Encountering the shooter!

Floating aimlessly in the void has never felt like the that it did in this moment.

I spend an undeterminable amount of time just existing to recollect myself and try to plan my next move. It seems like the mystery voice picked up on my intentions as they haven't interrupted me.

'Hmm, does time even matter while I exist in this state?'

My mind begins to wander, which indicates that it is time to leave.

I select the same perk as last time, and don't bother to deal with the creature beating on my door after my resurrection. The process is becoming more familiar, which is scary and liberating at the same time.

'

Immediately muffling my volume, I rush toward my closet. The bat and knife have served me well, but I think I'm going to need additional support!

'Where is it?' My mind was focused on a single object, as long as I hadn't thrown it out my chances of success would be much higher!

I toss out jackets and boxes stuffed into storage before finally coming across my solution!

A dingy, beat-up, green backpack from my school days.

It isn't prestigious tactical gear like one would want in the situation, but can I truly choose to be so picky?

"This will have to do," I sigh, not remembering the condition being so distraught. Hopefully it will hold up during the hard running.

While collecting myself in my in-between phase, I attempted to solve the problem of the rope ladder. Sadly, there aren't any grappling hooks lying around my apartment or that would be perfect.

"Why couldn't I be into that ninja nonsense like Timmy?" I sigh, remembering a good friend from before this situation started.

Quickly accepting the fact that I don't have a perfect solution, I tie a couple of sheets into something like a rope and shove it into my new bag.

I exhale sharply as I begin my jaunt back to the apartment building, determined to make it inside!

There's no real hiccup during the process, and things progress nice and smooth. The usual suspects show up along the route, but I'm able to dispatch them easily and find myself hugging the wall of apartment building once again.

Sadly, my dagger still failed to withstand the trip.

'This time I'm not going to summon the freakin' undead army…' I think to myself as I take extra care to avoid detection through the windows.

Maneuvering to the back of the building is fairly simple since I've scouted it before. Now that there wasn't a mini-horde following me, I can take my time.

It takes but a moment before the familiar sight of the fire escape fills my eyes.

'Huh, it's sturdier than I thought.'

Upon further inspection, I notice that it wasn't a rope ladder at all, but a metal chain link ladder. It must have been a second fire escape mechanism kept by the occupant!

"At least I don't have to worry about it breaking," I mumble to myself as I slide my backpack off and remove my improvised rope.

The initial goal was to climb up the sheets, but now I should be able to snag the ladder without it breaking. This would prove a lot safer than the alternative.

After securing one end of the sheet rope to my wrist so I don't lose control, I toss the other into the air and…

Miss completely.

'This isn't going to do much…'

I can see the ladder hanging loosely off the edge, and know that if I could just hook it I'd be able to achieve it… but the sheets don't seem to have the momentum to make it the distance.

Looking around, I ensure that no threats are present before I decide to take of my shoes and tie them to the end of the makeshift rope.

It would be embarrassing to die because I was caught barefoot in a world that's been thrown into chaos.

"This should be enough," My muttering brings a sense of reassurance as I pray the added weight gives me the distance and control I need to hook the target.

One strong attempt is all it takes to confirm that I was on the right path, as my shoes graze the ladder and cause it to sway.

'I totally got this!'

Thankfully, it didn't take more than a second attempt for my makeshift grappling hook to swing around the bottom rung of the chain ladder.

With a swift tug my path to the shooter became clear.

Not wanting to rush my entrance, I make sure to gather my shoes and put them back on my feet. The last thing I need was to encounter broken glass while barefoot.

My legs shake as I climb onto the swaying ladder. The lack of rigidity the fire escape provided made it difficult to climb, but not impossible.

With my bat in hand I arrived at the second floor of the apartment building and can begin my hunt.

There's no indication which window the shooter uses to escape the building, but I'm confident in finding the answer over time. At the end of the day it's the advantage that I have.

'They were at least on the fourth floor.' Afraid to even mumble with reduced volume I resort to sorting my thoughts within my own mind.

Not wanting to risk the fact that they may be using a different floor for entry, I study each room to the best of my ability. The windows are tinted, but getting as close as possible should allow for some vision inside.

It didn't take long before I reached the fourth floor empty handed. This is where I thought the shooter was stationed, and it seemed my hunch was correct.

The window was slightly ajar.

'They must not have expected visitors.' With the city going to Hell it only makes sense that they would want to have a quick escape route.

Who would expect someone to survive enough to roam the streets and find the escape ladder while also having the means to access it? Even if someone saw the ladder dangling, they would need some way to reach it.

I gently tap my bat against the rail of the fire escape, just to make sure my perk is still active.

After the faintest clang is returned, I decide to slide the window open the rest of the way. This was the moment of truth! I had killed various creatures up until this point, but could I handle taking care of a fellow human?

I crouch to keep a low profile as I enter the dark apartment through the bedroom window. Thankfully it is empty and the door is closed.

My feet shuffle across the floor as I attempt to keep myself as silent as possible.

My heart rate increases and can be felt in my chest, even if the sound is muffled.

Cracking the door open, I look out into the common area of the apartment. It's a fairly standard living room, but I can't take my eyes off the sight before me.

A petite woman with long silver hair sat on the couch with a rifle by her side.

I lose control of my body as the door swings open fully and I lose my composure for a moment.

"Ali?!" My still muffled voice didn't carry itself at all, so I immediately snap my fingers without thinking.

Startled, the young lady jumps as she grabs her rifle and fires a round in my direction.