Untouched by the Outbreak

After their refreshing walk outside, Sakura and Aiko decided it was time to tackle a task they had been putting off for too long: the piles of dirty clothes that had accumulated since they moved into their current home. The laundry had become an increasingly urgent task, and they knew they couldn't delay it any longer.

Sakura sighed as she looked at the mountain of clothes in the washroom. "We really let this pile up, didn't we?"

Aiko nodded, rolling up her sleeves. "Let's get started. It's going to take a while."

The two of them began the arduous task of washing the clothes by hand. With no washing machine available, they had to rely on elbow grease and determination. Despite the efficient solar panel setup and multiple battery banks powering their home, they had yet to acquire a washing machine.

The process was slow and tedious, but they worked together efficiently, scrubbing, rinsing, and wringing out each piece of clothing. Hours passed as they labored over the laundry, the repetitive motions providing a strange sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of their world.

As they finally finished washing the last load, Aiko looked at the sky outside. "We need to dry these in the sunlight. It'll be faster."

Sakura agreed, and they went to find Ryo. He was in the kitchen, organizing their food supplies. When they explained their plan, Ryo immediately felt protective. "I'll go out first and check the area. Just to be safe."

He stepped outside, scanning the perimeter once more. The yard was still clear, with no signs of any zombies or other dangers. Satisfied, he returned to the washroom. "It's all clear. You can hang the clothes outside. I'll stay out there with you and keep watch."

Sakura and Aiko gathered the wet clothes and followed Ryo outside. The sun was high in the sky, casting warm rays over their home. Ryo stood guard, his MP5 at the ready, while Sakura and Aiko began hanging the clothes on the lines they had set up earlier.

The gentle breeze helped to speed up the drying process as they pinned each item to the line. Ryo kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, constantly scanning for any signs of movement. His mind wandered back to the Creeper zombies and the Brute he had encountered recently, but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Sakura and Aiko worked efficiently, their movements synchronized as they hung the last of the clothes. The sight of clean laundry fluttering in the wind brought a small sense of accomplishment and normalcy to their day. Once they were done, Ryo led them back inside, securing the door behind them.

"Thanks for keeping watch, Ryo," Sakura said, giving him a grateful smile.

"Of course," he replied, returning the smile. "We all need to stay safe. Let's make sure we keep this place as secure as possible."

They settled back inside, the smell of freshly washed clothes filling the air. It was a small victory, but every bit of normalcy helped them maintain their spirits. As the afternoon sun began to lower, they took a moment to relax, knowing they had accomplished an important task.

Despite the ever-present threats lurking outside, their fortified home remained their sanctuary, a place where they could find solace and strength in one another's company. Ryo, reflecting on the challenges they faced with the laundry, made a mental note to look for a washing machine during his next supply run.

He understood that acquiring one would ease their burden and bring a sense of normalcy to their lives amidst the chaos.

As long as they continued to work together, they believed they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Meanwhile, in the distant government stronghold, the general, a seasoned commander, made his way to the Prime Minister's office. The room was filled with maps, reports, and the weighty decisions that shaped their post-apocalyptic world. The general, his expression resolute, briefed the Prime Minister on their target's location.

"Sir, we have successfully pinpointed the location of our target," the general reported, his voice steady. "Our drones and personals have worked tirelessly to gather intelligence, and we now have the coordinates of the target location."

The Prime Minister, a shrewd and influential leader, leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Excellent work, General. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for. Proceed with the extraction plan, but exercise caution. I want our target brought here alive and unharmed."

The general, his features hardening with resolve, turned to the Prime Minister. "Sir, what about the other two? What are your orders regarding them?"

The Prime Minister, his eyes narrowing with focus, asked, "What about the other two? Are they of any use to us?"

The general shook his head. "From our intelligence, it seems that their abilities are standard for survivors. They possess no unique gifts like our target. We only need him."

The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed, a steely glint reflecting his unwavering determination. "As for the other two, they are of no consequence to us. They are merely ordinary survivors. We only need the target."

The general, his features hardening with resolve, understood the unspoken order. "It will be done, sir. We'll extract the target, and the others... well, let's just say they won't be a concern for us anymore."

The Prime Minister's expression remained impassive, his gaze fixed on the maps and reports before him. "Make sure it's clean and efficient. I don't want any unnecessary attention or backlash. We can't afford any distractions from our primary objective."

The general's voice was steady, his tone conveying a silent understanding of the grim task at hand. "It will be taken care of, sir. Our team is well-trained for such matters. The others won't be a problem for us.We'll assemble the best team for the job, sir. We'll move swiftly and efficiently, ensuring the safety of our target and the success of our mission."

The Prime Minister's eyes narrowed, a mix of excitement and concern reflecting in his gaze. "Make sure you bring him here safely. I want him alive, his abilities intact. With his unique gifts, he could be the key to our survival and the future of humanity."