Bright Ideas

Mytia's curiosity was piqued as she walked out and noticed her friends Jay, Neil, and Michael huddled together, whispering. She wondered what they were discussing and why they seemed so secretive.

Approaching them with a smile, she said, "Hey, guys, what's going on? Why the hushed conversation?"

Mytia's heart sank as she overheard Jay and Neil trying to reassure Michael about hurting Catherine. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Catherine was one of her closest friends, someone she cared deeply about, and the thought of someone intentionally causing her pain was unbearable.

She quietly moved closer, not wanting to interrupt but needing to understand the context. As she listened, Jay tried convincing Michael that Catherine deserved the pain and that it Saved Neil. Neil chimed in, agreeing with Jay and adding his justifications for the hurtful actions.

Mytia's mind raced with anger and disbelief. She took a deep breath, mustering the courage to interject and confront them about their misguided opinions. She stepped forward and cleared her throat, causing all three to turn in her direction. The shock was evident as they realised Mytia had been listening to their conversation.

"Mytia, how... how long have you been standing there?" Michael stammered, guilt written all over his face.

"Long enough," she replied firmly, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"I can't believe what I just overheard. Catherine is a kind and caring person, and the idea of intentionally hurting her is despicable. What could justify such cruelty?"

Jay and Neil exchanged uneasy glances, quickly realizing that their words had been exposed for what they indeed were - senseless justifications for their selfish desires.

Jay spoke up, his voice small and remorseful.

"We... we didn't mean it, Mytia. It was just talk, you know? We were blowing off steam."

Mytia shook her head, unable to understand how they could dismiss such harmful speech as mere talk.

"Words have power, Jay. They can deeply wound, and the idea of intentionally causing someone pain is not something that can be brushed off as 'just talk.' You need to understand the consequences of what you were saying."

Neil nodded, his expression changing from defensive to remorseful.

"You're right, Mytia. We were wrong, and we apologise. We let our frustrations cloud our judgement."

Mytia sighed, "Apologies are a good start, but true change comes from reflection and action. I hope you both will take the time to consider the impact of your words and work to foster a more compassionate and supportive environment for Catherine and others."

As Mytia walked away to the idle market. Mytia looks up at the flickering lights, a puzzled expression on her face. She wonders if it's a sign of an electrical issue or just a minor glitch. As she continues to watch the lights, she notices a pattern - they flicker for a few seconds, then stay steady for a while before flickering again.

Curiosity piqued, Mytia decides to investigate further. She walks towards the nearest light source, observing it closely. She notices the light bulb is slightly loose in its socket, causing a flickering effect whenever it moves. Mytia gently adjusts the bulb, making sure it's securely in place.

To her confusion, the flickering doesn't stop. Mytia reflects on the importance of paying attention to small details. Sometimes, a simple adjustment can't resolve seemingly complex issues.

As she entered the Pharmacy, she hurriedly approached Simon and Catherine, clearly overwhelmed and unable to contain her emotions. Simon looked concerned, while Catherine, who was seated at the counter, tried to sit up straight, supporting herself with her arms.

She took a deep breath and frantically began to ramble, her words stumbling over one another in her haste.

"Guys, you won't believe what just happened! I was on my way to get the water, and I overheard the others validating Michael's action against Cathrine, I yelled at them how it was wrong then walked off."

Simon's eyes widened in shock as he absorbed her words.

'Are you alright?' he asked through his board, his face filled with concern.

She shook her head vigorously, her voice trembling with adrenaline.

"No, I'm fine, thankfully. Just a little shaken up."

Catherine, wincing from her seat, interjected with persistent determination.

"Thanks for standing up to them, I'm proud of you." She kisses Mytia's forehead and pets her head. Flashing a glance at Catherine, she nodded in agreement. Simon sighed with relief, his worry gradually dissipating.

Just then, the sound of sirens fills the air as the power in the building fades. Kimora screams at the top of her small lungs on the opposite side of the building.

Michael is punched in the face by Cathrine as Jay notices her running toward them.

"Get off of him!" As Neil separates Catherine from Michael, Jay yells at her. Cathrine collapses to the ground while spitting blood. "Neil go help her and Michael come with me, we need to switch the electricity back on," yells Jay as Mytia races past looking for Kimora.

Cathrine is lifted to the nearest seat by Simon.

"Kimora!" As Mytia discovers her, she screams. A set of glass electric doors in front of Kimora are slowly opening, allowing a horde of zombies inside.

Mytia's heart raced as she stumbled upon Kimora, her dear friend, amid the chaos. The echo of her voice reverberated through the air, carrying a mixture of surprise and dread. Kimora turned towards Mytia, a look of sheer terror etched across her face.

Before them, their mechanical hum drowned beneath the ominous moans that accompanied the approaching horde. Mytia's breath caught in her throat as she realized the danger they were in – the doors, meant to be a barrier, had become the gateway for the relentless zombies.

The pale morning light filtered through the dusty windows, casting eerie shadows as the doors continued their slow ascent. Kimora's eyes locked onto Mytia's, a silent understanding passing between them. Without a word, they knew they had to fight for their lives.

Mytia's mind raced, searching for any means of escape. The room they were in offered little protection; overturned furniture and shattered glass were the only obstacles between them and the advancing undead.

The first of the zombies shuffled through the opening, their lifeless eyes fixed on the three of them. Neil gives Mytia his blade, Mytia's grip tightened around her weapon as she took a deep breath, her fear morphing into determination. With a fierce battle cry, she swung the knife at the nearest zombie, its impact creating a sickening ooze sound. The room became a battleground, the clash of metal against flesh accompanied by guttural growls and the stench of decay.

Jay's heart pounded as she raced back to the scene, a surge of determination propelling her forward.

As Jay's eyes locked onto the grim tableau before her, a mixture of relief and dread washed over her. Neil, Mytia, and Kimora stood back to back, their faces etched with a fierce resolve as they fended off the encroaching horde of undead. The relentless advance of the zombies was met with an equally unyielding defense.

With a deep breath, Jay channeled the energy within her, a brilliant blue light enveloping her hands. The air around her seemed to shimmer as her power surged through her veins – the gift of speed. In an instant, she was a blur, streaking towards the nearest group of zombies.

Her bat connected with undead heads, the sickening thud of impact accompanied by bursts of splattering gore. The zombies' movements seemed sluggish compared to her lightning-fast strikes, and she exploited their vulnerability with calculated precision. One after another, their heads exploded in a shower of decay.

Jay's movements were a symphony of grace and violence, her power allowing her to strike, dodge, and reposition in the blink of an eye. She spun and pivoted, her bat leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. As the undead closed in, she fought not only for her own survival but for the lives of those she cared about.

Neil, Mytia, and Kimora held their ground, their initial surprise giving way to renewed determination as they witnessed Jay's incredible prowess. Together, they formed a formidable team, their individual strengths blending into a cohesive defense against the onslaught.

The room became a battleground, the clash of Jay's bat against zombie skulls harmonizing with the groans and snarls of the undead. Jay's blue aura illuminated the chaos, casting long shadows that danced with her every movement. The tide of battle shifted as more and more zombies fell before her onslaught.

Amidst the frenzy, Michael's voice rang out, his words carrying a mixture of urgency and hope.

"Keep pushing them back! We're almost there!" His fingers continued to dance over the controls, the power surging through the room.

As Jay fought, her gaze locked onto the glass electric doors – the very doors that had allowed the horde to enter. With a newfound determination, she focused her efforts on creating a clear path towards the doors. Each swing of her bat was calculated, every movement aimed at widening the opening.

And as the undead ranks thinned, the path grew clearer. With a final, mighty swing, Jay sent a group of zombies hurtling back, creating a temporary reprieve.

The combined efforts of Jay, Neil, Mytia, and Kimora had turned the tide. The room, once a battleground, now held a sense of cautious triumph. The zombies' advances had been halted, and a moment of respite hung in the air.

They go find Simon and Catherine before heading back to Michael. They find Michael at gunpoint by the mayor who is covered in blood, with Debbie standing beside him.