Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo arrived at the outskirts of the next town, the name of which he neither knew nor cared to know. His focus was singular: find a truck, something reliable like a Hilux. As he cruised slowly down the empty streets, he saw the remnants of civilization scattered everywhere. Vehicles littered the road, abandoned hastily in the early days of the outbreak.

Most had flat tires, their exteriors covered in dirt and grime, but surprisingly, many still seemed to be in decent condition.

"They left everything behind," Ryo muttered to himself, weaving around cars that had been deserted in sheer panic. The sight of abandoned possessions didn't faze him—these people had no choice. Once the outbreak hit, survival was the only thing that mattered, and anyone too slow or too stupid had become food for the infected.

"Flat tires, of course," he smirked. The tires were ruined, but that was nothing to worry about for someone like him. "Parts are easy to come by." The survivors hadn't dared scavenge, knowing that the zombies were faster than they could ever be. Ryo understood why no one had tried. Even moving in groups wouldn't help.

Zombies in this world weren't slow, shuffling corpses—they were fast, lethal, and relentless. No one could outrun them.

"And even if they tried," Ryo let out a low laugh, "they'd be zombie food in minutes."

He reveled in the thought, taking a sick sort of pleasure in the fact that he was untouchable, walking freely among the dead. While others feared for their lives, Ryo had the luxury of moving through this wasteland without concern. Zombies, no matter how fast or fierce, wouldn't touch him. He was free in a world where no one else could be.

The town ahead looked deserted, but Ryo knew better. Zombies roamed everywhere, even if they weren't immediately visible. He slowed the scooter, scanning for any signs of movement, his mind already calculating what his next steps would be. Finding a working truck was his priority, but part of him relished the idea of scavenging this place thoroughly.

He chuckled again, a twisted grin spreading across his face. "No one's coming back for this stuff. It's all mine now."

The roads were his, the world was his, and with no competition left to worry about, Ryo was determined to take everything he could from it.

Ryo stopped his scooter outside a small, dusty convenience store. The front window was cracked but still intact, and as he peered inside, he could see the shelves stacked with supplies, untouched since the outbreak. A wide grin spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

"Perfect," he muttered to himself, stepping off the scooter and pushing the door open. The bell above the door jingled faintly, as if it still remembered the time when customers came in and out, buying snacks and drinks without a care in the world. Now, though, it was Ryo's world, and everything in it belonged to him.

He strolled through the aisles, hands in his pockets, surveying the untouched shelves. Canned food, bottled water, snacks, and most importantly—alcohol. A smirk curled on his lips as he imagined himself taking whatever he wanted, while everyone else was either dead or too scared to come anywhere near.

"This is all mine," he whispered, his voice low and triumphant. "No need to rush and gather everything. I can come back whenever I want. Maybe bring Sachiko along next time... heheheheh."

Ryo reached for a bottle of beer, his fingers wrapping around the cold glass as he cracked it open. He took a long sip, savoring the taste of his small victory. The world was his playground now, and no one could stop him. He grabbed a few snacks and something to eat, heading toward the counter as if he were still a paying customer.

"Might as well enjoy myself for a bit," he thought, grabbing a chair from behind the counter and sitting down. The silence of the store felt almost peaceful—no zombies, no people, just him and his newfound freedom.

As he sat there, casually sipping his beer and munching on snacks, he thought of Sachiko back at the house. She'd be waiting for him, but he didn't mind making her wait a little longer. "I'll bring her here later," he thought with a dark chuckle, "she deserves a treat too."

He leaned back, enjoying the rare moment of peace in a world of chaos. The supplies were endless, and with no one around to stop him, Ryo felt invincible. "I can take my time," he thought, his smirk widening as he looked around the store. "This is just the beginning."

Ryo picked up a pack of cigarettes from the counter, opening it with a practiced hand. The cigarettes were a bit stale, but he didn't mind; in this world, small luxuries were worth savoring. He lit one up, drawing in the smoke and letting it curl around him as he settled into a chair behind the counter.

"Not bad for a treat," he murmured, exhaling a cloud of smoke. The faintly bitter taste of the cigarette mixed with the sweetness of the snacks he was munching on. He grabbed a few more items—chips, candies, and a couple of bottles of wine—stuffing them into his backpack with practiced efficiency.

He continued to indulge in his feast, the crunch of snacks and the smooth taste of the wine providing a rare moment of comfort amidst the desolation. The store was his playground now, and he took full advantage of it, making sure to take enough to last him until his next foray.

Once satisfied with his haul, Ryo finished his drink and stubbed out the cigarette, his mind already shifting back to his search. He needed to find a suitable vehicle—a truck or anything robust enough to handle the load he planned to transport. The idea of having a truck with Striders for protection was tantalizing, and he was eager to see if he could find one.

He collected his things and packed them neatly into his backpack, making sure everything was secure. The town was quiet, the eerie silence punctuated only by the occasional groan of distant zombies. As he left the store, he took one last look around, making sure he hadn't missed anything valuable.

"Time to find that truck," he said, his voice filled with determination. He hopped back onto his scooter, feeling the familiar hum of the engine beneath him. The road stretched out ahead, and with the town in his rearview, Ryo set off on his next adventure, ready to explore and conquer whatever lay ahead.

Ryo felt the alcohol begin to work its way through his system, a warm, mellow buzz spreading from his head to his toes. The initial euphoria was soothing, a temporary escape from the grim reality of his world. He appreciated the calming effect, but he was careful to moderate his intake. Getting too drunk could leave him vulnerable, especially with the government still a looming threat.

He shook his head slightly, trying to focus. The last thing he needed was to lose his edge or attract unwanted attention while he was in a compromised state. The liquor's effect was pleasant, but he reminded himself of the stakes involved.

As he drove through the streets, he kept his senses sharp, scanning for any sign of a suitable vehicle. The solitude of the town was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it meant fewer dangers, but on the other, it made the search more challenging. He had to stay vigilant, ensuring that every decision he made would keep him one step ahead of any potential threats.

Ryo navigated the quiet streets with practiced ease, his mind working through possible scenarios. "Find the truck, secure the area, and get back to Sachiko," he thought. "One step at a time."

The alcohol provided a temporary distraction, but Ryo knew he couldn't let it cloud his judgment. The stakes were too high, and he couldn't afford to make mistakes.

Ryo dismounted his scooter and approached the abandoned gadget shop with a purposeful stride. The store's glass door was shattered, evidence of the chaos that had unfolded when the outbreak began. Inside, the shelves were cluttered with the remnants of once-desired tech gadgets—laptops, smartphones, and various other electronic devices.

He carefully navigated through the debris, his eyes scanning the shelves for anything that looked intact. A few of the laptops were still sealed in their boxes, and several smartphones seemed to be in good condition. Ryo's thoughts drifted to Sachiko, imagining her delight at receiving a new laptop. Despite the desolate world around him, he found satisfaction in the small things he could do for her.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He grabbed a couple of laptops and smartphones, making sure they were in good condition and some of them still charged. He tucked them into his backpack and some to the scooter. The prospect of giving Sachiko a treat, especially something she had mentioned wanting, brought a rare moment of genuine pleasure.

Ryo's mind wandered back to his plans. "I'll get back to Sachiko, and we can enjoy a quiet evening together," he thought. "I'll make sure she gets something she wants and have my own reward in the process."

With the gadgets secured, Ryo made his way back to the scooter, ready to continue his search for a suitable vehicle and eventually return to his base. The day had been productive, and he felt a sense of accomplishment. The combination of his newfound loot and the thought of his evening plans kept his spirits high as he set off once more.

Stay connected with mvl

Ryo's mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and dark satisfaction as he considered the possibilities of the smartphones he had just collected. The idea of using the devices to record intimate moments with Sachiko was appealing to him. He envisioned capturing their passionate encounters and replaying them later, savoring the moments whenever he pleased.

Ryo's thoughts were fixated on how he could set up the smartphones to record their time together. He imagined replaying the footage, relishing the control he had over their shared experiences, and the thrill of seeing Sachiko's reactions in those moments.

Ryo's thoughts drifted to the possibilities of using the smartphones for more than just recording their intimate moments. He envisioned capturing their scavenging adventures, documenting the eerie beauty of the world they were navigating, and even recording their time at the beach. The idea of sharing these experiences with Sachiko and preserving their moments together fascinated him.

With his base equipped with a solar power system and battery bank, Ryo knew that charging the smartphones and laptops wouldn't be an issue. This technology would not only serve to document their experiences but also enhance their time together, allowing him to keep a record of their journey and the world they were exploring.

His smirk grew as he imagined the ways he could use these devices to further indulge in his desires and maintain control over their shared experiences.

Ryo's mind raced with excitement at the thought of the beach. The idea of fishing and gathering fresh seafood sparked a new sense of purpose in him. With no human interference, the coastal waters would likely be teeming with fish and crabs, providing a much-needed break from their usual diet of canned and dried foods.

He envisioned himself and Sachiko enjoying the fresh catch, a rare luxury in their post-apocalyptic world. The prospect of a different kind of scavenging—one that involved the bounty of the ocean—was enticing. Not only would it offer a refreshing change of pace, but it would also give them the chance to enjoy some of the simple pleasures of life that had become rare commodities.

Ryo's smirk returned as he imagined the new opportunities and experiences awaiting them by the sea.