Zombie Apocalypse: I Have Safe Zone Superpower

Chapter 147 147: Leech

This time, her mother didnʼt chase her. She only watched Annie until she disappeared down the path. Then she sneered and walked back inside.

The room they lived in was better than most, thanks to Annieʼs strength and her ability to fight. Other families didnʼt dare to mess with them. They had more space, stronger walls, and even a private kitchen.

Her mother sat in a chair, thinking deeply. ʼI canʼt control Annie forever. Sheʼs getting stronger. One day, sheʼll turn against me. I need a way to hold her down.ʼ

Her lips curved into a cruel smile. ʼHer little brother. As long as I have him in my hand, sheʼll never dare to defy me.ʼ

The thought made her relax. She hummed as she walked to the kitchen. She opened a container, and inside was a bag of rice. The very rice she had claimed was gone. She scooped out a generous portion, added some pickles, and began to eat slowly, savoring every bite.

ʼAnnie can hate me all she wants,ʼ she thought. ʼAs long as I have the boy, sheʼll never escape my control.ʼ

Annie soon went to vent her frustration. Compared to others who trembled and cried when facing zombies, she was much more composed. In fact, before the apocalypse, she had been a trainer.

She was also skilled in taekwondo and tai chi. She had joined many martial arts competitions, and that confidence carried into this new world.

Her superpower was super strength, but in truth, she had another secret ability. She could teleport. Annie had never told anyone about it. She only let people see her strength.

With teleportation, she could handle zombies much faster than others. She discovered something too. If she absorbed more zombie crystals, her power would grow, and she could rank up.

But even after absorbing so many, she was still stuck at the threshold. She had not even reached level one. Annie knew this was normal. Many people were in the same situation. It might take a month or more before anyone advances.

With that in mind, she fought harder. She collected more than three hundred crystals in a short time. For most people, that would be a big achievement.

But Annie did not feel proud. She remembered the figure she had seen near Ellora Hills. A woman with cascading pink hair. Ivy. She fought with calmness and skill.

In only one hour, Ivy had taken down more than two hundred zombies. Annie could only manage thirty to forty in the same time.

ʼIvy is really amazing,ʼ Annie thought. ʼIf I had the chance, I would like to be her friend. But… my home is a cage. My mother would never let me go. She feeds on me like a leech, and without me, she would never survive.ʼ

Thinking about her mother made Annieʼs head ache. Still, she pressed on.

After four hours of fighting, she collected six hundred crystals. Her body was tired, but her mind was heavier. Instead of celebrating, she went to the registration office.

”Can I buy more food?” Annie asked.

The officer looked at her and checked her record. He saw that she had already exchanged five hundred grams of rice earlier, along with one packet of pickles. He shook his head.

”That is the daily limit for superhumans,” he explained. ”No one can exchange for more.”

Annie bit her lips. ”What about bread? Or something else?”

The officer gave her a kind look, but his voice stayed calm. ”Iʼm sorry. Rules are rules.” He then lowered his voice slightly. ”But if you want more… the black market is always open.”

Annieʼs eyes narrowed. She knew what he meant.

Still, she had no choice. She gritted her teeth and went to the market.

The prices there were outrageous. Food that normally cost five hundred crystals now cost one hundred each. Annie felt her chest burn in anger, but in the end, she paid. She bought four kilograms of rice.

She did not take all of it home. Carefully, she hid two bags for herself in a secret spot, then carried the other two home.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw her mother lounging, eyes sharp like a hawk.

Her motherʼs gaze fell on the bags of rice. Her whole face lit up, and without a second thought, she jumped up and rushed toward Annie.

”Give it to me!” her mother snapped, reaching out.

Annie quickly stepped to the side, keeping the bags out of reach. Her grip tightened. She stared at her mother with calm eyes, though inside her chest her heart beat faster.

ʼSheʼs just like a vulture,ʼ Annie thought. ʼAlways waiting to take whatʼs mine. Always thinking Iʼm nothing but her tool.ʼ

Her motherʼs face twisted. ”Donʼt you dare hide food from me! Iʼm your mother!”

Annie straightened her back. She didnʼt yell, but her voice was firm. ”This rice is not for you. Forget about eating even one grain.”

Her mother froze for a second, not used to Annie talking to her like that. Then her lips curled into a bitter sneer.

”You dare talk to me like this? Do you think youʼre strong just because you can fight some zombies? Without me, you wouldnʼt even be alive!”

Annie didnʼt flinch. She held the rice tighter. ”No. Without me, you wouldnʼt be alive. You know it.”

The words hung in the air. Her motherʼs face darkened, but Annie didnʼt back down.

ʼIʼve had enough,ʼ Annie thought. ʼShe can scream, she can curse, but this time she wonʼt take everything away from me. I need to keep at least some food safe, even if it means standing against her.ʼ

Her mother took a step closer, her hand twitching as if she wanted to snatch the bag by force. Annie moved slightly, her eyes never leaving her.

”If you try,” Annie said quietly, ”I will kick you out of the house!”

”Annie! Have you forgotten because of who I am suffering like this? It was you and your brother! If it werenʼt for you both, I would still be enjoying my life!”