Chapter 3: Clearing the Floors

Jack Martin woke to the sound of distant howls and the soft glow of the Divine Interface on his wrist. The previous day's journey to the rooftop of the Heritage Tower had been grueling, but the promise of a safe haven had kept him going. Now, as dawn broke, he knew he had to fortify his base and ensure the safety of his new home. The Heritage Tower, with its 50 floors, provided both a strategic vantage point and a significant challenge to secure.

The Divine Interface hummed to life as Jack activated it. "Good morning, Jack Martin. Your next mission is to clear the two floors below and secure them. This will ensure that your base remains safe from any potential threats."

Jack nodded, steeling himself for the task ahead. He had climbed straight to the top using the emergency stairs the day before, bypassing the lower floors. Now, he would have to face whatever dangers lurked below.

Taking a deep breath, Jack descended the staircase to the 49th floor. His heart pounded as he approached the door. The building was eerily quiet, the only sound was the faint hum of the Divine Interface.

As he pushed open the door to the 49th floor, a foul stench hit him. The floor was dark, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the broken windows. Jack moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement. His fear of the infected, with their inhuman strength and terrifying presence, weighed heavily on his mind.

He heard shuffling noises and froze, his breath catching in his throat. Peering through a crack in the door, he saw the infected roaming the floor. Their grotesque forms moved jerkily, their eyes glowing with a malevolent hunger. The sight of them sent a shiver down Jack's spine, and he quickly retreated, closing the door quietly.

Realizing he couldn't clear this floor alone, he made his way down to the 48th floor. As he approached the door, he found it securely locked from the side of the emergency stairs, likely by someone trying to escape the building. The door led to a corridor with four different entrances. Jack listened intently and heard faint human voices coming from behind one of the doors. He approached it cautiously and knocked gently, hoping to make contact without attracting unwanted attention.

After a few tense moments, a voice came from behind the door. "Who is it? What do you want?" The voice was cautious, but there was a hint of desperation.

"I'm Jack Martin," Jack replied, keeping his voice calm and steady. "I'm here to clear the building and make it safe. I didn't know there were any survivors here. Can you let me in? I mean no harm."

There was a brief silence, followed by the sound of the lock being undone. The door opened a crack, and a man in his late thirties peered out, his eyes wary. He was holding a makeshift weapon, ready to defend himself if necessary.

"I'm Raj," the man said, still cautious. "We heard someone was up on the 50th floor, but we didn't know who it was. How do I know you can be trusted?"

Jack held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "I understand your concern. I have a secure base on the rooftop. The infected are a serious threat, and it's not safe to stay on the lower floors. Let me help you."

Raj studied Jack for a moment before nodding and opening the door wider. "Alright. But any funny business, and you're out."

Jack stepped inside and immediately noticed the young girl hiding behind Raj. She couldn't have been more than eight years old, her wide eyes filled with fear and curiosity.

"This is my daughter, Priya," Raj said, his voice softening as he looked at her. "We've been hiding here since the outbreak. We tried to reach the 50th floor but the stares were blocked and the emergency stares were locked from the other side."

Jack nodded, understanding their predicament. "It's good to meet you, Priya. We need to clear the floors below us and secure the building. Let's start by searching for supplies."

Together, they moved cautiously through the 48th floor, finding several items that could be useful: canned food, bottled water, medical supplies, and a few tools that Jack knew would be invaluable for fortifying their base. In one of the storage rooms, they discovered a stash of batteries, flashlights, and a couple of walkie-talkies. These would help them communicate and navigate the dark areas of the building.

They then ventured to the 49th floor, sticking close to the sunlight that filtered through the windows. Jack's fear of the infected was palpable, but with Raj by his side, he felt a bit more confident. They moved quietly, avoiding any direct encounters with the infected, and managed to scavenge some additional supplies: more canned goods, blankets, and a few makeshift weapons.

Once they had gathered enough supplies, they made their way back to the emergency staircase and ascended to the rooftop. Jack kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to retreat at the first sign of danger.

Once they reached the rooftop, Jack began fortifying the penthouse further. Using the toolkit from the Divine Interface, he reinforced the barricades, securing the entrances and windows. Raj, with his experience and strength, proved invaluable in the process, setting up the rooms to have proper accommodation. The penthouse had many rooms, and Raj chose one for himself and Priya, while Jack took the largest one as the main owner of the place.

As the sun set, casting a warm glow over the ruined city, Jack, Raj, and Priya sat together near the fireplace inside the penthouse. The flickering flames provided warmth and a sense of security amidst the darkness outside.

"Thank you for the food and water," Raj said, his voice filled with gratitude. 

Jack smiled, though he noticed Raj still seemed a bit doubtful of him, keeping a watchful eye and staying cautious. This wariness made Jack feel a bit lonely, reminding him of his family and the loved ones he had lost.

As night fell, the sounds of the infected echoed in the distance, but for the first time since the apocalypse began, Jack felt a sense of hope. With the Divine Interface to guide him and new allies by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.