CHAPTER XII
As the old man and his wife's death weighed heavily on my mind, memories of my past began to flood back. The further we ventured out, fighting off zombies along the way, the more my past seemed to seep into my consciousness. I found myself transported back to our college days, when we were celebrating Independence Day with great fervor.
Everyone was busy preparing for their performances, and Malvika walked up to me, looking radiant in her outfit. She handed me a pair of earrings and asked me to wear them. As I reached out to take the earrings, she suddenly stopped me and said, "Remember, I told you that Mon shouldn't perform today?"
Malvika's friend Kavya chimed in, teasing her good-naturedly. "Malvika, why are you doing this? Why don't you just admit that Mon is better than you in every way – academics, dance, everything?" Malvika's eyes sparkled with determination as she grasped Kavya's mouth and said, "But there's one thing I'll always be better at..."
Kavya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?" Malvika's smile grew wider as she adjusted my white shirt's collar. "Mon has a crush on Sam, and the whole college knows it. But Sam's crush is on me – that's my victory over Mon."
Kavya's eyes widened in surprise. "How is that an advantage?" Malvika's confidence was infectious. "Today, I'll be the one taking home the medal, not Mon. What do you say, Sam?"
My heart protested, urging me to decline, but my mind whispered that this could be a good opportunity. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded awkwardly, agreeing to Malvika's plan.
As the memories continued to flood back, I realized that I had a chance to turn the tables. I began to formulate a plan to stop Mon from performing on stage. I would use this opportunity to outdo Malvika and prove myself.
With newfound determination, I focused on the task at hand. I would ensure that Mon wouldn't steal the show today. The competition was about to dance, and I was ready to give it my all.
I made my way to Mon's dressing room, flashing my identity card to gain entry. As the monitor of the event, I had been tasked with ensuring everything went smoothly. But when Malvika found out, she saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
My plan was simple: sabotage Mon's dress and make a quick exit. But as I entered the dressing room, I was greeted by Mon's friends, who teased me good-naturedly. Reshma, one of Mon's dance partners, joked, "Oh, the monitor has graced us with her presence! We're blessed!" The others giggled, and I joined in, trying to play it cool. "I occasionally make appearances at the homes of the poor," I quipped, trying to deflect attention.
As I approached Mon's area, I spotted the dress and considered ruining it. But my conscience got the better of me, and I hesitated. Just as I was about to make a move, I heard a noise behind me and turned around. That's when I collided with Mon, who was fresh out of the shower, wrapped only in a towel.
Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of electricity. It was the first time we'd really looked at each other, and I was struck by the depth of her gaze. Her lips were like rose petals, and her eyes seemed to see right through me. I helped her up, trying to composed myself, but my eyes inadvertently drifted to her towel, which had come undone.
Mon quickly covered herself, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Don't scream, or everyone will come in here and tease me," she whispered. I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed. "Why would they tease you?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.
Mon's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, I'm basically naked under this towel." I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "That's true." In the chaos, we both forgot that Mon's towel had fallen off. I quickly realized the situation and tried to make a hasty exit, but Mon slipped again, this time twisting her ankle.
She winced in pain, but refused to cry out, fearing it would draw attention. I helped her onto a chair and examined her ankle, which was already swelling. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, not from pain, but from the realization that she wouldn't be able to perform.
"Sam, what am I going to do?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I had to dance today." She buried her face in her hands, and I felt a pang of sympathy. I took her foot in my hands and, with a swift motion, jerked it back into place. Mon let out a pained cry, but her ankle was better.
Her dance partners rushed to the door, asking if she was okay. Mon called out, assuring them she was fine. Then, she threw her arms around me, her towel still precariously perched. I handed her the towel she'd dropped, and she smiled gratefully.
"Wait, don't go yet," she said, her voice soft. "I'll get dressed and come out. When I knock on the door, you can come out five minutes later." I nodded, feeling a sense of connection with this girl who had just been so vulnerable in front of me.
The zombies surrounding us seemed to fade into the background as my past and present collided.
As we emerged from the confines of Hazerland, the scorching sun beat down on us, and the dry air filled our lungs. The relief was palpable as we finally stepped out of the eerie, unsettling atmosphere that had enveloped us for so long. The trucks awaited us, their metal bodies gleaming in the bright light, ready to transport the survivors to safety.
But amidst the relief, a sense of unease lingered. Some of our companions were still trapped within Hazerland's walls, fighting for survival. Our leader, Aliyana, stood tall, her voice firm and resolute as she addressed us. "Alright, teams, let's regroup and reorganize. We'll divide into two teams of five each. The first team will consist of Lavina, Aandrew, Haider, Looka, and Nani. Aandrew will lead this team."
Her gaze shifted, and her eyes locked onto us. "The second team will comprise Elisa, Robin, Daniel, Sam, and myself. We'll be heading to the chef room in Hazerland, while Aandrew's team will make their way to the graud room."
A shiver ran down my spine as I exchanged nervous glances with my teammates. The uncertainty was daunting; we had no idea where these rooms were located or what dangers lay within. But Aliyana's determination was infectious, and we steeled ourselves for the challenge ahead.
"Let's gear up, team," Aliyana said, her voice filled with conviction. "We'll venture back into Hazerland, and we'll face whatever comes our way together."
With a deep breath, we nodded in unison, our hearts pounding in anticipation. The trucks would wait for us, ready to whisk the survivors to safety once we'd completed our mission. We knew that every step forward would bring us closer to our goal, but we also knew that Hazerland still held many secrets, and we'd have to be brave to uncover them.
As we prepared to re-enter the foreboding walls of Hazerland, a mix of emotions swirled within me – fear, anxiety, and determination. I glanced at my teammates, and I knew we were all feeling the same. We were about to embark on a perilous journey, one that would test our courage, our wits, and our resolve.
With a shared nod, we set off, our footsteps echoing through the desolate landscape as we ventured back into the heart of Hazerland. The chef room lay ahead, its location unknown, but our determination to find it and complete our mission burned brighter than ever. We were ready to face whatever lay within, side by side, as a team.
As we ventured deeper into the unknown, the darkness seemed to swallow us whole. The air was thick with an eerie silence, and the only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet. Finding the chef room proved to be a daunting task, and our attempts to contact the others were met with silence. Aliyana's frustration grew with each passing moment, her anger simmering just below the surface. Her eyes narrowed, and her jaw clenched, as if she was fighting to keep her emotions in check.
Just as we were about to make progress, our torches suddenly flickered out, plunging us into darkness. The sudden loss of light was disorienting, and I stumbled, my hand reaching out for something to grab onto. "Let's get out of here, quickly," Aliyana ordered, her voice firm and authoritative. "We'll change the batteries and come back." We reluctantly followed her instructions, our movements slow and cautious in the darkness.
As we emerged from the depths of the building, we realized that one of our team members was missing – Denial wasn't the one missing, it was Daniel. Looka's voice was laced with concern as he asked Robin, "Where's Daniel?" Robin's response was immediate. "He was just here." But as I scanned our surroundings, I felt a growing sense of unease. We were supposed to be a team, working together to survive. How could we have lost one of our own?
And then it hit me – I remembered seeing a room with a window, where a lady zombie was chained up. That room was the chef room, and it was just a short distance away. My mind racing, I pieced together the events. The room was locked from the inside, which meant someone – or something – was inside. My eyes widened as I realized the gravity of the situation. "Oh, shit," I muttered, my voice barely audible.
Without hesitation, I sprinted towards the room, my torch still dim from the lack of batteries. I didn't care; I had to act fast. The zombies that littered the hallway were no match for me as I ran with a singular focus. I dodged and weaved, my feet pounding the ground in a rhythmic beat. The room was just ahead, and I could feel my heart racing with anticipation.
I reached the room and didn't bother knocking – I burst in, my sword at the ready. The scene that greeted me was one of horror. A massive man loomed over Daniel, a cleaver raised high, poised to strike. My sword flashed in the dim light as I hurled it at the attacker. The blade bit deep, and the man's head rolled off his shoulders, his body crumpling to the ground. Daniel's life was saved in the nick of time.
As I stood there, panting, I felt a rush of adrenaline. We'd saved Daniel, but the night was still young, and the dangers that lurked in the shadows were far from over. I approached Daniel, who was shaken but alive. "Thanks," he whispered, his eyes wide with fear. I nodded, my eyes scanning the room for any other signs of danger.
The room was small, with stainless steel counters and a large industrial sink. The walls were covered in old cooking utensils, and the air was thick with the smell of decay. I could see why the zombies were attracted to this place – it was a feast waiting to happen. But we'd saved Daniel, and for now, that was all that mattered.
As I turned to leave, I noticed something strange. The lady zombie I'd seen earlier was still chained to the wall, her eyes vacant and unseeing. But something about her seemed different. I approached her cautiously, my sword still at the ready. And then I saw it – a small note, scribbled on the wall in red ink. "They're coming for you," it read. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that we were far from safe. The night was still young, and the horrors that awaited us were just beginning.
I carefully escorted Daniel out of the room, supporting him as he limped along. Aliyana's expression was stern as she grasped my arm, her voice laced with concern. "Sam, that wasn't smart. You shouldn't have rushed in there without any safety precautions." I knew she was right, but I couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
As we emerged into the dimly lit hallway, Robin's face lit up with relief. He rushed over to Daniel, embracing him tightly and tears streaming down his face. "Where did you go, brother?" he asked, his voice shaking with emotion. Daniel's explanation was calm and collected, but I could sense the fear underlying his words.
"I was standing right here with all of you," he began. "Our torch batteries were running low, and I was about to replace them when I heard a noise. I went to investigate, and that's when...that's when everything went black." Daniel's eyes clouded over as he recounted the events.
He told us about the massive man who had attacked him, dragging him to the chef room and binding him to a table. The man's intention was clear – he had planned to use Daniel as a sacrifice to feed his zombie wife. Daniel's voice trembled as he described the woman, her eyes vacant and unseeing, her body twisted in a grotesque pose.
As Daniel finished his story, he approached me, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You saved my life." I smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie with this young man. "We're a team, Daniel," I replied. "You're like a little brother to me. How could I not save you?"
Daniel's face lit up with a smile, and he hugged me tightly. I could feel the tension in his body dissipate, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude. I knew that we had formed a bond, one that would last long after this ordeal was over.
As we stood there, embracing each other, I couldn't help but think about the events that had transpired. The man's actions had been driven by a twisted sense of love and loyalty – he had been willing to sacrifice Daniel to feed his zombie wife. It was a stark reminder of the world we now lived in, where the lines between love and madness were blurred.
But in that moment, I knew that we had something special – a bond that went beyond mere survival. We had each other's backs, and we would do whatever it took to protect one another. And as we stood there, holding each other tightly, I knew that we would face whatever challenges lay ahead, together.
To be continue....