Counting aside the fact that most of them were spilled on the floor, the fruits for sale were fresh. Piles of apples were stacked on one side while the oranges were stacked on another. Above them, the lemons gleam bright and yellow. Countless other fruits were stacked in rows extending up to the end of the hallway.
I make a mental note to myself to go back and gather the apples for later, when the situation is controlled again. Sighing, I trained my gun on the path before me and continued walking.
I made a sharp turn when I reached the end and immediately found myself in the meat section. The blunt smell of raw meat hit my nose and I was momentarily taken aback, coughing. Several flies were circling over a chicken quarter atop a chopping board. A butcher knife was struck precisely next to it. For good measure, I decided to take the knife with me, placing it neatly inside my bag. I also saw a kitchen knife over the counter and took it. It's a good thing the workers assigned in this station were not present at the moment or else they would have straight-up sent me to the manager already for stealing their stuff. Oh well.
I was about to take another knife when I heard the sound of a dropping can. Instantly, I trained my gun in the direction of the noise and stepped out into the aisles.
"Who's there?" I said. In the back of my mind, I know it was stupid to ask that because I watched way too many movies to know that anyone who says that line almost always ends up dead, but hey, when you're living the nightmare yourself, it's one of the most plausible questions to ask, especially when you're alone (or at least you think so).
No answer. Great. I didn't even know what I expected. Oh well, guess I should continue walking.
Eventually, I reached the frozen section. The temperature instantaneously dropped a couple degrees or so and I could see cold air creeping low on the floor.
Wait-
If that's the case, then one of the refrigerators is open.
Moving closer, I was right. One large refrigerator door was left ajar. A can of Diet Cola lays on the ground.
"This must be the noise I heard earlier." I said to myself.
I looked around me. Still empty. I turned back to the refrigerator and decided to take a can for myself, since I was feeling very thirsty. As I turned to go, I realized that the door is still open. "I am a responsible citizen." I told myself as I closed the door.
Instantly, I saw my reflection on the glass, side by side a blank face with a wide open mouth dripping with blood.
"Gaahh!" I blurted.
The zombie was a foot away from me when I turned to face it.
It instantly tried to catch me in its grip but luckily, I ducked out of the way. I then tried to run but stupidly fell to the ground when I tripped over the Diet Cola can.
With seconds to spare, I tried to lift my sore body from the ground, gun in one hand and my Diet Cola in another. It seemed, though, that my luck was running out because the zombie immediately turned to face my vulnerable, awkward, stupidly strewn body.
Right as I planted one foot solidly on the ground, the zombie then proceeded to tackle me. I kept one arm firm on its neck as it snapped its teeth emptily. I could feel its throat gurgling and groaning at once as it tried to reach my face with its claws. On my side lies my stupidly fallen gun and Diet Cola can.
With a sudden burst of strength, I managed to push it to the side and crawl my way to my gun.
By this time, the zombie has snapped out of confusion and has already started to see my incredibly zombie-food-worthy face again. Its groaning became louder and scarier.
Immediately, I took my gun and pointed it at the zombie, only to realize that what I picked up was not my gun but my Diet Cola can. There was no time to lose though, as the zombie swiftly crawled towards me. With a big pang of regret on my unquenched thirst, I raised my Diet Cola can and bashed the zombie's head with it.
It fell flat on the floor, still groaning. I reached over and smacked it again, hard, on its skull. Still, the zombie was unyielding. Frustrated, I summoned a great deal of strength and bashed its head a final time.
Blood splattered on the floor, thick and dark. I stood up and went over to my gun, real this time, and sighed. That was really, really close.
As I turned to leave, I heard the unmistakable sound of cracking bones coming from the zombie's body.
Glancing at the zombie, it was trying to crawl on the floor towards me.
"Seriously?!"
This time, I pointed my gun on the zombie's head and pulled the trigger. More blood splattered on the floor and the refrigerator doors.
The good news was that it was a close call, and I was still in one piece. The bad news was that I might not still be in the next five minutes or so.
The gunshot was awfully loud. I could easily predict that more zombies would make their ways down to where I was.
Right down the aisle, I heard more gurgling noises. Then I saw a rotten face making the sound. Then another. And another. And a whole lot of anothers. They seemed to be coming from all directions.
"Right. Well, I'm screwed."
Well, not entirely. Just after I said that, I saw a door in the distance with the words "RESTRICTED AREA: AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY."
In hindsight, I should have planned an airtight escape plan, but given the situation, there was nothing else I could do. I ran.
I ducked when a hand almost caught me. Then I jumped over a zombie who tripped. Afterwards, I ducked again.
Finally, I reached the door and-
Well, well, what a surprise. The door was locked. Key-needing, impenetrably, hopelessly locked.
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"
Behind me, the voices were getting louder and fiercer.
Great, I'd die in a grocery store. Like it's the best way to die ever.
I then opted to be optimistic. I turned the knob over and over just in case it would open itself. After a few tries, it was clear the knob won't magically give in and open.
Running out of options, I hurled my body on the door. I knew it would hurt but at least the door would open.
I was right, it did hurt. But the door DID NOT open.
I then took a step back, to gain momentum, then tried again. Nothing happened, aside from the pain being doubled.
The gurgling was much closer now. I risked a peek behind and saw the horde nearly on me.
"AAAAAARGGGGHHH!!!" With the last of my strength, I hurled my stupid body one last time on the stupid door.
As if by some kind of magic or miracle, right before my body made contact with the door, the door itself opened.
With my body awkwardly positioned, and still with momentum, I fell on the ground, hard.
I turned around and stood to shut the door down but I was beaten to it by two large arms.
I was still catching my breath when the figure turned around.
A flicker of recognition flashed on my savior's face.
It also flashed in mine.
"Ryan?"
