12 Chapter 12: Chilling Melody

Sitting comfortably under the shade of her handmade swinging chair, Emma took out her trusty clipboard and a pen, ready to map out her plans for the days ahead. She scanned her surroundings, noting the peacefulness of her yard compared to the chaos of the city.

Despite the apparent safety of her yard, Emma's mind raced with thoughts of the missing Safety Measures. Why will things be missing and what are the missing measures?

Unable to figure things out, Emma decides to make a new workout plan instead. She had already made significant progress through her daily practice sessions, aided by the magic food and supplies harvested from her yard. Each day seemed to bring her closer to mastering new skills, but she knew she needed to push herself even further.

Yesterday's events had served as an important reminder of the dangers lurking beyond her doorstep, motivating Emma to strive for perfection. She was determined to reach the peak of her physical and skill capabilities by the end of the month, aiming to surpass even her previous life's level of proficiency.

First on her list was installing security cameras, strategically positioned around the outside of her house and within her animal shelters. With each camera carefully placed, Emma made sure that every angle of her property was covered, leaving no blind spots for potential threats to exploit.

Next, Emma turned her attention to the wood beyond her yard, where she began setting up traps to hurt and capture any unwelcome intruders. From simple snares to more complex booby traps, she lays them out strategically, adding an extra layer of protection. 

As Emma worked, she kept a careful watch, always looking around to make sure there was no danger nearby. By the time dusk descended and the day drew to a close, Emma's efforts had taken their show. Her clothes bore the telltale signs of her labor, now streaked with dirt and grime once again. Her hands, calloused and sore from hours of digging and setting traps, served as a proof to the physical work she had done throughout the day.

Lying in the tub, Emma's mind drifted back to the mission she had undertaken. Suddenly, she sat up straight, a jolt of shock coursing through her as she glanced at the progress report. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the tally: 3 out of 10 for the safety measures. Pinching herself to ensure she wasn't dreaming, Emma confirmed the truth of the score.

A wave of realization washed over her as she processed the simplicity of the task at hand. Add things to her yard? Set up traps? Was it really that straightforward? The simple solution made her feel both relieved and amazed. So this time it wasn't a word game. 

With a sense of determination, Emma retrieved her clipboard and pencil from her secret storage compartment. She began sketching out ideas for improvements around her house and yard, brainstorming ways to enhance her defenses and expand her territory. As she lost herself in her plans, the clock struck twelve, and a familiar "Ding" echoed in her mind.

"Welcome to the Apocalypse World," the message announced, accompanied by a roll of Emma's eyes. "Big news," she muttered sarcastically. But despite her annoyance, she couldn't deny the significance of the moment.

"Congratulations on surviving to the start of the Apocalypse world," the message continued, promising rewards for her resilience. Emma's eyebrows raised in surprise at the unexpected recognition. "New Mission: occupy more territory." Then the voice disappeared again. 

The day after her workout routine, Emma grabs her sword from the storage room. With a sense of familiarity, she removed it from its protective case, reveling in the way the blade gleamed in the sunlight, promising both protection and power.

Stepping out of her gate, Emma ventured into the outskirts of the forest until she reached the edge of the highway. There, amidst the twisted wreckage of several cars that appeared to have collided in a car accident, Emma stayed alert, her sword poised for action.

As she cautiously approached the scene, her senses on high alert, Emma spotted movement behind one of the mangled vehicles. Without hesitation, she raised her sword, prepared for whatever threat awaited her. Suddenly, a zombie emerged from behind the car, hurtling towards her at full speed.

With lightning reflexes, Emma swiftly swung her sword, the blade slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh before connecting with the zombie's neck. With a sickening thud, the creature's head was severed from its body, sending it tumbling to the ground in a grotesque display.

As more undead creatures emerged from the twisted wreckage, Emma sprang into action once again. With practiced efficiency, she moved with agility and grace, each swing of her sword calculated and precise. With each strike, she found her mark, delivering swift and decisive blows that sent the zombies staggering backwards before finally collapsing in a lifeless heap.

A pleased grin spread across her face as she realized how effortlessly she took down the zombies. Her body has become even stronger lately, thanks to her intense training routine. With a newfound sense of confidence, Emma circled around the crashed cars, carefully observing each one for signs of danger.

In two of the vehicles, she spotted undead trapped in their seatbelts, reaching out in useless attempts to try to reach her. Emma approached them, ready to free them from their agonizing existence with a swift and merciful strike of her sword.

As Emma cautiously approached the first trapped zombie, she couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine at the sight before her. The creature's twisted form contorted against the restraints of the seatbelt, its movements erratic and frenzied.

Its decaying flesh hung loosely from its bones, patches of exposed muscle and sinew peeking through the rotting skin. One eye dangled precariously from its socket, while the other glared at Emma with a haunting intensity.

The stench of decay wafted through the air, an awful smell that made Emma's stomach churn with revulsion. Dark, clotted blood stained its torn clothing, evidence of the violent struggle it had before turning to its undead fate.

Despite its ugly appearance, the zombie's determination was unmistakable. With each futile attempt to break free from the seatbelt, its snarls grew louder, the sound echoing through the quiet forest like a macabre symphony of despair.