| Chapter 6: Into the Ruins
The morning light filtered through the broken windows of the office building where I had holed up for the night. I didn’t sleep much; every sound outside made me sit bolt upright, rifle in hand, expecting walkers to burst through the door. When dawn came, I forced myself to eat a small handful of crackers and take a sip of water. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could afford if I wanted to make my supplies last.
I ventured out into the city once again, sticking to the back alleys and shadows. The rifle hung heavily on my shoulder, a constant reminder of the danger around me. I felt clumsy with it still. I knew I’d have to get better and fast.
The city, once vibrant, was a graveyard. Cars sat abandoned in the middle of streets, their doors open and belongings spilling onto the pavement. The occasional fire smoldered in a trash can, casting shadows that danced eerily against crumbling walls. Flyers for missing people were plastered on every available surface, their faces staring at me like ghosts of the past.
I decided to try my luck at a small grocery store I used to visit with my mom. It was only a few blocks away, but every step felt like a mile. I moved cautiously, keeping low and listening for the shuffling of walkers. When I reached the store, I could see the chaos that had unfolded there. The glass doors were shattered, and the aisles were littered with overturned carts and debris.
Inside, the air was heavy with the smell of rot. Most of the fresh produce was long gone, but I didn’t come here for that. I scanned the shelves, grabbing anything that looked edible, cans of
soup, a box of granola bars, a dusty bottle of water. I even found a few batteries for my flashlight, a rare stroke of luck.
As I stuffed the items into my bag, I heard the telltale groan of a walker. I froze, clutching the rifle. The sound grew louder, joined by the shuffling of feet. Slowly, I backed toward the rear exit, keeping my eyes on the aisle ahead.
Suddenly, a walker rounded the corner, its dead eyes locking onto me. I raised the rifle, my hands shaking as I aimed. The shot rang out, the recoil slamming into my shoulder. The bullet hit its mark, dropping the walker instantly.
But the noise had attracted more. Groans echoed through the store as other walkers began shambling toward me. Panic surged through my veins. I fired again and again, each shot taking down another walker, but the horde was relentless.
I bolted for the back exit, adrenaline fueling my steps. I burst into the alley, the sunlight blinding me for a moment. I didn’t stop running until I was sure I had lost them. My heart pounded in my chest as I crouched behind a dumpster, catching my breath.
That night, I sat in the office building, replaying the events in my mind. I practiced with the rifle, loading and unloading it until the movements became second nature. I couldn’t afford to panic like that again. |
