Chapter 14: The First Follower
Ash pushed the door open.
Inside, chaos.
A girl stood near the window, breathing heavily.
In her hand—a broken metal rod, stained with dark blood.
At her feet—two zombies.
One barely moving.
The other already still.
She wasn't panicking.
She wasn't screaming.
She was fighting.
Ash's eyes flickered slightly.
Interesting.
The girl turned instantly, raising the rod toward him.
Her movements were sharp—defensive, but controlled.
"Don't come closer," she said.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it was steady.
Ash stopped.
He studied her.
She was soaked from the rain, her dark hair clinging to her face. There was a small cut on her arm, but it wasn't deep.
More importantly—
Her eyes.
Focused.
Not broken.
Not weak.
Alive.
"You're not infected," Ash said calmly.
She frowned. "Stay back."
Ash ignored the warning.
"If you were, you wouldn't be standing like that."
Silence.
The girl didn't lower her weapon.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Ash."
A pause.
"…Scarlett."
Ash nodded slightly.
Then he glanced at the zombies on the ground.
"You killed those?"
She hesitated.
"…Yes."
Ash stepped forward.
This time, she didn't stop him.
He walked past her, crouched briefly, and examined the bodies.
Clumsy.
But effective.
She had no training.
Yet she survived.
That alone made her different.
Ash stood.
"You shouldn't stay here."
Scarlett tightened her grip on the rod. "I know."
"Then move."
She didn't move.
"…Where?"
"The gymnasium."
A pause.
"I'm not going back to hide."
Ash looked at her again.
This time, more carefully.
"Good."
Scarlett blinked slightly, surprised.
Ash continued, "Then don't."
Silence filled the room.
Then he said something unexpected.
"Come with me."
Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Ash didn't hesitate.
"Because you can survive."
Simple.
Direct.
No lies.
Scarlett stared at him.
Trying to read him.
"…And what do you get?"
Ash's lips curved slightly.
"Loyalty."
The word lingered.
Strange.
Heavy.
Scarlett frowned. "I don't follow people."
Ash stepped closer.
"Not yet."
Then—
He raised his hand.
A small cut appeared on his palm.
Dark red blood surfaced.
Something about it felt… different.
Alive.
Powerful.
Scarlett instinctively stepped back.
"What is that…?"
Ash looked at her.
"This is your chance."
Her heart started beating faster.
She didn't understand why.
But something inside her reacted.
"Take it," Ash said.
"And you won't stay weak."
Silence.
Rain echoed outside.
Thunder followed.
Scarlett hesitated.
Every instinct told her this was dangerous.
But another voice—
Deeper.
Stronger.
Told her this was an opportunity.
"…What happens if I do?"
Ash answered calmly.
"You evolve."
That was enough.
Scarlett stepped forward.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then—
She took his hand.