Arjun: "That's not a risk. That's guaranteed death."
Ahmad: "We took a risk coming here, and we're all still alive."
Arjun: "Because it's an open area. We had space to run, jump, hide… the basement is the opposite of that."
Sia: "He's right. The basement is nothing like a lobby. Once we're in, there's no way out. And if zombies are already down there… we'll be trapped from both sides. Above and below. No space, no air…"
She shook her head and turned away, swallowing her fear.
Vijay: "So… we're stuck."
Sia: "We can't change the reality."
Ahmad: "So we'll die of starvation or thirst then."
His voice was serious enough that everyone turned toward him.
Sia: "Can't you say something positive?"
Ahmad: "Positive? Like you were? 'We can't change the reality'—that's what you said. And dying like this is part of that reality."
He sounded annoyed.
Sia: "So what do you want? Go outside? Jump into that cluster of creatures and get bitten to death?"
Her frustration matched his.
Ahmad: "It's a die situation from both sides. At most a week—maybe even less. We won't survive more than that if we sit here with no food or water. Just look at the quantity… it won't even last a day and—"
Sia: (cuts him) "So what do you want? An early death or an easy one? You're only thinking about yourself."
Ahmad: "Thinking about myself? Then why the hell do you think you're here—"
His voice rose, and Arjun tried to pull him back.
Before anyone could continue, Lily—now visibly annoyed—banged the door hard.
Everyone froze and looked at her. Her expression alone said, "Stop it now."
The sudden sound made a zombie slam against the wall from outside.
Everyone flinched—except Lily.
She stood still, eyes sharp, completely unfazed. She couldn't hear anything, so the noise didn't distract her focus.
Arjun: "Calm down. Raising voices will only bring them closer."
Sia: "I trusted you… now I'm starting to doubt if you're even uninfected."
Ahmad: "I can say the same. I don't trust you either."
Arjun: "Enough. Sit down… Ahmad, just sit. Right now."
His tone was firm but calm
Arjun sank down to the floor, exhausted.
Lily suddenly remembered something. She began signing quickly, trying to get Sia's attention—but Sia was still too angry and distracted. Lily repeated the signs, a little frustrated this time.
Sia: "Okay, okay—wait… she's saying something about your coach."
She watched Lily again, then her eyes widened.
"She's saying your coach—the one who was infected—was taken to the hospital. So we can't say the outside is safe either. The infection has already reached beyond the dorm."
Arjun: "If that's true, then officers should already be here by now… for investigation."
Vijay: "Or—or our parents should have come by now. Especially since the landline didn't work… and almost everyone said their phones weren't working inside."
A small, heavy silence followed.
Sia: "…Maybe help is on the way."
Her voice was hopeful, but her face didn't match.
Ahmad—"I'm going to the basement. Whoever wants to join can come, but I'm going."
(He stands up.)
Arjun—"Are you out of your mind? Going alone?"
Ahmad—"Vijay knows a shortcut, right?"
Vijay—"Yes… but we can't predict the risks."
(Lily takes the gun out of her pocket and raises her hand.)
Ahmad—"What? You want to come too?"
(Lily nods and looks at Sia. She signs something, but Sia is too angry to respond.)