Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo woke up with a start, his senses immediately on high alert. A strange, scratching noise echoed through the quiet apartment, sending chills down his spine. His mind raced as he tried to identify the source of the sound. Then it hit him—the creature from before, the mutated zombie with black eyes that crawled like a lizard and could jump from building to building.

He quickly turned to Sakura, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him. Ryo gently shook her awake and put a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay silent. Her eyes widened in confusion and fear, but she nodded, trusting him implicitly. He grabbed her hand and guided her to crawl under the bed. The space was cramped, but it would offer some protection from whatever was out there.

Ryo handed Sakura the gun he had taught her to use, whispering, "Stay quiet and be ready. We might have company."

Sakura clutched the gun tightly, her knuckles turning white. Ryo could see the fear in her eyes, but there was also a steely resolve. She was ready to fight if necessary.

Ryo retrieved his own gun, his mind racing through possible scenarios. He remembered that the creature wouldn't attack him due to his immunity, but he had no idea how it would react to Sakura. The thought of her being in danger made his stomach churn.

Then he remembered something crucial—his blood. The last time, he had discovered that his blood was toxic to zombies. If he could somehow use it to protect Sakura, they might have a chance. He quickly found a needle and pricked his finger, drawing a small drop of blood. Without explaining, he wiped the blood onto Sakura's nightdress.

Sakura looked at him, bewildered and a bit scared. "Ryo, what are you doing?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"It's to protect you," he whispered back, his tone urgent but reassuring. "Trust me."

She nodded, still confused but willing to follow his lead. The scratching sound grew louder, and they could hear the creature moving through the walls. Ryo peeked through the window, careful not to make any noise. His heart sank as he saw not just one, but a swarm of the mutated zombies. They moved with terrifying speed and agility, their black eyes glinting in the dim light.

Ryo's mind raced as he considered their options. There were too many of them to fight head-on, and their current hiding spot under the bed wouldn't keep them safe for long. He needed to come up with a plan to get them out of there without attracting the attention of the creatures.

"Sakura," he whispered, turning to face her. "We need to stay very still and quiet. These things are fast and dangerous, but they might not find us if we don't make any noise."

She nodded, her eyes wide with fear but filled with trust. Ryo held her close, his mind working furiously to come up with a plan. The creatures' movements were erratic, and he knew they were searching for something—anything—to feed on.

Minutes felt like hours as they lay there, listening to the creatures skittering and scraping around the apartment. Ryo could feel Sakura's body trembling against his, and he tightened his grip, silently promising to keep her safe.

Finally, the noises seemed to move further away. Ryo took a deep breath, steeling himself. He needed to check if the coast was clear. Carefully, he peeked outside through the window from his standing guard position, not making any noise. The creatures were still there, but they seemed to be moving away, possibly drawn by some other sound or movement in the distance.

"Stay here," he whispered to Sakura, his voice barely audible. "I need to make sure they're really gone."

Sakura nodded, her grip on the gun tightening. Ryo kept his watch near the window, ensuring their safety.

As he watched, the last of the creatures disappeared from view, their eerie presence leaving a chilling silence in their wake. Ryo let out a slow breath, his muscles relaxing slightly. He returned to Sakura, helping her out from under the bed. "I think they're gone for now," he said softly. "But we need to be extra careful. Those things are more dangerous than regular zombies."

Sakura looked at him with a mixture of fear and gratitude. "What were those things?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Ryo hesitated, knowing he couldn't hide the truth from her any longer. "They're a mutation of the zombies," he explained. "Faster, stronger, and more dangerous. We need to stay vigilant and keep each other safe."

Sakura nodded, her fear giving way to determination. "We'll get through this, Ryo. Together."

Ryo smiled, feeling a surge of affection for her. "Yes, we will."

As they settled back into bed, Ryo couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The world outside was becoming increasingly dangerous, and they needed to be prepared for whatever came next. But for now, he held Sakura close, finding comfort in their shared strength and resolve.

As the night wore on, Ryo's mind continued to race. He knew that their current setup wouldn't keep them safe forever. They needed a better plan, a stronger fortress, and more supplies. The encounter with the mutated zombies had been a stark reminder of the ever-present danger they faced.

In the morning, they would need to start making serious plans to fortify their home and ensure their survival. Ryo was determined to protect Sakura at all costs, and he knew that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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