Chapter Text
Ivan pulled his phone out from his pocket. It displayed the time: 5:07 PM. The screen protector was cracked. God damnit, probably was from the crash. It’s fine, the service could wipe out at any moment. He fidgeted with his phone case while adjusting his maroon visor.
Arlo was first to break the awkward silence. “Well, er, Ivan. Why did you decide to leave first thing even after the uhm,” He paused, “shelter in place warning? You know the worst thing to do in a zombie apocalypse is to—” Kierra shut up Arlo before he could start to criticize Ivan. “Why is that so important to you? Maybe he didn’t have a choice.”
“My floor was infected. If I had stayed, I would've died.” Kierra and Arlo went quiet, letting the engine cover whatever silence they needed.
Just as Kierra started to speed up, Ivan spotted two people—not infected—one a small kid, the other likely a teenager. Ivan spoke up, “You passed someone, they weren’t infected.” Kierra clicked her tongue, “Oh, I did?” She checked her rearview mirror, “I see them now!” Kierra whipped the car in a massive drift to turn back around. Ivan had to put a death grip on the door just so he didn't fly out of his seat.
Kierra pulled up next to the two kids, rolling down Arlo’s window, peering over him. “Leigh?” She laughed, “Why are you even out here?” Leigh grinned awkwardly, speaking out in a surprisingly calm voice for an apocalypse, “You forgot to pick me up, I texted you like ten times!” They pointed at their little sister, “Serena was asking how long it would take.” Oh, that was her name. Serena and Leigh, more people to remember. Great.
“Get in, we’ve got an empty seat. You have to sit next to, uh, Ivan. In the back.” Leigh pulled open the door, taking their sister into their arms and stepping in, closing the door. Serena’s eyes lingered on Ivan, simply intrigued by him.
Kierra started the car back up, accelerating to an unsafe speed. Whatever got Ivan out of the city the fastest, he didn’t care. Serena still continued to stare. Finally, Ivan looked over at her, slanting his eyes in part confusion, part annoyance. Leigh noticed this, softly smacking her.
Up ahead, Ivan could spot a huge area that was flooded with refugees with the same plan as him. Kierra merely giggled at this, slamming maybe three wild turns away before speaking. “It’s alright. I know another way out, but it might take some more… turns.” Well damn, Ivan was already slightly dizzy from everything that was happening.
After some more absolute havoc from being whipped around, the sun had started to set. If Ivan couldn’t get to a safe place before dark, he would have to move in the dark, and he damn well knew that he did not pack any flashlights. Except for his phone, which wouldn’t work the best.
Now Ivan started to realise, once he left the car, he could be bitten, scratched and dead—a casualty on day one. Written in the history books of what not to be like.
“Hello, Ivan? Earth to Ivan?” Kierra startled Ivan out of whatever trance he was in.
Finally, Ivan spoke up in a shaky voice, “Sorry.” Kierra merely smiled in her rear view mirror, “No worries. We’re at the city’s exit—a rural one, specifically.”
Oh damn it, it was sunset by now, so Ivan had to move fast. He took his bag off the ground, slinging it over his shoulders. The next was his axe, he took it in his hands, shoving it into his pocket, leaving only the head sticking out. Ivan said one last thing, “Thank you so much.”
Kierra elbowed Arlo to pay attention, “You’re welcome. It’s our pleasure to help.” Kierra said. Arlo was next to speak up, “Good luck out there.” Ivan smiled nervously, then opened the Jeep’s door, stepping out. Ivan watched the car drive away.
“The real world, that’s right.” A low voice spoke from behind him.
He turned around, expecting someone half‐infected, a looter, and maybe even an actual infected.
Once he saw them, he was wishing that it was a zombie instead.
The Tumor.
“You won’t survive out here. After falling off a scooter? Nice one, Ivan. Your father would be so disappointed in you.” One of its void black arms pointed down at him, laughing while staring down at Ivan, who didn't even speak due to the combined fear of zombies hearing him and The Tumor. “Can’t even speak up. Too scared,” It continued, “Aw, frail, weak, Ivan. Won’t even survive tomorrow.”
As if just to taunt him, it disappeared from Ivan’s vision.
The real world. It was still twilight, thank god, he would’ve taken The Tumor’s word seriously—not that Ivan didn’t in the first place.
He was already scared about walking on a back road, yet still had to find somewhere to sleep. A thought started to appear in his mind, to knock on people’s doors, and pray they would answer.
His dad would be so disappointed in him for depending on others so much. Why is Ivan such a damn selfish person? Other people had lives too. On top of it all, he's already had sinful thoughts about Andrew before.
Focus, Ivan. You need to find somewhere to stay tonight.
There was practically only one option—knocking door to door, since he was not going back to the apartments.
Carefully, axe in hand, Ivan walked up to the most safe seeming house—Two stories, balcony. It looked prepared. He stepped in front of the door, knocking, before stuttering a few steps back. It took a bit for the door to open, he tensed, ‘ready’ for anything.
Two women, equally as ready, opened the door. There was a noticeable height difference between both of them. One was short, around 5’3. The other was taller than Ivan himself, standing at maybe 6’0.
“Uhm, I know this might sound very forward and unexpected but…” Ivan paused. “Could I stay here? Just for tonight. I just… have nowhere else to go. Please.”
Almost instantly, the shorter girl responded, “Sure!” The taller woman nudged her slightly, “Flora, he could be infected, and he literally has an axe.”
Flora shrugged and quipped, “He doesn’t seem to have any symptoms.” The tall girl sighed, “Fine. By dawn, you’re out. Okay?”
Ivan was genuinely happy for a moment, smiling. “Thank you so much. So uhm… What's your guys' name?”
The tall one started up first, “Zara, and she’s Flora. You?”
“I’m Ivan.”
“Great. Uh, you can like, sleep on the—in the guest bedroom.” Zara crossed her arms tightly around her chest, unhappy to have a guest over. Nevertheless, Ivan stepped inside the house. It was warm, lived in, and comforting. It must be heaven to live here. Flora stepped in front of him, showing him around. It was clear that Zara and her had opposite personalities.
“The kitchen is to the left, right is me and Zara’s bedroom, and you’re down that hall over there.” She gestured for Ivan to follow her, opening the door to the guest bedroom.”
Flora smiled. “So, this is the guest bedroom. You’ll be here tonight. Feel free to stock up on food if you need any, just don’t take too much. You’ve eaten dinner, right?” Ivan stopped. He hasn’t eaten in… What… Two days? Flora’s face started to contort with worry at the silence. “Ivan?”
He snapped out of it.
“Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, I zoned out.” Flora was skeptical, but didn’t pry. “Okay! Me and Zara are making dinner if you want any, we’re almost done. And, uhm, about that axe,” She pointed at his axe, eyes narrowing in nervousness, “I trust you, don’t hurt us. Zara’s probably going to stand watch.” Ivan, after being silent for a bit, murmured, “I won’t.” With that, Flora left the room.
Ivan plopped down on the bed, eventually laying on his back, arms spread wide—that worked way better than he expected. He sat the axe on the nightstand.
He took his jacket and bag off, a bit comfortable, even enough to kick off his shoes. Just as he was about to rummage through his bag, he heard Flora knocking at the door.
“Dinners ready. Want any?”
“...No, thank you.”
“It’s alright. You’re probably tired.”
Flora left and walked off from the guest room. Ivan laid back down, spreading his arms wide.
It was 5:19 now. Ivan took off his red visor, setting it on the nightstand. He pulled the covers over his frail body.
Ivan’s eyes were already starting to drop. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out, it showed a national alert notification, for those who didn’t get the alarm first. Whatever. Ivan placed his phone next to his visor, sinking back into the bed.
It took mere seconds for him to fall asleep.