1 The Awakening
It was just another day for Adrian, a 22-year-old salary man caught in the monotony of his daily routine.
He sat at his desk, shifting through paperwork and counting down the minutes until he could escape the suffocating confines of his office.
As the clock ticked closer to the end of the workday, an unexpected earthquake rattled the city.
The ground trembled beneath him, causing Adrian to lose his balance and collapse onto the streets below.
Pain radiated through his body as he tried to regain his bearings.
Groggy and disoriented, Adrian slowly opened his eyes.
What he saw made his heart sink.
The once-thriving cityscape had transformed into a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
Buildings lay in ruins, their jagged edges reaching toward the ashen sky.
Smoke billowed from the wreckage, filling the air with a pungent scent.
The distant sound of sirens wailed in the background, mingling with the chorus of panicked voices.
Adrian struggled to comprehend the magnitude of the destruction. "What the hell happened?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos.
He reached for his phone, hoping to find answers or contact his loved ones, but to his dismay, the device remained lifeless.
No signal.
No internet.
The world had gone dark.
With some struggle, Adrian pushed himself up from the rubble and surveyed his surroundings.
People ran frantically, their faces etched with terror.
His calm and indifferent nature prevented panic from overwhelming him. Instead, a calculating gaze settled within his eyes.
If he were to survive this cataclysm, he needed to find a safe haven and understand what the f*ck was going on.
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream shattered the air, causing Adrian to freeze in his tracks.
He turned his gaze and witnessed a nightmarish sight – a horde of grotesque figures emerged from the shadows. Their rotting flesh hung loosely from their bones, their eyes vacant and filled with hunger.
"Zombies?" He said subconsciously.
The realization hit him like a punch to the gut – the world had been overrun by the undead.
Adrian's heart raced.
He knew he had to keep calm.
Without hesitation, he began to weave his way through the panicked crowd, skillfully dodging the grasping hands of the zombies.
Adrian noticed something.
Their numbers weren't great and if one were to pay attention they would realise that while the zombies had great strength their speed was subpar.
His eyes scanned the area, searching for a temporary refuge amidst the chaos.
Spotting an abandoned building nearby, Adrian made a beeline for it.
The structure stood partially collapsed, but its remaining walls offered a semblance of protection from the zombies.
He darted inside, gasping for breath, and leaned against a sturdy piece of debris.
The distant moans of the undead echoed through the streets, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the shattered windows.
Inside the dilapidated building, Adrian's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.
He had already blocked the entrance with whatever materials he could find, to not only block the zombies but also humans.
"This is not a nightmare," Adrian whispered to himself, his voice laced with befuddlement, "This is reality."
He took some time to gather his breath. He wasn't physically fit enough to run with all his strength for a few minutes.
His stamina was depleted.
'I should've picked up a water bottle.' Adrian lamented. While he seemed calm, that was only on the surface.
He was just as panicked as everyone else but the difference was that he didn't lose his mind.
Adrian's mind worked in overdrive, analyzing the situation and formulating a plan. He knew that if he wanted to survive, he couldn't rely on luck alone.
He assessed his surroundings. The abandoned building provided temporary shelter, but he needed a more secure location, somewhere the zombies couldn't easily penetrate.
As he explored the building, stepping over debris and avoiding weak spots in the structure, he stumbled upon a staircase leading to the upper levels. With cautious steps, he ascended, each creak of the stairs adding to the tension.
Reaching the second floor, Adrian found a small room tucked away in the corner.
It had a door that could be barricaded, providing an additional layer of protection. He entered the room and closed the door behind him, taking a moment to catch his breath.
His mind focused on survival, Adrian began to devise a strategy. He needed supplies—food, water, and weapons.
He couldn't rely on the city's infrastructure or the kindness of strangers. It was a dog-eat-dog world now, and he needed to adapt quickly.
He didn't know what the Government planned to do... The question of whether they could even do anything popped up as well.
For now, he had to rely on himself.
Adrian recalled passing a convenience store on his way to work every day.
It was only a few blocks away from his office. He reasoned that it might still hold some provisions, as most people would have fled in the chaos.
He knew he had to act fast. That was the only resource point he knew close to him and if he hesitated other people would also start calming down and realising what was necessary.
Adrian's heart pounded in his chest as he stepped out of the dilapidated building, his eyes scanning the desolate streets.
The once-bustling city now lay in ruins, its former vibrancy replaced by an eerie silence.
He knew he had to move swiftly and silently, avoiding the main streets infested with zombies. Every step he took was deliberate, his senses heightened, attuned to the slightest sound or movement.
His survival depended on his ability to remain undetected.
Adrian chose to stick to the back alleys and side roads, navigating through the network of narrow passages.
As he slipped through the shadows, Adrian couldn't help but feel a shiver of apprehension crawl up his spine.
The air was thick with an oppressive stillness, broken only by the occasional creaking of a rusted sign swinging in the wind. Each step he took echoed in his ears, amplifying the tension that gripped him.
The silence was horrifying.
It was as if he alone was left in the world.
He paused at intersections, peering cautiously around corners before darting across open spaces.
The city streets were strewn with debris—a testament to the panic and chaos that had unfolded. Broken glass, overturned cars, and discarded belongings littered the pavement.
Adrian deftly maneuvered around these obstacles, his senses acutely aware of the dangers lurking nearby.
His eyes caught sight of a cluster of zombies in the distance. They moved sluggishly, their rotting limbs contorted as they stumbled aimlessly.
Adrian's heart skipped a beat, and he pressed himself against the wall.
He held his breath as the undead horde shuffled past, oblivious to his presence. His body remained tense ready to run away at any moment.
A few moments later he could confirm that there were no more signs of zombies.
With a surge of relief, Adrian continued his journey, his footsteps light and quick.
As he drew nearer, he noticed the store's once-vibrant signage, now faded and peeling.
The windows were shattered, the sharp edges of glass glinting ominously in the faint light.
Adrian approached with caution, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
The store's entrance lay before him, littered with shards of glass and debris.
Inside, the store bore the scars of looting and desperation. Shelves had been overturned, their contents scattered haphazardly.
The air was thick with the scent of stale food and decay.
Undeterred, Adrian ventured deeper into the store, his eyes keenly searching for any overlooked provisions.
He carefully avoided areas where the floor was unstable, mindful of the structural integrity of the building.
His hands brushed over cans and boxes, inspecting their labels for expiration dates.
He selected the ones that seemed relatively unspoiled, tucking them into the backpack he had found earlier.
The weight of the supplies brought a glimmer of reassurance, a small victory in the face of the apocalypse.
But his eyes remained fixed on a display case that had once showcased valuable items.
The glass had been shattered, and the remaining shards glinted in the dim light. Among the debris, a knife stood out.
Adrian's heart quickened as he reached for the knife, its cool metal fitting perfectly in his grasp.
Adrian smiled.
