A growl.
He turned around .
The coach-zombie was standing below—staring right at him.
Roommate 2 froze and the rods fell down his hands .
The zombie roared and charged up the stairs.
Roommate 2 screamed as the creature bit into him.
The scream echoed outside—
Arjun and Ahmad didn't even need to look.
They knew.
And they ran.
They moved carefully, placing each step with caution. The area looked empty and clear, just as Arjun had said. Staying close to the wall, they reached the para-athletes' dorm.
Hidden behind the building, they peeked around the corner — zombies were scattered across the front.
Arjun (whispering): We need to climb up somehow.
Ahmad: Or enter through a window… an empty room.
Arjun: Yeah. An empty one.
They checked each window one by one, scanning the glass, the shadows, the corners. Finally, they spotted one room that looked untouched — but it was on the second floor.
Ahmad (whispering): That one. I think it's empty.
Arjun: How do you know?
Ahmad: Look — no blood stains on the window, no marks on the walls. At least from what we can see.
Arjun: Can we even reach the second floor?
Ahmad: Your grip is strong, right? Climb on me. Our height together should reach that level.
Arjun: Okay… no choice.
Ahmad kneeled down behind the wall — safely out of sight from the first-floor windows.
Arjun climbed onto his back, then onto his shoulders. Ahmad rose slowly, and Arjun stretched up, grabbing the second-floor window frame.
With effort, he pulled himself up, slid the window open, and slipped inside.
The room was empty — but the door was wide open.
He rushed quietly to shut it.
Outside, Ahmad waited, nervous and alert.
Arjun looked for something to pull Ahmad up with, but found nothing. So he removed both uniforms, tied them together to make a makeshift rope, and dropped it down.
Ahmad caught it. Arjun braced himself and pulled with all his strength until Ahmad climbed inside.
Once they were both in, Arjun untangled the uniforms and quickly put them back on.
Ahmad (breathing out): That was close…
Arjun: Too close.
We need to go down again… then run to the right.
Ahmad: Right. Let's go.
Arjun – "Just a second—"
(He struggles to pull the second lower over the first one, losing his balance in the rush.)
Ahmad – "Okay then… let me check outside."
(He walks to the door and gently cracks it open to peek out. But the moment the gap appears, a zombie is standing right in front of him, staring straight into his eyes.)
Ahmad – "Oh… oh no—"
(He forces a nervous chuckle and quickly shuts the door. The zombie immediately starts banging on it.)
Ahmad – "They're outside!"
Arjun – "WHAT?! How many?!"
(He freezes, halfway through wearing his layered uniform.)
Ahmad – "I—I don't know…"
(The banging continues. Ahmad tries to hold the door, but fear squeezes his voice.)
Arjun – "Did you see any others when you opened it?"
Ahmad – "No… maybe. I'm not sure."
Arjun – "Listen to me. Now open the door."
(His voice turns serious.)
Ahmad – "Are you crazy?!"