Payal and Gana finally reached the hospital.

They stood outside the main entrance, both feeling nervous, uneasy, and a little scared.

The hospital looked like a crumbling corpse — the once-white walls now stained dark with dried blood.

Broken glass crunched under their shoes. Chairs, stretchers, and medical equipment were scattered everywhere, as if people had fled in a hurry.

The heavy metallic scent of blood mixed with rotting air made it hard to breathe.

Flickering emergency lights barely lit the halls, casting monstrous shadows across the walls.

Gana tightened his grip on his ice axe.

He looked at Payal and said in a low, serious voice,

Gana (whispering): “Let’s go. But don’t lower your guard — not even for a second.”

Payal nodded, equally serious.

Payal (softly): “Okay… I’m ready.”

They moved forward cautiously, stepping past the shattered glass doors.

Every little sound — the tap of a water leak, the creak of broken furniture — made their hearts pound harder.

Their bodies were tense, prepared for anything.

Gana led, checking every corner.

Payal followed closely, holding her ice axe tight.

The darkness inside seemed alive, ready to swallow them whole.

The air inside was cold and thick with the stench of death.

Gana moved carefully, eyes scanning every dark corner.

Gana (whispering): “Looks like… no one’s here.”

But just as he said it, a horrifying growl echoed through the hospital corridors.

Both of them froze instantly.

A lone zombie stumbled into view near the entrance, its body twisted and rotting.

Instinctively, Gana and Payal ducked behind a toppled reception table, their breathing shallow.

Payal clutched Gana’s jacket tightly and whispered, panic rising in her voice,

Payal (whispering fast): “I have a bad feeling about this…”

Gana (whispering, trying to stay calm): “It’s just one… We can handle it.”

But before he could even finish speaking, a second zombie emerged from the shadows — then another.

Payal squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying not to panic, and whispered sharply,

Payal: “Please… don’t say anything anymore.”

Gana nodded, swallowing hard.

Both of them remained hidden, watching as more figures slowly began moving in the darkness.

The hospital was not as empty as they had hoped.

Gana carefully peeked over the edge of the table, scanning the dim, broken hospital corridor.

In the flickering emergency lights, he spotted a board hanging loosely from the ceiling.

Gana (whispering): “There. See that? Medical Store. It’s right around that corner.”

Payal nodded silently, her eyes wide but determined.

The path wasn’t long — but two zombies blocked part of it, dragging their broken legs across the blood-stained floor.

Gana (whispering): “We’ll move slow… stick low… no sudden moves.”

Payal gripped her ice axe tighter.

Both crouched and began sneaking forward, keeping close to the shattered wall, slipping behind debris and overturned hospital beds.

The sound of zombies shuffling and moaning echoed all around, making every step feel heavier.

Every creak of the floor made Payal flinch.

When they reached closer, Gana carefully pointed to the half-open door of the Medical Store.

Gana (whispering): “Almost there… just a little more.”

Payal glanced nervously at a nearby zombie whose head suddenly twitched in their direction.

She held her breath, clutching her weapon, praying it wouldn’t notice them.

Step by step, heart pounding, they moved closer — the Medical Store was just within reach now.

Gana slowly pushed the door wider, just enough for them to slip inside.

The Medical Store wasn’t a small room — it was more like a mini-mart, with long aisles stacked with medicines, bandages, medical gear, and dusty shelves knocked over in places.

Dim emergency lights flickered above, and the place smelled of strong antiseptic mixed with something rotten.

Gana (whispering): “Damn… it’s bigger than I thought.”

Payal looked around sharply, staying alert.

Payal (firmly whispering): “No time to waste. Take only what’s necessary—antibiotics, painkillers, bandages.Nothing extra.”

Gana nodded, impressed by how focused she was under pressure.

They quickly spread out a little. Payal moved towards the locked cabinets, scanning labels fast.

She found antibiotics, packed a few strips into her bag.

Nearby, Gana grabbed some antiseptic bottles, rolled gauze, and pain relief sprays.

Payal (whispering again): “Prioritize survival, Gana. We can’t carry a pharmacy on our backs.”

Gana smirked lightly but stayed serious, stuffing supplies into his small backpack.

Suddenly, a crash echoed from somewhere deeper inside the store — a metal tray falling over.

Both of them froze, instinctively ducking behind a shelf.

Gana (muttering): “We’re not alone…”

Payal tightened the strap on her ice axe and whispered,

Payal: “Quickly. Finish it. And stay ready.”

They moved faster now, senses sharp, knowing any second could turn deadly.

Payal zipped her backpack shut quietly. Gana, crouched behind the aisle shelves, peered toward the entrance of the store.

A single zombie — twisted and snarling — stood right at the main exit, blocking their way out. Its head twitched unnaturally, sniffing the air like it knew someone was close… but couldn’t find them yet.

Gana (whispering): “Shit… he’s right at the door. We can’t just walk out.”

Payal clutched her ice axe tighter, her breath shallow.

Payal (anxiously whispering): “What do we do now?”

Gana’s eyes sharpened. He thought fast.

Gana (low voice, determined):

“I’ll distract him. I’ll create some noise from the other side.

When he moves, you slip to the door… stay low, stay fast. Be ready to shut the door behind me.”

Payal stared at him, worried.

Payal (soft but firm):

“Okay. But be careful, Gana. Please Be careful.”

Gana gave her a small, crooked smile — brave even now.

Gana (grinning slightly):

“Don’t worry. I’ll survive. You just keep that door ready.”

Without wasting another second, Gana silently moved deeper into the aisle, scanning for anything he could throw.

He spotted a broken metal tray on the ground — perfect.

He picked it up, exhaled once, and then hurled it hard toward the far corner of the store.

The tray crashed loudly against a shelf, sending a loud, metallic echo bouncing through the empty store.

The zombie immediately jerked its head toward the noise, growling and staggering away from the door toward the sound.

Payal (whispering urgently):

“Now, Gana! Go!”

Both of them moved — Payal sprinting low toward the door, gripping the handle tight, holding her breath.

Gana zigzagged fast, keeping the zombie’s attention on the crash site.

They had seconds—only seconds—to make it out alive.

Payal (whispering under her breath):

“Come on, Gana… hurry up…”

Gana made one final dash — sprinting from behind the shelves straight toward the door.

The zombie spotted him mid-run, letting out a chilling screech, and started charging toward him with terrifying speed.

Payal (shouting softly, urgent):

“Gana, move!”

Just as Gana reached the door, Payal yanked it open — a loud creak slicing through the tense silence.

Gana slid through, nearly crashing into her.

Without wasting even a second, Payal slammed the door shut.

BANG! BANG!

The zombie hurled itself at the closed door, its rotted fists pounding desperately against the metal.

Gana leaned back against the wall, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Gana (smirking between breaths):

“That was way closer than I liked.”

Payal (half laughing, half shaking):

“If you ever pull something that stupid again, I swear… I’ll be the one to finish you off!”

They both exchanged a brief, breathless smile — alive, for now.

The hallway ahead was dim, broken lights flickering — but at least they had made it out of the store.

But

Just as Payal and Gana caught their breath outside the medical store, they froze.

Right in front of them — standing confidently — were the same four men they had seen at the mall.

Their leader smirked and clapped slowly.

Boss (mockingly):

“Wow, what teamwork! I’m impressed.”

Payal leaned closer to Gana, whispering urgently:

Payal (whispering):

“These are the same guys from the mall.”

Gana (quiet, steady):

“I know. They’ve been tailing us.”

The men had makeshift weapons in hand — steel pipes, baseball bats, and metal rods.

Their leader stepped forward, the smirk never leaving his face.

Boss (threateningly):

“Don’t try to play hero. You won’t like the consequences.”

Payal gripped her ice axe tighter, glancing around nervously.

Payal (low voice):

“Where the hell are all the zombies now?”

Gana (grimly):

“Well… we have one. Right behind that door.”

The store zombie still pounded weakly against the door, its snarls muffled but growing louder.

Payal, trying to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, said carefully:

Payal:

“If you want these supplies, you can take them. We’re not here to fight.”

But the boss just laughed — a nasty, low sound — and shook his head.

Boss:

“We’ll take whatever we want. But first… why don’t you drop that little axe, sweetheart?”

His men chuckled creepily, stepping closer.

One of them, the one with the steel pipe, licked his lips and stared at Payal hungrily.

Creepy man (grinning):

“Such a beauty… can’t wait to hear her scream.”

Gana’s voice dropped low, whispering quickly:

Gana (whispering to Payal):

“On the count of three… get to my side.”

Payal nodded almost invisibly.

Gana (counting quietly):

“One…”

Payal shot a death glare at the creepy man and snapped:

Payal (taunting):

“Try that with your mother, asshole.”

The man blinked in confusion.

Creepy man:

“What did you just say?!”

Gana (even quieter, sharper):

“Two…”

Payal didn’t back down, her voice like a whip:

Payal:

“Didn’t you hear me, fucker?”

Gana:

“Three!”

In one swift movement, Payal jumped toward Gana’s side as he yanked the door open —

and the zombie, now furious and hungry, lunged out like a beast unleashed from hell.

The zombie tackled the creepy man, sinking its teeth deep into his neck —

blood sprayed everywhere as he screamed:

Man (screaming):

“AHHHH! GET IT OFF ME!”

Two of the other men rushed forward, panicking.

One swung his steel pipe hard, hitting the zombie and knocking it sideways — but it was too late.

The bitten man was already collapsing, gurgling on his own blood.

Their boss stood behind, watching silently, not lifting a finger to help.

Meanwhile, Gana and Payal sprinted down the hallway — gone like ghosts.

Boss (cursing under his breath):

“Idiots!”

Then, something worse happened.

From the dark halls of the hospital, more zombies started appearing — drawn by the noise and the scent of blood.

One of the men screamed for help:

Survivor (shouting):

“Boss! Help us, damn it!”

But when he turned to look — their boss was already running away, disappearing into the shadows without a second thought.

The two remaining men were quickly overwhelmed.

The one swinging the metal rod fought desperately — but when a horde crashed into him, he was ripped apart.

The hospital echoed with horrifying screams and the wet sound of tearing flesh.

Blood stained the broken tiles, the walls, everything.

TO BE CONTINUE 

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Author’s Note:

I’d be really happy if you shared your feedback in the comment section. Let me know what you liked or what I can improve—I want to make this story even better for you.

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