A warm, golden light filled the small classroom, streaming through the five windows across the left wall. Inside, students sat at their desks, dressed in their school uniforms, which consisted of white dress shirts paired with checkered, slightly worn green pants and skirts that fell just below the knees.
Amid the blue-painted brick walls, cool brown wooden cabinets stretched beneath the analog clock, nearly touching the ceiling installation.
A pair of slender hands held a paper filled with words on the bulky wooden desk facing the students, who were focusing on their work.
To: Amanda Yugi
From: Principal Miles
Ms. Yugi, I hate to inform you that eight of your students are falling behind, and I would love for you to stay behind. Provide me with your schedule, and I'll do what's best to support you.
Ms. Yugi huffed behind the sheet of paper.
"Ms.Yugi?" a voice breaks her focus to an overweight student, her silky black hair hovering over her spine.
"Yes?" Amanda looks up at her.
"I'm just wondering, are you doing anything after school? I'm stuck on this packet."
"Currently, I am busy. But I'll join you. Point me out your problem."
"Uh, here." The student points to question sixteen.
"Alright. You are walking down the street, and a man named Sam approaches you. Where is the train station?" Amanda's eyes bounced on her overweight student, who was in thought.
"Eh? I think."
"Remember. Sam is asking where. Do you remember either of those words?"
"Train station?" The student twists her face.
"Great. Now. It's up to you how to answer it. Remember, it has to be in a complete sentence." Amanda passed the sheet to the student, who took it in her palms.
Amanda walked down the tan halls before knocking on the door of a blurry window with the nameplate Principal Miles.
"Come in." A hollow voice command.
Amanda dug her shiny nails into the pocket door knob before sliding it aside, letting out a solid thud.
A bald, brown-skinned man with a strong jaw, dressed in a gray tuxedo, kept his eyes on Amanda as she shut the door behind her. The principal sat against a backdrop of white blinds, inviting pockets of shadow to seep into the warm, small room.
"Yes, Ms.Yugi?" Miles voiced, watching her approach his polished desk.
"I have to stay?" Amanda hoists the letter to her face. "I tried Principal Miles, but it's up to the children if they want a major understanding in my class."
"Do you know thirty percent of the Hamihero population grasps the fundamentals of English as their secondary language?" Miles interlocked his fingers, his brown eyes looking up at Yugi's blue eyes, which shone as bright as a blue moon behind her black-rim glasses. "I'm sorry, Ms. Yugi. The board wants more than reading comprehension."
"If they want more, they should hire more." Amanda set the letter on his desk, her fingers on the crisp sheet. "If the board is so desperate, why don't they send someone?"
"I'm still looking; give me time. I promise I'll make it up to you."
Amanda squinted her eyes.
"Friday and Saturday." Amanda does a one-eighty at the door before sliding it open.
Her blurry vision cleared as she saw the large white box surrounded by dry red walls. In front of her bed, the afternoon light pouring underneath the silky white curtains, Amanda remained under her thick bed sheets before yawning. She reached towards her dresser, searching for her red rim glasses.
She knocked her glasses onto the blue carpet.
"Shoot." Amanda hissed, scooping them off the floor.
She puts them on her face, giving her a clear view of her room. The large white box shifts into a white door surrounded by the dry red wall. Stretched from the door were posters of sport cars, a map, and a cartoon character of a soda pop, skinny legs and arms with white glove hands, its thumb pointing towards itself. The name Soda Pop Dan is on the corner of the poster.
Amanda got out of bed wearing an oversized black T-shirt that hung down to her knees. In the center of the shirt was a phoenix surrounded by a field of flowers and rose petals, all illustrated in black ink, spreading across the fabric to her ribs.
She entered the narrow hall through the white door, which was lightly shaded and bathed in the afterglow of light at the end of the brown floorboards. Each step produced a solid thud against the cold floors.
She went to the living room, which remained void of company. She opened the refrigerator's freezer and snatched a tub of vanilla ice cream.
Amanda sat on the couch and snuggled in a thick grey blanket. A tub of ice cream was on the coffee table, and her phone was plugged in and resting on the arm of the couch near the dry red wall on the left of her.
She scooped the cold liquids before letting the metal spoon rest in her mouth. Amanda raised the remote, and she pressed a button.
"This is a drill." A loud siren escaped from the speakers of the sixty-five-inch flat-screen TV. "Stay indoors. Until the following."
She turned the volume down before pressing another. The cursor hovered over the recorded movies before she chose Lady and the Lich. The cracked phone vibrates, and she snatches it up.
Dallas
We took in two outsiders. One is bitten by a husk. The other fox kid has ears and a tail. You can't miss it. There at the poolside in the shed. Jean and Mei are keeping watch with a few extra eyes.
And P.S. Hoped you're not afraid of cats. ;)
Amanda only stared at her cracked phone before raising herself to her feet. She makes her way to the balcony before sliding the glass door aside.
Her bare feet embraced the bubbled blue-painted stone floor. She stood on the small balcony, which consisted of two white plastic chairs and a thick white rail guard. It overlooked the pool grounds and the shed, dead center among the amusement.
Jean and Mei sat beside one another on the lounge chair, watching Alice sitting against the shed door.
"What are we going to do when he turns?" Mei turns her head to Jean, who remains focused on Alice.
"If. The guy turned." Jean spoke.
"I don't know. It's looking slim." Mei interlocks her fingers, and Jean's amber eyes look to Mei's purple.
"He'll pull through. That girl believes so. I will, too. I just wished we could separate an arm or something." Alice's ears twitched. "The infection is already spreading. We could've done something to slow it down or stop it altogether."
"That could work, but I'm not willing to bet it on a bunch of zombie fiction." Mei looks back at Alice, who is hugging her legs and looking at the ground. "There's no way I'm seeing a neko in the flesh."
"It's real. I think." Jean shrugged his shoulders. "In all honesty? I'm Freak out, really. I loved to see what's more that comes with it, but I don't wanna die finding out."
"I can relate," Mei smirked. "I know this is a bad time, but where were you when all this started?"
Jean sighs.
"A movie theater, really," Jean smirked. "My first job. I graduated from high school and took three months of job searching...To land the front counter, selling food and drinks. I'd heard there's an employee discount on the drinks and movie. Bummer, I can only use it once per month." Jean gave Mei a sideways eye. "What about you?"
"Going to college. I was going to be an art major." She gave a peace sign, closing her eyes. "That's before it got abtracted. Though that's one of their lessons. Didn't figure they'd take it literally." Jean and Mei chuckled. "But, all seriousness. A manga artist."
"Can't you learn it on the internet?"
"Maybe. But my dad assists me in going. In taking one of their trade courses." Mei breathes out. "He said getting the sheet of paper is one thing, but establishing connections is also a leg up, but it's a distant memory now."
"Of. Course." Jean said softly, staring back at Alice.
"Jean, right?" Mei raised a brow to Jean, looking back at her. He nodded. "What you did. I think it's badass." She cracks a grin. "The way you faced the spider. And all that. I don't think I would be sitting here telling you this."
Jean looks away with a blush.
"It just comes with the job."
"Whatever you say, Jean." She smiled, flashing her bright teeth.
"Shaun?" Alice said softly, still hugging her legs. "Shaun?" She raised her voice a little.
"Huh? What?" Shaun spoke behind the door. Brushing his thumb against the coin.
"How are you? Are you feeling warm? How's your arm?"
"Oh! Just peachy. Slowly but steadily bleeding to death while locked in a dusty shed. I don't know whether infection or blood loss will claim me. Please put that in this complex review box."
"Ok." Alice looks back at the door. "I do have a plan."
Shaun let out a sharp breath.
"Please, is it something to do with my arm?"
"Yes."
"Then no."
Alice bit her inner cheek.
"You didn't hear it yet."
"Oh my god! Just leave me alone." Shaun groans.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily." Alice squinted her eyes before crossing her arms.
Shaun smirked, clutching the coin in his palm to his chest. His eyes watered, but he slammed them shut lightly, bouncing his dress shoes along the grey cement. He clutched the coin, causing the veins on his wrist to reveal themselves.
From his fingers to his neck, silver devoured his coffee-brown skin, leaving the young adult in tattered formal attire. He opened his eyes, revealing it coated by the invader, but he kept his glossy gaze on the ceiling.
"Shaun?" Alice questioned. "Shaun?"
"What?" Shaun cleared his throat.
"Do you think my brother is here? This looks to be the place." She paused. "I should ask mister once he's back. Can you help me? Shaun?"
"You're annoying," Shaun remarked. "You like hearing the sound of my name."
Alice smiled, revealing her fangs.
"You're my friend."
The silver coating his skin penetrated his pores, allowing his flesh to breathe again. Shaun closes his eyes once more.
"Will you help me?" Alice questioned behind the door while Shaun glanced at the pile of pool floaties in the corner of the dark space.
"Don't get your hopes up." Shaun licked his inner cheek. "I've got to get out of here."
"Is that a yes?" Alice pressed her ear against the door. "Shaun?"
"Lower your voice. I'm going to catch some shut eye."
"Ok," Alice said, tail wagging. "See you tomorrow."
From afar, Nami stood at the push door, watching Jean and Mei on the lounge chair. The two kept their gaze on Alice and the shed.
Weighted steps from behind forced Nami's gaze to Jiro, standing beside her. Jiro peered through the window at the situation.
"I've come as fast as I could...How can this old man get any sleep around here?" He squinted his eyes at the window. "Though this generation is going to hell in a handbasket. They also have their merits."
Nami remained quiet, looking back at the window.
"What's the word of the day?" Jiro questioned. "Kindness?"
"All I got was Dallas, and the others brought them in. This Shuan got bit and the rest is history."
"Hmph! I got the second part because of a few birds." Jiro looks to Nami, who looks back at him. "What I don't seem to understand. When the hell do we even get a cat?"
"Your guess is mine."
"Hey." A voice made Nami and Jiro snap to the young adult behind them.
"Jesus! Kid. What are you doing?" Jiro clenched his chest.
"Sorry. Uh." The boy points his thumb over his shoulder. "Dallas is calling for Nami. You happened to be her?"
"What's his business?" Nami folds her arms.
"It'll be best if you see him. He's over at the employees' break room."
Nami makes her way past him, followed by lingering Jiro.
They paced along the line of blue doors before following out onto the lobby. Nami and Jiro steered to the right of the reception desk from the shutters, through the short, slim hall, awaiting a white metal door.
Nami swings it open to Dallas, carrying Shaun's bag onto the stack chair, which has grey steel frames and a grey plastic seat. On the table, a Notebook, lighter, fingernail clippers, a comb, sewing kits, food and water, and a pot plant with albino leaves and the two glowing fruits ready for harvest.
"You see this?" Dallas slides the chair holding Shaun's bag against the white-painted brick wall, letting out a squeal and a bang.
"The hell is that?" Jiro kept his distance, staring at the plant.
"That's the thing. Shaun doesn't know." Dallas slides the notebook from the table and into his hand, raising it beside his face. "He's doing some sort of experiment." He tosses the book onto the table. "Just for the heck of it. Have you ever seen this before?" Dallas switched his eyes from Jiro to Nami.
"I don't know, but I-uh-stay away from it. It might start to blink." Jiro points.
"Blink?" Dallas slides a few inches from the plant before standing beside Jiro and Nami. "What are you on about? It didn't do that."
"There-there was this seed." Jiro snaps his fingers. "It's with the kid. I don't know where he put it, but it's purple. Sickly. Just standing around it made it blink. It did it when I got near."
"Jean?" Dallas cocked his head. Jiro nods. "Weren't he's the one holding it?"
"Ah. Yeah, look, I don't understand it like you do. Hey! What are you doing?" Nami approached the plant nonchalantly before slowly reaching for the albino leaf. Her thumb and finger brushed along the slick texture.
"Jiro." Nami waved her hand.
"What?! No!" Jiro agrued.
"I got you." Dallas grabs his shoulder.
"You bunch is why I'll never grow my hair back." Jiro hissed.
"I believe it was gone long before that."Jiro raised his fist at Dallas, who chuckled.
The janitor takes a step watching the plant and Nami. He takes another, and the streaks of the fruit continue to shimmer a faint glow wicking at the old man.
Jiro stood before the plant, hovering his hand over and around it, not posing a reaction.
"Touch it." Nami brushes her fingers on the fruit streaks.
The janitor slowly reaches his hand before poking the body causing the fruit to sway. He gripped the fruit, brushing his fingers on the honeycomb-shaped streak.
"Look at that." Dallas followed up at three, staring at the plant.
"If it were to explode, it would happen during the kid walking by the residents." Nami brushed her finger and thumb on the white leaf. "It looks ripe."
"Don't tell me you're planning on eating that?" Jiro cocked his head at the right of him.
"No, but someone will have to bite the bullet."
"How about we don't?" Dallas cuts in. "My best bet is that we can see if there's anything else he's got going on. If he makes it til morning. If not the girl."
"This Shaun sister?" Jiro questioned.
"He didn't say, but there are texts that they've met. He took shelter at the Shogi Mart and then caged that girl only to be pushed out by this Cerberus. The hell that even means." Dallas approached the sink counter before leaning on it and crossing his arms. "But what I want to get to the bottom of is this girl. You've seen her."
"What do you propose doing with her?" Nami strikes up.
"Watch her." Dallas bounces his eyes on Nami and then Jiro. "She's the talk of the place. Better to keep the dog on a leash than none at all."
"The hell kind of analogy is that?!" Jiro raised his voice.
"I just made it up."
"Please, come up with something better. It's a kid."
Dallas raised his hands.
"I'm sorry if I offended you."
Under the mess tent.
Gunshots rang out around the stadium, heavy metal pressing against concrete, drilling into Walker's ears. At the same time, Amy wrapped a bandage around his waist.
Jack's eyes fidgeted as blood dried. Amy summoned a pair of heavy-duty scissors from her wrist, trimming the bright and white bandage slowly, tainting its purity in red.
"That should do it." Amy's scissors returned to her wrist. "No sudden movements or strenuous activity until you're fully healed." Her glowing green eyes locked onto Jack, who only nodded. Mr.Muller, do you require my assistance?"
"No." William remained leaning on the table, staring at the grey-white plastic table supporting his arms.
"Don't get too bang up about it." Yuusei comments, eyeing the two Rangers on opposite sides of the table. "You did your service."
A sound of ice snapping caused everyone at the tent to turn to the entrance. Bits and chucks rolled and settled at the entrance, and the culprit was revealed to be a tobor carrying a large chunk the size of a car on his shoulders.
Wells entered the tent, followed by a red-headed woman in a dark green jumpsuit and combat boots, with freckles on her cheeks.
"Commander." Wells nods. "I hate to say it, but if we ever get hit like this once more. Safe to say there won't be tickets for the games today."
"Your meaning?" Yuusei rested his close hand wrapped in a bandage on the table.
"There are about five rangers and two amus, including Rex and Amy. I will need some time to get a few of them in working order. Ten days Max. And it will be in short supply unless a few of our neighbors can spare us any."
"We'll cut surveillance to two blocks. Each cycle will have one ranger, and we'll spare a few of ours. There will be a three-man squad. Take care of the common, or anything above. I'll think of something."
"What about the sinners?" The red-haired woman voiced.
"If we remained turtled, they'd get the idea of finishing us off. Tell the surveillant to keep their eyes open and fall back if it gets tense." The red-haired woman nods. "Is there anything you'd like to get off your chest, Airi?"
"I'm getting a distress signal at Eden Park. The reasons are unknown, but the Sinners could have hit them."
The commander tests his jaw.
"I'll go." Jack switched his eyes with the commander, Wells, and Airi.
"Absolutely false." Amy cuts in. "Your wound may open up."
"And you're unauthorized to pose under the commander's badge." Airi squints her eyes. "Mr. Jack Walker. The white wolf of Hamihero." William perks up while Jack only lets out a sigh. "He's the leader of the organization called the Luna pack. Walker being here could mean it has fallen under or could be for some plot."
"Lady, you wouldn't stand there if it weren't for him." William cocked his head before looking up at Airi. "Next time you spurt some shit, get your facts straight."
Jack glared at William, who lowered his head.
"I would also advise you to keep this level," Wells adds, staring at William. "It has been an exhausting day."
Jack leans toward Yuusei across from him.
"All I ask is that I do this," Jack voiced. "You wouldn't spare your men like I wouldn't send mine, knowing the risk. But why not the infected? Like the message you sent to your amu. Why not work for it?"
"Before the last time we spoke. A handful of civilians posed as enemies before our linear devotion to their protection. This could be a moment where you post a message to the founder. Even with this newfound info, don't be surprised that I don't trust you and your follower who just happened to be at our compound before the attack." The commander cocked his head.
"It's a common coincidence. A value one at that. That is why I allow you to pose your conditions. Give me a gun, and I'll see to the task. William can stay if that's what you want."
William widened his eyes, staring at his boss and the commander.
"I'll go." Amy voiced.
"No. I need you here." The commander taps his finger on the table.
"One of Amy's features is the radio channel," Wells adds with a raised brow. "If there is any direct traffic, she directs the channel to you."
"Amy falls under your badge commander." Airi comments. "So there won't be any miscommunication."
"So you posed me to let Amy go on a suicide mission?" The commander questioned.
"I am built for it, Commander." Amy rose to her feet, towering over the humans. "I've been on a few tours and even the front lines. Am I prepared? For your blessing?"
"What's your motive, Amy?"
"I faltered and nearly made a grave mistake. If you had failed the test, I wouldn't know my role, not as an amu but as the design my creator thought beyond my capabilities."
"You could've done better, but I'm not pitting it on you." Yuusei shakes his head. "Come back with your parts intact." Amy grew a smirk.
"Of course, commander." She nods.
"Rex is ready for the expedition," Wells adds. "Don't mind the scars, that brings out more of his personality." He winks.
"Amy, can you fetch Walker's bag?" Airi questioned. "Supply any he may need. Only. Within Reason."
"Understood. Walker?" Amy turns to Jack, rising from his chair.
Jack gave William a lingering stare. William's eyes bounced between his eyes and back at the table.
A barrage of gunfire rang out, followed by a scream. Everyone from the tent rushed out to see a soldier standing at the doorway of the bus, only to be filled with bullet holes.
She falls off the steps before falling onto her back on the asphalt. The rose-haired sinner with freckles escapes the bus with a rifle in hand.
"Fuck." She cursed, staring at every soul and bot on the enemy team within her range.
"Enemy within compound." A ranger raised his rifle as the sinner retreated onto the bus.
Man, woman, rangers, and amu trained their arms onto the bus.
"Step out! Now!" A male soldier raised his voice in silence, only for occasional heavy stomps to sparkle in the tense atmosphere.
"Ladies, Gent's?! How about you forget about what you saw for a moment?" The sinner spoke from the bus behind the cover, checking the mag, revealing a few rounds. She furrowed her brows before shoving the mag back into the body of the gun. "Let's all take a moment to breathe."
"Didn't you pop that chick in the head?!" William snaps to Yuusei, who keeps his gaze on the situation. "You got her between the eyes! And I checked."
"I did." Yuusei only glared at the bus. "Returned your arms! There's no point in dragging this out!" The commander raised his voice.
"Oh. I agree!" The sinner raised her voice. "Why don't you let this pumpkin spice walk? We should always follow the guidelines of battle: after a brutal and gruesome struggle of willpower and wit. Any member who follows the rules has a right to return to their spawn without a hint of bloodlust."
"I can't do that. Not after what you and your people did."
"You have such bad sportsmanship."
A Tobor marched to the face of the bus before grabbing the makeshift bumper. It lifts the bus from its two wheels before rocking it.
The sinner grips the bars of the open window, pushing her shoulder against them while her legs struggle to balance. The bus groans and whines under the weight of its suspension as each back wheel shifts for support. Finally, the sinner launches onto the ground, the guardrail ringing out with a resounding chime.
"Don't shoot!" The commander raised his voice.
"Ah. Come on, really!" She winced, untangling herself from the guardrail clamping her arm. "Overkill, don't you think?"
A nearby soldier slides the rifle aside while Yuusei paced towards the rosed-haired sinner, clamping her arm.
He eyed her features and her tired smirk.
"Are you going to ask me for dinner or what?" She drops her arms to her sides."
"Airi." Yuusei stares down the sinner.
"With pleasure." She smirked, sticking her finger up before rolling it around. "Take her with me."
"What?! No way." The sinner grew an open-mouth smile. Before the ranger drags her up to her feet with a wince. "Is this girl talk we're going to have? Oh! I just can't wait! We should get our nails done after. Someone order pizza!"
The ranger and two more soldiers followed Airi towards the stadium.
"It's inhumanly possible to survive a bullet to the cortex." Amy stared wide-eyed.
"I think. Someone should put a bullet into bitch just to make sure." William remarked.
"Commander." A voice breaks, followed by a variety of shouting from the humming radio on the commander's hip. "Commander. This is urgent."
"Status." The commander answered.
"The civilians are requesting leave. There are hints they may turn hostile."
"I'm on the way." The commander looks to Wells before staring at the rangers behind William. "One of you is with me. The other, wherever he goes, you follow. Keep him from unrestricted areas. And send him back into quarantine at curfew."
"Wait. I can stay out here?" William tilts his head at Yuusei, speed walking into the stadium with the ranger fast behind.
Yuusei pushed open the metal doors, giving out a click.
To the line of vehicles moving between the tents and at the gates, crowded with civilians and car horns shouting over one another at the group of military personnel keeping them from their exit.
"Let us go!" A civilian screamed, carrying his hiking bag on his back.
"Go on back, " Ajay says, pointing towards the stadium. "It's not safe out there!"
"Neither is here!" Another civilian adds.
A civilian in a white pickup truck blew the horn continuously, getting the attention of the personnel.
"Stop!" the soldier pointed at the lady from the pickup truck's window shield. "I said stop!" Ajay walked past the group of civilians, followed by another, and stood at the driver's side window, staring at the lady, who switched her gaze from him and towards the gate protected by other personnel.
The soldier pulled on the handle, not giving way.
"Open the door!" Ajay raised his voice through the horn. "Open the door!" He aimed his vendetta at the driver's widow, getting the driver's attention.
All horns and shouts grew silent.
"Ajay!" Nimona shouts at the soldier, watching the civilian raise her hands before unlocking the door. "Ajay!" Nimona breaks formation and makes her way towards the truck.
"Get out!" Ajay shouts, pulling her out and making the woman stumble before hitting the cement. She looks up at him, her lips quivering. "I told you to stop." Ajay reached into the truck, pulling the keys from the ignition.
"You alright?" Nimona took a knee, looking into the eyes of the frightened civilian.
"He's crazy." She whispered.
Nimona glared up at Ajay.
"They're scared."
"You think I don't know that?" Ajay glared back.
"I can't promise you." A voice draws the crowd towards Yuusei, making way for Ajay and Nimona. "How safe this place will get, and yeah, I know. I promise." He stood within the clearing between the white pickup truck and the surrounding crowd. "We thought we could keep you safe, and it'll fall on us for this grave mistake." He raised his hand, presenting the crowd and soldiers with his bandaged, missing thumb. Yuusei turned his gaze to the personnel. "If you can try your luck on the ruin. Be my guest. Open the gate."
The commander waved his hand at the gate personnel with mixed expressions.
"Consider this," the commander stared at the crowd with mixed expressions. "You step out. Consider this trespassing."
The commander watched as a few civilians made their way out of the gates. Pacing and driving towards the empty city of destruction and waste of ruin along the streets.
Gabriel walks up the steps towards the gate leading to the line of colored doors, bathing in the afternoon light. The black-and-white cat slips between the metal bars, making his way down the hall. He looks up at the numbers he passed, listening to his muffled steps of his paws slapping the grey cement.
536
537
538
Gabriel stops at the black metal door, which has four potted plants of daisies, sunflowers, and cherry blossoms on either side.
The moon-crested cat looked over his shoulder down the empty hall of the dried red gate at the entrance and exit of the hall.
White smoke hazed from his fur and blue slit eyes while a key sharing the same aura emerged from the cherry blossom pot. The key hovers into the hole before the handle swings down, creaking the door open.
Gabriel entered, listening to the click of the door closing.
Before him was a small living room with a white couch; on his left was the kitchen, and on his right were wooden floor planks leading to three doors.
Gabriel whistled into the only sound of air pouring from the vents into the cold room. His ears flickered while his eyes wandered. He makes way to the kitchen poking his head into it before snapping his eyes onto the sliver laptop on the coffee table of the livingroom.
"Ah ha." The crested cat pranced towards the table before leaping onto it. He used his power to open the laptop, unveiling the tab requesting a password. "Let's see what you got you lying sack of shit."
He looks to the kitchen counter, taking a pen from a cup. He hovers over the laptop keys before tapping on them.
"Ooh." Gabriel's blue eyes perked up before he grinned, revealing his fangs. "Meow."