The zombies looked horrifying, as some had their eyeballs falling out, some had their limbs twisted, and some had blood dripping from their wide-open jaws. It was a horrible sight. People would break out in cold sweat by just looking at it, and their hair would stand on end.
The students were scared senseless when they first encountered the zombies. They cursed at the fact that they couldn't run faster. Some of them were almost killed by the zombies and they were terrified. Many of the students who survived swore that they would never go closer to those terrifying monsters again.
At this moment, Alice said something. She said that she would open the electronic door, and head to the cold storage room on the second floor and bring back food. Was she out of her mind? Some students were determined not to go. If someone else wanted to do it, they can do it on their own!
"So, we need to select a few people to go down to the second floor to get the ingredients," Alice said.
"No, Not me! I don't want to go down there. There must tons of zombies on the second floor!"
"Me neither! I don't want to die!"
"I'm safe here. I don't want to see those zombies again!"
"..."
Some voices came from the crowd. They were all rejecting and resisting. They didn't want to risk being attacked by zombies while they went downstairs to get the ingredients. Some of the students looked timid. They even took a step back.
"Ha, a bunch of cowards." The tall and sturdy boy looked at the students with disdain. Beatrice, on the other hand, was silent the entire time, as if she wasn't shaken by what Alice had just said. Her expression did not change at all. Even when Alice said that she would choose some people to go downstairs, she was not moved at all.
"If you are not willing to face the zombies, you will starve to death! From now on I won't tolerate anyone that's carefree and lazy!" Alice's tone was stern.
"But, if we run into the zombies, we will die too!"
"That's right!"
"..."
Alice was indifferent. Some students were scared and trembled when they heard her decision. However, as time passed, they gradually calmed down. After all, they may be overwhelmed by fear, but they were not stupid. Some students spoke again, but this time they unanimously agreed with Alice's words.
"If we don't have any food, we'll die! But if we go downstairs, we might survive!"
"That's right! And if Miss Alice didn't save me previously, I would have died a long time ago. I will support you on this mission!"
"I agree! Besides, Miss Alice didn't ask us to fight the zombies head-on, we just need to retrieve the food from the cold storage room. As long as we are careful and avoid the zombies, we can make it back alive!"
"I understand. I also agree with Miss Alice's action. Compared to starving to death, there is a chance of survival if we try!"
"..."
Soon, those voices drowned out those who opposed and didn't want to go downstairs to get food.
"It seems that the students are still rational. That's good. You should know that this is no longer the time of peace. We can't be the same as before," Alice said with relief when she saw those students who supported her.
"Don't worry. Since I was the one who suggested the plan, I will be part of it as well."
Hearing her words, students who supported her received a boost of confidence. Alice's strength during the zombie outbreak and her identity as their lecturer gave the students confidence and comfort.
"Alice, you can't follow them down there. Why don't I go instead?" Chris said to Alice.
He had no special feelings for Alice. He was already a man with a family. His actions were purely an act of chivalry and to help out a colleague. As a man, he can't let women put themselves in harm's way.
"No. Since I was the one who proposed this idea, I have the responsibility to see it through. I will try my best to bring everyone back safely." Alice shook her head and rejected Chris's proposal.
"But..." Chris wanted to say something but was interrupted by Alice.
"It's decided then. Moreover, these students still need you to take care of them. We also needed someone to control and open the electronic door when we return, what's left for you to do here won't be an easy task as well."
"In that case, alright I will stay." After hesitating for a moment, Chris finally agreed.
Seeing that Alice was so insistent on doing it herself, he could only give way and agree with her. It had always been the same. Once Alice has made up her mind about something, there was no changing her mind.
"Miss Alice, since there are so many people who wanted to go, then we can directly choose from among them, right?"
At this moment, Justin, who was part of the delinquent group, spoke up.
Andy also chimed in, "That's right. Since there are so many students who wanted to contribute enthusiastically, can Miss Alice directly pick some among them? We can wait for them to return here in the cafeteria."
"Andy and Justin. Although other students volunteered to go, it doesn't mean that others can just relax and take it easy. No one would be willing to share their hard-earned food to those who did nothing to help."
Alice looked at them with an ice-cold gaze, and it sent a shiver down their spine. She looked down on people who always took advantage of others despite the situation.
"Everyone has the responsibility to face the zombies. If anyone refuses to take action, that's fine too. Those people will not be allowed to eat any of the food that we brought."
Some students who had the same idea of reaping the benefits of others' work lowered their heads after Alice's cold gaze swept through them. For a moment, the group of delinquents became silent, and Alice didn't say anything further to them.
"This time, a small group of five students will be chosen to follow me. If we traveled in large groups, we will be easily discovered by zombies. Our objective is to bring back food, not to fight the zombies.
"Of course, if the situation arises, we will need to defend ourselves, but those things are unpredictable.
"So, are there any volunteers to join this first operation?" Alice looked at the students and asked.
Beatrice took a step forward without saying anything. Her intentions were voiced clearly by her actions.
"Count me in on this operation." Beatrice who was in the spotlight was surprised by the voice behind her, as the burly Gordon stepped forward.
"Okay, anyone else?"
"Miss Alice, I'll join too."
After Beatrice and Gordon signed up, more people started to volunteer. When they saw Gordon volunteer to join, they felt more confident.