"Let's take this path," Elliot said, turning right as he carefully surveyed his surroundings. The air was thick with the smell of rust and rot, and the distant sound of an infected mingled with the wind.
The hallway they were walking through was dark, the shadows cast by the crumbling buildings creating an oppressive atmosphere. Each of Mel's steps seemed to echo more than necessary, and Elliot couldn't help but notice the way the fit of her pants accentuated the movement of her hips.
"We've been walking for quite a while," she murmured, holding the gun in both hands as she took a quick glance ahead. Her soft, melodic voice broke the tense silence. "We didn't get lost, did we?"
"I don't know," Elliot replied with a wry smile, turning the corner only to stop dead in his tracks as he saw the path blocked. "Shit… this street is fucking blocked too."
Before them, a FEDRA truck loomed like an impossible barrier to navigate, surrounded by wrecked vehicles and weeds that had claimed the space. Elliot gritted his teeth, his frustration evident. "All the fucking streets blocked off. Is fate trying to screw me over?"
"We can go through that building," Mel suggested, pointing to a structure to his left. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of determination and sweetness that unnerved Elliot every time he looked at her. She was fucking beautiful.
Elliot smiled, unable to help himself. Mel was a mix of innocence and provocation, a walking paradox that made him want to peel back every layer of that sweetness until only the raw passion he knew she was hiding remained. And damn, that ass…
"Fine," he finally said, an amused glint in his eyes. "I'll take your advice, but I'll go ahead."
Mel pursed her lips into an adorable pout that almost made him burst out laughing. Her expression, so fucking innocent, was in stark contrast to the dark thoughts swirling through Elliot's mind.
"Why me in the back?" she asked in a soft, sweet voice that made him want things he shouldn't want in the middle of the apocalypse.
Elliot turned to her, his eyes blatantly scanning her figure before stopping at her hips. His grin grew wider, laden with unapologetic cheekiness. "Because if I let you go in the front, I won't be able to stop staring at your ass," he blurted out bluntly, his tone low and husky, almost a growl.
Mel's eyes widened, a blush quickly creeping up her neck to stain her cheeks. "E-Elliot..." she murmured, her voice shaking slightly as she lowered her gaze, as if trying to hide the blush burning on her skin.
"And when that happens," he continued, moving a little closer, close enough for her to feel the heat emanating from his body, "I'll think with my cock instead of my head. And I'll fuck you right here, against one of those shattered walls, until you can't walk."
Mel's breath quickened. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her lips trembled, struggling to find an answer. Elliot watched as her eyes strayed to his mouth for a brief second before returning to his face. Fuck, the tension was almost palpable.
"I-I understand..." he finally said, his voice a whisper laden with something deeper than simple embarrassment.
Elliot let out a low, gravelly laugh, a sound that reverberated between them, amplifying the electrically charged air. He stepped back, giving her space, but he didn't stop watching her, savoring every second of the blush that still colored her cheeks.
"I knew you would, gorgeous," he murmured as he turned toward the entrance of the building, his smile still present. "Now, stay close. Don't make me regret being so thoughtful."
Mel followed him, her body still slightly shaking, and Elliot couldn't help one last glance over his shoulder. Her hips moved in rhythm with his steps, and the thought of driving her into a wall was no longer just a passing thought.
Elliot approached the door of the building Mel had pointed out, an old apartment block that connected to other similar ones, forming a labyrinth of crumbling structures. According to the map, the passage was supposed to lead to the other side of the street, but even before he touched the door, he could feel the weight of abandonment in the air, the echo of the time that had passed since anyone had set foot there.
He grabbed the handle firmly and turned it, but only heard the dry click of the rusty mechanism that refused to give way.
"Shit..." he muttered in frustration, pulling out the knife he kept secured in his belt. The blade, old but sharp, was his favorite tool for these situations.
"Do you think you can open it?" Mel asked behind him, her voice soft but firm.
"Do you doubt my abilities, precious?" Elliot replied with a smile as he stuck the knife into the slot of the lock, forcing it with precise movements. When he had been reincarnated in this world, he didn't even know how to handle a weapon, let alone break into doors. Now, every movement was efficient, honed by 2 years of necessity and survival.
With a metallic creak, the lock gave way, and the door slowly swung open. A nauseating stench immediately came out, hitting them like a slap in the face. The air was thick with damp, mold, and worse, a smell of death that seemed to have embedded itself into the very walls of the place.
"Shit… spores," Elliot muttered, backing away quickly as he pulled Mel back with an instinctive movement. Inside the building, a faint greenish glow covered the surfaces, an unmistakable trace of the infection that had consumed the world.
They both moved quickly, pulling their gas masks out of their backpacks. Elliot made sure to adjust the straps around his face, pressing it against his skin until it was perfectly sealed.
"Everything okay with your filters, Mel?" he asked, his voice muffled by the mask but still laced with concern.
Mel nodded her thumb, testing her breathing for a second before answering. "Yeah, all good. I'm ready."
"Good," Elliot said with a nod of approval. "Time to go in."
She turned on the flashlight she carried hanging from her backpack, the beam cutting through the gloom of the building like a knife. The light revealed a dark, cluttered hallway, littered with debris, broken furniture, and a faint glow from the spores that collected in the corners and ceilings.
She slung her hunting rifle over her back, securing it carefully. Even though it was her primary weapon, there was no point in using it in a confined space like this. Instead, she pulled out her knife and a pair of brass knuckles she kept in one of the side pockets. The feel of the cold metal on her fingers gave her a strange sense of security.
Mel watched her movements as she checked her pistol, making sure it was ready to fire. "Hand-to-hand? Are you sure?" she asked, her tone heavy with concern.
"It's the most practical thing here," Elliot replied as he checked the edge of the knife with a quick motion. "I don't have your pistol, and using the rifle would be like trying to hunt rats with a bazooka. Besides," he added with a smirk she couldn't see through the mask, "I like getting my hands dirty."
Mel gave a slight snort, but her expression was serious as she looked into the building. "If anything goes wrong…"
"If anything goes wrong, I'll fix it," Elliot interrupted, his voice low but firm. "Now, stay close. I don't want anything to happen to you, understand?"
Mel nodded, and the two of them made their way deeper into the building.
The silence inside was almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional crunch of debris under their boots and the dull sound of their breathing through the filters. The walls were covered in a slimy layer of fungus that seemed to move slightly under the flashlight light. The air was heavy, as if the place itself was saturated with death and danger.
"Stay alert," Elliot muttered as he moved cautiously forward, his eyes scanning every dark corner, every shadow that might hide an infected.
"I always am," Mel replied quietly, his gun pointed forward in precise movements.
Elliot knew they couldn't afford any mistakes; one distraction, one miscalculated sound, and they would be dead. But despite the tension, he couldn't help his gaze occasionally drifting to Mel. The way her body moved, even in such a grim situation, had something hypnotic about it.
"Focus, Elliot," he told himself quietly, shaking his head slightly. But the truth was, he couldn't help it. Being so close to her, after what they had shared, made him want her even more. And the danger only intensified that desire, as if the risk added a level of excitement he couldn't ignore.
"What are you looking at?" Mel asked, turning her head toward him for a second before focusing back on the hallway.
"Just making sure you're okay," Elliot replied in a light tone, though his mischievous smile was hidden behind the mask.
"Sure thing," Mel muttered, rolling his eyes as he continued on.
The path in front of them branched off in two directions: a hallway leading to a flight of stairs up, and another leading down to the basement. Both were dark, with trails of spores making either choice seem equally dangerous.
"Up or down?" Mel asked, his voice thick with tension as he looked at both paths.
Elliot thought for a moment, his flashlight slowly moving between the two hallways. The basement would likely be filled with more spores, but the stairs up were a potential trap.
"Up," he finally said, adjusting his grip on the knife. "It's always easier to escape if you have the height advantage."
"Good logic," Mel replied as she began to climb behind him, her gun pointed forward.
Elliot led the way, every step careful, every sense alert. As they ascended, the sound of something moving in the distance made them pause. A low, guttural growl echoed through the walls, causing them both to tense.
"Did you hear that?" Mel whispered, her voice barely a thread.
Elliot nodded, holding up a hand to signal her to stop. The tension in the air was almost unbearable, and every muscle in his body was ready to attack or run at any moment.
"Stay behind me," he muttered, his tone low but firm as he slowly moved toward the sound.
The interior of the building was a mess. The doors of several apartments were torn off, the walls collapsed or with deep cracks that revealed the shattered remains of furniture. Debris was strewn everywhere, covered in dust and fungus. Each step raised a light cloud that floated through the stale air, adding an even more suffocating touch to the place.
Elliot moved forward cautiously, his flashlight illuminating every dark corner as he held the knife firmly in his other hand. Mel followed close behind, his gun raised, covering the blind spots with movements that, although far from professional, were effective. They were not military men, by any means, but they managed. Experience had taught them enough not to end up dead at the first carelessness.
They passed a partially collapsed wall, the cracks of which revealed a neighboring apartment. Arriving at one of the intact apartments, they exchanged a quick glance before entering. Mel raised her gun while Elliot slowly pushed open the door, his body tense against any possible threat.
The interior was as dilapidated as the rest of the building. There was overturned furniture, a table broken in two, and dark stains on the floor that they preferred not to analyze too much. But the most notable thing was the wall at the back of the apartment. It had almost completely disappeared, leaving a huge hole that connected to the neighboring building. From there they could see the remains of a truck that had crashed on the first floor, causing the structure to partially collapse.
Elliot aimed his flashlight at the hole, inspecting the makeshift connection between the two buildings. A long, splintered board stretched precariously between the two sides, forming a makeshift bridge. It seemed to have been there by accident, probably a remnant of some failed repair or a desperate attempt at escape. The wood looked old and weak, covered in dust and with some dangerous cracks on the surface.
"Great," Elliot muttered, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "The only damn way."
Mel peeked behind him, assessing the situation before letting out a small laugh. "Oh, come on. It could be worse," she said with a smile that briefly brightened the moment.
Elliot lowered the flashlight, turning to her with a wry smile that dripped with cynicism. "Yeah, you're right. Worse would be if Abby sent us as far away as possible just to stand there fucking your boyfriend while we do all the work."
Mel couldn't contain the laugh that burst from her lips, the sound echoing softly in the empty apartment. Her laughter was warm, contagious, and for a brief moment, it made the tension in the place dissipate.
"Boyfriend? He just has the damn title," she replied, her tone playful as she advanced towards Elliot with calculated steps. There was something in her gaze, something dark and mischievous that he recognized instantly.
Mel stopped in front of him, close enough for the heat of her body to penetrate the thin fabric of his clothes. With a slow, deliberate movement, she brought one hand up to Elliot's crotch. Her fingers brushed the hardened bulge beneath his pants, caressing it slowly, her touch light but laden with intent.
"Let's just say I have an owner now," she whispered, her voice soft and seductive as a wicked smile played across her lips.
Elliot let out a low growl, his jaw clenching as he felt Mel's hand caress him in teasing motions. Blood rushed quickly to his crotch, hardening him even further under her shameless touch. His breath became heavy, his eyes locked on hers as the intensity between them soared.
"Oh yeah?" he murmured, his voice husky and laden with lust. He lifted a hand and placed it on her hip, pulling her firmly until their bodies were pressed together. "So what are you going to do to prove it?"
Mel bit her bottom lip, her breathing quickening as her fingers continued to explore the outline of his erection through the fabric. "Whatever it takes," she whispered, leaning into him, her lips barely grazing the mask covering his face.
Elliot smirked, sliding a hand down to her ass, squeezing it hard as he pulled her even closer. The wood beneath their feet creaked slightly, but neither of them seemed to notice. They were too wrapped up in each other, in the heat, in the tension building between them like a storm about to erupt.
"You're playing with fire, Mel," Elliot said, his tone low and heavy with warning.
Mel let out a soft laugh, tilting her head as her fingers tightened around his erection. "Maybe," she replied, grinning cheekily. "But you seem to like getting burned."
Elliot let out a huff, his hand moving up to grab a handful of her hair, gently tugging on it to tilt her head back. "Wanna play? Okay," he murmured, leaning in until his husky voice echoed directly in her ear. "But you better hold on, because I'm not stopping until you're screaming my name."
Mel shook slightly, her legs nearly failing her as her eyes narrowed at the torrent of sensation Elliot unleashed with each word.
"Come on," he said suddenly, releasing her from his hold and taking a step back, letting the tension slowly dissipate. His grin was cocky, confident, as he pointed at the plank connecting the buildings. "First we cross. Then, if you keep being good, maybe I'll reward you properly."
Mel looked at him with a mix of frustration and desire, but eventually nodded, refocusing on the mission. "This isn't over, Elliot," she muttered as she adjusted her grip on the gun.
"Not even close, sweetheart," he replied with a lopsided grin, before beginning to cross the plank with cautious steps, his senses still alert.
Elliot crossed first, each step on the plank resonating with a creaking sound that sent adrenaline coursing through his veins. Although his balance was good, the precariousness of the situation didn't allow him to relax. Upon reaching the other side, he immediately turned to Mel, reaching out a hand to her.
"Your turn," he said in a firmer tone than he intended. "And please, Mel, let's save the jokes this time. This is not the time to get heated in the middle of a building filled with spores and who knows how many infected."
Mel shot him a look that was both mocking and challenging as she placed a foot on the board. "You're a wimp, Elliot," she replied, her smile failing to quite hide her nervousness.
Elliot snorted, his jaw clenching. "I'm just saying, maybe picking a spot where we can't fall off the cliff or get eaten to death would be more romantic," she added, her sarcasm barely disguising her concern.
Mel took a step forward, the creaking of the board under her weight making them both catch their breath. "Relax. I've got this under control," she said, with an air of confidence Elliot wasn't sure he shared.
Another step. She was almost within reach of Elliot's hand now. He extended his arm further, his eyes locked with Mel's as his breathing grew more labored.
"You're close now. One more step and—"
The creaking was different this time. Deeper. More lethal. Before Elliot could react, the board snapped with a sharp pop, and Mel let out a scream as she fell into the void.
"MEL!" Elliot roared, lunging forward with instinctive swiftness. His hands moved as if time slowed down, and to his relief, he managed to catch her by the arm just before she disappeared completely.
The impact of the movement left him sprawled on the ground, half his body hanging off the edge as he held onto Mel with all his might. She dangled over the void, her legs kicking desperately as she tried to find a foothold that didn't exist.
"I told you," Elliot growled through gritted teeth, the tension in his arms burning as he struggled to hold her steady.
"This is no time to show off, you idiot!" Mel gasped, her breathing ragged as she clung to Elliot's arm with all her might. "For God's sake, pull me up!"
Elliot gritted his teeth, his muscles burning with the effort. "Working on it, sweetheart. But if you keep moving around like that, you're going to mess with my balance!"
Mel froze momentarily, but before she could respond, a guttural sound echoed through the air. A dry, bone-chilling roar that made them both feel ice run through their veins.
"Fuck..." Elliot muttered, turning his head slowly towards the source of the noise.
There, just a few feet away from him, a clicker staggered through the rubble. Its deformed, fungus-covered body moved in spasmodic movements while emitting the characteristic clicking sounds that made the skin crawl.
Mel saw it too, her eyes widening as a gasp escaped her lips. "No… no fuck with me," she muttered, her tone full of horror.
Elliot didn't respond. There was no time for jokes. His eyes darted frantically between the clicker and Mel, his mind working at full speed as adrenaline kept him focused.
"Mel, stop moving and hold on tight! I'm going to get you out of here, but you need to stay still," he ordered, his tone firm but full of urgency.
The clicker let out another roar, turning sharply towards the sound of their voices. Elliot felt the weight of the situation come down on him, each second more terrifying than the last.
"Come on, Elliot, don't let go!" Mel screamed, her voice thick with fear as she stared at the emptiness below her.
Elliot tightened his grip, her body shaking with the effort. "Relax. I'm not letting go, do you hear me? I'm not fucking going to."
The clicker took another step forward, his movements erratic but determined. Elliot watched through gritted teeth, knowing he only had seconds before it was too late.
"Shit, shit, shit," he muttered to himself, adjusting his position as best he could to keep his balance as his muscles burned. The pressure was unbearable, but there was no room for error.
With one last effort, Elliot pulled Mel up, her body tense as every fiber of her muscles strained to the max. Mel let out a gasp as she slid over the edge, and finally, with one last tug, he managed to pull her up high enough for her to climb up and roll to the safety of the ground.
They both lay on the ground, panting, their chests rising and falling frantically as they tried to catch their breath.
"I... told... you," Elliot gasped between breaths, turning his head towards Mel with an exhausted but triumphant smile.
"Shut up, you moron!" she screamed, but there was a mix of relief and gratitude in her tone.
The clicker's roar brought them back to reality immediately. They both turned their heads towards the creature, which was now almost upon them.
"Run!" Elliot screamed, shooting up as he grabbed his knife and readied his flashlight.
The clicker let out a horrifying scream, lunging towards them with unrelenting fury.
End of Chapter 9
I am trying to solve the reading and spelling problems, but since English is not my native language, it is a bit difficult. Do you recommend any program to fix it or help me with the translation?
The clicker lunged at them with a piercing scream, his movements erratic and desperate. Mel, hands shaking, raised his pistol and fired. The first bullet struck the infected's body, causing him to stumble but not stopping him.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Mel gasped, taking a step back as he tried to line up another shot.
The infected's scream echoed throughout the building, a macabre call that drew a cacophony of sounds from the shadows. Dozens of guttural grunts and the unmistakable echo of hurried footsteps filled the air. It was as if every corner of the building had been jolted awake, and now, the entire place was seething with movement.
"We're in fucking shit," Elliot muttered, his eyes locked on the shadows that were beginning to move beyond the clicker. "Let's get out of here, Mel!"
Without waiting for a response, he kicked out with all his might at the staggering infected. His boot landed squarely on the clicker's chest, sending him flying backwards. The infected's body crashed into a wall and fell to the ground, giving them barely a split second to escape.
Elliot grabbed Mel's hand, pulling her along as she gasped for air, her eyes darting frantically in all directions. Her desperation was palpable, but Elliot had no time to comfort her.
They ran out of the apartment, into the main hallway of the building. The sound of footsteps was growing deafening, and it wasn't long before they saw several infected turning the corner. They scampered toward them with clumsy but quick movements, their screams and roars echoing in the closed hallway. Worse yet, other clickers emerged from the fallen doors and gaps in the walls, twisting their deformed heads as if sensing fear in the air.
"Tell me we have a plan B," Mel shouted, her voice bordering on panic as she continued to run after Elliot.
"Does praying count?" he replied, shooting her a quick glance before tugging on her arm harder, guiding her towards another apartment.
The hallway seemed endless, but at last they came to a door that was still partially standing. Elliot pushed Mel inside first, then followed her and slammed the door shut. The noise drew the attention of the infected, who were now rushing towards them like an unstoppable wave of rotting flesh and hellish screams.
"Help me with this!" Elliot shouted as he ran towards a heavy shelf filled with dust-covered books and knickknacks.
Mel didn't need him to repeat it. She dropped her gun to the floor for a second and joined Elliot, pushing the piece of furniture with all her might. Her legs were shaking, and her breathing was a mess, but she managed to coordinate with him.
The shelf creaked and slowly slid to block the door just as the infected began to violently pound on it. The sound of fists and bodies slamming into the wood echoed throughout the room, accompanied by the incessant grunts that filtered through the cracks.
Elliot took a few steps back, watching the shelf shake under the impacts. "This isn't going to last long," he hissed, his voice low but heavy with tension.
Mel, still panting, picked up his gun from the floor with shaking hands. "What do we do now?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the door that continued to shake under the blows.
Elliot quickly looked around the room, looking for anything that could help them. The light from his flashlight illuminated mold-covered walls, broken furniture, and a large window at the back that looked out onto another building. It was a dangerous drop, but not impossible.
"The window!" he exclaimed, pointing at it with his finger as he already began to move towards it.
"Are you crazy? Are we going to jump?" Mel replied, but his tone no longer had the same force.
"Do you have a better idea?" Elliot replied, looking over his shoulder. "Because if it's to stay here and wait for them to tear us apart, then I hear you."
Mel pursed his lips, but ended up nodding. "Okay, but… how are we going to cross?"
Elliot reached the window and looked out. The gap between the two buildings was considerable, but not impossible. There was a steel beam partially connecting the two sides, though it was rusted and looked like it was on the verge of collapsing.
"Over there," Elliot said, pointing at the beam. "It's our only option."
Mel peered out, her eyes widening at the precarious structure. "Great. Perfect. A fucking masterpiece of post-apocalyptic engineering," she muttered, but she was already moving toward the window.
Behind them, the door creaked dangerously. One of the hinges popped off, and the shelf tilted slightly under the pressure.
"No time to complain, Mel. Come on, get up first!"
Mel complied, climbing onto the windowsill as Elliot helped her keep her balance. Her breathing was erratic, but she managed to position herself on the beam, inching forward as the cold wind whipped at her.
Elliot watched her for a moment before turning back toward the door. The infected were seconds away from entering. He gulped and climbed onto the sill, keeping his eyes on Mel, who was already halfway to the other side.
"Just keep moving, gorgeous," he muttered to himself, as he placed one foot on the beam.
At that moment, the door behind him gave way, and a wave of infected burst into the room. Elliot felt his heart race as he gritted his teeth and moved forward as fast as he dared.
The infected began to throw themselves against the broken window, some falling into the void while others managed to grab onto the edges. Elliot didn't look back; he couldn't afford to.
"Elliot, hurry!" Mel shouted from the other side, her eyes filled with panic as she watched him stagger onto the beam.
With one last effort, Elliot made one final leap, landing awkwardly next to Mel. They both fell to the ground, rolling a few feet before coming to a stop.
Panting, Elliot pulled himself up enough to look back. The infected were falling one after another from the window, their bodies crashing onto the asphalt below with a thud.
"That was too close," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
Mel, still catching her breath, looked at him with a mix of relief and exasperation. "Next time, let's plan better, shall we?"
Elliot let out a dry laugh as he helped her up. "Planning? In this world, that's a damn luxury."
Mel, shaken and shaking, dropped her weight against Elliot, resting her forehead against his chest. Her breathing was ragged, and he could feel her body still shaking from the shock. Her hands searched for some anchor point, weakly clinging to the sides of his jacket.
"Let's get out of here, shall we?" she murmured, her voice cracked, almost a whisper, but laden with urgency.
Elliot let out a long sigh, relieved that they were both alive but aware that they didn't have much time. "I agree," he replied, running a hand down her back in an instinctive, almost protective gesture. "But let's move quickly."
They both stood up, regaining some composure. The room, though small, seemed to have mostly escaped the deterioration affecting the rest of the building. Spores weren't present, which was a small miracle, but they still decided to keep their masks on. Neither wanted to take any more risks than necessary.
"First, let's see if there's anything useful here," Elliot said, his tone low but firm. He pulled his flashlight out of his backpack and began quickly exploring, illuminating the dusty corners of the apartment. The air was heavy with the smell of old wood and damp, but at least it didn't smell like death.
Mel followed him, her nervous eyes scanning the room as she kept her pistol ready in her hands. "Do you think we'll find anything?" she asked, her voice steadier now, though still marked by exhaustion.
Elliot let out a low, almost humorless laugh. "I hope so, because with what's coming after us, I'd rather be armed to the teeth."
After a few minutes of quick searching, Elliot picked up something that had been half hidden under a pile of rubble. It was an old, splintered, but still solid baseball bat. He inspected it carefully, weighing it in his hands. It wasn't a perfect weapon, but it would do.
"This might come in handy," he commented as he wrapped a piece of old rope around the handle to improve his grip. Then, he secured it to the side of his backpack with some makeshift straps.
Mel, who had been checking out an empty closet, turned to him with an expression of both curiosity and approval. "It's not much, but I think you could crack an infected's skull with that," she said, a trace of her usual humor returning to her voice.
Elliot gave her a wry smile as he adjusted his backpack on his shoulders. "I hope so, because I'm not excited about trying it on a clicker. Come on, time to get going."
They both headed toward a back door that seemed to lead to another section of the building. Elliot pushed it carefully, holding fast to the idea that every move had to be calculated. The hinge creaked, but not enough to give them away. Beyond was a narrow, dark hallway, shadows dancing under the intermittent glow of his flashlight.
"Stay close," Elliot murmured as he moved forward, his bat ready for any eventuality.
Mel nodded, her breathing still heavy, but much more restrained now. Though the fear was still present, there was something about Elliot's presence that gave her a sense of security she couldn't ignore.
-x.X.x-
Elliot moved in a crouch, each step precisely measured as the flashlight in his hand cast a faint halo of light over the infected staggering in the middle of the garden. At a glance, it was apparent that he had been recently turned; his skin still retained a human tone, though it was streaked with black veins and mushroom sprouts that were beginning to break through. It didn't matter. In this world, compassion was a luxury reserved for the dead.
With a swift, silent movement, Elliot lunged at the infected, his knife tracing a lethal arc before burying itself deep into the monster's neck. The infected let out a muffled, almost human sound before collapsing like a sack of potatoes onto the wet grass-covered ground. Elliot held the body for a moment longer, making sure it wouldn't rise again, before unceremoniously dropping it.
The scene was an eerie contrast to the neighborhood around them. They had escaped the infected-filled buildings just over an hour ago and had been walking silently through the town ever since, dodging threats and moving with the caution of predators stalking their prey. When they finally reached the neighborhood Abby had indicated, it felt as if they had crossed an invisible barrier into another world.
Here, time had stopped. The houses, though covered in a patina of moss and vines, were mostly intact. Unbroken windows, full roofs, bolted doors. Everything was a silent testament to a life that had ended abruptly, frozen in the moment of collapse.
"It's clear," Elliot muttered, looking back at Mel, who remained crouched behind a rusting car. His voice was low, controlled, but clear enough for her to hear.
Mel emerged from cover, her pistol still ready in her hands as her eyes scanned the area. "Good," she said, letting out a light sigh. His shoulders relaxed just a little as he looked at the nearest house, a two-story structure with peeling paint and curtains still hanging from the windows. "Let's see if we can find anything useful."
Elliot nodded and the two of them headed into the house. The front door, though locked, gave way with a long creak as Elliot pushed carefully. The interior was shrouded in a heavy silence, the air heavy with a smell of dust, old wood, and something else, a mix he always associated with the decay of time. Every corner seemed frozen in the past: family photos on the walls, furniture that hadn't been touched in decades, even a pair of children's slippers forgotten by the stairs.
The first thing they did was secure the house. They had learned the hard way that any space could hide a threat. Elliot took the lead, moving with the knife in one hand and the flashlight in the other. His steps were soft, barely a whisper on the floorboards. He checked each room, making sure they were empty, while Mel covered any blind spots.
The first floor was clear. The kitchen, dining room, and a small living room showed no signs of recent activity. They climbed to the second floor just as cautiously, checking every bedroom and bathroom. They found only dust and neglect, no trace of infected or survivors.
When they finally cleared the house, they both allowed themselves a brief moment of relaxation. Elliot immediately went to block the entrances, pushing furniture against the doors and closing the windows. He also drew the curtains, darkening the interior. They didn't want to risk anything seeing them from the outside.
Mel, meanwhile, began searching the kitchen. She opened the cabinets one by one, her fingers searching through the dishes and utensils for anything useful. Her gun rested on the counter, within easy reach, but there didn't seem to be any danger at the moment.
"How's it going in there?" Elliot asked from the living room, where he was securing the last window.
"Dust and cockroaches," Mel replied, her voice laced with a tone of resignation and mild annoyance. "But I found a couple of cans of food in the pantry. I don't know if they're good, but it's something."
Elliot poked his head around the door, watching her as she pulled out the cans. "What do we have?" she asked with a crooked smile.
"Green beans and something I think is chicken soup… or at least it was twenty years ago," she replied, holding up one of the cans and eyeing it suspiciously.
"Perfect," Elliot said, walking over to her and dropping his backpack on the counter. "We could make a feast out of that." His tone was sarcastic, but the sparkle in his eyes said he was in a good mood.
"Yeah, right. And for dessert we have dust," Mel joked, setting the cans aside before leaning down to check the lower cabinets. Elliot couldn't help but let his gaze briefly wander to Mel's backside as she bent down.
"Focus, champ," he muttered to himself, looking away quickly as he adjusted the straps of his backpack.
The silence of the house was almost eerie, but it also offered a strange comfort. For the first time in hours, they didn't hear the growls or footsteps of the infected. They could take a few minutes to breathe, to plan their next move.
"I think we should stay here for a while," Elliot finally said, leaning against the door frame. "It's safe, at least for now. We could search the nearby houses more tomorrow."
Mel nodded from where she stood, pulling a rusty kitchen knife out of one of the drawers. "Yeah, but let's stay alert. This place is way too quiet, and that's never a good sign."
"Easy, Mel," Elliot replied with a sly grin. "I've got you covered."
Mel rolled her eyes, but the small smile on her lips betrayed her attempt to remain serious. "You better," she said, holding up her gun again. "Because if anything surprises us, you'll be the first to face it."
Elliot chuckled softly, leaning down to pick up the bat he'd secured to his backpack. "Always at your service, gorgeous."
End Of Chapter 10
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