The Lazy Chronicles: Apartment of the Apocalypse-Chapter 54: A Storm of Choices

The journey with their newfound companions had been surprisingly uneventful for the first few days. Mallory, accustomed to chaos, had grown suspicious of the calm. As they moved through the remnants of the old city, the silence weighed heavier than ever. It wasn’t just the absence of zombies or raiders—it was the knowledge that peace like this never lasted.

Jason and Liam had integrated well enough into the group. Jason’s sharp eyes and steady demeanor complemented Kaelyn’s no-nonsense leadership, while Liam, eager to prove himself, bonded quickly with Zara, who had taken on the role of his mentor in all things survival. Even Vanessa had softened toward their new allies, although she maintained her usual sarcastic edge.

For Mallory, however, life on the road was more complicated. She missed her apartment with a longing so profound it was almost comical. Every creak of an old door or shadow in the corner made her pine for the comforting hum of her self-sufficient home. But she wasn’t just homesick—she was worried about Blinky.

The little alien had taken a liking to Liam, often curling up in the boy’s lap during breaks. While Mallory tried not to feel jealous, she couldn’t help but miss the days when Blinky had been glued to her side. Scraps, as always, remained loyally at her heels, his mismatched eyes scanning for threats.

"Do you ever think about what’s out there?" Liam asked one night as they sat around a small, carefully shielded fire.

Mallory leaned back against a crumbled wall, munching on a protein bar that tasted like chalk. "Out where?"

"You know, beyond the city. Beyond... all this." He gestured vaguely to the ruins around them.

"Kid, I barely think about what’s ten feet in front of me," Mallory replied.

Liam chuckled, but his expression remained pensive. "I just wonder if there’s a place where things are normal. Or at least safer."

"There isn’t," Kaelyn interjected, her voice cold. "The sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be."

"Gee, thanks for the pep talk," Mallory muttered.

Kaelyn shot her a glare. "I’m not here to sugarcoat reality. This world doesn’t care about your hopes or dreams. The only thing that matters is survival."

"Yeah, well, survival’s pretty boring without a little hope," Mallory countered.

The tension was palpable, but before anyone could respond, Altair’s tablet beeped again. The sound had become both a source of dread and a strange comfort—it meant something was happening, but at least they’d be prepared for it.

"What’s it this time?" Vanessa asked, her tone more exasperated than concerned.

Altair studied the screen, his brow furrowing. "There’s a storm coming. And it’s not just weather."

The group fell silent as they gathered around the tablet. The screen displayed a swirling mass of energy, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"What is that?" Jason asked, his voice tinged with unease.

"It’s an anomaly," Altair explained. "These have been appearing more frequently. They’re unpredictable, but they tend to attract... attention."

"Attention from what?" Zara asked.

"Zombies, mostly," Altair said. "But sometimes other things."

"Define ’other things,’" Mallory said, already regretting the question.

Altair hesitated. "Let’s just say we should avoid it if we can." freeweɓnøvel~com

The group quickly decided to find shelter before the anomaly reached them. A nearby shopping mall, its once-vibrant facade now weathered and decayed, seemed like their best option.

As they approached the mall, memories of her early apartment days flooded Mallory’s mind. She thought of the vending machine’s infinite snacks, the refrigerator’s unending supply of chilled drinks, and her cozy, zombie-proof haven.

"This better be worth it," Mallory muttered as they pushed open the heavy glass doors.

Inside, the mall was eerily quiet. Sunlight filtered through shattered skylights, casting fragmented beams onto the cracked tile floor. The air was thick with dust and the faint scent of decay.

"Spread out," Kaelyn instructed. "But stay within shouting distance."

Mallory wandered into what had once been a department store, her wrench at the ready. She wasn’t exactly eager to run into zombies, but the thought of looting a post-apocalyptic Nordstrom was oddly appealing.

As she rifled through a rack of clothes, she heard a faint noise behind her. Spinning around, she raised her wrench, only to come face-to-face with Blinky, who was holding up a bright pink scarf with one of his tentacles.

"Really?" Mallory said, lowering her weapon. "You think now’s the time for a fashion show?"

Blinky chirped and draped the scarf over his head like a turban.

Mallory couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright, fine. You win. But if we get ambushed because you wanted to play dress-up, I’m blaming you."

As she and Blinky continued their exploration, the rest of the group was having less entertaining luck. In the food court, Vanessa and Zara discovered a stash of canned goods, only to find most of them had expired long ago.

"Think these are still good?" Vanessa asked, holding up a can of green beans.

"Only if you’re willing to risk food poisoning," Zara replied.

Meanwhile, Kaelyn and Jason were checking out a sporting goods store, stocking up on anything that could double as a weapon.

"It’s almost too quiet," Jason remarked.

Kaelyn nodded. "Keep your guard up. These places always look safe until they aren’t."

Her words proved prophetic. Moments later, a low, guttural moan echoed through the mall.

"Here we go," Mallory muttered as the sound grew louder.

The zombies emerged from the shadows, their decayed forms shuffling toward the group with alarming speed. Mallory tightened her grip on her wrench, ready to defend herself.

But then something unexpected happened. As the zombies approached, Blinky leapt onto a nearby display counter and began emitting a series of high-pitched chirps. The sound was almost musical, like an alien lullaby.

To everyone’s astonishment, the zombies stopped in their tracks.

"What the...?" Liam whispered.

Blinky continued his strange song, and the zombies began to sway, almost as if they were hypnotized.

"Is he... controlling them?" Altair asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"Looks like it," Mallory said, grinning. "Guess our little guy’s full of surprises."

Using Blinky’s newfound ability, the group managed to navigate the mall without further incident. By the time they regrouped in the central atrium, the storm outside was raging, but they were safe—for now.

And maybe, just maybe, they had a chance.

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