Apocalypse: Building And Hoarding My Way Through.
Chapter 23: You’re A Monster Too!

Chapter 23: You’re A Monster Too!

Scarlett exhaled sharply. I knew it, she thought.

"She then looked up, her expression steely. "Rose, Matthew is already a monster. His ’return to human’ act is a trick, a way to gain trust before he kills. Monsters like him can disguise themselves to look harmless, only to turn on people once they’re let in."

" You’ve seen that I haven’t changed," she said firmly, her gaze locked on Rose. "Not like Matthew. If I were going to, it would have happened by now. This is the second day of the apocalypse, and I’m still human. But Matthew... he turned the day he was bitten." Scarlett’s words were steady, but her tone carried a sharp edge that made Rose’s face twist in frustration.

"That’s right," Louise added, his voice cold. "Scarlett didn’t turn. That means she’s still fine, still herself. But Matthew changed right away. He’s not one of us anymore. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll spare yourself this drama."

Rose’s fists clenched, her face contorting in anger as her voice broke, thick with emotion. "You’re cruel, all of you!" she shouted, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The Andersons and Mary sat silently nearby, watching the tension unravel without daring to intervene. They exchanged uneasy glances but kept their thoughts to themselves, unwilling to be drawn into the conflict.

Scarlett’s expression remained unwavering, her gaze steady. " Once someone turns, there’s no coming back. Monsters can hide their true nature, waiting for the right moment to strike. Matthew’s a danger to us now."

Rose’s tears fell harder, her heart aching. She couldn’t bear to hear them talk about Matthew this way, not after everything they’d been through together. Her words caught in her throat, and she backed away from the group, retreating across the room to sit alone, her body wracked with silent sobs.

Louise let out a harsh chuckle, crossing his arms. "The sooner you understand thst Matthew is now a monster, the sooner you’ll be able to focus on keeping yourself alive."

Scarlett’s gaze lingered on Rose, her own face softening with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

"I know what Matthew meant to you, and I don’t blame you for wanting to believe he’s still human. His transformation is a warning sign, a reminder that any of us could be next. We have to prioritize our survival."

Rose’s anger boiled over, her voice breaking into a scream. "Then you’re a monster too! Stop acting like you’re any different. "You’re also waiting for the right time to kill us."

"That’s enough, Rose," Garvin’s voice rang out sharply, cutting through the argument. His expression was hard, his patience fraying. "If you’re so desperate to save Matthew, then go. But don’t try to drag us into it. We’re not risking our lives to help you save someone who’s already turned. If you can’t accept the truth, then that’s on you."

Rose’s jaw tightened, her hands balling into fists as anger and frustration clouded her face. She stormed off to a far side of the room, throwing herself down on the floor as she buried her head in her arms. Her sobs echoed through the empty space, attracting the faint sounds of monstrous growls from outside.

____

The silver moon hung high in the night sky, casting a cold, eerie light over the abandoned mall. Thunder rumbled in the distance, each clap followed by the guttural snarls of monsters prowling outside, agitated by the sound.

After preparing a simple meal, the group ate in tense silence, each lost in their own thoughts. As the night deepened, they prepared to sleep, hoping to regain some strength for whatever challenges awaited them the next day.

Scarlett sat beside a small crib where Hope lay fast asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling peacefully. After giving her a warm bath and feeding her, Scarlett had laid the baby down, watching over her with a protective gaze. Exhaustion pulled at her, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away from the child.

Across the room, Garvin caught her eye, his expression softened by concern. "Aren’t you going to sleep?"

Scarlett smiled faintly, her eyes heavy with worry. "I will, just... thinking about everything," she murmured, glancing down at Hope.

Garvin gave a slight nod, his voice gentle but tired. "Believe me, I understand. But there’s no sense in keeping yourself awake over it now. I’ve barely slept these past few days, and I need rest too. Louise will be on watch soon. It’s okay to let yourself sleep."

Scarlett glanced at Rose, who sat alone, still sniffling quietly as she stared into the darkness. "What about Rose? She hasn’t stopped crying," Scarlett whispered, her heart aching.

Garvin’s gaze followed hers, and he sighed. "She’ll be alright. She and Matthew were close, and it’s natural for her to struggle with this. It’s not easy to accept he’s gone. Give her a few more days. She’ll come around eventually." He offered Scarlett a reassuring smile. "Now, get some sleep."

Reluctantly, Scarlett nodded, lying down beside Hope’s crib. She took a deep breath, letting her eyes close, though her heart still felt burdened by the events of the day.

Garvin lay back as well, his eyes slipping shut.

Rose sat apart from the group, her back to them as her tears slowed, replaced by a hard, determined resolve. She clenched her jaw, thoughts racing as she faced the reality ahead.

As the night deepened, the others drifted into a deep sleep. When the sounds of steady breathing filled the room, Rose made her move. She crept to where Scarlett lay, her movements silent. With a swift motion, she unclasped the pendant around Scarlett’s neck and slipped it over her own head, the cold metal pressing against her chest.

Stealing a final, sorrowful glance at the sleeping group, Rose rose to her feet and silently slipped out of the room. Her footsteps were light as she moved through the mall, blending with the shadows as she vanished into the darkness beyond.