you. I think that if he were still alive... he would almost certainly have left us to die at some point. I think that it would have been a bad decision to allow him into our group... however even so... to say that it is best that he was killed..."
Sylvia looked down with a conflicted expression.
Even if he wasn't someone who she would ever agree with, the fact that she killed him still weighed on her.
However, it was then that Sylvia remembered a certain memory.
Biting her lip, the woman grimaced with disgust as a pained expression came across her face.
"Perhaps it was best."
[Hahaha!! I'm starting to like you more and more, woman. I knew as soon as I read your memories that you'd make a good host.]
The voice spoke out to Sylvia, however this time she paid it no mind.
'The fact that I'm on the same page with a monster like you is concerning... Yet perhaps I shouldn't be so concerned. After all... that does mean that I am prioritizing my own good.'
Looking up to the two children, Sylvia resolved herself.
'That's it. I've decided.'
Standing up, she motioned for the two to follow her.
'I'm going to do what I can to protect these two. I may only be a human... and it may not be enough. However, even so...'
With a smile, Sylvia walked forth into the hallways.
'I want to show you, monster. That the trials I've been through are not as trivial as you say they are.'
----
"Ah... I suppose I left my weapon and briefcase in the hallway."
Grabbing her items, Sylvia then led the children down the hall to their own apartment.
"Can you hold this?", she asked as she handed the briefcase to Amy.
"Mhm.", the girl said as she took the case, holding it with two hands.
Free to now wield her spear with both hands, Sylvia took a spot in front of the two.
"If there are any zombies, then I'll kill them. It looks like they will die if you destroy the brain or heart, but based on what I saw outside there were some zombies whose heads were missing... which means that maybe if these vital components were missing in the first place, they don't need them to survive. If there was a zombie that didn't have a brain or a heart... then maybe puncturing the lungs would do? Or maybe even just making it bleed out would be fine? Well, either way if we were to render it incapable of movement..."
"Miss... we're here."
As Sylvia went off on a tangent, she failed to realize that they had already arrived at the apartment.
"Ah... I see."
Turning into the home, Sylvia entered it without the slightest hint of holding back.
"Then, let's grab what we can and go."
----
"A couple of flashlights and some batteries of various types, canned and other nonperishable foods, some school bags and a work bag, sleeping bags, pillows, a set of tools, a pair of radios, a map of the city and a compass, some spare clothing, and finally..."
Walking over to the living room, Sylvia took a spit from the fireplace and placed it in the pile of supplies.
"A weapon. Boy, take this. Girl, you can take a kitchen knife. I…" Sylvia paused, licking her lips nervously. "..Will do my best so that you two don't have to use them, but in this world, I don't think it would be possible to say that you won't have to learn to fight... and kill those things."
The two nodded, slowly picking up their respective weapons, getting a feel for them.
"I... understand.", Amy said quietly, fighting with her emotions. "I... won't be useless. I'll do everything I can... to survive. Because if we were to die... then dad and mom would probably both be very sad."
Placing his hand on the girl's head, Shane nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Our parents... even though they're probably both dead... they would want us to live. And if we have to learn how to fight- no. If-" Shane swallows. "If we have to learn to kill... then we will."
Sylvia was once again reminded of the immense resolve which these two children held, just seeing the look in their eyes.
It was enough to make her believe that she was truly pathetic.
'I was so worried about this monster... about everything around me... about my own emotions... and yet these two, who just saw their own father die... who watched him become that thing...'
They had a fire in their eyes.
The two were no longer the crying children of just moments before.
Rather, they had the eyes of coldblooded assassins, ready to take on any opponent.
"I see. Very well. Then... let's get all this stuff packed up."
Sylvia had tried to minimize the amount of weight and volume which the two would have to carry around, as being weighed down would pose a large problem if they had to fight.
"If we do have to fight, then don't hesitate to throw off your bags and get them later. If you choose to run, don't do this unless you absolutely have to, but if you need to get out of a dangerous situation as quickly as possible... then don't even think about the luggage. After all..."
Placing one hand on the shoulders of the two, Sylvia looked each of the children directly in the eyes.
"Your lives are worth more than any supplies we might lose."
The two children nodded sincerely, and with that the four strapped up their own respective bags, and like campers they headed out, weapons in hand.
"Let's go. We head downstairs. If we run into any other people, we will work with them for now. If not... then we will leave this place. We might be able to steal a motorbike if it's just the three of us, though whether there will be a working one or not is concerning. A car won't work, given how packed the streets are. A four wheeler that could drive on all terrain would be great, but... that would be nothing more than wishful thinking."
The four passed by the elevator, however with one look at it they immediately knew that using such a thing was far too great of a risk.
Even if by some miracle it were still working, the cables which held it up may have been weakened due to a combination of rot and rust. It was simply too risky to try and leave by elevator.
Furthermore, the potential to be trapped inside had to be considered, or even opening up to a floor full of the undead.
The four continued past the elevator without even considering it, and eventually made their way to the stairs without encountering any more zombies.
'It looks like nobody was in the halls at the time of the cataclysm.', Sylvia thought.
"Make sure to remain quiet. I'll go first, and if there are any zombies, I'll take care of them... but be prepared to fight in case anything goes wrong. Alright?"
The two nodded and the three began their descent of the stairs, slowly making their way down.
They made their way down a single floor to see that this hallway as well was empty, or at least based on what was in sight from the stairway, and stopped for a moment.
"If we wanted to try and find other people we should check the floor... what do you two think?" Sylvia asked, looking at the two.
"I think... we should move on." Amy stated.
"I agree." Shane said.
Sylvia looked to the two with surprise, however she too quickly nodded.
"I see. You two are very practical. Very well. Then, unless we actually run into anyone, we won't go out of our way to find any others."
And with that, the three continued their way down.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
However, it was as they approached the third floor that they heard something.
The sound of heavy breathing.
Holding out her hand to stop the two, Sylvia slowly and silently made her way down the stairs.
The two children stopped, preparing their weapons yet not moving from their spot.
As she turned the corner, Sylvia saw it.
Another member of the undead.
This one had it's hand dangling from a single thread, however aside from that it's body seemed to be in good shape.
It seemed to be facing the wall, resting it's head on the wall as it breathed heavily.
'It isn't doing anything? Or perhaps it wants to go that way but can't find a way around? I suppose these zombies really are dumb.'
Sneaking up on it from behind, Sylvia gripped her spear, lifting it up and preparing to thrust.
Squish!
Sliding it straight through the brain of the zombie, the creature only had enough time to let out a quick cry before it fell limp.
"Rarg!"
Pulling the spear tip out of the creature, Sylvia quickly scanned the surroundings before heading back up the stairs, whispering to the children.
"It's clear. Let's go."
The two nodded, and the three continued their descent down the stairs.
Three.
Two.
One.
Finally they had reached the ground floor, the lounge.
On peeking out of the windows in the stairway doors, the three begun to scout out the scene to witness something dreadful.
The lounge was filled with zombies.
Zombies were laid across couches. Some were standing at the counters as if they were customers at a bar, and others were walking about, wandering from one place to the other.
There were some sitting at the tables with rotten food before them as they drooled mindlessly, forks in hand, and others hunched over the pool table.
One particular zombie had a pool stick through it's throat as if it had fallen on top of it.
If it weren't for the dull expressions and rotting wounds that covered the creatures, then one might have thought it was an average night in a bar.
"There are... way too many." Sylvia whispered in horror.
"What... what do we do about this?" Shane asked as Amy looked at Sylvia with worry.
Biting her lip, Sylvia kept her eyes on the lounge.
"I think the only option we have is to sneak through without alerting them."
----
It was nothing less than reckless.
Trying to sneak through a room filled with zombies was equivalent to putting a fully loaded revolver to one's head, firing it in the hopes that the gun would jam.
A single mishap would lead to an unrecoverable situation where death was all but certain.
Sylvia knew this.
However, did she have a choice?
There was no other way to exit the apartment.
The windows were all sealed and bulletproof, and there were no balconies, therefore escaping from one would be impossible.
The roof was almost certainly locked, and even if it wasn't, how on earth would they be able to descend 15 stories safely into the zombie filled streets below? Even if they had a method to do so, they would likely end up creating a ruckus in the middle of the undead filled streets.
'Based on that zombie just before, they don't appear to have a good sense of smell.' Sylvia mused. 'Of course, that makes sense. Why in zombie movies do they have a good sense of smell? What are they, some sort of animals? They have human bodies! That means that at the best, their senses would be as good as humans, but even then their noses are so clogged up with rot that they probably can't smell anything.'
Their sense of smell and even hearing was not any more acute than that of a human. This much, Sylvia was certain of based on her encounter with that zombie previously.
Furthermore, it seemed to be possible to aggravate the zombies, given how the father was chasing after the children when she first met them.
However that aggravated state didn't appear to be typical zombie behavior.
'I was able to approach from behind, and my footsteps weren't enough to aggravate it, or even get it to notice me.' Sylvia remembered, theorising. 'They do seem to be able to tell humans apart from other zombies, probably because of the fact that the rotten flesh smells awful, so they can at least tell that much.
'But to them, we probably don't have much of a smell, and they rely mostly on seeing a moving creature that doesn't have the same smell as them.'
Coming to this conclusion, Sylvia decided that sneaking through was the best option.
Their only other choices would be to either hole up inside the apartment complex or try to somehow burrow through the ground, which was both impractical and unreasonable.
Obviously she could rush out guns blazing, however Sylvia was not about to try and take on half the apartment complex at the same time.
"I'll go first. You two stay here, and if something goes wrong... then I'll make a run for it and distract them."
Leaning in to look the children in the eyes, Sylvia spat out orders like a superior instructing a trainee.
"While I'm running away, you two can use that as your chance to escape. If that's impossible, then go upstairs and try and find someone else to survive with. Don't risk crossing this place alone. Is that understood?"
The two looked to Sylvia as if she were bidding them a final goodbye, their expressions filled with concern.
"Don't... don't die."
"We probably won't be able to find someone else like you, Miss."
As the children looked up to her, Sylvia felt a strange feeling in her heart.
And she smiled.
For the first time in a long time, she smiled at these children.
She felt a warmth in her heart just seeing their concern, and she wrapped her arms around them, holding them tightly.
"I won't die. I've been through gauntlets worse than this before."
'And even if something were to go wrong... that thing wouldn't let me die. That much... I am certain of.'
The two children hugged her back, gripping her.
"Miss... I'm Shane, and this is my sister... Amy."
"Ah... I guess I haven't said my name yet, have I?"
Letting go of the children, Sylvia looked down on them with a kind smile.
"I'm Sylvia. Sylvia A. Berith."
"Miss Sylvia... please be careful."
With that, Sylvia turned around, approaching the door.
The two children headed to the top of the stairway to watch from afar, out of the sight and reach of any nearby zombies.
"I've been careful all my life. Not stepping on any landmines... is what I'm best at."
Opening the door quietly, she stepped into the room.
'And making sure that nobody notices me... is all I've ever done.'
----