The Lazy Chronicles: Apartment of the Apocalypse-Chapter 82: Into the Depths

Mallory found herself pacing the rooftop, the cool breeze failing to soothe her frayed nerves.

Greg joined her, holding a steaming mug of instant coffee. "Can’t sleep either?"

"Too much on my mind," Mallory admitted, leaning on the railing. The city sprawled below them, eerily silent yet teeming with unseen dangers. "This place—it felt safe for a while. But now..."

"It feels like a ticking time bomb," Greg finished for her.

She nodded. "We need to check out that factory. If it’s everything Ethan and Harper described, it could be a game-changer. But the risk..."

Greg smirked. "Since when have we ever played it safe?"

Mallory chuckled despite herself. "Fair point."

"Don’t overthink it," Greg said, clapping her on the shoulder. "You’ve gotten us this far. We trust you, Mallory. You should trust yourself, too."

---

The next morning, Mallory gathered everyone in the apartment’s common area. Blinky, her once-tiny pet blob creature, now the size of a large dog, curled up by her feet. Its vibrant blue skin shimmered faintly, a comforting presence amidst the tension.

"We’re heading to the factory," Mallory announced, her tone firm. "I know it’s a gamble, but staying here isn’t an option anymore. If this place is as secure as Harper and Ethan say, it’s worth the risk."

The group murmured in agreement, though the nervous energy was palpable.

"We’ll split into two teams," Mallory continued. "One to scout ahead and ensure the factory is clear, and another to prepare everyone here for a potential move. Greg, you’re with me on the scouting team. Alex, you’re staying here to coordinate."

"What?" Alex protested, leaping to his feet. "Why do I always get the boring jobs?"

"Because you’re good at them," Mallory replied with a smirk. "And someone needs to keep an eye on Blinky."

Blinky let out a gurgling noise, as if offended by the implication.

"Fine," Alex grumbled, crossing his arms. "But if you find a secret treasure trove or fight a horde of zombies without me, I’m suing."

Mallory rolled her eyes. "Duly noted."

---

The journey to the factory was nerve-wracking. Mallory’s scouting team consisted of herself, Greg, Harper, Ethan, and Ryder. They moved cautiously through the city, every creak and distant sound setting their nerves on edge.

"Feels too quiet," Harper whispered, scanning their surroundings.

"Agreed," Greg said, gripping his weapon tightly. "Keep your eyes peeled."

As they approached the factory, they saw signs of previous occupation—barricades, faded graffiti, and the remnants of makeshift camps.

"Think it’s abandoned?" Ethan asked.

"Only one way to find out," Mallory replied, signaling for them to move forward.

Inside, the factory was a labyrinth of rusting machinery and shadowy corridors. The air was thick with the smell of oil and decay.

"Stick together," Mallory said, her voice barely above a whisper.

They explored cautiously, finding signs that the factory had been used as a stronghold. There were stockpiles of canned food, medical supplies, and even a generator. But something felt off.

"Where is everyone?" Harper muttered.

As if in answer, a low growl echoed through the factory.

"Please tell me that was someone’s stomach," Greg said, his grip tightening on his weapon.

"Not this time," Ryder replied, his expression grim.

Suddenly, a figure lunged from the shadows—a gaunt man with wild eyes, wielding a makeshift weapon.

"Stop!" Mallory shouted, raising her hands.

The man hesitated, his movements erratic. "You... you’re not with them?"

"With who?" Mallory asked carefully.

"The Shadows," he whispered, his voice trembling. "They come at night. Take everything. Kill anyone who resists."

Mallory exchanged a glance with Greg. "We’re not with anyone. We’re just looking for a safe place."

The man laughed bitterly. "There’s no such thing. Not anymore."

---

The man, who introduced himself as Lyle, was one of the last survivors of a group that had tried to fortify the factory. He led them to a hidden room where he’d been surviving on scraps and rainwater.

"They came a week ago," Lyle explained, his hands shaking. "Masked, armed, organized. They wiped us out like we were nothing. I don’t know why they haven’t come back, but they will. They always do."

Mallory felt a pit form in her stomach. This was worse than she’d imagined.

"We need to leave," Harper said. "This place is a death trap."

"No," Mallory said firmly. "If it’s valuable enough for them to attack, then it’s worth fighting for. We just need a plan."

"A plan?" Greg asked incredulously. "Against a group like that?"

"We’ve faced worse," Mallory replied, her determination unwavering.

Lyle stared at her, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You really think you can beat them?"

"I think we don’t have a choice," Mallory said.

---

The group spent the next few hours fortifying the factory. Mallory sent Ethan and Ryder back to the apartment to bring reinforcements and supplies, while the rest of them prepared for a potential attack.

Alex arrived later that afternoon with a small team, his usual humor replaced by a rare seriousness.

"So, this is our new home?" he asked, surveying the factory.

"If we can hold it," Mallory replied.

"And if we can’t?"

"Then we die trying," she said simply.

Alex nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well, at least it’ll be dramatic."

---

As night fell, tension filled the air. The factory was dark except for a few strategically placed lights powered by the generator.

The first sign of trouble came around midnight—a distant rumble, like thunder.

"They’re coming," Lyle whispered, his face pale.

Mallory rallied the group, positioning them at key points around the factory.

When the Shadows finally arrived, they came in force—vehicles roaring, weapons gleaming in the moonlight. But Mallory and her team were ready.

Using traps they’d hastily set up, they managed to disable several vehicles and sow chaos among the attackers. Alex, perched on a balcony with a slingshot, took great delight in pelting the invaders with bags of flour.

"Take that, you jerks!" he shouted, laughing as a cloud of white powder enveloped their enemies.

Despite the humor, the battle was brutal. Mallory fought fiercely, her mind racing with strategies to outmaneuver the Shadows.

In the end, it was Blinky who turned the tide. The creature, now fiercely loyal to Mallory, attacked the invaders with surprising ferocity, its amorphous body overwhelming their defenses.

As the Shadows retreated, Mallory stood in the middle of the factory, her team battered but victorious.

"We did it," Greg said, his voice filled with disbelief.

"For now," Mallory replied.

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