Survivors Assemble

"Jazmen!" I greeted her with affection before entering.

Her nose wrinkled as she took in my disheveled appearance. "Apex, you need to clean up." My ragged clothes were hole-riddled, stained, and splattered with dried blood—far from huggable. Even my face bore bloody marks, making even a simple kiss impossible.

"I agree," I shrugged, following her inside.

---

The room exuded a cozy ambiance, a stark contrast to the horrors outside. Present were five individuals, not counting Jazmen. Among them, the burly man from earlier stood, accompanied by three girls and one boy.

"Hello, ladies," I greeted them, offering a smile despite my unsettling, blood-spattered face.

Fear was etched on their faces, evidence of the horrifying scene they'd witnessed in the hallway.

"Seems nobody's thrilled to see me," I sighed in disappointment.

"Let's not scare them," Jazmen said, gently pulling me along. "Come inside, let me introduce them, and then we'll eat."

"Of course," I agreed, following her with a reassuring smile.

---

While on our way, I playfully tapped the burly guy on the back of his head. He shot me a quick frown, but it quickly vanished.

Inside, we arranged ourselves in a circle of chairs.

" Dear survivors, he's Apex. My.... close ally who helped me yesterday to reach to you people", Jazmen looked at the 5 people sitting around us and said while pointing at me with her hands.

" And Apex, these are the people we were speculating to meet yesterday before the incident happened and we parted", Jazmen said while looking at me and tried to hide the evolution thing from all those present.

Jazmen proceeded with introductions. "The burly guy is Kane, and the other boy is Soul. The girls are Emma, or Em, Katerina, or Kat, and the third is Zolovodo.... something, too hard to pronounce so we just call her Zolo. Zolo is Kane's girlfriend, Em is a medic, and Kat is an engineer."

We patiently awaited the conclusion of Jazmen's introductions.

"Everyone has different stories about how they ended up here," she explained, her gaze shifting to the burly man on her right. "But it seems like they got stuck here while running from the zombies. Em is from our college, while Kat and Soul are from the college opposite to ours. They were headed to their college when the pandemic started and sought shelter here. In short, they found their way to this room and...that's their story."

Jazmen's tone shifted as she addressed the couple. "The couple is also from our college, but I don't particularly care for them. He's a frightened sheep in lion's clothing, and she doesn't seem to grasp much without being told. Plus, he's been eyeing me, so...do what you want."

I chimed in with a nonchalant tone, "Well, it's not like only I have the right to pursue you. At least not until you accept me."

"You really won't make a move?" Jazmen asked, irritation evident in her expression.

I shrugged once more. "Why should I?"

"Ugh...idiot," she huffed, walking away in annoyance.

"So...are you two a couple?" I turned my attention to Kat and Soul, observing their reactions.

"NO! Why would I go out with him!! Oh, sorry, that was quite a reaction, hehe*. What I meant is I don't have a boyfriend," Kat clarified, while Soul remained silent, appearing genuinely shy and reserved.

I attempted to lighten the mood, turning my attention to Kane. "What about you, Hulk? You look like a bully. Were you a rugby player or something?"

Kane scratched the back of his neck and replied, "No... I was more of a laid-back type, you know, like those last benchers."

Zolo interjected, contradicting his claim. "Don't listen to him. He used to handle those guys effortlessly."

Kane, trying to silence Zolo, covered her mouth with his hand. "Oh, come on. I'm just a laid-back guy."

I smiled and teased after knowing his bully past with her words, "Seems like you're a sluggish back bencher."

Shifting my focus to Emma, I asked, "So, how did you end up stuck here?"

Emma began recounting her story, "I was an intern with a professor on this floor. He turned into a zombie, and I managed to hide behind a cupboard in his office. After a day of hiding, I observed that the professor only reacted to sound and stumbled around as if he had no vision, so I decided to make my escape."

She continued, her voice trembling, "I had just come out of his office when a friend saw me and tried calling out to me. He was hiding in a corner, which was easily reachable. The zombies couldn't hear him, so he was safe until then. But he couldn't keep quiet, and then I witnessed the gruesome sight of my friend being bitten by numerous zombies, his flesh torn, body ruptured, bitten, ripped, chewed at all places. I couldn't even cry, knowing that a single sound would be my doom. I... I... *Sob* I then backtracked with tears in my eyes but no sound from my mouth until I reached this class *Sob*"

Emma broke into tears, the painful memories flooding back.

Unable to watch her suffer, I hugged her, gently patting her head. "It wasn't your fault. The zombies and your friend are to blame. He called out even though he knew the zombies were sensitive to sound. You did what was necessary at that moment, and you survived. Don't dwell on things beyond your control. Focus on the present. To survive in this world, you must steel your heart, be brave, and ready to face any challenge. Try to live until help arrives, and if it doesn't, live life to the fullest...and, well, I think I've run out of words. That's the most I can do to uplift you."

Emma returned the hug, tears still in her eyes but now accompanied by a small smile. "You know how to use your mouth, such a motivator, choosing the exact words which will sooth the listener and lighten the mood. I'm joining your team and will do my best to help in any way I can."

Emma moved her head while still in the bear hug, looking in my eyes she smiled with some tears still welled up in her eyes.

Jazmen's annoyed voice interrupted our moment. "You can let him go now. There's been enough body contact."

Apologizing, I released Emma from the hug. She giggled as she wiped away her remaining tears.

"Can I know how old you are?" Emma asked, her curiosity piqued. "It's difficult to gauge with your words and.... yourself"

With a shrug, I responded, "I'm 19. Is there something wrong with my appearance or... my body?"

Emma, Kat, and Zolo reacted with astonishment. " You're 19!"

"19! Really?"

"Don't lie!"