Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the windows. He stretched his limbs, his body still sore from the previous day's scavenging efforts. Rising from his bed, he made his way to the bathroom with quiet and deliberate movements.

He washed himself, the warm water a welcome relief after the physical demands of the day before. Changing into fresh clothes, the soft fabric brought a small comfort. He headed to the kitchen, his stomach rumbling softly. He decided on a simple breakfast, starting with warming up the leftover rice from last night on the electric stove.

As he rummaged through his supplies, he remembered his instant noodle stock, abundant but forgotten. He began to choose which flavor would be his breakfast for today.

As the rice and instant noodles cooked, the aroma filled the air, stirring memories of meals shared in happier times. He savored the taste, the warmth of the food a solace in the solitude of his existence. It had been so long since he last tasted something as familiar as instant ramen. Eating slowly, he enjoyed each bite, letting the flavors remind him of better days.

While eating, he made a mental note to stock up on more instant ramen during his next search.

After finishing his meal, Ryo's gaze fell upon the instant coffee packets. He decided to indulge in a cup, the rich aroma filling the room as he prepared it. Adding a splash of milk and a teaspoon of sugar, he took a sip, the warmth spreading through him. He savored the moment, the taste of the coffee a small pleasure in the harshness of his world.

With breakfast finished, Ryo set about collecting the trash, his movements efficient and practiced. He made his way downstairs, his gun at the ready, his hoodie concealing his identity. Stepping outside, the morning sun cast a soft glow on the abandoned town.

Approaching the nearby store, Ryo noticed it was still untouched by other survivors. "Maybe the zombies are keeping others at bay," he thought aloud, thankful for the unusual advantage. Entering cautiously, his gun raised, he found the store a treasure trove—hygiene items, instant noodles, canned goods, and drinks aplenty. His eyes widened at the abundance of resources.

He even found cartons of beer, a rare find in this post-apocalyptic world.

Ryo's heart quickened at the sight of the beer. "This is valuable," he muttered to himself. "A luxury in a world where joy and relaxation are fleeting." He took what he could carry, filling his backpack with as much as possible, his mind already planning his next scavenging trip.

"Thank goodness the shops around my house haven't been scavenged by others," he said, glancing at the zombies outside. "Maybe they can't get near because of the zombies." He took what he could, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief. The items would sustain him for a while, allowing him to focus on other survival tasks.

As he exited the store, he saw the familiar greyish figures of zombies milling about. Their presence, once a source of terror, was now a peculiar comfort. Ryo walked among them with ease, their eyes glancing over him but showing no hostility. He knew his immunity was a rare gift, one that made him invaluable but also a target.

"At least they keep the bad survivors and government agents away," he mused, watching as a zombie turned to follow him obediently. Ryo had learned to command them with basic instructions, another odd benefit of his immunity. He sent a few ahead to scout, their speed and agility unmatched by the living.

As he reached his building, Ryo paused to look back at the town, a mix of decay and resilience. The zombies roamed, their presence a constant reminder of the world's new order. But for Ryo, they were more than just a threat. They were his protectors, his shield against a world gone mad. To ensure his safety, he whistled softly, and more zombies began to congregate around the entrance of his building.

With precise gestures, he guided them to form a perimeter, their presence an added layer of security. Any human attempting to approach would have to contend with these undead sentinels, giving Ryo ample warning.

As he reached his building, Ryo paused to look back at the town, a mix of decay and resilience. The zombies roamed, their presence a constant reminder of the world's new order. But for Ryo, they were more than just a threat. They were his protectors, his shield against a world gone mad. To ensure his safety, he whistled softly, and more zombies began to congregate around the entrance of his building.

With precise gestures, he guided them to form a perimeter, their presence an added layer of security. Any human attempting to approach would have to contend with these undead sentinels, giving Ryo ample warning. Enjoy new stories from m-v l'e|-NovelBin.net

He entered the building, the door closing behind him with a sense of finality. Once inside, Ryo began unpacking the supplies he had gathered. The canned goods, instant noodles, and hygiene items were carefully organized on the shelves he had built in the kitchen. The beer was stored in a cool, dark corner, a precious luxury for moments of rare respite.

As he worked, his mind focused on the tasks at hand, finding a rhythm in the routine. He knew that each item he secured was another step towards his continued survival in this harsh world. With everything in its place, Ryo took a moment to survey his home. It was well-stocked for now, and the added security of the zombie perimeter gave him a rare sense of peace.

Satisfied with his progress, Ryo decided to check on the solar panels. Stepping out onto the rooftop, he examined each panel carefully, ensuring they were clean and positioned correctly to maximize sunlight absorption. The panels were his primary source of power, and their maintenance was crucial.

Next, he moved to the water tank situated on the roof. Climbing the ladder, he checked the water level and the filtration system. Everything appeared to be in good working order, the water supply steady and clean. This was another critical component of his survival, providing not just drinking water but also for hygiene and cooking.

Returning inside, Ryo made his way to the corner where the solar battery bank was housed. He checked the charge levels, ensuring that the batteries were storing enough energy to keep his penthouse powered through the night. The system was functioning well, a testament to his meticulous upkeep and resourcefulness.

With his checks complete, Ryo felt a sense of accomplishment. His rooftop penthouse was secure, his supplies were stocked, and his power and water systems were functioning efficiently. It was a small victory in a world that offered few, but it was enough to keep him moving forward.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the town, Ryo turned to go back inside. He had tasks to complete, preparations to make for the night. But for now, he allowed himself a moment to appreciate the small victories, the moments of calm amidst the storm.

Night fell quickly, enveloping the world outside in darkness. Inside his rooftop penthouse, Ryo prepared to make dinner. The soft glow of his solar-powered lights cast a warm ambiance over the room. He opened the refrigerator, finding only a few bottles of beer. His thoughts turned to the frozen food he had seen in the store earlier that day.

With no power running for over nine months, the frozen food at the store was likely spoiled. The sight of it, neatly stacked in the freezer section, had initially been promising. However, Ryo knew that without electricity, the food was likely to be inedible. The idea of scavenging frozen goods was no longer practical. The risk of consuming spoiled food far outweighed the benefit.

He closed the refrigerator door and turned his attention to the pantry, where he kept his stock of canned goods and instant noodles. Ryo pulled out a few cans of soup and a pack of noodles. He set up a small portable stove, an old but reliable piece of equipment he had salvaged months ago. As the stove heated up, he prepared the ingredients, opening the cans and pouring their contents into a pot.

The aroma of the soup began to fill the penthouse, a comforting smell that contrasted with the harshness of the outside world. Ryo stirred the pot, his thoughts drifting as he watched the steam rise. The warmth of the food was a small comfort, a fleeting reminder of normalcy.

As he cooked, Ryo's mind wandered to his current predicament. The lack of reliable food sources was becoming an increasing concern. He remembered the frozen food he had seen at the store and realized that relying on it would not be feasible. Instead, he considered the idea of moving to a smaller house, one with better storage options and access to rainwater.

The night outside was alive with the constant shuffle of zombies. Ryo had taken precautions to ensure his safety. Earlier in the day, he had dragged additional zombies to positions around his penthouse. A few were stationed near the building's entrance, their presence acting as an extra layer of security against any potential intruders. More roamed the streets below, creating a formidable barrier.

The zombies inside the building, now a common sight in Ryo's daily life, had become an integral part of his security system. Their presence was both a blessing and a reminder of the world's new order. They moved slowly through the hallways, their grayish forms a constant presence that deterred others from approaching.

Ryo finished preparing his meal and sat down at his small dining table. The soup and noodles were simple, but they were nourishing. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. As he ate, he mulled over the logistics of relocating. Finding a suitable new location would involve risks, but it could potentially offer a more sustainable lifestyle.

After finishing his meal, Ryo cleaned up the kitchen, putting away the cans and washing the dishes. The rhythmic sound of water running in the sink was a soothing backdrop to his thoughts. He made a mental note to start scouting for new locations in the coming days, considering factors like accessibility, safety, and resources.

As the night deepened, the city outside remained quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of zombies moving through the streets and the muffled sounds of those stationed around his building. Ryo sat back in his chair, the soft light from a small lamp casting gentle shadows around the room. He allowed himself a moment of relaxation, feeling the weight of the day's work lift off his shoulders.

With the night stretching ahead, Ryo prepared for bed, his thoughts focused on the future. He knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges and opportunities. For now, though, he found solace in the simple comforts of his home and the faint hope of a new beginning.