Ryo's breathing was slow and steady, but his heart was racing. The faint sound of footsteps echoed through the dark hallways of the police station. Were they human? Or something else? He didn't know—and he didn't want to find out.
His instincts told him to run. To get out before whatever was hiding in the shadows found him.
But panicking wouldn't help. He was too close to escaping, too close to getting away from the zombies outside. He clenched his jaw and forced himself to stay calm. No sudden moves. No wasted energy.
The heavy silence pressed down on him as he moved. Each step was careful, his old sneakers making no sound on the cold floor. His backpack felt heavy on his shoulders—a burden, but one he needed. Inside were supplies that could mean the difference between life and death.
He adjusted the strap, his eyes darting toward the station entrance ahead. Just a little farther. If he could get outside without being noticed, he'd be safe.
Ryo reached the doors and paused. His hand hovered over the handle, his pulse steady but alert. Outside was the world—a world that had fallen into chaos and ruin. But it was also a world where he could still survive.
He breathed out slowly. No time for doubt.
With a firm push, the doors creaked open, and the cool night air hit him. The streets stretched out before him, dark and silent. For a moment, he let himself enjoy it—the fresh air, the quiet, the fact that he was still alive. Another escape. Another night survived.
But the relief didn't last.
A chill ran down his spine, one that had nothing to do with the cold air. The city was empty—too empty. No moans from zombies. No distant sounds of struggle. Nothing. And yet…
Someone's watching me.
The thought crept into his mind, unwanted but impossible to ignore. His body tensed as he kept walking, his senses sharpening with every step. He didn't look back. Didn't slow down. But the feeling stayed—an invisible gaze fixed on him, waiting.
Waiting for the right moment to strike.
Ryo moved quickly, his steps steady but careful. His footsteps echoed in the empty streets, each sound disappearing into the silence. He kept his hood low, hiding his face—just in case. Even if the streets seemed empty, he knew better than to think he was alone.
For once, luck was on his side. No sudden movements in the alleys. No groans of zombies around the corner. The trip home was strangely easy, unlike the usual dangers that made every trip a fight for survival.
And then, finally—home.
His apartment building stood ahead, a familiar sight in the ruins of a dying world. Relief washed over him as he stepped inside, closing the door with a heavy thud. He locked it right away, double-checking before letting out a slow breath.
The familiar space felt like an old friend. The worn-out couch. The scattered supplies. The view of the city from the rooftop, now swallowed by death. It wasn't much—but in this world, it was a safe place.
For now, at least, he was safe.
With a tired sigh, Ryo went through his usual routine—taking off his jacket, removing his dirty clothes, and stepping into the shower. The cold water stung at first, but he welcomed it. It grounded him, washing away the dirt of the day and the tension in his muscles.
Afterward, he brushed his teeth, trying to get rid of the stale taste of exhaustion and fear. A small habit, but one that reminded him he was still human.
Finally, he made a simple meal—canned food and dry rations, nothing special, but enough to keep him going. He sat at the kitchen table, eating in silence. The quiet was overwhelming.
A wave of loneliness hit him, sudden and heavy.
The world outside was dead, empty. And inside this apartment—his so-called safe place—he was just as alone. No voices. No warmth. Just the sound of his own breathing and the unshakable truth that haunted him.
He was different.
The outbreak had destroyed everything, yet he remained untouched. The key to understanding it all was inside him. And yet, there was no one left to turn to. No one he could trust with the truth.
Ryo swallowed the last bite of his meal, ignoring the bitterness in his chest.
Even with the heavy feeling of loneliness pressing on him, Ryo refused to give up.
He was still here. Still standing.
A lone survivor in a world swallowed by darkness.
Ryo walked to the window, looking out at the ruined city. Shadows stretched across the streets, and broken buildings stood like silent graves. Somewhere out there, zombies wandered aimlessly, reminders of the world that once was.
And yet, he wasn't afraid.
He was alive. And as long as he was breathing, he would keep moving forward.
No matter what challenges came, he would face them head-on.
With nothing but his own strength, his will to survive, and the unshakable determination burning inside him.
Because in this dying world, he was his own hope.
( End Of Chapter )