Chapter 6 - Making Their Way Up

Seeing Mark not minding too much about it, Mona could finally relax. She knew it was completely normal for any person to think selfishly like how Mark did after finding out about the ladder, but she couldn't help but think about all the possible deaths of the people if she did not open it up.

She saw Mark in a new light, and it was not in a bad way. Even though he was reluctant about Denton opening up to everyone, he still agreed. She knew this was how everyone needs to be in the present situation, both selfish but also kind at times.

She looked ahead, and she noticed Denton's speech about the rooftop was ending with everyone getting ready to make a move. Denton first segregated the old people who were a couple and let the adults after them.

Before he started allowing people to move he came towards Mark and asked, "Do you want to go first?"

"No, I think it's better if I go last. Make the elderly move up quickly and meanwhile, I try to hold here until everyone reaches up in case of the zombies reaching the floor."

Denton nodded and made his way back slowly, leading the elderly into the hallway towards the ladder. Mark noticed Mona not moving and said, "You should also get moving."

"No, I will help you by staying behind and stopping the zombies in case they break-in."

"I think you should just go. If you become luggage, then things would be even tough for me," said Mark without holding back. He didn't want anyone to cause his death. He wanted to stay back only because he wanted to fight the zombies.

Instead of accepting, Mona just smiled and said, "Oh! You need not worry about that. I learned some sword arts since childhood. So I should be able to take care of myself"

Mona learned sword arts from her childhood. It was her grandfather being very persistent to teach her a form of self-defense. She never thought it would come in help like this.

"But you don't have a sword with you."

Despite her saying all that, Mark still wanted to refuse and the main reason was her not having a weapon. He could not give away the only metal rod he had with him.

"Oh! You don't have to think about that." and walked towards one of the hallways.

Looking at her departing figure, Mark couldn't understand why she didn't get it. Even though Mark did not have much problem with leaving people alone and trying to survive. He couldn't help but persuade Mona, who wanted to stay with him to help. He couldn't allow a life taken right in front of his eyes. He sighed at his own narcissism and tried to shake it out of his head.

He continued to look at the few elderly taken towards the ladder with the help of some people. As he continued to observe, Mona came back with an object in her hand. Mark turned his head and was amazed at what she had. It was a sword in a sheath.

Completely confused why she had it, Mark looked up. Noticing his gaze, her face formed a tinge of red while explaining, "My grandfather gave it to me before I came today as it was my first day."

Hearing her, Mark was surprised at the coincidence of the zombie apocalypse happening today. He could only nod his head and try not to persuade her anymore. But what surprised him the most was that a company which wouldn't allow mobiles allowed a dangerous object like a sword in. 

"How did you get the sword inside the company? I don't think the company would allow people to openly get swords inside the building?" 

Mona hesitated to hear his question but sighed and said, "Denton actually knows my grandfather. A few years back, my grandfather saved Denton when he was in a problem. So my grandfather made a call this morning and asked him to allow this one day. So Denton allowed bringing the sword today."

Hearing her, Mark thought it was very strange. This was very coincidental. Did her grandfather know something about what was happening today? Did he give her a sword knowing this would happen so she could be out of danger? But he couldn't do anything about all the questions in his mind. Mona simply smiled and sat next to him as they observed the situation.

They noticed the elderly were done and the normal people went into the hallway one by one. As time passed by the number dropped down to 5 excluding Mark and Mona who remained to guard the place.

But as the last 5th person stood up to go into the hallway, the doors leading to the staircase made loud noises with zombie groans coming from the other side. Mark and Mona immediately stood up and went towards the door.

Noticing only some people left, Mark moved the couch nearby to form a blockade for some extra time. He motioned the other four to go into the hallway and Mona to follow them. Accepting his order, they slowly made their way inside the hallway in a hurry.

Mark slowly left the couch and moved towards the hallway while tightly gripping his rod. He noticed the couch slowly pushed back as one of the zombie's hand burst open inside from the door.

Mark retreated into the hallway entrenched and noticed 3 people still left to move up. He continued to observe the door and the zombies outside applied more force as one of the zombie's upper body came inside.

Seeing half a former male's body in a completely incomprehensible state, Mark was surprised at the speed of the change. He noticed his hair on the head was dry and falling off, while the skin color changed to palish brown with veins popped out on the head.

He noticed the completely blood-drenched shirt it had and knew some people were victims of it. The zombie looked around and noticed Mark near the corner of the hallway and started to groan louder and try harder to get in.

Mark was completely surprised as he got found out and looked back to see how many people left. He noticed it was only Mona, and another person left to go and looked back to see the zombie rushing towards him.

He rushed back into the hallway as he noticed some more zombies making their way in the hallway. He noticed the zombie coming quicker and reached the end of the hallway near the window.

He noticed Mona getting outside through the window, and the zombie jumped on him. Before he could react to it the zombie's head flew to the opposite direction of the room towards the rest of the zombies making their way.

He turned his head and noticed Mona holding her blood-drenched sword in one hand while being on the ladder outside.

"Come on," said Mona as she swung her sword to the side to get rid of the blood and made her way up.