Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo awoke in the dead of night, shivering from the biting cold. He glanced over at the heater, realizing it had gone out. His eyes shifted to **Sachiko**, sleeping soundly beside him, and then to **Sayako**, the female zombie, still standing in her usual spot, seemingly unaffected by the freezing temperature.

Not wanting his companions to suffer, he silently dragged a single sofa into the room and, without hesitation, moved Sayako to sit on it. He wrapped her in a blanket to keep her still and warm, even if she didn't feel the cold. His next move was to take another blanket and carefully wrap it around Sachiko, ensuring she remained warm through the night. Protecting them both was instinctual for him.

Ryo dressed in his jacket, slung his **MP5** over his shoulder, and headed to the kitchen. Opening a bottle of liquor, he poured himself a glass, sipping it slowly. The warmth from the alcohol spread through his body, pushing away the chill for a brief moment.

He then made sure to relight the heater and placed it inside the room, near Sachiko and Sayako. Satisfied they would be warm for the rest of the night, he moved on.

With the cold biting at his skin, Ryo ventured outside, his breath visible in the frigid air. Snow had begun to pile up, covering the ground in a thick white blanket. Despite the harsh weather, he carried another heater to the neighboring house where the Strider horde was stationed.

Opening the door, he found them all standing silently with their eyes closed, as if asleep but ever-ready for his command.

Ryo placed the heater in the center of the room and checked to ensure it was on. The Striders didn't need warmth, but Ryo knew that keeping them in prime condition was key to maintaining his control over them. Satisfied, he stood in the doorway for a moment, looking over his personal army before heading back into the cold, the snow crunching under his boots as he returned to his base.

It was a silent night, but Ryo knew there would be more to prepare for in the coming days.

Ryo lit three more heaters, carrying them across the snow-covered path to the nearby houses where the normal zombies resided. The cold air cut into him, but he pressed on, determined to ensure his entire undead army was well cared for. Inside the first house, he placed the heater and looked around at the group of zombies huddled inside, standing eerily still but obedient.

He turned on the heater and left it running, satisfied that the zombies would be able to function despite the cold.

Next, Ryo moved to another house a bit farther from his main base, carrying another heater. He had positioned his zombies strategically, spacing them out across different houses to maintain a perimeter around his stronghold. He opened the door to another group of normal zombies and set the heater down, repeating the same process as before.

Once it was turned on, he quietly shut the door behind him, leaving the room with the comforting hum of the heater filling the space.

Finally, he walked towards the back of the area, where the house that held the Brutes was located. These zombies were larger, stronger, and bulkier than the others, and though they were resilient, Ryo wanted to make sure even they were prepared for the harsh winter ahead.

The houses weren't too close to each other, but Ryo didn't mind the extra distance; he was used to checking on all of his forces, making sure everything ran smoothly.

Once at the Brutes' location, Ryo opened the door and placed the final heater in the corner, watching as the hulking figures remained perfectly still. They may have been able to withstand the winter without issue, but Ryo wanted to ensure his valuable army was in optimal condition.

With all the heaters set up and running, Ryo stood outside, his breath visible in the frosty air. The snow continued to fall around him, coating the world in a thick, quiet layer of white. For now, his army was safe, warm, and ready for whatever would come next.

Ryo was satisfied as he surveyed the illuminated area. Setting up solar lights outside each house had been a smart decision. The glow from the lights cast a faint but steady brightness across the snowy landscape, making it easier for him to move between the houses without stumbling in the dark.

Each house, filled with his various zombie hordes—Striders, Brutes, and regular zombies—stood like silent outposts, all within his control.

He smirked to himself. Even if the government eventually discovered this location, it wasn't like they could easily make a move at night. The **Creeper zombies**, which only emerged after dark, were a threat to any human foolish enough to attempt nighttime operations. But not to him.

The Creepers, like all the other zombies, followed his commands, making the night his ally and the government's worst enemy.

Ryo knew that this secluded, fortified area was his own sanctuary—safe from the prying eyes of any survivors or government agents. With the zombies stationed in their houses, the heaters warming them up for the winter, and the solar lights guiding his path, Ryo felt completely in control. For now, his stronghold was untouchable.

Then, when he felt cold again, he decided to go back to his house. He wanted to hug Sachiko. She was his woman, his pillow, and his pleasure. He couldn't wait to enjoy the warmth of their bodies hugging each other. He smirked at the thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction in the simplicity of the moment.

Ryo had Sayako for his physical needs and companionship, a connection that was as primal as it was uncomplicated. But Sachiko was different; she represented warmth, comfort, and the faintest glimmer of humanity in this dark, chaotic world. He appreciated the contrast—each woman serving a distinct purpose in his life.

He headed back to his house and pushed open the door, closing it behind him to shut out the cold air. He removed his boots, their heavy thuds echoing softly in the quiet of the house. Making his way to the kitchen, he poured himself another glass of liquor, letting the warmth of the alcohol flow through him as he savored the rich taste.

After satisfying his thirst, he slipped into his room, placing the MP5 in a spot where it would be within reach if anything happened—though he doubted it would. With Sayako, the female zombie, near them, the chances of an intruder were slim. What could the soldiers or the government do? The thought made him chuckle.

Ryo slid under the covers, feeling the soft fabric envelop him. He carefully draped the blanket over Sachiko, who was still nestled in bed, and wrapped his arms around her. As he pulled her close, she stirred lightly, her eyes fluttering open just enough to catch a glimpse of him.

With a gentle smile, Sachiko planted a soft kiss on Ryo's lips, sending warmth flooding through him. Then she hugged him tightly, her body molding against his. It was a perfect moment, one that made all the chaos outside fade into the background.

Here, in this intimate space, they were safe, and Ryo relished the connection they shared, allowing himself to drift into a comfortable sleep, surrounded by warmth and the faint scent of their bodies mingling.

Later in the morning, Sachiko woke up, feeling the warmth of the extra blankets covering her. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the morning light filtering in through the window. As her eyes scanned the room, she noticed that the female zombie, Sayako, was now sitting on the sofa, fast asleep in an upright position.

It seemed even in her state, she still obeyed Ryo's unspoken commands, never far from their side, always guarding them.

Sachiko looked down at the blankets wrapped around her. There were more than before, layered carefully to keep her warm through the cold night. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she realized Ryo must have taken the time to make sure she was comfortable before heading back to sleep.

It was these small, thoughtful gestures that made her feel safe, even in a world as terrifying as this one.

She stretched quietly, careful not to wake Ryo, who was still sleeping beside her, his arm draped loosely over her waist. The warmth of his body was a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. Sachiko let her thoughts drift back to their strange, new life together, a life where they had to survive day by day, yet somehow, it had become her comfort.

Being with Ryo—while intimidating—had given her a strange sense of purpose and protection she hadn't felt in the government stronghold.

She glanced at Sayako again, the ever-loyal, silent sentinel, and then at Ryo, still peacefully asleep beside her. Her life had changed in ways she could never have imagined, but in this moment, she felt strangely at peace.

Sachiko slowly got out of bed, feeling a slight chill in the air despite the heater running. She walked softly on the cold floor, wrapping a blanket around herself for extra warmth. The heater in the room was running on gasoline, one of those old, reliable models Ryo had managed to find in the nearby store.

She remembered how amazed she was when she first saw the stash of full fuel gallons Ryo had stockpiled. The sheer amount of gasoline was staggering, a critical resource in this post-apocalyptic world.

She couldn't help but admire how resourceful Ryo was. When they had scavenged the town, she watched him expertly siphon fuel from abandoned cars and stations. It was something most survivors wouldn't dare attempt with so many zombies roaming the streets, but Ryo wasn't like the others. The zombies didn't attack him, and he could move freely among them, collecting whatever he needed.

His immunity and ability to control them had given him an unparalleled advantage in survival.

As Sachiko walked to the window, she glanced outside. The snow had fallen overnight, covering the ground and rooftops in a pristine white blanket. The world looked peaceful, but she knew better. Just beyond the snow-covered streets, the town was filled with zombies. But for now, they were still, waiting, under Ryo's command.