As Aki and Preal worked on making bombs with the chemicals Mai had gathered, the night's silence was punctuated only by their whispered conversation and the occasional clink of glass.
"Why is it so hard to make these bombs?" Preal muttered, frustration evident in her voice as she struggled with the materials.
Aki chuckled softly. "I guess these are the consequences of skipping chemistry classes." she joked, her own efforts no more successful.
Preal laughed quietly. "Man, I was getting the best naps back then."
"Yeah, Mai and I always played around during those sessions," Aki said, feeling nostalgic for those days.
"Wait, I think this one might work," Aki said, her voice tinged with cautious optimism. She carefully combined the ingredients, and a moment later, a small burst of smoke filled the air.
"It worked!" Preal exclaimed, excitement evident in her tone.
"I didn't think it would work, to be honest, but we need it to make a louder pop sound" Aki said.
Their moment of triumph was interrupted by a faint whining sound. They turned to see Zoe, the girl they had rescued earlier, her face contorted in distress as she slept. A single drop of sweat rolled down her forehead.
"Is she okay? She looks like she has a fever," Preal said, her curiosity turning to concern.
Aki approached the girl and gently placed a hand on her forehead. "She might be tired. What we've been through isn't exactly easy, plus there's no good ventilation here" Aki replied, glancing around the dimly lit room.
Preal nodded in agreement. "Let's keep an eye on her. We can't afford to lose anyone else."
Morning broke, and dim light seeped through the cracks in the storage room's barricade. Aki gently shook Mai's shoulder. "Mai Mai, time to wake up."
"Just five more minutes, Aki" Mai groaned, closing her eyes again.
Aki sighed, sitting down next to Mai and stroking her hair. "I'd want to let you sleep, but we have to move, dear."
"Fine, fine, I'm awake," Mai said, sitting up next to Aki.
"How is your arm?" Aki asked, checking on Mai's injury.
"It still hurts, but I'm good. It's healing," Mai said reassuringly.
Aki nodded. "Sorry you had to go through this," she said, brushing a strand of Mai's curly hair behind her ear.
"Don't be silly, Aki, it's not your fault," Mai said softly.
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They gathered together, packing their essentials. Aki spoke in a firm tone, "Okay everyone, here's the plan. We will head down to the school's back door because I can't trust that walking out the front door would be secure. Neither is the back, but it’s the less dangerous choice."
"We've made these bombs as a distraction. Unfortunately, there aren't many, but we have two for each of us."
They all nodded and followed Aki outside. They made it through with minimal damage until they reached the first floor, but there was a huge group of zombies they couldn't handle.
Aki's eyes scanned over them, trying to count. "We can't kill all of them."
"Let's distract them and pass through the basketball hall," Mai suggested, pointing at the hall across the floor.
Aki nodded in agreement. "Okay, I will throw the bomb. Move fast," she said, counting, "one, two, three..." She threw it to the other side, causing a loud pop sound that grabbed the zombies' attention while they made their way to the basketball hall.
