The tension hung heavy in the air as Naira and Kiran stood in the aftermath of their encounter. The lifeless body in the café began to emit a foul odor, and they knew they couldn't leave it there.
"We need to move him," Naira said, his voice firm but tinged with exhaustion. "The smell is going to attract attention, and we don't want to be dealing with that."
Kiran nodded, though her face was pale. Together, they dragged the body toward the back door, struggling with the weight and the unsettling reality of what they were doing. Once outside, they found a small, hidden alley where they left the body, trying to distance themselves from the grim task they had just completed.
Back inside the café, Naira and Kiran set to work barricading the windows. They stacked chairs against the glass, reinforcing them with tables and anything else heavy they could find. The soft light from the few still-functioning bulbs cast eerie shadows across the room as they worked in silence, each lost in their thoughts.
Once the main floor was secured, Naira turned to Kiran. "I'm going to check the second floor, make sure it's safe up there. You stay down here and keep an eye out."
Kiran nodded, her eyes wide with fear but trusting in Naira's plan. She watched as he cautiously ascended the stairs, the creaks of the old wood echoing in the quiet café.
At the top of the stairs, Naira paused, listening intently. The second floor was dimly lit, the only light coming from the small windows that hadn't been covered. He moved carefully through the space, checking each room, his crowbar at the ready.
To his relief, the second floor was clear. The storeroom, tucked away at the end of the hallway, was clean and organized. As he stepped inside, Naira felt a small wave of relief wash over him. The shelves were stocked with supplies—cup noodles, coffee beans, instant coffee packets, and even pre-cooked meats. It wasn't a feast, but it was more than enough to sustain them for a while.
He grabbed a couple of the cup noodles and some bottled water before heading back downstairs to Kiran. As he descended, he called out softly, "It's clear up there. And we're in luck—there's plenty of food in the storeroom."
Kiran looked up at him, a hint of relief in her eyes. "That's good to hear. We might actually be able to hold out here for a while."
Naira handed her one of the cup noodles and a bottle of water. "Let's eat something and take a moment to rest. We need to stay sharp."
They sat down together in the dimly lit café, the chairs they had used to barricade the windows now serving as their makeshift dining area. As they ate, the warm broth and familiar taste of instant noodles brought a small sense of comfort to the otherwise dire situation.
"I can't believe how quickly everything changed," Kiran said quietly, staring into her cup of noodles. "It feels like just yesterday we were joking around about zombies. And now…"
Naira reached over, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I know. But we're going to get through this. We just have to take it one step at a time."
Kiran nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm glad you're here with me, Naira. I don't know what I'd do if I were alone."
"You're not alone," Naira replied, his voice steady. "We'll face whatever comes together."
As they finished their meal, the reality of their situation began to sink in further. They were on their own in a world that had suddenly turned hostile, but for now, they had a safe place, supplies, and each other. And in the face of the unknown, that was enough to keep going.