Chapter 11: Not again

May’s long lashes fluttered. A soft little whimper escaped her lips before she slowly opened her sleepy eyes.

"Mmm... it’s morning already..."

Still half-asleep, she sat up and rubbed her eyes, looking completely oblivious to the situation around her.

Then she realized she was still holding onto something... hard.

She lowered her gaze and her expression instantly froze.

She jerked her hand back as though she’d been shocked by electricity, then hurriedly hid it behind her back. The heat in her cheeks spread all the way down to her collarbone.

Six pairs of eyes were staring straight at her. The awkwardness in the room was almost unbearable.

May’s mind raced desperately, searching for a remotely believable explanation.

She blinked her large, watery eyes and forced the most innocent smile she could manage, looking at everyone with the dazed innocence of someone who had only just woken up.

"G-good morning, everyone."

She paused. Her gaze drifted toward the suspiciously raised blanket over Ray.

Tilting her head with exaggerated curiosity, she then asked, "Hey... do you always sleep with a gun under your blanket?"

...

The only thing missing from the scene was a rolling tumbleweed.

"Pfft..." Alex was the first to crack. He covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.

"May, you really are lucky. You can’t live a single day without getting into an awkward situation."

Mitch leaned against the wall, the corner of his mouth twitching violently as he fought to keep from laughing.

"Were you perhaps sharing a dream together?"

Only Theo remained completely composed. His gaze moved between the blanket and May’s innocent expression, which practically screamed I have absolutely no idea what’s going on.

"Well, good to know he’s healthy. And well-developed."

"..."

Ray felt the last remnants of his patience snap and abruptly threw the blanket aside.

Whatever intimidating aura had surrounded him immediately deflated the instant the cold morning air hit him.

He got out of bed so quickly that he practically created his own gust of wind, refusing to look at May.

"Everyone get your asses up. Pack everything, eat, and get ready to move."

May sheepishly tucked her chin down and scrambled off the bed.

Meanwhile, the tiny imaginary version of herself inside her head was already kneeling and repeatedly banging her forehead against the floor.

I’m sorry, Lord Ray. I didn’t mean to.

But seriously, what you had going on there... could I really be blamed for this? Just be grateful you’re so healthy down there!

Just as the room reached an awkwardness so intense it could practically be carved into furniture, something unexpected happened.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted outside the hospital.

The entire floor shook violently.

Then came the horrible sound of concrete and masonry being ripped apart.

Ray’s expression changed instantly. The lingering embarrassment vanished, replaced by cold killing intent.

"Damn it. It’s a Tyrant."

He crossed the room in a single stride and glanced outside.

"Don’t move. Forget the supplies for now. All our weapons are back in the truck. Fighting it head-on would be suicide."

From the corridor came the unmistakable sounds of dragging footsteps and guttural zombie snarls.

It looked like the entire horde was coming. And this time, a Tyrant was leading it.

"This way."

Ray’s eyes swept rapidly across the room before stopping on a section of wall where years of neglect had caused the plaster to collapse.

Behind it was a damaged ventilation shaft. It was narrow, deep, and dark, but just wide enough for several people to squeeze through.

"Move. Everyone inside."

He grabbed Alex and Mitch, the two closest to him, and shoved them toward the opening.

"Jack, you’re the biggest. You go last and block the entrance."

"No. I’ll go first." Jack shook his head. "I am flexible. I can take the inside position and act as a cushion."

Before anyone could argue, he glanced at the petite May and immediately bent down, crawling into the opening first.

His enormous frame practically had to be forced through the narrow gap.

"May, go. Now."

Ray’s tone left no room for discussion.

May’s legs weakened, and before she could fully react, Ace gave her a gentle push from behind.

She stumbled straight into the dark opening.

It was pitch-black inside, and the passage was even tighter than she’d expected. The instant she entered, her back collided with a wall of warm flesh.

Jack was crouched ahead of her, using his broad back to give her something to brace against.

"Bear with it. It’s a bit cramped."

His voice came from ahead, muffled and slightly nervous.

May was about to tell him she was fine when Theo squeezed into the passage behind her.

That was when she truly understood the meaning of being trapped between two people with absolutely nowhere to move.

Theo’s chest pressed firmly against her back, his body heat penetrating through their thin layers of clothing.

She was completely wedged between two powerful bodies, unable to shift even an inch.

Behind them, Ace, Mitch, Alex, and finally Ray squeezed into the shaft one after another.

The cramped passage now contained seven grown men and one woman.

The air immediately became hot and thin. Dust, sweat, and the different scents clinging to each person mingled together in the confined darkness.

May’s cheek was forced against Jack’s... legs. His combat trousers were rough enough to scrape against her skin, carrying the faint smell of dirt and blood.

But that wasn’t the problem. The real problem was that as the Tyrant outside drew closer, every heavy footstep sent another tremor through the building.

Jack instinctively shifted his position to keep his balance.

And suddenly, May felt something beside her cheek.

Oh God, not again... Please... Let it be an actual gun this time...

Jack was on the verge of exploding from embarrassment.

He could clearly feel May’s warm breath brushing repeatedly against his side. Each exhale seemed to send a strange electric shiver straight through him.

He wanted to move away, but there was a wall behind him. He had nowhere to retreat.

He wanted to adjust his position, but he was terrified that even the slightest movement would make the situation worse.

Right now, Jack was seriously considering jumping back out and straight into the horde of zombies. That would be much better than this.

He wasn’t the only one suffering, though.

Theo, pressed tightly behind May, was having his own problems.

The cramped space left virtually no distance between them.

May’s body was forced against his, and he could feel every nervous movement she made.

Her breathing had become quicker from the tension, causing her back to rise and fall repeatedly against his chest.

That... wasn’t even the worst part.