Hruday looked at Roy, then back at Tyler, and sighed. "Ahh."
Before Roy or Hruday could think of an answer, Tyler chimed in, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," he said with a wink. "Besides, you deserve it, man. It's just a useless tablet. Don't worry, I was just pulling your leg."
Sophia, curious, asked, "Isn't that addictive like nicotine?"
Hruday shook his head. "No, it's not. Also, it's not the nicotine that actually harms you; it's the other stuff in the cigarette."
Roy, intrigued, said, "Then does that mean nicotine is good?"
Hruday quickly clarified, "No, no. It's like a strong, addictive coffee. But even I don't know if it's good or not, to be honest. That's why I haven't tried it. But there are people who use nicotine gum and eat one-sixth of a gum for focus. But this is like a rabbit hole you might slip into drug usage. Whatever."
Hruday addressed the group, "We've done our homework. It's time to move." They went back using the zip line.
Hruday said, "Gather everything you can carry. We'll head to the church and set up there. Even though we've cleared a few zombies that were inside, remember, stay alert, and stick together."
As they moved through the empty streets, the eerie silence was both a relief and a source of anxiety. Hruday couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but he pushed forward, determined to secure a safer future.
He then signaled the van and small truck to move. He opened the church gate. "Get in. We'll take care of the corpses later. Just don't touch them." That was it—they all ran towards the shop and assumed formation as a few stragglers came, taking care of a few dozen at most.
Almost everyone was on outside collecting the goods killing few left over zombies; only a few stayed inside the church to make space and take the goods that were going to get transported. This time, everyone had to participate. Hruday felt they could loot entire streets.
Suddenly, he felt goosebumps opening the gate and wondered, Why am I feeling this? Then he thought, Why were there only a few stragglers? He thought again, *No, no, it's not that. Why do I feel so anxious?* Then he remembered. He quickly shouted, "Don't open the church door!"
They stopped right there as Hruday quickly flashed the mirror towards the building. Sophia, looking at him in confusion, screamed, "What?"
Hruday pointed at the church and showed an X mark. Understanding, she quickly called everyone. Hruday ran outside to bring a big car.
What Hruday had failed to realize was the mention of church survivors that they had blocked a part of the church and that part was connected to the auditorium and had an open gate.
His heart was racing because the auditorium had a function that meant zombies. Feeling doomed, he screamed, "What are you guys doing there? Run here!" But it was too late as he heard the screams of zombies. He quickly asked the driver to move faster.
go go go!!!
As zombies were pouring in, the SUV crushed them and blocked the small entrance that was connected to the auditorium, but now they were trapped.
Hruday was feeling too anxious as he feared being trapped inside a car while zombies were trying to get in was exactly the situation that he didn't want to get into.
"Fuck, fuck!"
The situation grew more intense as other group members sprang into action to help. Despite the chaos, no one died. Hector scolded them for panicking and running away, reminding them to stay focused and efficient.
Once the order was restored, they resumed their task although hesitantly.
They were on a looting spree. Everything felt like it was theirs. It was a mix of anxiety and excitement; they felt like they had gotten freedom for the first time. But still, they were cautious, moving around swiftly, not making too much noise, and parking the truck in a way that they could run easily. Sophia was there with lasers and mirrors to communicate if there were any zombies or if the horde came back.
They efficiently started to transport the goods. Hruday, still on edge, spotted a distant car approaching.
He told everyone not to make a sound and to continue moving the goods. He quickly got into a random car checking twice that there were no zombies inside.
He pretended to be a small group of survivors he called Hector Roy Michael and Mark ready to take drastic measures holding a small blade, he cursed under his breath, "Why can't anything be easy?"
As they approached moving like a snake voiding big obstacles and even pushing through small cars, some zombies chased them while others didn't seem to be in the right mind or it couldn't hear them he didn't know whatever it was he felt little hope and also dread
Hruday's mind started to clock in imagining situations. He thought about the food supplies they were going to collect if they had to split, especially the instant cup ramen and other instant stuff.
He knew that in the future, instant cup ramen would be costlier and more sought after. He thought about both options and decided to trick the group of survivors they encountered.
When they finally arrived the other group was holding the same machete they had they even had a walkie-talkie,
As they looted, they encountered a group of survivors. The tension was immediate. Both groups eyed each other warily, weapons ready.
"Hey, we're just here to gather supplies," Hruday said, raising his hands to show he meant no harm. "We don't want any trouble."
The leader of the other group, a stern-looking man with sharp eyes, replied, "Neither do we. But these supplies are ours go elsewhere."
let's start by dropping our weapon Hector said to which leader Jack immediately rejected absolutely not what you want us to drop our only protection are you dumb!?
hruday said ok ok how about we introduce ourselves self my name is hruday this is Hector and that is Michael and Mark hruday pointed at the cross-section in the west side we came from west mark looked a little confused as to why he chose to lie that they were from the west instead of telling that they were near here somewhere
the leader quickly said no need for names he took a pause you guys came all the way from wasn't there any store he looked at them suspiciously
Hruday thought quickly. no there was but we were not the only people there are ten more depending on us since we live near the junction this was the nearest and besides we were thinking if we could survive together and share supplies hruday said knowing that they would reject at first he thought of saying that he was from the east side near the ground but after hearing one of them talk about the mall he stopped it thinking they might be from the east side
"How about this? We each take a section of the store. You choose first."
the young stern looking leader said how about this we will give you 10 minutes to take whatever you can for a section of your choice and you scramble off your way
that's so unfair hruday said to which the leader replied unfair my ass be grateful that we didn't attack you right away now your time starts now go that section is ours he pointed towards the largest section that was filled with instant and processed food hruday's trickery of stareing at one section worked
As the two groups moved through the store, Hruday directed his team to the bulk items—large packs of rice, wheat, flour, and dried beans. He knew these would last longer and be more valuable in the long run. The other group, meanwhile, loaded up on cup ramen and other instant foods.
Roy, whispered to Hruday, "Are you sure about this? They might be trying to pull something and why are you asking for supplies."
Hruday nodded subtly. "I know. But we need to make sure we're stocked up on essentials. Instant food is convenient, but it won't sustain us for long that's why i told you to stare at it."
The two groups continued their looting, each watching the other warily. roy and Michael kept an eye on the entrances, ensuring no zombies wandered in.
Hruday's plan was working. The other group was distracted by the instant foods, leaving the more substantial supplies for his team.
Jack, noticing Hruday's team loading up on bulk items, approached him. "Why didn't you guys argue? Instant food is more practical how will you cook without- never mind do whatever you want."
Hruday feigned nonchalance. "True, but we can't risk our safety asking for more besides and we have gas even if it ran out we could just eat it raw
Jack looked skeptical but didn't press further. Instead, "Haha Alright, times up let's wrap it up."
hruday asked maintaining a safe distance wanting to stall for time ahh what do think of the zombie's disappearance the leader said huh well I think they are dying mate i am not sure but they sure were strong We had to kill doesons of zombies at once we had to rest for days
As they finished loading their supplies, Hruday offered one last gesture. "If you need help with anything else, let us know. We're always around."
Jack, his wariness dropping a little, nodded. "Thanks, but we'll manage. You be careful out there and take some of these water barrels how are going to survive if water runs out ."
Hruday smiled, masking his relief. "You too. Stay safe."
With that, the two groups parted ways, each heading back to their respective bases. As Hruday's team loaded the last of their supplies into the truck, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They had managed to secure valuable resources without conflict, and the other group had no idea how much more valuable their haul truly was.
On the way back, Roy couldn't help but laugh. "Man, you really baited them good. Cup ramen over bulk rice and wheat? They'll be hungry again in no time."
Hruday smirked. "It's all about thinking ahead. Instant food is a quick fix, but we need sustenance that has actual nutritions. Let's get back and start setting up. We've got a lot of work to do."
also, man I didn't trick them its easier and safe for us to cook because we have such a large space they seem to be planning on travelling so its win win
Roy said sure win-win when we had just looted an entire freaking street and still went towards the border store
they drove back to the church by going to the west side first and waiting for them to move out, the group felt a renewed sense of hope.
They had outsmarted potential rivals and secured their future, at least for a little while longer. The temporary calm was a welcome change, but Hruday knew it wouldn't last. They needed to stay vigilant and be prepared for whatever came next.
With the church in sight, Hruday felt a mixture of relief and anticipation. Their new base was coming together, and with the supplies they had gathered, they were in a better position than ever. For now, they had won a small victory in the midst of the apocalypse.