**Chapter 4 - More Were Coming** “Theo, what are we going to do?! We have to check on Mom! What if—” Theo's fingers clenched tighter around the axe handle, a visceral reminder of the chaos that spilled into their lives. Their mother was a few blocks away, trapped in the sterile confines of a public hospital, and he could only hope she was untouched by the turmoil that had erupted outside. “I don’t think Mom is caught up in something like this,” he muttered more to himself, scanning the sprawling room they were in. Desperate for information, he spotted the television, quickly turned it on, and muted the sound. His heart sank as the headlines flickered across the screen. The military had cordoned off private hospitals. That was odd. “Aries, while I was out... did you catch the news?” he asked, urgency threading his voice. “Yes. I think I understand what you’re getting at,” Aries replied, nodding solemnly. “You’re right. All those affected by the meteorites ended up in private hospitals. The government is covering costs since public hospitals in Metropolis City are overwhelmed and can’t take any more patients.” Theo's mind churned with possibilities. “So Mom should be safe then. They’re only enforcing barricades around the private ones...” He trailed off, the weight of an earlier realization pressing down on him. “What is it?” Aries queried, catching the flicker of thought darting across his face. Theo hesitated, weighing the gravity of his next words. "The outbreak originated from a Meteorborn." Aries furrowed her brow, confusion flooding her features. “What do you mean?” He recounted the vivid “dream” that haunted him, about these Meteorborn beings—creatures reborn from the very energies of the meteorites. Twisted and insatiable, they craved human flesh, their bites transforming victims into MB Infectees, spreading their grotesque hunger like wildfire. As he spoke, Aries's complexion drained of color. “That... actually fits with the emergency alert. They stated the incident initiated in the morgue, where patients who succumbed to meteorite injuries unexpectedly reanimated. Wait—” Her gaze sharpened with suspicion. “Have you checked if you possess any supernatural abilities? What if this is like those movies? They're probably keeping a close eye on all of you. That’s suspicious…” Theo fell silent, aware that he had gained something, but it was far from the ostentatious powers she envisioned. Instead, a strange system had emerged alongside him—one that issued quests, rewards, and statistics, as if he were submerged in some merciless game. His thoughts raced, narrowing on the tantalizing rewards. There were ranks, levels, hints of abilities waiting to be unlocked. ‘That’s it... if I complete more quests, I could grow stronger.’ A flicker of exhilaration ignited within him. If he played his cards right, mere survival was not enough; he could thrive amidst the chaos. “Do you think they’re going to quarantine us here? What if they suspect we’re infected like in those zombie films?” Aries rambled, her voice quavering as her eyes flicked to the window. “I have so much I want to do... I refuse to die young. If I had known this was going to happen, I should’ve at least gotten myself a boyfriend,” she added dramatically. Theo let out a chuckle, grateful for her attempts to lighten the mood, as she often did. “Don’t fret. We’re not dying here,” he assured her, a teasing smirk dancing on his lips. “And I promise, I won’t let you die a virgin.” She scoffed. “Says the other virgin in the room.” He laughed, then turned serious. “What floor are we on?” “Seven,” Aries replied, her expression grim. “Perfect,” he said, handing her the axe. “For now, stay put. If things spiral out of control, use this. Aim for the head, the brain. If the numbers are too overwhelming, escape through the window.” He gestured toward their possible exit. “Let’s give it a few minutes. I bet the soldiers will clear the ground floor before moving here; it’ll be safer down below.” His thoughts drifted, envisioning the possibility of dispatching a few more MB Infectees before military forces reached their level. More kills meant more gold coins. And as the apocalypse barely scratched its surface, he needed every advantage he could muster. “Huh? Where are you going?” Aries’s grip tightened on his arm. “Wouldn’t it be safer to wait for the soldiers? They’ll sort out who’s infected.” Theo hesitated, feeling the tug of rationality but battling against the lure of opportunities ahead. The chance to earn more gold coins—convertible to real money—gnawed at him restlessly. The apocalypse had dawned. If conditions worsened, he needed enough funds to secure food and supplies not just for himself, but for Aries and their mother. His mental haze darkened, even thoughts of their father—the drunken ghost of their family—flashed in his mind. He resented the man, yet blood was blood. “I’ll be quick,” he promised her, determination clawing at him. “We can’t just remain idle. Let go.” Aries remained resolute, her grip unwavering. He sighed, attempting to inject levity into the moment with a grin. “Fine. I vow I won’t die a virgin, okay? Oh, and I think I’ve gained some abilities too. Let’s discuss it later.” He winked. Frustration flickered on her face, hesitation shimmering in her eyes, but he could see her resolve wavering. “Trust me, Aries.” With a reluctant sigh, she finally relented, releasing him. “I swear, if you die and turn into a zombie, I will despise you forever,” she huffed. “Noted.” He nodded, then quietly emerged from the room, closing the door behind him with utmost care. Theo slipped into the foreboding corridor beyond, distant screams intertwining with sporadic gunfire, each sound a reminder of the chaos surrounding them. His heart thudded in his chest. ‘I need to move fast.’ “Inventory,” he whispered, and to his surprise, a screen materialized in his line of sight, showcasing his inventory. It lay bare. Frustration bubbled as he navigated the weapon tab, each option glaringly locked. The only means of access? Gold coins or EXP points. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, glancing at his meager resources: 10 EXP and 1 gold coin—far too little for anything worthwhile. But then, a child's wail pierced the din, drawing Theo’s focus. Instinct kicked in, and he snatched a fire extinguisher off the wall before racing toward the source of the sound, spotting a young boy fleeing from two figures: a woman in a hospital gown, and a nurse. “Stop it, Sarah!” called a man, desperately trying to restrain the woman in the gown. His attention snapped back to the nurse pursuing the terrified child. Without a second thought, Theo swung the fire extinguisher, crashing it against the nurse's skull with brutal force. A sickening crack reverberated as she crumpled to the floor. [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] Before he could process the victory, another figure lunged at him—a man, the same one who had been restraining the woman, now grotesquely transformed with an arm marred by infection. With swift reflexes, Theo dodged the man’s swipe, countering with a vicious swing of the fire extinguisher, shattering the man’s skull in a single, precise attack. [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] But it wasn’t over. The infected female patient lunged forward, and in that moment, Theo lost his grip on the fire extinguisher, panic surging through him. ‘I can’t allow myself to be bitten!’ he thought frantically, evading her snapping teeth. Desperately, he lunged for the nearest object—a metal IV pole—and with a thrust, drove it through the infected woman’s eye socket. She slumped to the ground, lifeless. [Ding! +10 EXP, +1 Gold Coin] Panting heavily, Theo struggled to rise back to his feet, his body protesting at the exertion. “I really need to lose weight,” he muttered to himself, his chest heaving. As he stood, he barely registered a notification flashing on his screen. [Ding! Daily Quests are shorter-term tasks designed to help you build strength, lose weight, and enhance fitness in a post-apocalyptic, mutation-heavy environment.] He dismissed it with a glance, keeping his focus on the boy still peeking from around the corner. “Hey, kid, are you hurt?” Theo called, his voice urgent yet softening with concern. The boy sniffled and shook his head. “Good. Come on, we have to get you to safety,” Theo urged, extending his hand toward the frightened child. The boy hesitated for a heartbeat, then reached out. Just as their fingers brushed, a savage growl erupted from down the hallway. Theo’s heart raced; more were coming.