At the far end of the warehouse, Tom Harlow, the warehouse manager, huddled close with the security guard, Leo Kent. Both men were whispering in low, conspiratorial voices.
"Leo, you have seen the messages online these past two days," Tom said, his round face creasing as he attempted a smile.
Leo snorted. "The whole world has completely fallen apart."
"That is right, and waiting for rescue is impossible. No one is coming."
Tom gestured toward the shelves stacked with boxes. "But look at this place. Food, water, medical supplies. If we use them wisely, we can survive here for ten years, maybe longer."
Leo raised a brow. "So what are you getting at, Tom?"
Tom folded his arms and spoke in a tone dripping with self-importance. "We need rules. Real rules. If we let everyone wander in begging for help, our supplies will run dry in days. We have to protect what is ours."
Leo caught his meaning instantly. He gave a greasy grin. "I get it. As long as you do not shortchange me, I am with you."
Tom slapped him on the back. "Good. Then it is decided. Any newcomers we take in must contribute. The men can do the labor. As for the women, well… we can let ourselves enjoy some benefits."
He laughed, his cheeks folding over themselves. Leo's eyes lit up with crude excitement.
"Tom, I know you have had your eye on that long-legged beauty who came in yesterday."
"You bet I have," Tom replied. "Did you see those legs? I could enjoy her for a whole year."
The thought alone made heat rise through Tom's body.
Leo licked his lips. "Fine. She is yours. But Maya Lin… let me have my fun with her."
Tom's expression darkened slightly. "What about Linda Shaw? Weren't you cozying up to her?"
Leo waved dismissively. "She is forty. Before the world ended, I would have messed around for fun. But now? Things are different. I should aim higher."
His eyes gleamed. "I want Maya Lin, Tom. If you refuse, then I am out."
Tom clicked his tongue. "Fine, fine. We will do it your way. Besides, we are the ones calling the shots here. And if we take turns, who is going to stop us?"
Leo chuckled. "Tom, you really know how to live."
The two men shook hands, sealing their miserable alliance.
Not even ten minutes passed before Leo strutted into the cosmetics section of the warehouse. His steps were confident, arrogant, predatory. Maya Lin was restocking some supplies nearby.
"Maya," Leo said with a fake smile, "come with me for a moment. I need to discuss something with you."
Maya froze with a bottle of lotion in her hand. She looked up with her gentle, earnest eyes. "Alright."
She followed him quietly, unaware of the danger she was walking toward. Leo stopped behind a shelf, where no one could easily see them, and leaned in close.
"Maya," he said, lowering his voice, "you know the world has changed. This warehouse does not support useless people. Everyone needs to contribute."
Maya nodded quickly, sincere as ever. "I understand. I will work hard. I can clean, count supplies, organize shelves. Anything you need."
Her frantic tone gave away her fear. She was only an intern before all this. Having a safe place to sleep and enough food to eat already felt like a blessing. If she lost this shelter, she would not survive outside.
Leo clicked his tongue and shook his head slowly, enjoying her confusion.
"I think you misunderstood. When I said you need to contribute, I meant you should use your strongest… advantages."
The suggestion dripped with filth. His eyes crawled over her body, lingering on every curve without a hint of shame. He even dragged his tongue over his lips.
Maya stiffened. She understood now.
He wanted her to trade her body for a place to stay.
"Leo, you are crossing a line," she said, voice trembling. "We were colleagues before all this. You cannot…"
Leo scoffed loudly. "Do you still think this is the old world? Wake up. Women are like supplies now. You are here to be used."
He reached for his belt buckle as he stepped toward her.
Maya's heart leapt into her throat. She grabbed the nearest item, a bottle of shampoo, and threw it at his face. As Leo swore and wiped the soap from his eyes, she bolted.
"Damn it!" he shouted. "So you want to fight back? I will make you beg for mercy later!"
He stomped after her, but Maya was already sprinting toward the loading bay doors. She reached the large entrance, gripping the handle with shaking hands.
"Stay where you are!" she screamed. "If you come any closer, I will open this door. I will run out there."
Her meaning was clear. She would rather die to the zombies outside than let him touch her.
Leo froze. His expression twisted with both frustration and panic.
"What happened?" Tom's voice boomed from behind as he hurried over. He took one look at Maya clutching the door and paled. "Leo, you idiot! Do you want to get us all killed?"
He turned to Maya with a fake soothing tone. "Maya, listen to me. Do not be reckless. The world is dangerous now, and you cannot survive out there alone. You should find a strong man to rely on. It is just how life works now."
"I refuse!" Maya shouted. Tears coated her eyes, but her voice held fierce determination. "Even if I die, I will not let either of you touch me."
Tom lifted his hands in a placating gesture. "Alright, alright. We will not force you. Come back inside first. We can talk."
He only wanted her to step away from the door so they could overpower her again.
Maya hesitated. She did not fully trust Tom, but the pressure of two men circling her made her choices feel hopeless. Slowly, she lowered her hand from the door handle.
Tom gave Leo a subtle signal.
They lunged.
Maya gasped and shoved the handle down with all her strength. The door swung open with a heavy clatter.
Cold air rushed in, along with several pale, decaying arms reaching through the growing gap.
Both men halted instantly, terror wiping the arrogance from their faces.
Maya turned, eyes widening, just as the zombies grabbed her shoulders and wrists.
Before she could scream, they yanked her through the doorway into the chaos outside.
Tom and Leo stumbled back as the door slammed shut again under the pressure of the undead.
Inside the warehouse, silence fell.
The last thing Tom saw was a blur of Maya's terrified face disappearing into the sea of rotting hands.