As I read the sign near the stairway entrance, another wave of nausea threatened to overtake me at the realization that I had only reached level five. With a silent curse, I gingerly pushed open the heavy door, but any hope of stealth was dashed by the door's ear-piercing squeal, its echo reverberating though the desolate corridor. Hastily slipping though, I winced as the door slammed shut behind me, its resounding noise filling the stairwell.

Emergency red lights bathed the stairwell in a sinister glow, casting elongated shadows in every direction. Each shadow seemed to morph and contort, taking on a life of its own in the flickering light. My heart raced as the elongated silhouettes pulsed with an eerie rhythm, filling me with a creeping sense of dread.

Ascending the stairs, each step echoed against the pavement with a disconcerting clamor. I continued cautiously, my pace deliberate, every movement fraught with apprehension. Every corner seemed to harbor unseen threats, and I cast wary glances in every direction, half-expecting something to lunge out at me from the shadows.

Just as I reached level six, the sound of another door slamming open below, followed by chilling screams reverberating from below me. Without hesitation, I broke into a full-on sprint, my legs carrying me like they've ever done before. The nose bouncing off walls made it hard to decipher how close they were. My footing became treacherous, and I stumbled over a step, barely managing to maintain my balance. Gripping my knife tightly, I pressed on.

My steps faltered; my limbs heavy with the weight of exhaustion as if each movement were a struggle against quicksand. The approaching footsteps thundered closer, a relentless drumbeat of pursuit resounding in the narrow confines. Reaching the seventh level, I swung open the door, only to confront a pair of luminous blue orbs that pierced through the gloom like beacons of madness.

The frenzied figure lunged, propelling me at the stairs edge. Survival fueled my resistance as I sought to maintain a wary distance, my blade finding purchase at his neck, missing his head. I quickly try to dislodge the knife, but it slipped from my grasp. Needing to hands to hold him back, I was defenseless against his strong built stamina. His teeth, bared in a frenzied display, had fragments of flesh clinging stubbornly in the crevice.

The man's gaze remained fixed upon me, unwavering and chilling, like stones submerged in icy waters. A primal scream tore from my throat as I grappled with him, each moment slipping though my fingers like grains of sand. Despite my best efforts, fatigue clawed at my body, sapping my strength with each passing second.

I could sense his breath against the nape of my neck as his screams rang in my ear. With a sudden force from someone, it sent the zombie crashing to my feet, momentarily released me from his hold.

My gaze snapped over to my rescuer, Sammy, her figure emerging from the shadows wielding a gleaming metal rod. Her form streaked with crimson rivulets that glistened with sweat, as if she had traversed through a deluge of red and blue hues. My attention momentarily diverted as the threating man stirred once more, propelled by an insatiable hunger for flesh.

In a reflexive blur, both Sammy and I lunged towards the reanimated menace, a synchronized dance of survival, sending it hurling over the edge with a resounding crash against the metal railings below.

A chorus of anguished screams trailed in Sammy's wake as I peered down the staircase, witnessing the horde of undead converging upon us with relentless determination. Without hesitation, we bolted though the exit, the horde of pursuit echoing in our wake. Hindered by the enveloping darkness, I could only rely on the sounds of our relentless pursuers behind us, their guttural moans and frenzied footfalls serving as our ominous backdrop.

Blind and propelled by instinct alone, we raced forward into the unknown, the palpable dread of the encroaching zombies looming ever closer with each moment.

A blinding light seared through the darkness, momentarily robbing me of vison. "Get down!" The urgent command yelled through the chaos, prompting an instinctual response as Sammy and I dropped to the ground. The air crackled with gunfire, each defeating report sending shockwaves through the hall. Bodies crumpled in its wake.

The strangers' hand seized mine, pulling me upright with a forceful urgency. Past the blinding light I seen Dominics green eyes looking back at me. His features, etched with tension, softened as he too recognized it was me. "Come on," he urged, his voice a beacon of reassurance.

The cacophony of screeches persisted in the shadows, a haunting chorus heralding the approaching of more dangers. With a swift determination, Dominic ushered us into his apartment, his movements deliberate as he closed the door with a silent admonition for silence. Heavy footfalls could be heard outside as we all held our breaths.

Minutes stretched into eternity as the sounds gradually receded, replaced by stillness. Dominic secured the door with makeshift barricades; his motions deliberate yet efficient. Sucking in a breath of relief, I turn to see Sammy, her arms raised to aid her struggling lungs.

Without a word, we both wrapped our arms around one another in a tight embrace, a silent gesture of solidarity in the face of uncertainty.

"I thought you were dead," the words escaped my lips, a whispered confession weighted with relief and disbelief.

"I thought I was too," her voice, soft as a prayer, carried the weight of a miracle, a confirmation that she stood before me, alive and whole. The truth settled upon us like a gentle benediction, the knowledge that, for now, we were both spared from the clutches of death's grip.

"Are any of you bit?" Dominic's question shattered the fragile peace, puling us back into the harsh reality of our situation- the looming threat of a zombie outbreak.

"I was going to ask the same thing," Sammy interjected, her gaze shifting between us with a mix of concern.

"No, I'm not," I replied, wiping a trembling hand across my face in a futile attempt to calm the adrenaline down.

"Me either," Sammy affirmed, her voice steady despite the tremor of fear that lingered in the air.

"I need to see your necks", Dominic's tine was stern, his grip tightening around the gun he still held to the side. A ripple of unease passed through me as I caught his gaze lingering on the weapon, but he relented, tucking it behind his back.

"People who are turning have these bluish veins around their necks," he explained, his eyes haunted by the memories of horrors witnessed. Just like us, his mechanic's uniform bore the telltale signs of the days chaos- splattered with the same scarlet and azure hues of blood and ooze.

I peeled back my shirt collar, exposing the vulnerable expanse of my neck to scrutiny. Beside me, Sammy mirrored my actions, her movements deliberate as she revealed her own unmarred skin, devoid of any signs.

"Your turn," Sammy's voice tinged with a note of apprehension, broke the silence as she readied her weapon on Dominic.

I held my breath as he complied, unzipping his mechanic's uniform to reveal the pristine canvas of his neck. Relief flooded through me like a cleansing tide as I beheld the unblemished pale skin, untouched

Relief washed over like a cooling tide. We were safe, for the moment.

                                                                          ***********

In the dim flicker of candlelight, the reflection in the mirror bore little resemblance to the person I once knew. Shadows danced across my features casting a veil over the familiar contours of my face. Where once lay vibrant brown locks now tangled and disheveled, a wild mess framing eyes that seemed to harbor secrets untold.

Dark hues marred the canvas of my skin, a grotesque tableau of scarlet and azure splatter. The sickly stench of blood and viscera hung heavy in the air, assaulting my senses with the harsh reality of what I had become.

My clothes, once pristine and unblemished, now mirrored the chaos that had engulfed me, smeared with the same macabre mosaic that adorned my skin. Each stain told a silent tale of the horrors endured.

As I gazed upon my reflection, the truth of what I had become stared back at me, chilling reminder of the darkness that lurked within.

Peeling off the hazardous work shirt, I added it to the pile where Sammy and Dominic had discarded their clothes. Silence was crucial; a shower would be too loud. I turned to the sink, where water and soap became my meager allies in the battle against the encrusted remnants of stranger's blood.

As I scrubbed, the porcelain sink bore witness to the crimson and azure swirls that danced in its depths, a grim testament to the horrors we had faced. With each swipe of the towel, I attempted to rid myself of the physical remnants of the night's terrors, the fabric clinging to my dampened skin like a reluctant embrace.

Dominic's borrowed t-shirt offered a small comfort, its scent of earthy cologne a welcome reprieve from the nauseating stench of decay that clung to the air. Pressing my nose against the fabric, I inhaled deeply, seeking solace in the familiar aroma of woodsy musk.

A quiet rummage through his drawer revealed a canister of men's cologne, the label bearing the distinctive logo of Old Spice. With a sense of determination, I liberally spritzed myself with the familiar scent, the cool mist settling over my skin like a protective cloak against the horrors that lurked beyond.

In the dim light of the flickering candle, I reluctantly stole a final glance at myself in the bathroom mirror. Despite the absence of stains on my clothes, I couldn't shake the image of the girl who had wielded violence with every strike, leaving a trail of bloodshed and regret in her wake. I tore my gaze away, extinguishing the candle's flickering flame before stepping back into the oppressive darkness beyond.

Dominic sat hunched over his small black table in the kitchen, meticulously counting the dwindling supply of bullets. Across the room, Sammy occupied the couch, her eyes fixed on the entrance as though anticipating something coming through. Fear etched deep lines across her brow, her grip on a lone pillow betraying the tightness of her grasp. Though her once-bloodied face now revealed only the softness of her brown skin, the terror in her eyes spoke volumes—we were all afraid.

The distant echoes of screams and gunfire permeated the air, their source obscured by the maze of walls surrounding us. Each sound served as a cruel reminder of the perilous world outside, keeping us in a perpetual state of vigilance.

Dominic's earlier gesture of kindness manifested in the form of hastily prepared sandwiches, a meager reprieve from the gnawing hunger that had gone unnoticed until presented before us. As we devoured the simple meal, I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort found in such a modest offering.

Outside, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting its dying rays into Dominic's apartment. For now, its warmth and light provided a fleeting sense of security.

I settled onto the couch beside Sammy, the worn fabric enveloping me like a cocoon of uncertainty. She remained motionless, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the door still. My own eyes swept the room, taking in the makeshift barricade of chairs and a recliner, a feeble attempt to fortify our sanctuary against the monsters. Yet, I couldn't shake the gnawing certainty that our defenses were no match for them.

Dominic's warning echoed in my mind, the mere whisper of sound could attract the undead, their senses honed to a deadly precision. I shuddered at the memory of their glowing blue eyes, a haunting image etched into my mind like a scar upon the landscape of my nightmares.

Somewhere deep within the recesses of my memory, a flicker of recognition sparked. I had seen that same ethereal blue before.

I straightened, my muscles tensing as I turned to face Sammy and Dominic. "It's the comet," I ventured, the words breaking the heavy veil of silence.

Dominic lowered his gun, his expression shifting from vigilance to curiosity as he joined us on the floor. "Those creatures out there," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper, "the ones I've encountered... their eyes, they're all that same eerie shade of blue."

Sammy's gaze finally lifted from the door, her eyes bearing the weight of exhaustion and dread. They silently implored me to unravel the mystery of our nightmare. "That glowing blue... it's the same iridescence I saw in the sky, on TV," I explained, my brows furrowing as the pieces of the puzzle began to align. "The comet that crashed here... it had the same color."

"The one that broke into pieces?" Dominic's voice held a note of skepticism, his quizzical gaze meeting mine.

"Yes," I confirmed, a spark of excitement igniting within me as he grasped the significance.

"Into pieces? Are you saying it crashed in more than one place?" Sammy's voice trembled with disbelief, her worry lines deepening as the implications sank in. "What's happening here... it's happening everywhere else too?" Her words came in a rush, her body stiffening with the weight of realization.

I reached out to comfort her, but she flinched away, her eyes brimming with fear and sorrow. "It's okay, maybe I'm wrong," I reassured her, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension.

"No, it's not okay," she retorted, her voice rising with each word. "You don't know what it's like out there," her breaths came in ragged gasps, her body on the brink of collapse. "What I had to do..." Her voice trailed off, laden with the unspeakable horrors she had endured beyond our fragile sanctuary. It was clear she was teetering on the edge, her mind haunted by the relentless attack of the outside world.

"Rest might do you good," I suggested, glancing at Dominic for affirmation.

"Take my bed. Get some sleep," he offered, his voice a gentle anchor amidst the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm Sammy.

Her body trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks as she struggled to contain the flood of anguish within her. Despite her efforts to stifle the sobs, they erupted from her like a broken dam, her frame convulsing with the weight of her trauma. It was as though every ounce of strength she had mustered to survive out there had been drained in an instant, leaving behind a hollow shell of shattered resolve.

A distant scream pierced the air, a haunting reminder of the horrors lurking just beyond our fragile sanctuary. Sammy's cries only intensified, her anguish echoing in the cramped confines of the room. I held her in a comforting embrace.

"It's not real," she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of her sobs. "It's not real..."

"It's okay. I'm here," I murmured softly, my words a feeble attempt to anchor her to the present.

Dominic sprang into action, rummaging through his belongings in search of something to ease Sammy's distress. With a sense of urgency, he returned bearing a cup of water and a small white tablet.

"What is it?" I asked, my brow furrowing with concern.

"Valium," he replied, his outstretched hand offering the remedy like a lifeline. "She's having a panic attack."

I hesitated, uncertain of the potential repercussions, but if Dominic knew what was happening I needed to trust him. With a silent nod to let him give it to her, she accepted the offering, swallowing the pill without hesitation.

Leading her to Dominic's bed, I tucked her in with gentle care, cocooning her in blankets. As she lay there as fleeting sense of peace settled over her.

"Could you lay with me for a bit?" she whispered, her eyes wide with fear, as if the thought of being alone was too much to bear.

"Of course," I replied softly, slipping into bed and wrapping my arms around her from behind. Together, we lay there as the sun's final rays cast a gentle glow through the window, bathing the room in a dim, comforting light. In its embrace, I felt a sense of safety wash over me.

"They swarmed all around us," Sammy began, breaking the heavy silence between us. "There was glass everywhere."

I listened in silence, envisioning the chaos outside, shards of glass glinting in the moonlight like shards of a broken dream.

"They grabbed Kara," Sammy continued, her voice trembling with the weight of remembered horror. "Pulled her out the window." Her words caught in her throat, tears welling in her eyes as she relived the nightmare. "I can still hear her screams in my head," she whispered, her voice cracking with sorrow.

I held her close, offering what little comfort I could as her body trembled with sobs. Gradually, her heartbeat slowed, her breathing steadying against my chest as the night stretched on.

"I don't know if Becky made it out," she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

I hesitated, grappling with the weight of unspoken truths. The memory of what had befallen our friend, what I had done, lingered like a bitter taste on my tongue. But I couldn't bear to see Sammy's pain deepen, so I held my tongue, allowing the silence to settle between us once more.

"Is Tio..." Sammy's voice faltered, the question hanging in the air, unfinished.

The mention of my brother's name pierced through me like a knife, reopening wounds I had hoped to keep buried. I had no answers, no reassurances to offer. The uncertainty of his fate weighed heavily on my heart, a burden I carried alone.

"I don't know," I finally admitted, tears tracing silent paths down my cheeks as I held her close, finding solace in the warmth of her presence amidst the cold, uncertain night.