Four months had passed since the apocalypse began. Once a bustling city filled with laughter, roaring engines, and endless chatter, it now stood frozen in a dead silence. The noisy streets, which had never known peace, were now covered in layers of dust and debris. Every step on the crumbling asphalt echoed through the eerie emptiness. The wind's howl wandered between abandoned skyscrapers like a lost spirit. Occasionally, this silence was broken by a low, menacing growl — a relentless reminder that the world was no longer what it used to be.
Amid this chaos, like an island of hope in an endless sea of despair, survived Andy. Her long chestnut hair tied back in a ponytail fluttered in the wind, and her vivid green eyes — a striking contrast to the gray world around her — burned with determination. Andy wasn't just surviving; she was fighting. The terrible loneliness gnawed at her from within, but after several brutal encounters with other people, she'd learned to keep her distance. She had to become stronger, smarter, and fearlessly resilient to withstand the onslaught of this new, cruel world.
As usual, she took shelter in one of the empty apartments in a deserted high-rise building. Despite her fighting skills and impressive survival instincts, Andy had yet to master the art of finding truly safe havens.
***
The day was quiet, but hunger forced Andy to take a risk and venture out to a nearby shopping mall. Entering one of the supermarkets, she began searching for supplies. Clutching a crowbar for self-defense, she cautiously moved between the shelves. Many of the products had spoiled, but she managed to find some edible items. Even slightly rotten supplies were worth taking — in an apocalypse, every little bit counted.
Suddenly, a crash echoed through the aisles. Among the toppled shelves appeared a zombie. A panic-stricken girl nearby started throwing whatever she could grab at the monster. She had blood-red hair tied up in a messy bun, with a few loose strands gently falling over her face. Her deep hazel eyes, framed by thick long lashes, showed fear and exhaustion — the heavy burden she had carried for far too long. A small mole on her cheek gave her a certain fragile elegance.
Andy, crowbar at the ready, took a position between the shelves. Her breath was steady and calm, careful not to draw unnecessary attention. Bang! Bang! Crash! The sound of falling shelves drowned out the growls — two of them toppled onto the zombie, pinning it down. But one of the monsters kept advancing toward the girl. Andy struck it hard on the head with the crowbar, then pushed it away and glanced at the red-haired stranger. She looked too helpless to survive alone.
Clenching her teeth, Andy grabbed the girl's arm and rushed out of the mall. They took refuge in a narrow alley. Andy pressed the stranger against the wall, inspecting her for bites.
"What's your name? What were you doing here? Are you infected?" she asked coldly, without breaking her focus.
The girl blushed at the sudden proximity. The cold wall chilled her to the bone, and her breathing was ragged after the sudden chase.
"Olivia… My name is Olivia. I was looking for a survivor group. Just got unlucky, and they were chasing me…" She paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "Thank you for saving me. I'm not bitten, I'm fine. What's your name?" she added shyly, hoping Andy belonged to some group.
Andy finished her inspection and confirmed the girl wasn't a threat. Crossing her arms, she stood facing her squarely and said:
"Andy. Call me 'Andy'," the brunette said coldly and continued. "You said you're looking for survivors? I used to have a group. I can tell you where they are if you want."
Olivia listened and nodded, signaling that it was a good idea. But with Olivia's uselessness, she'd likely be kicked out again pretty soon.
"Depends on the group. I've been kicked out of the big ones before," Olivia said, choosing not to mention that her weakness and lack of skills were the real reasons. "Andy, can I join you? Please, take me with you… I've been kicked out everywhere, almost everyone wants me to get eaten by zombies… Please, take me with you."
Andy's green eyes narrowed in thought. She was used to handling things alone and didn't want to take responsibility for anyone—especially someone who couldn't fight. But at the same time, she didn't want to leave the girl to fate. Plus, Olivia was good at pleading.
"Why should I take you? You might just become dead weight. Give me a couple of reasons why I should keep you around," Andy crossed her arms and waited for her answer.
Olivia sighed, knowing she had no aces up her sleeve and could only bluff. Now she had to come up with a solid reason to take the useless girl with her.
"You're alone, right? You'll need rest, at least sometimes. I could cover for you. And… I learn fast. Maybe my knowledge will come in handy."
"Healthy sleep is good, but your reasons didn't convince me," Andy mused, considering whether to give this stranger a chance.
"I noticed you're not very strong in fights, and physical endurance isn't your thing either. Maybe you have other skills?" Andy looked into her eyes, awaiting a reply.
Olivia looked down, embarrassed, while an inner dialogue played out in her mind: Damn, what's wrong with that argument? Health comes first, and without healthy sleep, she won't manage anything… What's wrong with her?
"I can help find good shelter. I have some supplies with me and… I know the basics of medicine, can provide first aid. Proper bandaging, injections. I also read medical books and understand some medicines…"
Olivia was about to say more when something rustled nearby. She turned pale. Andy immediately grabbed her crowbar and took a combat stance, eyes fixed on the source of the noise. Her breath remained steady and calm.