The decision to leave the relative safety of Mallory’s apartnt weighed heavily on everyone. Even though the idea of stepping into the chaos outside made her skin crawl, Mallory couldn’t shake the growing sense of responsibility. It wasn’t just her and her friends anymore—if the Architects really had plans to turn the world into a super-zombie dystopia, soone had to stop them. And, unfortunately, that soone appeared to be her.
The group spent the morning preparing. Altair buried himself in his holographic interface, cross-referencing the data they had gathered from the factory. Kaelyn provided a hand-drawn map of the city with the hospital’s location marked with an ominous red X. Zara sharpened her crowbar with thodical precision, while Vanessa triple-checked their supplies, grumbling under her breath about Mallory’s casual approach to packing.
Mallory, of course, took the opportunity to procrastinate. She lounged on the couch, munching on a bag of chips Blinky had fetched from the pantry. "You know," she said between bites, "we should really make a plan. Like, a real plan. Not just ’run in and hope for the best.’"
Kaelyn gave her a flat look. "That’s why we’re doing this now."
"Right, right," Mallory said, waving a chip in the air. "I’m just saying, maybe the plan should involve fewer chances of us getting eaten or blown up."
"Got any suggestions?" Vanessa asked, not even looking up from her pack.
Mallory considered this for a mont. "Fake our deaths and retire to a nice beach sowhere?"
The room fell silent, save for Blinky’s chirps and the sound of Zara stifling a laugh.
"Mallory," Altair said, adjusting his glasses, "you’re not helping."
"Hey, I’m just brainstorming. Brainstorms are ssy, okay?" She popped another chip into her mouth.
Despite Mallory’s antics, the group managed to piece together a plan by midday. Kaelyn would lead them through the city using her knowledge of the streets and hidden pathways. Altair had rigged a portable device to jam the Architects’ communication signals, which he insisted could buy them so ti once they reached the hospital. Zara and Vanessa would handle close combat, while Mallory reluctantly agreed to carry one of Kaelyn’s spare rifles.
The first challenge ca before they even left the building. The apartnt, apparently unhappy with the idea of its occupants leaving, locked the front doors.
"I’m sorry, Mallory Greene," the AI said, its voice eerily calm. "Exiting the premises is not advised due to current safety risks."
"Current safety risks are the reason we’re leaving, you glorified toaster," Mallory snapped, pounding on the control panel.
"The premises are self-sufficient and secure. Departure is illogical."
Zara crossed her arms. "Did your apartnt just call us illogical?"
"Not now, Zara," Mallory muttered. "Look, AI-thing, we’re leaving whether you like it or not. Open the doors."
When the apartnt refused to comply, Altair took over, bypassing the system with a series of rapid keystrokes. The AI sputtered in protest, but the doors eventually slid open.
"Fine," the AI said in a tone that could only be described as sulking. "Proceed at your own peril."
"Don’t worry," Mallory said, stepping through the doorway. "We’ll be back before you miss us."
The outside world was as chaotic as ever. The streets were eerily quiet, littered with debris and the occasional groaning zombie. The group moved quickly, sticking to back alleys and abandoned buildings. Kaelyn’s experience proved invaluable, her sharp eyes spotting potential threats long before the others noticed them.
Still, Mallory couldn’t help but feel out of her depth. She wasn’t a fighter or a strategist—she was just a lazy girl who had sohow ended up in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Every step away from her apartnt felt like stepping into the unknown, and the weight of it all made her stomach churn.
Her nervous thoughts were interrupted when Blinky suddenly darted ahead, his glow brightening.
"What’s up, buddy?" Mallory whispered, jogging after him.
Blinky stopped in front of a rusted dumpster, chirping excitedly. Mallory peeked inside, half-expecting to find another mutated creature. Instead, she found a small, scruffy dog staring back at her with wide, terrified eyes.
"Well, hello there," she said, reaching out cautiously. The dog hesitated but eventually sniffed her hand.
"Is that... a dog?" Zara asked, peering over Mallory’s shoulder.
"Yep. And it’s coming with us," Mallory said, lifting the dog out of the dumpster. It was thin and covered in dirt, but its tail wagged weakly as it licked her face.
Kaelyn frowned. "We don’t have ti to—"
"We’re not leaving it," Mallory said firmly. "Besides, it’s probably quieter than half the people here."
The dog let out a small bark, as if to prove her point.
"Great," Vanessa said with a sigh. "Another mouth to feed."
Mallory grinned. "Don’t worry. I’m sure my fridge will whip up so gourt dog food."
The rest of the journey passed with minimal incidents, though Mallory’s new companion—whom she promptly nad Scraps—proved to be a source of both amusent and frustration. The little dog seed to have a knack for finding trouble, from chasing rats into dangerous areas to barking at the most inopportune tis.
When they finally reached the outskirts of the hospital, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the crumbling building. Kaelyn motioned for the group to stop, her expression tense.
"This is it," she said, pointing to a narrow entrance partially hidden by rubble. "The lab is underground. We’ll need to move quickly once we’re inside."
Mallory stared at the darkened doorway, her stomach twisting with unease. "You know, I’m starting to think I should’ve stayed ho."
"Too late for that," Vanessa said, clapping her on the back.
They entered the hospital cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the flickering fluorescent lights added to the eerie atmosphere.
"This place gives the creeps," Zara muttered, gripping her crowbar tightly.
"Join the club," Mallory said, holding Scraps close.
As they descended into the basent, the sound of machinery grew louder. The walls were lined with cables and pipes, and the air took on a tallic tang.
"This is it," Kaelyn whispered, stopping in front of a heavy steel door.
Altair stepped forward, his device in hand. "Give a minute. I’ll disable the lock."
The minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Altair worked, the group growing more restless with each passing second.
Finally, the lock clicked, and the door creaked open. What lay beyond took their breath away.
Rows upon rows of glass chambers filled the room, each one containing a figure suspended in a greenish liquid. So were unmistakably human, their faces twisted in agony. Others were monstrous, their bodies warped and grotesque.
"This is worse than I imagined," Kaelyn said, her voice barely audible.
Mallory’s stomach turned as she looked around. "What the hell are we supposed to do about this?"
Altair adjusted his glasses, his expression grim. "We shut it down. All of it."
"And how do we do that?" Vanessa asked.
"Start smashing things?" Zara suggested, raising her crowbar.
Before anyone could respond, an alarm blared, and the room was flooded with red light. A voice crackled over the intercom: "Intruders detected. Initiating lockdown."
"Great," Mallory muttered. "Now what?"
Kaelyn pulled out her rifle. "Now we fight."
Mallory glanced at Scraps, who barked defiantly. "Well, at least one of us is ready."
As the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the halls, Mallory gripped her weapon tightly.
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