The WhatsApp group's silence stretched for a few moments, each person processing Thiago's latest information. He felt the weight of responsibility, but also an unwavering determination. The night had been long, and dawn had brought hell. But this time, they would be ready. The race against time had reached its climax, and the next few hours would determine their fate.
Thiago, his fingers hovering over his smartphone screen, made a decision. He had offered advice, shared vital information. Now, it was time to lend a hand. An offer that could change the fate of a few more survivors.
Thiago:Everyone, I know the situation is desperate, but we have to keep a cool head. My priority right now is to ensure the safety of my family and my group. But after I resolve everything here, in no more than four days, I can try to reach out to you. If you want to join my group, it's about helping each other. There's no slacking off here; everyone works for the greater good. Think about it. Everyone's survival depends on collaboration.
He sent the message, feeling the weight of his offer. It wasn't an empty promise, but a commitment he was willing to make. The group's silence stretched for a few moments, each person processing the proposal.
[Woman's Name - "Sports Store"]:Thiago! My God, would you do that? It would... it would be a blessing! I... I don't know what to say. It's a huge risk for you, but... if there's a chance, I'll take it! My family and I are willing to do whatever it takes. Just tell us what to do when the time comes.
[Name of the First Store Owner - "Classic Weapons"]:Thiago, you're crazy. But a crazy person with a plan. I... I accept. My cabin is safe for now, but not permanently. If you can pick us up, my family and I will be ready. And I have some skills that might come in handy. I can handle heavy weapons. And I have knowledge of explosives.
A faint smile crossed Thiago's lips. Knowledge of explosives. That could be very useful.
[Name of the Owner of the Third Store - "Tiro Certo"]:Thiago! Please! I'm stuck here! The situation is getting worse by the hour. I've seen more of them. Faster. Stronger. I... I accept! Please come get me! I'll do whatever it takes! I have some mechanical and electronic repair skills. I can be of assistance.
Thiago felt a sense of relief. Three potential new members for his group. Three people with useful skills. Cooperation would be vital. He typed the last message in the group.
Thiago:Okay. Understood. Stay safe. Don't take any chances. I'll be in touch when the time is right. For now, communication will be sporadic to conserve battery and prevent tracking. Stay alert. And remember: the head is the only weak point. Good luck to all. I'll end the chat for now.
He turned off his smartphone screen, the brightness fading, and the silence of the suite filled the room again. The WhatsApp group was more than a communication tool; it was a link, proof that humanity, even in its darkest moments, could still find a way to connect, to fight, to survive.
He glanced at the breakfast table. The coffee cups were empty, the bread untouched. The family, though calmer, was still tense, their eyes fixed on the windows, absorbing the view of hell outside. Thiago felt the weight of responsibility, but also an unshakable determination. The night had been long, and dawn had brought hell. But this time, they would be ready.
Thiago stood up from the table, his posture erect, his eyes sweeping over every face in the room. His parents, his sister, Lucas's parents, Gabriel and Sofia, and some of their younger siblings, and of course, Hiroshi, his wife Harumi, his daughter Akemi, his son Kenji, his daughter-in-law Yumi, and his grandchildren Takeshi, Akari, and Hana. About twenty or so people, all there, looking at him with a mixture of fear, hope, and almost blind trust. The silence was almost palpable, broken only by the distant growl of the city and the muffled sounds of children playing in a corner.
The breakfast table, once a place for relaxed meals, was now the center of an impromptu war council. The empty plates and cooling coffee cups were silent witnesses to the urgency in the air. The morning light, filtering through the gaps in the heavy curtains, painted the room a somber golden hue, revealing the dust suspended in the air and the metallic gleam of the weapons Thiago had left in a corner. The once comforting smell of coffee and bread now mingled with the subtle aroma of gunpowder and the putrid smell seeping in from outside, a nauseating combination that reminded everyone of the reality surrounding them.
"Okay, everyone," Thiago said, his voice resonating with calm but unquestionable authority, the voice of a leader forged in adversity. He was no longer the average college student; he was the twenty-year-old survivor, the one carrying the burden of the future. "Breakfast was important to nourish us, but now the work begins. And it won't be easy."
He gestured to the doors of the suites that had been converted into storage rooms, filled with weapons and supplies. "You've seen what's out there. It's real. And it's going to get worse. But we're safe here, for now. This floor is our refuge. And to keep it that way, we need to turn it into a fortress. And you... you need to become warriors."
The adults' eyes widened, and the children stopped playing, sensing the gravity in Thiago's tone. A tense silence filled the room, broken only by the distant growl of the city and the muffled sounds of the children who, though oblivious to the conversation, sensed the change in the atmosphere.
"Let's start clearing floor by floor, everyone," Thiago declared, his voice firm. "This hotel has many floors. We need to ensure there's no one else here, that there are no hidden threats. And we need resources. Every room, every suite, every corner of this hotel could have something useful. Food, water, supplies, tools. But it won't be a simple task. The zombies... they could be anywhere. And they're attracted to sound. Therefore, discretion will be our greatest weapon. While the men are focused on security and cleaning the floors, the women will be responsible for removing all food and water, all the food and drink they find, and bringing it back to our suites. Every item counts."
He looked at Lucas, Gabriel, and Sofia. "You three already have some understanding of gun handling. But now, you're going to learn how to actually shoot. And all of you," he swept his gaze over all the adults, including his parents and the parents of his friends, Hiroshi, Kenji, Harumi, Akemi, and Yumi. "You're going to learn too. It's not an option. It's a necessity. Your lives and the lives of your families will depend on it."
Thiago took one of the Wilson Combat SFX9 pistols from its holster, the metal cold and heavy in his hand. He switched on the laser sight and tactical flashlight, the red dot dancing on the wall, the beam of light cutting through the gloom. "Let's start with the basics. The grip. The stance. The breathing. And most importantly: single-shot. Never, under any circumstances, use semi-automatic or automatic mode unless I tell you to. The noise is a draw. Every shot needs to be precise. Every bullet needs to count. And the target... always the head." He demonstrated the grip, the way his arm extended, the sights aligned. "The head is the only weak point. A body shot might not be enough to stop them, and every bullet is precious. Let's practice with improvised targets, in places where the sound will be muffled, so as not to attract unwanted attention."
He then took out one of the hunting knives he had purchased, its sharp blade gleaming in the dim light. "And the bladed weapons. They will be crucial for silent combat. For when ammunition runs out, or when noise becomes too much of a risk. You will learn to use them. To cut. To pierce. To dismember. It's not pretty. But it's necessary."
"And the crystals," Thiago continued, his voice lower, almost a whisper, as he took a small Level 0 White crystal from his pocket, one he had extracted from one of the zombies killed the night before. The crystal pulsed with a faint, dull light. "These crystals are the key to our long-term survival. They are the currency of the new world. And they contain power. When I kill a zombie, the crystal comes to me. But for you, it's different. You'll have to take them."
He picked up a small utility knife. "To extract a crystal, you need a sharp knife. Aim for the dead zombie's forehead. It's a precise incision, a clean cut. The crystal will be embedded in the bone. You need to pry a little, but be careful not to damage it. Once extracted, it's yours. And these crystals... they can be used for many things. To enhance your abilities. To strengthen your bodies. To acquire resources that will be scarce. You have to stay strong. Not just physically, but mentally."
Thiago looked at each of them, his eyes fixed, conveying the seriousness of his words. "You have to stay strong. It's not just about lifting weights or running. It's about endurance, about resilience. It's about the ability to endure pain, fear, loss. It's about the mind. You need to be prepared to see things you never imagined. To do things you never thought you would. I will teach you. I will train you. But the will... the will has to come from you. There is no slacking off here. Everyone works for the greater good: our survival."
He pulled the second Wilson Combat SFX9 pistol from his other holster, holding one in each hand, the laser sights lit, the red dots dancing on the wall. "I'll take care of the evolved and provide cover if anything happens," Thiago said, his voice firm and unwavering, his eyes fixed on everyone, conveying the certainty that he would be the front line, the shield against the most dangerous threats.
The silence in the room was thick, filled only by the heavy breathing of the adults and the distant growl of the city. Their faces, previously a mixture of weariness and apprehension, now showed a new layer of fear, but also a hint of determination. The reality of what Thiago was asking, of what they would have to do, hit them hard. They were no longer just survivors; they were soldiers in a war they barely understood.
Thiago's father, a man who always valued order and security, was the first to speak, his voice hoarse but firm. "Thiago... this is... it's a lot. But if you say it's necessary... then we will do it. Tell us what to do."
Lucas, Gabriel, and Sofia nodded, their eyes fixed on Thiago, a renewed determination on their faces. Hiroshi, with his usual serenity, simply watched, his deep eyes revealing a silent understanding. The mothers, though visibly shaken, clasped their children's hands in a gesture of silent support.
"Well," Thiago said, a slight smile crossing his lips, a smile of approval and relief. "So, let's begin. First, we'll organize the floor. Then, the training. And then... the hunt."
He felt the weight of responsibility, but also an unshakable determination. The night had been long, and the dawn had brought hell. But this time, they would be ready. And they wouldn't be alone. The race against time had reached its climax, and the next few hours would determine their fate. The presidential suite, once a refuge, was now a training ground, and the family, once just a group of loved ones, was about to become a survival unit, forged in the fires of the apocalypse.