Untouched by the Outbreak-Chapter 103 The Night Search

Ryo lay in bed, his mind restless as he replayed the events of the day. The helicopter's unexpected visit and its abrupt departure gnawed at him. He tried to piece together why the helicopter had stopped at one of the buildings, and what could have prompted such an action. The questions and unease prevented him from finding sleep.

Unable to shake his curiosity, Ryo decided to investigate further. He reached for his binoculars, scanning the area from his window. The night had settled over the town, and the darkness was punctuated only by the occasional glow of distant fires and the eerie moans of zombies.

The familiar sounds of the undead—particularly the Creeper zombies—were a reminder of the dangers that lurked even in the night.

Despite the unsettling sounds, Ryo remained unperturbed. He knew that the zombies posed no threat to him; their presence was a mere inconvenience. He had other concerns now—chief among them was the mystery of the helicopter and the building it had visited.

Ryo got up and dressed quickly, his movements efficient and purposeful. He packed his backpack with essentials: ammunition, a flashlight, a few cans of food, and his trusty Glock. Strapping his MP5 to his shoulder, he checked the gallon of fuel he had prepared. He would need it to ensure that his scooter remained operational and ready for quick getaways if necessary.

With everything in place, Ryo made his way to the scooter. He started it up and rode out of the secured perimeter of his new home, heading towards the direction of the building where the helicopter had landed. The streets were eerily quiet, the only sounds being the distant groans of zombies and the hum of the scooter's engine.

As he approached the building, Ryo parked the scooter in a concealed spot behind a row of abandoned vehicles. He grabbed his binoculars and carefully scanned the area around the building. The structure looked old and neglected, its rooftop covered in debris. The building's darkness contrasted sharply with the dim lights that flickered sporadically from broken windows.

Ryo made his way towards the building cautiously, moving silently through the shadows. He approached the building's entrance, which was partially blocked by rubble and debris. Using his flashlight, he illuminated the entrance and inspected it for any signs of recent activity. The door was ajar, and the interior was shrouded in darkness.

With a deep breath, Ryo pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air was stale, and the smell of decay was stronger here. He moved quietly through the building, his flashlight casting long shadows on the walls. The sounds of the Creeper zombies outside were distant but still audible, adding a sense of urgency to his search.

Ryo carefully navigated through the building, checking each room as he went. He was looking for any clues or signs of recent human activity. As he reached the top floor, he found a partially closed door leading to a rooftop access. He hesitated for a moment, then pushed the door open and climbed the stairs.

When he reached the rooftop, he scanned the area once more. The view from the top gave him a better perspective of the surrounding city and the building's immediate vicinity. Ryo was cautious, knowing that the building could still hold surprises. He moved around the rooftop, checking for anything that might indicate the presence of the helicopter's occupants or any recent activity.

The night air was cool, and the sounds of the city seemed distant from this vantage point. Ryo's thoughts returned to the helicopter and its sudden departure. He wondered what had been the reason behind its visit and why the occupants had left so abruptly.

As he continued scanning the rooftop from his vantage point, something caught his eye—an unusual disturbance among the debris. It wasn't immediately obvious, but a few scattered items seemed slightly out of place compared to the rest of the detritus. Ryo's instincts told him that something wasn't right.

He moved closer, his flashlight cutting through the darkness. The beam illuminated a set of fresh footprints in the dust and rubble, leading to a corner of the rooftop. Curious and cautious, Ryo followed the trail, stepping carefully over the debris to avoid making noise.

The footprints led him to a small, partially hidden storage area near the rooftop access. The door was slightly ajar, and a faint light was flickering inside. Ryo approached silently, his senses on high alert. The presence of the light and the door's position indicated that the area had been recently occupied.

Pushing the door open slowly, Ryo peered inside. The room was cramped and dimly lit by a single, flickering bulb. The light revealed a figure huddled in the corner, her face pale and anxious. Dr. Sachiko, looking out of place and on edge, was clutching a gun.

Ryo's entrance startled her, and she immediately pointed her gun at him, her hand trembling slightly. Ryo, too, instinctively raised his MP5 in her direction. The two faced off in the dimly lit room, each assessing the other.

"What are you doing here?" Sachiko demanded, her voice strained and fearful. "This is my hideout."

Ryo's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of her. "You're the one who came in the helicopter. What's your deal?"

Sachiko's eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. "I'm just trying to survive. They—" She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "They kicked me out."

Ryo's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of her. "So you're a government dog, eh?"

Sachiko's expression shifted to confusion and frustration. "No, I'm a doctor there. They just kicked me out because I failed."

Ryo's disdain was palpable. "That's what I hate about the government. When you're of no use, they cast you aside."

Sachiko's eyes darted around, clearly unsettled by the confrontation. "How can you even be here with the zombies roaming outside?" She tried to keep her voice steady despite her fear.

Ryo smirked, not bothering to answer. Instead, he let the silence hang in the air, adding to the tension of the moment. His smirk grew as he watched Sachiko's realization dawn.

Suddenly, Sachiko's eyes widened. "You're the guy who can walk among the zombies," she said in disbelief. "You're him."

Ryo's smirk remained. He didn't offer any further explanation but maintained his guard, waiting to see how Sachiko would react to her newfound understanding of his unique situation. The room was filled with an uneasy quiet as they both grappled with the implications of their encounter.

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Sachiko's composure crumbled as she began to sob uncontrollably, the weight of her situation breaking through her professional facade. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched her gun tighter, her body shaking with the intensity of her emotions.

"Why?" she asked between sobs, her voice quivering with desperation. "Why won't you help us? We're trying to find a cure, to save everyone. You're the only one who can—"

Ryo's gaze was cold and unyielding. "What's in it for me?" he replied flatly. "Help you, so I can become your next test subject? Once you're done with me, you'll just kill me, like you did with the others. I know how the government operates. You're the same—useful until you're not." Discover exclusive tales on novelbuddy.com

Sachiko's sobs grew louder, her fear and frustration spilling out. "But I didn't want this. I just wanted to make a difference. I thought—"

Ryo cut her off with a sharp tone. "That's exactly what I'm talking about. You thought you were different, that you could make a change. But in the end, you're just another pawn. They use you until they don't need you anymore, then they cast you out. I'm not playing that game."

Sachiko's tears flowed freely as she sank to the floor, her gun still clutched in her trembling hands. The realization of her own vulnerability and the stark truth of Ryo's words weighed heavily on her.

Ryo watched her for a moment, his expression unreadable. He knew that his refusal to help was not just a matter of survival, but a reflection of his disillusionment with the government and its treatment of people like Sachiko.

Ryo's gaze remained cold as he continued, "The hard truth is that you're in no position to survive on your own out here. You think you can handle it? The zombies you see now are only the beginning. The Creepers come out at night, faster and more agile than you could ever hope to be. They're faster than your gun can react."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in before he added, "Then there are the Striders—long, sinewy things that move with terrifying speed and strong. And the Brutes, hulking masses of muscle and decay that can crush you with a single blow. You might think you're safe here, but you're not even close."

Sachiko's eyes widened, her fear deepening as Ryo described the various mutants. Her body shook with dread, and her sobs became more frantic.

"And don't forget the new mutants that come out when the mist rolls in," Ryo continued, his voice unwavering. "The mist changes everything, bringing forth zombies that are even more unpredictable and deadly. You won't know what you're facing until it's too late."

He took a step closer, his expression hardening. "You think your gun and tears will save you from that? The government can't handle them, and neither can you. Out here, it's a brutal reality where only the strongest survive."

Sachiko's face turned pale, her sobs becoming choked gasps as she imagined the horrors Ryo described. The terror of facing those monsters alone was almost too much to bear. She looked up at Ryo with desperation in her eyes, the fear of an impending, gruesome death palpable.

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "If the government forces can't fight them head-on, who do you think you are to do any better? They can barely hold their ground. And here you are, alone and unprepared."

Sachiko's eyes widened with fear as she processed his words. The enormity of her situation became even more apparent. The darkness outside was alive with the sounds of the night, and she knew she was vulnerable.

Ryo continued, his tone unrelenting. "So, while you're sitting here crying about how the world's treated you, remember this: you're facing a reality far worse than anything you've encountered before. The government won't save you, and neither will I. You're on your own now."

Sachiko's grip on the gun faltered, and she lowered it, her tears streaming down her face. She was overwhelmed by fear and desperation. The harshness of Ryo's words struck deep, but it was the sound outside that truly shattered her composure.

A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness, sending shivers down her spine. Her eyes widened in terror as she realized that the new, unknown zombies were drawing closer. Panic seized her, and she started to sob uncontrollably.

"Please," she begged, her voice trembling with desperation. "Please, you have to help me. I don't want to die like this. I'm begging you…"

Ryo watched her, unmoved by her pleas. "If I save you here, what's to stop you from turning against me and handing me over to the government when you get the chance?" His voice was cold and unyielding.

Sachiko's sobs grew louder, her fear consuming her. She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "No, please… I swear, I won't betray you. I just— I don't want to die. Please… help me. I'm begging you…"

The growls grew louder, and the shadows around them seemed to shift with an unsettling menace. Ryo could see the fear in her eyes, the genuine terror of facing an inescapable death. Despite his distrust and his disdain for the government, something in him wavered as he watched her desperate plea.

He took a deep breath, weighing his options. The decision he made next would not be easy, but it would be crucial for both their survival.