[A/N: Thank you so much to those who continue reading.
I'm a little sad because I asked you for a small favor in the previous chapter, and no one supported me with my request.
I'll ask you again in this chapter.
Could you please click the heart button on my webnovel profile?
By the way, there's some very important information for the story in this chapter.]
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In the Garden.
"Right, I hadn't considered the future of our group. It seems I've been resting on my laurels with how well everything was going... Hahaha", Leon commented mockingly, laughing at his own overconfidence.
"Relax, not everyone can think outside the box, especially in situations like this", I replied.
"You're right, Alex. Is there anything else we should keep in mind?", he asked.
"Yes, there are a couple of other things. The space seems to be enough to accommodate several people, but you could also expand to the buildings on the sides of the garden. Just remember, you should always prepare the defenses of the site first before moving people in. Also, don't forget to only build during the day and avoid making noise at night", I explained.
"Okay, no problem. We were planning to knock down some of the surrounding walls to widen access to the nearby buildings. So, it seems we're in line with your observations", he said with a hint of pride. "It's also essential to consider sustainability. As I mentioned before, anticipating future needs is the best move you can make. A good example is the greenhouse; it can be useful for growing medicinal herbs, as well as fruits and vegetables that will provide you with the necessary nutrients. When the space expands, you can set aside an open area for the greenhouse. Soil can be obtained from nearby plazas or open areas, and there are warehouses or shops that sell fertilizers, as well as places specializing in seeds and plants where you can get what you need", I explained, hoping to make her understand as best as possible.
"It's a good idea. We'll keep it in mind", she replied as I reflected on the proposal.
"And another crucial aspect is water use. You should look for large containers to collect as much rainwater as possible or contact groups outside the city to obtain a water supply. You can trade materials only found in the city in exchange for several hundred liters of water that they can easily access through wells", I advised her seriously, emphasizing the importance of water. "That should definitely be a priority. After all, we don't know when the city's water systems will start failing", he replied, a little scared.
"Unfortunately, it won't be soon", I commented pessimistically. "The most important thing we must keep in mind is that we must be innovative in our fight against the zombies. Remember that we possess cunning and intelligence, qualities they will never possess. An example I can share from my own experience is clothing or armor. Yesterday, I was trapped in a bike shop, and at that moment, I realized that the shop's specialized clothing could help me emerge almost unscathed from that situation. We must look for more comfortable and efficient alternatives to confront them, and this can be applied to many other aspects of our daily lives", I said, changing the subject.
"I understand. Those clothes can be crucial in preventing unnecessary deaths. We'll think of other things we can use to improve the difficult conditions in which we live and fight", he replied enthusiastically, and it seemed his determination had resurfaced. Surely, he was already thinking of ways to help others, since he seemed to be that kind of person.
"That's all for now. I'm tired of talking. Let's talk later, okay?", I said, feeling exhausted.
"Okay, no problem. We'll eat in a couple of hours. Rest, because you'll need it", he replied in a playful tone.
After Leon left to take care of his daily duties, I headed to the exit and notified the doorman that I would be stepping out for a while. It was clear he preferred to avoid spending too much time in large groups of people.
"Is it some kind of social phobia?", I wondered. Maybe it was something that had emerged in these last few days of the apocalypse, triggering this new trait in me.
I spent a little over an hour exploring the surroundings. I found stores that had been looted, like supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as a few houses nearby. On the other hand, there were stores that hadn't been touched, such as those selling electronics, among others.
I also discovered a nearby artisan workshop that had a wide range of tools and supplies that could be very useful. Additionally, I found a couple of auto repair shops that could provide useful tools for various needs.
Since it had been a while and the sun was beginning to beat down directly on my head, I decided to head back for lunch. On my way back, I saw some members of the garden group with spears similar to the one I use. They were checking out houses on the nearby streets; I greeted them and advised them to be careful and not to get too confident.
"Looks like they've expanded their supply search range", I mused.
I arrived at the garden and, after knocking on the door, was immediately allowed in. "I should tell Leon to be stricter about screening people returning from field trips", I thought to myself.
As I walked through the garden, I noticed how many of the people present were busy with various tasks. They didn't seem to be in a hurry to fulfill their responsibilities; the activity seemed more like a means to clear their minds of the problems around them, rather than a vital necessity for survival.
One of the things that caught my attention most was that, in one of the rooms, a group of young children and a few adults were rehearsing methods for effectively dispatching a zombie. They were using a dummy, and even volunteers, to demonstrate a series of moves that, while lacking refined technique, were quite effective against creatures with limited mobility like zombies. What surprised me most was that the instructor this time was Nicol. "Wow… I didn't think she'd be so aggressive", I thought as I listened to Nicol give instructions to the others.
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[A/N: Free classes on how to kill zombies here.]
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"I know I tell you this every day, but it's very important that you keep a safe distance when confronting zombies and that you always look around to avoid any danger", she told them with a seriousness I hadn't seen her display in previous conversations.
"Also, if possible, don't try to kill the zombies while they're standing; it's better to knock them down and then finish them off from a favorable position. And what do I always tell them?", she asked, displaying a spirit I didn't know.
"Kick them down, pressure them, and aim for their weak spots", they all chanted. Some vigorously, others mechanically.
"That's right, you can use a kick to destabilize them or your spears, then press them firmly to the ground so they don't get up and then look for a weak spot on the zombie's head to stab", she said with a smile. The scene might have looked a little disturbing in normal times, but in the apocalypse, it was a necessary instruction, one that could save lives.
I left without disturbing them while listening to them suggest dressing properly or using protective gear in key places. I returned to the rest area to wait for lunch. I sat down and took a piece of paper and a pencil out of one of my backpack pockets and wrote down the addresses of the stores I'd found earlier. After finishing writing everything down, I stared into space, or rather at a 2026 calendar taped to the wall. On it was a boldly highlighted date, as if it were the worst day ever, followed by a series of days marked until Friday, December 5, 2026.
"I can't believe the date where it all began is so close", I thought as I looked at the calendar.
"Are you thinking about me?", a flirtatious voice said next to me, abruptly pulling me from my thoughts.
"No. I was just thinking about the future", I replied mechanically, not looking up or recognizing the voice.
"Alex! You should say, 'I always think about you, Mary'", she said with feigned annoyance and a pout on her face.
"Did you finish your chores?", I asked, trying to divert the topic.
"Yes, I already sorted everything they brought from the warehouse yesterday. There were so many things that I had to use new furniture to accommodate the excess", she said, a little animated, but her gaze was still waiting for me to say something sweet, it was obvious.
"I'm glad everything's going well. I also brought you some things in my backpack, like food and medicine", I told her.
"Really? You shouldn't have done that. You know we can do it on our own; after all, you taught us how to protect ourselves and fight zombies", she said excitedly.
"I only did what I had to", I said in a serious tone. "This is specifically for you and Nicol", I said, handing her a bag of chocolates. "For us? How thoughtful of you. Thank you so much", she said, even more cheerfully, as she looked at the chocolates. She randomly pulled one out of the bag, and to my surprise, chose a romantic-themed one. It was a heart-shaped box with little hearts made of different types of chocolate. She gave me a flirtatious look but didn't say anything.
After Mary ran back to her room, I sat back down on the couch, lost in my thoughts. After an hour, everyone was called into the dining room. Lunch was ready, and everyone gathered at two large tables. At first, I was a little reluctant to eat lunch with everyone else, but Mary and Nicol called me over to sit between them to share the meal.
Lunch passed amidst the stories the two girls shared with the people around them. What surprised me was that the people listening to the stories did so very attentively; they didn't seem to distrust their words, as if they believed I had done the fantastic things the girls described. On the other hand, I received playful glances from many people because of the closeness the two girls displayed toward me. At first, I thought only Mary would do it, but Nicol wasn't far behind.
After finishing eating, everyone left and left their plates in the kitchen to be washed by the person on duty. The girls took me to their room to continue talking. They asked me questions about what I saw outside and how the situation was for other groups, to which I responded very calmly, avoiding saying pessimistic things that would upset them. They also asked me to stay with them for a longer time, but I changed the subject or told them I had to help other survivor groups. They seemed sad when they heard my refusal to stay with them, so I mentioned that when I realized they were ready to survive like me, I would take them with me. Something that made them quite happy, and taking advantage of their good mood, I said goodbye.
Nicol unexpectedly hugged me and said goodbye with a kiss on my cheek, then quickly pulled away. Mary, on the other hand, hugged me even tighter and kissed me on the lips, while Nicol looked at her, a little angry, but blushing at the same time. I was surprised.
I quickly left the room. Leon stood in the doorway, giving me a playful look.
"Don't say anything", I warned him angrily.
"I won't say anything", he said, smiling broadly.
"I'm leaving now. I left some supplies for Mary", I said, changing the subject.
"Thank you so much. We really appreciate it", he said gratefully.
"One last thing", I said seriously, handing him the paper with the addresses I had previously written down. "Here's a list of places near your base where you'll find essential tools and supplies to help you get through this difficult time."
"Thank you very much. We'll check it out as soon as we have a free time. You can be sure we'll take your advice into account", he replied, with a determined look as he walked me to the exit.
"Remember to always be attentive to the people you're saving. Resources are limited", I warned him, already mounted on my bike, before riding off without looking back.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Specific dates, and for those who've forgotten what those dates were, you can ask me in the chapter comments or reread them.
The relationship between the characters seems closer than expected.
Comment if you know how much time is left until the apocalypse begins.]