Untouched by the Outbreak

Ryo stood outside the house, the cold winter air biting at his skin as he checked over the truck he had repaired before the snow began to fall. It wasn't an easy job, but it had to be done. The truck was a lifeline, a means of survival, especially during the harsh winter.

It was pure luck that he found the vehicle in town, and thanks to his past experience as a part-time mechanic, he managed to restore it with parts scavenged from nearby shops.

Sayako stood at attention in front of the house, obediently following Ryo's command to remain there. Her pale skin and lifeless eyes didn't waver, though she was always alert, always ready to protect him. Ryo cast a quick glance at her, knowing that she would act without hesitation if needed.

But his thoughts were elsewhere, dwelling on the mention of Aiko and Sakura. Sachiko had innocently stirred a deep wound inside him when she brought up their names. It was a wound that had never fully healed. A bitter sadness welled up within him as he thought about them—his lovers, who had been killed by the government during a raid on his old base.

He could still picture that day vividly. He had been out scavenging, just another routine trip, only to return to find his world shattered. The government soldiers had come to capture him, knowing about his immunity and wanting to use him for their experiments. And in their ruthless pursuit, they had murdered Aiko and Sakura.

Ryo clenched his fists, his heart heavy with regret. Back then, he hadn't realized his ability to control zombies. If only he had known, he could have commanded the undead to defend his base, to protect the women he loved. But it was too late now, and the guilt weighed on him every day.

As he checked the truck's engine, his mind drifted to the possibility of visiting their graves. The old base, which he had burned down in his rage and sorrow, was far from here, beyond the reaches of his current stronghold. But once the winter ended, he wanted to make the journey. He had to. It felt like an obligation—no, a duty—to pay his respects to Aiko and Sakura.

With the truck ready, he could make the trip. He'd bring Sayako for protection, along with some Striders, just in case. And maybe, just maybe, Sachiko would want to come too. She didn't know the full extent of his past, but perhaps it was time to show her another piece of who he was—another fragment of the man she had chosen to stay with.

Ryo tightened the final bolt on the truck and stood up, looking out into the cold expanse before him. He wasn't sure what the journey would bring, but he knew it was something he had to do. For Aiko and Sakura. For himself.

After finishing his rounds, checking every zombie, the heaters in each house, and making sure the truck was in working order, Ryo stood still for a moment, taking a look around his territory. The cold winter air was harsh, biting into his skin, but he didn't mind. This was his world now—cold, unforgiving, and under his control.

His gaze drifted toward the town nearby. It had been some time since he last checked the area, and he wondered if the zombies roaming the streets had taken shelter in the shops as he had commanded. With the frost gripping the land, he didn't want any of his horde left out in the cold unnecessarily.

The winter was brutal, even for the undead, though they didn't feel the pain of freezing like humans did. But Ryo preferred them inside, keeping warm and conserving their energy for when he needed them.

He smirked, the thought of the soldiers coming back to haunt his land sending a cold thrill through him. The last time they had come, they had taken everything from him. Aiko and Sakura were dead because of them. But if they dared to come again, this time would be different. The winter was his ally now. He knew even the best-trained soldiers couldn't move fast in this frost-covered world.

The cold slowed everyone down—everyone except him and his undead army.

"If they come again, not one will leave alive," he thought darkly.

This time, he wouldn't make the mistake of leaving his base unguarded. His zombies were stronger, faster, and under his control. And he had Sayako—his deadliest weapon—alongside him. The government might still be searching for him, hoping to capture him again for their twisted experiments. But he'd be ready. He'd make sure every soldier who set foot near his base would become zombie food.

No mercy. Not this time.

Ryo's smirk widened as he turned toward the town, feeling the weight of his MP5 strapped across his shoulder. He'd scout the area, check on his horde, and ensure everything was as he wanted. Then he'd wait. Wait for the next group of fools who thought they could take him down.

Sayako stood silently in front of the house, her blank white eyes staring off into the distance, motionless. She wore her usual outfit—a pair of sneakers, short pants, and a jacket with a hood pulled up, shielding her pale face from the cold. Her posture was eerily calm, unmoving, as if the frost didn't bother her in the slightest.

From inside the house, Sachiko watched through the window as Ryo started walking toward the town. His steady pace seemed almost careless, as if the winter chill had no effect on him. Sachiko frowned, concerned. She glanced at Sayako, the loyal zombie who guarded their home. Even though Sayako was Ryo's personal bodyguard, she wasn't moving to follow him.

"Is she just going to leave him alone?" Sachiko muttered to herself.

An uneasy feeling crept up inside her. She had been with Ryo long enough to know that he could handle himself. But still, the town was dangerous, especially in winter. There could be government scouts, or worse, something unpredictable lurking around. She didn't want him to face it alone, not when she could help.

Without wasting any more time, Sachiko quickly grabbed her jacket, pulled it over her shoulders, and slipped on her full-length pants. She didn't forget her gun—her small firearm, always by her side—and packed a portable heater. Even in her rush, she didn't neglect to prepare for the biting cold. The heater would be essential.

She stepped outside, the snow crunching under her boots. Sayako stood still in the same spot, her blank gaze unchanging. Sachiko hesitated for a moment, then turned to the female zombie.

"Come," Sachiko commanded, her voice firm but uncertain, as if she wasn't sure whether Sayako would even listen.

For a moment, Sayako remained still, but then, without a word, she moved. She followed Sachiko silently, her presence eerie but somehow reassuring. Sachiko knew Sayako wasn't exactly "alive" like a human, but having her around still made her feel a bit safer. With Sayako at her side, Sachiko quickened her pace, determined to catch up to Ryo.

As they trudged through the snow, the cold stung Sachiko's face, but she ignored it. All she could think about was reaching Ryo before he went too far into town. If there were any dangers out there, she wanted to face them together.

Ryo continued his steady walk through the snow, his breath forming clouds in the cold air. His eyes were set on the town ahead, and his thoughts were already focused on checking the nearby shops for any remaining zombies. He didn't expect anyone to follow him; this was something he always did alone. After all, he had Sayako if things ever got dangerous.

Just as he was about to round the corner and leave the house behind, he heard a voice calling out.

"Ryo! Wait!"

He stopped, recognizing Sachiko's voice immediately. His muscles tensed slightly as he turned around to see her jogging toward him, bundled up in her jacket, with Sayako walking silently a few steps behind her. Sachiko's breath came out in rapid puffs, and she clutched a small portable heater in one hand, her other hand resting on the holster of her gun.

Ryo narrowed his eyes slightly, watching her approach. He hadn't expected her to follow. She had always stayed behind, preferring the warmth and safety of the house, yet here she was. Determined. There was something almost admirable about that.

"Why are you out here?" Ryo asked, his voice even but with a hint of curiosity.

Sachiko stopped in front of him, catching her breath for a moment before replying. "I didn't want you going to town alone… not in this cold. What if something happens?"

Ryo raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You think I can't handle myself?"

"No, it's not that," Sachiko quickly replied, shaking her head. "I know you can. But that doesn't mean you should always do it alone."

Ryo's expression softened slightly as he looked at her. Her concern wasn't something he often saw, and for a moment, he felt something stir within him—an emotion he didn't want to name. He sighed, glancing over her shoulder at Sayako, who stood silently behind, her white eyes staring blankly as always.

"You brought her too?" Ryo asked, gesturing toward the female zombie.

Sachiko nodded. "I thought it'd be safer for both of us if she was with us."

Ryo smirked at that, shaking his head. "You're more stubborn than I thought."

Sachiko gave a small smile, though her eyes showed she was serious. "I just don't want you to take all the risks."

Ryo stared at her for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Fine. Let's go together then."

With that, he turned back toward the town, and Sachiko fell into step beside him, her heart beating a little faster, not from fear but from something else—relief, maybe. She glanced at him as they walked, grateful that he hadn't pushed her away.

Sayako followed silently behind, her presence cold but oddly comforting in the snowy landscape.

Ryo glanced at Sayako, her expressionless face and motionless stance giving her the appearance of a silent sentinel. He knew how deadly she could be, faster and stronger than any other zombie around. But this time, he needed her focused.

"Stay alert," Ryo commanded, his voice firm and clear.

Sayako's head tilted ever so slightly, acknowledging his order. Her eyes, though blank and white, seemed to sharpen in understanding. She stepped closer to the two, her movements fluid and quick as she shifted into a more protective stance.

Ryo's mind flickered with thoughts of the past—Sakura and Aiko. The government had taken them, ripped them away from him, and for that, he'd vowed never to be careless again. He wouldn't lose Sachiko, not like them. This time, he'd protect her no matter what, even if it meant unleashing everything he had, even if it meant turning every soldier or threat into zombie food.

He looked back at Sachiko, his expression softening just a touch. "This time... I won't lose anyone." Ryo thought.

Sachiko noticed the brief shift in his demeanor, and though she didn't understand, she knew something in him had changed—something that made her feel both protected and a little nervous at the same time.

With Sayako trailing closely behind, her sharp senses attuned to anything that might come their way, the three of them set off toward the town. The snow crunched beneath their feet, but Ryo's mind was focused on one thing: keeping Sachiko safe. This time, nothing and no one would stand in his way.