The group moved silently through the dark, deserted streets. The eerie quiet of the city, now nothing but a shell of its former self, sent shivers down their spines. The once bustling roads, now empty and desolate, were filled with remnants of chaos—abandoned cars, shattered windows, and traces of past battles.
Yuuto led the way, his mind focused on their destination: an old supermarket about two blocks away from the gang's territory. They needed supplies—food, water, and anything they could use to survive. The gang's stockpile had run thin, and they had to act fast before they were left with nothing.
"Stay close," Yuuto whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of their cautious footsteps. "We can't afford to split up now."
Kazuki, Aya, Akari, and Rika followed closely behind, with Gajin and Rin bringing up the rear. Every creak, every gust of wind set them on edge, their senses heightened from the constant threat of monsters or, worse, other survivors turned hostile.
As they approached the supermarket, the building loomed large, its flickering neon sign barely holding onto life. It was a stark reminder of the old world, where people once came to buy groceries without a care in the world. Now, it was nothing more than a potential death trap.
Rika pointed toward the broken front windows. "Looks like it's been ransacked already."
Yuuto nodded. "It doesn't matter. There might still be something useful inside. We'll take what we can."
They cautiously approached the entrance, stepping over shards of glass and debris. Inside, the supermarket was dark and unsettling. Shelves were overturned, their contents scattered across the floor. The smell of rotting food mixed with the stench of decay, but there were no signs of immediate danger.
Yuuto held up his hand, signaling the group to stop. "We need to move fast. Split up and gather as much as you can, but stay within earshot. If anything goes wrong, shout."
Kazuki gave a half-hearted grin. "Just like the good ol' days of grocery shopping, huh?"
Aya rolled her eyes. "Except now we're shopping for survival."
They dispersed, quickly moving through the aisles in search of supplies. Yuuto stayed near the entrance, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble. His mind was racing—thinking not only about the supplies but also about Akari's sudden disappearance in the last encounter, the betrayal from Sylvia, and the weight of Naoki's death still lingering in the back of his mind.
He hadn't told the others, but he could still hear Naoki's final words, the way his friend's life had been snatched away by the system's cruel games. Yuuto clenched his fists. He had to stay strong, for them.
In the distance, Rin was trailing after Gajin, sticking close to the old man. The little boy's eyes were wide, taking in the scene with a mix of fear and curiosity. He clutched tightly to the sleeve of Gajin's coat, as if it was the only thing anchoring him in this nightmare world.
"Yuuto," Rika's voice called out from the far aisle. "I found a stash of water bottles. Most of them are broken, but we've got a few that look clean."
"Grab them," Yuuto called back. "Anything we can get our hands on."
Suddenly, the lights above them flickered. A soft buzzing sound echoed through the building, and Yuuto's heart sank. He immediately raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop.
"Get back here. Now!" he shouted, his voice urgent.
Kazuki, Aya, and Akari quickly returned to the front of the store, arms filled with whatever they could scavenge—cans of food, bottles of water, and some medical supplies. Gajin and Rin hurried after them, the boy's small hands clutching a half-empty box of bandages.
"What's happening?" Kazuki asked, his eyes scanning the flickering lights.
"I don't know," Yuuto replied, his voice low. "But we need to leave."
As they began to move toward the exit, the buzzing grew louder, and suddenly, the lights went out completely, plunging the entire store into darkness.
"Stay close!" Yuuto ordered, reaching out to grab Rika's hand to keep her from getting separated.
A cold wind swept through the aisles, and for a moment, everything was silent. Too silent.
Then came the sound—the unmistakable growl of something lurking in the shadows.
Aya's breath hitched. "What was that?"
Yuuto's grip on his weapon tightened. "We're not alone."
From the depths of the supermarket, the shadows began to shift. Out of the darkness, figures emerged—slow, shambling, and grotesque. Their bodies were twisted, rotting, and covered in sores. Zombies.
The group recoiled in horror as the undead slowly made their way toward them, their dead eyes fixed on the living. There were at least ten of them, maybe more, and they were blocking the exit.
"Damn it," Kazuki cursed. "We need to fight our way out."
Yuuto's mind raced as the zombies drew closer. They couldn't afford to lose anyone else. "Kazuki, Aya, you're with me. We'll clear a path to the door. Rika, Akari, Gajin—stay with Rin and watch our backs."
Kazuki readied his knife, his usual bravado faltering in the face of the grotesque horde. "This better work, man."
Yuuto didn't respond. There was no time for doubt.
With a yell, Yuuto charged forward, slashing at the nearest zombie with all his strength. Kazuki and Aya followed suit, using whatever weapons they had scavenged to fight off the approaching horde.
The zombies were slow but relentless, their rotting hands reaching out to grab anything within their grasp. Yuuto felt one brush past his arm, but he quickly kicked it back, keeping it at bay.
"We're almost there!" Aya shouted, her voice straining as she slammed a can of food into a zombie's skull.
They were inching closer to the exit, but more zombies were pouring in from the sides, cutting off their escape.
Yuuto gritted his teeth. "We have to push through!"
Just as they were about to be overwhelmed, a sudden crash echoed from behind them. Yuuto turned in time to see Gajin swing a large metal pipe, knocking a zombie off its feet and clearing a path for the others.
"Move, now!" Gajin shouted, his voice surprisingly strong for his age.
The group didn't hesitate. They sprinted through the gap Gajin had created, making a break for the exit as the zombies closed in behind them.
Yuuto was the last to leave, glancing back at the undead horde before slamming the door shut behind them. They were safe, for now.
Panting, the group gathered outside the supermarket, the cold night air feeling like a relief after the suffocating atmosphere inside.
"We… we made it," Rika breathed, her voice shaky but filled with relief.
Yuuto nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah. But that was too close."
Rin looked up at Gajin, his small hand still clutching the bandages. "Are we safe now?"
Gajin smiled down at him, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "For now, Rin. For now."