My best friend was pushed into a zombie horde and turned into one. The panicked group who did it tried to flee, but I blocked their path. They were furious: "If you want to save her, save her yourself. Do you even understand that 'holy mothers' die first in the apocalypse?" I replied: "I won't save her, but you can't leave." "Why?" I smiled, raising my cleaver. "If you leave, what will my best friend eat?" 1 On the third day of the zombie outbreak, Serena and I, Evelyn, dodged one zombie wave after another. We finally stumbled upon a small group of survivors while fleeing. They were quite happy to take us in. But Evelyn’s face was etched with worry. “Peyton, can ordinary people like us really survive in this apocalypse?” I didn’t know either. Just days ago, we were joyfully traveling, discussing future plans. In a blink, the world had changed. Three months later, a zombie horde erupted. We were forced to hide in one spot, and the team’s supplies dwindled. Olivia, the only other woman in the team besides us, suggested, “Evelyn, why don’t the two of us go to the supermarket ahead to find supplies?” Evelyn hesitated, “Just two of us? Won’t that be too unsafe?” Olivia’s face showed resentment. “If you and Peyton hadn’t joined, our supplies wouldn’t be so tight. Now you’re unwilling to even help out a little? You’re utterly ungrateful.” I retorted, “Don’t you remember how many zombies I’ve killed for you on this journey?” “Enough!” The captain interjected, his expression also somewhat displeased. “We’re a team. If we go, we go together. No solo missions.” Evelyn also shook her head at me. I could only swallow my anger. Once we secured supplies, I planned to take Evelyn and run. These past few days, I’d come to understand something clearly. Five people in the team, and four were Olivia’s protectors. We’d be begrudged for half a day if we took a few survival crackers, while Olivia always got the freshest food and showered daily. Whether fighting zombies or fleeing, she never had to lift a finger; someone was always there to serve her. Like this time, no one in the team refuted Olivia’s words, but when I spoke, the captain stepped in as a mediator. Such a team, we were better off without. 2 The supermarket had been ransacked, leaving only useless items and clothes. Deeper inside, we could even hear slow shuffling footsteps. I held Evelyn’s hand, ready to slip away unnoticed, when Olivia suddenly shrieked. It was then we realized she had run ahead, deep inside, to grab some clothes, separating from the team. And right in front of her, a zombie was staring intently. Olivia’s face went white with fear, and she cried, begging us to save her. The four protectors should have rushed forward immediately, but additional zombies appearing behind them made them stop. Olivia ran desperately towards us. I didn’t even want to look, pulling Evelyn, intent on fleeing. Suddenly, Evelyn let go of my hand. I frowned deeply: “Are you going to save her?” Evelyn smiled. “I’ll be fine, I’m very fast. I can pull her away.” I wanted to say more but held my tongue, letting her go. That’s just how Evelyn was. No matter how much we cursed people behind their backs. If she saw someone in trouble, she would still lend a hand. I hated that about her. She ran over, grabbed Olivia, with the zombies hot on her heels. Just as Olivia was about to be bitten on the arm, she shut her eyes, screamed, “I’m sorry!” Then, she turned and pushed Evelyn into their path. “Evelyn!!!” 3 After escaping the supermarket and hiding. Olivia’s crying was irritating. She profusely apologized: “I’m so sorry… I really didn’t mean it, she tripped my foot, and I accidentally pushed her…” The captain hugged her, gently comforting her. “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s not your fault. She just couldn’t get away, you can’t blame yourself.” Another person chimed in, “Exactly, she didn’t contribute much to the team anyway. It’s her good fortune to help you survive; don’t blame yourself.” She wiped away her crocodile tears, tilted her head, and looked at me. “Peyton, you won’t blame me, will you?” My expression was calm. “Was she bitten?” “P-probably… I didn’t dare look. Let’s go quickly, what if those zombies chase us?” I mused, “I heard that people bitten by zombies turn into zombies too.” The captain, sensing something off in my tone, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. “Do you want to go in and save her?” I shook my head decisively: “No.” They sighed in relief, lifting their legs to leave, but I stepped forward, blocking their path. “If I don’t save her, you can just leave?” “What else?” A team member was impatient. “Don’t be crazy. If you want to be a saint, be one yourself. Don’t say we didn’t warn you; even if she dies in there, it has nothing to do with us, got it?” I smiled. My voice was harsh and unpleasant. “You still can’t leave.” The captain’s eyes grew colder and colder. “Why?” “Because…” I pulled out the cleaver that had butchered countless zombies. “If you leave, what will my best friend eat?” 4 Outside the supermarket, there were chairs for people to rest. I carefully wiped the blood from my knife with a piece of cloth. I was waiting. They said it only takes five minutes for a person to turn into a zombie. As long as she turned, I believed she would walk out to see me herself. If she was eaten by the zombies. Well, there was nothing to be done. I waited for a long time, until the sun set, and several restless presences stirred around. Evelyn, don’t disappoint me. In a moment of distraction, I thought of my first meeting with Evelyn. When she first arrived at the orphanage, she often stood up for others, enduring many punishments as a result. The director, chatting with someone, mentioned her parents died in a car accident, and relatives didn’t want her, so they left her at the orphanage. But she never gave up, remaining optimistic about life. I instinctively avoided such people. Until, I was grabbed by the hair by the orphanage bully. He dragged me across the floor. I screamed frantically, but no one paid attention. The teachers were busy with their own amusement, not even sparing me a glance. Then, Evelyn suddenly appeared, smashing a brick into the back of the bully’s head. “If you dare bully anyone again, I’ll beat you every time I see you!” You see, that’s just how she was—too kind. She had to save everyone. I wiped away my tears, ready to go in and collect her body. If I couldn't, then we’d die together. The next second, a zombie, swaying unsteadily, walked out of the supermarket. A trail of zombies followed behind. I slowly gave a thumbs up. “Evelyn, you’re a legend.” 5 I used needle and thread to stitch up her mangled body, but she remained blank-faced and speechless. After a long probing, I finally took out Olivia’s body and offered it to her. Without a second thought, she tore into it ravenously. Excellent, still eating. This girl has vigor. After she finished gnawing, I air-dried and chopped the bodies of the rest of the team, then packed my bag and led her south. The captain had mentioned a newly established base in the south. There would definitely be a lot of people there. I wrapped her in long sleeves and a long cloak; as long as her face was covered, no one would know she was a zombie. After two days of walking, I was so hungry I collapsed on the ground, drained. Evelyn stood there, pondering for a long time, then ran out and caught three zombies. I: “...What are you catching these for?” Evelyn skillfully pulled out a piece of air-dried meat from my bag and began to chew, watching me as she ate. Oh, I get it. I: “You want me to eat zombies?” Evelyn nodded. I: “I’ll die if I don’t eat?” Evelyn nodded again. I: “Then I’d rather die.” “?” 6 I was very lucky to encounter someone else heading south. She pulled out her last bottle of water and poured it down my throat. In the apocalypse, the one thing you couldn’t trust was human nature. Would anyone truly endure hardship themselves just to save another? My gaze shifted to Evelyn. Well, except for her. I spoke in a hoarse voice: “I drank your water, what about you?” The girl smiled. She raised her hand, and the empty water bottle suddenly refilled. “It’s fine; I have water abilities. There’s more after I drink it.” I questioned, “Abilities?” “You don’t know?” The girl looked surprised. “After the zombie outbreak, some people who were bitten by zombies, as long as they didn’t turn, gained special abilities.” I shook my head: “I haven’t been bitten by a zombie.” The girl realized: “That explains it. It’s okay, I have abilities. By the way, are you two heading to Hope Base?” I considered my words carefully: “Yes.” “That’s great, let’s go together. My name is Quinn, what’s yours?” I pointed at Evelyn: “Peyton Lee, and her name is…” Quinn smiled, looking at Evelyn, who was behind me, with disheveled hair and her face covered. “I know her name.” I instantly grew wary, secretly gripping the knife hidden in my bag. “What’s her name?” Quinn: “I guess her name is Sadako.” “...?” 7 Quinn was a very talkative person. After knowing her for just one day, I knew all about which boy she had a crush on in middle school. But people without cunning rarely survive in the apocalypse. That day, Quinn suddenly asked me curiously, “Why does your friend eat meat every day, while you only drink my water?” I calmly took a sip of water. “She’s a picky eater; she only eats meat and doesn’t drink water.” Quinn expressed understanding: “But I don’t think I’ve ever heard her speak.” “She’s been mute since childhood.” Quinn’s expression was pitiful: “That’s quite sad. Luckily, you’re with her.” After walking for an unknown period, we stumbled upon another group of people. Quinn’s expression grew very excited when she saw them. She grabbed my hand and shook it frantically: “I saw my crush!” I was a little dizzy from being shaken: “The one you liked since middle school?” “Yes!” Quinn went to negotiate, and Evelyn and I also gained permission to join them. Honestly, I didn’t like dealing with people. Meeting people like Olivia and her group was truly troublesome. But looking at Quinn’s smile, I was reminded of Evelyn in the past. I unconsciously poked her. “I think Quinn is very much like you.” “W-where is she like me?” “Like you, foolishly lucky.” Wait. My mind went blank. I slowly turned my head to look at Evelyn. “Just now, were you talking?” 8 Evelyn still had her zombie face, her mouth opening and closing. “No, it, wasn’t, me.” I: “?” I suddenly felt a sting in my eyes. “Evelyn, what’s wrong with you? I just told them you were mute, and now you’re talking? That’s just causing trouble!” “Oh.” “…” Quinn ran off to reconnect with her crush, leaving me ample time to figure out why Evelyn could talk. For this, I specifically went out and caught two zombies. They saw the air-dried meat in my hand but showed no great desire to eat it; instead, they repeatedly opened their mouths, trying to bite me. It was then I realized that ordinary zombies were only affected by fresh, living flesh. Since it was useless, I raised my knife, preparing to dispatch the zombies, but Evelyn reached out and blocked me. I: “What are you doing?” Evelyn shook her head: “Don’t, kill.” Looking at her grey eyes, I belatedly remembered. She was also a zombie. If I killed zombies, it must be unsettling for her as one of them. I: “Since you care about them, then I’ll let…” Evelyn shook her head again: “Don’t, eat, raw. Kill, cook, them.” “…” What kind of clunky language system was this? 9 Quinn’s crush was named Liam, a decisive and no-nonsense guy who was particularly serious when managing the team. He was especially kind to Quinn alone. Clearly, a mutual affection. Thanks to Quinn’s instructions, not many people came to bother us. However, at every meal, I would receive their offerings. This made me feel very warm. Evelyn maintained her mute persona, only speaking a few words when no one was around, usually just quietly walking at the back of the group, gnawing on zombie meat. The more zombie meat she ate, the more she could string together a complete sentence. “Are my enemies dead yet?” I thought for a moment: “Probably not. After all, bad apples last forever.” Evelyn: “Then let me go bite them to death.” “…” After becoming a zombie, Evelyn seemed to revert to her orphanage days, fearless and bold. She would often sneak away from the team for a “buffet.” As we neared Hope Base, Evelyn completely disappeared. Quinn initially worried, asking if I wanted to go look for her. I waved my hand: “Don’t worry about it; she probably died out there.” “...?” She wanted to say more but ultimately said nothing. Upon entering Hope Base, identification and ability registration were required. Having nothing, I automatically entered the civilian zone. Liam was originally from Hope Base, and his current expedition was to recruit ability users for the base. He naturally arranged Quinn’s placement, and thus, we parted ways. Because in the apocalypse, ability users and ordinary people were no longer considered to be in the same social class. I settled down in the civilian zone, found a job sweeping streets, sweeping floors and doing logistics every day, living a full and satisfying life. Occasionally, someone would toss me things from outside the base. Sometimes it was mutated chickens. Sometimes it was unknown flowers and plants. These items would have cloth strips tied to them, with a few crooked words written on them. [Bestie, the zombie said, eating these makes you talk.] I replied: “Is there a possibility that I could always talk?” […] [Oh.]
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