Chapter 4: Reunited

The baton I obtained from the police officer proved to be quite handy. As I confronted the zombies, it became apparent that multiple strikes were necessary to have a significant impact. Wishing for a more effective means of defense, I pondered the possibility of finding a Taser. The presence of police officers in the hospital left a glimmer of hope.

As I ventured deeper into the hospital's ominous corridors, the disconcerting sounds of shuffling footsteps and distant groans of the undead were ever-present. However, amidst the eerie ambiance, a faint but distinct sound reached my ears – a desperate cry for help.

My senses heightened, and I followed the sound, cautiously navigating through the dimly lit hallways. Turning a corner, my eyes fell upon a partially open door. The distressed cries for help seemed to emanate from within that room.

Approaching with measured steps, I peered into the room and witnessed a scene of desperation. A small group of survivors huddled together, cast anxious glances in my direction. Among them, a woman, her eyes filled with fear and pleading, was the source of the cries for help.

"Please, help us!" the woman implored, her voice trembling with a blend of fear and hope.

I hesitated for a moment when she asked for my help. The peculiar situation struck me – her cries for help echoed through the hallways, yet no immediate threat of zombies seemed to be encroaching upon them. The absence of the undead raised an internal conflict within me, prompting a cautious evaluation of the circumstances.

"Are you hurt? How many of you are here inside this room?" I asked, attempting to communicate with them while cautiously peering into the room.

One of the survivors, a man with a bandaged arm, responded, "We're okay, just a few scrapes and bruises. There are five of us in here."

The absence of zombies and the presence of injured survivors made me ponder the unusual circumstances within the room. The hospital, overrun by the undead outside, presented an unexplained haven in this particular area. Questions gnawed at the edges of my thoughts – why here, and for how long could this relative safety persist?

As I surveyed the room, the survivors shared uneasy glances, their gratitude tinged with a palpable sense of uncertainty. My internal conflict intensified – torn between the instinct to seek safety and the obligation to assist those in need.

A gut feeling, an instinctive hesitation, lingered within me, urging caution in the face of uncertainty. Despite the survivors' apparent need for assistance, an unexplainable unease settled in the pit of my stomach, casting a shadow on the decision to offer help.

"You see, me and my friends are trying to find survivors. I'll let them know that you guys are here. So until then, just wait here. If ever someone offers you help, you can go with them," I said, intentionally crafting a plausible explanation while concealing the internal conflict that swirled within.

The survivors nodded their expressions a mix of gratitude and understanding. As I turned to leave, the weight of the decision lingered, and the unease in my gut persisted.

"For sure someone got bitten among them. I don't know how long before they change, but I can't risk my life there," I admitted the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. 

"I checked my phone, and it's almost 5 o'clock. It's not good; I need to find Ryo and Sheen before it gets dark. Maybe the zombies will become more aggressive in the nighttime," I muttered to myself, the urgency of the situation evident in my tone.

***

"Why the heck does this hall feel like a maze?" I muttered, checking every corner and raising my golf club in preparation for any potential threats.

As I walked through the hall, suddenly the door beside me swung open, and a zombie lunged at me, throwing me to the floor. Reacting instinctively, I raised my golf club to defend myself against the unexpected assault.

I was in a tight spot, fighting off a zombie that was dangerously close to biting me. Adrenaline pumped through me as I used all my strength to keep its snapping jaws away.

The hallway's narrow space made it even tougher, restricting my movements. My only defense was a golf club, desperately keeping the zombie from getting too close. The fear in the air was thick as the battle hung on the edge of something truly horrifying.

With one last powerful swing, I knocked out the zombie with the golf club, stopping it from biting me. Panting and sweating, I took a moment to catch my breath, feeling the echoes of the intense fight in the dimly lit hospital corridors.

"Shit! That was close. Why did that zombie attack me out of nowhere? I wasn't even making much noise," I exclaimed.

I frantically looked around, making sure no more surprises were lurking in the shadows. My heart pounded in my chest, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. 

Taking a moment to steady myself, I couldn't shake off the realization that the situation was more dire than I initially thought. The thought lingered in my mind – could these zombies evolve or become stronger? It sent shivers down my spine.

As I caught my breath and attempted to regain my strength, the echoes of footsteps reached my ears. The weariness still lingering, I turned towards the sound, and to my surprise, someone called my name. "Ryo!"

***

As I treaded through the dimly lit hallway, a sudden loud bang jolted the eerie silence. Instinctively, I turned toward the source of the noise. There, in the shadows, I spotted a figure struggling against a zombie. The details were hazy from a distance, and I knew I needed to get closer for a clearer view.

Approaching cautiously, I narrowed the distance between us, witnessing the intense struggle unfold. The guy, with a determination matching my own, fought valiantly against the relentless undead. To my surprise, he emerged victorious, dealing a decisive blow that left the zombie incapacitated on the floor.

"Ryo!" I called out, my voice a mix of concern and relief. The acknowledgment in his eyes mirrored my own.

Ryo's eyes lit up with relief as he recognized Sheen's familiar figure. "Sheen! I was looking for you, bro," he exclaimed, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing.

A grin spread across Sheen's face as he clapped Ryo on the shoulder. "Man, I knew you'd survive. I saw you taking on that zombie with that big body of yours – knew you had it in you," Sheen remarked, his words a mix of camaraderie and genuine relief.

Ryo chuckled, a blend of exhaustion and camaraderie in his voice. "Well, you know me, always up for a good fight. But seriously, This place is a nightmare" he said, surveying the dimly lit surroundings.

Sheen's expression shifted to a mix of concern and contemplation. "I'm worried about Ken. I bet he's out there trying to find us," he admitted, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders.

A grin crept onto Ryo's face as he reassured Sheen, "Don't worry, that guy is so stubborn, he won't die that easily."

Sheen chuckled, appreciating the levity injected into the tense situation. "Yeah, you're right. Ken's resilience is on a whole other level. Let's just hope he's causing more trouble for the zombies than they are for him."

***

Ken's voice carried through the eerie hallway, the haunting lyrics filling the air. "In your head, in your head. Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie. What's in your head? Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie-ie," he sang with a lower, resonant tone, the melancholic melody weaving through the transformed hospital.

Sheen and Ryo exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and relief crossing their faces as they recognized the familiar voice. "Ken, you crazy bastard! You're alive!" Ryo exclaimed, a mixture of amusement and genuine joy in his voice.

Drawn by the sound of Ken's voice, the duo hurriedly navigated through the dimly lit corridors, following the haunting melody echoing in the transformed hospital. 

As they rounded a corner, they found Ken standing in a corridor, still singing the iconic lyrics. "Ken, you know how to make a grand entrance," Sheen remarked with a grin.

A laugh escaped Ryo as Ken joined them, his voice filled with humor. "Whoa, who would have thought that I just need to sing so I can find you both?" Ken quipped, a playful glint in his eyes.

Sheen chuckled, "Well, we were just following the soundtrack to the apocalypse. It seems to be working for us."

Sheen's curiosity broke through the lighthearted banter as he asked, "But how come no zombies followed you? Your voice was echoing in the hallway."

Ken scratched his head, a sheepish grin on his face. "Guess they're not fans of classic rock. Or maybe they're just waiting for the acoustic version," he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Ryo joined in, "Well, whatever it is, let's not question it too much. We found each other, and that's what matters."

Ken's remark hung in the air, a poignant acknowledgment of the surreal turn their plans had taken. "So, guys, who would've thought our plan to play survival would get this realistic?" he said, a mixture of amusement and contemplation in his voice.

Sheen chuckled, "Well, we always did say we wanted an immersive gaming experience. I didn't think it would involve actual zombies, though."

Ryo added with a wry smile, "Guess we got more than we bargained for. But hey, at least we're still together."

Sheen's practicality cut through the banter as he asserted, "First, we need to find somewhere safe to stay. I bet it's already evening, and I don't think we should venture outside at this time."

Ryo nodded in agreement, realizing the wisdom in Sheen's words. "Yeah, safety first. We can plan our next move from a secure location. Any ideas where we can hole up for the night?"

Sheen, with a thoughtful expression, suggested, "Our office. We have food stock there, water, and I think there are a bunch of items we can grab. It's close to the ER."

Ryo and Ken exchanged glances, recognizing the practicality of Sheen's proposal. "Good call. Having some supplies will give us an advantage," Ken remarked, ready to follow Sheen's lead.