E_VIRUS

Chapter 1: Supplies

As I gazed out the window, I witnessed a torrential downpour of rain that seemed to be laced with a curse. The streets were flooded, and the people hurriedly scurried about in a frenzy of panic, their faces twisted with fear and desperation. They were desperately seeking refuge from not only the relentless rain but also the malevolent creatures that roamed the streets. Every so often, a lightning bolt would illuminate the sky, casting an eerie glow on the city below. The sound of thunder was deafening, and the howling wind only added to the chaos. It was a scene of utter chaos and terror.

The monsters attacked people, causing them to writhe in pain. The victims turned pale with visible veins.

As they gasped for air, their eyes swelled up and started to glow with a bright red hue. Their fingers turned a shade of dark blue, and their nails appeared blackened. Their jaws twisted and stretched unnaturally, emitting sickening popping sounds that made me cringe.

All of a sudden, one of the creatures forcefully slammed itself against the door, and my heart sank with fear as it continued to relentlessly try to get in. I quickly looked down to make sure the door was securely locked, but the sickly creature persisted to slam its entire body against the door and bang on it with its hands. The sound of the door rattling and shaking echoed throughout the room, as it struggled to hold against the attacker outside. With a sense of urgency, I quickly scanned the room for any objects that could be used to barricade the door. I spotted my couch and rushed towards it, pushing it against the door with all my might in an attempt to stop it from getting in.

After ensuring that the window was locked, I closed the curtains and proceeded to do the same throughout the house. My heart was racing as I searched for anything that could be used to secure the doors and windows. I found things to push in front of the doors and boarded the windows, trying to fortify my home as best as I could.

I stood in the living room, my body tense as I prayed that the door would hold. I folded my hands and started to pray to whichever God or Gods to not let the sick being into my house. With each passing moment, my anxiety grew, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and I shot up panting, with sweat running down my forehead. Looking around, I noticed that I was still in the basement and that it had all been a nightmare. My clothes were sticking to me as sweat poured from my body.

I scanned the room for any potential threats or signs of disturbance before making my way toward the basement door. Putting my ear against the door, I listened intently for any sounds of intruders. Feeling relatively confident that the coast was clear, I slowly opened the hatch door and surveyed the area one more time before hoisting myself up.

Once I was out of the basement, I gently closed the hatch door and made my way to the kitchen, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that still lingered within me. I acted as silently as possible, trying not to make any noise as I carefully gathered various non-perishable food items from the pantry and placed them near the basement door. After making sure that everything was in place, I slowly opened the hatch leading to the basement and started making my way down the stairs.

As I reached the bottom, I was greeted by the sight of the basement kitchen, which was filled with shelves of food and supplies. I knew it would be a challenging task to organize everything, but I was determined to do it. I started to sort the food items by category and placed them on the appropriate shelves.

Despite my best efforts, two cans slipped out of my hand and burst open, spilling their contents all over the floor. I let out a frustrated sigh, but quickly cleaned up the mess and continued organizing the remaining food items.

I was thankful for my past self who had the foresight to transform the basement into a hidden room that included not only a kitchen, but also a living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a security room, and even a gaming area. At the time, I remember regretting the expense of remodeling the basement when the bills came, but now I realize how much of a lifesaver it was for me in this current situation.

As I finished, I let out a deep sigh and looked around the kitchen. I knew that I had to get back to collecting other items that I needed or wanted to move to the basement. After taking a couple of deep breaths, I made my way up the stairs and started gathering everything that I thought would be useful.

I made multiple trips up and down the stairs, carrying various objects with me. I brought down tools, blankets, books, portable chargers, weapons, silverware, herbs and spices, pillows, backpacks, heavy-duty and normal flashlights, candles, bathroom products, medicines, mortar and vials, drinks and snacks, and even door handles with my fingerprint and/or passcode. Each trip made my arms and legs feel heavier, but I knew that I had to do it.

Once I had everything in the basement, I arranged them according to my preference. I looked around and let out a satisfied sigh. Everything was in place, and I knew where everything was. However, as I looked at the upstairs fridge, I felt a sense of dread wash over me. The thought of moving everything from there to the basement made me feel overwhelmed.

Despite my reservations, I knew that I had to do it. I opened the fridge door and let out a sigh of relief. Everything seemed to be in order, which made the task easier. I started gathering items and carried them down to the basement. Once I had everything in place, I took stock of my supplies and realized that I would need to go out and search for resources soon.

I was also worried about Lucy's safety and wanted to look for her. She must have been terrified when everything went down. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to search for other survivors, although I wasn't planning on taking in a large group. A small group could live with me in my secluded location, but it would be crucial for me to find weapons and ammunition to protect us.

As I finished moving everything, my thoughts were interrupted. I left the kitchen and started making breakfast. I didn't eat as much as I usually do because I wanted to conserve my supplies. Once I finished my meal, I left my dishes in the sink and went to my room. Since it wasn't raining, I decided to go out and look for any supplies that I could find.

I packed a black hiking backpack and made sure it was empty. I then made a mental map of where to start and where my last stop would be before returning. Tomorrow, I plan to search for Lucy. I wore a pair of running shoes and slipped brass knuckles into my right front pocket. I grabbed a couple of kitchen knives and quietly made my way back up the stairs.

Approaching one of the windows, I carefully opened it and climbed out. Once I hit the ground, I looked around carefully before standing up and moving in the direction of a nearby gas station. As I walked, I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of danger. I knew that I had to be careful, and I was prepared for whatever lay ahead.

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I turned my head in the direction of the gas station situated at the end of the street, my eyes scanning the area. My heart sank as I noticed a small cluster of individuals, who I could only assume were walkers, camping outside the establishment. I couldn't bear to acknowledge the reality of the situation, and as I caught myself using gaming terminology to describe the scene, I shook my head in disbelief.

As I made my way through the deserted streets, I found myself walking behind a row of houses. My heart was pounding in my chest as I made every effort to be as quiet and discreet as possible. I could feel the tension in the air as I tried to avoid drawing the attention of the infected that roamed around me.

I hunched over and moved slowly and cautiously, taking care not to make any sudden movements or loud noises that might alert the infected to my presence. With each step, I was acutely aware of the danger that surrounded me, and my senses were on high alert.

As I approached the location I was heading to, I spotted the gas station in the distance. I knew that I needed to get inside to find the supplies that I needed to survive. With quick thinking, I realized that I could enter the gas station through the back door if I continued on the path I was taking. It was a risky move, but I had no other choice if I wanted to survive another day.

As I cautiously approached the gas station, I peered around the corner, scanning the surroundings for any signs of the walkers. My heart was pounding in my chest as I knew the stakes were high. I didn't want to risk being seen or heard, so I moved with utmost care. Given the unpredictable nature of the walkers, I wasn't sure how fast they could move or how easily they could detect me.

Once I felt that the coast was clear, I took a deep breath and silently made my way to the back of the gas station. My back pressed against the wall, I kept my ears open, straining to hear any sounds that could give away the presence of the walkers. The last thing I wanted was to be caught off guard, so I remained vigilant at all times. I knew that one mistake could be fatal, and I couldn't afford to take any chances.

As I stood outside the building, I felt my heart racing with anticipation and fear. I knew that I had to be careful as I made my way inside. After waiting for a few intense seconds, I took a deep breath and grabbed the handle of the back door. I pulled it open as gently as I could, relieved when it didn't make any noise. I scanned the area outside for any walkers before I stepped inside.

The darkness inside was overwhelming, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. I held my knife tightly in my hand, ready for anything that might come my way. As I walked forward, I kept my eyes peeled for any signs of danger. The rows of shelves seemed to stretch on forever, and I could see that there was a lot of food and drinks left on them.

I slipped my backpack off my shoulders and held onto it by the strap as I unzipped it. I knew that I had to be quick, so I grabbed any food that didn't require much preparation and quickly stuffed it into my bag. I also grabbed any drink I saw, not knowing when I might come across another source of water.

Despite the fear and uncertainty I felt, I was grateful for this small victory. I knew that every bit of food and drink I could scavenge would help me survive another day.

I want to finish this supply run quickly and return home soon.