My legs trembled, and I felt nauseous and weak. I could sense myself giving out at any moment. I could watch gruesome TV shows, but knowing I would witness the real thing didn't sit well with me.
"Oh right, I didn't tell you my name... Not that it's important. Just call me Henrik."
We continued to walk forward, stopping at the burning house. I gradually regained my composure.
"You can go on your way now, I'm going to have to talk some sense into someone," Henrik said.
As he said that, I walked my own way. Stopping at a blocked tunnel guarded by several armed men, I tried to get a clear view of what was inside, but someone blocked my path.
"Stop, no one's allowed at this point, it's dangerous. Go home kid" one of the guards said. I could hear the growls of the undead echoing from the tunnel.
I walked away and continued exploring the city. I found an operating windmill in the distance, along with solar panels, and a few zombies gnawing at a poor baby deer outside the walls.
Continuing my walk, I stumbled upon a small tent acting as a school where they taught kids basic knowledge and survival tips.
"Okay, who can tell me about foraging? Please raise your hand," the teacher asked.
A kid raised his arm and answered correctly. "Bravo, let's give him a round of applause," multiple claps were heard.
As I was about to leave, the teacher noticed me on the side watching their class.
"Oh, and who might you be?" he asked with a friendly smile. "Come, take a seat here somewhere and join us..."
I pretended not to hear anything and continued to walk away.
"Uhhh... Hey!"
"Sorry!!!" I sprinted away.
"What was that about?" he sighed and returned to his class.
Night was nearing, and the lamps were lit. Several gunshots rang out as the guards on the wall fought off zombies outside.
As i stroll around i found myself in a bar with very few people inside, some drinking liquor or playing cards. I looked at the sign above listing the available drinks.
Ah, a drink would be good, guess i hould try some.
I went to the counter and ordered, "Give me something good."
The bartender eyed me, scanning my appearance. "Sorry, the world may have gone shit, but I still have morals. I won't serve alcohol to children. Wait until you're an adult before I can give you a taste," he said while shaking a cocktail.
I pouted at his response and muttered, "And here I thought I could relax a little."
"Are you new here, miss? I haven't seen that face around. Are you a foreigner, perhaps?"
Miss?, ah right. I almost forgot.
"I don't know about my nationality, and yes, I'm new here," I replied.
"I guess I can give you a little taste." He aid after noticing me sulking
"REALLY!" I joyfully responded.
He poured a cup, added some ice and something else, then slid it toward me like a professional.
I took the cup, feeling the icy cold temperature, and noticed the white liquid inside. It must be a new flavor.
I took a sip, and it wasn't alcohol. "ISN'T THIS MILK!" I exclaimed, slamming the cup on the counter.
"Don't worry; it's on the house."
"That's not the issue here," I muttered, emptying the glass anyway.
The bartender just laughed at my reaction. Then a familiar face entered the bar.
"Oh, Alli, what brings you here?" the bartender turned to the newcomer and asked with a friendly smile.
"Give me the usual, and... "noticing me sitting with a cup and a milk mustache "Zoey?" she said.
"Oh, you know the kid?"
"She's the one I mentioned in the truck. Anyway... What are you doing here? This place is for adults."
"Errr..." I didn't know what to say and averted from her gaze.
"Funny story... She came here asking for alcohol."
"Is that so? *sigh. Listen here... Alcohol is bad for kids."
"I'm not a kid, though," I muttered with a pout.
"Yes, yes... You're a grown adult. That's why you should take care of yourself very well," she said in a teaching manner.
"Yes, she's right. If you don't, you won't get a boyfrien—" Before the bartender could finish, he was punched in the face by Ms. Allison.
"You should shut that trap of yours very well."
"So violent~," the bartender teased. "Anyway, I'm Anthony. Nice to meet you, Zoey," he said, giving a two-finger salute with a smile.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Hurry up... My drink," Allison knuckled the desk.
"Right away, ma'am."
I got up and was about to leave.
"Where are you going?" Allison asked.
"Home."
"Home where?"
Oh crap, I forgot I didn't have a house in this place yet.
"You're sleeping at my place tonight temporarily, until we manage to get a place for you, and Alwyn could probably use a friend. He's the same age as you."
"Riiiiigghhttt," Anthony said with a flat glare, clearly unamused.
"Get the drinks on my tab."
"Eeeeehhh... Again, this is like the 10th time this week. This is the last time; next time, I need my money," he ranted but served her anyway after a few moments.
After a couple of hours, Allison walked me to her house. She tried opening the door, but it was locked. She knocked on the door a couple of times and received no answer.
"Goddammit, OPEN UP ALREADY, YA BRAT!"
I was shocked by her action. Where did the nice Allison go?
Wait, i did ignored it when she punched anthony out of nowhere though, was she always this rough and violent?
After a few moments, the door opened. Inside revealed a young man with short black hair, wearing a ragged jacket and dark green short.
His eyes locked on me at first glance. "Who's she?"
"Oh, right, she's Zoey. She will be staying in our place for a couple of days..."
"You reek of alcohol, old lady," Alwyn said, pinching his nose.
Somehow, I could feel tension building up between these two.
"Don't start with me today, Alwyn. I want a quiet night this time..."
"Yeah, yeah. So where's the brat sleeping?"
"I'll go prepare her bed. Just don't mess things up this time around."
What does she mean 'this time round?
Then Allison went upstairs.
Alwyn turned to me and asked, "Did you eat already?"
I shook my head.
He gave a long exasperated sigh and then called me to go with him. He served me a plate of food and went on his way.
As soon as I finished, I followed him.
I saw him in the garage, building something. I sneaked in and accidentally stepped on his tools, making a loud clanging sound.
"Who's there!?" He flashed his flashlight at me.
"Oh, it's you," he said, then continued with whatever he was doing.
"What are you making?" I asked, curious.
"I'm making a weapon that will burn the zombies to a crisp," he revealed, showing his makeshift spear with wires and batteries at the end of the handle, connected to the blade. He flicked the switch and held the spear.
He then made his way to a table where a chicken leg lay in a plate.
"Watch this," he exclaimed before pressing the side of his makeshift spear against the chicken meat. A sizzling sound of cooking and a faint zapping electric sound filled the air as the meat exuded a small amount of smoke.
After about 20 seconds, he switched it off and inspected the half-cooked chicken.
"Tch, I needed a stronger battery," he muttered in frustration before returning the spear to its place.
He then grabbed a bag containing a knife and a handgun.
"I'll be back later. Tell that old lady I'm just going sightseeing outside. Bye~" With those words, he leaped out of the window.
"Wait!" I tried to stop him, but he had already disappeared.
I watched as he removed some trash and revealed a hidden door within the wall. His hand was still visible as he carefully concealed the entrance behind the debris, then he dashed into the forest.
My concern grew as I wondered what entered his mind to venture out at night, in world of zombies too.
Oh no, what do i tell allison. What the hell is that kid thinking.
I contemplated whether to follow him or not, but me as the adult here (mentally), I felt a responsibility to protect the young boy, so naturally, I decided to follow him.
Arming myself with a metal rod, I traced his tracks.
Night -Deep within the Forest
Alwyn set down his bag, retrieved a small flashlight, and clutched his knife. He turned on the flashlight, carefully moving forward to avoid drawing attention from the lurking zombies somewhere.
"I should've done this when the sun was still up," he regretfully muttered to himself.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, the faint growls and screeches nearby sent shivers down his spine. His nerves were on edge as he pressed forward, the beam of his flashlight lowered to avoid attracting the zombies.
He lowered the light of his flashlight to avoid unnecessary attention.
Suddenly, he stepped on something. He looked down with his flashlight and saw a severed head.
Alwyn continued walking straight ahead, choosing to ignore the gruesome discovery on the ground. As he reached the end of the forest and emerged onto a clear road, he released a sigh of relief, grateful to be out of the dark and perilous woods.
Setting his bag down, he retrieved a shoe sock, wearing it to move silently on the cemented road. He kept his eyes forward, remaining vigilant for any potential threats.
A walker-type zombie passed by, and he stealthily crept behind it, swiftly killing the zombie by stabbing it in the head.
Although Alwyn considered searching the cars lining the road, he noticed that most of the vehicles had already been scavenged of their parts. Rather than wasting time on each trunk, he chose to continue on his path in search of something else.
He arrived at a small, ruined village and decided to climb to a higher vantage point above the tallest building to gain a better view.
Opening his bag again, he retrieved a weathered map, placing it on the ground. Several places were marked on the map, indicating that he had explored these areas before. Now, he set his sights on a deserted campsite, which shouldn't be too far from his current location.
The deserted campsite had been overrun by a zombie horde a couple of weeks ago, so no one dared to check the place. Now that several weeks had passed, Alwyn believed that the horde had likely moved on to another location.
After a few minutes of running, he finally found the campsite. He swiftly made his way to it and entered the first hut he encountered. With his lock pick ready, he carefully inspected the place.
Opening several safes and lockers, he discovered a few items, including medicines and magazines, although he didn't particularly need the latter. Still, he decided to take the medicine with him.
As he was about to head to the second hut, he noticed the campfire still spewing little wisps of smoke. He chose to ignore it and proceeded to enter the second hut. However, what he found inside was a horrifying sight—a chained man, missing two arms and one whole leg, barely breathing.
He was barely alive. He turns only to find some human flesh, limbs hanging out in the open and a plate where a roasted human hand was placed.
Fear consumed him knowing he entered a cannibal's lair, causing his heart to pound relentlessly with trepidation. Hastily, he made a silent retreat.
Suddenly, a deafening gunshot shattered the tranquility, piercing Alwyn's thigh with searing pain. He stumbled, collapsing face-first onto the the cold and hard ground.
"Bullseye" The shooter approaches alwyn
"Graagh!!" He creams in pain as tears flows down his face "no- NO... NOOOOOOOOooooO!!"
He attempted to crawl away as he saw the man approaching him.
A runner zombie was drawn by the sound of the gunshot and lunged at the shooter. Just in time, an arrow was expertly fired, hitting the zombie in the head with precision.
"Nice assist," the man said, giving a thumbs up. "Look at what I found, a fresh delicacy."
Alwyn, driven by fear, hastily grabbed his knife and attempted to slash the man in a desperate bid to defend himself. However, the man swiftly seized his arm and forcefully disarmed him and throwing the knife away.
Subsequently, the man proceeded to secure the young boy's feet with chains. Despite the boy's valiant efforts to resist, his struggle proved futile. With ruthless determination, the man delivered a powerful punch to Alwyn's face, nearly rendering him unconscious.
He then dragged him roughly towards the hut.
"Help... Me.. Allison... Big brother Christopher" Alwyn muttered in despair as tears flows down his face.
The man then tended his wound to prevent infection and to make sure the boy will live longer.
He reached for his bag, hastily rummaging through its contents. Inside, he found a map, a stolen medicine supply, a magazine, a flashlight, and various other kits.
"Oh, perfect. We finally got a map for Reinforced arms, boss will be happy" he joyed putting the map on his pocket.
He grabs a chair and eats the hand in plate in delight. 2 more person joins in.
"Give me the legs"
They sat down together eating the cooked human meat.
"Were lucky tonight boys, look" he bought out the map "it seems that boy was from that city.."
We'll move out tommorrow so get full.
After eating, the man who shot alwyn brings a gun towards the mans head who's part they were eating. Shooting him ending his mysery.
Outside the campsite
"Where the hell is he?" I muttered under my breath as I pressed forward. The sound of a gunshot and a piercing scream pierced the air.
"Alwyn!" I sprinted ahead only to find two zombie's, both runner type, blocking my path.
"Shit." They spotted me and charged in my direction. Alwyn's desperate cries echoed in the distance.
I hurried towards his voice, tailed by the relentless zombies in pursuit. As I reached the scene, I saw two armed men outside, and someone was dragging Alwyn inside.
Just what kind of mess have you got yourself now
Then i heard the zombie drawing closer, i clenched my metal rod and swung at the nearest zombie with all my might, but the blow only left a small dent on its head. I couldn't help but wonder if I had always been this weak.
The zombie then grabbed my arm, attempting a quick bite. I managed to slip out of my jacket just in time, allowing the zombie to tear through it.
And it was a comfortable jacket, too. I sighed in frustration.
Realizing I was outmatched, I fled, but the zombies were faster. One even grabbed my hair, yanking me closer.
Before it could sink it's teeth into my throat, I shoved the iron rod into the zombie mouth, it bites the rod hard and it's teeth started falling apart after biting the hard iron rod.
The other zombie stumbles on it's way accidentally pushing the zombie holding me. And because of it i was free'd from its grasp.
I distanced myself from them quickly, feeling like I was hanging on to life by a thread each time they caught me. I felt like a character from a movie with an incredible plot armor, miraculously surviving these close encounters.
I took a stance, holding the iron rod in front of me. The first zombie that got up lunged toward me, and I aimed for its eye, thrusting the rod through it, instantly killing the creature.
The second zombie rushed at me, and I attempted the same move but missed my shot. The zombie closed in.
I dodged its pounce and quickly grabbed the jacket lying on the ground. I used it to coat a rock, creating a makeshift flail.
I spun the flail and aimed for the zombie's head. The rock dug deep into its skull, followed by a forceful bash with the rod finished the job.
"Wait for me, Alwyn," I muttered.
Suddenly, I felt something in my mind again. Opening the system, another exclamation mark appeared in the message box.
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Quest -Fate from the Evil Arms-
Duration: 14 Hours
[ Due to his Stubborness and not listening to teaches about the danger of the night. Alwyn found himself in the arms of canniballistic humans, save alwyn and defeat or kill the cannibals. The choice of their fate lies in your hand ]
Reward: 30 Skill Points +Allison Favor and Loyal Ally -Alwyn
Penalty: Alwyn death +Anger of Allison
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