Survival Code: Z City

Scary Alley

Andrea and Yard are in the lead. They all followed the directions of the map. After leaving the vast stone field, they entered a small alley. The whole stood in front of the alley and hesitated to move. The gloom was like a black wormhole waiting to swallow four people. Laura gulped and asked in a whisper:

“Is there no other way?”

“No… this is the shortest way to that bridge…”

Andrea slowly shook his head helplessly. His voice is also very low. They both had to concentrate very hard to be able to listen to the other side. Yard narrowed his eyes and let out a small sigh, then continued:

“Go, I take the lead. You guys in the back also have to pay attention to safety.”

Before anyone could say a word, Yard took a step. Finally, the group can only quickly follow. Thanks to the dim moonlight shining in, they were able to find their way. Andrea tried to control the miscellaneous fantasies that threatened him. He pretended to be attentively following Yard's back. The air is cold. A strong stench wafted through the air. The drops of water seemed to hit each person's trembling heart, making everyone break out in a cold sweat. Every sound of their breathing in this moment was heard very clearly. It turns out that their life is very strongly present. They can't give up that easily.

Four people had barely walked ten steps when suddenly there was a noise in front of him. It wasn't too big, but it was enough to make all four of them pale. The limbs there were immediately motionless and stiff. No one dared to unintentionally make any sound. What they can communicate at this moment is eye contact. One person looks at it, then the other probes. Under the faint moonlight, the most obvious presence in each person's eyes was a look of terror.

Yard was the first to regain his composure. He turned his head and waved his hand to his friends for silence. Then he tried to observe the situation ahead. A dim array of space. The moonlight seemed to deliberately not shine in this hidden corner. The atmosphere suddenly became monstrous and tense. The rustling sound started again. It is moving. It's heading towards them. Out of the looming darkness appeared a tall figure. It's a zombie!

Its body is even bigger than Yard. At first glance the zombie's smooth leather jacket with several rows of studs and a few accessories rings on the body of the zombie, we can tell that it was once a sophisticated playboy. But that could not make up for its ugly appearance now. Its face was covered with sores and sores. His hair was shaggy, with only a few wisps remaining on the top of his head. Not to mention on its arm it had lost a large piece of flesh and revealed a bunch of bloody muscle.

The zombie walked up to them. Yard panicked but didn't back down. He clutched the branch firmly in his palm, waiting for the moment to welcome the battle. Laura watched the zombie as she felt nauseous. Not only because of its scary appearance but also because of the disgusting smell emanating from it. A smell that reminds one of a rat that died in a trash can and then decomposed with a swarm of maggots. The more Laura thought, the more terrified she felt. Suddenly, her stomach felt like it was being kneaded by someone. Just as she was about to vomit on the spot, Ellen was a step faster. She promptly covered Laura's mouth with her hand to prevent the noises from escaping. After the stomach contractions passed, Laura temporarily stabilized her mind. She nodded to show Ellen that she was calm. Andrea standing in front was also scared for a moment.

Fortunately, the zombie still did not take any action. It still took slow steps towards them. Everyone unconsciously held their breath as it passed. But then the zombie turned its head and wandered back to its place. This cycle repeats for the third time, then Andrea frowns and whispers:

“It is resting. We just need to keep quiet and walk past it.”

Andrea's nasal whisper was not too hard to hear in the quiet of the night. Yard understood what he meant and immediately nodded. However, Andrea was still uneasy looking at the two female friends behind him. Ellen received his gaze but also approved. As for Laura, she is drowning in anxiety:

“What if it wakes up? …this is a small alley that is difficult to run…”

"So it's safe for you to stay like that?"

Andrea lowered his voice as much as he could and spoke to Laura with every word. At this moment the zombie suddenly stopped. It stood right in front of the four of them but still didn't turn its head. The crowd held their breath, no one dared to say anything. Everyone's face was pale and white. Their heart was pounding wildly in the chest. As if the zombie just turned to face them, this heart would kick out of its chest and come out.

A few seconds later the zombie made its next move. Looks like it hasn't found them yet. It staggered back with each heavy footstep. The sound of sand and gravel under its feet was terrifying.

Yard did not hesitate for long but signaled to the group. He gripped the branch firmly in his hand and carefully lifted each step. His back pressed against the cold damp wall. The breath is now as if there is nothing. The zombie passed by again. The crowd immediately stood still, not daring to move. Laura suddenly grasped Ellen's hand as if looking for support.

The four of them walked slowly and stopped like that for more than ten minutes before safely exiting that small alley. By late at night, the group had reached the bridge on the west side of the city. The four hid in a grove of trees by the roadside not far from the bridge. There was no one on the bridge. Old cars lying ramshackle, piled on top of each other. Broken concrete pillars. At first glance, there was not a single zombie loitering around. Under the bridge is a quiet river. The moon is reflecting its round silhouette. After observing, Andrea turned around and discussed with everyone:

“I and Yard will go up the bridge looking for the passcode. You two stay and watch around for us. If there is anything suspicious, immediately shout out loud.”

“But how do you know the paper is on the bridge? What if it's just somewhere near this bridge."

Ellen gave her opinion. She thought that the other map only indicated the location, not the hiding place. But Yard hastily shook his head in protest:

“This fluorescent light is only visible on the bridge. Let's just search up here first."

"Right. Otherwise, it will be very time-consuming. You and Laura just need to support behind us. But you still have to protect yourself carefully.” “”

Andrea sternly instructed. The handsome face was now very serious about what he was about to do. Laura quickly nodded instead of words. Ellen was silent. There was a flash of complicated thought in her eyes.