The sun had barely risen when Jack and Raj prepared to execute their plan. Priya was kept safe in one of the rooms, with strict instructions to stay quiet and hidden until they returned. They had set up a small space for her with blankets and toys to keep her occupied.
"Remember, Priya," Raj said, kneeling down to her level. "Stay here, and don't come out until we come back. We'll be back soon, I promise."
Priya nodded, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and understanding. "Be careful, Papa. And you too, Jack."
Jack smiled reassuringly. "We will, Priya. Stay safe."
With that, Jack and Raj armed themselves with their makeshift weapons and descended the emergency stairs to the 49th floor. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit corridor. They activated their flashlights and moved cautiously, keeping close to the walls.
As planned, Jack used a walkie-talkie to create a loud noise at the far end of the floor. The sound echoed through the hallways, drawing the attention of the infected. They heard shuffling and low growls as the infected were lured away from their path.
"Let's move," Jack whispered, leading the way.
They advanced slowly, checking each room methodically. The first few rooms were empty, but as they approached the central area of the floor, they encountered their first surprise: a group of infected hiding behind a makeshift barricade. The infected lunged at them, but Jack quickly blinded them with his flashlight. Using his reinforced metal rod, he took down the nearest infected with a swift, powerful strike.
Raj followed suit, using his wooden plank with nails to fend off another attacker. Despite his initial fear, Raj found his courage, aided by Jack's presence and guidance. They moved with efficiency, clearing the room and securing the area.
"Good job," Jack said, catching his breath. "Let's keep going."
They continued their sweep, but the next surprise came in the form of a trapped survivor. A middle-aged man was locked in a storage closet, banging on the door in a panic. Jack and Raj quickly freed him, but as soon as the door opened, the man bolted past them, screaming and running down the corridor in a blind panic.
"No, wait!" Jack shouted, but it was too late. The man ran into a room where the noise of his escape had attracted more infected. They heard his screams as he was overwhelmed, a harsh reminder of the danger they were in.
"Let's keep moving," Raj said grimly, and they pressed on.
In another corridor, they encountered a particularly strong infected, seemingly more resilient than the others. It stood taller, its muscles bulging unnaturally under its decaying skin. Jack and Raj exchanged a wary glance before stepping forward.
Jack swung his metal rod first, aiming for the infected's head. The rod connected with a sickening thud, but the creature barely flinched. It snarled and swiped at Jack, forcing him to jump back.
"Watch out!" Raj yelled, swinging his plank with nails. He managed to strike the infected's arm, but it turned its attention to him, lunging with terrifying speed.
Raj stumbled backward, trying to keep the infected at bay. Jack saw his chance and swung again, this time aiming for the creature's legs. The hit caused the infected to falter, but it quickly regained its balance and charged at Jack.
Jack barely managed to dodge, feeling the air whoosh past him as the infected's claws swiped inches from his face. Raj took advantage of the momentary distraction to drive his plank into the creature's side, embedding the nails deep into its flesh.
The infected roared in pain, thrashing wildly. Jack and Raj exchanged a determined look and pressed their attack together. Jack aimed for the legs again, trying to cripple the creature, while Raj focused on its torso, aiming for vital spots.
The infected, despite its strength, began to slow under their combined assault. Blood and decay splattered as they landed blow after blow. Finally, with a decisive swing, Jack struck the infected's head, the impact shattering bone. The creature collapsed, twitching before finally going still.
Both men were panting, adrenaline coursing through their veins. They exchanged a look of relief mixed with exhaustion.
"That was too close," Raj gasped, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Yeah," Jack agreed, catching his breath. "Let's finish this."
After what felt like hours, they finally cleared the last room. The 49th floor was secure. They marked the exits and checked all the rooms once more to ensure no infected were hiding. Satisfied with their work, they headed back to the penthouse.
Back at the penthouse, Priya greeted them with relief. Raj hugged her tightly, whispering reassurances. Jack felt a pang of emotion as he watched them, reminded of his own family.
"Thank you, Jack," Raj said, still holding Priya.
Jack shook his head. "It was a team effort. We did well today."
They all settled in for the night, weary from the day's ordeal. Raj started a small fire in the fireplace, and they gathered around it. Raj began to relax around Jack, opening up about his life before the outbreak.
"I was an architect," Raj said, staring into the flames. "My wife and I moved here for a project. She... didn't make it when things went bad. It's just me and Priya now."
Jack nodded, feeling a deep empathy. "I'm sorry, Raj. I lost my family too. My sister... she was about Priya's age."
Priya, sensing the somber mood, brought over a small box of chocolate bars she had found. "Here," she said, handing one to each of them. "These always make me feel better."
Jack smiled, touched by the gesture. "Thank you, Priya. This is perfect."
Raj looked at Jack, his eyes reflecting both gratitude and curiosity. "I have to admit, Jack, I'm a bit puzzled. How did you end up here, in this building of all places?"
Jack hesitated, then decided to be honest. "I didn't know about this building's specifics. I was just looking for a high place that seemed defensible. I got lucky."
Raj nodded slowly, but Jack noticed a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. "Really? Because this building isn't just any high-rise. It was one of my projects. I know every nook and cranny of this place, all its resources, and features. I knew it would be the best choice in a situation like this."
Jack blinked, processing this new information. "You're telling me you know everything about this building?"
Raj nodded. "Yes. I know where we can find more supplies, where the best places to fortify are, and even some hidden rooms that might come in handy. I designed it with all kinds of contingencies in mind, never imagining something like this would happen, of course."
Jack felt a surge of relief. "That's incredible. We really are in the best possible place, then."
Raj smiled slightly. "We are. And with your help, I think we can make it even safer."
They spent the rest of the night discussing their next steps. They decided to fortify the penthouse further, secure the floors below, and start gathering resources the following day. Raj, using his extensive knowledge of the building, pointed out where they could find hidden storage areas and additional supplies.
Later that night, Jack lay awake, thinking about his family and the new bonds he was forming. Priya's presence reminded him of his sister, and he felt a renewed sense of responsibility to protect his new makeshift family. Tomorrow, they would focus on gathering more resources, but for now, they could rest, knowing that they had taken a significant step toward securing their survival.