I wake up to the sound of shattering glass and crunching metal. My heart racing, I sit up in bed and look around, disoriented. The noises are louder than before, and they seem to be coming from outside. I throw off the covers and rush to the window, pulling back the curtains.
My blood runs cold.
The streets are chaos. Cars are overturned, buildings are damaged, and...and creatures are roaming the streets. They're slow-moving, stumbling, and groaning. They're unlike anything I've ever seen before. Their skin is grayish, and decaying, and their eyes are empty. They're like...zombies.
But how? The tower is 20 feet away from my house. I thought we were safe. I thought we were far enough.
I watch in horror as the creatures shamble down the street, leaving destruction in their wake. They're not just mindless beasts; they seem to be drawn to the sounds of screams and crashing. They're attracted to noise.
My mind reels as I try to process what's happening. This is insane. This is a nightmare. I must be dreaming.
But the sounds, the smells, the sights – they're all too real.
I force myself to move, to think. I need to get my family to safety. I rush to my parents' room, but they're not there. I call out to them, but there's no response.
Panic sets in.
I run downstairs, searching for them. The living room is a mess, furniture overturned, and windows shattered. I see a figure huddled in the corner, and my heart leaps with hope.
It's my mom.
She's crying, her eyes wide with fear. "Ethan, oh God, Ethan..." she whispers.
I rush to her side, hugging her tightly. "Mom, where's Dad?"
She points to the backyard. "He...he went to check on the neighbours."
I feel a surge of fear. "We need to get out of here, now."
But as I look out the window, I realize we can't. The creatures are everywhere. They're surrounding the house, moaning and groaning. We're trapped.
My mom grabs my arm, her grip tight. "What's happening, Ethan? What are those things?"
I shake my head. "I don't know, Mom. But we need to stay safe."
I look around the room, searching for anything that can help us. I spot a baseball bat in the corner, leftover from my high school days. I grab it, feeling a sense of determination.
We'll get through this. We have to.
But as I look out the window, I see more creatures shambling towards us. They're relentless, unstoppable.
And I wonder...will we make it through the day alive?
I took a deep breath, calming my racing thoughts as I surveyed the chaos around me. The zombies were relentless, but I knew I had to keep a clear head. I gripped the baseball bat tightly, my karate training kicking in as I assessed the situation.
With a calculated swing, I took down the nearest zombie, aiming for the sweet spot on its skull. The crunch was satisfying, but I didn't let my emotions get the better of me. I'd seen too many horror movies to know that complacency was a killer.
As I made my way through the horde, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. This was too surreal, too sudden. One day, I was celebrating my graduation and upcoming job; the next, I was fighting for survival. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
I kept moving, my senses on high alert, but my mind was racing with questions. What were these creatures? Where did they come from? And what was the purpose of those ominous towers?
I took down another zombie, my movements economical and precise. But with each step, I felt a growing sense of uncertainty. Was I doing the right thing? Should I be trying to find a way to escape, or was I just delaying the inevitable?
My eyes scanned the surrounding area, searching for any signs of danger or potential allies. The streets were eerily quiet, except for the moans of the undead. I spotted a few buildings that might provide temporary shelter, but I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever.
As I paused to catch my breath, I realized that my anger and frustration had given way to a more pragmatic concern. How was I going to survive this? What did I need to do to make it through the day, the week, the month?
The bat still clutched in my hand, I took a cautious step forward, my eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of what lay ahead. I knew I had to keep moving, but I also knew that I couldn't afford to be reckless. In this new world, caution might be the only thing that kept me alive.
I killed nearly 25 zombies, others were fighting too but in fewer numbers.
As suddenly as they appeared, the zombies vanished. The streets, once teeming with undead, were now eerily still. I stood frozen, bat at the ready, wondering if I'd imagined the entire ordeal. But the carnage around me told a different story. Bloodstained pavement, tattered clothes, and the stench of death assured me that the horror was all too real.
I lowered my bat, my mind reeling with questions. What triggered their disappearance? Was it a coordinated retreat, or something more sinister? The silence was unsettling, leaving me wondering what new terror might emerge from the shadows. I remained vigilant, my senses on high alert, as I scanned the empty streets for any sign of what was to come.
A holographic screen appeared in front of me.
Congratulations on defeating over 20 zombies in the first wave of lower-tier zombies.
You have awakened the Gamer System.
I stared in amazement at the holographic screen, my eyes widening in surprise.