The morning began with pale light filtering through shattered windows. The sky was overcast. The sun was a faint silhouette above the city, more of a symbol of the struggle to come than a sign of hope.
Arden was silent as he checked his weapon. He removed the magazine and counted the rounds—his supply was running low.
"If we can't find anything today, we'll be vulnerable tomorrow," he thought to himself.
Nina was still asleep. The fatigue of the night weighed on her, shadows under her eyes. Arden sat quietly for a moment, making plans. There was a pharmacy and a market marked on the map. It was risky, but there were no other options.
"Nina," he whispered.
The woman immediately opened her eyes. Instinctively, she tried to rise, but Arden stopped her.
"Stay calm. It's not night yet. Get ready."
She nodded. "I'll help you. At least I know about medicines."
Arden handed her a utility knife and a small blade.
"These won't protect you. But stay alert. We'll move quietly, touch nothing. If the zombies hear us... no escape."
They stepped out onto the street, and the scent of death was thicker in the air. The stench of decaying bodies had soaked into the concrete. Broken cars, blood-written messages, and the echoes of last screams from those who tried to survive were scattered across the road.
"Seems like no one's left here," Nina whispered.
Arden nodded. "Either they died, or they ran."
Their first destination was a small pharmacy around the corner. Arden led the way, his eyes constantly scanning for movement. Every broken window, every open door kept him on edge.
Finally, they reached the pharmacy. The door was slightly ajar, and the interior was still.
Arden listened carefully before stepping inside.
The shelves were in disarray. Most of the medications had been taken. But Nina immediately got to work. She crouched down, reading labels.
"Here… some antibiotics… and a few painkillers," she said.
Just as Arden was about to leave, he heard a faint scraping noise from the back room.
"Freeze," he whispered.
Nina immediately dropped to the floor.
Arden raised his weapon and moved toward the back room. His steps were slow, calculated. When he entered, there was blood on the floor, but no zombies.
He relaxed for a moment, but then a metallic sound caught his attention.
He spun around and fired. A zombie, having fallen from the top shelf, hit the ground and was already twitching.
"These… don't stop," Arden muttered as he put a bullet in its head.
Nina jumped up. "That was loud. We'll attract the others!"
Arden quickly grabbed the supplies and stuffed them into his bag. "We're leaving. Now."
They stepped back onto the street, but distant footsteps had already begun to echo.
"The market's close," Arden said. "It's risky, but this opportunity won't come again."
Nina nodded. "Let's go."
They didn't run. Running would draw attention. Moving silently, as if trying to disappear into the shadows, they made their way to the other end of the street.
The market was dark inside, but when Arden peeked through the broken glass, he saw no movement.
They entered. The silence inside was suffocating.
"Nina, you check the dry foods. I'll grab canned goods and water," Arden instructed.
As he moved through the aisles, he found the body of a child, hunched over, holding a chocolate bar. Its corpse was covered in decay, but it still clutched the treat as if trying to protect it.
Arden shut his eyes for a moment. This was the new reality of their world.
Then Nina screamed.
"Arden! Someone's behind me!"
Arden instantly raised his weapon and rushed toward her. Nina was running from a half-decayed zombie. He fired once, hitting it in the head. The creature collapsed.
"That was close," Nina gasped.
"First and last mistake," Arden said coldly. "If you make another sound, I'll leave you outside."
Nina lowered her head. "I understand."
They quickly packed the rest of what they could and exited the building. This time, there was no silence. The city was waking up. Or rather, the zombies were.
They returned to their apartment, and Arden immediately locked the door, reinforcing the barricade. As shadows passed outside the windows, they sat silently for a while.
Eventually, Nina asked:
"How long do you think this will last?"
Arden closed his eyes. "Zombies are stronger at night. They're learning. If they start to understand us... we're done for."
"Did you used to be a soldier?" Nina asked, curiosity flickering in her voice.
"Yes," Arden replied. "Special forces. Tactics, recon, weaponry... but even that's not enough for this world."
Nina nodded silently.
"I'm a doctor. But now… I'm not sure of anything anymore."
Arden looked at her.
"We can survive together. But only if we stay sharp. There's no room for emotions. The smallest mistake here means death."
She closed her eyes. "Understood…"
Arden turned his gaze back to the window. The shadows were still passing. The night was approaching.
And the nights were no longer just dark; they were death itself.