Untouched by the Outbreak

Chapter 36 - 36: Night Terrors

Ryo woke up with a start, his senses immediately on high alert. A strange, scratching noise echoed through the quiet apartment, sending chills down his spine. His mind raced as he tried to identify the source of the sound. Then it hit him—the creature from before, the mutated zombie with black eyes that crawled like a lizard and could jump from building to building.

He quickly turned to Sakura, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him. Ryo gently shook her awake and put a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay silent. Her eyes widened in confusion and fear, but she nodded, trusting him implicitly. He grabbed her hand and guided her to crawl under the bed. The space was cramped, but it would offer some protection from whatever was out there.

Ryo handed Sakura the gun he had taught her to use, whispering, "Stay quiet and be ready. We might have company."

Sakura clutched the gun tightly, her knuckles turning white. Ryo could see the fear in her eyes, but there was also a steely resolve. She was ready to fight if necessary.

Ryo retrieved his own gun, his mind racing through possible scenarios. He remembered that the creature wouldn't attack him due to his immunity, but he had no idea how it would react to Sakura. The thought of her being in danger made his stomach churn.

Then he remembered something crucial—his blood. The last time, he had discovered that his blood was toxic to zombies. If he could somehow use it to protect Sakura, they might have a chance. He quickly found a needle and pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. Without explaining, he wiped the blood onto Sakura's nightdress.

Sakura looked at him, bewildered and a bit scared. "Ryo, what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"It's to protect you," he whispered back, his tone urgent but reassuring. "Trust me."

She nodded, still confused but willing to follow his lead. The scratching sound grew louder, and they could hear the creature moving through the walls. Ryo peeked through the window, careful not to make any noise. His heart sank as he saw not just one, but a swarm of the mutated zombies. They moved with terrifying speed and agility, their black eyes glinting in the dim light.

Ryo's mind raced as he considered their options. There were too many of them to fight head-on, and their current hiding spot under the bed wouldn't keep them safe for long. He needed to come up with a plan to get them out of there without attracting the attention of the creatures.

"Sakura," he whispered, turning to face her. "We need to stay very still and quiet. These things are fast and dangerous, but they might not find us if we don't make any noise."

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear but filled with trust. Ryo held her close, his mind working furiously to come up with a plan. The creatures' movements were erratic, and he knew they were

As the night wore on, Ryo's mind continued to race. He knew that their current setup wouldn't keep them safe forever. They needed a better plan, a stronger fortress, and more supplies. The encounter with the mutated zombies had been a stark reminder of the ever-present danger they faced.

In the morning, they would need to start making serious plans to fortify their home and ensure their survival. Ryo was determined to protect Sakura at all costs, and he knew that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.