Chapter 7: Cornered
Alex sprinted down the hallway toward Unit 3D, his heart pounding louder than the infected's groans behind him. Each step felt like a race against death, the horde's shuffling movements growing louder as they closed in.
He reached the door and twisted the knob—it wouldn't budge. Locked.
"Damn it!" he hissed.
The infected were just a few meters away now, their bloodied faces coming into view. A mangled one at the front of the pack dragged its twisted leg but still moved with unnerving speed.
Alex frantically glanced around, his gaze landing on a nearby fire extinguisher mounted on the wall. He didn't hesitate, smashing the glass casing with the crowbar and yanking the extinguisher free.
"Let's hope this works," he muttered, turning back toward the door.
Forcing His Way In
With the infected only feet away, Alex raised the heavy fire extinguisher and slammed it into the door handle.
Action: Forced Entry
Strength Check: Success!
The door creaked under the impact, splinters flying as the frame gave way. Alex didn't wait for a second swing—he shoved the door open with his shoulder and stumbled inside.
He barely had time to slam the door shut and lock it with the deadbolt before the first infected slammed into the other side. The entire door shook violently, their moaning and pounding sending a chill down Alex's spine.
"That's not going to hold forever," he muttered, stepping back.
The room was dark and eerily silent compared to the chaos outside. Alex quickly scanned the apartment, looking for something to barricade the door with. His flashlight illuminated a small wooden bookshelf near the corner of the living room.
He grunted as he dragged it across the floor, tipping it over and shoving it against the door. The pounding continued, but the added weight seemed to buy him some time.
The Apartment's Secrets
Breathing heavily, Alex turned his attention to the apartment. Unit 3D was smaller than the others, but it was surprisingly clean compared to the chaos he'd encountered so far. A faint metallic smell lingered in the air, though, and Alex couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The groaning and banging from the infected outside were constant, making it hard to concentrate. He forced himself to focus, checking the system's interface.
Mission Progress: 2/3 Units Secured
Objective: Clear Unit 3D of threats and secure supplies.
Alex tightened his grip on the crowbar. "Threats, huh? Of course there's something waiting for me."
The Blood Trail
He moved cautiously through the living room, his flashlight illuminating every corner. Most of the furniture was intact, but the floor near the kitchen had a long, dark stain that led deeper into the apartment.
Alex followed the trail, his nerves on edge. He reached the bedroom and stopped cold.
The source of the metallic smell was immediately clear: a corpse lay sprawled across the bed, its chest ripped open.
But it wasn't the sight of the body that made Alex's blood run cold—it was the slow, labored breathing coming from the shadows in the corner.
"Shit," Alex whispered, raising his flashlight.
A figure crouched in the darkness, its back to him. It was smaller than the crawler from before, but its movements were jerky, unnatural. The system interface flared to life.
Infected Detected: Stalker
Danger Level: Low-Medium
Abilities: Stealth, enhanced hearing. Weakness: Light sensitivity.
The figure turned its head toward him slowly, its face half-hidden behind strands of filthy hair. Its milky white eyes gleamed in the beam of his flashlight, and it let out a low, guttural hiss.
The Encounter
The stalker moved suddenly, launching itself off the wall like a coiled spring. Alex barely had time to react, swinging the crowbar in a wide arc.
The metal connected with the creature's shoulder, sending it crashing into a nearby dresser. It let out a piercing screech, its clawed hands scrambling to right itself.
Alex didn't let up. He stepped forward and swung again, aiming for its head. The stalker ducked at the last moment, its speed catching him off guard. It lunged, slashing at his legs with its claws.
Alex stumbled back, pain flaring as the creature's claws tore into his shin. He swung wildly, keeping the stalker at bay as it circled him, hissing and snarling.
"Stay down, damn it!" Alex growled.
He remembered the system's note: Light sensitivity.
Without hesitation, he aimed the flashlight directly at the creature's face and flicked it to high beam.
The stalker screeched, clawing at its eyes as it stumbled back. Alex took the opportunity to close the distance, slamming the crowbar down onto its skull with all his strength.
Critical Hit: 25 Damage.
The stalker collapsed to the ground, twitching violently before going still.
Securing Unit 3D
Alex leaned against the wall, panting heavily. Blood trickled down his leg from the stalker's attack, but the pain was manageable.
The system chimed in his head.
Unit 3D Cleared. Safe Zone Expanded.
Mission Progress: 3/3 Units Secured. Mission Complete!
Rewards Unlocked: Starter Pack (Bonus!)
Alex's vision blurred as a wave of relief washed over him. He slumped to the floor, pulling up the system interface.
Mission Rewards:Starter Pack Unlocked!+200 System PointsSkill Unlocked: Basic CraftingStarter Pack Loot:Steel-Edged Crowbar (Durability: High)Ration Pack (7 Days' Supply)Energy Bar x3Blueprint: Reinforced Door (Basic)
Alex's tired eyes widened as the steel-edged crowbar materialized in his hand. It felt solid and balanced, far superior to the rusty one he'd been using.
"This… this might actually give me a fighting chance," he murmured, gripping the weapon tightly.
The pounding on the front door snapped him out of his daze. The infected were still outside, and the barricade wouldn't last forever.
The Next Move
Alex limped back to the living room, his new crowbar in hand. He checked the system map, which now displayed the entire third floor as a green safe zone.
But the infected weren't going anywhere, and the faint sound of groaning from the floor below reminded him that this was only the beginning.
"I've secured this floor, but I can't stay here forever," he thought.
The reinforced door blueprint glowed faintly in his inventory. It was a start—something to keep the infected out while he planned his next move.
Alex glanced at the locked door leading to the stairwell. If he wanted to survive, he'd need to move to the lower floors eventually.
But first, he had to deal with the horde outside.