Perkatory: Coffee and Zombies

The atmosphere inside Perkatory was growing heavier with each passing hour. The initial adrenaline of survival had ebbed, leaving a gnawing hunger and anxiety in its wake. Supplies were dwindling, and the barricaded doors and windows seemed more like a cage than a fortress. Every glance between the survivors carried the same unspoken question: How much longer can we last?

Zoe stood behind the counter, staring at the empty shelves where pastries and sandwiches had once been displayed. The coffee beans and milk wouldn't last forever either, but for now, they were enough to fuel her experiments with the Brewmaster System. She glanced at Darren, sitting at a table, fiddling with a piece of wood he'd scavenged from the barricades.

She had been mulling over the idea for hours, and the decision felt inevitable. If she wanted to help, she had to tell someone. Someone she trusted.

"Darren," she called, her voice low.

He looked up, his expression curious but calm. "What's up?"

"Can we talk?" She gestured to the far corner of the café, away from the others. Darren stood without hesitation, following her.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, leaning against the wall.

Zoe hesitated, biting her lip. "This might sound insane," she began, "but… there's something I need to tell you."

Darren raised an eyebrow. "You mean more insane than the literal apocalypse outside?"

She smiled faintly. "Fair point. Okay, here goes." She took a deep breath. "I have something… like an ability. Or a power. It's called the Brewmaster System."

Darren tilted his head. "A… system?"

"Yeah," Zoe said, struggling to find the right words. "It's like… an invisible guide that helps me make drinks. But these drinks aren't normal. They can do things—affect people's emotions, enhance their abilities. I've been experimenting with it since this started."

Darren stared at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he let out a soft chuckle.

"Honestly? That doesn't even crack the top ten weirdest things I've heard this week."

Zoe blinked. "Wait, you believe me?"

"Zoe, we're trapped in a coffee shop during a zombie apocalypse. If you told me you could fly, I'd probably buy it at this point." He crossed his arms, his tone turning serious. "But this 'system'—it works? You're sure?"

She nodded. "I've tested it. I've made drinks that calm people down and sharpen their focus. It's real, Darren. And I think it could help us."

"Help us how?"

Zoe hesitated again. "That's the part I need your input on."

Darren frowned, then glanced toward the others. "I've been talking to the group," he said. "Trying to keep everyone grounded, you know? One of the college students, Emma, mentioned she had a track and field scholarship. She's fast. Really fast."

Zoe's eyes widened. "You're thinking…"

"She might be able to make a run to the convenience store next door," Darren said, his voice low but steady. "If your system can make a drink that boosts her speed or stamina, she could get in and out before the zombies even realize she's there."

Zoe's stomach twisted at the thought. "That's a huge risk. If it doesn't work…"

"I know," Darren said. "But we're running out of options. We need food. Water. Something. And we can't just sit here waiting to starve."

Zoe nodded slowly. "It's not just about making the drink, though. I'd have to tell everyone about the system. And Emma would have to agree to do it."

Darren smiled faintly. "You're good at talking to people, Zoe. If anyone can explain this, it's you."

She let out a shaky breath. "Alright. Let's do it."

Zoe stood at the counter, staring at the Brewmaster System's interface as it flickered in her vision. Darren was beside her, watching curiously as she muttered under her breath.

"Alright, let's see. Speed enhancement. Stamina. Something that'll make her fast enough to outrun a horde of zombies," Zoe said, scrolling through the system's options.

"Speed Boost? Sure, because running for your life isn't stressful at all."

Zoe groaned. "Not the time for commentary, system."

Darren frowned. "Who are you talking to?"

"The system," Zoe said, waving a hand as if that explained everything. "… let's just say it's got a personality."

"Personality? How rude. I prefer to think of myself as charmingly helpful."

"You're about as helpful as a splinter," Zoe snapped.

Darren's eyebrows shot up. "It talks back?"

"Oh, it does more than that," Zoe muttered, glaring at the interface. "It's like having a sarcastic coach in my head."

"Flattery will get you everywhere. Now, focus. Speed Boost requires precision. You don't want Emma turning into a human pinball, right?"

"What does that even mean?" Zoe asked, exasperated.

"It means get it right or enjoy watching her crash into a wall. No pressure!"

Zoe groaned again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "This thing is going to drive me insane."

Darren chuckled. "Sounds like it already has. But seriously, what's it saying?"

"It's giving me instructions," Zoe explained, "and throwing in a lot of unnecessary attitude." She focused back on the interface. "Okay, fine. Let's do this step by step."

"Finally. I was starting to worry you'd never get there."

"Shut up," Zoe muttered.

"You're arguing with a magical coffee-making tutor," Darren said, shaking his head. "This apocalypse just keeps getting weirder."

"Tell me about it," Zoe replied. She reached for the ingredients the system highlighted: espresso beans, cinnamon, cayenne, and honey. "Alright, what's next?"

"Grind the beans. Unless you'd like to skip straight to failure, in which case, carry on."

Zoe glared at the interface as she began grinding the beans. Darren leaned against the counter, watching her work. "So, this drink will make Emma faster?"

"That's the idea," Zoe said. "If I can get it right without the system's backseat brewing."

"Hey, I'm why you even have a chance at this. A little gratitude wouldn't kill you."

"You know what might kill me? Your endless commentary."

Darren snorted. "At least it's entertaining."

Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. Despite its snark, the system was guiding her hands with precision. The espresso machine hissed, the scent of fresh coffee mingling with the spices she added. When the drink was finished, the liquid shimmered faintly as if it held an inner light.

"Done," Zoe said, setting the mug on the counter. "Now comes the hard part."

Darren's smile faded. "Convincing Emma to risk her life."

Zoe nodded, her expression somber. "Let's hope she's as brave as she looks."

Zoe called everyone together, pulling the group into a tight circle near the center of the café. The flickering overhead lights cast long shadows, making the gathering feel more like a clandestine meeting than a casual chat.

"What's this about?" Pearson asked, leaning against a chair.

"We need to talk," Zoe began, her voice firm despite the nervous flutter in her chest. "About supplies. And about how we're going to survive."

The group exchanged uneasy glances.

"We're running low," Zoe continued. "And if we don't do something soon, we won't make it. But Darren and I have an idea. A plan."

Emma, the college student, crossed her arms. "What kind of plan?"

Zoe hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Before I explain, I need you all to keep an open mind. What I'm about to tell you is going to sound… unbelievable. But it's real. I promise."

The group leaned in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

"I have an ability," Zoe said. "It's called the Brewmaster System. It helps me make drinks that can… do things. Special things. Like calming someone down or boosting their focus."

Silence fell over the group.

Pearson raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

Zoe nodded. "Dead serious. I've been using it to help keep everyone calm, but now I think it can do more. I think it can help us survive."

Emma frowned. "And how exactly is it supposed to do that?"

Zoe turned to her. "You said you were a runner, right? A track and field scholarship?"

Emma nodded cautiously.

"I think I can make a drink to boost your speed," Zoe said. "If willing, you could grab supplies at the nearby convenience store. You'd be faster than the zombies—fast enough to get in and out safely."

The group erupted into murmurs, their voices overlapping in a chaotic mix of doubt and hope.

"That's insane," Pearson said. "What if it doesn't work? What if she gets caught?"

"I wouldn't send her in blind," Zoe said quickly. "I have another ability. It lets me… see things. I can use it to watch her while she runs and ensure she's safe."

Emma looked skeptical. "You're asking me to risk my life on the promise of a magic coffee?"

Zoe met her gaze, her expression earnest. "I know it sounds crazy. But I wouldn't ask if I didn't believe it would work. And I won't force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. This has to be your choice."

The group fell silent, all eyes on Emma.

She crossed her arms, looking down at the floor. For a long moment, she didn't say anything. Then she let out a soft sigh.

"I'll do it."

Zoe blinked. "You will?"

Emma nodded. "If it means keeping us alive, I'll do it. But you'd better be right about this."

Zoe swallowed hard. "I'll do everything I can to ensure you're safe."

Emma held out her hand. "Then let's get to work."

The group sprang into action, gathering what little they had to prepare for the plan. Darren helped Zoe brainstorm ingredients for the speed-boosting drink while Pearson reinforced the barricades if things went south.

Zoe stood at the counter, staring at the empty coffee mug. The Brewmaster System's interface flickered in her vision, displaying recipes and abilities like a holographic menu.

She selected the speed enhancement option, her hands trembling as she followed the system's instructions. The drink came together quickly—an espresso shot blended with cinnamon and cayenne, topped with a drizzle of honey. The mug seemed to shimmer faintly, indicating that the system's power had taken hold.

Zoe set the mug down when it was finished and turned to Emma.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

Emma nodded, her expression resolute. "Let's do this."

As the group gathered around, Zoe handed Emma the mug, her heart pounding in her chest.

The plan was in motion, and there was no turning back.