(She notices a shifting shadow.)
(Without making a sound, Lily unlocks the window and pushes it open just a little, checking if it's just a cloud… but the moment she leans her head out, her eyes widen.)
Hanging upside down outside the window is a zombie—its cheek nearly gone, the skin dangling. One leg is tangled in a wire, swinging slightly. A broken tube light hangs from the same wire, flickering weakly beside him.
Lily instantly shuts the window, breathing fast.
The chaos hasn't stopped.
It has increased.
Lily looked at Arjun, desperate. She pulled Sia closer and quickly began signing to her.
Lily (signing) – I think they're right.
Sia frowned, signing back sharply.
Sia (signing) – What are you trying to say?
Lily (signing) – If we don't call for help fast, we'll die for sure.
Sia (signing, frustrated) – If we step out, we'll die anyway!
Lily (signing) – In desperate times, you shoot before thinking… otherwise the opponent shoots first. It's do or die.
Sia (signing, shocked) – So you want to go with them? OUTSIDE?
Lily (signing, trembling) – We can at least try to save ourselves. We have guns… they're not for decoration.
Sia (signing, disbelief) – Lily, are you out of your mind?
Lily grabbed Sia's hands, signing quickly, desperately.
Lily (signing) – Please… I don't want to die without trying.
Sia stared at her for a long second before letting out a shaky breath.
Sia (signing) – You're not going to change your mind, are you?
Lily (signing softly) – Sorry.
Sia sighed and nodded.
Sia (signing) – Fine. I'll come too.
Lily's face brightened.
Lily (signing) – Really?
---
Arjun (to Ahmad) – What happened?
Ahmad – They're trying to kick us out quicker than expected… something's off.
Arjun – What? No. They won't. Right?
Ahmad (lowering his voice) – They didn't even check if we're infected. They agreed too easily. Something's fishy… what if they are infected? What if they're storing food for themselves?
Arjun's tone tightened.
Arjun – Or maybe they have guns.
Sia suddenly spoke up, making both boys jump.
Sia – Listen.
Arjun – Y-yes?
Ahmad (whispering shakily) – I don't wanna die…
Arjun hissed.
Arjun – Shut up.
Sia crossed her arms.
Sia – We'll come with you.
Arjun – With us? You mean… out there? To the lobby?
Sia – Yes.
Ahmad – But you weren't coming a minute ago!
Sia – Things change. She insisted.
Arjun and Ahmad exchange a worried look.
The seed of doubt grows — not just about the girls, but about whether ANY of them will make it back alive.
Arjun – So… how about we leave in the evening?
Sia – Sounds good. By then the area won't be so packed.
(Just as she says that, the zombie hanging outside suddenly falls. Their breaths stop for a moment as the tube-light swings and hits the window before dropping with him.)
Ahmad – Or maybe we should hurry…