How Zombies Survive in the Apocalypse

“Any others?”

“None. That was the last of them.”

Upon hearing Arian’s confirmation, Aiden gave a nod.

After properly securing the axe he had wielded against the zombies, he turned his attention towards Maria.

“Are you alright?”

“…Yeah, my apologies for that.”

Maria responded to Aiden’s inquiry with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

As if her brief lapse in awareness had been a significant transgression of sorts.

However, Aiden harbored no intentions of admonishing her, so he didn’t pursue the matter further.

In the meantime, Sadie had retrieved the arrow she had fired, cleanly extracting it from the zombie’s skull.

Fortunately, the arrow remained intact and undamaged.

Sadie proceeded to wipe the arrow’s shaft against the zombie’s tattered clothing before replacing it within her quiver once more.

“…”

Witnessing Sadie’s apparently practiced motions, Maria found herself scrutinizing the young girl intently.

Not only during that recent plaza skirmish but throughout their time together so far, Sadie had consistently defied Maria’s preconceived notions about her capabilities.

A mere girl who couldn’t be older than ten, by any estimate.

Naturally, Maria had initially assumed someone of such tender years would be utterly incapable of contributing in any meaningful combat capacity within this hostile environment.

Yet that presumption had proven profoundly misguided.

Maria recalled her observations during that earlier plaza battle.

Just as Aiden had spared occasional sidelong glances towards her position, she too had been surreptitiously monitoring Aiden’s companions situated across the opposite building.

Assessing the combat prowess of those whom she would effectively be entrusting to watch her back throughout this endeavor.

In that regard, the individual known as Aiden had displayed astounding martial skill – performing well beyond what one might reasonably expect from an ordinary junk dealer. So much so that Maria found it challenging to reconcile his remarkable capabilities with the notion of recklessly endangering children by bringing them to such a perilous locale.

However, the one who had truly astounded Maria was the young Sadie herself.

From the moment that skirmish had commenced, the child had separated from Aiden’s vicinity, ascending to the rooftop entirely of her own volition.

At first, Maria had assumed it was an act of cowardly evasion.

Yet Sadie’s hands had gripped a compact pistol, which she proceeded to wield with judicious precision throughout the ensuing battle.

For her, that rooftop hadn’t been a place to cower and seek shelter – but rather, an optimal vantage point from which to provide suppressive fire.

Undeterred by the cacophony of gunfire, explosive detonations, and anguished undead shrieks reverberating from every direction, Sadie had maintained her composure – steadily squeezing off rounds with a poise that would have eluded most adults amid such overwhelming chaos.

That same unflappable demeanor persisted even now, in the aftermath of that zombie’s abrupt appearance.

While Maria herself had been momentarily startled, Sadie hadn’t even flinched in response.

The sheer abnormality of witnessing a child exhibit such extraordinarily disciplined conduct had left Maria utterly dumbfounded.

How could someone so young possess such fortitude?

Yet that bewilderment didn’t end there – it intermingled with echoes of Maria’s past experiences, ultimately yielding a sense of profound regret.

Perhaps she too had once refrained from imparting the harsh realities of survival to the children in her life, under the pretense of sheltering their innocence.

It was at that very moment when Aiden’s grave voice pierced through Maria’s contemplative reverie.

“Is there an issue?”

Had she been staring too intently at Sadie?

Shaking her head dismissively, Maria shifted her stance – her pistol gripped with renewed determination, as if casting aside those errant musings.

“…”

The dilapidated scenery of the abandoned amusement park continued to unfurl before them.

Soon, a structure resembling the gaping maw of some grotesque dinosaur came into view.

The entrance to a rollercoaster ride, its boarding platform visible just beyond that foreboding threshold.

Above, precarious rust-laden tracks swayed ominously in the wind.

“Over here…”

Upon noticing something, Aiden made his way towards that boarding platform area with deliberate strides.

He scrutinized the rails closely, his brow furrowing with concern.

“Did you find something there?”

Prompted by Aiden’s peculiar demeanor, Maria voiced that inquisitive query.

In response, Aiden gave a solemn nod before gesturing towards the specific area that had caught his attention.

The rails had been forcibly bent and contorted by some tremendous force, their shapes grotesquely warped and twisted.

“Traces left by the mutant. It seems the creature is lurking somewhere in this vicinity.”

At those words, Maria approached to examine the disturbing evidence firsthand.

The mangled metal beams, their thickness exceeding that of an adult human’s wrist, had been rendered into those unnatural angles and contortions.

Undoubtedly beyond the physical capabilities of an ordinary person to inflict.

Even the inhuman strength possessed by regular zombies would likely prove insufficient to wreak such wanton devastation.

Leaving only one plausible culprit – the elusive mutant they had been tasked with eliminating.

“But even if it’s nearby…”

Maria surveyed their surroundings skeptically.

Directly ahead stood an immense Ferris wheel structure.

While undeniably colossal in scale, easily spanning several dozen meters in height, its rusted and peeled exterior lent an unsettling aura of dilapidation.

Several of the suspended passenger cabins had snapped free, their unmoored frames dangling precariously from their support cables.

However, none of the surrounding areas seemed conducive for a mutant to utilize as a lair of any sort.

Especially considering the breed most likely responsible – the Brutal – was a nocturnal mutant that would undoubtedly require a sheltered enclosure to avoid direct sunlight exposure.

Aside from the Ferris wheel, other nearby attractions like a drop tower ride, a Viking ship swing, and various pendulum rides were similarly unsuitable for that purpose.

Yet there was one particular location that had caught Maria’s discerning eye.

“It must be over there.”

She was indicating the entrance to a ride titled ‘Fairy Train.’

Its signboard, adorned with whimsical depictions of fairies and butterflies, lay torn and battered upon the ground.

Just beyond that threshold, the faint silhouette of a diminutive train-shaped vehicle could be discerned, its exterior once intricately decorated with vibrant floral motifs.

Unlike the open-air rollercoaster design, this attraction featured an enclosed interior tunnel that the ride vehicles would traverse along an internal track system.

Moreover, both the entrance and that subsequent tunnel appeared sufficiently spacious to accommodate the passage of a large creature.

“…I suppose you’re right.”

Aiden concurred with Maria’s deduction regarding the most probable location for the mutant to have established its lair.

No other nearby structures seemed as viable a candidate.

“Alright then, let’s prepare accordingly.”

Maria began retrieving an assault rifle from the bag she had been carrying.

While an American-made bullpup configuration, the specific weapon itself wasn’t particularly noteworthy.

However, the ammunition magazine she proceeded to load into it prompted Aiden’s eyebrows to furrow slightly.

Instead of the standard 5.56mm rounds, she had opted for the more potent 7.62mm caliber – sacrificing precision for increased kinetic impact.

Furthermore, those cartridges had been augmented with armor-piercing properties to enhance their penetrative capabilities.

While lacking the sheer devastation of Aiden’s own .50 caliber rounds in single-shot capacity, Maria’s rifle could still potentially inflict considerable damage against a Brutal through controlled bursts at that elevated caliber and velocity.

“Shall we proceed, then?”

Aiden nodded as he gripped his own formidable sidearm, its chambers loaded with the massive .50 BMG cartridges.

With their combat readiness fully prepared, they ventured through the ride’s entrance tunnel.

Immediately enveloped in darkness, Aiden and Maria activated their respective flashlights to illuminate their path forward.

Fortunately, while the interior tunnel curved gently, it didn’t seem to feature any significant changes in elevation that could impede their progress.

“…”

Guided by the narrow beams of their handheld illumination, Aiden’s group proceeded to traverse that cavernous artificial tunnel.

Its walls were adorned with faded, stylized depictions of idyllic flower fields that had likely once appeared vibrant and colorful.

While the interior location had spared those murals from excessive physical damage… moisture seepage had caused sections of the paint to run in grotesque streaks, lending the scenic flowerbeds an unsettlingly corrupted appearance.

“…!”

It was amidst that dimly lit passageway that Maria suddenly startled, reflexively raising her rifle in alarm.

However, the perceived threat had merely been an oversized bee sculpture suspended from the ceiling – its supporting cord severed, causing the ornament to swing wildly in the air currents.

“Tsk…”

Maria clicked her tongue in vexed annoyance, exhaling a frustrated sigh.

Soon after, they emerged into a more open central area.

Along both sides of the train’s intended track system stood various sculpted pieces – mushroom houses, miniature tree dwellings, and numerous fairy figurines that would have once appeared to animate as the ride vehicles passed by them in a wondrous diorama.

However, the present state of that chamber was markedly different from its initial whimsical conception.

“…”

Instead of an enchanting spectacle, the surrounding area was littered with the shattered remains of those very same decor pieces and ornamental displays.

As if some rampaging beast had indiscriminately trampled and ravaged every surface, leaving utter devastation in its wake.

An unmistakable indication of the mutant’s presence, its rampage evident in that trail of senseless destruction.

“Looks like something was definitely lurking here, alright.”

Maria muttered those words, her tone now tinged with palpable tension.

She had clearly sensed it as well – the mutant’s foul presence permeating this defiled sanctuary.

“…Aiden.”

It was Arian who whispered Aiden’s name in a hushed undertone.

With her finger, she indicated the opposite side of that central chamber, towards another diverging tunnel entrance.

The mutant was concealed deeper within, lying in ambush beyond that threshold.

For a fleeting moment, Aiden contemplated their options.

One approach would be to simply charge forward, engaging the creature directly upon encountering it.

However, such a frontal assault would undoubtedly entail substantial risk.

Was it prudent to undertake such a hazardous confrontation while accompanied by an outside collaborator like Maria?

It was amidst those deliberations that Maria proposed an alternative strategy.

“Wouldn’t it be better to set up some traps in this area first?”

“You mean like we did at the entrance, luring the zombies into the open plaza?”

Maria nodded her head.

Indeed, if they could bait the mutant into a prepared killzone utilizing explosive traps, it would facilitate engaging it under relatively controlled conditions compared to a completely unrestrained encounter.

“However… I’m not certain these structures can withstand the strain.”

Aiden remarked while rapping his knuckles against the nearby wooden walls.

This entire interior had been constructed as a rudimentary set piece for the ride’s atmospheric experience, not as a permanent fortified structure.

Its ramshackle composition was already exhibiting signs of advanced deterioration, the flaking paint and rotted timber suggesting it could potentially collapse under excessive stress.

“Of course, we’d only need to set the traps within the opposite tunnel. As long as both tunnels don’t completely cave in, we should still have an escape route available.”

A reasonable contingency, Aiden had to concede.

Therefore, he assented to Maria’s proposed strategy.

“Well. I’ll handle setting up the explosive traps. You can provide overwatch from our position here.”

Aiden nodded his agreement.

He had already witnessed a demonstration of Maria’s proficiency in deploying such improvised traps during their earlier encounter, so he had no objections regarding her taking the lead on that aspect of their preparations.

“And do you have any spare grenades remaining?”

Aiden proceeded to hand over the entirety of his remaining grenade supply to Maria.

Utilizing those explosives, she then established a series of tripwire traps within the opposite tunnel – just as she had done during their previous engagement against the zombie horde in the open plaza area.

A total of three such traps were meticulously positioned throughout that narrow passageway.

While an excessive expenditure of precious ordnance against a single mutant, neither Aiden nor Maria seemed to consider it an excessive precaution – especially if their adversary turned out to be a Brutal.

“Done. Now fall back.”

With the traps fully deployed, Maria instructed Aiden’s group to withdraw towards their rear defensive position.

The preliminaries were now complete, the stage set for their imminent confrontation.

Casting one final glance towards Arian, Aiden conveyed his instructions.

“I’m entrusting Sadie’s safety to you.”

“Don’t worry.”

No matter how capable Sadie might be for her age, actively engaging a mutant exceeded the reasonable boundaries Aiden was willing to expose her to.

Therefore, he positioned Arian and Sadie towards the rear while taking up his own firing stance within the entrance tunnel they had traversed – only exposing the muzzle of his weapon towards the central chamber.

“Here we go.”

Upon Maria’s affirmation, Aiden gave a nod.

Maria then activated one of the alarm bells they had planted, hurling it forcefully down the opposite tunnel’s length.

The ensuing cacophonous clangor reverberated deafeningly throughout the previously still interior.

It was immediately after that auditory onslaught when…

“Grrroooooh…!”

A bestial roar echoed forth from the tunnel’s depths, accompanied by the thunderous footfalls of something monstrously massive rapidly approaching.

Booooooom!

The mutant triggered the first of the remotely positioned explosives. The deafening detonation caused the entire structure to quake violently, dislodging rotted chunks of ceiling directly above Aiden’s position.

Yet that didn’t deter the creature’s relentless advance for even an instant.

Almost immediately after, the second trap was set off in rapid succession.

Ping!

Shrapnel ricocheted off some unseen surface, the shrill whine of those high-velocity projectiles embedding themselves into the tunnel wall mere inches from where Aiden had taken cover.

It was then that the mutant finally came into view.

However, its appearance differed from Aiden’s initial expectations.

“A Hedgehog, it seems…?”

Maria let out those words with an exasperated sigh of realization.

The mutant they were confronting wasn’t a Brutal, but rather a Hedgehog – one of those mutant strains that had impaled itself with an array of makeshift metal spikes and rebar fragments to form a crude armored carapace.

Against such a creature, their carefully prepared explosive traps were proving significantly less effective.

The majority of the shrapnel was simply ricocheting harmlessly off that barbaric, improvised armor plating.

Boom!

The final trap detonated with a resounding blast.

Yet the Hedgehog remained utterly undaunted, charging forth from the tunnel’s interior and emerging into that open central chamber.

In response, Aiden took aim directly at the creature’s skull.

If conventional explosives were ineffective, then focused high-caliber fire would be their only recourse for neutralizing this particular threat.

It was at that precise moment when Aiden’s intentions were disrupted by Arian’s frantic voice calling out from behind him.

“Aiden!”

Before he could even turn to inquire about her urgency, Arian’s warning continued in a breathless rush.

“Be careful! To your left-!”

It was only those words that prompted Aiden’s awareness to shift towards his left flank.

The wooden wall he had been bracing himself against throughout this confrontation.

An area he had dismissed as inconsequential, especially given the imminent opportunity to ambush the Hedgehog as it emerged from the tunnel.

Thwack!

However, Aiden trusted Arian’s precognitive senses implicitly.

Reacting instantly, he flung himself forward into a roll – away from that assumed place.

Right after that.

“Graaaah!”

The wall exploded outward.

Breaking through the entire wall of the flimsy structure was… a Brutal.

At this, the faces of everyone except Aiden turned pale.

Who could have expected that two mutants would be hiding in this narrow tunnel?

“Damn it, there were two of them?”

Maria’s expression contorted as she spotted the Brutal.

Now Maria and Aiden, who were preparing for battle, were essentially isolated with the Hedgehog in front and the Brutal behind.

She immediately pulled the trigger of her gun to break this formation.

The massive recoil shook her body. With a blinding muzzle flash, 7.62mm armor-piercing rounds poured towards the Brutal.

“Urrrgh!”

The Brutal screamed as it was showered with bullets.

One of the angry rounds passed through, bursting the Brutal’s right eye, but failed to silence it.

Still, it was enough of an attack to make it hesitate for a moment.

Maria tried to use this opportunity to run past the Brutal towards where Arian and Sadie were, but…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

In the meantime, this time the Hedgehog came running from behind.

It had reacted to the gunfire Maria unleashed.

The creature, like an enraged boar, charged towards Maria.

“…!”

Despite its large frame laden with metal, it moved at an incredible speed.

Maria, already running, had no time to dodge.

Just as she was about to be caught and crushed by the Hedgehog…

“Get back!”

Aiden’s hand grabbed Maria by the nape and pulled her back.

With unexpected strength, he lifted Maria as if she were a doll, and the Hedgehog’s spikes barely grazed her as it passed.

Baaang!

The Hedgehog ended up ramming into the innocent tunnel wall. It struggled with its spikes stuck in the wall.

But despite this comical sight, no one had the luxury to feel relieved.

“Oh no…!”

Aiden’s gaze was directed not at the mutants, but at the ceiling above.

The unstable building ceiling shook visibly.

Clear signs of imminent collapse.

Aiden moved immediately in response.

“It’s collapsing. Run!”

Aiden shouted at Maria and ran backwards.

It was in the direction away from Sadie and Arian, but there was no other choice at the moment.

Maria followed behind him, and immediately the ceiling came crashing down.