Jonathan had been given a radio, an ATV, and a scoped M14 rifle from Lemo. It made life much easier for him and Sophia. Today, Sophia had arranged to check on Lemo's condition with Gunsuke, but she needed a few things—specifically, feminine hygiene supplies. So, the couple planned to drive the ATV through the forest and make a quick detour to rummage through Laduk Village for necessities, as it lay along the way.
"There it is—Half-Eaten Village," Jonathan said, stopping the ATV on a rocky ledge and pointing toward the small cluster of houses nestled on the slope. It was a vacation community for the wealthy, perched far from the city. Around twenty two-story homes stood facing each other in two rows. A single winding road curled like a snake down the mountain, connecting the settlement to the city below.
They drove along a dry streambed behind the village, navigating through forest undergrowth. Jonathan parked the ATV behind a tall patch of weeds next to the gray concrete wall, which stood roughly four meters high. They chose not to enter through the front, unsure if anyone—or anything—might be lying in wait.
"I'll boost you up," Jonathan said, throwing a rope up to secure it to a metal post atop the wall. He crouched so Sophia could step on his shoulder and climb. Once she reached the top, she extended her hand to pull him up after her.
They entered the first house through the rear door, which had been left ajar. Dusty parquet floors bore footprints, and the scattered mess of household items made it clear they weren't the first looters. The refrigerator, buzzing annoyingly, had been left running though it was now empty. Jonathan pulled the plug, annoyed. The countertop in the kitchen had been ransacked; there was no sign of canned goods or dry food. It seemed earlier scavengers had already picked this house clean.
"Watch your step," Jonathan said, nodding toward the shattered ceramic dishes and scattered silverware littering the floor.
Nowadays, they were extra cautious when entering abandoned homes. They avoided shops—those were too likely to attract survivors looking for a fight. Empty houses were safer.
"Ground floor looks clear," he said, lowering his pistol. No zombies in the living room or bathroom.
He stepped past an L-shaped sofa toward the TV stand. A few fashion magazines were scattered across the floor, along with a landscape photo frame lying on a red Turkish carpet. It all looked thoroughly looted.
"We should check the one across the street," Jonathan pointed at a taller home that looked like it had once been a café, all glass and wood.
"No," Sophia shook her head, holding up a red G-string she found on the floor. "A woman lived here. I'm sure of it."
"Okay," Jonathan shrugged. He had learned not to argue too much, especially when Sophia's period was approaching.
"Got it," she called a moment later. From a bathroom drawer near the sink, she pulled out a box of Angel Wings brand tampons—twelve pristine white tubes.
"There are condoms too, but I guess you won't need those," she said, holding up a shiny foil wrapper that looked like bubblegum to the untrained eye.
"Take them anyway. Good for waterproofing stuff during rain." He joined her at the vanity to help look. Sunlight pouring in through the large window meant they didn't need flashlights.
Alongside the condoms, they found an unopened tube of icy-cool lube and a large, textured vibrator with five vibration settings.
Sophia and Jonathan exchanged amused glances as she packed the supplies into his backpack.
"Wanna check the upstairs? Maybe there's a novel you'd like," he offered.
"Sure."
He tightened the shoulder straps and climbed the stairs, silenced pistol in hand—a gift from Lemo—while Sophia followed with her black M14 rifle.
"Be careful," she whispered.
He nodded. It looked quiet, but better safe than sorry. Zombies in the daytime were like statues in the dark—silent, still—but once they heard human sounds or smelled flesh, they could snap like rattlesnakes.
At the top, to the left, a door was slightly ajar. To the right was a bathroom. At the end of the hall, a larger door presumably led to the master bedroom.
Jonathan paused at the top step, straining to hear any sound from inside. Then—The rumble of a pickup truck pulling into the driveway shattered the quiet.
"Damn it. Hide!" he hissed, yanking Sophia toward the left-hand room.
"Under the bed—go!"
Sophia bent down to crawl under it, but recoiled instantly, shooting back like a startled shrimp.
"Zombie. There's a zombie under there!" she whispered, eyes wide, slapping her hand over her mouth and tugging Jonathan away from the foot of the bed.
"Hey, you two! Go check that house. Me and the Black guy'll take the one across," a gruff male voice called from downstairs.
"Shh…" Jonathan pressed a finger to his lips, signaling her to keep silent.
"Hhhrr… hhhrr…"
A soft groan, followed by a shuffling noise, came from beneath the bed. The scent and sounds of the intruders must have roused it—an undead teenage girl in yellow bear-print pajamas was waking from her stillness.