[Win – 12:17 p.m.]
The rooftop feels hotter now.
The sun's above us — no shade, no comfort.
We barely survived the last attack, and now we're preparing for more.
But instead of monsters, what walks through the door is more people.
[12:18 p.m.]
Best and Dean went to look for his friends and is back, leading with his bat across his shoulder.
Behind him: four more figures, all carrying plastic bags and cracked backpacks.
"We hit the science block storage,"
he says.
"Found canned beans, water, a box of protein shakes, and half a bag of expired Oreos."
Palm lets out a breath of relief.
"I'd cry over Oreos right now."
Kao doesn't laugh.
She hasn't all day.
[12:19 p.m.]
The new group steps forward.
Best motions to them casually.
"This is FahFah—she was in the robotics club.
Namtan, she's fast and loud.
Jack, theater kid. Wears too much cologne.
Emily, quiet, but she's good with wounds.
And you've already met Dean."
Dean gives a little two-finger wave.
I nod stiffly.
"Win."
Palm:
"Palm."
Kao doesn't say anything.
Lin steps forward, jaw tight.
"Drop the bags."
Everyone stops.
[12:20 p.m.]
Best raises a brow.
"Excuse me?"
Lin lifts her blade slightly.
"Before we let anyone stay here, we will check for bites. Scratches. Fever. Anything."
Jack looks alarmed.
"We're clean!"
Emily flinches behind him.
FahFah mutters,
"Ehhhhhh?"
Best narrows his eyes.
"You don't get to make demands. We saved your lives just now."
Lin doesn't move.
"There's no room for trust. Not anymore."
Best steps forward, tense.
"I don't care how many zombies you've killed. You don't tell me what to do."
"I do,"
Lin snaps,
"if you want to stay alive."
The tension crackles between them.
For a second, I think it'll break into a fight.
But then—
Dean steps forward.
"If you're that worried, I'll go first."
[12:23 p.m.]
They check Dean.
Nothing.
Then the others.
One by one.
No bites.
No scratches.
Only exhaustion.
Best glares at Lin the whole time, but lets it happen.
Kao watches silently from the edge, blade in her lap.
Palm whispers to me,
"That could've gone worse."
I nod, then glance at Dean.
He's watching me too.
His eyes are too calm.
Too old.
[12:30 p.m.]
They set their supplies near the center.
FahFah immediately begins organizing water bottles.
Emily starts sorting meds with Lin, silent but cooperative.
Namtan jokes with Palm about zombie-slaying fashion.
Jack tries to flirt with Kao and almost gets stabbed.
Dean just sits.
Watching us.
Waiting.
[12:35 p.m.]
The rooftop is full now.
Not safe.
Not calm.
But alive.
Best sits beside me eventually.
He mutters,
"You've got trust issues."
I glance at Lin in the distance, still wiping her blade.
"Yeah,"
I say.
"But so does the world."
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