Chapter 2: To Conquer

The Main Lobby, once a bustling and familiar space, is about to become a battlefield between the living and the dead.

"Everyone ready?!" questioned by Carlos before starting the next phase of their plan. As everyone responded with either a nod, or an expression of fear and anxiety.

As the barricades were removed, a sudden change of scenario occurred...

***

A FLASHBACK from a different person's point of view before chaos broke loose.

The sound of a lighter being used is heard in the background.

At the ground floor where there are three guards standing by and doing their job on a lazy day.

"Anyone up for a quick smoke?" asked by Toby. One of the three guards currently on shift, a smoker and casually sneaks out while on duty with Jerome in the parking lot to smoke.

"Nah! I'm good, thanks," Kyler said. He is the second guard, and usually covers Jerome and Toby's absence in their post.

"You go ahead. I'll follow," stated by Jerome. Jerome usually just follows Toby in the parking lot for them to relax and throw their stress out.

"Aigh, suit yourself. There are only few things to entertain us in this type of job you know," said Toby as he left his post momentarily.

Jerome tried to check time but he forgot to bring his phone before coming to work. He then asked Kyler since he has his.

"It's almost 9:20 PM," the Kyler said.

Since Jerome was not able to bring his phone to his duty, getting bored at his shift became a worry. He decided to go to Toby, who usually comes to the nearby parking lot to smoke.

"Take it from here for a moment! I don't want to die from boredom on this job," happily said by Jerome as he left his post as well.

As Jerome was walking towards the parking lot, he somehow hear screams coming from a little further away from the building. He was curious yet has ignored it since it might just be some people partying or enjoying their night outside.

As he was about to enter the parking lot area, he saw other people screaming.

"Run!!!"

He has no idea what's happening so he thought that nothing is wrong and there could just be an event or nothing important happening. Jerome continued to go through the parking lot and tried to check the common spot for smoking. To his surprise, he didn't see a single soul from there.

"Where the hell could he be?"

He is curious where Toby is so he continues further in the parking lot sections. At one point, he saw the Guard's baton on the ground. Jerome smiled because he thought that he could tease or prank his coworker of leaving his equipment behind.

"This is going to be fun," excitingly mentioned by Jerome.

Jerome turned on a corner area of the parking lot. As he turned, it appears that he was not able to see the blood on the wall due to the dim lights on that section of the parking lot. Some of the lights are flickering or dim as maintenance has not yet fixed it.

"Hey! Where the hell are you?!" Jerome shouted to look for Toby.

Sounds of lights flickering and silence in the section of the parking light gives an eerie atmosphere.

"Damn! When will the maintenance team ever going to fix these? Do they even have budget cuts?" annoyingly mentioned by Jerome.

Jerome was thinking of using the radio to call out to Toby but he knows that management should be aware they are with each other on their posts. If they were to be noticed smoking during their duty, they might be given a disciplinary action. Jerome is also aware that Toby already has an offense, and he doesn't want him to be dragged to a bigger problem.

Jerome continued searching for his co-worker until he felt that he stepped on a sticky liquid. He used his flashlight since the lights were dim in the area. He saw dark red color and slowly checked it with his fingers.

"What is this? Blood?" Jerome asked with confusion.

A noise of an equipment dropping nearby was heard. Jerome was shocked and immediately ran towards the direction of the sound.

He then saw a man in uniform slowly emerging from the parked cars. From the uniform itself, and Jerome immediately concluded that it was Toby.

He walked towards him while calling him out. As he came near, he tapped Toby's shoulder and told him that he's been looking for him.  Then, Toby was shocked and had his earphones on. He asked him what's going on, and then Jerome smacked his head and told him that he invited him to smoke but he didn't even expect him to come.

"I saw blood on the way, did you see anyone?" asked by Jerome since he thought Toby might know something.

Toby said no but as he was entering the parking lot area, he saw someone crazy and sick, and bit him hard. He then pushed him and beat him with his baton.

"I lost my baton because that crazy shit was kinda chasing me after I beat him up. But fuck this hurts! Who would even bite a person?!" as Toby ranted it out.

Jerome then somehow felt ick and a need to give Toby medical treament is a must. He suggested to come back to their post to at least treat him and mention the management what happened so they could at least help Toby with what happened.

As they turned on the corner area of the parking lot, they saw a number of people walking. Toby approached one of them and asked, "What are you guys doing here?" since they only seem to be standing and walking around.

One of the people walking turned around to him, and suddenly lunged at Toby.

"Shit!" mentioned by Jerome as he hurriedly tried to help Toby.

"Get this guy off me!!!" Toby screamed with fear.

The other people in the parking lot had their attention towards the two guards.

"Arrrghh!!!" Painfully screamed by Toby as the person bit the side of his body really hard.

As Jerome was helping Toby remove the person biting him, he noticed blood all over their face and bodies.

"This shit is getting crazier, let's go!" Jerome said as they ran back to the other side of the parking area.

Jerome radioed Kyler in his post.

"We need help and medical attention! Call management that there's a problem in the parking lot!" as Jerome yells at the radio while supporting Kyler and running back.

As they turned the corner area, a huge number of the soulless people faced them. Their fate has been sealed from that point on.

***

On Kyler's point of view, he was relaxing and calmly staying at his post. Few minutes after Jerome left, Kyler started hearing people scream and panicking.

"Is there an event today?" he asked to himself.

With curiosity, he checked outside to what's happening.

"Help us!!!" a woman shouted at him as her group comes towards the entrance.

Kyler has no idea what to do as he does not know what is happening. He saw 7 people came inside and some of them were bleeding.

"Please close the doors!" begged by the woman.

Kyler apologized as he cannot do it since his co-workers are still outside, and he does not know what is happening.

"They're trying to kill us!" the woman shouted.

With the confusion, Kyler told them to stay put and he will check outside. He then saw another person coming towards the entrance.

He approached him and asked what is happening but what he receives is an aggressive lunge and the person bit him on the neck.

Kyler was shocked, and was losing blood. He immediately ran back to the lobby entrance. The people their screamed as they saw he state he is in.

As he enters the lobby area on the ground floor, he tried to reach out to the radio or telephone but his last breathe has been given. The other panicked and tried to go to the elevators as the undead started to enter the lobby.

The view focused on Kyler's radio as screams were heard in the background.

Jerome's voice was heard, "We need help and medical attention! Call management that there's a problem in the parking lot! Arrrghh!!!" and then static voice was left heard.

***

THE SURVIVORS in the building are now preparing for the next phase in securing the floor.

The echoes of shuffling undead reverberated through the cavernous area as the Lobby Team worked tirelessly to push through the relentless horde.

"On your left!"

"Push harder!!!"

"Don't make them too close to you!"

"Five coming to the right side!"

Each member, fueled by a mix of fear and determination as they progress through, and swung makeshift weapons with varying degrees of skill.

As they fought, a realization struck--- the lack of combat experience and the stark contrast between movie scenarios and their grim reality.

*Mia and Hannah panting through exhaustion.

*Zoe, Ahmed and Raj are having trouble fighting.

*Sarah and Olivia struggling to push with their strength.

*Carlos and Javier getting too focused on the undead in front of them.

The weight of the crude weapons, the exhaustion of repeated swings, and the unsettling reality of facing reanimated corpses proved to be a harsh wake-up call. The group found themselves grappling with the visceral and physical demands of survival.

"We need to do something!" said by Olivia.

Amid the chaos, Carlos and Javier emerged as the unsung heroes, expertly leading the undead away from the main entrance. The team's unity became their strength, and they navigated the open space of the lobby with a coordinated dance of pushes, swings, and evasive maneuvers.

"Ahmed, Mia and Zoe, keep holding the main lobby entrance,"

"Sarah and Olivia, push through the left side of the lobby and check for useful items,"

"Emma, Hannah and Raj, stay there and guard the three,"

"Javier, help me and we will push through on the other side. We need other equipment to push these monsters back,"

While struggling for their survival and to accomplish the plan, Carlos was able to devise a plan to try to turn the tide.

However, challenges persisted. Some undead lingered outside the barricades, their presence threatening to unravel the carefully crafted plan. Ahmed, Mia, and Zoe maintained their post, their resolve unwavering as they held the barricades in place. The delicate balance hinged on their ability to keep the entrance secure.

Hannah and Emma faced a setback as their handmade weapons succumbed to the strain of battle. It was a stark reminder of the limitations they faced in this fight for survival. In a stroke of resourcefulness, Carlos discovered a room filled with office chairs - an unconventional solution that might just turn the tide.

The chairs became a lifeline as Carlos and Javier, with Raj's steadfast support, pushed against the undead, creating a temporary barrier. The repetitive creaking of wheels against the cold floor echoed through the lobby as the survivors worked in tandem, driving the undead away until the door could be safely closed.

"Throw them in quickly!" as Carlos shouted to Javier for the others to use something against the undead.

With the Main Lobby temporarily secured, the team took a moment to catch their breath. The air hung heavy with a mix of relief and tension, knowing that their success in this battle only marked the beginning of a much larger struggle. The fate of the Pantry Team and the ultimate escape plan weighed on their minds as they cautiously checked for supplies and reinforced their defenses, preparing for whatever lay ahead.

Moving on to the Pantry Team's point of view. They are the ones tasked to secure the Pantry area to push through the undead horde to save Ethan on the other section of the building's floor.

Leo observed with a mix of anxiety and determination as the Pantry Team meticulously executed their plan. The metallic clang of the barricades being removed echoed through the confined space, a disconcerting symphony accompanying the muffled sounds of the Lobby Team's struggles.

Leo said, "With this tight space, we can take them out slowly and carefully."

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as the team worked tirelessly, luring and impaling the undead one by one in their tight, makeshift trap.

As the bodies piled up, Leo gave the signal to remove the barricades entirely, marking the commencement of the next phase.

"Wait, let us first check carefully on our equipment before moving further," cautiously advised by Leo.

A collective breath was held as the team cautiously checked their worn-out weapons.

"Let's try removing the undead bodies on one side before moving forward. I just feel like there could be some of them faking it," as Leo suggested once again a cautious approach.

Leo's quick thinking prompted them to clear the path meticulously, moving the bodies one by one to reveal the lurking danger within--- four undead that had successfully feigned life amid the chaos.

Leo's strategic decision proved to be a crucial turning point, averting potential disasters as the Pantry Team proceeded to secure the pantry and gather whatever resources they could salvage.

"Gather every food and item we can use to fight. I am glad Leo's with us because he's composed even this shit is happening," as mentioned by Alex.

The atmosphere shifted to a mix of relief and determination, accompanied by a small but heartfelt celebration.

The survivors, their faces etched with a blend of exhaustion and triumph, geared up for the challenges that lay ahead.

"Alright everyone, let's save our co-worker, Ethan." Ava said.

The doors to the other section swung open, revealing a hallway shrouded in uncertainty. Armed with makeshift shields, the Pantry Team ventured into the medieval-like combat that awaited them. The clash of makeshift weapons against the relentless undead created a symphony of chaos as they pushed and immobilized the remaining threats. The team's coordination and unity shone through, turning the tight space into a battleground where every move was a calculated effort to ensure survival.

Clearing most areas in the other section became a testament to their resilience, but the Main Lobby entrance remained the final hurdle. The cheers of triumph gradually subsided as the realization set in--- Ethan's absence cast a somber shadow over their victory. The final room they explored revealed the heart-wrenching truth--- Ethan, now undead, moved within.

Leo, with a heavy heart, approached his fallen comrade, offering a bittersweet gratitude for Ethan's sacrifice before putting an end to his suffering.

Leo whispered to himself, "You're now free, buddy. No more chains to tie you here," as tears fell.

The room held a poignant reminder of Ethan's attempt to save another, the tragic consequences of a fatal bite evident on both bodies.

"I see..." Leo said.

With curiosity, Ava asked, "What do you mean Leo?"

Leo seemed to have understood the situation when he tried to identify the bodies and said "It appears that this woman has been bitten. The same goes for Ethan. One thing I could think of is that Ethan killed the woman when she turned but... since there's no one else there, he turned..."

Ava and the others were filled with grief realising the thoughts and pain Ethan must've gone through. Being left alone to die, and to feel every moment of withering your humanity away.

"A painful end for a hero," Carlos said.

Leo then tried to search their belongings if they could find something of value or importance. He then saw a letter where highlighted words can be found.

"To my baby girl," and a separate one "To the only brother I have from another mother,"

***

GOING TO ETHAN's memories, there he was who lead the undead away from the group. Panting and tried to hide and rest for a quick second. He said to himself "If only Leo's here he would've been able to decide where should we go"

He was looking for a safe space but it appears that the undead are completely roaming the area. Then suddenly, he heard a woman silently calling to him.

"Sir! Sir! Over here," as she told Ethan.

Ethan saw her hiding down the table as the undead were walking behind it. She said something that Ethan didn't hear but he knew the words--- "Help me"

Ethan was hesitant because the undead are too many and they might get cornered since they don't have information to where all of the undead are. Yet, he cannot turn down someone who is pleading for help for their life.

"I need to do this... I can't let her be and have no guilt after this,"

Ethan tried think like Leo as hard as he could.

"What would Leo do if this happens?" he asked.

Then, as he searched the room he noticed an office room that is unoccupied. From that point on, he had an idea. He realized that the undead are not completely fast as they are either slowly walking towards their target or brisk walking. "What matters is that they don't run or think," Ethan insisted to his plan.

He signaled the woman that he had an idea, and like after his count they would do something. He somehow made a gesture 'follow me' to the woman.

As Ethan initiated his plan, the woman hurriedly stood up and ran away from the undead. With the panic, the woman accidentally hit a fragile display that attracted the horde. They quickly tried to push through the undead but the woman was caught as they were many. She was caught and bit, and Ethan thought of leaving her but he couldn't let go.

"Fuck this!" He swore to himself.

He helped the woman to escape but the undead were many, and it costs him getting bit. Yet, they were able to get inside the office room.

"We might turn into one of them," Ethan painfully said to the woman.

"No, this can't be happening! I have a child, a daughter who's waiting for me at home!" she said while tears are falling off her eyes.

Filled with despair, Ethan tried to stay calm as much as possible.

"I have something, but I'm not sure if this would help." He suggested.

The woman told him that she'd be open to any suggestions as long as she gets to help her daughter.

"We can write our farewell letters and hope they'd find them. Maybe at least, this would give us something." Ethan convincingly stated.

The woman agreed yet she followed it with one condition, "Please kill me when I turn."

Ethan accepted the obligation given to him as they their last words.

***

AS LEO starts to read Ethan's letter, he couldn't stop but to cry. We're all fragile people in reality at some point.

The passage read as the following:

"I know you'll find me, Leo. I'm not going to make this long but I just want to say that damn, this is one hell of a farewell party you gave. HAHA!

You know, I appreciate you for always being there for me. I know it's going to be hard as I'll be left alone, but I'm glad that I'll be able to rest now, and that I did something good for you before I go.

You know what I've been going through, and this may be unfortunate for me, but you know me. I have to save this woman, and tou have to save our people. I trust everything to you now brother. No regrets in being your friend. Please survive for me... or I'll smack you when you die real quick!"

As the survivors processed the cost of their success, they knew that the challenge was far from over. The next goal loomed before them--- securing the hallways and emergency exits. It was a daunting task, one that would ultimately determine their escape from the building and the continuation of their harrowing journey.

With a collective sigh, the survivors gathered once again, their minds now focused on the planning, challenges, and uncertainties that lay ahead. The camaraderie among them remained unbroken, a source of strength amid the grim reality of the zombie-infested world they now navigated.

To be continued...