Chapter 21: Get Ready

As Emma's word sank in, the survivors scrambled to reinforce their barricades, their movements fueled by the hope to live on, something almost all humans are born with. Meanwhile, the relentless pounding on the door attracted even more undead to the scene. Seizing the opportunity, Emma amplified the chaos by blasting a rap song over the microphone, the catchy music beats attracted zombies from upstairs. With swift efficiency, she turned on the electric system on her RV combined with the blazing fire gun, creating a deadly combination. As the crackling energy surged through the air, the electricity mixed with the blazing fire, increasing its destructive power. The dual assault of electricity and fire worked in perfect harmony, forming a lethal barrier that killed any zombie drawing near.

Emma pressed another button on her control panel, starting a sequence that caused a ladder to extend outward from her RV. With precise control, Emma manipulated the ladder until it was securely positioned alongside the dorm building.

With a mask on her face, Emma opened the skylight window on her RV and stepped out onto its roof. The hungry groans of the zombies grew louder, their excitement escalating at the prospect of fresh prey. With agility and determination, Emma leaped onto the third step of the ladder and began her climb, her movements fueled by adrenaline.

As she climbed, some of the zombies redirected their attention from the RV to her, their outstretched hands reaching desperately for her. Emma's heart raced as she dodged their grasping attempts, the sound of their snarls echoing in her ears.

Upon reaching the top of the ladder, Emma was greeted by a small pile of zombies that had followed her, their decaying forms lunging upward in an attempt to capture her. With a furrowed brow, Emma swiftly stepped over the ladder and onto the rooftop, relieved to feel solid ground beneath her once more.

Turning her attention to the group of survivors, Emma was struck by their desperate appearance. Their body was skinny and dirty with a strong smell. With a commanding voice, Emma yelled out to them, her words cutting through the tension like a knife, "HEY!"

Startled, the survivors turned to face her, their wide eyes betraying their nervousness as they awaited her next move. Among them, a man who appeared to be the leader stepped forward, his voice tinged with fear. "Are you here to save us?" he asked, his words faltering slightly as the rest of the group watched intently.

Emma nodded her head in affirmation. "Of course, why else would I be here?" she replied confidently. As she spoke, her gaze shifted to the door behind the survivors, which was shaking violently, a small crack beginning to form in the metal.

Noticing the urgency of the situation, Emma urged them on, and she pointed at the ladder, "Start climbing." The survivors exchanged nervous glances, uncertainty evident in their eyes. However, the man, seemingly gathering his courage, turned back to face Emma. After a moment of thinking, he addressed the small group of nine survivors.

"We don't have anything to lose anyway, do we?" he reasoned, his voice wavering slightly with uncertainty, but as if he said it to convince himself. His eyes scanned the faces of the other survivors, searching for reassurance. With a determined nod, he took the lead, stepping onto the ladder first. Each rung he descended seemed to increase the thumping of his heart as the crowd of zombies below clamored for his flesh. Despite the fear gnawing at his insides, he pressed on, his grip tight on the ladder, setting a brave example for the others to follow.

As the first survivor reached the midway point of the ladder, Emma wasted no time, pointing urgently at the next person in line. "Go," she commanded, her voice firm. The zombies below, viewing each descending survivor as a delectable meal, leaped higher, their hunger driving them to reach for their prey. Yet Emma swiftly intervened, using her mind control panel she turned on the button for the controls of the high-powered water guns installed beneath the RV. With a roar, the water cannons erupted, dousing the undead with electrified liquid, shocking and killing them undead. The force of the water also knocked several zombies off their feet, ensuring that none could reach the shorter end of the ladder. 

As the last two survivors awaited their turn, Emma retrieved her sword from her storage, a sense of urgency permeating the air as the crack in the door grew wider. Glancing back at the two survivors, Emma's voice was steady but urgent as she asked, "Who has supernatural power?" She had noticed a small tendril of vine creeping along the door, a sign that someone here possessed supernatural abilities. Emma hoped that this person hadn't already gone down the ladder. The last girl in line raised her hand hesitantly, and Emma nodded, focusing her gaze on her. "Wood?" she asks, seeking confirmation of the girl's power.

The girl's eyes widened in surprise at Emma's accurate guess about her powers. Emma turned back towards the door, her voice filled with determination as she instructed, "Get ready." As she spoke, she heard the first ominous crunch of the door giving way. And her words proved correct; as the second-to-last survivor stepped onto the ladder, the door collapsed, splitting in half, and the undead surged towards the last two people on the rooftop: Emma and the girl with supernatural wood powers.

With swift determination, Emma dashed towards the zombies, her sword slicing through their bodies with practiced ease. With each swing of her sword, Emma carved a path through the approaching horde, her movements a dance of precision and power. She holds back the sea of zombies, just herself, but she knows she will need help if her energy dies out. "Stay close!" she called out to the girl, her voice loud even through chaos. The metallic clang of her blade meeting decaying flesh echoed across the rooftop as she expertly dispatched one zombie after another. "Watch your step!"