Chapter 6: New Survivors

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the penthouse as Jack stirred awake. Today marked one month since the plague had broken out, turning the world into a nightmare. It was June 1, 2034. Jack had survived a full month in this apocalyptic reality, and as he stretched and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the Divine Interface glowed softly on his wrist.

Congratulations, Jack Martin. You have survived for one month. As a reward, you will receive a gift every weekend and at the end of each month. Today's reward: a high-tier modern axe.

A small compartment on the interface opened, and a sleek, modern axe appeared. Jack held it in his hands, feeling its balance and weight. It was sharp and sturdy, a perfect tool and weapon for their survival.

Jack joined Raj and Priya in the common area. Raj was already preparing their meager breakfast, and Priya was playing with her toys.

"Good morning," Jack greeted them, showing his new axe. "Look what I got."

Raj raised an eyebrow. "That's impressive. Where did you get that?"

Jack smiled enigmatically. "Let's just say it's a reward for surviving."

They ate quickly, eager to continue their mission of resource gathering. Today, they planned to thoroughly search the 49th floor, looking for anything they might have missed during their previous sweep.

As they combed through the rooms, Raj and Jack heard a faint, muffled sound. They paused, exchanging worried glances.

"Did you hear that?" Raj asked.

Jack nodded. "Sounds like... someone calling for help."

They moved cautiously to the emergency stairs and peeked outside the door of the 49th floor, straining to hear the source of the noise. The voices seemed to be coming from much lower in the building.

"It's coming from about 12 floors below," Raj said, his face tense. "That's the 37th floor."

Jack and Raj stood in the dimly lit corridor, debating their next move. Saving the survivors meant risking their own lives, but leaving them to their fate was unthinkable.

"We can't just leave them," Jack said firmly. "If there's a chance to save them, we have to try."

Raj nodded slowly. "Alright. Let's go back to the penthouse and prepare."

Back at the penthouse, they quickly gathered their supplies and weapons. Priya stayed in her room, aware of the gravity of the situation. Jack and Raj armed themselves and descended the stairs again, moving silently and quickly. The voices grew louder as they approached the 37th floor. They paused, listening for any signs of infected nearby.

"We need to be quiet and fast," Jack whispered. "Follow my lead."

They reached the 37th floor, where the kitchen was located. The corridor was eerily silent, but the faint cries for help continued. Jack and Raj followed the sound to a large kitchen area. The door was partially ajar, and they could see an infected trying to break into a room.

Jack gestured for Raj to stay back and slowly pushed the door open further. The infected immediately turned its attention from the door to them, letting out a guttural growl as it charged.

"Get ready," Jack muttered, gripping his new axe tightly.

The infected lunged at them, but Jack swung the axe with precision, cleaving into its shoulder. The creature staggered but did not fall. Raj, armed with a metal pipe, struck the infected's head, finally bringing it down.

Jack took a deep breath, his heart pounding. "Let's get them out of there."

They approached the door the infected had been trying to break into and knocked softly. "It's safe now. You can come out."

The door opened cautiously, revealing an elderly woman and a young boy huddled inside. The woman looked up, her eyes wide with fear and relief.

"Thank God," she whispered. "Please, help us."

Jack and Raj quickly assessed the situation. The kitchen was clear, but the noise could attract infected at any moment.

"We're here to help," Jack said. "Let's get you out of here."

The elderly woman nodded, her grip on the boy tightening. "I am Anjali, and this is my grandson, Arjun. We got trapped here when the outbreak started."

" I'm Jack, and this is Raj. Let's move quickly before more of them come from listening to all that sound," Jack said, leading the way.

They retraced their steps carefully, keeping the noise to a minimum. As they climbed the stairs, the tension was palpable. Every creak of the stairs seemed louder than it should be. But they managed to make it back to the penthouse without incident.

Once inside, Priya greeted them with wide eyes. "Who are they?"

"This is Anjali aunty and Arjun," Jack introduced. "They're going to stay with us."

Anjali, though exhausted, managed a warm smile. "Thank you for saving us. We had no idea what to do, we got lucky at the kitchen and used the food supplies there to last us up till now. who knows what would have happen if you guys had not come"

Raj nodded, helping them settle in. "We're glad we found you. Now let's get everyone fed and rested."

Anjali, despite her fatigue, insisted on cooking dinner. She moved around the kitchen with practiced ease, preparing a simple but delicious meal. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the penthouse, bringing a sense of normalcy to their chaotic world. The kitchen was well-stocked, filled with canned goods, dried foods, and bottled water.

At dinner, they all sat together, sharing their stories and getting to know each other. Arjun, though timid, warmed up to Priya, and the two children began playing together.

After dinner, they assigned rooms. Anjali and Arjun got a cozy room near the main living area and made themselves at home.

Later that night, they sat around the fire, discussing their plans for the next day. They decided to focus on securing the floors below and gathering more resources. Raj, with his extensive knowledge of the building, pointed out where they could find hidden storage areas and additional supplies.

As the fire crackled, Jack felt a sense of camaraderie with his new companions. Despite the horrors of the outside world, they had found a small haven of safety and hope. Tomorrow, they would continue to fight for their survival, but for now, they could rest and find strength in each other's company.