Chapter 5: Survival
The trio made their way back through the dimly lit hallways, their senses heightened by the recent encounter with the relentless undead.
Ryo's observation hung in the air, casting an unsettling uncertainty over the trio. "When I passed this hallway earlier, there were so many zombies lurking around. I did fight a few of them, but now there's no sign of them," he shared, his voice carrying a mix of confusion and wariness.
Sheen furrowed his brow, contemplating the unexpected change in the environment. "It's strange. Zombies don't just disappear. We need to stay on guard." he cautioned, his instincts as a doctor merging with the newfound survival mindset.
Ken, glancing around nervously, added, "Maybe they're drawn to something else. We should keep moving and find out what's happening."
The trio approached the ER entrance cautiously, their eyes squinting in an attempt to pierce through the darkness outside. The erratic flickering of the lights added an extra layer of uncertainty, casting eerie shadows that danced across the hospital's entrance.
Sheen, taking a deep breath, whispered, "Be ready for anything. We need to assess the situation before stepping out."
Ken, gripping the baton tighter, nodded in agreement. Ryo, scanning the area with a heightened sense of alertness, prepared himself for whatever awaited them beyond the flickering lights.
As they peeked outside, occasional bursts of light exposed a chaotic and messy scene. Abandoned stretchers, overturned chairs, and discarded medical equipment scattered across the entrance created an unsettling tableau. The once-sterile environment now bore the marks of chaos and the aftermath of a struggle for survival.
"I'll go first; it's kind of dark, so it's better if you guys hold onto my clothes so that we won't separate," Ryo said.
"Good call, Ryo. We'll stay close and keep a tight grip on your clothes. Let's stick together," Sheen affirmed, his gaze focused on the uncertain path ahead.
"Guys, I have a gun. When things got crazy, I'm just letting you know," Ken said.
"Good to know, Ken. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, but having a backup plan is essential," Sheen replied, his tone reflecting a mix of gratitude and caution.
Ken, nodding in agreement, tightened his grip on the baton and reassured them, "Don't worry, I'll only use it if we're in serious trouble. Let's stick together and stay vigilant."
Ryo, maintaining his focus on the path ahead, added, "Yeah, but let's prioritize staying quiet and avoiding unnecessary attention. We don't know how many of those things are out there."
As Ryo took the lead, the others grasped onto his clothing, creating a makeshift human chain to ensure they wouldn't lose each other in the darkness. The flickering lights continued to cast intermittent shadows, heightening the sense of urgency and tension.
The trio's advance through the lobby was met with an unsettling sight — the presence of lurking zombies, their ominous silhouettes barely visible in the dimly lit surroundings. Sheen, Ken, and Ryo, tightly bound together, instinctively slowed their pace, exchanging silent glances that conveyed a shared understanding of the heightened danger.
"We need to navigate through them without drawing attention. Stay low and move quietly," Sheen whispered his words a reminder of the delicate balance between survival and avoiding unnecessary conflict.
Ken, gripping his baton with a renewed sense of focus, nodded in agreement. "Let's stick to the shadows and take it one step at a time."
Ryo, leading the way, adjusted his movements to minimize any noise that could attract the attention of the lurking undead. The trio, now acutely aware of the immediate threat, inched forward with cautious steps, threading through the lobby where shadows concealed both dangers and potential escape routes.
"Stop, zombies are blocking our way through the door of the office," Ryo said.
Sheen, peering at the zombies ahead, whispered, "We can't risk a confrontation. Let's find an alternative route, maybe through the adjacent hallway."
Ryo, leading the way with a careful eye on their surroundings, gestured for the others to follow as they circumvented the zombies blocking the office door. The trio moved in sync, their silent communication underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Ken, casting a glance at the lurking undead, murmured, "We have to be quick and quiet. Let's not draw any attention."
Ken, ever watchful, adjusted his grip on the baton, ready to respond if the need arose.
The trio's collective focus heightened as they neared the office entrance, their anticipation mixed with a silent hope for a momentary refuge from the encroaching chaos. However, their expectations were met with disappointment as they discovered the office door locked, denying them the immediate sanctuary they sought.
Ryo, rattling the doorknob in an attempt to open it, muttered, "Damn, it's locked."
"Sheen, what about your key? Don't you have it?" Ken asked.
Sheen, rifling through his pockets, realized the absence of his key. The realization brought a momentary frustration, and he responded, "I must have left it in the locker. We need to find another way, maybe through the maintenance room or somewhere nearby."
Ryo, scanning the dimly lit hallway, spotted a door labeled "Maintenance" a few steps away. "There, the maintenance room. Let's check if there's anything we can use inside."
The trio, now focused on the new objective, cautiously approached the maintenance room door.
Ken, stood guard as Sheen and Ryo tried the maintenance room door. With a creak, the door slowly opened, revealing a space filled with tools, spare parts, and the potential means to unlock the office.
"We might find something useful in here. Let's be quick and quiet," Sheen whispered, the trio venturing into the maintenance room in search of a solution to their locked door dilemma.
"Here, sheen, use this wrench; you need a weapon," Ryo said.
"Thanks, Ryo. This might come in handy," Sheen whispered, gripping the wrench.
"Ken, here, use this cordless drill. I think there's still a battery in it. Drill some holes into those zombies' heads," Ryo said.
"I found the keys; good thing all the spare keys are here," Sheen said.
"Great find, Sheen. Let's get to that office and hope whatever's in there helps us navigate this mess," Ryo remarked.
As they made their way back to the office door, the trio exchanged wary glances as they noticed the mysterious figure standing at the entrance of the hospital. The dim lighting cast an eerie shadow, revealing a silhouette that deviated from the typical human form.
"Guys, do you see that? What the hell is that?" Ken whispered his voice a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Sheen, squinting to get a clearer view, responded, "I don't know, but it doesn't look like one of those zombies. The structure is off."
"I think we need to hurry; I have a bad feeling. We need to go inside the office now," Ryo said.
They quickly made their way back to the office, their footsteps punctuating the tense silence that enveloped the dimly lit hallway. The door creaked shut behind them.
The trio's eyes widened with a mix of relief and determination as they took stock of the supplies within the office. Shelves lined with medical necessities, easily consumable foods, and bottles of water.
"Looks like we hit the jackpot here," Ken remarked, a wry smile on his face.
"Check the drawer in the desk. My colleagues always stock candy bars or some food," Sheen said, checking the drawers.
"Ah, jackpot!" Sheen exclaimed, pulling out a handful of candy bars and energy snacks. "Looks like my colleagues had the right idea. Emergency stash, you know?"
Ryo and Ken, their expressions brightening, eagerly reached for the snacks.
"So what's our plan? We can't stay here for so long. You know this place is a high-level difficulty to clear," Ken said while eating a candy bar.
Sheen, contemplating their next move, took a thoughtful pause before responding, "Ken's right. We need a plan, and we need it fast. Staying in one place for too long is a recipe for disaster in a situation like this."
"Sheen, did you drive on the way here? How about you, Ryo?" Ken asked.
"Yeah, I did, but my car is parked in the underground parking lot," Sheen said.
"No, I was driven here by my coach," Ryo corrected, his gaze shifting between his companions.
"First, let's use the computer and gather some information. We don't know what is happening outside in the hospital," Ken suggested, his tone measured as he took the lead in navigating the uncertain circumstances.
As the computer whirred to life, Sheen mumbled, "I hope the hospital's network is still operational. We need any information available – news updates, emergency broadcasts, or even security camera footage."
Sheen, continuing his exploration of the hospital's system, responded, "Yeah, it seems like the emergency power is keeping this part of the hospital running. Let's utilize it while we can."
Ken, ever the tech-savvy member of the group, leaned over Sheen's shoulder, suggesting, "Check for any messages or announcements from the hospital staff. They might have left some clues or instructions for the remaining survivors."
Ryo, maintaining a vigilant watch by the office entrance, added, "And let's see if there's any communication from other survivors or authorities. We need to know if there's a plan in motion or if help is on the way."
As Sheen navigated through the hospital's network, they discovered a mix of chaos and uncertainty. Emergency alerts flashed on the screen, detailing the widespread outbreak within the hospital. News reports hinted at similar incidents unfolding in other parts of the city.
"The situation is worse than we thought," Sheen muttered, his eyes scanning the updates. "There's no clear information on the cause or a coordinated response. It's just chaos everywhere."
Ken, furrowing his brows, remarked, "We can't rely on external help for now. We need a plan to get out of here on our own."
Ryo, still on high alert, commented, "We need to be cautious and strategic. Avoid the areas with heavy zombie presence, and find the quickest route to the parking lot."
Ken, with a serious expression, suggested, "We need to scout the hallways ahead of us. We might spot potential threats before encountering them directly."
Sheen, mapping out their route on the hospital's layout displayed on the screen, said, "We'll stick to the maintenance tunnels as much as possible. It looks like they're less populated. Once we reach the parking lot, we'll dash my car and get out of here."
"It's hard to move when it's dark; let's wait for the morning. We can take turns sleeping, and someone needs to be on guard," Ryo proposed.
Sheen nodded in agreement, "That sounds like a reasonable plan. We'll be more vulnerable in the dark, and we need to conserve our energy for the escape. Let's take shifts and keep an eye on the surroundings."
As they settled into the dimly lit office, the trio found makeshift spots to rest. Ryo, still gripping the golf club, volunteered to take the first watch. Sheen and Ken, fatigued from the night's events, positioned themselves in corners of the room, ready to catch some much-needed sleep.