After hesitating for a long time, I let out a long sigh. "Do I really... have to drive the two vehicles back separately? That'd take way too much
time."
There was no point thinking about it now. I left the two vehicles where they were and turned toward the inner room. Inside was a certain
trailer attachment, which I needed to get. Otherwise, if I put the motorcycle on the pickup and it fell over because it wasn't secure, I'd be in trouble.
But... the fact that I could load other things in the truck bed was great. I'd definitely need gasoline in the future, and I needed to gather some in one
place. I remembered there was a gas station in North City. Maybe I should go there and get some gas, store up a good amount, and keep it in the truck, just in
case.
Chapter Forty-Three: I'm Taking It All!
Having made up my mind, I walked over to the small room where the Yamaha was parked. I'd been in such a hurry to ride the motorcycle away that I hadn't really
looked around inside the room. It was about ten square meters in size. On the floor off to one side sat a black box. Beside it,
I spotted something that would solve the problem weighing on my mind...
A metal plate. It looked thick and heavy, probably something used to haul vehicles in an emergency.
I walked over. Instead of looking at the box, I examined the upright metal plate. When I got closer, I realized it wasn't
just a plate. There were four little wheels on the back, and it was only slightly longer than the Yamaha. On the front, there were two holes
with screws in them. It looked like they were for securing a vehicle.
"With this, maybe I can get the bike onto the pickup."
I nodded. At least I'd found a solution, and I felt a lot better. Only then did I turn to look at the black box beside me.
The box was simple, made of plastic. I gave it a lift. It felt kind of heavy, but curiosity got the better of me, so I opened it. The things inside
made me giddy with excitement.
A complete set of... motorcycle repair tools!
There was even... a spare tire!
"Today's been a real haul."
I snapped the box shut, fastened the latch again, and moved the metal plate down. It had some weight to it, but it wasn't too heavy.
I set it down with the wheels underneath. Looking at it this way, wasn't it just a giant skateboard?
I thought idly as I placed the box on the metal plate, then looked around. Hanging on the wall over there was
a bag.
"This is probably... a rain cover, right?"
I opened it. Inside was a piece of light gray, waterproof-looking fabric. It seemed to be the kind of cover you draped over a vehicle to protect it from dust and rain.
I nodded and tossed that onto the vehicle too. Then I looked around at the other useful things hanging on the wall and threw them onto the metal plate as well. Ropes, nets—
I had no idea what they were for, but if something looked like it might be useful, I put it on the plate.
By the time I came to my senses, the metal plate was piled high with things, up to half my height.
I could only push the towering pile of tools back to the pickup, laughing helplessly.
The engine was still going "vroom, vroom." I gathered all the stuff together and set it on the pickup's tailgate. By then, I was drenched in sweat, and my
clothes were sticking uncomfortably to my body.
I unlatched the side panel of the truck bed, then laid the metal plate across its edge. Looking at the wheels underneath, I noticed
there was a wheel lock switch. After pressing it, I walked across the plate to make sure it was sturdy enough. Only then did I push the Yamaha toward the truck...
Let me tell you, that was exhausting. After working up a stinking sweat and making several attempts, I finally managed to push the nearly two-ton
vehicle into the pickup's truck bed.
I set the metal plate down in the truck bed and secured it with rope, then fastened the motorcycle to the plate. That was when I realized
the two screw holes on the metal plate lined up perfectly with the motorcycle's center stand.
I found two screws of about the right size in the toolbox and screwed the motorcycle firmly onto the metal plate. Then I wiped the sweat off my face,
raised the side panel and secured it again. At last, I climbed back into the pickup...
"Phew... I'm exhausted."
After all that exercise, I was drenched in sweat, and my stomach started rumbling.
"Okay... let's go home and eat!"
I glanced at my watch without thinking. It was already... past five?
Even after all this time, no zombies had appeared in the underground parking lot. That seemed to show that the mutated monster's corpse really did have some kind of effect on zombies—
perhaps it kept them from wanting to come near, or made them afraid to approach.
But...
"Can zombies feel fear, too?"
I asked myself, puzzled, but had no answer. This world was full of mysteries. I didn't even know what had happened yet, so how could I know the secrets of zombies?
But... the one thing I knew for sure was that the world as it had been was over. How far it had fallen apart...
I'd just have to wait and see.
With that, I started the pickup again and drove out of the underground parking lot with a roar, heading up the ramp.
The instant I drove out, I saw...
The thick clouds in the sky, and the darkness that had completely settled over everything.
"Is it going to rain?!"
I stared at the clouds and murmured to myself. I drove up beside the gate and looked around. Seeing no zombies, I got
out and inspected the metal barrier blocking the exit.
It was an automatic electric gate. It seemed that when there was power, it would detect the vehicle's model and license plate and
open. But the power was out now...
"Wait, the rolling shutter definitely had electricity just now!"
I glanced back at the area above the underground parking lot. Sure enough...
"Just as I thought... solar panels?"
But it didn't look like the solar panels were connected to the gate. So how was I supposed to open it?
Push it by hand?
There wasn't any other option, so I might as well try.
I went to one side of the barrier and gave it a push. It wasn't very heavy. Maybe it was because there was no power?
The barrier was light. I barely had to use any strength to push it open.
At the same time, I heard a zombie's roar. It was mixed in with the pickup's engine noise, so it wasn't especially clear, but it still made
my hair stand on end.
"Just as I thought! The pickup's noise still attracted zombies!"
I didn't have time to think. I hurried back to the vehicle, climbed in, and slammed the door shut with a bang. I floored the gas pedal, and the pickup's tires let out
a sharp squeal before it shot forward.
I felt the force push me back as I turned the steering wheel and guided the pickup around the bend ahead...
The instant I rounded the corner, a zombie wearing a security guard uniform appeared in front of me...
The moment I saw it, I slammed my foot down on the gas. The engine roared as I gripped the wheel tightly and rammed into it!
BANG!!
The zombie went flying. I slammed on the brakes, and as the vehicle came to a sudden stop, my body lurched
forward. My face nearly hit the steering wheel, but... luckily, the two lumps of fat on my chest cushioned the impact and just barely stopped me in time.
"Gah!!"
I rubbed my aching chest. For some reason, I felt incredibly irritated. Then... all of a sudden, my stomach started hurting!
"Damn it!!"
I cursed under my breath and hit the gas again. The pickup sped away under my control, leaving the neighborhood behind, along with the zombie I'd hit. It was lying on the ground with its spine broken.