How Zombies Survive in the Apocalypse

“What was that?”

Startled, Arian surveyed their surroundings.

However, all she could see were the surrounding trees.

There didn’t seem to be any optimal position for a sniper attack from a distance.

Aiden briefly remained vigilant before exiting the vehicle to assess the situation.

Upon inspecting the tires, his brow furrowed with displeasure.

“Damn it…”

The tire had been completely shredded.

The culprit was an improvised spike strip – a metal frame embedded with sharp upright spikes designed to puncture tires.

It seemed one such trap had been cleverly concealed amidst the debris littering the road.

“What is this, the work of those cannibals?”

“Hard to say. It could have been set up by a survivor group as well. The cannibals aren’t the only ones capable of utilizing vehicles.”

“So… what do we do now?”

Arian posed that bewildered question as she examined the deflated tire.

Aiden, too, let out a brief sigh while surveying the damaged wheel.

Eventually, he shifted his gaze towards the distant outskirts of Albuquerque, gauging their remaining distance.

Not the city itself, but rather a small village within its metropolitan area – the point where artificial structures gradually became visible beyond the forest’s edge.

From there, it likely wouldn’t be an excessive distance to the survivor group’s main base.

“For now, we have no choice but to proceed like this. We’ll conceal the vehicle at a suitable location, then continue on foot.”

After a moment’s contemplation, Aiden reached that decision.

Of course, forcibly driving on a deflated tire risked completely ruining the wheel. However, abandoning their vehicle laden with essential supplies in the middle of the road would be an even greater folly.

It would be wiser to temporarily stash the car inside a nearby structure and seek out a replacement tire later.

“It’s a bit concerning, but I suppose we have no other viable option.”

Arian concurred with Aiden’s assessment.

And so, Aiden’s group proceeded by driving their vehicle along the road as cautiously as possible.

Soon, the forest gave way to their surroundings.

Beyond the steep mountain slopes lay an arid desert landscape blanketed in pale brown rubble.

Only sporadic, cactus-like shrubs dotted that barren terrain.

Continuing further down that road, buildings gradually came into view.

Starting with brick residential structures, followed by an area densely packed with factories and various commercial establishments intermingled haphazardly.

Not quite a proper residential district, yet ill-suited to be considered an industrial sector either – an ambiguous amalgamation defying simple categorization.

Not an area that appeared particularly promising for resource scavenging.

However, that very obscurity likely meant it wouldn’t attract undue attention from passing wanderers either.

It was in one such nondescript street corner that Aiden guided their vehicle, concealing it amidst the wrecks of abandoned cars behind some indistinct white structure.

In its dilapidated state, their aging sedan blended seamlessly with the surrounding derelict vehicles, virtually indistinguishable from the other discarded wrecks.

“We should carry as many supplies as possible.”

Aiden muttered those words as he exited their temporarily stashed vehicle.

Even with such precautions, they couldn’t afford to let their guard down entirely. This was, after all, the outskirts of a major city – and one reportedly housing survivor groups numbering in the thousands, no less.

Their presence would undoubtedly attract more prying eyes and chance encounters compared to less populated areas. A mere stroke of misfortune could potentially lead to their cached supplies being discovered and looted by the time they returned.

Which was why Aiden opted to directly transport not only their intended trading goods but as many additional provisions as they could feasibly carry.

A decision that necessitated both Aiden and Arian shouldering substantial backpacks filled with supplies.

“Will you be alright?”

Aiden posed that question while regarding Arian.

The bag she was burdened with seemed excessively large compared to her relatively petite physique.

However, Arian simply shrugged it off nonchalantly.

“This much is nothing. It just… looks a bit ridiculous, that’s all.”

More than the weight itself, Arian seemed more self-conscious about her comical appearance – like a mouse lugging an oversized chunk of cheese.

If that was her only concern, Aiden saw no need to worry further.

He then turned his attention towards Sadie, who was also shouldering a rolled-up sleeping bag nearly as large as herself.

While Aiden hadn’t initially intended to burden Sadie with any additional load, it seemed to be at her own insistence.

“I’ll be fine too.”

Sadie spoke those words, having noticed Aiden’s scrutinizing gaze.

However, from a pragmatic standpoint, assigning Sadie to carry supplies was inherently inefficient.

In any emergency situation requiring a hasty retreat or concealment, that encumbrance would only hinder her mobility and agility.

Qualities that Aiden and Arian, unencumbered, could maintain far more readily during potential combat scenarios.

Yet Aiden was well aware of Sadie’s motivation for insisting on shouldering a portion of their gear.

That child simply desired to find her own contributive role within their small group, however modest.

For that reason, Aiden didn’t attempt to dissuade her, giving a nod of acquiescence instead.

“Understood. Then let’s go.”

Aiden’s group set out on foot, following the road’s path.

Along the way, they passed by what appeared to be a cemetery.

Its perimeter was defined by a long stretch of black wrought-iron fencing, exuding an air of profound desolation – likely the result of prolonged neglect and abandonment.

Next, they encountered what seemed to be a church.

Its large entrance door had been torn off entirely, while the interior was blanketed in ash resembling the remnants of a substantial bonfire. Signs of some prior conflict, which Aiden regarded with detached indifference as they continued onwards.

The closer they drew to Albuquerque’s center, the more frequent and varied the surrounding structures became.

Until finally, a sizable building appeared beside the road – some form of museum, by its appearance.

And it was there, at the threshold of Albuquerque’s boundaries, that human figures were first spotted.

“Up there. They seem to be sentries.”

Arian indicated the rooftop of that building.

Its five-story height indeed provided an advantageous vantage point for monitoring the approaching roads. According to Arian’s perception, over 20 individuals were stationed there.

Additionally, a low barricade extended from the museum’s premises, obstructing the road itself.

“I’ll take the lead here.”

Recognizing the situation, Aiden instructed his companions to remain behind him.

The survivors of Albuquerque had endured prolonged conflicts with cannibals. As such, there was a possibility they might react with hostility upon their initial encounter. Therefore, Aiden decided to make the first approach alone, allowing his companions to hang back.

However, as he neared that barricade, Aiden’s brow furrowed slightly in puzzlement.

The sentries observing him from the checkpoint didn’t seem outwardly antagonistic despite their evident wariness.

“Halt.”

One of them addressed Aiden as he approached the barricade.

Aiden compliantly raised both hands, adhering to their instructions.

They inquired about his profession, his purpose for coming here, and whether he had any companions with him.

And then…

“Alright, you can enter.”

They simply permitted him to proceed inside without further issue.

A stark contrast to the uncompromising hostility Amarillo had displayed towards outsiders.

“This is… rather unexpected.”

Aiden muttered those words after rejoining his companions, having been granted entry into Albuquerque without any complications.

“Yeah, no kidding. Weren’t they supposed to be at war or something? This place seems remarkably intact.”

Even Arian couldn’t conceal her bewilderment at the situation.

From her perspective, Albuquerque appeared far more welcoming towards outsiders compared to the other territories they had traversed in the western regions.

“It’s different from what we expected, but it’s not bad for us. Once we go inside, we’ll be able to understand the situation.”

Aiden’s group continued walking along the road into the city.

Although still far from downtown, being a big city, there were houses and large store buildings visible here and there.

Among them, Aiden stopped in front of one of these store buildings.

It was a large supermarket that was once famous.

At the entrance under its huge logo, there was a makeshift barricade made of wooden planks nailed to a steel frame.

Moreover, Arian testified that there were about a hundred people scattered throughout the building.

Anyone could see it was a base for a small group of survivors.

However, Aiden had heard that there was a group of thousands here.

Puzzled by this, Aiden decided to approach the place himself.

“Huh? Who are you guys?”

A woman in her 40s guarding the entrance asked in a confrontational tone. She eyed Aiden’s group suspiciously, on guard.

But conversely, that was all there was to it.

The fact that they didn’t point guns at strangers approaching was something Aiden hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

“I have something I’d like to ask, if that’s alright?”

Aiden asked, handing her a combat ration.

The woman looked around a bit before accepting it.

“Okay, what do you want to know?”

“We came from Amarillo in the east. We heard there was a survivor group in Albuquerque.”

“So?”

“I heard the scale was… quite large.”

Aiden said, glancing at the supermarket building behind.

No matter how he looked at it, it wasn’t a place where thousands could live.

At this, the woman chuckled and nodded.

“That’s right. Our gang isn’t the only one in this city.”

“You mean there are other survivor groups?”

When Aiden asked this, the woman let out a short sigh.

“You don’t know the situation here at all, do you? Well, I guess you came here to go to LA too, right?”

“…Something like that.”

“I thought so.”

The woman spoke as if she was used to it.

She continued in a casual voice, as if making small talk.

“The atmosphere here is a bit different from other cities. Especially in the West. In short, Albuquerque is… a place where numerous survivor groups are in disarray.”

“Disarray?”

“There must be dozens of gangs like ours in the city?”

At the woman’s words, Aiden frowned inside his helmet.

The existence of dozens of gangs in the city meant chaos.

“Then are they fighting each other?”

“No, that’s not it.”

But the woman immediately denied Aiden’s question.

The answer that came out of her mouth next was somewhat outside Aiden’s common sense.

“The gangs here are all in a loose alliance. And what’s ruling this Albuquerque is the headquarters of the alliance formed by these gangs.”

“Alliance… you say?”

“Don’t you understand? It’s just like the United States. We’re the state government, and the alliance headquarters is the central government.”

It was then that Aiden finally understood the woman’s words.

In the end, it meant that several gangs with autonomy were gathering and cooperating with each other.

“…That’s unique.”

Aiden evaluated it as such.

It was a form of society he had never seen in any city and couldn’t exist in his common sense.

The woman smiled softly as if sympathizing with Aiden’s thoughts.

“Right? But there’s a reason for everything. Think about it. How many of the people here do you think were original residents of Albuquerque?”

“Are you saying most of the survivors are outsiders?”

“Of course. The people here? They’re all just like you. Idiots gathered from all over America to go to LA. Because of that damn radio broadcast.”

The woman said, chuckling.

Aiden silently waited for her next words.

“Thanks to that, there are too many people coming and going in this Albuquerque. It’s not even unusual for an entire gang to come and go as a whole. In the end, it’s too difficult for this city to be neatly united into one organization.”

“…”

Aiden let out a short sigh.

In the end, this city was a place where wanderers heading to LA gathered.

Given that assumption, this unusual composition was somewhat understandable. But there, Aiden raised a fundamental question.

“But why are people going to LA staying here?”

Normally thinking, even if there were many people going to LA, it was strange that such a large group had formed here.

As with other western cities, they should just be passing through.

To that question, the woman answered as if it was obvious.

“Why? They’re all stopped by the wall.”

“Wall?”

“Yeah. It’s dangerous beyond here.”

“What exactly is dangerous?”

To that question, the woman shook her head.

It meant that the answer wasn’t about Albuquerque’s recent situation that could be casually mentioned, but much more valuable information.

At this, Aiden decided to just remember it and asked another question.

“Then what about the war with the cannibals?”

“That’s true. Until recently, the alliance headquarters tried to recapture the mountains to the east. But they failed in the end, and now it’s in a stalemate.”

The woman said the war was over.

The reason why the scouts going to and from Santa Rosa weren’t visible was because they had lost the mountains in between to the cannibals.

Having grasped the general situation, Aiden nodded.

And he asked the woman a final question.

“I’m a junk dealer. I want to take on requests, where would be the best place to go?”

“You could just look for gangs like us, but… going to the alliance headquarters would be the easiest. It’s where most requests gather.”

The woman was kind enough to tell him the location of the alliance headquarters.

It was a large area in central Albuquerque.

It was an area where various sports-related stadiums, including baseball, soccer, rugby, and others, were gathered.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Aiden finished his conversation with the member of the gang and returned to his companions.

Arian and Sadie, who had been listening to their conversation without missing a word, looked relieved.

It was because the situation in Albuquerque wasn’t as bad as they had expected.

“That’s a relief. If what that woman said is true, it means this place is open to outsiders too.”

“It seems so.”

That part was certainly positive.

It meant it would be much easier to carry out requests as a junk dealer.

However, Albuquerque’s advantages didn’t end there.

“Moreover, this city… seems to possess ample resources.”

“How can you tell?”

“Otherwise, such a loose alliance would be unsustainable.”

If they were grappling with dire shortages of basic necessities, the notion of maintaining any kind of cooperative alliance would be inconceivable. Yet the fact that these gangs weren’t actively warring against each other implied they had managed to secure alternative resources – prioritizing acquisition over conflict as their means of sustenance.

In other words, tangible evidence that each faction possessed sufficient provisions to sustain themselves reasonably.

“So you’re saying this is actually a promising location?”

Arian voiced that evaluation regarding their current circumstances.

It was an assessment Aiden shared wholeheartedly.

Compared to any other city they had encountered in the western regions, Albuquerque exhibited far more positive attributes.

However, one particular aspect remained a source of lingering concern for Aiden.

“But there is one matter that troubles me.”

“Ah… you mean that ‘wall’ they mentioned?”

Aiden gave a solemn nod of affirmation.

There existed some formidable threat potent enough to confine such a substantial survivor population within the confines of this city.

After briefly contemplating that issue, Aiden gathered his thoughts before speaking.

“For now, let’s proceed to this alliance’s headquarters. It seems prudent for us to temporarily reside here while gathering more comprehensive information.”

His suggestion met with unanimous agreement from his companions.

And so, they set out towards the location designated as the alliance headquarters – Albuquerque’s baseball stadium district.