Zombie Slaying System

Chapter 6: Death on The Fifth Floor

Jonah couldn’t believe his luck. After running, hiding, and fighting alone for what felt like days, he finally had someone beside him, someone alive. The weight that had settled on his shoulders since the outbreak had started felt a little lighter now.

He glanced at Lisa as they moved slowly along the dusty hallway of the fifth floor. She cradled Kevin protectively in her arms, her steps careful but steady. It wasn't just relief he felt, it was something warmer, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time.

“Since we’re all on the fifth floor now,” he began, trying to keep his voice low and calm, “it means we’ve got a chance. A real chance to make it out of this building. But we can’t mess up. No slip-ups. And we better hope those things aren’t swarming the lower floors.”

He looked ahead, then back at her. He tried to sound confident, for her sake more than his own.

Lisa gave a quick nod. Her voice was quiet but firm. “As long as we follow your lead and stay alert, we’ll be okay. We just can’t get careless.”

Jonah smirked faintly. She was putting on a brave face, and he could tell she was doing it for him. “You’re pretending not to be scared, aren’t you?” he teased softly.

“Me? Scared?” Lisa raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a half-smile. “You really don’t know me yet.”

Jonah chuckled under his breath as they continued walking. The silence on the floor was strange, too quiet. It felt unnatural. No groans. No dragging feet. No sudden banging. Just dust floating in the stale air and the sound of their own breathing.

“Still,” Jonah said, more serious now, “don’t try to play hero. I’ve seen too many people try to act tough and get themselves killed.”

Lisa didn’t answer right away. She just tightened her hold on Kevin, her eyes scanning the hallway. Then she smiled faintly again. “If I do something crazy, feel free to pull me back.”

As they turned a corner, Jonah’s eyes flicked toward the ceiling, his gut twisting. He was on edge. He could feel something building, but he didn’t know what. Then it came.

[System Alert: Zombie presence detected nearby. Estimated count: 10 to 15.]

Jonah stopped in his tracks. His heartbeat sped up, but he forced himself to stay calm.

‘What the hell? It gave me a warning this time?’ he thought. The system had been unpredictable since it first awakened inside him, but this was a helpful surprise.

He didn’t want to alarm Lisa, not yet. “We should slow down,” he said casually. “I’ve got a weird feeling about this area.”

She gave him a questioning look but didn’t argue. “Okay. We’ll be careful.”

Jonah focused on the hallway ahead. He didn’t see anything at first, but the system wouldn’t lie. He scanned for shadows, movement, anything. Then he froze.

They were there.

At the top of the stairwell ahead, a horde. Just standing there. Unmoving. But ready.

His throat dried. ‘Fifteen. Maybe more. I can’t let her see me use anything unnatural. Not now.’

He tightened his grip on the axe and stepped forward. “Stay here with Kevin,” he said, his voice low and firm. “I’ll handle this.”

Lisa’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? Jonah…”

But he was already moving.

The moment his foot hit the stairwell, he sprinted.

No hesitation. Speed surged through his body, not full strength, but more than a normal person could manage. 

He didn’t think. He acted. Axe swinging. Limbs flying. Heads cracking.

One zombie lunged. He dodged. Another reached for his back. He spun, axe cleaving through skull.

Blood sprayed across the walls. The others snarled and stumbled toward him, but he was already moving through them. Sharp, brutal, efficient.

Thirty seconds later, it was over. Fifteen dead. None left standing.

Jonah wiped his blade against one of the bodies and turned back toward Lisa. She was standing where he left her, eyes wide, mouth slightly open.

He walked toward her slowly, catching his breath. “All done.” His voice was casual, but his heart was pounding.

Lisa looked stunned. “You… You just… Wow. You took them down like they were made of paper.”

Jonah scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “Uh, yeah. I guess all those school sports weren’t a total waste of time.”

He smiled weakly, hoping that would be enough.

Lisa’s eyes stayed on him for a long moment, then she smiled too. “You’re something else. Alright, let’s get the hell out before more show up.”

They started down the stairs together, careful not to slip on the blood-slicked steps. Jonah kept glancing behind them, his thoughts racing.

Even if they made it out of the building, what then? Was the rest of the city safe? Was anywhere?

By the time they reached the fourth floor, Jonah felt his legs aching and his shoulders sagging. He hadn’t felt tired earlier, adrenaline had carried him. Now? He could feel the weight of it all.

“This has been the longest damn day of my life,” he muttered.

Lisa let out a tired laugh. “Tell me about it. One minute, I was worrying about my boss yelling at me. Next minute? Zombies everywhere.”

Jonah glanced at her. She was different from Clara, open, resilient, and surprisingly positive. He hadn’t thought he’d meet someone like that again.

“Do you think… this has spread outside the building?” Lisa asked. Her voice had a hint of fear now. “Maybe the whole city?”

Jonah didn’t answer right away. He didn’t want to lie. “Maybe,” he said at last. “But if it has, we’ll survive it. We just have to keep moving. Keep protecting each other.”

Lisa nodded slowly. She looked at him in a way that made his chest tighten. “Well then, I guess I’ll be in your care from now on.” Her smile was soft. “Don’t get tired of me too fast.”

Jonah laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “No promises.”

And together, they kept going, down the next stairwell and toward whatever waited below.

Jonah didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.

But for the first time since the world fell apart, he wasn’t alone.