Chapter 4: The Open Road and the First Decisions

The wail of Northwood High's fire alarm began to fade behind them as Ethan and the small, terrified group of students jogged away from the school grounds. The faculty parking lot gave way to a quiet suburban street, lined with oak trees and two-story homes that now seemed eerily silent, their curtains drawn. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows, painting an unsettling picture of a world gone wrong.

Ethan gripped the crowbar, its metallic weight a constant reminder of the horrific reality. Mr. Henderson, surprisingly agile for his age, kept pace beside him, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Behind them huddled five other students: **Chloe Davis**, a quiet artist from his homeroom; **Marcus Thorne**, a bulky football player who looked surprisingly small now; **Lily Wong**, a studious debate club member; and two younger sophomores, **Sam** and **Jasmine**, who clung to each other, their faces streaked with tears.

"Where are we going?" Chloe finally managed to pant, her voice trembling.

Ethan scanned the street. "Away from the school. The sound will draw more of them. We need to find… somewhere safe." He wasn't entirely sure what 'safe' even meant anymore. His own house was less than a mile away, but was it truly safe? Or was it just another trap?

[New objective: Locate a temporary safe zone. Reward: 50 Experience Points upon successful establishment.]

The System's constant presence, even in his thoughts, was both unsettling and oddly comforting. It gave him direction, a goal beyond sheer panic.

"My house is a few blocks over," Marcus offered, his voice a low rumble. "It's got a big fence. And my dad has… tools."

Ethan considered it. A house with a fence sounded better than nothing. "Okay, Marcus. Lead the way. But stick together. And stay alert."

As they moved, the sounds of the city grew faint, replaced by the unsettling quiet of the suburbs. The occasional distant scream or the groan of a faraway zombie served as a chilling backdrop. They passed abandoned cars, doors ajar, and a stray dog whimpering near a mailbox. Every rustle of leaves, every creak of a distant door, sent shivers down their spines.

Suddenly, a hulking figure lurched out from behind a parked minivan, its clothes torn, its face a mask of dried blood and decay. It was larger than the zombies they'd encountered at school, slower perhaps, but menacingly powerful.

[Mid-level zombie detected. Threat level: Moderate. Recommendation: Engage with caution or evade.]

Marcus, despite his earlier fear, let out a raw shout and instinctively moved forward, a surge of protective instinct kicking in. "Get back!" he roared, raising his fists.

"Marcus, no!" Ethan yelled, knowing raw strength wouldn't be enough. He still had his one unspent **Point** from leveling up. He needed to use it wisely.

**\[Host has 1 unspent Point. Allocate to Strength, Agility, Stamina, or Intelligence?]**

Ethan's mind raced. He needed power for direct combat, but also quickness for evasion. He needed to hit hard and get out fast.

"Strength," he decided, the word forming clearly in his mind.

[Point allocated to Strength. Strength: 7 (+1).]

A sudden, invigorating warmth spread through his limbs, a subtle but undeniable surge of power. It wasn't a superpower, but a definite boost. He felt a newfound solidity in his stance.

The zombie swung a heavy arm, its decaying fingers clawing at the air. Marcus barely dodged. Ethan lunged forward, using his increased Strength, aiming for the zombie's head with the crowbar. The swing was faster, more forceful than before.

*CRACK!* The sound echoed in the quiet street as the crowbar connected with the zombie's skull. It stumbled, a guttural roar escaping its throat, but it didn't fall. Its movements, however, became even more sluggish, disoriented.

"Again!" Ethan shouted, bringing the crowbar down repeatedly, a blur of desperate, furious swings. Each strike was met with a sickening crunch. The zombie staggered, a hole forming in its head, until finally, with a wet thud, it collapsed.

[Mid-level zombie eliminated! Experience Gained: 25 EXP.]

[Current Experience: 45/200.]

Ethan stood over the fallen creature, chest heaving, the crowbar heavy in his hands. Marcus stared, wide-eyed, at the crumpled form.

"Ethan," Marcus breathed, "You… you killed it."

Chloe and the others looked at him with a mix of awe and renewed terror. He wasn't just surviving; he was fighting back.

"We keep moving," Ethan said, his voice firm, pushing down the lingering adrenaline and the creeping horror. He had to be strong for them. He had to lead.

They continued their journey, the silence occasionally broken by Ethan's quick commands or Marcus's heavy breathing. The walk to Marcus's house felt like an eternity, but eventually, they saw it: a two-story home with a tall wooden fence enclosing the backyard, a relatively secure perimeter in this chaotic world.

"This is it," Marcus said, fumbling for keys in his pocket.

The group hurried to the gate, their eyes darting nervously around. As Marcus unlocked the gate, Ethan kept the crowbar raised, scanning the street. The thought of finding safety, even temporary, was a powerful motivator.

They slipped inside, the gate clanging shut behind them. The house stood silent, a beacon of hope in the deepening twilight. But as they approached the front door, a chilling thought struck Ethan. Was Marcus's family inside? And if so, were they safe, or had they also succumbed to the terrifying plague? The answer would be their next grim challenge.