Though fame and fortune often outweigh desire, it’s undeniable—some still choose beauty over thrones.

My mind wanders too far. This habit of daydreaming must change in the Apocalypse. One lapse during danger could be fatal.

Peering through bullet holes, I saw no threats. My hand gripped the doorknob again, turning it slowly as my thoughts drifted back.

Fame, fortune, lust—here in the Apocalypse, they’re claimed by one thing alone: strength.

If someone stronger exists, resistance is futile. Especially for me. Even that fleeting glance in the mirror while changing clothes shook me. An almost angelic face stared back. I dared not look longer, terrified I might fall for myself…

What a tragic tale.

With this face, ninety-nine out of a hundred men would harbor dark thoughts. The last?

Ahem. He’d be blind.

Perhaps I exaggerate. But in this Apocalypse, where desires run wild, my looks draw too much attention. I should find a way to hide my face.

*If* other survivors even exist…

I shook my head, banishing the thoughts. Escape came first.

Earlier, glimpsing outside while grabbing the Zippo, I’d guessed this was the twentieth floor. City Hospital. Never seriously ill, I barely knew this place.

Still, I’d accompanied others here before. Vaguely, I recalled emergency stairs beside the elevators. And an external iron fire escape—but only accessible from the fifth floor down.

The knob turned. I pushed the door gently. Something blocked it. I strained harder. A faint scraping sound cut through the silence—

*Squeak… squeak… squeak…*

Soft, yet deafening in the empty hallway.

*Hss!* My body locked. I flattened against the door. Rapid *slap-slap-slap* footsteps approached. Pressed tight, I heard heavy, wet breathing drawing near. Every hair stood on end. Sweat slicked my gun grip.

*Slap.*

The footsteps stopped. That ragged breath now lingered right outside. I held mine. Truthfully… I couldn’t breathe.

The breathing drew closer. Something pressed against the door. The wood shuddered. That labored breath—no, not *like* it was in my ear. It *was* in my ear. My ear against the door heard it clearly. And in the corner of my eye… a dark shadow covered the peephole.

What… *was* that thing?

I couldn’t see. Couldn’t move. The door creaked open wider. To keep it from swinging shut, I braced my body against it, resisting the push from outside.

That thing was leaning on the door.

Heavy.

Zombie or worse—the force was immense.

Minutes crawled by. My trigger finger went numb. Finally, the breathing retreated. The strange footsteps returned…

*Slap… slap… slap…*

…

Even after the sounds faded, I stayed frozen against the door. A violent shiver jolted me awake. For a heartbeat, I’d felt death’s chill.

I slid down the door, collapsing to the floor. A long breath escaped—

*Screeeak—*

The barricade gave way under my weight.

Ice flooded my veins. Goosebumps erupted head to toe.

*Damn it!!*

Only two words filled my mind. Outside, those footsteps charged back—not walking. *Running.*

I wished for extra legs. Scrambling, rolling, I didn’t know how I moved so fast. The thing was swift. After just a few steps, its shadow stretched across the doorway.

A… black shadow.

One glance. I dove under the bed. The gun trembled in my white-knuckled grip.

Footsteps paused outside. Listening. Then, slowly, that shadow stepped inside. I heard it clearly now—

*Slap…*

Like a wet foot dragging. But thicker. Stickier.

Step two. I sucked in a silent breath, eyes fixed on the corner near the door…

A… webbed foot.

*Green!!!*

Horror choked me.

Not human. Green. Webbed. Oozing slime that left glistening trails with every step.

Then the other foot entered. *Human.*

*Mutant!* My mind reeled. No wonder the footsteps were uneven—one foot still human.

I bit my lip, exhaling soundlessly. Doubt crept in. Would bullets even work?

The green foot advanced.

*Slap… slap…*

Heavy breathing filled the room.

Step… after step… it was coming for me.

I watched, paralyzed, as that webbed foot crept closer.

Right… there.

I saw the ridges on the webbing. Smelled the faint rot. Felt the hot breath above.

God!!

My hand shook. But the foot stopped before me. The breathing shifted—near, then far. It was searching the room?

Did it have intelligence?

Just as despair set in, the green foot retreated with a *squelch-squelch*.

I sagged in relief. My straining eyes watered. I rubbed them gently.

*Huff… huff… huff…*

What was that?! No! Impossible! It left!

Why so close?!

My hand froze mid-rub.

Right before my forehead. No—the hot breath ruffled my hair.

*ROAR!!!*

I snapped my eyes open—

…

Words failed me. Its face was split down the middle. One side almost human—pale, sightless white eyes, but otherwise lifelike.

The other half…

Black, twisted growths covered the green flesh. And on those growths—dozens of snake-like eyes stared straight at me.

*AAAAH!!!*

Instinct screamed. I raised the gun and fired—

*Click.*

…Safety?

The safety was ON!

The thing lunged. A huge green hand—webbed between its fingers—reached for me.

I hurled the gun at its eye-covered face.

*Smack!*

*SKREEE!*

It recoiled, clutching its face.

Before I could scramble out, it flipped the bed—

No. *Hurled* it.

Immense strength.

The bed crashed into the wall.

*BANG!!*

Unblocked, I tried to stand. A green blur flashed—

*THUD!!*

Darkness. My back slammed into the wall. Vision cleared just as I saw it—

A thick, muscular tail.

Chest tight, breath stolen. It wouldn’t let me recover.

*Squelch-squelch.* Two steps. It loomed over me. That green hand grabbed down.

Ice flooded my veins. I ducked. Agony ripped through my scalp—

It had my hair.

Yanked me airborne.

I heard my scalp scream in protest.

My back hit something hard. A sharp edge jolted my spine.

*Hss!*

Pain flared. But no rest—the thing charged again.

Dead. Deaddeaddeaddeaddead!!!

Time slowed. I could only watch it sprint closer. Shark-like teeth dripped foul saliva from its green half-mouth.

And me…

I was really done for.

That single thought filled my head.