Problems, Part 1

"Let's take this path," Elliot said, turning right as he carefully surveyed his surroundings. The air was thick with the smell of rust and rot, and the distant sound of an infected mingled with the wind.

The hallway they were walking through was dark, the shadows cast by the crumbling buildings creating an oppressive atmosphere. Each of Mel's steps seemed to echo more than necessary, and Elliot couldn't help but notice the way the fit of her pants accentuated the movement of her hips.

"We've been walking for quite a while," she murmured, holding the gun in both hands as she took a quick glance ahead. Her soft, melodic voice broke the tense silence. "We didn't get lost, did we?"

"I don't know," Elliot replied with a wry smile, turning the corner only to stop dead in his tracks as he saw the path blocked. "Shit… this street is fucking blocked too."

Before them, a FEDRA truck loomed like an impossible barrier to navigate, surrounded by wrecked vehicles and weeds that had claimed the space. Elliot gritted his teeth, his frustration evident. "All the fucking streets blocked off. Is fate trying to screw me over?"

"We can go through that building," Mel suggested, pointing to a structure to his left. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and sweetness that unnerved Elliot every time he looked at her. She was fucking beautiful.

Elliot smiled, unable to help himself. Mel was a mix of innocence and provocation, a walking paradox that made him want to peel back every layer of that sweetness until only the raw passion he knew she was hiding remained. And damn, that ass…

"Fine," he finally said, an amused glint in his eyes. "I'll take your advice, but I'll go ahead."

Mel pursed her lips into an adorable pout that almost made him burst out laughing. Her expression, so fucking innocent, was in stark contrast to the dark thoughts swirling through Elliot's mind.

"Why me in the back?" she asked in a soft, sweet voice that made him want things he shouldn't want in the middle of the apocalypse.

Elliot turned to her, his eyes blatantly scanning her figure before stopping at her hips. His grin grew wider, laden with unapologetic cheekiness. "Because if I let you go in the front, I won't be able to stop staring at your ass," he blurted out bluntly, his tone low and husky, almost a growl.

Mel's eyes widened, a blush quickly creeping up her neck to stain her cheeks. "E-Elliot..." she murmured, her voice shaking slightly as she lowered her gaze, as if trying to hide the blush burning on her skin.

"And when that happens," he continued, moving a little closer, close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from his body, "I'll think with my cock instead of my head. And I'll fuck you right here, against one of those shattered walls, until you can't walk."

Mel's breath quickened. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her lips trembled, struggling to find an answer. Elliot watched as her eyes strayed to his mouth for a brief second before returning to his face. Fuck, the tension was almost palpable.

"I-I understand..." he finally said, his voice a whisper laden with something deeper than simple embarrassment.

Elliot let out a low, gravelly laugh, a sound that reverberated between them, amplifying the electrically charged air. He stepped back, giving her space, but he didn't stop watching her, savoring every second of the blush that still colored her cheeks.

"I knew you would, gorgeous," he murmured as he turned toward the entrance of the building, his smile still present. "Now, stay close. Don't make me regret being so thoughtful."

Mel followed him, her body still slightly shaking, and Elliot couldn't help one last glance over his shoulder. Her hips moved in rhythm with his steps, and the thought of driving her into a wall was no longer just a passing thought.

Elliot approached the door of the building Mel had pointed out, an old apartment block that connected to other similar ones, forming a labyrinth of crumbling structures. According to the map, the passage was supposed to lead to the other side of the street, but even before he touched the door, he could feel the weight of abandonment in the air, the echo of the time that had passed since anyone had set foot there.

He grabbed the handle firmly and turned it, but only heard the dry click of the rusty mechanism that refused to give way.

"Shit..." he muttered in frustration, pulling out the knife he kept secured in his belt. The blade, old but sharp, was his favorite tool for these situations.

"Do you think you can open it?" Mel asked behind him, her voice soft but firm.

"Do you doubt my abilities, precious?" Elliot replied with a smile as he stuck the knife into the slot of the lock, forcing it with precise movements. When he had been reincarnated in this world, he didn't even know how to handle a weapon, let alone break into doors. Now, every movement was efficient, honed by 2 years of necessity and survival.

With a metallic creak, the lock gave way, and the door slowly swung open. A nauseating stench immediately came out, hitting them like a slap in the face. The air was thick with damp, mold, and worse, a smell of death that seemed to have embedded itself into the very walls of the place.

"Shit… spores," Elliot muttered, backing away quickly as he pulled Mel back with an instinctive movement. Inside the building, a faint greenish glow covered the surfaces, an unmistakable trace of the infection that had consumed the world.

They both moved quickly, pulling their gas masks out of their backpacks. Elliot made sure to adjust the straps around his face, pressing it against his skin until it was perfectly sealed.

"Everything okay with your filters, Mel?" he asked, his voice muffled by the mask but still laced with concern.

Mel nodded her thumb, testing her breathing for a second before answering. "Yeah, all good. I'm ready."

"Good," Elliot said with a nod of approval. "Time to go in."

She turned on the flashlight she carried hanging from her backpack, the beam cutting through the gloom of the building like a knife. The light revealed a dark, cluttered hallway, littered with debris, broken furniture, and a faint glow from the spores that collected in the corners and ceilings.

She slung her hunting rifle over her back, securing it carefully. Even though it was her primary weapon, there was no point in using it in a confined space like this. Instead, she pulled out her knife and a pair of brass knuckles she kept in one of the side pockets. The feel of the cold metal on her fingers gave her a strange sense of security.

Mel watched her movements as she checked her pistol, making sure it was ready to fire. "Hand-to-hand? Are you sure?" she asked, her tone heavy with concern.

"It's the most practical thing here," Elliot replied as he checked the edge of the knife with a quick motion. "I don't have your pistol, and using the rifle would be like trying to hunt rats with a bazooka. Besides," he added with a smirk she couldn't see through the mask, "I like getting my hands dirty."

Mel gave a slight snort, but her expression was serious as she looked into the building. "If anything goes wrong…"

"If anything goes wrong, I'll fix it," Elliot interrupted, his voice low but firm. "Now, stay close. I don't want anything to happen to you, understand?"

Mel nodded, and the two of them made their way deeper into the building.

The silence inside was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional crunch of debris under their boots and the dull sound of their breathing through the filters. The walls were covered in a slimy layer of fungus that seemed to move slightly under the flashlight light. The air was heavy, as if the place itself was saturated with death and danger.

"Stay alert," Elliot muttered as he moved cautiously forward, his eyes scanning every dark corner, every shadow that might hide an infected.

"I always am," Mel replied quietly, his gun pointed forward in precise movements.

Elliot knew they couldn't afford any mistakes; one distraction, one miscalculated sound, and they would be dead. But despite the tension, he couldn't help his gaze occasionally drifting to Mel. The way her body moved, even in such a grim situation, had something hypnotic about it.

"Focus, Elliot," he told himself quietly, shaking his head slightly. But the truth was, he couldn't help it. Being so close to her, after what they had shared, made him want her even more. And the danger only intensified that desire, as if the risk added a level of excitement he couldn't ignore.

"What are you looking at?" Mel asked, turning her head toward him for a second before focusing back on the hallway.

"Just making sure you're okay," Elliot replied in a light tone, though his mischievous smile was hidden behind the mask.

"Sure thing," Mel muttered, rolling his eyes as he continued on.

The path in front of them branched off in two directions: a hallway leading to a flight of stairs up, and another leading down to the basement. Both were dark, with trails of spores making either choice seem equally dangerous.

"Up or down?" Mel asked, his voice thick with tension as he looked at both paths.

Elliot thought for a moment, his flashlight slowly moving between the two hallways. The basement would likely be filled with more spores, but the stairs up were a potential trap.

"Up," he finally said, adjusting his grip on the knife. "It's always easier to escape if you have the height advantage."

"Good logic," Mel replied as she began to climb behind him, her gun pointed forward.

Elliot led the way, every step careful, every sense alert. As they ascended, the sound of something moving in the distance made them pause. A low, guttural growl echoed through the walls, causing them both to tense.

"Did you hear that?" Mel whispered, her voice barely a thread.

Elliot nodded, holding up a hand to signal her to stop. The tension in the air was almost unbearable, and every muscle in his body was ready to attack or run at any moment.

"Stay behind me," he muttered, his tone low but firm as he slowly moved toward the sound.

The interior of the building was a mess. The doors of several apartments were torn off, the walls collapsed or with deep cracks that revealed the shattered remains of furniture. Debris was strewn everywhere, covered in dust and fungus. Each step raised a light cloud that floated through the stale air, adding an even more suffocating touch to the place.

Elliot moved forward cautiously, his flashlight illuminating every dark corner as he held the knife firmly in his other hand. Mel followed close behind, his gun raised, covering the blind spots with movements that, although far from professional, were effective. They were not military men, by any means, but they managed. Experience had taught them enough not to end up dead at the first carelessness.

They passed a partially collapsed wall, the cracks of which revealed a neighboring apartment. Arriving at one of the intact apartments, they exchanged a quick glance before entering. Mel raised her gun while Elliot slowly pushed open the door, his body tense against any possible threat.

The interior was as dilapidated as the rest of the building. There was overturned furniture, a table broken in two, and dark stains on the floor that they preferred not to analyze too much. But the most notable thing was the wall at the back of the apartment. It had almost completely disappeared, leaving a huge hole that connected to the neighboring building. From there they could see the remains of a truck that had crashed on the first floor, causing the structure to partially collapse.

Elliot aimed his flashlight at the hole, inspecting the makeshift connection between the two buildings. A long, splintered board stretched precariously between the two sides, forming a makeshift bridge. It seemed to have been there by accident, probably a remnant of some failed repair or a desperate attempt at escape. The wood looked old and weak, covered in dust and with some dangerous cracks on the surface.

"Great," Elliot muttered, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "The only damn way."

Mel peeked behind him, assessing the situation before letting out a small laugh. "Oh, come on. It could be worse," she said with a smile that briefly brightened the moment.

Elliot lowered the flashlight, turning to her with a wry smile that dripped with cynicism. "Yeah, you're right. Worse would be if Abby sent us as far away as possible just to stand there fucking your boyfriend while we do all the work."

Mel couldn't contain the laugh that burst from her lips, the sound echoing softly in the empty apartment. Her laughter was warm, contagious, and for a brief moment, it made the tension in the place dissipate.

"Boyfriend? He just has the damn title," she replied, her tone playful as she advanced towards Elliot with calculated steps. There was something in her gaze, something dark and mischievous that he recognized instantly.

Mel stopped in front of him, close enough for the heat of her body to penetrate the thin fabric of his clothes. With a slow, deliberate movement, she brought one hand up to Elliot's crotch. Her fingers brushed the hardened bulge beneath his pants, caressing it slowly, her touch light but laden with intent.

"Let's just say I have an owner now," she whispered, her voice soft and seductive as a wicked smile played across her lips.

Elliot let out a low growl, his jaw clenching as he felt Mel's hand caress him in teasing motions. Blood rushed quickly to his crotch, hardening him even further under her shameless touch. His breath became heavy, his eyes locked on hers as the intensity between them soared.

"Oh yeah?" he murmured, his voice husky and laden with lust. He lifted a hand and placed it on her hip, pulling her firmly until their bodies were pressed together. "So what are you going to do to prove it?"

Mel bit her bottom lip, her breathing quickening as her fingers continued to explore the outline of his erection through the fabric. "Whatever it takes," she whispered, leaning into him, her lips barely grazing the mask covering his face.

Elliot smirked, sliding a hand down to her ass, squeezing it hard as he pulled her even closer. The wood beneath their feet creaked slightly, but neither of them seemed to notice. They were too wrapped up in each other, in the heat, in the tension building between them like a storm about to erupt.

"You're playing with fire, Mel," Elliot said, his tone low and heavy with warning.

Mel let out a soft laugh, tilting her head as her fingers tightened around his erection. "Maybe," she replied, grinning cheekily. "But you seem to like getting burned."

Elliot let out a huff, his hand moving up to grab a handful of her hair, gently tugging on it to tilt her head back. "Wanna play? Okay," he murmured, leaning in until his husky voice echoed directly in her ear. "But you better hold on, because I'm not stopping until you're screaming my name."

Mel shook slightly, her legs nearly failing her as her eyes narrowed at the torrent of sensation Elliot unleashed with each word.

"Come on," he said suddenly, releasing her from his hold and taking a step back, letting the tension slowly dissipate. His grin was cocky, confident, as he pointed at the plank connecting the buildings. "First we cross. Then, if you keep being good, maybe I'll reward you properly."

Mel looked at him with a mix of frustration and desire, but eventually nodded, refocusing on the mission. "This isn't over, Elliot," she muttered as she adjusted her grip on the gun.

"Not even close, sweetheart," he replied with a lopsided grin, before beginning to cross the plank with cautious steps, his senses still alert.

Elliot crossed first, each step on the plank resonating with a creaking sound that sent adrenaline coursing through his veins. Although his balance was good, the precariousness of the situation didn't allow him to relax. Upon reaching the other side, he immediately turned to Mel, reaching out a hand to her.

"Your turn," he said in a firmer tone than he intended. "And please, Mel, let's save the jokes this time. This is not the time to get heated in the middle of a building filled with spores and who knows how many infected."

Mel shot him a look that was both mocking and challenging as she placed a foot on the board. "You're a wimp, Elliot," she replied, her smile failing to quite hide her nervousness.

Elliot snorted, his jaw clenching. "I'm just saying, maybe picking a spot where we can't fall off the cliff or get eaten to death would be more romantic," she added, her sarcasm barely disguising her concern.

Mel took a step forward, the creaking of the board under her weight making them both catch their breath. "Relax. I've got this under control," she said, with an air of confidence Elliot wasn't sure he shared.

Another step. She was almost within reach of Elliot's hand now. He extended his arm further, his eyes locked with Mel's as his breathing grew more labored.

"You're close now. One more step and—"

The creaking was different this time. Deeper. More lethal. Before Elliot could react, the board snapped with a sharp pop, and Mel let out a scream as she fell into the void.

"MEL!" Elliot roared, lunging forward with instinctive swiftness. His hands moved as if time slowed down, and to his relief, he managed to catch her by the arm just before she disappeared completely.

The impact of the movement left him sprawled on the ground, half his body hanging off the edge as he held onto Mel with all his might. She dangled over the void, her legs kicking desperately as she tried to find a foothold that didn't exist.

"I told you," Elliot growled through gritted teeth, the tension in his arms burning as he struggled to hold her steady.

"This is no time to show off, you idiot!" Mel gasped, her breathing ragged as she clung to Elliot's arm with all her might. "For God's sake, pull me up!"

Elliot gritted his teeth, his muscles burning with the effort. "Working on it, sweetheart. But if you keep moving around like that, you're going to mess with my balance!"

Mel froze momentarily, but before she could respond, a guttural sound echoed through the air. A dry, bone-chilling roar that made them both feel ice run through their veins.

"Fuck..." Elliot muttered, turning his head slowly towards the source of the noise.

There, just a few feet away from him, a clicker staggered through the rubble. Its deformed, fungus-covered body moved in spasmodic movements while emitting the characteristic clicking sounds that made the skin crawl.

Mel saw it too, her eyes widening as a gasp escaped her lips. "No… no fuck with me," she muttered, her tone full of horror.

Elliot didn't respond. There was no time for jokes. His eyes darted frantically between the clicker and Mel, his mind working at full speed as adrenaline kept him focused.

"Mel, stop moving and hold on tight! I'm going to get you out of here, but you need to stay still," he ordered, his tone firm but full of urgency.

The clicker let out another roar, turning sharply towards the sound of their voices. Elliot felt the weight of the situation come down on him, each second more terrifying than the last.

"Come on, Elliot, don't let go!" Mel screamed, her voice thick with fear as she stared at the emptiness below her.

Elliot tightened his grip, her body shaking with the effort. "Relax. I'm not letting go, do you hear me? I'm not fucking going to."

The clicker took another step forward, his movements erratic but determined. Elliot watched through gritted teeth, knowing he only had seconds before it was too late.

"Shit, shit, shit," he muttered to himself, adjusting his position as best he could to keep his balance as his muscles burned. The pressure was unbearable, but there was no room for error.

With one last effort, Elliot pulled Mel up, her body tense as every fiber of her muscles strained to the max. Mel let out a gasp as she slid over the edge, and finally, with one last tug, he managed to pull her up high enough for her to climb up and roll to the safety of the ground.

They both lay on the ground, panting, their chests rising and falling frantically as they tried to catch their breath.

"I... told... you," Elliot gasped between breaths, turning his head towards Mel with an exhausted but triumphant smile.

"Shut up, you moron!" she screamed, but there was a mix of relief and gratitude in her tone.

The clicker's roar brought them back to reality immediately. They both turned their heads towards the creature, which was now almost upon them.

"Run!" Elliot screamed, shooting up as he grabbed his knife and readied his flashlight.

The clicker let out a horrifying scream, lunging towards them with unrelenting fury.

End of Chapter 9