The Lazy Chronicles: Apartment of the Apocalypse
Chapter 86: Bridges Between

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Bridges Between

Mallory stirred from her sleep to hear faint laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen. She couldn’t remember the last time a morning had felt so peaceful.

Stretching, she slipped on her boots and stepped out of her room. The hallway buzzed with activity. Samuel’s makeshift mechanical workshop hummed with a constant clink and grind of tools, while Alex’s voice carried over as he tried (and failed) to explain the intricacies of tactical strategy to Eliza.

"Morning," Harper greeted, balancing a tray of coffee mugs. "You’re missing the best part of the day—Alex’s attempt at leadership."

Mallory smirked. "Sounds like a train wreck."

"More like a comedy special," Harper said. "Breakfast is ready. You better hurry before Greg eats everything."

Mallory followed her to the common area, where the newcomers were mingling with the original team. The atmosphere was light, almost festive. Alex was mid-monologue, holding a spatula as if it were a sword.

"And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I single-handedly defended the armory against—"

"—a stray cat," Greg interrupted, smirking as he chewed on a slice of bread.

"It was a ferocious cat!" Alex shot back.

Blinky rolled across the table, chirping in agreement with Greg.

"Even Blinky thinks you’re full of it," Mallory said, taking a seat.

---

After breakfast, the team gathered for their daily briefing. Mallory spread a map across the table, marking areas of interest.

"We’ve mapped out most of the surrounding city," she said, pointing to several red circles. "But these sectors are still uncharted. That’s where we’ll focus today."

"I’ll go with Samuel to reinforce the west barricade," Greg said. "We noticed some weak spots yesterday."

"Good idea," Mallory said. "Harper, Alex, and I will scout the eastern quadrant. Ryder, you’re on lookout duty. Eliza, you can—"

"I’ll go with you," Eliza interjected. "I need to see what’s out there."

Mallory raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright. Let’s move out."

---

The eastern quadrant was a labyrinth of crumbling buildings and overgrown streets. The group moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready.

"You know," Alex said, breaking the silence, "this place would make a great set for a post-apocalyptic movie."

"Alex, we are living in a post-apocalyptic movie," Harper said dryly.

"Exactly! That’s what makes it perfect."

Eliza shook her head. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"Nope," Alex replied cheerfully.

Mallory paused, scanning the area. A faint noise caught her attention—a rhythmic tapping, almost like... footsteps.

"Hold," she said, raising a hand.

The group froze, listening intently. The sound grew louder, accompanied by a low growl.

"Shadows," Harper muttered.

From the corner of a collapsed building, a group of Shadows emerged. These weren’t the mindless creatures they were used to; they moved with purpose, their glowing eyes fixed on the group.

"Smart ones," Mallory said, gripping her weapon.

"Great," Alex muttered. "Just what we needed."

---

The battle was quick but intense. Mallory and Harper coordinated their attacks, taking out the Shadows with precision. Alex, however, had his own unique approach.

"Eat this!" he shouted, hurling a can of beans at one of the creatures.

The can bounced harmlessly off the Shadow’s head.

"Really, Alex?" Eliza said, firing her rifle.

"It was a distraction!" Alex defended, retreating behind Mallory.

"Focus!" Mallory snapped, taking down another Shadow.

After what felt like an eternity, the last Shadow fell. The group stood catching their breath.

"That was... fun," Alex said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Define fun," Harper said, reloading her weapon.

Mallory shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Let’s keep moving."

---

By late afternoon, the group stumbled upon a surprising discovery: a small garden hidden within the ruins. Rows of vegetables grew in neatly tended plots, and a makeshift scarecrow stood in the center.

"Someone’s been here recently," Eliza said, kneeling to examine the plants.

"Do we take some?" Alex asked, already reaching for a tomato.

"No," Mallory said firmly. "We leave it. Whoever did this might still be nearby."

As if on cue, a voice called out.

"Hey! Get away from my garden!"

A wiry man appeared, holding a rusty shotgun. His eyes darted nervously between the group.

"We’re not here to steal," Mallory said, raising her hands. "We’re just passing through."

The man hesitated. "Who are you?"

"Survivors," Mallory said. "We have a safe zone not far from here. You’re welcome to join us."

The man snorted. "Safe zone? Nothing’s safe anymore."

"It’s safer than being alone," Mallory countered. "Think about it."

The man eyed them warily but didn’t lower his weapon.

"Alright," Mallory said, stepping back. "We’ll leave you be. But if you change your mind, we’re based in the old factory on Elm Street."

---

As they made their way back to the factory, Alex couldn’t help but comment.

"Well, that guy was cheerful."

"Not everyone’s looking for a group," Mallory said. "Some people are better off alone."

"Still," Harper said, "it’s sad to see how much the world’s changed."

"Yeah," Alex agreed. "But at least we’ve got each other. And Blinky."

Blinky chirped, bouncing happily between them.

---

Back at the factory, Greg and Samuel reported that the west barricade was now reinforced. Ryder had spotted no new threats from the watchtower.

"Good work, everyone," Mallory said. "Let’s get some rest. We’ll regroup tomorrow."

That evening, as the group gathered for dinner, Alex decided to share a story from his past.

"So there I was," he began, "trapped in a department store with nothing but a broom and a bag of marshmallows..."

As he launched into his tale, the room filled with laughter. Even Eliza cracked a smile.

_________

As Mallory lay in bed that night, she thought about the day’s events. The garden, the Shadows, the wiry man with the shotgun—all pieces of a larger puzzle they had yet to solve.

There’s so much mystery to be discover. Actually she don’t like adventure, she’s lazy as hell but because of what’s happening right now, she already forgotten how to be a couch potato.

Her cartoons, anime, movies, chips. ’ Ahhhhh. I miss you all so much *sob*sob*.