Chapter 5: Through the shadows

As each new reward spilled down upon her, Emma watched in awe as her surroundings transformed before her very eyes. The landscape now overflowed with life and energy, the air pulsing with the energy of newfound potential.

The house itself underwent a remarkable transformation, shedding its worn appearance in favor of a gleaming, clean outside. Gone were the gnarled trees that had once loomed over its walls, replaced instead by a lush, green garden that sprawled out in all directions. The pond shimmered in the sunlight, its waters clear and inviting, while the well stood nearby.

But it was the electric wire fence that surrounded the perimeter of the property that truly caught Emma's attention. Standing ten feet tall and releasing a soft, ominous hum, it crackled with hidden power, a daunting barrier against any would-be intruders. With a cautious step back, Emma marveled at the fence's formidable presence. Its crackling energy was a stark reminder of the danger it posed, and she knew better than to test its limits with her own touch. Instead, she observed from a safe distance, taking in the sight of the electrified barrier with a mix of awe and satisfaction.

With a mischievous grin, Emma plucked a vegetable from her inner storage and hurled it towards the fence with all her might. In the blink of an eye, the vegetable disintegrated into a puff of smoke, consumed by the electrified barrier. Emma couldn't help but chuckle at the display of power. She was definitely going to be safe in this zombie apocalypse.

As Emma walked into the house, the once run-down and musty interior now gleamed with newfound vitality. The air was tinged with the faint scent of oranges, Emma's favorite fragrance, filling her senses with a comforting warmth. With each step she took, the house seemed to expand around her, its interior doubling in size as if by magic.

Emma's eyes widened in astonishment as she explored the newly transformed space, pushing open doors to reveal rooms that had not been there before. The house was now completely different from the one the realtor had shown her, a testament to the power of the rewards she had received.

But it was when Emma pushed open one particular door that she stumbled upon the most surprising discovery of all. As she stepped into the room, she blinked in disbelief, unsure if what she was seeing was real. It was the storage room from her mind, manifested in physical form within the confines of her home.

Emma couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all, marveling at the pure cleverness of the system she had been granted. With a sense of relief, she realized that she no longer needed to keep her storage room a secret, knowing that it would remain hidden from prying eyes until she chose to reveal it.

With a sense of determination burning within her, Emma set to work planting the seeds she had brought, her hands moving skillfully as she carefully tended to each one. As she worked, her mind whirled with thoughts of how she would ever manage to fill up a storage room the size of her own apartment. The enormity of the task ahead of her made her shudder.

Suddenly, a lightbulb flickered to life in Emma's mind, illuminating a path forward. With a sense of purpose, she reached for her phone and dialed up a self-storage space.

Using half of the money she had left, Emma started on a frantic online shopping spree, adding item after item to her cart with reckless abandon. Water, ramen noodles, matches, blankets – anything and everything that she could think of that might prove useful in the uncertain days ahead.

As she clicked "confirm" on each purchase, a sense of satisfaction washed over Emma, knowing that she was one step closer to being fully prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. The soft chime of confirmation messages flooded her screen, each one a proof to her careful planning and foresight. With each purchase, she imagined the vast array of supplies that would soon fill her storage room to the brim.

After enjoying a refreshing shower in her transformed home, Emma sank into the plush comfort of her bed, her body weary from the day's efforts. The physical strain of planting seeds and the mental exhaustion of absorbing the wealth of new information had left her feeling drained, and she welcomed sleep with open arms.

As the world around her faded into darkness, Emma's dreams took on a sinister hue, haunted by visions of zombies chasing her through the shadows. She tossed and turned in her sleep, the spirit of danger lurking at the edges of her unconsciousness. But it was when she reached the depths of her subconscious that the true terror began.

In her dream, Emma found herself confronted by an intimidating enemy – a level five zombie with the power to control water. Its evil gaze bore into her soul as it summoned seas of water to engulf her, dragging her down into a suffocating bottomless pit. Panic surged through Emma's veins as she struggled against the relentless tide, her strength diminishing with each passing moment.

With a gasp, Emma jolted awake, her heart racing in her chest as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. The dim light of the room offered little comfort as she scanned her surroundings, searching for any sign of danger. But as her senses gradually returned to her, Emma realized that she was safe within the boundaries of her room, the threat of the zombie was nothing more than a piece of her imagination.

Letting out a deep sigh of relief, Emma sank back onto her bed, her muscles tense with remaining fear. But as she shifted to find a comfortable position, a cold sensation seeped through the fabric beneath her. With a growing sense of dread, Emma reached out a trembling hand, her fingers brushing against the wetness that soaked the sheets beneath her.