A Rational Zombie

Chapter 52

Past the lobby with the four immobilized others, theres the rooms again. Its my second time searching through them. Theyre messier than before. The others mustve went through them during the time I locked them inside. In fact, there are still a few others here. Just sitting in the corner. Their eyes rolled up at me when I came in. Maybe if I were prey, they wouldve reacted. How do they know Im not prey? Im wearing preys clothes, a preys dome. It shouldnt be possible for them to know. Unless I smell? But their noses should be clogged; smell doesnt matter. Is it the way I walk? Im not as agile as prey that are running. But my gait is definitely superior compared to the others. Odd. It could be that theyre not hungry.

The only useful things in these rooms are the metal sticks. And spears. Weapons within arms reach of the bed where the prey turn sluggish. Ill lie on the bed. See whats so special about it. Its sturdy, almost like lying on the ground. No, its exactly like lying on the ground. Its a block of wood covered by a thin cloth. Multiple layers of thin cloth. But still thin. The only difference is the blanket. And pillow. Its uncomfortable. Like this, Ill be slower to react compared to when Im standing. Or even sitting. If prey rest in these while sluggish, the best time to hunt them is at night. Itll be even better to sneak in while theyre still lying down. But the others cant sneak. And if I go alone, its dangerous. But its good to keep in mind.

There really isnt anything else of use. The prey must carry around essential items with them. Leaving their stuff lying around, its inefficient. Like the bags that the prey carry where I found the fire in a box. Why didnt the prey that I caught have bags? Things are heavy. Its hard to escape with a heavy bag. It makes sense for the prey not to bring their bags to a dangerous place; itll only slow them down. But the prey in the pit, it didnt have a bag. Where are its essential items? It only had clothes, not the armored kind. Perhaps, the other prey stole it after it fell into the pit? They abandoned the prey; why wouldnt they take its stuff too? Im glad Im not prey. Prey are safe amongst prey. But they cause each others downfalls. As for me, Im safe around others. The only problem is theyre stupid. At least they wont eat me. And I havent been attacked by one yet; though Ive killed many others.

The only room with useful things is the room with the window. The shelves have stink sauce. Theres another other here, trying to leave through the window. But the opening is too high up. Has it been trying this whole time? Since I discovered the prey was down there? What an idiot. But as long as its stuck here, thats good. When I leave this place, its one more other that can accompany me without searching very hard.

Along with the jars of stink sauce, theres a few tools. I didnt get to search this place thoroughly before noticing the prey. There was a lot that I missed. On top of the whole shelf rack, theres a bunch of boxes. Theyre labelled tissues. Inside, theres paper. They look perfect for burning to start a fire. Ill need more space to carry these. Too bad the prey didnt leave bags behind. Then I could strap them to the others, stick stuff inside of them, use them as transport. Along with the boxes of tissues, there are also rolls of paper towels. Useful. I should bring these into the back room when I go back.

On the topmost shelf, theres cans. Beans. Fruit. Soup. Ravioli. So many different kinds. The labels must represent the contents inside. How do I open them? Theres a tool beside them. It has two legs, a little like scissors. At the tip, theres a metal gear connecting the two legs with a tab sticking out of it. Spreading the legs causes a metal tip to extend out, away from the gear. Closing the legs causes it to sink down. Turning the tab on the gear causes it to spin. Is this used to open cans? How? Perhaps the metal tip punctures the can. Closing the legs presses the lip of the tip between the tip and the gear. Then turning the tab shifts the can as the metal tip cuts into the lid.

Ill try it. The tip punctures the can, pinching the lip between the gear like I thought. Turning the tab does nothing. It shreds the label of the can underneath. Am I holding the legs closed too loosely? Tighter. Turning the tab still does nothing. Tighter? More of the label is gone. How is this supposed to work? Maybe its meant to be used with two uninjured arms. Or its broken. That makes sense. If the tool worked, the cans would already be open. The tool doesnt work. But I still want to know whats inside the cans. Luckily, theres a metal stick here in the corner. Ill smash the can open with it.

It was a bit messy. The can was filled with liquid. Thick, like the blood of others, not runny like preys. It smells bland. The hunger doesnt stir; I dont think its edible. Food meant for prey is different from food meant for others. Why is that? Others are just prey whove been brought back. What changes to cause such a difference? Ive taken apart an other before. Ive taken apart a prey. Two prey, actually. Theres only a few notable differences: others blood is black, preys blood is red. Preys organs are pink, others are black, gray, green. Preys innards smell appetizing, others dont. But other than that, the insides are the same: hearts, lungs, stomachs, tubes, they both have them. What causes the difference? Ill ask God, the one that changes prey to others. I have a feeling Ill find him soon. With food preservation, I dont have to worry about hunger consuming me.