A True Ally

There were noticeably fewer zombies on the first floor compared to the upper levels. This disparity could be attributed to the shorter distance to open spaces and the likelihood that people fled through the main gate instead of being trapped on higher floors.

Most survivors had likely made a desperate dash for safety, resulting in a sparser population of zombies on this floor. Nevertheless, there was still a daunting cluster of the undead, roughly estimated at around 10 to 12 of them.

As I observed the slow but relentless advance of the zombies, a thought crossed my mind: "Why am I always the one who has to step up in situations like these?" The grim spectacle before me compelled me to take action.

Summoning all my strength, I pushed the massive wooden door toward the approaching zombies. To my astonishment, the two zombies at the front were propelled several feet backward upon impact. I couldn't quite believe what I had just accomplished, but there was no time for doubt. The relentless abominations were still closing in.

Some of them lurched menacingly toward me, but I had an advantage now. I was stronger, faster, and prepared. I swiftly retreated and swung the door again, sending two more zombies tumbling away.

The key to my success was their sluggishness. These undead creatures moved at much slower pace than I normally jog, allowing me to create distance without much difficulty. But I soon realized that merely pushing them back wouldn't eliminate the threat; I had to keep them at bay until they lost interest in me which is a situation that might sound realistic but is an almost impossible scenario to achieve in reality.

Spotting zombies standing close together, I cleverly positioned the door between us and pushed them back simultaneously. Their slow movements made it relatively simple to maneuver the door near their gaping maws, effectively keeping them at arm's length. Thus I was able to stop their forward motion and stop them at place for the time being.

Seconds turned into minute, and it grew increasingly exhausting to thwart the relentless advance of eight or so zombified individuals. Two more zombies, whom I had previously pushed aside, rejoined the fray after some initial struggles. Their broken bones because of me pushing them hard at first interval must have been the reason.

It struck me that even as they slowly transformed into plant-like entities, the human body required far more energy than the petty plant cells via photosynthesis could provide. Also, these zombies on the first floor appeared less advanced in their transformation compared to their brethren on the upper floors, indicating that no one had confronted them before my arrival.

Just as despair threatened to consume me, a voice shattered the silence and kindled hope from behind. "Apex!" It was Jazmen, wielding a fire extinguisher as she delivered a powerful blow to a zombie approaching my leg.

"Jazmen, why are you here? Go back!" I pleaded while continuing to defend against the horde of zombies.

"You think you can sacrifice yourself again? Not a chance! I don't know how you managed to recover from those horrifying zombie bites, but I can surely see you've evolved. You look taller and more muscular than your former self. So, if not for our emotional bond, at least I want to save you for future research," she declared, punctuating her words with another strike that toppled a fallen zombie. Her appearance looking both horrifying and pretty at the same time.

With a wry smile, I responded, "Haha. You know, I'm sure now. You weren't made for me, but I'll make you the special one for me. Give me that," I gestured to the fire extinguisher in her hand, "and go back. I'll hold the fort and return later after completing my duties."

"Alright, but remember, if you come back bitten again, I'll be the first to ensure some severe hits on your head and give you a journey to the other realm, that too not in a single piece," Jazmen warned, her smile with the words coming out of her pretty mouth making me gulp despite my newfound strength.

She left the fire extinguisher at my feet and swiftly retreated, displaying remarkable agility with her fast steps and quick jumps. I watched her go, her defiant spirit a beacon of hope.

On top of that her flailing double D's trying to distract me from performing my duties, I somehow restrained myself from following her back.

Turning my attention back to the relentless zombies, I gave the door one last mighty push, sending them reeling back two feet. This brief respite allowed me to grab the extinguisher from the floor.

Choosing my targets carefully, I swung the extinguisher toward their heads. The lightweight object proved surprisingly effective. One by one, I struck their heads, each blow resulting in an instant demise.

Most of the zombies collapsed with fractured skulls and unshapely heads with some even having battered brains, but I paid them no heed. Frequent encounters with the undead in these past days and those near-death experiences had desensitized me to their gruesome appearance.

I had accepted the grim reality that it was a matter of survival—either them or me. Refusing to acknowledge that would only lead to a fate worse than death, as I had learned the hard way just yesterday.

I took my time to catch my breath while checking for some existence hidden from my eyes or some zombie who might catch me out of the blue.

After assessing the situation, I turned away from the fallen zombies, determined to reunite with Jazmen and check on the other survivors inside.

It was not easy to survive but I must say the most horrifying thing that these undead brought was the smell, they smell horrible and with no way to dispose off the body they just rot and worsens the already horrible smell in the air.