Chapter 27: [27] Auto shop
As dawn bloomed on the horizon, transforming the desolate world around us into a canvas of melancholic beauty, the three of us set out towards the auto parts shop. Anxiety and anticipation coursed through my veins, intertwining with the chilling morning breeze that nipped at our skin. But alongside them, there was a strange sense of resolution too, a quiet understanding that we were putting our lives on the line for a glimmer of hope.
We approached the shop, concealed behind the ruins of the once-bustling town. Our eyes darted between the decayed buildings, searching for signs of the armed thugs that had claimed this place as their own. The silence was oppressive, a potent reminder of the danger lurking just beyond our sight.
Then we saw them, patrolling the perimeter of the shop. They were the same group we had encountered at the gas station, their hardened gazes and weaponry a grim testament to their intentions. The sight of them made my stomach churn, but I pushed the fear aside, focusing on the task at hand.
"Alright," I whispered, meeting the anxious eyes of Ms. Yan and Cassidy. "I'll sneak in, you two wait for my signal."
A wave of apprehension washed over their faces, but they nodded in agreement. The plan was risky, we all knew that. But it was our only chance to get the supplies we needed without a full-scale confrontation.
"Be careful, Chang," Cassidy warned, her voice barely audible against the silent morning.
Ms. Yan offered me a small, encouraging smile, her eyes shimmering with a resolve that both humbled and inspired me. I nodded back at them, feeling a renewed surge of determination.
With one last glance at my companions, I turned towards the auto parts shop. I stepped out from the shelter of the ruins, crossing into the open expanse with slow, measured steps. The cold morning air bit at my exposed skin, each gust seeming to echo the pounding of my heart.
As I moved closer to the shop, my heart pounded in my chest like a war drum as I approached the thugs.
You got this Chang...You got this...
That's when I fired a shot into the air. A moment later the zombies nearby began to stir.
The thugs began to yell and left their position to check out the commotion, only to see an incoming tidal wave of zombies. Seizing this window of opportunity, I snuck into the back of the auto parts shop and stepped through the broken door.
I was officially in.
As I rummaged through the aisle of the auto parts shop, the nearby gunshots and the distant growls of the zombies served as background music for this unusual adventure.
Yet as terrifying as the situation was, I was comforted by a strange sense of power. For the first time since this nightmare began, the very monstrosity that had plunged the world into chaos was my shield, my camouflage. It was a grotesque irony, yet in the face of our desperate circumstances, it felt like a beacon of hope.
My heart pounded in my chest as I made my way deeper into the auto parts shop. Around me, the chaos continued to unfold. The undead swarmed the outside, the rotting scent of their decaying flesh mingling with the acrid smoke that still lingered in the air. The thugs, once confident and imposing, were now scrambling to escape, their screams echoing off the shop's walls.
I had never thought I would find solace in the presence of zombies, but their indifference towards me was a boon in this scenario. I moved through them, unscathed and unnoticed, their vacant eyes seeing past me as though I were a ghost.
The shop was a chaotic mess of parts strewn about, making my task more difficult than anticipated. I knew what parts Cassidy needed, but finding them amidst the disarray would be akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Time was running out, the shrill ring of the alarm echoing ominously, a constant reminder of the impending danger.
After what felt like an eternity, I spotted a set of spark plugs nestled in a corner. I quickly grabbed them, stuffing them into my backpack.
Outside, the sound of gunfire echoed through the air, followed by the angry growls of the encroaching horde. My heart pounded as I realized the thugs had regrouped and were trying to fight off the swarm. The distraction wouldn't last much longer.
As the battle raged on outside, I continued to search for the remaining items on the list: a set of drive belts, a new alternator, and brake fluid. I found the belts hanging on a hook near the counter and snatched them up, slinging them over my shoulder. The alternator was a bit trickier, hidden away on a shelf in the back, but I eventually found one that matched Cassidy's description.
With all the parts secured, I moved towards the exit, keeping my head low. The gunfire outside had lessened considerably, replaced by the panicked cries of the remaining thugs as they were overpowered by the zombies.
I started to run, clutching the parts close to my chest, my heart pounding in my ears. Every second counted, and there was no room for error. This was it, the decisive moment in our struggle for survival.
As I ran, I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, the fear and excitement pushing me forward. Despite the horror of the situation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. We were alive, and we were fighting back.
With these thoughts running through my head, I threw open the door and dashed forth. That's when I bumped into a zombie.
And that's when I bumped into a zombie.
Q: What would you do if you bumped into a zombie?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone