Reaching the Stairs

Clutching the jar tightly, Mark looked around him for a clean spot to create a distraction for the zombies near the office room. He spotted a window to some distance from the office to the very edge.

He decided to throw it through the window enough to break it so the zombies can fall off the building if possible. He kneeled down, gripping the jar in his right hand, and after finding a nice angle for a direct hit, he launched it towards the window.

The jar flew towards the window passing the zombies near the office and broke the glass shattering in the process. The noise created attracted all the zombies on the floor. The 3 zombies were the first to react as they madly rushed towards the window and started punching it.

The already shattered and weak glass could not hold on to the 3 zombie's weight and force, shattered. The three of them fell down due to no support as 2 more zombies quietly made their way there.

He waited for the 2 zombies to reach there and observed them as they stood there. He then peeked into the other zombies and found them not disturbed. Noticing the office open and no zombies in it, Mark took a huge breath and made his way across the lobby towards the room.

His heart was beating too quickly and sweat accumulated from the pressure he was feeling. He continuously observed the zombies around the lobby for any reactions to his movement. He slowly made it to the door of the office and went inside.

As he slowly closed the door not making any noise, Mark made his way towards the first drawer by his seat and according to Denton, the keys were in this place. He opened the drawer and noticed some files. He slowly checked the drawer and found the key with the tag 'Extra Stairs' and grabbed it.

Before making his way back to the door, he opened a water bottle and drank some water, replenishing some strength. He slowly kept the bottle back in his bag before clenching the machete again. He went to one of the curtains and slightly opened it to get the view of the zombies outside.

He slowly observed one side he came from and then turned to the other side to check the 2 zombies. As he opened the curtain, his heart skipped a beat. There was a zombie staring right at him, or so he felt. He tried to wave his hand and found out it was only a one-way glass.

The 2nd zombie making his way back to the lobby while this zombie was continuing to stare at him, not moving an inch. To confirm it was only a one-way glass again, Mark moved away from its sight and its eyes did not follow him.

He exhaled in relief and then thought about this zombie and how to kill it making no noise to attract the other zombie's attention towards him. He then decided to just pray to God that it doesn't attract attention.

The hallway for the stairs he needed to take was only past the zombie, and he can only make it if he crosses it. Taking a deep breath, he slouched towards the door of the room. He could feel his heart racing again and tried to calm it down.

Taking a few deep breaths, he could finally calm his nerves and felt ready. He opened the door and peeked outside. He noticed the zombie just some distance from him, staring at the window. He looked at the other zombies on the floor and noticed all of them walking around aimlessly, not looking at his direction.

Taking another deep breath, he slowly went out. He did not or could not make any noise or that would be the end of him. Slowly making his way towards the zombie as he went like an arc towards it and reached its back. He was worried that the zombie could notice him if he went straight to it and did not risk it.

As he reached directly behind it, he raised the machete and brought it down at its neck to one-shot it. This time without any sudden moments the machete struck the nape and went into it. The zombie died as the machete reached almost the end of the neck and the zombie fell onto the glass.

Mark exhaled in relief and looked at the other zombies and noticed them undisturbed. He took a step ahead but then heard a noise behind him which stopped him in his tracks. He then immediately looked back and noticed the zombie was making a noise against the glass as it slid down.

He heard the groans of the zombies on the floor and looked ahead instantly. He felt his back drench in sweat as all the zombies slowly made their way towards him. Not thinking about anything, he ran towards them. He would be dead if they come to him.

He took a sharp left and went into the hallway to the stairs. He noticed a zombie in the hallway coming towards him and without thinking he swung the machete from a high point and bought it down right at its face slashing the face in half.

Not minding the blood which sprayed all over his body, he ran towards the end of the hallway and saw the big doors leading to the stairs. He reached there and hurriedly took out the key from his pocket and looked back to the zombies.

He noticed 8 zombies coming his way faster than he expected and quickly tried to fit the key in the hole. He missed a few times with his hand shaking violently but got it in after a couple more times. As he tried the noises became louder and louder.

He then heard the noise of the door opening and felt like a voice from heaven and immediately opened the door and looked back after he went to the other side. The zombies crashed one after another to the door. Mark slid on the other side of the door, falling on his butt with exhaustion.