A Call From the Research StationThe dial jumps to a frequency you haven't heard before. Instruments hum somewhere behind the voice.
"...this is the agricultural research station, is anyone still receiving. We were breeding a cold- and drought-hardy line that fruits reliably. Our site flooded last month and the nursery is gone."
"We have one last batch of parent stock, but nothing will take root on our end any more. If anyone out there still has ground that grows - put this batch in for us, send back what you harvest, and we'll carry it on from there."
"We'll supply sixteen seeds as parent stock. Make up the shortfall yourselves; the market still carries them."
A distress call on the radioThe radio has been on all night when a voice cuts through the static. He says he's trapped in a warehouse on the west side of the city, that he can't get out, and that his food is nearly gone. The voice keeps breaking off, pausing again and again, as if every sentence costs him a breath. At the end he reads out a string of numbers, then repeats it slowly in case no one caught it. You write the numbers down.
A Line FormsYou, that southwest node, and one more further south now form a line. The longer the chain, the further we see.
A Message with No NumberLate at night a message came up on the channel - not the bulletin format, and no reference number.
The sender says he is with the rescue crew.
A Pack Bears Down
All Fallen BackAfter the last one went down, the street stayed quiet for a long time.
The pile outside the door reaches all the way across the street.
Always On Is Easiest to FindYour set has not cut out once. That is what we go on when we look for people - the ones always on are the easiest to find.
Another Text from the Old PharmacistThe old pharmacist texted a second time, just half a sentence this time: blocked again.
Draw off another group for him when the next wave comes. Say yes, and more of them will come at your place than last time.
Apocalypse Panic Buying
Before the Cold HitsThe broadcast made it sound easy. Every gap in here that could be plugged is plugged, but once the cold really drops, blankets alone won't get you through a whole night. You need something that burns - there's scrap metal and wire left over, and rolling a firebox out of them isn't hard. What's hard is finishing it before the day is out.
By the Book I Should Not SayWe lost a vehicle and two people in the south end yesterday. By the book I should not tell you, but you would hear it eventually.
Cold Wave IntensifiesThe cold continues to assault you—you're starting to feel feverish. If not treated promptly, your body will become increasingly weak.
Cold Wave StrikesTemperature plummets—the world outside is shrouded in bitter cold overnight. With the heater at home broken, you can feel the bone-chilling cold.
Cold Wave WarningThe morning broadcast cut in with a weather alert. A strong cold front is pushing south and reaches this area tomorrow morning, the sharpest drop in days. While you can still get out today, get everything you need for heat ready.
Colder, and RainIt turns colder in the next few days, with rain. Small jobs like the window gaps - do them now, do not put it off.
Continuous RainThick, dark clouds press down overhead, and the rain has been falling for days. The solar panels can barely generate any power in this weather—I'll have to rely on the diesel generator to pick up the slack.
Coordinates CheckedCoordinates re-checked, no problem. All that is left is waiting out the days.
Counting the DaysCoordinates checked, all correct. From here it is counting the days.
Days of Overcast RainThe clouds hang low, and the sun won't be seen for the next few days. The solar panels are essentially shut down, with stored power only draining and no input—go to the power panel and turn off non-essential appliances to prioritize the Refrigerator and defenses.
Disease WorsensThe sickness hit harder than expected. The rats that weren't properly cleared out had carried filth into every crack in the walls—cough after cough, impossible to suppress.
Distress signal from a strangerEven through the screen, you can feel how barely he's holding on, yet he's still forcing himself to endure. You glance at the drone parked outside the window—it can make the flight from here to that warehouse. So you reply, telling him you'll find a way to get supplies over to him. There's a long silence on the other end before a quiet "thank you" comes back.
Do Not Touch ItThe noise on the channel is interference, not a fault in your equipment. Do not touch it.
Encircled
End It in One GoThe distress texts have stopped coming - not because the block is safe, but because everyone who could ask already has. What is left of the horde is still out there, scattered a few streets over, gnawing at nothing, just waiting.
Then you remember how the lure works: as far as the scent carries, that is how far they will come. Instead of saving one house at a time, call them all to your own door and finish it in one go.
Epidemic SubsidesThe high fever has broken and your strength is returning—you've weathered this epidemic at last.
Epilogue HordeJust when you thought it was all over, the remaining undead gather once more in the darkness—the final wave. Hold on just a little longer.
Epilogue Horde RetreatsThe last of the undead have finally dispersed completely. This time, it's truly peaceful.
Feeling UnwellI've been feeling tired these past couple of days, my throat feels tight, and my temples are throbbing. Maybe I haven't been getting enough rest—or maybe it's something else.
Final Horde · OmenI thought this block was picked clean. But since dusk there's been noise downstairs again—scattered ones crawling out of every alley, drifting this way. Fewer than last month, but by the look of it, tonight won't pass quietly.
Fix Is HoldingYour set has stayed online. The fix has not drifted in two days - we can pin you to the block.
Found Down the ChainA household was found down your chain yesterday. Alive - two adults and a child.
Four People, and StoresWe felt out a node along your chain yesterday. Four people, and they still have food stored.
Freight Route Still BlockedThat section of the freight route is still blocked. The clearance crew is booked out to next week - do not count on it.
Good PlacementThat antenna on your roof is well placed. The signal has held; we can fix you down to the yard gate.
Great Horde Arrives - Drawn by the RigThe apocalyptic swarm pours out of every corner of the street. The rig in the yard has not stopped since last night, and as far as the scent carries on the wind, that is how far they have come. Every wave of this siege will hit far harder than usual.
Great Horde: Breaking PointDay seven. Both stamina and supplies are pushed to their limits, and each impact feels like a blow to the chest. Grit your teeth and hold on.
Great Horde: Fierce BattleDay five. The zombie horde keeps pouring in endlessly, their numbers stretching beyond sight, but both you and this wall are still holding strong.
Great Horde: WaningDay nine. The zombie horde's assault finally seems to be showing signs of fatigue, and there appears to be a glimmer of light in the distance. Hold on just a little longer.
Great Zombie Horde - SiegeDay three of the great horde's siege. The entire building sways like a reef battered by relentless waves, doors and windows trembling constantly under the crushing weight of the undead masses.
Horde - Final WarningThe radio is filled with static and distant roars—nearly every channel still broadcasting is repeating the same message: massive hordes of zombies are converging on this area from all directions, on a scale far beyond anything we've seen before. Fortify everything you can. In the days to come, there's only one option—survive.
Horde Incoming · OmenWent out to take the trash at dusk and saw the zombies across the street had stopped milling about—they were all shuffling the same way, one after another. The last time they moved like that was in the first days of the outbreak. I should brace the doors and windows again tonight.
It Is InterferenceThere is a lot of noise on the channel lately. That is interference, not a fault. Do not go fiddling with your set.
Leave the Dial AloneThere is heavy noise on the channel lately. That is interference from outside, not a fault on your end. Leave the dial alone.
Losses in the SouthWe lost a vehicle and two people in the south end yesterday. I am not supposed to tell you this, but you would hear it elsewhere sooner or later.
Main Road Half ClearedThe collapse on the main road is half cleared. Do not get your hopes up - we are down to two machines.
Major Zombie Horde IncomingApocalyptic hordes of zombies converge from all corners of the city—this is the most ferocious wave yet, requiring a desperate fight to hold the doors and windows.
Massive Zombie HordeAn even denser swarm of zombies than last time is pressing in from all sides. This wave will likely last for several days.
Massive Zombie Horde - WarningThe commotion downstairs grows louder each night. The radio says a large horde of zombies is migrating toward this area—bigger than the last one. They could be on our doorstep in the next day or two.
Mold AttackThe continuous rain has made the house damp, and Food in several cabinets has already developed mold spots. The mold only spreads along Food items that are adjacent to each other—it can't cross empty spaces or other miscellaneous items, nor can it spread to another cabinet. More mold will likely appear before the rain stops—quickly use disinfectant spray to clean the moldy compartments and dispose of any moldy items as soon as possible.
Mold InfestationThe moisture in the house can't escape, and Food in several cabinets has already developed mold spots. The mold only spreads along Food items that are adjacent to each other—it can't cross empty spaces or other miscellaneous items. Creating an empty gap can trap it in place, and disinfectant spray can directly clean the moldy compartments.
Mold removedAll the moldy compartments at Home have been cleaned up. The musty smell is gone, and the remaining items are still edible.
More mold spots have appeared.The rain hasn't stopped yet. New mold spots have appeared on the cabinets, and if left untreated, they will continue to spread to the nearby Food.
Musty smell from the cabinetThe sky is heavily overcast, and the house feels damp again. While tidying up, you catch a whiff of that familiar musty smell. After searching for a while, you finally locate the source—things in one of the storage cabinets have grown moldy again. You clean it up with disinfectant spray before it can spread.
North District Went DarkThe north district lost power all last night. Every beacon over there went out; they have only been coming back today.
On and Off Is WorstYou have never switched off. What we dread is a signal that comes and goes - that is the hardest kind to find.
OutbreakGerms from the sewage and decay are spreading—you've developed a low fever, have no appetite or energy, and are weighed down by anxiety. You must push through the next few days to recover.
Power Outage BeginsAfter the lights flickered for a moment, the room plunged into darkness, and the Refrigerator's humming came to an abrupt halt. The mains power just went down—from now on, any electricity in this house will have to be figured out on my own.
PremonitionWoke up in the middle of the night to noise from downstairs. Peering through the window crack, I saw several zombies wandering around at the bottom of the building, as if searching for something. I hope they won't find their way into the stairwell.
Prepare for the WorstThe drone is out, and what follows it back will be a large horde.
It starts this time tomorrow.
Quite a Crowd
Rain ClearsThe days of rain have finally stopped. The clouds have cracked open, and long-awaited sunlight streams into the room. The solar panels can work again.
Rain ComingRain over the next few days. Patch the roof leaks now; it is less work than patching them wet.
Rain EndsThe rain that lasted for several days has finally stopped, so no new mold will grow for now. The mold that appeared earlier is still in the cabinets and will continue to slowly spread, so remember to clean it up as soon as possible.
Rat InfestationA gray shadow darts out of a crack in the wall. Behind the cabinet, under the bed, in the ceiling cavity—scratching sounds everywhere. This room is no longer yours alone.
Rat Infestation SubsidesAt some point, the scratching sounds grew sparse. The rats had gnawed through everything within reach and moved on in droves to other places. The house fell quiet—but the filth they left behind didn't necessarily leave with them.
Recycling Station Calls for HelpThe recycling station by the ruins is calling on the frequency: the sorting yard is open on every side, and they won't hold when the next horde comes.
They're asking you to make more noise than they do when the next wave hits and pull part of it your way—if you agree, an extra group will come for your house in that wave.
Rodent Problem SubsidesNo more sounds from the wall cracks. This wave of rodent infestation has finally passed.
Safe Zone Bulletin - Before Losing ContactI can tell they're at their limit too. In times like this, those who can save themselves need to stand tall.
Seed of WinterSince the frost came, nothing outside grows anymore. Overwinter No.1 was picked once, and within days it was bearing fruit again.
You set the four you just picked on the windowsill. This winter, this plant is what keeps you fed.
Severe Weather WarningThe radio crackles with an intermittent weather alert: Cold fronts and rain bands will be passing through the area repeatedly, bringing alternating cold snaps and rainy spells. Better stock up on heating fuel and power.
Shield of the StreetThe places others couldn't hold, you held for them. Wave after wave drawn to your own door, every one of them turned back, the pile outside spreading all the way across the street.
Everyone on this street knows it now: when you're surrounded, call here. It works.
Signal From Outside · The Horde Moves NorthThe radio crackled on its own and slid to a frequency you had never heard.
"—repeating: an unnumbered horde crossed our west side last night, heading northeast, straight for your district."
"We held two days here. Lost three buildings. You have maybe four or five days left — nail down whatever you can."
"We will not run this again. Power is almost out."
Signal From Outside · The Last BroadcastThe same frequency, a different voice — young, out of breath.
"Anyone there? Anyone — the man who ran this last time didn't make it. I dragged the set out myself."
"Another one, bigger than the last. Already across the river... I can't count them... you have three days at most."
"I don't know if I can still... anyway. Three days. Good luck to—"
Something Left in the TankThe great horde has receded and the doors and windows are still standing. You count the heap outside - this time the line was never really bitten through.
Which means there is something left in the tank. What remains in the city is scattered around out there, and anything loud enough and foul enough will bring them to you. Put up a big one in the yard and call them all in at once.
Strung into a ChainYou, that place two kilometres out, and one more east - strung into a chain now. The longer the chain, the further we reach.
Strung TogetherYour position, the one south of you, and one more below that - they are strung together now. The longer the string, the further we see.
Surrounded Deep in the AlleyThe safehouse deep in the alley hasn't opened its window in three days. The old pharmacist sent a text: the alley is blocked solid, and he can't even open the window a crack to pass out medicine.
If you can draw some of them off when the next wave comes, the alley gets room to breathe. The price: an extra group will come for your house in that wave.
That musty smell againAfter the rain a couple of days ago, the house feels stuffy and damp. Sure enough, another storage cabinet has developed mold spots. Better to deal with it early so it won't be as hard to clean up as last time.
The Aid ChannelWhile testing the radio after fixing the last wire, you swept the dial to the low end. A voice flickered through the static: "...This is the Primary School Shelter. Right now we need..." Then it slipped away. Turn the dial back to the low end and search slowly. It should come back.
The Checkpoint Pulled OutThe checkpoint across the bridge has pulled out. Not enough people; they have pulled back to the west side.
The damp, musty smellSeveral days of continuous rain have left the house damp and humid. One of the storage cabinets was the first to show problems, with things inside beginning to grow mold. Since it was still just this one cabinet, I quickly grabbed the disinfectant spray to clean out the moldy compartments.
The Dock Post Is ClosedThe temporary post down at the docks is closed. Everything is cleared out and the people have pulled back.
The Drone Is AwayThe drone skimmed off over the roof and shrank to a dot.
It will lead that horde all the way onto this street. They arrive this time tomorrow. Patch the doors and windows again while there's time, and stock up.
The East Road Is Not OpenThey are clearing the east road these days; it is not open yet. Stay off it for now.
The East Went BlackThe whole east side went black last night. Their equipment is only coming up today.
The Fix Is GoodYour set signal has held. The position is accurate - down to the yard.
The Grid Went OutThe lights went out all at once.
Out the window, the district that should have been lit went dark block by block, until only the red dots of the emergency lamps were blinking.
The radio still had power. The voice said a relief team would reach this area in thirty days—as long as the radio stays on, people nearby can pass word through it.
The grid is not coming back. From tonight, every watt the radio burns is one you generate yourself.
The Last Push - Day 1The rig ran all night. By dawn the first batch is already jammed against the door - faster than you thought.
The Last Push - Day 2Day two. More than yesterday, and the formation has broken up - they press in from two directions at once.
The Last Push - Day 3Day three. The rig in the yard is still going, but it can no longer be heard over what is outside.
The Last Push - Day 4Day four. The door is making sounds it should not make. Two more days.
The Last Push - Day 5Day five. The last batch, and the worst one - they have been walking in from farther away for five straight days.
The Last Push - RecedingDawn of the sixth day, and for the first time it is quiet outside. The rig is still turning, but nothing answers it any more. You switch it off - everything that was coming has come, and all of it stayed outside the door.
The Last Push - SetupThe rig is tuned and ready. Once you press it there is no going back: the scent and the noise keep pouring out, calling in everything that can still walk, for days on end.
The List Is Being SortedThe evacuation list is being sorted. You are on it. Not near the top, but on it.
The Message Went OutYou typed the question into the channel and hit send. The indicator blinked a few times, then went dark.
Nobody promises anyone is reading on the other end.
The Nursery Calls for HelpThe rooftop nursery is calling for help on the frequency: they've started climbing the building, and the nursery is at the very top—nowhere left to go.
When the next wave comes, the more noise you make, the fewer go their way—and the extra ones will come for you.
The Nursery Is Coming DownThe rooftop says they plan to come down before the next wave and head west at ground level.
The stairwell is blocked, so someone has to draw the ones downstairs away for a while. The extra group comes at you as usual. This time it's double the last.
The Old Couple Are FineA household was found along that line yesterday. An old couple. Both fine.
The Old Pharmacist Is Leaving the AlleyThe text comes late: he's leaving, while he can still walk.
The stretch at the mouth of the alley is the worst. Someone has to draw them elsewhere. This is the last time he'll ask.
The Outpost Calls AgainThe outpost radio crackles again. It's a different voice this time, talking fast: same as before, help us draw a group off.
He gives a number. It's bigger than last time.
The Outpost Can't Hold Much LongerNothing but static from the barricade outpost on the frequency. Only one line comes through clearly: there are too many of them.
Those people have held this street for more than thirty days. Draw a group away from them in the next wave, and your house will have to take an extra one.
The Outpost Is Pulling OutThe outpost has decided to pull out. After holding the barricade this long, they're giving it up in the end.
They have to cross that street, and they need someone to pin the horde down elsewhere during the next wave. This time there'll be more to pin down than the last two times combined.
The Place Two Kilometres OutOn your signal we connected to a warehouse two kilometres out. Someone is holding that one too.
The Recycling Station Is Moving OutThe man on the frequency says he's loaded everything he can carry onto the truck. Only the last run is left, and the open ground outside the sorting yard is impassable.
Draw the commotion your way when the next wave comes and he can make it out. This time, far more of them will come at your place than before.
The Rest Is WaitingCoordinates checked, no problem. The rest is waiting.
The Smell Spreads
The South AnsweredOn your signal we reached a node further south. It had never answered. Yesterday it did.
The Southwest NodeBorrowing your signal, we reached a node southwest that had been silent a long while. There are people there.
The tide has recededThe pressure let up. The rest drifted back along the street and didn't turn around.
The house is still standing, one side of the door frame knocked out of true. More is piled outside than last time.
The West-Side Transfer PointThat transfer point on the west side moved yesterday and is not taking anyone for now. Do not head that way.
The Whole Street Can Smell It
The Zombie Horde DispersesBy morning, the pounding on the door had stopped. You peer through a crack in the window and see only a few stragglers still wandering the street. The rest have moved south. The door is still holding.
They ScatteredThe pounding on the door thinned out, then stopped. The rest turned and moved back toward the corner, walking slowly.
The door is still standing. What they left behind is spread out in front of it.
They're Here
They're on Their WayThe drone is out, and the horde following it back won't be a small one.
They arrive this time tomorrow.
Trouble in the SouthSomething happened in the south end yesterday; we lost a vehicle. I need not tell you this, but you would hear it eventually.
Truth: Pieced TogetherI went through everything I'd pieced together over these past days once more in my mind.
They developed a drug that was supposed to cure illness, injecting it into lab animals for live testing. The drug was harmless to humans—direct contact or exposure caused no problems. The real issue was with the injected animals: they went rabid and started attacking, biting people. Those who were bitten got infected and became like the ones outside now. The animals broke out of the facility and escaped, spreading all of this throughout the entire city through their bites.
It wasn't a natural disaster, and no one meant for this to happen. Just an attempt to save lives that completely spiraled out of control.
Warehouse Manager's EscapeAfter the tenth delivery of supplies, his message finally carried that long-lost spark of vitality. He said he had recovered and figured out a route that could get him around the warehouse and out of there—it wouldn't be long before he could escape his predicament. He promised that once this was all over, he'd definitely treat you to a proper feast, and if there was anyone you wanted to meet, he could help make those connections.
Wave 1 - Day 1The first of them are already up against the door. There are more of them than on an ordinary night, and the pounding has no rhythm to it.
They aren't passing through. They were brought here.
Wave 1 - Day 2The pounding didn't stop all night. A few of the nails behind the door worked loose, and there are new gouges across the window frame.
Another wave is pressing in, harder than yesterday.
Wave 2 - Day 1The corner filled up all at once. The front row throws itself at the door while the back row is still pushing in.
This isn't the size of the last one.
Wave 2 - Day 2There's a dent in the middle of the door panel, the window rattled all night, and the reinforcements you swapped out are piled across the floor.
They're pressing in from two directions at once. Neither side can give an inch.
Wave 3 - Day 1The corner isn't a crowd anymore, it's a field of them. They press in from three directions at once, the back rows climbing over the front.
Every defense is running. The spare parts are all within reach.
Wave 3 - Day 2The doors and the windows are both rattling and there's no telling which is worse. Two of the devices burned out, the rest are still running.
There's power left. You're still standing.
Wave 3 - Day 3When the next wave came up, there was no room left outside. They climbed over their own kind to get at the door.
West District Lost PowerA stretch of the west district lost power yesterday. The beacons went out with it, and they are only coming back now.
While the Weather HoldsRain is coming. Work like the warehouse roof - get it done while the weather holds.
You Are on ItThe evacuation list is being sorted. You are on it. Not near the front, but on it.
You Are on the ListThe list is being sorted. You are on it. There are a good many ahead of you, but you are on it.
You Are Our AnchorYour position is steady, so we used it as an anchor and re-marked the three streets around you.
You Are Our ReferenceYour position is a good one, so we used it as a reference and redrew the map of this whole stretch.
You Are Our Reference PointYour position is high and steady, so we used it as a reference and re-marked this whole storage district.
You Never Switched OffYou have never switched off. That is what this job comes down to - whoever stays on is whoever gets found.
Zombie Crisis - Reaching HandYou hear a faint crackling sound and notice withered fingertips creeping through the gap under the door, scratching at something...
Zombie Horde - Day FiveThe final day's intensity has reached its peak. The horde is pressing inward like they've gone completely mad. Just need to survive tonight, and this wave should finally recede.
Zombie Horde - Day FourMade it to day four. The doors and windows groan under the strain, but they haven't given way yet. Just need to grit my teeth and hold on.
Zombie Horde - Day ThreeIt's the third day now. The commotion outside has quieted down some, but it hasn't stopped. You check your water supply—half a bucket left. If you ration it carefully, it should last until tomorrow.
Zombie Horde - Day TwoThe horde shows no signs of retreating, slamming against the doors and windows in wave after wave. The durability of our defenses is dropping fast.
Zombie Horde - Day TwoThe pounding on the door hasn't let up all day. You checked behind the door—two nails have come loose, and you can see movement through the gaps in the boards.
Zombie Horde - OmenThe howling from downstairs hasn't stopped since nightfall, getting closer with each wave—exactly like it was before last month's zombie horde. While there's still some light left, I need to reinforce the doors and windows again. Every extra board I can nail up counts.
Zombie Horde - OutbreakSuddenly, a large number of zombies gather outside your front door. They keep wandering around as if searching for food... and you're food. They start gnawing at the front door!
Zombie Horde - Phase 2The zombies are multiplying. They've discovered the window and they're starting to claw at it!
Zombie Horde - WarningYou see several zombies wandering around near your house They seem to be searching for something. You hope they don't make it to the front porch.
Zombie Horde ContinuesThe zombie horde didn't retreat. The pounding never stopped all night—the door panels shaking, the window frames rattling. All you could do was stand guard, listen, and wait for dawn.
Zombie Horde RetreatsThe roars are fading. We finally made it through that wave, and the door is still standing.
Zombie Horde ReturnsThey arrived before dawn, packed tight at the street corner, stretching all the way to the alley bend. The pounding on the door echoes up from downstairs. For the next few days, you're not going anywhere—the doors and windows will have to hold, and it's all on you to keep them secure.
Zombie Horde StrikesHeavy footsteps and roars echo from the distance—a wave of zombies is surging this way. The doors and windows must hold.
Zombie Horde SubsidesThe relentless assault that lasted for days has finally stopped. You're still alive, and the door is still holding.
Zombie SiegeSuddenly, a large number of zombies gather outside your front door. They keep wandering around as if searching for food... and you're food. They start gnawing at the front door!
A Box Breathing ColdEverything tied down without a loose end, and a cooler on top still breathing cold air. The message is one line: Did it reach you? We're still holding here. Hold on, all of us.
A Box of Saved DaysShe says she's filling a box. You put some sundries in the basket—what you put in are things, but what she receives are days.
A Butterfly's VisitA butterfly from who knows where circles the flower twice, pauses for a moment, then flies away.
A Call from the Base CampI flew the drone in through the gap in the door of the downtown warehouse.
A few of the keepers are still there, sitting or lying around a pile of supplies - feels like there is a trade to be made with them.
A Camp ProposalFor days the group chat has circled one thing: holding out house by house won't last. The empty lot on the east side is still there. If someone takes the lead, everyone could build a camp there together. Until it is built, every household has to put in materials and work.
A Day Under Siege, Then Gone
A Garden No One WatersNo one waters the balcony garden at the north apartment anymore, and the seedlings have wilted.
A small cloth bag hangs from the clothesline, with some medicine inside.
A Gaze Through the GlassYou looked up just as he was looking over. Separated by the street, you both quickly looked away.
A Gift from Ada (Library)The catalogue number is still stuck to the spine; three or four handwritten bookmarks are tucked inside.
"I went through the whole shelf. This is the one you'll get the most out of. You're the only one who's written back these past days — I don't have another way to say thank you."
A Gift from AlexA hunting journal, one hand throughout, though the paper isn't all from the same batch.
"I kept the original. This is a copy — two nights of it by flashlight. Follow it and you won't go hungry."
A Gift from Dora (Grocery Store)A ring in a faded velvet box, the band polished bright from wear.
"Worn it my whole life. At my age it's better off with someone who still thinks of me — and these days, that's only you."
A Gift from Dr. Cohen (32nd Floor)A mechanical watch, the strap replaced, not a single scratch on the face.
"Worn it half my life. I can't get down the stairs — knowing the time stopped meaning anything a while ago. You've still got ground to cover. On you, it's good for something."
A Gift from GregA record, the shrink-wrap never opened.
"Stock that sat under the counter. Half my life saying I'd get around to it, never did. I owe you too much — let this one play for you first."
A Gift from JackieA line of small handwriting on the back of the record sleeve.
"Third track on the B side skips — I marked where it jumps to, so don't write it off as broken. These nights, I've had you to thank."
A Gift from Joey (Homeless)The record's corners curled in the rain, then dried out again.
"Everything else I turned up, I traded away. Not this one. I don't owe anybody. This isn't paying a debt — it's a gift."
A Gift from Lena (Pediatrician)A military medical kit, seal still intact, a ward number marked on the side in marker.
"The child's fever broke — that was your runs. This is the highest-grade one on our floor. I hope you never need it."
A Gift from Lenny (Overpass)Dust from the car is still on the record.
"It fell out of the seam when I was stripping the seats. I traded off every part, piece by piece — this one stayed under my bedroll. I've traded enough off you. This one's a gift."
A Gift from Martin (Car)The gold bar is wrapped in a handkerchief, a child's name embroidered on one corner.
"I was saving it to get her out. She's eating now — because of you."
A Gift from Otto (Basement)A full white groove worn into the outer edge of the record.
"Spend long enough alone and everything you hear sounds like someone talking to you. I made it this far because of you. This one's yours now."
A Gift from SammyA gardening handbook, a few fingerprints pressed into the plastic cover.
"I don't go downstairs. This is what I can give. Not seeds — seeds get eaten. Someone who knows how to grow them doesn't."
A Gift from the Appliance Store ClerkA handheld console, screen wiped spotless, two bars of battery left.
"It's the only thing I've got left that still lights up. If you can't sleep either, turn it on."
A Gift from the Furniture Store ClerkA copy of Woodworking Basics, corners curled, stuffed with handwritten notes.
"Supplies run out one day. A skill doesn't. The notes are mine — just follow them."
A Gift from the HoarderA small packet of medicine, tied up neatly, wrapped in a layer of plastic.
"I traded food for this. Meant to keep it for myself. I'm not taking your things for nothing — now we're square."
A Gift from the Market VendorAn earthenware crock, mouth sealed with cloth and weighted down with a stone.
"I sold you the seeds. What's in here is what those seeds gave back. Full circle — so this year wasn't wasted after all."
A Gift from the Middle-Aged CustomerA home-cooking recipe book, pages warped by damp, every dog-ear on the soup section.
"I can't get a fire going over here — all the food in the world stays cold. This book is wasted on me. You've got fire. Cook from it, and it won't go to waste."
A Gift from the Old FarmerA screw-top glass jar, a ring of sugar crystals crusted around the rim.
"Just handing you a few vegetables felt cheap, so I spent the afternoon boiling down the fruit I'd kept. Try it."
A Gift from the Supermarket ClerkThe sleeve is worn fuzzy at the edges.
"I play this one every night when I turn off the light. These past days, with you around, turning it off got easier."
A Gift from the Young CustomerA thin-chain necklace in a paper wrap folded over several times, the clasp a little loose.
"I know it doesn't measure up to what you gave me. It's all I have on me. Please don't refuse it."
A Knock in ReplyThe knocking from across the street came right on time. This time I knocked back first—three times, crisp and firm. There was a moment of silence on her side, then a laughing voice called out: "You're in a good mood! I can't help but feel... it's like you knew I was going to knock."
A Loose AerialThe sound comes and goes, like someone far off is cutting it off a sentence at a time.
You give the aerial a shake and the static shakes with it - the contact at the base of the rod is gone.
A Night of Sorting CluesThe more I think about it, the less I can sleep. Those fragments are spread out on the table, and I feel like there's still one piece missing.
A Note from the RooftopThe light on the rooftop never went out. On the fourth day I sent the drone down to look, and someone stuffed a handful of seeds and a note into the cargo bay - they are short on food and will trade seeds for it.
Looks like this household will not make it to harvest. Maybe there is a deal to be made...
A Packet of Medicine, TooAlong with the rest, a packet of medicine, bound up tight.
"You're the one going out there. Keep this."
A Pest ScareThe undersides of the leaves are crawling with bugs—they're everywhere. If I don't do something soon, this plant is a goner.
A Plea for Help from Across the StreetHe sent a message saying he sprained his ankle and can't come downstairs for the next few days. There's an awkward tone between the lines—looks like he'll need you to help him out more during this time.
A Second Pot of GreenHer windowsill wants another pot of flowers. Send some seeds over—preferably the kind that can bloom.
A Station That Won't StayYou switch the radio on and the station that came through clearly yesterday is nothing but hiss.
The tuning knob is loose enough that it slides off the moment you let go, and won't hold on any number.
Accidental CutWhile prying open a can, the metal suddenly snaps, cutting a deep gash in your palm.
Accidental InjuryStumbling in the dark, you smash your knee against the corner of a table. The pain begins to radiate through your body.
After They Broke CampThe tents are all gone. Only a ring of flattened grass is left. In the middle sit a few tied sacks, weighed down with stones. They split half with you.
Aid Channel: Agricultural Research Institute Seed BankThe Agricultural Research Institute Seed Bank sends out a call for help: its seed stock is well preserved, but half of the greenhouse has collapsed and it is too cold inside to raise seedlings. If the first batch of seedlings is not ready before winter, the surrounding shelters will have nothing to plant come spring. The seed bank needs 1 large Plant Grow Box and 2 large Temperature-Stable Grow Boxes to rebuild a nursery in the remaining half of the greenhouse.
Aid Channel: Children's HomeThe radio picks up a supply broadcast from the Children's Home: the home has been out of staple food for three days, and the children are sharing the last few cans of corn porridge. The youngest is not yet two, and the caregivers have been giving up their own rations. Three different kinds of staple foods are needed (rice, noodles, crackers or cooked meals are all acceptable) to keep the children fed.
Aid Channel: City Botanical GardenThe radio picks up a broadcast on the aid channel from the City Botanical Garden: the staff have turned every flower bed into a vegetable plot, and it is the only source of fresh vegetables for two nearby shelters. By day the staff work the plots under the watch of armed guards; at night they retreat into the greenhouses. The soil is poor, and the first crop of seedlings started yellowing halfway through growing. The garden needs three portions of Basic Fertilizer to feed the plots.
Aid Channel: City Bus TerminalThe City Bus Terminal reports vehicle and equipment failures on the aid channel: the water point in the north of the city is the only source of clean water for the surrounding shelters, and only two buses are left to make the daily run there. One has had its charging cable cut, and the other's chassis has rusted through. The boiler in the repair shop is also about to go out. The terminal needs 4 rolls of Electrical Wire, 2 Stainless Steel Plates, and fuel with a total burn value of at least 12000.
Aid Channel: City Center Blood BankThe City Center Blood Bank reports an equipment failure on the aid channel: the plasma in its cold store was donated bag by bag by the healthier people in the shelters, and it supplies surgeries at three nearby hospitals. The cold store is kept cold by a single generator. Last week the door's hinge pin snapped, the door no longer closes, and the temperature inside climbs every day; one batch of plasma has already spoiled. The blood bank needs two All-Purpose Strengtheners to remount the cold store door.
Aid Channel: City Children's HospitalThe broadcast comes from the inpatient ward of the City Children's Hospital: eight children are still stranded in the building, the youngest just four years old, and their parents are still missing. The nurses plan to give each child some snacks, so 6 snacks are needed.
Aid Channel: City Disease Control CenterThe City Disease Control Center explains a power risk to its vaccine cold store on the channel: the store holds the last batch of vaccines in the city and runs on a single diesel generator that is nearly out of fuel. If the power fails, the entire vaccine stock will spoil. The center is also short of bottles for dispensing. It needs 1 Extra Large Power Storage Device and 4 Containers.
Aid Channel: City Emergency Call CenterThe duty room of the City Emergency Call Center describes a staff fatigue problem on the aid channel: every distress call in the city is routed to this room, and its six operators, rotating in three shifts, have worked more than twenty days straight. Last week one of them fell asleep on duty, and the distress call they missed never came again. The center needs 1 Coffee Machine, 4 portions of Coffee beans and 2 cups of Coffee.
Aid Channel: City Emergency StationThe radio picks up an aid broadcast from the City Emergency Station: the alcohol used to sterilize instruments has run out, and wounds can only be cleaned with boiled water. This week three of the injured have developed infected wounds and high fevers that will not break. Three bottles of High-Proof Alcohol are needed to sterilize the instruments.
Aid Channel: City Funeral HomeThe radio picks up a broadcast on the aid channel from the City Funeral Home: there have been many deaths this month and many of the bodies remain unclaimed, so a shared burial will be held. The staff hope the dead can be laid to rest with a few flowers beside them. Four flowers are needed to be laid out at the burial.
Aid Channel: City Infectious Disease HospitalThe fever ward of the City Infectious Disease Hospital broadcasts on the aid channel: the ward holds more than twenty patients whose fevers won't break. The hospital's clean water allows only one small cup per person per day, the patients can no longer swallow compressed biscuits, and this week three of them slipped into sleep and never woke. The hospital needs fruit with a total satiety of at least 100, to be chopped up and fed to the patients for water and sugar.
Aid Channel: City LibraryA broadcast from the City Library comes in on the aid channel: the library is sheltering more than forty residents who have lost their homes, and the basement stacks are the only place they can sleep safe from zombies. The stacks have been damaged by damp, mold has spread across the pages and the bedding, and several people now cough through the night. Three cans of Disinfectant Spray are needed to remove the mold from the stacks.
Aid Channel: City Meteorological ObservatoryThis broadcast comes from the City Meteorological Observatory and describes damage to its observation building: hail shattered the windows all around the building, strong winds tore off two doors overnight, and the instruments inside have been soaked by rain. The observatory broadcasts cold-wave and storm warnings to every shelter each day, and those warnings have now been off the air for three days. The observatory needs 4 Window Repair Kits and 4 Door Repair Kits to seal the building.
Aid Channel: City Missing Persons RegistryThe broadcast comes from the City Missing Persons Registry: in the first days of the outbreak, most of the injured in the east of the city were taken to the East City Hospital. The hospital later fell and everyone evacuated, and to this day no one knows who was admitted there, where they were transferred, or who died inside. Every day people come to the registry asking after their families. Those records are stored on a hard drive locked in the safe in the hospital office. The hospital is now overrun with zombies and no one from the registry can get in; someone needs to bring that hard drive out.
Aid Channel: City Radio Relay StationA notice from the City Radio Relay Station cuts into the aid channel: two circuit boards in the relay tower on the hilltop east of the city burned out during the grid's last trip. The station's only two remaining technicians are trapped in the equipment room, with a dozen or so zombies wandering around the base of the tower. The tower is broadcasting at low power on a backup line, the signal out in the suburbs keeps cutting in and out, and calls for help on this channel may stop reaching beyond the city at any time. The relay station needs two Electronic Components to replace the burned-out circuit boards.
Aid Channel: City Relief Distribution StationThe City Relief Distribution Station puts out a request on the aid channel: the station divides the rations it collects into portions, and convoys brave the roads to deliver them to the surrounding shelters. The cardboard boxes for packing rations ran out long ago, and loose rations get damp and moldy in transit. Thirty percent of the last batch went moldy, some people still picked out the moldy parts and ate them, and several have come down with food poisoning. The station needs nine sheets of Cardboard to fold into packing boxes.
Aid Channel: City Temporary Housing OfficeThe City Temporary Housing Office describes its difficulties over the aid channel: the city is full of empty homes whose residents died or went missing. The doors are all locked, and some still have residents inside who have already turned, so they must be opened and cleared before anyone can live in them. Meanwhile, more than forty households are still crowded into the office's lobby at night, nighttime temperatures have dropped to around freezing, and last week two elderly people didn't make it through. The office needs two Lockpicks to open registered empty homes.
Aid Channel: City Volunteer Rescue TeamThe City Volunteer Rescue Team issues a notice over the aid channel: while searching beneath a collapsed shop in the west of the city, the team was caught in a second collapse, and three members never came out. Their bodies could not be carried back, so their teammates buried them beside the rubble. By team custom, a white flower is placed on each grave. The rescue team needs three Daisies for the burial of the three members.
Aid Channel: Community ClinicThe aid channel carries a broadcast about the Community Clinic's medicine shortage: the medicine cabinet is empty, yet patients with fevers, diarrhea and injuries are still lining up outside, and some have collapsed while waiting. The clinic's only doctor has not slept in three days. Three different kinds of medicines are needed; any type will do.
Aid Channel: East District SubstationThe East District Substation reports an equipment failure on the aid channel: the backup batteries in the distribution room swelled and failed, and the switchgear control board burned out with them. The district now has to cut power every night, and patients who depend on oxygen concentrators take turns on hand-pumped bags. The substation needs 1 Home Power Storage Station, 1 Integrated Circuit and 3 rolls of Electrical Wire to restore power to the distribution room.
Aid Channel: Fire StationThe Fire Station broadcasts its supply needs on the aid channel: the firefighters go out every day to clear roads blocked by wrecked cars and bodies, opening a way for ambulances and food trucks, and two of them have already been injured while clearing. Three different kinds of meat dishes are needed to help them keep their strength up.
Aid Channel: Grain DepotThe Grain Depot posts a supply request on the aid channel: the warehouse is overrun by rats that keep chewing through the sacks, and sparrows are nesting in the rafters. This grain has to carry several nearby shelters through the winter, and every sack lost means more days of hunger for someone. Two traps of any kind are needed (mousetraps, cages or nets are all acceptable) to clear the rats and sparrows from the warehouse.
Aid Channel: Harbor Dock CrewA request for meals from the Harbor Dock Crew comes over the aid channel. More than forty crew members are clearing containers that block the shipping lane, many of them with zombies trapped inside; last week one crew member fell into the water and was never found. They are burning roughly twice their usual energy, and their rations are running short. The crew needs meat dishes with a total satiety of at least 800.
Aid Channel: Intercity Bus Station Evacuation ConvoyThe evacuation convoy at the intercity bus station issues a notice on the aid channel: the convoy is to move a group of injured and elderly people to a resettlement camp in the south, and a pack of zombies has gathered on the overpass it must cross. The convoy plans to drop rotten meat on the side road below the overpass, lure the horde off the bridge with the stench, and cross while the deck is clear. The convoy needs two portions of rotten meat; Rotten Meat Strips, Chunks or Slabs will all do.
Aid Channel: Levee Control StationA broadcast from the Levee Control Station describes the flood risk on the north bank: the sluice gate has lost power, its control cabinet was flooded, and the gate cannot be lowered. There is also a breach in the embankment, and more than two hundred survivors live in the low ground below it. With the rainy season approaching, the station needs 1 Extra Large Power Storage Device and 3 rolls of Electrical Wire to restore the gate machinery, plus 6 Wooden Planks to close the breach.
Aid Channel: Maternity HospitalThe radio picks up a broadcast on the aid channel from the Maternity Hospital: for half a month, the seven new mothers on the maternity ward have lived on nothing but rice water. Most are not producing enough milk, the newborns are struggling to feed, and one premature baby has lost weight two days running. The hospital needs 2 egg and dairy dishes of any kind to improve the mothers' nutrition.
Aid Channel: North District Metro Station ShelterThe radio picks up a broadcast from the North District Metro Station Shelter: more than two hundred people live on the platform level. The iron grates over three ventilation shafts have rusted through, and the night before last zombies climbed down a shaft into the concourse; two guards were bitten and taken into isolation. The four remaining guards take turns watching the three shafts and haven't slept in three nights. The shelter needs two items that restore more than 25 Stamina to keep the night watch awake.
Aid Channel: Nursing HomeThe Nursing Home broadcasts its shortfall on the aid channel: most of the caregivers have left, and the three who remain look after more than twenty elderly residents. The residents have difficulty chewing and cannot manage canned food, and this week some have become bedridden from not eating enough. Three different kinds of vegetable dishes are needed, cooked soft, for the residents' daily meals.
Aid Channel: Primary School ShelterThe radio picks up a broadcast on the aid channel from the Primary School Shelter: the children there have gone a long time without fresh vegetables. Several have bleeding gums, and two have wounds that will not heal. Each day's ration is half a bowl of rice water and one compressed biscuit. Four different kinds of produce are needed to supplement the children's daily meals.
Aid Channel: South District Police StationA broadcast from the South District Police Station comes in on the aid channel: the station is sheltering more than thirty local residents, and zombies have broken the front door in twice; the last time, two officers on watch were injured. The plan is to wrap vines over the doors and windows to reinforce them. Three Vines are needed.
Aid Channel: South District Quarantine StationThe aid channel carries a notice from the South District Quarantine Station: anyone who has been bitten or runs a high fever is isolated here for three days of observation. Each isolation room holds a single bed, and the doors are locked from the outside. This week, two people in isolation pounded on their doors all night; the guards outside couldn't tell whether they had broken down or had begun to turn, and could only stand watch at the doors through the night. The station needs two decks of Playing Cards to help those in isolation pass the time and keep calm.
Aid Channel: Sports Center ShelterThe Sports Center Shelter broadcasts on the aid channel: over three hundred people are housed in the arena, and boiled water is handed out once a day. The water is rain collected from the arena roof and still tastes of rust after boiling. In the past week more than ten people have come down with diarrhea and dehydration, and two of the elderly did not survive. Three different kinds of drinks are needed, to go first to the dehydrated sick and the elderly.
Aid Channel: St. Andrew's Church ShelterA broadcast from St. Andrew's Church Shelter explains that its search-and-rescue team was trapped in the ruins in the north of the city for four days and only made it back last night with more than ten survivors. All of them are badly dehydrated and exhausted, and the canteen has nothing left but thin porridge. The shelter needs 3 meat dishes, 3 staple foods and 3 vegetable dishes to give those who returned one full meal.
Aid Channel: West District CheckpointA broadcast from the West District Checkpoint comes through on the aid channel: the checkpoint guards the main intersection into the city, and only two people are left on watch at night. The searchlight batteries died long ago, and zombies are often spotted only once they reach the guard booth. Last week one of the guards was bitten this way and didn't make it. The checkpoint plans to string Wire around the outer edge of the intersection and hang Noisemakers on it as an alarm line, and needs two coils of Wire and three Noisemakers.
Aid Channel: West Suburb Housing EstateThe aid channel carries a call for donations from the management office of the West Suburb Housing Estate. Rations there are down to one meal per person a day. Residents have turned the estate's green belts into planting plots, but have no seeds to sow. The office is asking for 5 seeds of any kind.
Aisle widthThe goods are piled so high that the aisle is only wide enough for one person. You have to turn sideways to squeeze through.
Alliance OfferAfter all this time trading, they're asking if you want to form an alliance.
Allies help each other: when they're struggling, you can send supplies over; when you're in trouble, they'll help you too.
An extra portionMy hand slipped while cooking, and I accidentally made rice for two people again. The pot is still warm.
An extra portion of foodWhen cooking, I still made enough rice for two out of habit. The pot is still warm.
An Unspoken UnderstandingAt some point, the basket started going back and forth. You'd send vegetables, and she'd return a small jar of pickles; you'd pass medicine, and she'd send back a crooked note saying [Take care today too]. The apocalypse had separated two strangers behind two windows, yet this tiny glimmer of light became the reason for each other to keep going.
That day, the basket came up with an unfinished letter pressed inside—"When all this is over... I want to tell you in person..." The words after that had been crossed out repeatedly. Some things she wasn't ready to shout across the window just yet.
Anxiety StrikesThe relentless zombie horde is getting on your nerves, and your stomach is starting to growl.
Assemble a ShredderYou're always short on one material and sitting on a pile of another. Anything you've crafted can be taken apart again: run the original recipe backwards and the materials come right back. The machine isn't complicated, and you can put one together at the workbench.
Base Camp Running Short on FoodThe downtown warehouse has started rationing by headcount. Half the people guarding it are gone; the rest are still holding on.
They are not asking for much, but they are asking urgently.
Battering Door — Pay to Save Yourself Timeout SettlementYou cracked the door and shoved out a few things. It wasn't enough for them. They cursed, shoved the door open, charged in — rifled and grabbed a whole pile of valuables before they were satisfied.
Books for FoodThe drone passed the basement in the west. A new wooden sign hangs by the door: Books for food - still a room full of books, in need of something to eat.
Books on the StepsThe basement is empty, the door wide open, the wall of books untouched. A separate stack sits on the steps, tied with rope, the knots carefully done.
Breaking GroundAt dawn, you check on yesterday's bare soil and spot tiny white sprouts emerging. You crouch by the pot for a long time, a smile unconsciously spreading across your face.
Bring More People InSomeone in the group said there are too few of you to get much done. There are still people out there you could ally with. Time to bring more of them in.
Building a ReputationI've developed a rapport with a few survivors through our supply trades these past few days. Word is spreading that I'm reliable. Maybe one day, that reputation will be worth something more crucial.
Camp Out of MedicineThe drone brought back a note from the East Survivor Camp: too many people, half of them sick. Food and supplies are holding up—it's medicine they're out of.
Get the medicine to them, and the camp can hold on a while longer.
Cat at the Door - Belly UpWhen you open the door it's rolling around on the steps, all four paws in the air, its whole belly bared to the sun.
You stand and watch for a while. It doesn't even open its eyes.
Cat at the Door - Brought a CatchToday's meowing is especially loud, one cry after another—not the usual two calls and a wait.
You open the door: it has something in its mouth. It looks up at you, then sets the thing down at your feet.
Cat at the Door - Brought a FriendThe meowing outside isn't right—two voices, one high, one low.
You open a crack: it's sitting in its usual spot, and another one crouches a little further off, shrinking back as soon as the door moves.
Cat at the Door - Brought SomethingNo meowing outside the door.
You look through the peephole—it's sitting bolt upright on the steps, something small lying beside its paws, waiting motionless for you.
Cat at the Door - Fast AsleepIt's too quiet outside, so you take a look anyway.
It's curled up asleep on the mat by the door, tail over its nose, rising and falling with each breath.
Cat at the Door - GroomingThis time it doesn't meow.
You look through the peephole—it's sitting on the steps licking a paw, eyes half shut, stroke after stroke, paying no attention to your side of the door at all.
Cat at the Door - Playing AroundThere's movement outside, but no meowing.
You look through the peephole: it's crouched on the steps with its rear end up, front paws pinning something down. It pounces—the thing tumbles down two steps, and it chases after and pounces again.
Clothesline on the TerraceA rare sunny day, so hot the terrace is scorching. The pile of dirty clothes has been sitting there for half a month—might as well wash them today.
Cockroach InvasionYou discover a swarm of cockroaches helping themselves to what little food remains.
Cold storage in the cold snapWith the cold snap hitting, the cold room barely uses any power—it's colder outside than inside. You do the math and almost want to laugh.
Cold Wave PassesThe temperature has finally risen a few degrees—this cold wave has passed. But rescue is some way away.
Cold-Sensitive SeedlingsA cold wave is coming. There's no warmth at all on the balcony, and these seedlings won't survive the night.
Community Group · Cans11 said he dreamed he was eating, and waking up made it worse. You could make a portion and post a photo. Or you could say nothing, make a portion, and leave it at your door for him to come get.
Community Group · Crackling Skin7 redid the inventory chart, and their own column is down by thirty percent. Make a portion and post it in the group where everyone can see. Or, without a word, make a portion and leave it at your door for them to come get.
Community Group · Dinner Plans8 says that half a pack of candy has been saved all along for the kid at 14's place. You could make a portion, eat it yourself, and post a photo. Or you could make a portion, leave it at your door, and tell him to come get it - 8's own share seems to have run out long ago.
Community Group · Easterly Wind14 said in the group that her kid wants something hot. You could make a portion, eat it yourself, and post a photo in the group. Or you could make an extra portion, leave it at your own door, and let her come get it.
Community Group · Firing Up9 is naming terms in the group to trade for cooked food. You could make a portion and post a photo for everyone to see. Or you could skip the terms, make a portion, leave it at your door, and let him come get it.
Community Group · One Hundred Days22 says people with wounds that haven't healed should eat something hot. She spends every day looking after others. You could make a portion and post a photo in the group. Or you could make a portion and leave it at your door for her to collect when she gets a free moment.
Community Group · One Last Time7 did the math: the last time someone on this street cooked a meal was nine days ago. You could make a portion and let the group smell it one more time. Or you could make a portion, set it at your door, and let 7 make the trip over.
Community Group · Something Hot8 keeps bringing up that breakfast place at the corner. If your stove still works, you could make a portion and post it for the group to see. Or you could make a portion, put it in the storage slot at your door, and tell him to come pick it up.
Compost Three Layers HighThe compost yard's shed stands empty, still intact. Three layers of compost are stacked neat and square, with a wooden marker noting the turning dates. A few bags ready to use were left beside it.
Cry for help from outside the doorWeak knocking came from outside the door. Through the peephole was that neighbor who had mocked me at the supermarket—he was leaning against the wall, lips cracked: "Water... could you give me some water... please..." He hadn't knocked on this door in the last cycle, and I never heard from him again after that.
Day SevenDusk. I knocked three times toward the other side. After a while, they responded, their voice sounding somewhat surprised: Day seven, we've both made it through a whole week. On day seven of the last round, I was also counting the days, and back then, he was the one who said this first.
Day ThreeFor three days straight, the basket has been swinging along that narrow path, carrying something each time. When it came back today, there was a folded note pressed against the bottom of the basket, written with firm strokes: "Three days now, I'm keeping track. Once this rough patch passes, I'll pay you back."
Did You Eat TodayText message: "Did you eat today? I made flatbread with the last bit of flour. Half of it's burnt, but it still smells good. I saved you a piece."
After a while, the pulley of the basket creaked. Inside was half a flatbread, wrapped in cloth and still warm.
Dinner Through the WindowAs dusk falls, lights come on almost simultaneously in the windows on both sides. You walk to the window with your dinner and see her sitting across the way with her bowl, too. Neither of you says anything—just eating your meals across the street from each other, like family members sharing a household, only with a bit of distance in between. That restless anxiety in your heart is quietly settled by this ordinary dinner.
Draft in the North RoomA draft from the door in the north room is blowing receipts all over the floor.
Drone Active Trading UnlockedThe drone you fixed up can now fly to nearby outposts to trade supplies on its own. Try initiating a trade — get the flow of things.
Drone Control HubEvery time the drone goes out, you have to stand by and arrange each trip yourself: where it goes, what it carries, when it comes back. The electronics company in the development zone made a dispatch console. Drones dock on it, and all the deliveries can be scheduled right there. Its assembly manual should still be somewhere on the company's first floor.
Dug Out of the Sorting YardA crate sorted by kind and tied down, every piece wiped clean. None of it was ever mentioned in the messages, and yet it came packed to the brim. A note tucked inside: We're nailing our own doors shut too. Watch yourself over there.
Emergency BroadcastCommunications should still be working. Listen to the radio to see if there's any useful information.
Emotional BreakdownYou have too much work piled up today. You collapse on the sofa, unwilling to lift a finger.
Empty Cat TreeThe cat tree still stands in the middle of the room, with a shallow depression pressed into the gray felt bed at the top that never bounced back.
The day you fled back, both your hands were full of flowerpots and seeds, so you could only push the door open with your elbow. That's when it darted out through the crack, rushed across the balcony, and squeezed under the fence. You couldn't free your hands and only managed to call out twice.
You turned back and latched the door. You never saw it again after that.
Endless: A Basin of RainIt rained all night. You caught some in a basin and watched the film of dust settle on top.
Endless: A Day of GraceThey didn't come yesterday. Today they did, and there were more. Every day of grace makes the next wave heavier—you've learned the pattern.
Endless: A Distant RumbleA dull rumble far off, like a building giving way. You counted out the distance.
Endless: A New Sound OutsideAfter dark, a new sound out on the street. Not the wind. You set down your work and listened for a long time.
Endless: After the Lights Went OutAfter the lights went out, you sat in the dark for a long time. There was always another chance before. Not this time.
Endless: Crossing Them OffYou circled the few old places still worth scavenging. Even as you drew them, you knew these marks would get crossed off one by one.
Endless: Footsteps OutsideSomething passed by the window in the night. Slow steps. It didn't stop.
Endless: Fresh ScratchesMorning check: fresh scratches on the door. Higher than last time.
Endless: No Second VoiceFor a moment you thought you heard a human voice. You listened a long time. It never came again.
Endless: One More Day StolenA new line in the log: Day 13. Every line you write is another day stolen.
Endless: Page One of the LogMarks on the door. You counted—seven—and wrote it on page one of the log. The pages before it are still blank.
Endless: Survivor's InstinctNo rescue, no end—this world will only get more dangerous with each passing day.
Fortunately, survival skills are second nature to me: repairing and crafting, farming and cooking, every floor of this house, and all the explorable corners nearby—I know them all like the back of my hand.
From now on, I can only rely on myself.
Endless: Test FlightThe drone on the windowsill still flies. Battery, propellers, camera—all still there.
You have seen these streets from the window countless times, but never from above.
Endless: The Deathly Silent NightThe city is terrifyingly quiet at night. No sirens, no voices, only the wind wailing through empty buildings. Threats are still growing in the shadows, and tomorrow will only be harder.
Endless: The Grid Still HoldsThe news says the grid will hold a while longer. You put the flashlight and batteries in the bottom drawer—those are for after it doesn't.
Endless: The Mold That StaysA patch of mold behind the fridge. You wiped it off. Next morning, it was back.
Endless: The One at the CrossingOne in today's pack stood taller than the rest. It didn't come closer. It just stood at the crossing, watching for a while.
Endless: The Tall WeedsThe weeds out back have grown tall. You can't tell where the road used to be.
Endless: The Window AcrossA window in the building across was lit a few days ago. Not tonight.
Endless: Trading on the Old FrequencyThe drone brought back more than scrap. Over the past two days, passing the east side and the edge of the ruins, it picked up the same broken call—someone shouting on an old frequency, giving coordinates and a list of things to trade.
They are still alive. And they have already started trading.
Endless: Two FlickersThe lights flickered twice tonight. You checked the breaker box. Found nothing.
Endless: Two New SignalsTwo new voices on the frequency. One in the north apartment, the whole balcony turned into a vegetable garden; one in the underground garage, parts stacked to the ceiling.
Half a city apart, neither can reach the other—but your drone can.
Establish Base: FoundationThe outpost is also under attack—the zombie horde doesn't discriminate, hitting everywhere. First, they need materials to seal doors, set up beds, and block the wind so they can defend while getting support. You open the drone's cargo bay and send over whatever supplies you can spare, trip after trip.
Explorer's ToolsZombies are constantly wandering the nearby streets. At this rate, supplies will eventually run out.
I could make a noisemaker to distract the zombies, then take the opportunity to go out and gather supplies.
Eyes Behind the BarricadeYour Drone has been flying around the city long enough that the group behind the barricade has grown familiar with it. This time when it landed, there was a small pack of screws and a note in the cargo hold: "We've got plenty of repair and reinforcement materials. Bring something to trade—don't come empty-handed."
Figure It Out YourselfYou've turned the storage rack upside down and the manual is still nowhere to be found. Someone probably threw it out as scrap paper long ago.
If you can't find the manual, you'll just have to figure it out yourself. Take it apart and have a look, you'll work it out eventually.
First Row FullThe shelves along the first wall are completely full. You step back two paces and scan from end to end—not a single empty slot.
Fix DoorThe disaster broke out after all. The door is the only barrier between me and those things outside—I need to reinforce it quickly.
Fix the BathtubThe bathtub has been leaking for a while. Now that you have some free time, maybe you can fix it...
Fix the Door!You need to repair the front door—quickly, before the zombies tear it down.
Flashlight in the NightAt his window across the street, a flashlight beam flickered twice. Like he was saying hello.
Fly a PatrolGood thing your drone can still fly. Maybe you can check on your neighbors.
Forgotten Storage CompartmentFound an unregistered storage compartment in the corner of the south room, covered in a thick layer of dust. The previous warehouse manager must have missed logging it.
Fragrance Filling the RoomWith more flowers blooming, the room carries a hint of something beyond the apocalypse. You take a deep breath—it's been so long since you felt this.
Freedom to ReadYou brought a lot of good books with you when you moved, but you still haven't read them...
They should still be piled up with the magazines. Maybe you can organize them to pass the time...
Fresh Off the BenchA crate packed tight with no gaps, the piece on top still dusted with fresh sawdust, made and boxed the same day by the look of it. No note.
From the CampWhen the drone settled back onto the bench its cargo bay was packed full, the box heavy enough to need both hands. A line written across the lid: It got there. I hope we all pull through.
Frost in the cold storage roomA ring of white frost has formed around the cold storage room's door frame, preventing the door from closing properly.
Full inventory ledgerThe inventory ledger is filled to the last page. You pull out a new one and neatly write the date on the title page.
Gather TogetherThere are still a dozen or so people on the network, each fending for themselves. Sooner or later, they'll be worn down one by one. You send a message to the channel: instead of scattered aid, it's better to gather everyone into a single stronghold. The other end goes quiet for a few seconds, then one by one, they agree—it's settled. But they're also under attack over there. Words alone aren't enough; we need to send a shipment of supplies over first, so people can actually establish a foothold.
Get to Know ThemA message came in, someone wanting to trade. Not many people are still out there, and fewer still will deal with you. Trade with the same person a few times, get to know each other, and maybe you can look out for each other down the line.
Girl's plea for help · Reinforcement materialsShe said her door frame was cracked during the night and won't hold for much longer. You check the materials you have on hand—enough to reinforce one door.
Girl's Request: Bridge MaterialsThe final stretch is the hardest: the bridge needs to be extended from her side, and both ends must be secured firmly. She doesn't have enough materials and tools on hand—missing even one thing means the bridge can't be built.
Girl's Request: ToolsMaterials alone aren't enough—she doesn't have any proper tools to work with. I can spare one from my toolbox.
Girl's warning"Are you okay? I saw 'them' heading your way, be careful..."
You've received a voice message... it seems to be from the girl next door. Is she still alive?
Glimmer of the beaconBefore bed, you glance up—the marker on the roof is still there. Someone will see it.
Handy ToolsThe work is going more and more smoothly. You're even more deft at it than when you were fixing cell phones before the disaster.
Heat from the stoveSteam from a pot of hot soup fogged up the windowpane. You reached out and drew a smiley face on it, watching it slowly melt away.
His reminderDuring a cold snap, he sent you a text: "Don't forget to keep the plants on the balcony warm." You glanced at the seedlings on the windowsill, then got up to find something to cover them with.
Hold on to that breathHe's still hanging on by a thread. Right now he just needs food—fill the basket with Food and send it over, don't delay for even a minute.
Hole in the sleeveA hole has worn through the coat's cuff, and the threads unravel at the slightest tug.
Home: Running Low on VegetablesThe vegetables at Home are nearly gone. We can't keep surviving on just dry rations—find a plot of land and grow something edible.
Housework RobotThings keep piling up at home. Food, materials and tools are spread across several cabinets, and just putting everything away eats up a good part of the day. The electronics company in the development zone seemed to be working on housework robots. If you could build one from their designs, it could take these chores off your hands. The most important part of a robot is its core chip, and there may still be one on the company's first floor.
I want to see the ocean.She held up a drawing through the window, showing a wobbly sea and two little figures. "When all this is over, I want to see the ocean." She paused, then added, "...Will you come with me?" You gripped your pen and drew a heavy circle on your own paper. The next day, the drawing lay quietly in the basket—she had given it to you. "Keep this for me." You found two stones and weighted it down out on the terrace, letting it sit in the sun day after day, as if that sea really were waiting somewhere. Some promises feel weightless when spoken, yet they're enough to make you grit your teeth and push through each day ahead.
Immovable Large BoxThere's a large box in the corner that's impossible to move by yourself.
Install sandbag fortificationYou pulled out that heavy bag of sandbags, the canvas sack tied tight. When stacked up, they'll form a barrier that can stop zombies. While you still have time, install them at the defensive positions in your Home.
Invitation from the HoarderThe mysterious hoarder king in the city center has finally spoken. His people sent word: you do clean business, and he's willing to trade. Top-quality rations, medicine, materials, and books are all hard currency—no inferior goods accepted. The largest warehouse in the city has cracked open a door for you.
Jammed ViseThe vise's lead screw is jammed and won't turn. Find some Sheet Metal to wedge in there and fix it at the workbench.
Journal by CandlelightNight has fallen. You turn off the main lights to save power and write down the events of the past few days by candlelight.
Just Picked on the RoofA basket just picked up on the roof, dew still on the leaves, a few small paper packets tucked under the bottom. The note carries two words only: Take care.
Kite on the balconyA kite with a broken corner is caught on the balcony railing, its string still tangled around it. No idea where it drifted in from.
Last StandShe's still hanging on by a thread. Right now she just needs food—fill the basket with Food and send it over, don't delay for even a minute.
Laughter on Day SevenAt dusk, three light knocks came from across the way. Across that narrow path, her voice carried a hint of laughter: "Day seven! We've both made it through a whole week!" The seventh day of the last round... I can't even remember what her voice sounded like back then.
Lights Out at the ShedNo lights at the compost yard tonight. The old farmer sent word by drone: I've stacked the compost three layers high. Whoever comes can pick up where I left off.
List by the DoorThe person outside left word: there's enough food stocked in the storage compartment by the door, and he'll come back to check inventory. He gestured a number—probably enough for one person to last several days.
Listening to the RainRaindrops tap against the windowsill, one by one, in a steady rhythm.
LonelinessAs the night drags on, you can't help but worry that you might be the last human left on earth.
Look OutsideZombie howls and screaming coming from outside the window... You'd better see what's going on.
Looping RecordingA recording that seems to be playing on repeat emerges from the static—
"...Still alive... Radio's on every night after dark...
Leaving my number at the end. If you hear this, get back to me..."
[The recording starts over from the beginning]
Loose BracketThere was commotion downstairs all night. After dawn, the satellite dish on the terrace hung its head low, with the base screws loosened by a full turn.
Marks on the WindowsillThe basket comes up, and tucked beneath it is a small wooden plaque bearing a shallow mark carved with a knife. It takes you a moment to understand—he's been counting the days you've spent together from across your windows, one mark for each day. He probably never said it aloud, not even to himself: through all these days, he couldn't bear to forget a single one. You slip the wooden plaque into your pocket, and that small weight feels heavier than anything else.
Midnight Door PoundingBang, bang, bang—someone's desperately pounding on your door in the dead of night, making the whole building shake. You can protect your belongings by refusing to open the door, but the door won't hold, and you can forget about sleeping soundly. Alternatively, open the door and hand over your stuff—give them enough valuables to get them to leave. If you can't scrape together enough, they'll break the door down and rob you anyway.
Midnight VisitorsThree knocks at the door—very light, knuckles only. The person pressed close to the gap and kept their voice low, as if afraid those things on the street might hear:
You got my message. Canned goods, dry goods, anything. Leave some by the door and I'll go.
Misaligned DishThe wind was strong last night. As you went upstairs, you glanced at the terrace—the satellite dish was tilted, pointing toward a blank wall.
Misty DawnYou go up to the terrace to look—the entire street is submerged in milk. So quiet you can hear your own breathing.
Moisture-Damaged Satellite DishIt rained for several days straight. Water accumulated in the connection box of the satellite dish on the terrace, and the copper contacts developed a green layer of corrosion.
Moisture-Damaged WiringYou press the switch and get nothing at all, just a faint burnt smell seeping out through the seam.
With the back panel off you can see it: the wires inside have gone damp, and the joints are green.
Momentary PeaceYou find an old MP3 player that still has battery life left. The familiar melodies temporarily drive away the gloom.
Myself in the mirrorPassing by the mirror, I caught sight of my disheveled hair and paused for a moment.
Mysterious CatA faint meowing sound comes from outside the door.
You first observed through the peephole for a while—there was no other movement outside, so you pressed against the door handle and opened a narrow crack.
Nearly empty seasoning jarThe seasoning jar is nearly empty, with just a thin layer left at the bottom.
Neighbor's Request - Reinforcement MaterialsHe said that broken window got cracked again during the night and won't hold much longer. You checked through your materials—enough to reinforce one window.
Neighbor's Request: Bridge MaterialsThe final stretch is the hardest: the bridge planks need to be set up from his side, and both ends must be secured firmly. He doesn't have enough materials and tools on hand—missing even one thing means this bridge can't be completed.
Neighbor's Request: ToolsMaterials alone aren't enough—he doesn't have any proper tools to work with. I can spare one from my toolbox.
New Sprouts UnfurlingThe new sprout leaned toward the light, a slender stem stretching desperately to reach that glimmer by the window. This spot was too dark.
Nightly Warehouse InspectionBefore bed, you make your rounds, checking the doors, windows, and a few rows of shelves. It's an old habit from over ten years of work—you can't sleep soundly without doing this round.
NightmareYou dream of being torn apart by gnashing undead fangs. The pain is so real that you wake up in a cold sweat, the sound of scratching claws ringing in your ears...
No Cover on the Sorting YardThe people at the recycling station are out on the open sorting yard, with no cover on any side. They won't last till dawn.
If you make more noise over here, part of the horde will turn your way—that is their only chance.
No Longer Hiding the FeverThis time she told you right away. Don't betray her trust—bring her some medicine.
No Walls Between the TentsThe camp has the most people and the loosest hold on them. There are no walls between the tents, only rope and plastic sheeting.
They say every direction they could fall back in runs straight into them, unless something somewhere else makes more noise.
Note in the BasketWhen I pulled the basket back, there was a note inside with carefully written words: "The rope seems to be fraying. You should check if it's still safe."
Only One Way OutThe Basement has only one way out, and right now that way is packed solid.
They still have water and food. It's the people who are close to breaking.
Paper AirplaneA thick stack of paper. Perhaps it could be used to make something fun?
Passing Supplies AcrossYou work out a plan together: using a rope and a basket to pass supplies back and forth across the narrow road. The first time you received something from them, you suddenly felt that this dead city didn't seem so lonely after all.
Passing the TimeEverything quiets down... You watch the second hand tick by.
It feels as if time stops, then suddenly rushes by.
You suddenly realize that time is just your perception...
Perfect Weather for Airing Out the BeddingIt's a rare sunny day, and the sunlight is so strong it's heating up the balcony.
Perfectionist StackingOne row of goods looks off no matter how you look at it. Probably stacked hastily last time.
Photos on the Old Cell PhoneRummaging through drawers, you find an old cell phone and plug it in to charge. The photo album still shows life before the disaster: office gatherings, subway stations, a bowl of noodles still steaming hot.
Piece Together: Human StoriesIn the recorder, you piece together the register, the diary, the notes, and that subject roster, and the outlines of the people behind those cold medical records slowly become clear.
They didn't catch some strange illness. They were bitten, by lab animals that had been injected with an investigational drug. That drug was meant to cure illness. It was just an attempt to save lives that spiraled completely out of control.
No one out there knows these names yet. It can be published from the recorder. But a few pages alone may not convince anyone out there. The records say it all started with those injected animals. If they are mixed in with the hordes outside, sooner or later you will see them with your own eyes.
Piece Together: The Truth Behind the LogisticsIn the recorder, you line up the receiving slips, the delivery note, the transfer order, and the original shipping commission, like settling the books at year-end. The drug they developed was meant to cure disease, and it was first injected into lab animals for live testing. The drug itself wasn't harmful to humans. The problem was the injected animals. One by one they went frenzied, biting anyone they saw, then broke free and escaped, carrying the contagion across the entire city. And nearly every link in that supply chain passed through your hands. You recognize the lab's address on the shipping commission; you delivered there more than once. In the end, it was neither a natural disaster nor anyone's deliberate attempt to cause harm, just an attempt to save lives that spiraled completely out of control.
No one out there knows about these books yet. It can be published from the recorder. But a few pages alone may not convince anyone out there. The records say it all started with those injected animals. If they are mixed in with the hordes outside, sooner or later you will see them with your own eyes.
Play DartsNow that you're confined to your home, you might as well have some fun. How about a game of darts?
Power Conservation: Turn Off LightsSince the power grid went down, every kilowatt-hour is precious. Before the cold wave hits, I need to develop the habit of turning off lights—save electricity for what really matters.
Power meter readingWhile making your rounds, you glance at the power meter. Enough to last a while—you mentally note the number, like counting inventory.
Prepare Outpost: StockpileThe walls are standing, but the zombie horde is still pounding against them. Walls alone aren't enough—food, medicine, fuel, everything needs to be stockpiled. If they run short on any of it, people will scatter. You send out the drone again and again, gradually building up the outpost's reserves.
Referral from a Regular CustomerA regular customer you've dealt with several times has given you a new lead: there's a basement in the west part of the city, packed with books, where the owner has put up a wooden sign reading [Trade Books for Food]. Fiction, survival manuals—they have it all. In the apocalypse, knowledge is hard currency too.
Reinforce the Door!This looks somewhat... inadequate during a disaster.
You can reinforce it with materials, just in case...
Reinforce the Door!In the face of disaster, this Front Door still seemed too flimsy. Find some materials to nail a layer of Sheet Metal onto it for reinforcement—behind the door were her plants, and herself.
Remember that methodHis cry for help was still displayed on the Cell Phone screen. You walked to the balcony to sort through that pile of old wooden frames, when your hands suddenly stopped - last round it was something just like this, he had used a rope to lower a basket from the window across the way, bit by bit down to your side, with two packs of compressed cookies and a small bottle of water inside. Back then, he was the first to think of it. This time you remembered before he did, and the wooden frame was right at hand.
Reminder from the other sideYour Cell Phone buzzed once with a message from across the way: "Are you okay over there? I saw them heading your direction. Barricade the door." You walked to the Window and looked out—there was indeed something moving on that street.
Repair WorkbenchI've figured out the structure of the Workbench, so I can start repairing it!
Following the blueprint... you need some more scrap metal...
Request: A Brewing BarrelThe requester risked a trip to the outskirts to pick a batch of wild fruit, which will rot within days. The requester wants to brew it into wine to keep, and trade it for food once winter comes. Needed: 1 Brewing Barrel. The requester offers 1 bottle of pre-disaster whisky and 1 plant-dye notebook in return.
Request: A Few Live AnimalsThe requester's food stores shrink by the day, and every place in the city worth searching has been picked over many times. The requester wants to try raising live animals for food, starting with a few to see which can survive indoors. Needed: 4 live animals of any kind except rats (squirrels count), alive; can be delivered over several trips. The requester offers 2 packs each of Cauliflower, Beet, Shaggy Mane, Sunflower, and Cucumber Seeds in return.
Request: A HedgehogThe requester keeps a small vegetable plot on the flat roof, the only source of fresh food for the household. Snails and insects have overrun it lately, the leaves are chewed down to the veins, and the pesticide ran out long ago. The requester wants a hedgehog to eat the pests. Needed: 1 Hedgehog. The requester offers 1 box of Frozen Short Ribs and 1 bottle of Sake in return.
Request: A Massage ChairEvery day the requester hauls water and fuel back from several streets away, over two hours per round trip. A few days ago they wrenched their back carrying sandbags. There is no medicine, bending over is now a struggle, and the work cannot stop. Needed: 1 Massage Chair. The requester offers 1 set of Grey-Blue Concrete Slab flooring in return.
Request: A Wild RabbitAll that is left of the requester's food is a few cans and half a bag of rice. No one there has had any meat in weeks, and the others often turn dizzy and weak while working. Needed: 1 Wild Rabbit. The requester offers 2 cans of Coconut Juice in return.
Request: AdrenalineThe requester has to go out scavenging every few days. Last time, zombies cornered them in a supermarket stockroom and they only got out after hiding there all night. The requester wants two shots of adrenaline in the bag in case it happens again. Needed: 2 Adrenaline. The requester offers 2 bottles of Craft Beer in return.
Request: Base Station RepairSurvivors on the surrounding streets are cut off from one another; anyone trapped at home has no way to call for help, and last week one household across the street did not make it before anyone came. At the corner near the requester's house sits an abandoned telecom base station: a row of circuit boards in the cabinet has burned out, and some cables have been chewed through by rats. Repairs require 4 Integrated Circuits and 5 rolls of Electrical Wire. Once the station is back up, walkie-talkies across several streets will be able to reach each other.
Request: Blocking the AlleyThere is a narrow alley behind the requester's home. For the past few nights, zombies have been coming in from its mouth after dark and heading straight for the back door to batter it, and the door frame has already come loose. The requester needs 3 Sandbag Packages to stack a low wall across the alley mouth and seal it off.
Request: Braised Dove in Rice WineThe requester ran out of fuel long ago and has been living on cold canned food and soaked crackers, with stomach trouble flaring up again and again. The requester wants one hot meal. Needed: 1 Braised Dove in Rice Wine, Ordinary quality or better. The requester offers 2 bottles of Dry Red Wine in return.
Request: Catching RainwaterThe requester's home has been without running water for weeks. After the horde came through, the only well nearby turned up with a film of oil on it, and the people living there had diarrhea for days after drinking from it. The requester plans to collect rainwater on the roof deck and needs 2 Containers to hold the water and 2 Plastic Sheets to build a slope that channels it in.
Request: Cellar GardenThe requester's food stores are nearly empty, and the vegetables in the cellar are the only hope left. The cellar is warm enough but has no light, and most of the seedlings are turning yellow. Fixing this needs 1 large Plant Grow Box and 1 Compost Bin; since homemade fertilizer will take time, 5 Basic Fertilizer are also needed to get started.
Request: Circuits and Iron PartsNo news from the outside has reached the requester in a long time; there is no telling which parts of the city still have people, or whether rescue is still coming. The requester is building a radio to listen for broadcasts from nearby shelters. Needed: 1 Integrated Circuit and 2 Iron Parts. The requester offers 1 Dusk Blue Dye and 1 DC Motor Unit for repair robots in return.
Request: Clinic Cold RoomThe doctor at the corner clinic went out for medicine and never came back. The clinic's cold room still works and holds the last batch of vaccines for the surrounding blocks, which the requester hopes to preserve. Night-time power needs 1 Extra Large Power Storage Device and 2 rolls of Electrical Wire.
Request: Components and WireThe radio at the requester's place no longer picks up any signal. Apart from taking turns on night watch there is nothing to do, and some have stopped sleeping at night. The requester is repairing a gramophone to bring some sound into the room. Needed: 3 Electronic Components and 2 rolls of Electrical Wire. The requester offers 2 packs of Bell Pepper Seeds, 2 packs of Matsutake Seeds, and 1 Fast Charge Module for robots in return.
Request: Damp BasementSince the power went out, the drainage pump in the requester's basement has stopped running. Water keeps seeping in along the base of the walls, and the grain sacks stacked directly on the floor are already showing mold. These stores are everyone's food for the next several weeks. The requester needs 1 Small Storage Rack to get the sacks off the floor, plus 2 Disinfectant Sprays to treat the moldy sacks and corners.
Request: Electric HeatersThe heating at the requester's place stopped soon after the disaster. Once the cold sets in, the room drops to around freezing at night, the bedding never warms up, and some have already got chilblains on their hands and feet. Needed: 2 Electric Heaters. The requester offers 1 notebook on ochre-red dye in return.
Request: Evening GamesAfter dark, the requester's windows are sealed with quilts, and zombies often shuffle past the door. The residents sit idle for hours and grow more restless by the day; a few days ago two of them came to blows over nothing. The requester needs 1 deck of Playing Cards and 1 Dartboard Package for group entertainment at night.
Request: Fever MedicineOne of the residents at the requester's place has had a fever for three days straight, cannot eat or drink properly, and is drifting in and out of consciousness. The nearby clinic and pharmacies were emptied long ago. Treatment requires 1 box of Fever Meds and 1 box of Antibiotics.
Request: Fine Sheet MetalNo lights can be turned on at the requester's place after dark for fear of drawing zombies, so everyone inside sits in the dark until dawn. There is an old pre-disaster record player in the room with its casing rusted through; the requester wants to fix it and play a few records quietly at night. Needed: 3 Fine Sheet Metal to patch the casing. The requester offers 2 Eggs, 2 packs of Onion Seeds, and 1 Lightweight Wheel Set for robots in return.
Request: Five Kinds of ProduceThe requester's household has eaten nothing but frozen meat for a long time. Several of them have bleeding gums and sores at the corners of their mouths, signs of vitamin deficiency. Needed: 5 different fresh vegetables or fruits, 1 of each; can be delivered over several trips. The requester offers 1 pack of Frozen Stew Meat and 1 bag of Frozen Chicken Thighs in return.
Request: Fruit PuddingSomeone in the requester's household has a birthday coming. Food there is rationed by the day and no one has seen anything sweet in a long time, but they have agreed to mark this birthday no matter what. Needed: 2 Fruit Puddings, Ordinary quality or better. The requester offers 1 roll of Orange Square Tile wallpaper in return.
Request: High-Proof AlcoholThe requester's High-Proof Alcohol is nearly gone. The stove needs it to light, and one of the residents has a gash on the calf from barbed wire that is now swollen and festering and has to be cleaned every day. Needed: 5 High-Proof Alcohol. The requester offers 1 Household UPS and 1 Compact Battery Pack for robots in return.
Request: Liquid DietThe requester has had a swollen, painful throat for days and cannot swallow dry or hard food. There is no anti-inflammatory medicine at the place, so soup is all that keeps them fed. To avoid eating the same soup day after day, the requester needs 3 different soups, Ordinary quality or better; can be delivered over several trips.
Request: Locked HousesThe requester's food will last only a few more days. Several houses on the same street have shown no sign of life since the night of the horde, every door and window locked tight, and there may still be food and medicine inside. The requester needs 1 Crowbar and 2 Lockpicks to open these houses and search them.
Request: Night WatchThe people at the requester's home take turns on night watch, and whoever has the late shift often can't stay awake. The night before last, a zombie walked right up to the door unnoticed and nearly broke it down. The requester needs 2 soft drinks of any kind to keep the late-shift watch awake.
Request: NoisemakersAll of the drinking water at the requester's home is carried back each day on foot from a hand pump at the end of the street. Zombies often wander along the route, and a few days ago one of the housemates was chased on the way back and only got away by dropping the bucket. The requester needs 3 Noisemakers to throw elsewhere during water runs and draw the zombies' attention away.
Request: Onion and Ham OmeletteThe requester has not had a single egg since the disaster, living on compressed biscuits and canned food, and keeps thinking about the onion and ham omelette they used to make. Needed: 1 Onion and Ham Omelette, Ordinary quality or better. The requester offers 2 Ochre Red Dye in return.
Request: Partition PanelsA few days ago the requester took in two people who fled from the south side of the city. One of them has a cough and a fever of unknown cause. To keep it from spreading, the requester plans to put up a partition to separate the sick. Needed: 1 Stainless Steel Sheet and 1 Acrylic Sheet. The requester offers 1 notebook on purple dye and 1 lighthouse built from toy bricks in return.
Request: Rooftop Solar PowerThe requester's place is pitch dark at night; a few days ago one of the residents broke a leg going downstairs without light, and with no power for the radio they have missed several rescue broadcasts. The roof faces south and gets plenty of sun. The requester plans to install 1 Large Solar Panel with 1 Household UPS unit to store the daytime power for lighting and the radio at night.
Request: Security Door and WindowA few nights ago someone pried open the requester's door, carried off part of the food, and struck one of the residents on the head. The requester fears the same group will be back. Needed: 1 Security Door and 1 Security Window. The requester offers 1 jar of Honey, 1 carton of Milk, and 1 bag of White Sugar in return.
Request: Storeroom Rat ControlRats have got into the grain store lately, gnawing through several sacks in a single night, and something larger has been digging near the outer wall. This grain is the whole street's food for the winter. The requester needs 1 Extra Large Rat Cage, 3 Iron Animal Traps and 4 Simple Mousetraps.
Request: Street Generator RoomThe dozen or so households on the requester's street have set up a generator room together. The area has been without power for a long time; several elderly residents cough all night, and the houses are as cold as an icehouse. The generator room still has no generator. The requester needs 1 Extra Large Fuel Generator, plus fuel totaling at least 9000 burn value; diesel, alcohol, and wood all count.
Request: Ten Meat DishesThe few households the requester lives with have been getting by on thin porridge, and the strong ones who haul supplies can barely stay on their feet. The households have agreed to put together a meal of meat to get the workers back on their feet. Needed: 10 meat dishes, Ordinary quality or better; can be delivered over several trips. The requester offers 1 bottle each of Dry Red Wine, Sake, Craft Beer, Yellow Wine, and Whisky in return.
Request: The Bridge CheckpointOne of the requester's housemates has run out of asthma medication and often struggles to breathe at night. A pharmacy across the river has not yet been searched, but a group of survivors has taken over the end of the bridge and set up a checkpoint. Crossing requires paying in supplies, and they only accept alcohol. The requester needs 2 bottles of alcohol of any kind to pay the toll.
Request: The Broken WindowLast night, zombies smashed a ground-floor window at the requester's home, knocking the hinges and latch off the frame. Everyone inside pushed a wardrobe over to block the opening, but its back panel has already split and won't hold for long. The requester needs 2 Window Repair Kits to refit the window and 2 Repair Parts to secure the frame again.
Request: The Child's Plush ToyWhen the outbreak began, the requester's child was a patient at the hospital. The evacuation was chaos, and the plush toy the child held every night was left behind on a bed in the inpatient ward. Now zombies often batter the door after dark, and the child wakes almost every night, crying for the toy. You need to go to the hospital's inpatient ward, find it, and deliver it to the requester's home by drone.
Request: The Family PhotoOn the day of the outbreak, the requester was shopping at the supermarket. When the horde poured into the store, the requester fled with the crowd, and a family photo they had been carrying was lost near the checkout counter. The requester has not heard from their family since, and the photo is the only picture of them left. You need to go to the supermarket, find the family photo around the checkout counter, and deliver it to the requester by drone.
Request: The Hearing AidEarly in the outbreak, the school served as a temporary shelter, and an elderly resident from the requester's home helped serve meals in its kitchen. The day the horde broke into the school, everyone fled in a hurry, and the elder's hearing aid was left behind in the kitchen. Since then they can barely hear anything; a few days ago zombies lingered outside the door while they were alone on the ground floor, and they never noticed. You need to go to the school kitchen, find the hearing aid, and send it back by drone.
Request: The StretcherAcross the street from the requester, a house's roof collapsed during the night, and a beam crushed one resident's leg, leaving them unable to walk. The walls of that house have already cracked and could give way at any moment. The requester needs 2 Wooden Planks and 1 Bandage to make a stretcher and move the injured resident to the requester's home for care.
Request: Tricycle RepairEverything nearby has been scavenged bare. Walking out of the city and back takes two days, and some who tried never returned. The requester has come by an electric tricycle: the frame is intact, but the motor is rusted solid and the controller is broken. The requester hopes to fix it and drive out of the city for supplies. Repairs need 2 Integrated Circuits and 3 rolls of Electrical Wire; with nowhere to charge on the way, 1 Home Power Storage Station is also needed to ride along.
Request: Two PigeonsHalf the households in the requester's neighborhood have gone missing, and after dark not a single voice can be heard on the whole street. The requester wants to keep a few pigeons: company for now, and food if the supplies run out. Needed: 2 Pigeons, alive. The requester offers 1 Oat White Dye in return.
Request: Two White MiceThe requester's doors and windows have been boarded shut, a single emergency lamp is all the light left inside, and no one there has stepped outside in weeks. The requester wants two white mice to help pass the time. Needed: 2 White Mice, alive. The requester offers 1 roll of Grey Oak Grain wallpaper in return.
Request: Winter Food StoresAccording to the requester, the roads will close once the snow falls; scavenging will be impossible, and households without stores will go hungry. The requester needs to stock up for winter ahead of time: 1 Ration Press to compress food into blocks that keep for a long time; food totaling at least 500 satiety; and 8 seeds of any kind to plant next spring.
Request: Winter GreenhouseSince the temperature dropped, about half of the requester's outdoor seedlings have frozen to death. These vegetables are the household's only fresh food for the winter; if the rest are lost, it will be canned food until spring. To save what is left, the requester plans a glass greenhouse: 1 Wood Strip for the frame, 2 Tempered Glass for the roof, and 1 Electric Heater inside to keep it warm at night.
Rooftop GardenAfter several Drone runs, you noticed a building in the city with a seedling greenhouse on its rooftop, with rare green visible beneath the glass. When you had the Drone land to investigate, the owner didn't chase it away. Instead, they stuffed a note into the cargo bay: "Want to trade seeds, come anytime."
Rooftop on a rainy dayIt's raining. Following the usual routine, time to check the roof and see if the drains are clogged.
Sacks from the Compost YardA few sacks stuffed full, heavy enough that the drone flew half a meter lower, with a small basket wedged into the mouth of one. A few words scratched on the sack in charcoal: This is all we have over here. I hope we all get through this stretch.
Safe Zone Bulletin - Signal WeakeningEach bulletin gets shorter than the last. I can't control what's happening over there, but I need to stock up on my end—I can only count on my own supplies.
Safety or supplies?Although there might still be supplies left outside, zombies are still roaming the streets. You'll have to be extremely cautious and return before you're spotted...
Saved Up at the WindowA stack of small packets, each one labeled in the order it should be used, the handwriting careful and even. The last packet reads: This is everything the window could put aside these past few days. I hope you never need it.
ScavengeThe drone can still fly. Send it out scavenging — maybe it'll bring back something worth having.
Scent from the OutskirtsEvery time the Drone returns from the outskirts, it carries an earthy smell on its frame. Following the flight path, you discover that someone is still tending to the compost site, with fertilizer piles neatly arranged. They sent a message via the Drone: "Good crops depend on good fertilizer. Come trade if you're interested."
Search for the ManualYou remember seeing a workbench manual on one of the storage racks. You should look for it.
Securing Before the StormA heavy storm is coming, and there are still several items piled up outside.
Send it over.The food is packed and still steaming. I'll send it over in the basket while it's still hot.
Sent from the BasementA crate packed in neat rows, every corner padded with pages torn from old books. A note sits on top: This is what got us this far. I hope it does the same for you.
Set Up Brewing BarrelGrain is piled in the corner, but fruits and vegetables don't keep well—more rot than get eaten. You remember an old trick you saw online: find a sealed barrel, throw all the scraps in, seal it up, and after a few days you can filter out alcohol. The alcohol can be drunk, traded, and in desperate times even poured into the stove as Fuel. You've figured out the method; now you just need to see if there's a usable barrel at Home.
Settling DownThe zombie horde has moved away, and your restless appetite has settled down.
Shout across the wayShe's at the window across the way, waving at you and shouting something. The wind picks up and carries her words away.
Singing Together Through the WindowShe starts humming an old song from somewhere, her voice soft and intermittent as it drifts across the street. As you listen, you find yourself quietly joining in with a few lines. Two tone-deaf people, singing to each other across an entire stretch of ruins, butchering a song neither of you can fully remember, terribly off-key, yet neither of you stops. In the moment you both burst into laughter, you suddenly feel that this thing called living isn't so hard after all.
Sleepless Defense LineThis wave is fiercer than any before. But as you listen to the pounding against the door, for the first time you don't panic—the door is titanium, the windows are bulletproof, and the spikes, electric fences, and chainsaws are all in position. They'll have to pay a price to get close. Hold out for these ten days, and this house is the answer.
Someone Sent FoodA tightly bundled package has appeared on the terrace, and it is full of food.
The note on top says just one line: “Haven't heard from you in days. Eat this for now.”
Someone Sent MedicineA small paper packet has appeared on the terrace, the pills sorted by dose and wrapped in several turns of tape.
The note has one line: “Take them as directed. Don't tough it out.”
Something Else to DoThe broadcast said to wait until day fifty. But just sitting here waiting leaves you uneasy.
The rescue team's number is still in your phone. Maybe send them a message and ask whether there is anything you can do in the meantime?
Sound of rain on the sheet metal roofThe rain pounds on the metal roof, dense like the sound it made hitting the car roof during those late-night drives before the disaster. You drift off to sleep listening to it.
Sounds from Across the WayLight tapping sounds come from the building across the street—from across the narrow path, one tap... two taps... a pause, then another. It's her. She's still alive. ...Strange, why did I think something had happened to her?
Sparrows on the windowsillA few sparrows landed on the windowsill, pecking at the small handful of crushed rice you had scattered. You didn't dare move, for fear of startling them.
Spoiled FoodOne of your cans has swollen up. When you open it a strange odor assaults your nostrils.
Spring CleaningYour house is getting dusty. Maybe it's time for a quick clean?
Starting the CampThe camp vote passed. They are waiting on your word.
Steady LightThe lamp on her windowsill came on — steady, quiet, not the panicked flicker of last round. That lamp is a wordless "I'm okay" across the way.
Street Footage from the DroneThe playback shows terrifyingly empty streets. The traffic lights are out, intersection after intersection, all dark—the power grid went down long ago. Only your home is still lit.
Supplies from Your AlliesIt's still chaos outside, but a few tightly bundled packages have appeared on the terrace.
Your allies heard a horde had come your way and found a way to send them over.
Survivor Across the WayIn the apartment across the narrow road lives someone who, like you, couldn't evacuate in time. Across this narrow road, you occasionally catch glimpses of his busy silhouette behind the window—in the face of disaster, you are both survivors.
Suspicious SoundsIn the middle of the night, you hear a scratching sound outside... like something is trying to get in.
The Afternoon We Replaced the RopeShe's right. The rope is fraying, with several strands already coming loose. If we keep putting it off, it's going to snap.
The bags on the floorThe bottom layer of goods in the cabinets and boxes is stacked right on the floor. Moisture will seep up from below, and those bags will eventually rot.
The Base Camp Is DisbandingDowntown has decided to pull out in groups, and every group needs enough rations for the road.
They've given you their headcount. It's the last count they'll report.
The Basement Is Empty AgainThe man in the basement is asking a second time. The note has just one line: the last batch is gone.
He doesn't say why it went so fast. The wall of books is a little shorter than before.
The Basement Is Out of FoodFor the first time, the owner of the west basement is asking for something: the books are still there, the food is gone.
He isn't picky—anything edible will do. Load enough into the drone and it will carry it over.
The Books Stay, the Man GoesThe basement has decided to leave. He says the books can't be moved, but a man has to stay alive.
Rations for the road are far more than usual. Only once they're gathered can he make it out.
The Cleared RooftopThe nursery's frames have been taken down, and not a pane of glass is broken. They dismantled it themselves. In a sheltered corner sit a few boxes of seeds, the sowing month written on each lid in marker.
The Compost Yard's RequestThere still seem to be survivors at the compost yard on the outskirts. As the drone came down, an old farmer bagging fertilizer waved at it: We have fertilizer. Bring food to trade.
The Crew Behind the BarricadeThe drone made contact with the outpost behind the barricade. They say they have lost most of their people, and the repair kits and reinforcement materials are just piling up - they will trade them for anything that saves lives. They need everything.
The dampness has dissipatedThe air has dried out and no new mold spots will appear. The existing mold is still in the cabinets and will continue to slowly spread to nearby areas, so deal with it as soon as possible.
The Days Running LowShe stares at the empty bottle by the sink. Search the storage cabinet—Household items, even just a roll of paper or a bar of soap.
The drone I assembled myselfIt sits on the table, propeller still a bit crooked. You're not in this line of work, but you managed to put it together—and it actually flew.
The East Camp Is Breaking CampThe note from the east is longer than usual: they've decided to head south.
They'll need medicine for the road, and what little the camp has won't stretch across that many people. Only once the medicine is gathered will they dare set out.
The Empty Post Behind the BarricadeThe barricade still stands, but no one is behind it. Everything stripped from the fortifications is stacked in a pile, nails and screws sorted into tin cans, each lid labeled.
The Empty Sorting YardThe recycling station is gone. This time the roller door is pulled down, not welded shut.
A few sorted bundles are stacked by the door, paper, sheet metal and glass each in their own, with a note weighed down beside them: couldn't carry it. It's more use to you
The Fallen SignThe "Books for Food" sign outside the west basement lies fallen on the steps. The door is unlocked and the books are still stacked into walls, but the owner is gone.
On the steps the drone found some leftover books pinned under the sign, as if left there on purpose.
The first basket that was lowered downA basket dangled from a rope appeared from the window across the way, slowly lowering bit by bit to your windowsill. Inside the basket were two packs of compressed cookies and a small bottle of water, with a note pressed underneath: Take these first, don't save them. You looked up, but he had already retreated behind his window. This method was his idea - you had never thought of anything like this before.
The First BloomIn the drab room, the first flower has bloomed. You circle it twice, and in the end do nothing but watch.
The First ChoiceYou can't get out now. What will you do next?
The First Message from Across the WayThe phone buzzed. It was from the person you briefly met at the supermarket before the disaster—"Are you okay? I live right across the street." And just like that, two people separated by a street were reconnected.
The First ScavengeBattery full, propellers tightened.
Open the drone on the windowsill and send it to "Scavenge" to see what's still out there.
The First TradeThe camps that gave their coordinates over the frequency are all waiting for a reply.
Open the drone on the windowsill to see what they want and what they'll trade for it.
The Flag Comes DownThe east took down its flag today. The note that came back is packed tight with names, and the last line reads: we won't forget the medicine.
The Gloves She KnittedThe basket comes up with a pair of knitted gloves inside. The stitches are crooked and uneven, and the fingertips are patched with different colored yarn—probably pieced together from whatever scraps were available when the original yarn ran out. A note is attached: "It's getting cold, and you're gone half the day every time you go out. Wear these. Don't mind how ugly they are." You slip the gloves on, and they're a perfect fit. You've worn them ever since—worn through in places, but you've never brought yourself to replace them. She must have quietly memorized the shape of your hands long ago.
The green on the windowsillWhat she wants isn't food—it's a bit of color that can grow. Send the seeds over to her.
The Half-Open Roller DoorThere's no one left in the underground garage workshop. The roller door hangs half open, parts are still stacked to the ceiling, and some materials were left by the door.
The Hoarse Voice from South DistrictA hoarse voice crackles through the radio—
"Hello... is this thing still working... I'm on the south side of the city...
I'll read out my frequency. If anyone can hear this, please write it down... I just want to hear another human voice, anything will do..."
[Static drowns out the rest]
The Last Grow LightThe rooftop grow lights went off tonight. The man on the frequency says the seedlings they can't carry have all been pinched off, but the seeds can travel.
He was laughing when he said it.
The Last LightThe evening the wave passed, the light across the way came on again after so long.
The basket rose slowly, and inside was a small bundle of dried flowers pinning down a note — "I'm okay now. Thank you for staying with me through all of it."
You stood on the balcony watching that lamp, and you couldn't look away for a long time.
The Last RationThe base camp handed out its final round today. The list is posted on the door, with a blank line at the end. Your name is written there.
The Last Text"The window's open. The breeze is nice."
The old pharmacist sent nothing else.
The Last WatchThe radio crackled a long while before anyone spoke: we held for thirty-seven days. Tonight we hand over the watch. Then a burst of laughter, then static.
The Leak in the EavesOnly when it started raining did I notice there's a leak in the eaves, dripping steadily onto the windowsill.
The light across the streetBefore bed, I saw the light still on in her window across the street. Across the small road, I couldn't hear a sound, but I knew she was awake too—life didn't seem so bad after all.
The Light Across the WayAs the basket traveled back and forth more frequently, the notes tucked inside grew longer each time.
She wrote about whether the clouds looked like rain, which canned food tasted the worst, and those ordinary days before the disaster—once so mundane, but now impossible to return to.
After nightfall, a lamp would light up right on time in that window across the narrow path. You gradually grew accustomed to gazing at that little light from across the path for a while—at times like these, knowing someone on the other side cared that you were still breathing was a luxury in itself.
The low hum of the cold storage roomWith your hand on the door, you can feel the compressor still running quietly. This room is your greatest asset.
The Night of FeverHer voice on the phone sounded alarmingly feverish. Check your medicine cabinet—anything for fever, anything anti-inflammatory, send it over right now.
The Old Farmer at the Compost YardThe old farmer is sitting on a pile of fertilizer nobody wants. He says the soil is still good soil—a pity he won't last until the next season.
Bring something edible.
The Old Farmer Gives InThe old farmer says he's made up his mind: the soil is good soil, but you have to be alive for there to be a next season.
He's heading north. It's a long road, and he needs plenty of food. He's asking for more this time than ever before.
The Old Farmer Shared the Last HarvestThe old farmer says he split the last harvest among the people in the shed and kept not a bite for himself.
He still wants to hold on for one more season.
The One Who Dares Not LeaveAnother channel crackles intermittently—
"...Too scared to go outside. Those things are everywhere out there...
If anyone can hear this, write this number down and call me when you get a chance..."
[Signal lost]
The Open WarehouseThe downtown base camp is completely quiet. The warehouse doors stand open, the inside already cleared out.
Only some supplies were left along the outer edge, as if for whoever is still holding on.
The Parcel on the WindowsillThe alley is empty, and this time the safehouse door is locked from the outside. A paper parcel sits on the windowsill, thicker than any before, bundled by dose, with handwritten instructions on top.
The Pharmacist Behind the BarsDeep in the alley a window is open. Behind the iron bars an old pharmacist holds up a sign: Stock still here. Short on food. Willing to trade.
The Promise Across the PathGradually, you developed an unspoken understanding: when night fell and the light came on, it meant "I'm still here, I'm okay."
That night, the light across the way turned on, then suddenly went out for a moment before lighting up again—as if deliberately trying to tell you something. The next day's basket contained an additional message: [When all this is truly over... if there's still a future ahead, I'd like to properly meet you. Not across this street, and not through this basket.]
That night, you also flashed your own light twice toward the window across the way.
Some thoughts, once they surface, can never be pushed back down—they become the very reason you must hold on until the end.
The Quiet House AcrossThe house across the street has been silent for two days now. I crouched by the window, staring across the path for a long time—nothing but the sound of wind and distant zombie growls. What's happening over there? There are more and more of "them" outside my door, and I can barely defend my own home anymore.
The Radio He FixedThe basket comes up carrying a cobbled-together old radio, its knob connected by a wire of a different color. A note is attached: "Found this, spent two nights fixing it. I've turned the volume all the way down. Can't sleep at night anyway—at least now there's some sound." You turn the knob, and through the static drifts half of an old song. It has sat by your bed ever since, turned so low only you can hear it, never once switched off. He must have noticed long ago that your light often stays on at night too.
The rain has passedThe clouds disperse, and long-awaited sunlight falls back into the house. The solar panels resume power generation, and the battery indicator slowly climbs back up.
The Recluse from East DistrictThe Radio picks up another frequency, and a man's voice comes through—
"Can anyone hear me... I'm in the east side of the city, still holding on, just me alone...
If anyone hears this, write down this number and call me back, doesn't matter how late..."
[Static drowns out the signal]
The Reply in the BasketWhen today's basket was returned from across the path, there was a neatly folded piece of paper pressed inside, its edges wrinkled from moisture.
There was only one line written on it: "Thank you. I had... already given up hope that anyone would be willing to share even a bite with me."
You stood there holding that piece of paper for a long while. In this city, you hadn't heard anyone say "thank you" with such sincerity in a very long time.
The Ritual of Taking InventoryBefore bed, you mentally went through the inventory count, but the more you thought about it, the more uneasy you felt. Better to just get up and thoroughly organize the shelves.
The Roller Door Comes Down One Last TimeThe voice on the frequency is unusually brief today: the truck is loaded, leaving at dawn. He says he's never thanked anyone all these years and doesn't plan to start now. Thanks
The Satisfaction of HarvestAnother harvest done. The basket is heavy in my hands, and the earthy scent of soil clings to my fingers. This is what I've earned with my own hands. No one can take it away.
The Sign Comes DownThe "Books for Food" sign came down today and leans against the steps. He sent one line: after all these trades, the last one isn't a trade. It's a gift
The Smell Fades
The Smell Won't Stay DownThe people at the Compost Yard say the smell can't be kept down any longer, and it has pulled in everything in the whole outskirts.
There are only a handful of them, and the yard is far too big to hold.
The three knocks I made firstThere's still no movement from the building across the way. This time I knocked first, three times, neither too light nor too heavy. After a few seconds, they knocked back twice, followed by a stunned voice: "How did you know I was here?" I didn't make a sound, just knocked once more.
The Warehouse Is Running Empty AgainThe base camp reports its count a second time, lower than before. The keeper says the ration line hasn't gotten shorter; the rations have.
The Window Hasn't Opened in Three DaysThe window of that pharmacy down the alley hasn't opened in three days. Outside is packed too tight to push the door, and no one inside dares touch it.
If it stays blocked like this, they don't have many days left.
The Wiped-Down ShelvesThe base camp has cleared out. The warehouse door stands wide open, the shelves inside wiped clean. Something was left on the outermost shelf, circled in chalk
They Are ClimbingThe people on the rooftop say they have started climbing. The nursery is at the very top—nowhere left to go.
Draw them over to your side, and those people might just make it through tonight.
This time I didn't dodgeThe sound of dragging things echoes from downstairs again. It's that same man from the building, and this time his hand is reaching for the spare water bucket at my door. In the last round, I just pressed against the window crack and watched as he moved everything out piece by piece. This round, I opened the door.
This Time I Opened the DoorThe sound of something heavy being dragged echoed from outside the yard again—that man was using the same old trick, this time reaching for the spare water bucket by my door. In the previous round, all I could do was watch through a crack in the window. This round—I opened the door.
Three Days' EchoFor three days straight, the basket has carried things along that narrow little path every day. When it came back today, there was a neatly folded note pressed against the bottom: Three days. You haven't missed a single one. ...I know this isn't something I should take for granted.
Throw Paper AirplaneYou've got a paper airplane. Might as well throw it out the window.
Tighten the window latchThe window latch has come loose, rattling whenever the wind hits it. You tighten it before bed.
Too Many Around ThemToo many have closed in on the outpost, and the wall behind the barricade is about to give.
Since that message came through, there's been nothing from them.
Too Many DoorsThe warehouse at the Base Camp is too big, with too many doors, and nowhere near enough hands to cover them.
If it doesn't hold tonight, the last place downtown where you can trade goes with it.
Torrential DownpourThe storm's battering at your window. Rainwater is starting to seep in through the cracks.
Touch the door panelThe horde has passed. You check the door panel, pressing your palm against it, feeling what it withstood for you.
Transplanting DayThe seedlings have outgrown their original pot, so you find a bigger one and transplant them. Your hands got all muddy, but it was totally worth it.
Truth: The TagsWhile clearing the pile of corpses outside the door, you find a few dogs among them. They are wasted to the bone, and plastic-sealed number tags still hang from their collars. On the back of each tag is the name of a lab, the same one on the Commission Intake Form.
What was written on paper now has something real behind it. The files in the recorder are ready to go out.
Two Lights in the DarkYou get up for water in the night and notice the window across the way is still lit. The light glows amber, casting a quiet silhouette. You don't disturb her, just leave your own light on for a while, too. In this city gone completely dark, two burning lights seem to say to each other: I'm still here, and so are you.
Unexpected FindYou discovered leftover food in an unattended storage box.
Unexpected SuppliesAs you move an old sofa, you discover an unopened pack of cookies in one of the gaps.
Unknown CoordinatesAn anonymous number sent a string of coordinates, claiming there are supplies there. No context, no explanation—no idea who it's from.
Voices on the channelAmid the static of the deep night, it sounds like someone is calling out coordinates. Intermittent and unclear.
Waiting for the Last TrainThe beacon is set up, sending signals skyward over and over. Finally, a complete message comes through: Day one hundred at dawn, the last transport. It won't wait. Until then, you have only one thing to do—survive until that day.
Warehouse Patrol in the DarkDuring night patrols, you're too lazy to turn on the lights—even with your eyes closed, you can feel your way to every shelf.
Watching the WorldYou spot two survivors moving cautiously across the street. They carefully avoid the zombies and slip into an alley.
Watering at DawnFirst thing in the morning, you water the seedlings in the pots. Watching them grow little by little makes the whole day feel full of promise.
Watering the PlantsYou haven't taken care of these plants for a long time...
Weather Forecast on a NoteThe basket comes up with a note tucked underneath: "Tomorrow might turn cold, so dress warmly when you go out." At the bottom, a crooked little sun is drawn as a signature. You can't help but chuckle—there's no such thing as a weather forecast in this post-apocalyptic world, yet she insists on playing the part and worrying about you. You slip the note into your pocket. Its slight weight feels warmer than any coat.
Well-Dressed VisitorsThere was a soft knock on the door—the visitor clearly knew that making too much noise would attract those things.
You lean toward the peephole: the man outside has cleaned himself up, his hair is neatly combed. His clothes, obviously expensive before the disaster, now hang loosely on his frame like a shell two sizes too big.
He's pressed close against the door, speaking in a hushed voice: "Sorry to disturb you... I used to be a financial executive. I have a luxury watch I'm hoping to trade for a bite to eat."
Word Has SpreadWord of your business dealings has spread among the survivors: you deliver goods promptly and trade fairly. Today, the drone brought back a small map sketching out an alley—an old pharmacist deep in the back alleys sent word that he trades medicine for goods, values reputation, and has heard of you.
Zombie Crisis - EndThe zombies seem to have been attracted by something else and are gradually dispersing... You breathe a sigh of relief! The power still hasn't come back. Cautiously checking the doorway, you find some supplies scattered around.
Zombie Horde - EndThe zombies seem to have been attracted by something else and are gradually dispersing... You breathe a sigh of relief! The power still hasn't come back. Cautiously checking the doorway, you find some supplies scattered around.Main quest 219
![[Main Quest] Advanced Door Reinforcement](/icons/event-40414.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Advanced Door Reinforcement![[Main Quest] Assemble Solar Panels](/icons/event-40421.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Assemble Solar Panels![[Main Quest] Build Mouse Cage Generator](/icons/event-40424.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Build Mouse Cage Generator![[Main Quest] Cook a Hot Meal](/icons/event-40012.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Cook a Hot Meal![[Main Quest] Fortify Home](/icons/event-40415.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Fortify Home![[Main Quest] Help the Neighbor Across the Street](/icons/event-51337.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Help the Neighbor Across the Street![[Main Quest] Repair Terrace Hanging Basket](/icons/event-51311.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Repair Terrace Hanging Basket![[Main Quest] Set a Trap](/icons/event-40018.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Set a Trap![[Main Quest] Staying Warm](/icons/event-40423.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Staying Warm![[Main Quest] Store the Electricity](/icons/event-40422.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Store the Electricity![[Main Quest] Try Growing Vegetables](/icons/event-40011.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Try Growing Vegetables![[Main Quest] Unlock the Second Floor](/icons/event-40413.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Unlock the Second Floor![[Main Quest] Weather Awareness](/icons/event-40029.webp){kind=icon}
[Main Quest] Weather Awareness![[Main] Aid the Neighbor Girl](/icons/event-30051.webp){kind=icon}
[Main] Aid the Neighbor Girl![[Main] Repair the Balcony Basket Line](/icons/event-30050.webp){kind=icon}
[Main] Repair the Balcony Basket Line![[Story] Craft a Rescue Beacon](/icons/event-40110.webp){kind=icon}
[Story] Craft a Rescue Beacon![[Story] Final Rescue](/icons/event-40112.webp){kind=icon}
[Story] Final Rescue![[Story] Hunting for Clues](/icons/event-40109.webp){kind=icon}
[Story] Hunting for Clues![[Story] Place the Beacon](/icons/event-40111.webp){kind=icon}
[Story] Place the Beacon![[Story] Survive for 10 Days](/icons/event-40021.webp){kind=icon}
[Story] Survive for 10 Days
A Crowd Outside the Gate
A Full Hold's Confidence
A Gap in the Fence
A Gift from the Grain Depot
A Joint Thank-You
A Shipment of Supplies
A silent cry for help
A Thank-You from Those You Helped
A Tide of Green
A Way Out Emerges
A Wound That Won't Close
Advanced Door Reinforcement
Airdrop: Transceiver Blueprints
Alive
Another Big Wave to the North
Beacon Frequency Boost - Full Power Standby
Beacon Upstairs: Setup
Beacon: Set Up on Second Floor
Camp Vote Passed
Clean the moldy cabinet
Clear Basement
Color Your Furniture
Companionship: Shared Life Ending
Complete: The Final Truth
Craft a vase by hand
Craft Flowerpot
Craft Rescue Beacon
Deadline Approaches - Gate
Deadline Approaches · Drone
Deadline Approaches • Basket
Deadline Approaches: Beacon
Deadline Approaches: Recorder
Deadline Approaching: Greenhouse
Delayed Airdrop
Deserted Supermarket Open
Disaster Strikes!
Disinfectant for the Sanatorium
Distress Signal Successfully Transmitted
Drone in the School
Dye and Paint
Echoes in the Channel
Extended Range
Feed Everyone First
Final farewell
Final Preparations
First Harvest
Fix it
Fortify the home
Fortress Against the Horde
From the Cold Storage
Frost on the Mountain
Fuel for the Return
Full Power Transmission
Full Storage - Phase 2
Get It in the Ground
Get the Cold Room Cold
Gift from the Trading Network
Girl: Living Together ending
Giving Back
Greenhouse Phase Two
Greenhouse: Doomsday Oasis Ending
He doesn't want to take things for free anymore
Heated Room
Her own harvest
Higher Listing Cap
His supplies are finally ready
Homemade Disinfectant Spray
Hospital: A Faint Cry for Help
Hospital: Give him the supplies
Hunting the Hill
Investigation: Cold Chain Manifest
Investigation: Delivery Receipt
Investigation: Drug Transfer Order
Investigation: Family Message Wall
Investigation: Patient Diary
Investigation: Patient Registry
Irregularities in the Manifest
It's a deal.
Keep It Powered
Keeping Seedlings Warm
Last Call for Help
Light That Endures the Cold Night
Liquids Only
Local Business
Lock Down
Markings on the Basket Rope
Message the Rescue Team
Moment of Decision
Mutual Support
Not Enough Trust Yet
Notify the Rescue Team
Open Cold Storage Room
Open the Garage Door
Open the Left Hut
Over a Hundred Mouths
Overwinter No.1
People Need Warmth Too
Plant Flowers
Pooled on the Channel
Power It Up
Propose the Camp in the Group
Pry Open the Cab
Rations Cut by a Third
Read the Answer
Reestablish Contact with the Evacuation Team
Remove mold
Repair Stairs
Rescue: Evacuation Ending
Rescue: Kept Appointment
Retrieve the Recorder
Rooftop Garden Beds
Ruined School Opens
Ruined Supermarket · First Trip
Safe House · Guardian of the City Ending
Safe Zone Bulletin - Evacuation Hindered
Safe Zone Report: Evacuation Canceled
Salvage supplies
Search for Rescue Clues
Seeds of Truth
Seeds the Birds Brought
Self-Sufficient Power
Send a distress signal amid the zombie horde.
Send a warm winter across
Set it up upstairs
She finally has all the supplies she needs.
She wants to learn how to survive
Shield of the District Ending
Signal Source Ready
Silent Standby
Sleepless Fortress
Something in the Back Courtyard
Something in the Group Chat
Something Put Away
Still holding up
Stocking Up
Stocking Up on Power
Strangers - Lights of the Camp
Strangers: Lighthouse at World's End
Supply Barrel
Supply Drop
Supply Network · Stable Supply
Supply Network · Trading Network
Supply Station: Iron Barrel Hub Ending
Survival: Last One Standing ending
Systematic Stockpiling
Tech Company Opens
Terrace Conversion
Test Results In
That Cold Storage Key
That's enough clues
The Aid Platform Goes Live
The Big Classroom Is Too Cold
The Camp Is Finished
The Camp Needs Beds
The Camp Needs Defenses
The Camp Needs Essentials
The Children Who Can't Eat
The Day-Fifty Arrangement
The Eternal Light
The Final Piece
The Garage Key
The Great Zombie Horde Retreats: You Survived
The Institute Lost Power
The Last Request
The last time speaking up
The Late Blueprints
The Left Hut's Iron Gate
The light across the way is still on.
The Outpost Held
The Outpost Is Settled
The Outpost's Last Request
The Reply That Never Came
The Right Cage Gate's Lock
The Sleepless Warehouse
The Statue from the Outpost
The Truck by the Side Door
The West District Is Nearly There
The West District Sent a Batch
The West District Took the Outpost
The words left unspoken
Transfer Depot
Transmit Distress Signal at Full Power During Zombie Wave
Truth · Final Exploration
Truth · Outlast the Horde
Truth · True Ending
Truth: Examine Medical Records
Truth: Medical Records
Truth: Pharmacy Receipt
Twelve Acknowledgments
Underground Mushroom Room
Unlock Basement
Unlock the right side area
Upgrade Beacon
Venturing Outside
Vines in the Corner
War Preparation: Supply Fortress
Warm as Spring
What He Fixed
What the Relief Outpost Wants
Endless: Civilization's Funeral
Endless: Grid Collapse
Endless: It Gets Worse
Endless: No One on the Air
Endless: Only This Building
Endless: Plague Spreads
Endless: The Beginning of a Legend
Endless: The City is Dead
Endless: The Last Bag of Salt
Endless: The Last Delivery Box
Endless: The Names That Slip
Endless: The Same Night
Endless: The Unfinished List
Endless: They Circle Now
Endless: They Didn't Wait
Endless: Three Days Without Sun
Endless: Too Quiet
Endless: You Might Be the Last Person Alive
Endless: You Stopped Counting
Fallen Overnight
No One Behind the Barricade
The East Camp Is Empty
The Nursery's Glass Is Shattered
The Recycling Station Has Fallen
The Safehouse Windowsill