Chereads / THE APOCALYPSE : A DIABOLIC TALE / Chapter 5 - "CHAPTER 5:A NORMAL VISIT TO THE MALL"

Chapter 5 - "CHAPTER 5:A NORMAL VISIT TO THE MALL"

We made our way down to the mysterious garage, hoping to find some humble bicycles for our escape. We were just minors, with no driving licenses or car skills to speak of, except for Della. But what we saw in the garage left us speechless. It was a dazzling display of luxurious cars and bikes, shining under the dim lights. And among them, there was one that caught my eye like a magnet. A Rolls Royce Ghost that looked like it belonged to a king. I was spellbound by its beauty and grace, and my friends had to shake me hard to bring me back to reality. They asked me what was so special about this car, and I answered with a dramatic flair: "You can do whatever you want to me, but don't you dare lay a finger on my babe!" I pointed at the car with a fiery passion. They asked again what was so special about it, and I unleashed a torrent of words: "The Rolls-Royce Ghost is one of the most stylish vehicles from the British manufacturer and delivers on almost all levels. It has LED headlamps that pierce the darkness, a chrome grille that glitters like a jewel, LED taillights that leave a trail of fire, and an aluminium frame that is strong and sleek. It runs on a 6.6L Twin-Turbocharged V12 petrol engine that roars like a lion and produces 563bhp. It can zoom from 0-100 in 4.8 seconds, leaving everyone behind in the dust. It has an 8-speed automatic gearbox that offers a top speed of 250kmph, making it fly like a rocket. The interior is luxurious with premium leather that caresses your skin and an exquisite wood finish that soothes your eyes. The buttons are all made from glass that reflects your soul. The infotainment system has a 10.25-inch touchscreen iDrive setup from BMW that lets you enjoy all your favourite content with the touch of a button." I sounded like a salesperson on steroids, but I loved that car!!!!!

I felt a surge of joy when I saw that car, but then reality hit me. I didn't have the keys, and I didn't know how to drive a car. I sighed and grabbed a bicycle with a heavy heart. Emma teased me: "Idiot, you don't know how to drive a car and you're drooling over one. Bro." She patted my back with sympathy. "Ok, ok, fine. Let's go," I said. Della and Hannah intervened: "I think we should all go together. You two are already too fragile dolls. I think Della can drive the car and we can join her." Emma and I exchanged a look and had the same thought. I whispered in her ear: "It would be better if only two people risked their lives than four." Emma nodded in agreement.

But Hannah and Della acted like parents worried for their kids

I pleaded with Hannah and Della and said: "Bros, please. We'll be back before you know it. I'll incinerate every undead that dares to come near us. I'll protect our fragile Emma with my life. And don't fret about me. I'll use Emma as bait and escape." Everyone burst into laughter and I thought I was in the clear, but Emma landed a hard punch on me. I staggered, but she held me. I smiled and thought that's what best friends do! She said: "Come on, or do you want another taste of my fist?" "No, no, let's go," I said, grabbing the bicycle. And we embarked on our perilous journey.

It had been days since the apocalypse turned the world into a nightmare. The streets were stained with blood, and the air was filled with screams and moans. But I felt a spark of happiness when I stepped out of the house for the first time in ages. I wanted to sing until my heart burst with joy and my throat ached with pain. We rode our bicycles to the mall, dodging the undead that lurked in every corner. We parked our bicycles in style in the empty parking lot, feeling like rebels. We were greeted by an undead aunty who had once been our neighbour. She had a pale face, sunken eyes, and rotten teeth. Being a good child, I greeted her with a namaste and a smile before I was about to roast her. But Emma stopped her and just like a statue she stood, I said: "That's ridiculous. You always ruin my fun.". She ignored my protest and said: "Follow me. We have to find the supplies."

We sprinted into the elevator and I pressed the button for the 7th floor, where a thrilling game zone and my wildest fantasies awaited. I was bursting with excitement and anticipation, but she landed a hard blow on me without warning. I groaned in agony and faced her. Am I your punching machine? Do you derive pleasure from inflicting pain on me? I gave her the silent treatment after she didn't reply and expected an explanation. She eyed me with disdain and told me to stop being a baby. Then she changed the button for the 13th floor, where the mundane groceries and vegetables lay. She tossed a list into my hands and said that we should count our blessings and that the place was not infested with zombies. She assigned me to get the grocery while she dealt with the vegetables. and warned me if any gifted zombie comes don't mess with it, just try to be safe I nodded after seeing her concerned

, I don't know what it is about my A+ blood that lures the undead like a magnet, but they always seem to sniff me out. I tried to hold them off with my powers, but I was outnumbered and erratic. I felt a jolt of heat in my palm and then a flash of agony. I looked down and saw that I had charred my hand with a blast of fire. Emma heard the clamour and dashed out of the vegetable section. She froze when she saw me trapped by twenty zombies, some of them with sinister powers of their own.Emma unleashed her psychic power on the zombies, but it was only effective on some of them. The rest continued their relentless pursuit, using their own terrifying gifts against us. She frantically grabbed anything within her reach and threw it at the undead horde, trying to divert their attention from me. But one of them was too quick and agile it tried to attack her luckily she dodged it, her head started to bleed as she hit her head on the grocery rack. She lost her balance and before she could fall down as a prey to the undead I caught her in my arms. She gasped as she felt my burnt hand. I lifted her up with my other hand and sprinted to the elevator. We were almost safe when a zombie latched onto my leg and yanked me back. I knew we had no time to waste. I tossed Emma into the elevator and slammed the button for the ground floor,

As I threw her into the elevator, Emma shouted my name and begged me to come back, still sitting on the ground.....