Untouched by the Outbreak

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over Ryo's base, he stepped outside to check on the water tank and solar panels. The evening air was cool, with a light breeze rustling the leaves, but something else caught his attention: the persistent presence of the female zombie. She followed him wherever he went, like a shadow glued to his every step.

Ryo stopped near the water tank, glancing back to see her standing a few paces behind him. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the fading light, and her white eyes watched him intently. She never made a sound, only following as if bound to him by some unseen force.

He sighed, feeling a mixture of intrigue and annoyance. "You're not going to leave me alone, are you?" he muttered under his breath. But deep down, he knew this was part of the experiment's success. The question was, how much more could she evolve? Would she become even faster, smarter, or maybe more dangerous?

As Ryo checked the solar panels and ensured everything was functioning, the female zombie stood patiently nearby, her gaze never wavering. It was clear—she wasn't just another mindless zombie anymore. She was something different now, something that had begun to change with each interaction.

Ryo sighed, checking on the groups of zombies surrounding his base. The usual creepers and striders stayed in their positions, patrolling as he had commanded them. The brutes stood like sentinels, ready to defend at a moment's notice. Everything seemed in order—except for her.

The female zombie still followed him, a few steps behind, her white eyes fixated on him like he was the center of her world. She didn't make any aggressive moves, didn't attack, didn't growl. She simply stayed close, as if bound by something stronger than instinct.

Ryo wiped the sweat from his forehead, pausing to consider the situation. "This one's not going to leave me alone, is she?" he muttered. She was persistent, more so than any other zombie he'd encountered. He glanced at her again, watching as she waited for his next move.

The thought nagged at him—what would happen when night came? If she stayed out here, there was a chance she would end up banging on the door, disturbing his sleep. Ryo grimaced at the thought of dealing with that every night. She seemed obedient in some ways but unpredictable in others. Keeping her under control would be more trouble than he anticipated.

"How the hell am I supposed to sleep with you around?" Ryo muttered, pacing in thought. He couldn't have her attacking the door, trying to get in. But leaving her outside like this, so close to his base, didn't seem like a good idea either.

He turned and stared at the female zombie. "I need to figure out what to do with you."

Sachiko stood by the window, her hands resting on the sill as she watched Ryo move around outside. He seemed so at ease, casually checking the water tank and solar panels, as if there wasn't a persistent female zombie shadowing his every step. She couldn't help but feel a strange mix of awe and concern watching him handle the situation so nonchalantly.

The female zombie, with her pale skin and eerie white eyes, stayed close to Ryo, never too far behind. Sachiko shuddered, remembering how fast the creature had been, how it had evaded every zombie around and even Ryo's own defenses earlier. Yet now, it was almost... docile, like it was tethered to him.

"How does he do it?" she whispered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. There was something about Ryo—his presence, his commands—that even a creature like that female zombie couldn't resist. He had managed to tame her somehow, just like he had tamed the other zombies that guarded their base.

Sachiko sipped her coffee, her eyes still fixed on Ryo as he inspected the solar panels. The evening sunlight cast a golden glow over the scene, making everything look deceptively peaceful. From her spot inside, it looked like he was simply enjoying the outdoors, without a care in the world. But she knew better. Ryo was always calculating, always planning.

As much as she admired his ability to control the zombies, Sachiko couldn't shake off the unease she felt about that female zombie. It was different—stronger, faster, and far more attached to Ryo than any other zombie she had seen. And that attachment was what worried her the most.

Ryo then opened the door and called out, "Sachiko, come out and enjoy the evening." His voice was calm but carried a sense of expectation.

Sachiko shook her head from inside, her heart racing. She still felt deeply uncomfortable being around the zombies, even though she knew Ryo had control over them. It wasn't just unease—it was fear. What if one of them decided to attack her? What if that eerie female zombie lurking behind Ryo turned on her again?

But before she could say anything, Ryo snapped, his tone sharp and commanding, "I said come here!"

The sudden change in his voice made Sachiko flinch. She hesitated for a moment, glancing nervously out the window at the female zombie, who still hovered around Ryo, her pale eyes never leaving him. It felt unnatural, and Sachiko couldn't shake the feeling of danger.

Taking a deep breath, Sachiko forced herself to open the door and step outside. The air was cool, and the evening light bathed everything in a soft glow. She cautiously moved toward Ryo, her eyes darting between him and the zombies around the base. Every instinct screamed at her to stay inside, but she trusted Ryo—he had always kept her safe, after all.

She stopped a few steps away from him, her gaze settling on the female zombie, who still hadn't moved. "Ryo... are you sure this is safe?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling.

Ryo smirked, giving her a look that said he had everything under control. "They're not going to touch you, Sachiko. Especially her," he gestured toward the female zombie, "she knows you're mine."

Sachiko shivered, not sure whether to feel reassured or even more on edge. Still, she stood by his side, hoping his confidence would be enough to protect them both.

Sachiko, still trembling, slowly wrapped her arm around Ryo's, seeking comfort in his presence. Her grip was tight, as though she feared letting go would put her in danger. Ryo glanced at her for a moment, giving a small nod before turning his attention to the group of Striders and other zombies roaming near the base.

Ryo strode confidently toward them, Sachiko staying close by his side. As they approached the zombies, Ryo spoke in a firm, commanding voice, addressing the horde, "Listen up. Sachiko is mine. You can't attack her. She's under my protection."

The Striders and other zombies, who had once moved restlessly around, suddenly stilled. It was as if they acknowledged his words, their eerie eyes locking onto Ryo before slowly turning their gaze toward Sachiko. Though unsettling, none of them moved an inch toward her. There was an air of submission, as if Ryo's command was an unbreakable law they couldn't defy.

Ryo smirked, satisfied with their reaction, and glanced at Sachiko, who was still gripping his arm tightly. "See? They won't harm you," he said with confidence, his voice reassuring yet still carrying that edge of control.

Sachiko, while still nervous, felt a slight relief. She trusted Ryo, but the idea of zombies being controlled like this was beyond comprehension. Nonetheless, she kept close, knowing she was safe only because of him.

Ryo, still holding Sachiko close, leaned down toward her. He cupped her face gently with his hand, his eyes locked on hers with a possessive intensity. Without hesitation, he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply in front of the zombies. Sachiko, surprised at first, melted into the kiss, her hands clutching onto him tightly.

The female zombie, standing nearby, watched the display. Her pale eyes blinked, and though she made no sound, there was something almost eerie in her stillness. The other zombies remained motionless, as if witnessing the moment but bound by Ryo's command.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Ryo pulled back from the kiss, a smirk forming on his lips as he looked around at his zombie army. "See? She's mine," he said, his voice cold and authoritative. It was as if he was making a statement, not just to the zombies but to the world. Sachiko, still holding onto him, couldn't help but feel both vulnerable and protected in that moment.

Ryo, still holding Sachiko, looked down at her and asked, "What do you think? Should we name this female zombie?" His voice was calm but curious, knowing that this zombie had become something different from the others.

Sachiko hesitated for a moment, her eyes glancing toward the female zombie that had been following Ryo persistently. She thought hard about what name would suit the strange, obedient creature standing nearby. After a moment, she softly said, "Maybe... we could call her Sayako."

Ryo smirked. The name seemed fitting, given how special this female zombie had become after the experiment. "Sayako, huh?" he repeated, glancing at the zombie as if testing the name.

The female zombie—now Sayako—stood still, her pale skin gleaming under the evening light. Ryo couldn't help but feel intrigued by how attached she had become, and how the experiment had turned her into something more than just a mindless creature.