Chapter 7 - The Space Within

Ariciah stood in the middle of her dingy apartment, staring at the canned food she had collected over the morning, a few tins of beans, a box of dried noodles, and bottles of water. It was meager compared to what she knew she would need, but it was a start.

I need to do some experiments first.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes and focusing on the tug she had felt the day before, allowing herself to slip into the strange, otherworldly space that had somehow become a part of her.

When she opened her eyes again, she stood within the same vast, empty plain she had first encountered. This time, however, she was ready to explore.

The ground beneath her feet was a smooth, featureless surface, stretching out endlessly in every direction, its silvery sheen reflecting the faint, ambient light that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once.

There were no landmarks, no horizon, just an infinite expanse that seemed to bend and shift as her thoughts directed it.

She reached into her eco-bag, pulling out one of the cans of beans she had brought. Her fingers brushed against the metal, and she focused on the word she had thought before, storage.

The space seemed to pulse around her in response, and the can vanished from her hand, reappearing on a small, simple shelf that materialized at her will.

Ariciah's breath caught in her throat. She had done it, she had successfully stored something. She glanced around, considering the implications of this newfound ability.

Amazing!

Here, in this space, she could keep supplies safe from both the living and the dead. No one could steal from her here, and the infected couldn't reach her.

She concentrated again, willing herself to return to the physical world. In an instant, the space dissolved around her, and she found herself back in her apartment, the morning light streaming in through the curtains.

The can of beans was no longer in her hand, and a surge of excitement fluttered in her chest. It hadn't been a fluke, she could come and go from that place, using it to store whatever she needed.

Her mind raced with possibilities as she summoned herself back into the space. The first thing she noticed this time was the stillness. There was no breeze, no sound, no movement. It was as if time itself had frozen the moment she entered.

Ariciah waved her hand experimentally, but there was no echo, no shift in the air. She realized with a start that this place existed outside the flow of time. She could stay here as long as she wanted, and when she left, not a single second would have passed in the real world.

The implications were staggering. If she needed to rest, she could retreat here, safe from the dangers of the apocalypse. If she needed to think, to plan, or even to train, she could do so without the pressure of time slipping away.

I felt very lucky!

Ariciah's fingers tightened into fists as the potential of the space began to dawn on her. This was more than just a storage room, it could be a sanctuary, a place where she could prepare for the challenges ahead.

But as she explored further, she quickly discovered that this space wasn't without its limitations. For one, the empty expanse was just that, empty. It had no inherent resources, no food, water, or weapons.

Everything she wanted to keep here would have to be brought in from the outside, which meant she would still need to risk scavenging and collecting supplies in the real world.

And while the space itself was vast, she could only bring in what she could physically carry, hold, or touch, no magical portal that would allow her to transport large objects or vehicles by waving her hands.

Ariciah also noticed that the plain had an unsettling effect on her mind. The silence, the sheer nothingness, pressed down on her thoughts like a cage, threatening to unravel the thin thread of her sanity.

She realized that while this place could provide respite, it would not be a home. The lack of motion was too unnatural, the endless expanse too lonely. She couldn't afford to lose herself in this place, no matter how tempting the promise of safety might seem.

Steeling herself, she forced her mind to focus on the practicalities of her situation. She spent hours testing the boundaries of her storage ability, storing and retrieving various objects, cans of food, a flashlight, and even a small kitchen knife she had found in a drawer.

She learned that while she could store nearly anything, there were weight and size limitations. Larger objects required more concentration to bring in, and she found herself growing tired more quickly the heavier the items became. It would be no easy task to store enough supplies to last through the initial wave of the apocalypse, let alone the years that followed.

I should do some workouts to increase my stamina and control. 

As she worked, she began to develop a plan. She would use the space to stockpile food, water, tools, and anything that could help her survive the first few weeks when chaos would reign and resources would become scarce.

She needed to gather weapons, too, and learn how to use them. Ariciah winced at the thought, remembering how utterly helpless she had been before. Her hands had never wielded more than a pen, but now, she would need to learn how to fight. It was a grim thought, but there was no avoiding it.

She also realized that this place could be used to train, even if it was in the most basic sense. Ariciah visualized the actions she would need to take, swinging a bat, aiming a gun, and learning the motions of self-defense.

I need to have access to the black market to purchase what I want. 

In the quiet space, she practiced some basic fighting and stretching moves, repeating them until the motions began to feel familiar. It was clumsy at first, awkward and unsteady, but she persisted, knowing that every little improvement counted.

It was while she practiced that Ariciah noticed something else about the space, it seemed to reflect her emotions. The more determined she felt, the more solid and grounded the plain beneath her feet became.

But when doubt crept in, when fear tugged at the edges of her thoughts, the ground would shift and waver, becoming slick and unstable. It was as if the space itself was tied to her state of mind, responding to the strength or weakness of her resolve.

Ariciah stopped, breathless, sweat beading on her forehead. She was stronger here, she also realized that she was faster and more resilient. It was as if the space allowed her to push her limits in ways she couldn't in the real world.

But it also meant that her control over the space was fragile, easily influenced by her inner turmoil. If she let fear take over, this sanctuary could become a trap, a reflection of her worst nightmares.

I need to strengthen my mental state. Should watch different survival documentaries, apocalyptic movies, and horror stuff. 

She sat down on the featureless ground, closing her eyes as she tried to center herself. She focused on the memory of her death, the chilling darkness that had nearly consumed her, and the regret that had burned in her chest.

She remembered the promise she had made, the vow to fight back if she was given the chance. Now, she had that chance, and she wasn't going to let it slip away.

I need to grow more flexible and adaptable. 

Ariciah opened her eyes, a fierce determination settling in her chest. She would master this power, turn this strange gift into an advantage. She would prepare, learn, and grow stronger, no matter how daunting the task seemed.

Because she knew what was coming. She had seen the end of the world, felt its icy grip, and watched as everything she cared about crumbled into ash. This time, she would be ready.

With one last glance around the empty plain, she focused on returning to the real world. The space melted away, and she found herself back in her apartment, the morning light unchanged.

Clenching her fists, Ariciah began making a list in her mind, of supplies she needed, places she could raid before the chaos began. Time was short, but for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope.

She had been given a lifeline, and she would use it to its fullest. The world was heading for disaster, but she would not face it as the helpless girl she once was. This time, she would fight to survive.