"I don't know how much longer I will live.." — Ningning

The world had ended as she knew it. The streets were empty, save for the remnants of a society that once bustled with life. Abandoned cars littered the roads like tombstones, their windows shattered, doors hanging open, and engines silent. Nature had begun to reclaim what man had left behind, with vines creeping over buildings, and grass growing through the cracks in the pavement.

NingNing stood at the edge of the parking lot, her chest tight, eyes scanning the horizon, waiting. It had been days since the last time she saw Y/N—her friend, her only companion in the midst of this hellish new world.

They had been on the road when everything went wrong.

She could still recall the sound of the engine sputtering, the tires skidding across the wet asphalt, and then... darkness. The last thing NingNing remembered was Y/N, slumped against the car door, face pale as if drained of life, their hand reaching for her before everything went black. When she woke up, Y/N was knocked out, unresponsive.

She didn't know if Y/N was dead or alive. They were knocked out in the same car, but when NingNing regained consciousness, Y/N showed no signs of life. The car had been left unlocked, the engine still warm, but the surrounding area was eerily quiet. No signs of life. No signs of hope.

It was the zombies that made everything feel like a cruel nightmare. Their grotesque, decayed bodies shuffled through the streets, their cries echoing in the distance. NingNing couldn't afford to stay in one place for too long—if she was going to help Y/N, she had to keep moving.

She'd found an old backpack in the trunk, packed with supplies. A few cans of beans, a bottle of water, and a flashlight, along with some medical supplies that might come in handy. But it wasn't enough.

Her legs were sore from walking for hours without rest. The silence was deafening, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The crumbled buildings around her were no comfort. They seemed to hold secrets in their broken windows, secrets she wasn't sure she wanted to uncover.

NingNing's heart pounded as she ventured deeper into the abandoned city. There had been no signs of zombies for a while, but that didn't mean she was safe. There could be one lurking around any corner, waiting for its next meal. She gripped the baseball bat she had found in the backseat of the car, knuckles white from the tension.

She passed a few more deserted stores and rundown houses, the same disturbing stillness everywhere. A chill ran down her spine. This place had once been full of life, of people laughing, talking, living. Now? Nothing but death.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, she saw movement in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat. It could be Y/N. Or it could be trouble.

She crouched low, slipping behind a rusted car to get a better look. Through the cracked windshield, she spotted a group of zombies wandering aimlessly, their rotting bodies barely able to move in sync. NingNing held her breath, trying to stay as still as possible. Her pulse thrummed in her ears as the creatures meandered past her hiding spot, oblivious to her presence.

She didn't dare move until the last of them had passed. Even then, she waited for what seemed like an eternity, just to be sure. Finally, when it felt safe enough, she rose to her feet and continued on her way.

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. She had no idea how many days had passed since the world had ended. Time didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was finding Y/N, making sure they were still alive, and keeping herself safe.

It was then that she heard it—a faint cry, distant but unmistakable. A scream.

Her heart lurched. It wasn't the groaning of a zombie. No. This was the sound of a human.

Without thinking, NingNing ran in the direction of the cry. She didn't care about the risks, didn't care about the zombies that could be waiting in the shadows. All that mattered was Y/N, and she wouldn't stop until she found them.

As she rounded a corner, she froze.

There, in the middle of the street, stood a group of zombies. But they weren't the only ones there. A figure—tall, familiar—was backed up against a wall, a bloodstained shirt clinging to their frame. Y/N.

A relief so powerful it nearly knocked NingNing off her feet washed over her. She wanted to scream their name, to run and wrap them in her arms, but she couldn't. Not yet. The zombies hadn't noticed her yet, but if she made a sound, everything would be over.

She crouched low, her heart racing. Slowly, quietly, she began to circle around the street, staying hidden behind the wreckage and rubble. Y/N was struggling, trying to fight off the zombies, but there were too many. They were getting closer, inching toward the figure with their terrifying moans and outstretched hands.

NingNing's fingers tightened around the bat. She couldn't let this happen. Not like this.

She took a deep breath, pushing aside her fear. There was no time to waste.

With a surge of adrenaline, she rushed forward, baseball bat raised. She swung it with all her strength, connecting with the nearest zombie's skull. The creature crumpled to the ground, but there were more—so many more.

NingNing didn't stop. She moved quickly, efficiently, every swing landing with a sickening thud. The zombies fell, one after another, but the number of them was overwhelming. She knew she couldn't take them all on alone.

"Y/N!" she shouted, the words slipping from her mouth before she could stop them.

Y/N turned, their face a mix of relief and pain. They stumbled toward her, their movements slow and stiff.

"Run!" NingNing yelled, her voice shaking with urgency. "Get out of here!"

With that, they both turned and bolted, running as fast as they could through the wreckage-filled streets. The sound of footsteps pounding behind them echoed in the eerie silence. NingNing's breath was ragged, and her muscles screamed with exhaustion, but she didn't stop. Neither of them did.

They found shelter in an old convenience store, barricading the door with whatever they could find. They were safe for now, but neither of them spoke.

Y/N sank to the floor, leaning back against a shelf, their chest rising and falling with each labored breath. NingNing sat beside them, her hands trembling as she reached into her bag for the medical supplies.

"Are you okay?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Y/N nodded weakly, a small, weary smile creeping across their face. "I'm glad you found me."

NingNing's throat tightened. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that.

"I won't leave you," she whispered back, the promise stronger than ever.

The world outside was a nightmare, but for now, they had each other. And that, at least, was something worth fighting for.

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