After the terrifying experience at the police station, Zion knew he couldn't stay there any longer. He quickly left the dangerous area, carrying the little cat that had saved him. Thus began the journey of one boy and one cat.
After leaving the police station, Zion found a relatively safe corner to rest. He took out a cup from his backpack, concentrated, and summoned a cup of water. Although he could now summon water directly into his mouth, he still preferred drinking from a cup as it felt more reassuring.
Zion gently stroked the cat's head while summoning a piece of chicken with his other hand. The little kitten immediately pounced on the meat, devouring it eagerly.
Smiling, Zion watched the kitten and felt that the journey seemed less lonely with this little companion. He then summoned a burger for himself and began to enjoy the simple yet delicious meal. As he bit into the burger, the flavors of the juicy patty, soft bun, and savory toppings brought him a long-missed sense of satisfaction.
After finishing their meal, the kitten fell asleep, having eaten its fill. Zion guessed it was exhausted from the earlier battle with the mutated creature and needed a good rest. Looking around, he found an abandoned sports bag by the roadside. Carefully, he placed the kitten inside the bag and slung it across his chest. This way, he could carry it conveniently and protect it at the same time.
Continuing onward, Zion and the kitten made their way into the city center. They cautiously navigated through street after street, trying to avoid making any noise. The streets of the city center were now populated with wandering zombies. They shuffled aimlessly, their empty eyes emitting a sense of dread. Zion's heart raced as he silently moved past several zombies.
Every step felt like walking on a razor's edge. Zion's breathing grew more rapid, and his heart pounded faster. Each time a zombie turned its empty gaze, he felt a chill run down his spine. Every glance back was a test of his nerves, and he could feel cold sweat forming in his palms.
"Stay calm, Zion, stay calm," he told himself, but the sight of the decaying corpses and hollow eyes intensified his fear. Each low growl from a zombie felt like a hammer strike on his nerves, pushing him to the brink of panic.
As he passed through an alley, he heard a low growl nearby. Turning, he saw several zombies gathering, seemingly having caught his scent. His heart pounded furiously, and his mind went blank, almost giving in to despair.
"No, I can't die here," Zion thought, gritting his teeth and forcing himself to calm down. He quickly considered his options and summoned a piece of steak. He threw it as far as he could. The steak flew through the air and landed heavily on the ground. The zombies turned towards the sound and slowly moved in that direction. When they reached the steak, they just stood and stared at it.
"It seems it's the sound that attracts them, not the smell of meat." Zion breathed a sigh of relief, though his legs were still shaking. Each step felt like it took all his strength. He knew he couldn't afford any mistakes; any misstep could mean his death.
Zion glanced at the kitten sleeping on his chest and whispered, "Hang in there, little one. I'll find us a safe place soon."
As they moved forward, Zion remained tense, knowing any mistake could be fatal. Eventually, he saw the supermarket in the city center.
As expected, there were several guards with assault rifles patrolling the entrance. Zion was relieved to see other survivors. Nervously, he approached, raising his hands to show he was not a threat. His heart pounded rapidly, but he tried to remain calm.
"Stop!" A guard spotted Zion and quickly aimed his gun at him. Zion's heart raced, and he felt a surge of anxiety.
"I'm a survivor. My name is Zion. I came from the outskirts, hoping to find a safe place," Zion said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Don't move. We need to search you," another guard said, walking over to inspect Zion's backpack and check him for any hidden weapons or zombie bites.
Zion stood still, feeling uncomfortable but knowing it was necessary. He was both fearful and hopeful, fearing the guards might not be friendly but hoping he had finally found other survivors to join.
"Relax, I don't have anything dangerous," Zion said, though he was still nervous.
"Have you been bitten by a zombie?" the guard asked.
"No."
The guard pointed at the bag on Zion's chest. "What's in there?"
Zion hastily opened the bag to reveal the sleeping kitten inside. "This is my cat, my only friend."
"You're struggling to survive, and you're carrying a cat? Fine, just keep it under control and don't cause trouble."
"Got it, I understand."
"Kid, you're lucky. That bag is full of good liquor. You can trade those for some nice stuff in here," the guard said, nodding at Zion. "Hand over two bottles of whiskey, and you can go in."
Zion took out two bottles of whiskey from his backpack and handed them to the guard. The guard accepted the bottles and signaled for him to enter the supermarket.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Zion was grateful to have found a safe place. He took a deep breath and looked at the guards who were working hard to protect everyone.
"Thank you for letting me stay here," Zion said to one of the guards.
"No need to thank us," the guard replied coldly, patting Zion's shoulder. "Go to the tent in the back to register your information. You'll have to provide supplies every week to stay here."
Zion nodded in understanding. "So that's how it works."
He proceeded to the tent behind the entrance. It was a large military tent, connected to the supermarket entrance. Inside, there were two more armed guards and a table in the middle. Behind the table sat a middle-aged man with a bushy beard, dressed in military attire. "This must be where I register," Zion thought.
The bearded man looked up at Zion. "Are you alone?"
"Yes, sir, I'm alone."
"Heh, I'm no longer a sir, but I don't mind the title. Have you noticed anything different about yourself these past few days?"
Zion was startled. "It seems I'm not the only one with abilities." He cautiously replied, "Sir, I don't quite understand what you mean. What kind of differences?"
The bearded man looked a bit disappointed but patiently explained, "Like superpowers in movies—being able to shoot fireballs, ice balls, or having super strength and speed. If you've awakened these abilities, you won't need to provide weekly supplies and can join us in managing this place."
Zion didn't want to reveal his powers just yet. Even at his young age, he realized that if his abilities were exposed, he would likely be confined and used as a food provider. "I can support myself now. Why take such a risk?"
"I don't have any abilities, sir. I just want to stay here with my cat. I'll provide supplies on time."
The bearded man glanced at the cat in Zion's arms and then at Zion. "Just keep your pet under control, or we'll do it for you."
"Understood, sir. My cat is very well-behaved and won't cause any trouble."
"Alright, go on in. Someone inside will explain the rules to you."
After thanking the bearded man, Zion entered the supermarket doors.