ALL NOVEL Chapter 7: The Mansion
Sophia gasped, covering her mouth. "That's Uncle Lee and Aunt Linda..." Seeing a stranger as a zombie was one thing; seeing someone she once knew was another. Her face paled.
"Let's leave the reunion for another time," Zack said, his tone cold. He pressed the accelerator harder, sending the vehicle forward. Sophia shut her eyes, but the familiar sound of crunching bones as they rolled over the undead was unavoidable.
Overwhelmed, Sophia began to sob. Seeing familiar faces turned into monsters was too much for her. Zack, don't know what to say, simply muttered, "Let it out," as he continued to drive, circling the community to clear any remaining zombies.
They passed four or five more, mostly former security guards, and he crushed them with little thought. When the streets were clear, he finally parked in front of Mansion No. 9, got out, and forced open the courtyard gate. Sophia's tears eventually slowed, though her eyes were red and swollen. At that moment, Ego chimed in with unexpected advice.
"Sir, data suggests that women are most vulnerable to romantic feelings when emotionally distressed."
Zack rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Ego. But we have more pressing priorities than romance right now."
Grabbing his shotgun, he exited the vehicle. Sophia joined him, wielding the makeshift bat he had crafted for her. Though the weapon was heavy, it gave her a small sense of security.
As they entered the Mansion's courtyard, an alarm suddenly blared, piercing the quiet. Sophia Monroe slapped her forehead.
"I forgot! This mansion belongs to Mr. Whitaker, a well-known collector. His security system is probably top-notch. We might not even get through the front door without setting off more alarms!" she said, tugging at his sleeve in a panic.
Zack only smiled. A second later, the alarm stopped abruptly.
"Sir, the alert has been cleared, and the system is now configured to recognize only your pupils and fingerprints."
Under Sophia's curious gaze, Zack approached the Mansion door and pressed his thumb against the fingerprint lock. A soft chime sounded as the door unlocked, and he stepped inside.
Immediately, Zack took out a gun and began a thorough sweep of the Mansion, ensuring that every corner was secure. The Mansion was massive, with three floors above ground and two more below. The first floor contained the living areas, like the living room and kitchen. The second floor housed four bedrooms and a nanny's room, while the third floor held a spacious master bedroom, with the remaining space dedicated to showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and valuables.
Descending to the basement, he found that half of the first underground level was a garage with two antique cars parked neatly, and a pool table opposite to them. On the other side, he noted a temperature-controlled wine cellar, a bar, and a private cinema. The Mansion was very luxurious specificity designed for comfort and entertainment.
The second underground floor, however, was different. No stairs led to it; instead, it was accessible only by an independent elevator that required a passcode. Without the code, reaching this hidden floor was impossible. Here, a few precious collectibles were stored, though their former value had diminished greatly in the apocalyptic world. Priceless relics now felt like mere decorations in a wasteland.
"I'll check the basement. Can you bring in the cans and water from the car?" Zack was halfway to the elevator when he hesitated, glancing back at Sophia. "By the way... do you know how to cook?"
He immediately felt foolish. Someone from Sophia's background probably had never needed to cook. But to his surprise, she nodded with a slight smile.
"You really do?" Zack's surprised. Not wanting to dwell on it, he continued, "Good. I saw some vegetables in the fridge. See what you can make with them."
Satisfied, he entered the elevator and simply instructed, "Ego, negative two." Without needing a passcode, the elevator obediently descended to the Mansion's most hidden level.
The doors slid open, and Zack was greeted by surprisingly fresh air, thanks to the Mansion's advanced air purification system. Surveying the basement, he found only five or six collections arranged in the vast, open space—two porcelain vases, a suit of European black plate armor, and a few calligraphy scrolls and paintings. It felt strangely empty for such a large room.
"Ego," Zack mused aloud, "I have a idea." Images of a scene from his favorite moviefilled his mind. He wondered if he, too, could build a suit of armor here.
"Think I could make a power armor?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, Sir, we lack the necessary material for a reactor," Ego replied.
Zack had anticipated this. Without an Zero Point Reactor, his ambition would hit a wall. "Is there any alternative power source?" he pondered.
"If you forego flight capabilities, battery power could work," Ego calculated quickly. "High-energy storage graphene batteries are recommended for stable operation."
Zack was intrigued but skeptical. "Where would I even find graphene?"
"The Mansion owner once collected a piece of graphite, which could be refined into graphene through honeycomb extraction," Ego responded smoothly.
Zack raised an eyebrow. Honeycomb extraction? This was unfamiliar, possibly another technology form the future. Compared to traditional methods, this black-tech approach bypassed the need for complex equipment and significantly increased efficiency.
"List the other materials for the graphene battery," Zack ordered, focusing on the plan.
"Right away, Sir."
Ego displayed the necessary materials, most of which were common. A few items required refining, but Ego conveniently provided the extraction methods. "Good. We'll start gathering everything tomorrow."
Satisfied, Zack thought about Sophia, curious about her progress upstairs. "Ego, show me what she's doing."
The Mansion's surveillance cameras, originally installed to monitor valuable art, now under Ego control. Instantly, a live projection from the kitchen appeared before him.
In the footage, Sophia was moving skillfully, washing and chopping vegetables before pouring oil into a pan. This make Zack look at her with a new light, not just a pampered young lady.
"Sir," Ego reported, "after retrieving the cans and water, Ms. Sophia quietly ate a can of beef and hid the empty can under the lawn."
"It's just a can. Let her enjoy it," Zack chuckled. "No need to report these small things, as long as she doesn't do anything reckless."
"Understood, Sir."
As the sun set, the last dish was brought to the table, filling the room with warmth that sharply contrasted the eerie cries of zombies faintly heard outside. Mansion No. 9 was a haven of calm amidst the desolate apocalypse.
"Come, sit," Zack gestured as Sophia placed the final dish on the table. The aroma was enticing, and as he tasted the food, he raised his eyebrows in appreciation.
"I didn't expect it to taste this good," he said, surprised.
"Thank you," she murmured, her eyes downcast, hands fidgeting slightly under the table.
Inwardly, her mind replayed Zack's earlier words, "If you want to follow me, be prepared to become my woman." A blush crept over her face as the reality of her decision hit her. She was here, sitting with a man she barely knew, feeling emotions she had never experienced before.
"Are you... uncomfortable eating with me?" Zack's voice broke her reverie.
"N-no," she replied quickly, shaking her head, though her flushed cheeks told a different story.
"Don't worry. I eat food, not people." He flashed a rare, teasing smile as he took another bite.
A small laugh escaped her, easing her tension. As they continued their meal, Sophia found herself relaxing, enjoying his company more than she had expected.