(Typographical and Grammatical Errors Ahead)

{DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents in this story are either the product of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.}

( TRIGGER WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE, GORE, TORTURE, AND OTHER SENSITIVE CONTENT. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK)

• • •

Joas

People screaming their soul out, weaker ones boils out their lives by a howl, agony melts down the whole Polian City as the living dead conquer its entirety. Road painted bloody red, and rained it with lifeless humans with their teared up body, chopped parts, lying with their flesh out, and decapitated heads that left like an old toys in a middle of the pavement. Crying groans, roaring groans, news voices on every dying home, unhelpful sirens from an ambulance, guns booming every now and then, are the harmony that plays all over the whole town.

Today is the time that everyone values their life. You can see those who sacrifices, and those who will sacrifice you for their own sake. Whatever it is, this might be the end of this miserable world.

Well, that's what everyone wanted in the first place, anyway. Funny to see. Why are they seem to be horrified this time with these freaks?

Simply, as they listen to their body getting chewed apart, they still gonna scream their soul out, begging for help to live. Yet the only thing that could numb the pain, is death.

I'm Joas Vence, soon to be a doctor. But my own goal is to cure by ending one's life without any suffering.

For I haven't felt being alive or cured ever since I was born. And I ascertain, I'm nothing different from these freaks. But still, they are completely ahead of me. For they know why they're running. Unlike me.

But this time, I will try to run on my feet. Just once. This time. For this kid.

"I won't leave you here! Please!" tears were in her eyes. But trying to look brave. Looking up at my face as she shakes my arms in desperation. She's still a baby for me. I can fully understand. We're currently inside an elevator. As of now, we're heading on a rooftop to meet someone.

I inhaled sharply, "Don't be too stubborn, Asiana. Not now, please?" quietly, I told. Bends my knees to reach her face. I know she won't listen.

"But I'm scared. And you're my only home. I rather die beside you than survived with a stranger " her tone suddenly soften, pursing her lips as she hold back her tears, staring at her fingernails, scratching its tips. Eagerness still in her eyes.

"He's not a stranger. He's our friend, Asiana. I told you to trust me, not him." I stated calmly. Fixing her baby hair poking her eyes. When she spoke again,

"I knew it... It is because... I'm not your real sister after all" I froze for a second.

"Asiana, please." I beg as I stand up straight, giving her a warning gaze. The elevator finally opened, we went out quickly as we've finally arrived here in a rooftop.

"That's why you can't save me with your own hands, isn't it?" she continued.

"I'll come after. And I'm gonna use your umbrella." I said, giving her a gentle pat on her head. Trying hard to convince her. Her face lightens.

Until I heard a helicopter coming down. He's finally here.

"Joas" Werth, the one we'll be meeting to fetch my little sister. Interrupting our sibling fight. He walks near us."...I'll take care of her"

"Take her to Abrosia safely, Werth. Our mom's waiting for her" I told. Looking straightly at him.

" I will." he said, giving me an assuring smile. I know he would. He's a public sergeant. My sister's safe with him. I assure. Hopefully. I took a last glance at her. She's still upset. But I know, she's kind of fine somehow. I wave her goodbye.

"Someday, I'm gonna be your real sister" She uttered for the last time as she took a seat inside the helicopter. I saw tears fell to her cheeks.

For a second, I felt like I couldn't move. Her words cuts so deep. Eyes still stuck on their helicopter she's riding in. Slowly fading away beneath the clouds.

• • •

HOUR BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE

Third-person

[camera clicks]

Half body laying on a hospital bed, gloomy, an unfortunate man who is presently giving up on his life. As a new patient of Montorium, where he has finally decided to end his life painlessly, as he reaches out for his perfect dream. Not too far from how a usual clinic design. A suicide place managed and made by Joas Vence. Where he let the people - dying inside, in horrible pain, suffering, to be pulled out from misery in the kindest way.

Because for him, every people's suffering ends in themselves. Of their own will.

And for him, life is merely a chore . And he doesn't know how it works. So he decided to merely help by ending it. In a good way.

"You're Kio Ilcito right?" Joas spoke as he walk near the patient's bedside.

"... the wanted criminal who killed his own father. Any reason why you're here?" he added, staring directly at the patient's swollen eyes.

"Yes, I am. And I'm no longer gonna live freely in this world. I am diagnosed with aids. It has no cure. It's all the result ... my father brought to me for a whole fucking year. I was sexually abused... by him. In our own home. And I regret... I regret doing it later than it should be." the patient voiced out his affliction, staring on a white ceiling, unblinking. Extreme suffering can be traced to his eyes.

Everyone in the room sympathizes with what they heard. Joas inhales sharply before he asked again,

"Your mother?" Joas followed up.

The patient quickly answered in almost a whisper, "She died the moment she gave birth to me."

Joas turn his gaze to his assistant, Hecor , whose currently behind him, showed his palm as reach out for something.

" Your suicide is accepted. What's inside you should be listened'' he said, as he grabs a tiny glass of fluid given by Hecor. And hand it over to the patient.

"...if you take a sip, it is what your soul desire." He continued.

"What's this?" the patient ask with confusion, eventually accepted it.

"The antidote " Joas replied.

"Antidote?" the patient asked again, staring at the luminous fluid inside.

"For your soul. To be finally happy" Joas plainly answered.

"... do you have any death wish?" he added.

"To see my mom, before I close my eyes" the patient answered in sorrow.

Joas replied, "Think of her, heartfully as you swallow it slowly" calmly, he said.

The patient followed all the things he said. Tears drowned his cheeks as he started to lift up the bottle, takes a sip, and closed his eyes firmly. The entire room is surrounded by the smell of his misery. Together with his unholdable sobs, he's carrying in. After a few seconds of silence, he speaks...

"Where... am I?" he uttered, like he's been switched up into a different dimension, his eyes getting dilated, tears instantly get dried, skin slowly getting paled as his soul pulls out from his world body. With a smile.. slowly forming into his lips, and his eyes. Body started to get cold.

Hecor's camera clicks again as he took a photo of a dead patient.

"The longer you breathe, the less you'll feel alive. I'm glad that you are finally free from this cruel life." Joas told on a lifeless patient. Closing the patient's eyes by his palm, as he leaves him smiling, yet lifeless. Phil, Joas' second assistant, walks in and does his job, as he carries out the patient's body in a cremation room, with a smile, as well.

[phone ringing]

Hecor who has been left in the room picked it up.

"Yes, Mihu?" he greeted.

"Hecor? How is it going?" she replied.

"Well, better If you're all still here." He answered, walking towards the empty hospital bed.

" I'm sorry, Hec. But we're not coming back. That's illegal euthanasia after all. You're still not officially a doctor. I want to be a nurse, not a killer." Mihu answered on the other line, in her serious tone.

Hecor started cleaning up the hospital bed, with a phone still clinging between his right ear and his shoulder. He spoke again,

"Are you still hoping that Joas will change his mind?" he asks.

"Well... I think it's nearly coming. One big thing will be revealed and it would crash your illegal institution into pieces. Believe me, Hec" she asserted.

"What do you mean? Mihu, listen. Not all doctors save a life by just extending it. Because not every living creature in this world is living their life. Some were just breathing. That's what Joas told me ever since. And I'll imprint that forever in my mind." Hecor told, firmly, while folding the blanket.

Mihu silenced for a second before she reply and said, "But... some were just lost? You know some were just finding refugee in the middle of their chaos, like a home."

Hecor just dropped his shoulder as a sign of being upset. And let out a heavy sigh.

[A continues sound of a doorbell]

"Hec, the doorbell. Someone wants to die again." Phil interrupted as he come in, just finished his task.

"I'll talk to you later" Hecor told the other line before hanging up the call. Walks directly to the door, opened it immediately.

His eyes widen as he saw who just came. It is a little girl, six years of age, wearing a school uniform, a backpack, and a rainbow-colored umbrella in her hand.

"Hello! It's me again!" the girl cheerfully greeted. That made Hecor instantly panicked. He turns to his back in an uneasy state, checking for Joas.

"Asiana!? whatttt--!? We've already told you, kids are not allowed here. Ahmm your brother is not here today, please, you need to go. " he explained, full of worry.

"Can you please at least hand this to him for me?" she spoke, lifting up the rainbow-colored umbrella with a cute whistle hanging on its handgrip."... he left this again for another time. Don't worry, I'm not gonna force you to let me in." she added, leaving a naughty smile as she scratches her nape, trying to peek at the situation inside.

"Alright sure, I'll hand this to your brother, okay? Now, you're gonna be late for your school." He smiled while receiving the umbrella, gently taps her head. He shortly turns to his back again as he checks out for Joas. There, he saw him sitting on a stairway, lighting a cig. Hecor slowly shook his head.

"Hey! Stop smoking!!!!" Asiana suddenly got her opportunity to enter, running as she sneak out from Hecor, whose now trying to catch her, but failed. Asiana once again spoke as she's finally in front of Joas, "...it's bad for your health." she said. That made Joas instantly refrain from smoking, litters cigarette tip on a concrete wall.

"You're not allowed here... Get out of this place, now!" Joas rage his voice, with his fingers pointing to the door. Hecor's behind the little girl, scratching his nape, guilty. With an umbrella still in his hand.

Asiana roamed her eyes around the place and said, "But, I can't see anything wrong here?"

"I said, get out, now!" Joas fumed as he stood. Now, he's looking down at her. Still mad. Asiana staring down the floor, pursing her lips as she holds back her tears.

"Joas, you don't have to yell at her, come on Asiana." Hecor spoke, while finding any hook he can hang the umbrella, until Joas grabbed it and return it to his little sister.

"Where the hell I'm gonna use it? Huh? That's yours. Now, go" Joas told angrily as he gently pulled her by her wrist, guided her into the doorway.

Asiana bow down, walk sadly out the door. Joas and Hecor stare at her with full of guilt in their eyes, until she finally leaves.

Silence wrapped up the entire room. Minutes passed when Phil speaks out.

"I can count in my fingers the times you've been affectionate to her" Phil said.

"Seriously? you're saying that? Just right after burying a miserable patient in this room?" Joas chuckled with sarcasm.

"You've wanted this, right? Dude, are you scared that those corpses will get up and haunts down your sister?" Phil stated before laughing his *** out.

"I don't even need you here" Joas whispered, Phil, continue to laugh, slamming the table.

Joas decided to walk out. As he went on his own room that also serves as his laboratory. Lights were dim inside. He inhales sharply the moment he sat on his swivel chair, rested his chin on his palm as he stares at the wall, reaches for the light switch, and turned it on.

There, it reveals a glass wall that fully became a gallery of patients' photographs, glued on a wall. Tons of different patients covering it. There's one pair of photos for each patient: one shot before they die, and a horrific shot of when they are finally smiling... after they died.

"Such a beautiful smiles..." Joas speaks to himself, like conversing with eerie whispers surrounding the room.

His eyes wander slowly around the different faces in a wall. Admiring them, like a proud dad. There's a young man, an old lady, a teen, a child. Different faces of his suicided patients.

Wind slams violently from his open window. Together with an extreme silence. One of the photograph suddenly got detached from being glued, got blown by the wind, fell on the floor. Living a blank space on a see-through glass wall. Joas immediately stood up as he pick it up.

But then, when he's about to stick it out again...

He's been astounded, like his soul was suddenly pulled apart from his body...

Staring on a blank space. Horrified look as he took a step back slowly. Eerie whispers get louder.

As he gazes on its dark dolly eyes... Bloody... Head almost floating for its abnormal hugeness... Paperwhite skin... Saggy skin like a melted clay,... SMILING FACE...

A monstrous creature peeking through, outside the glass wall, on an exact space.

The silence suddenly switched into a chaotic noise, blaring alarms, people outside screaming in horror. Without averting his gaze, his hands move swiftly into the cabinet as he grabs a single syringe kept inside.

Hecor and Phil, panicking, happened to pound the door before Joas slam it open and rush outside.

The strange creature started out banging the wall violently as it try to gets in. It lets out a blaring roar. Without wearing off the smile on its face. The two instantly get terrified, as they shut the door close, heavily panting.

"Aren't we going to come after him?" Hecor asks with a heavy breath, leaning behind the door. Phil just shook his head in fear.

"It's dangerous, he's coming after Asiana" Phil said.

Joas sprints faster as he can. Roaming his eyes over the desolating crowd. It's still a day, yet the sky was so dark. He never got panicked like this in his whole life. Zombie creatures moving and running like a living humans. Same appearance as the first one. Aggressive, spreading violence and unimaginable torture over the entire city. Killing other humans in a cannibalism way, like a psychopath.

Roaring loud, crying out loud. Some people were fighting, some had run away, mostly had just paralyzed... given up running, listening to their body getting slowly chomped, part by part.

Joas continue to run. Starting to get hopeless. Turning his head from left to right. Entering every corner of the road. Until he encountered to run on a young boy, crying for help, struggling to climb on a window, as the two zombies under him were grabbing his foot.

He didn't hesitate to stop by.

He let out a soft whistle by his mouth, calling out the zombies to come after him instead.

Monstrous creatures automatically turn to him. He runs backward for a moment to make sure it's following his direction. The little boy successfully climbed inside their home.

Joas started rushin down as the zombies started out chasing him wildly, fastly. Amidst, running, a familiar umbrella caught his eye, on a side of a road, alone. Using it as a cover, a protection. There, he already knows who it was.

He finally faced the zombies chasing him, as he fed one of them a flying kick, instantly blasted few meters away, but tried to stand up quickly afterward, roaring wilder.

"Joas.." Asiana spoke in fear, still hiding inside the umbrella. But then, one of the zombies has come to her, grabbed her on her feet. Lifted her body upside down. She cries in fear, maniacally.

Joas didn't waste a second, before Asiana could be bitten, his hand quickly move into his pocket, grab the syringe he kept and thrown it like an arrow directly to the zombie, as he ran into his sister- stabbing the horrific zombie's huge head directly. Horrifically, exploded like a balloon. Flesh scattered into Asiana, as he catch her body before it fell on the ground. He turns again immediately to look back for the rest zombie behind him, but turns out it's already headless, laying on the ground. Leaving him questioning as they run away.

• • •

" What are those freaks?!" Hecor, speaking again on a phone call, had extreme tension in his voice. Asiana, still in shock, sitting on a hospital bed. Blaring screams can be heard outside, together with sudden gunshots, complete trouble. Joas just came out from his laboratory.

Mihu answered on the other line, driving her car "Dad is now working to find its source. But based on a recent observation, their weakest point was their head, because it is empty! They have no brains! Yes it is huge, yet empty." she explained. All of them listening to her on a loudspeaker. Joas recalled how he killed the zombie earlier, and she's right.

"Why are they eating human flesh? God, Is it infectious?" Phil interrupted. Trying to peek outside the window.

Mihu answered right away, "Yes. So you better not let yourself get bitten at any cost. No one must not die from them!!!"

"Hell..." Phil grunted. Hecor shaking his head.

"Stay alert! We'll be there in 10-15 minutes. Bye, I'll hang up'" Mihu ended the call.

Something on Asiana's wrist caught Joas' attention. It is a black metal bracelet, with red lights inside.

"Where'd you get that?' Joas asked, staring at his sister's bracelet.

"Mihu..." she answered. Joas replied with a continues nod.

"Someone will be bringing you home later " he plainly said.

The little girl was amused, "We're going home to Abroasia?" she asked, Joas didn't answer as he look outside the window.

• • •

Joas

A loud bang from the other side of the door answered our curiosity. We immediately step back. One small move. And the whole room will be surely invaded. By those living deads that came up from nowhere.

We quickly ran upstairs. Checking the current situation outside. As we expect, all of us had already invaded the montorium. Left us with 0 choices. But to jump out from the second floor of the building.

Quickly as possible. We tried to escape from that chaotic place. The moment we came out; Polian City appeared completely unrecognizable.

Dead bodies were scattered all over the road. Human flesh. Bloody road. Cramped vehicles. Firecrackers are all over the place. There are almost no zombies at this spot of the road wandering around, which is pretty confusing.

I let my eyes travel around. Trying to decide which route would take us out from this torment.

I let out a heavy sigh. Asiana crossed my mind again. Silently praying for her to get home safely. We walk as calmly as possible. Trying to find any vehicle we could use to escape from this falling city. When Hecor suddenly speaks.

"Shit man, I think, forgot my phone at the montorium" he spoke anxiously.

"What the Hec! ?!" Phil replied.

"It's not my fault! blame that zombie!!" he replied.

In the middle of their argument, one thing suddenly made me stop functioning. And for some reason, my chest automatically stops from breathing.

I was stiffened. The moment that my eyes landed upon a decapitated head. Rolling down the road. And stopped exactly on my feet. I can hear the wind whispering an blood-curling lullaby into my ears. Wrapping it's heaviness around my neck 'til I cannot breath.

It has a small face, eyes wide open. Neck sliced freshly, sharply. Horrifying, with a whispers of agonizing pain. It's Asiana's. Even though I choose not to accept. It was hers.

This life is hell itself. Indeed. Couldn't take it any longer. It sores.

My body completely went cold. Electrifying my veins. As I try to inhale the smell of her blood. As I try to analyze. What's just happening right now.

There's no way it could be happening.

The worse thing I cannot bear, was her eyes appeared to be intently looking at me, sending extra gut wrenching feels deep down to my bones.

I tried to look out for her body around - just to found that it was being eaten by the undead creatures -few meters away from us. Dreadful. I can't move. I feel like I am being succumbed to a nightmare. I trusted the wrong one. I know, she didn't deserve this cruel world. But this death is way much evil.

"H--how-" I saw Hecor kneel on what he just witnessed. He saw her. Pure devastation in his eyes.

Until they saw us. The undead. They're looking straight at me. Hungrily. As if I am their best meal.

"Joas, we need to run!" Hecor gave me a begging gaze.

"JOAS LET'S RUN!!!!" Phil scolded me.

"..WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE EATEN ALIVE!!" I can trace the extreme fear in his voice.

Zombies are now few steps away from us. I almost fell to pieces when I saw Asiana's bracelet. Still on her wrist. With her arm being munched by one of the living dead. Distressing.

Phil suddenly started out screaming, "**** THIS! I WOULD RATHER BE DEAD ON A GUNSHOT INSTEAD --"

[ A loud bang of a gun ]

I instantly got back to myself. As I saw Phil, with his body falling down slowly on the ground, eyes wide open, gunshot on his forehead. Body sag down. I felt numb, shrinking away.

"Gotcha traitor" came from a familiar voice.

• • •

A/N: For the next chapters, each of them will start with a short paragraph written in italic font. That will serve as a recap :>>

Hecor

Our City was freaked out by zombies who are all oddly smiling. The zombies didn't only ruined our city, but even our hearts. As we lost a very important people in our life, in just a second.

I am down on my knees, my nails bore down to the sand as I afflicted in pain. It feels so heavy. Sobs we're unholdable as I let myself cry out.

Until a loud bang blares in our direction, making my heart dropped down into its deepest.

And saw Phil as I look up, standing on my side, slowly dropping his body on the ground. With a bloody hole in the middle of his forehead, he was the one who got shot. And it's hard to see, watch him slowly die just a few steps away from me.

"Gotcha traitor" came from a familiar voice. A very familiar voice.

Nari Ashikaga

One of our former assistants in montorium.

But... traitor?

My hands were now terribly shaking. And I can't stop it. As I try my best not to look at Phil's dead body lying down the ground beside me, soaking with his own blood. My hand uncontrollably moves to touch him, as I plan to carry him on my shoulder, away from these zombies coming ahead of us.

They're just a few steps closer, and we're done. We're now dying. And what's the point of living now? Soon, this city will eventually be invaded by them, and all of us will witness each other's death, one by one. It's more horrifying.

But then,

A white van suddenly came, hitting the upcoming zombies in front of us that made them instantly blasted away. I immediately stood up. There's still a chance of living.

"Joas! Hec! Hop in!" Conan showed up driving the van, Nari's friend, and also our former friend.

Before the zombies could ever get up again, I immediately pulled Joas inside the van with me. His head bowed down, silent as he's still in a shock. And I understand. He just witnessed the hilarious death of his sister. I'm the only one he can lean on.

Conan started driving the car fastly. And here I am, sitting beside the window, watching Phil got pested by tons of the undead. Thankfully, he cannot feel those pain anymore. As he was instantly dead. It's better than it kills you slowly. I can feel my heart wrenching even worse, as my eyes switched into Asiana's decapitated head, left alone in the ground like a ruined childhood toy. Tears shedding freely down my cheeks.

Why it has to happen?

What made Phil a traitor?

Inside the car is pure and devastating silence. Nari is also inside the van, seating in the backseat beside Yakun, also our former assistant and a friend. I saw Mihu sitting on a front seat beside Conan. Dumbstruck as the most of us. I wanna speak to her, but wanted to let her breathe in.

Until Joas decided to speak up after a long silence. I instantly turn to him sitting beside me.

"Her bracelet... what is it for" he uttered in almost a whisper.

Mihu turned to him with a hint of sadness in her eyes and looks on a window as she started to open up, "It is from my dad. I opened up to him about my suspicion towards your army friend – Werth, and Phil's closeness. Like they have that strange alliance that only involves between two of them. And I still wanted to protect you two even we've already part ways. You know, " Mihu pauses, the second she heard Joas inhales sharply as she talk. She look at each one of us as she spoke again,

"...okay, wait a second. I don't know where to start honestly" Mihu said, biting her nails, being quite nervous.

When Yakun, sitting in the backseat, suddenly spoke.

"I read his behavior," he said. He's a psychology student. They don't read minds, but the behavior is. He continues to explain."...he's not into your will. They are not into your will. They have their own will. And used your sister to start it as a manipulation."

"What? Wait" I asked in confusion.

"Oh come on, the bracelet, tell'im what is it about" Conan told in sarcasm, looking at us through the rearview mirror.

Mihu spoke again, "It has a hidden camera inside. And we've decided to put it to Asiana since we all know that she's just a kid. Phil might manipulate her. And we're... ended up right" her voice suddenly weaken, like in a verge of crying.

"Yeah, they killed her. Dropped her... from the helicopter, 50 meters high. If it's fine, we'll let you watch the footage when we arrived in a safe zone" Yakun told us again. Staring outside the window as we passed by on our City road, with people still fighting, running from the strange zombies for their lives.

"The reason behind is still a mystery to us. Do you have... any idea that could help?" Nari finally spoke, asking Joas. He just shook his head slowly as a response.

Mihu let out a heavy sigh before she speak again, "According to the news, the zombie outbreak started from Caldona, meaning to say, they not gonna reach Abroasia in just a day. You don't have to worry about your mom, Joas. But sadly, the whole Polian City was already invaded. City Dominic is our only safe zone, Dad will be waiting for us in his building to accompany us up there." Mihu explained, scanning her gadget. She's our only techy friend among us anyway, as her dad is a secret investigator, she got influence.

"Yeah, but it's too far..." Conan spoke, shaking his head in hopelessness.

"Don't think we could make it. We need to create a spare plan" Nari told.

"Like what?" I ask. All I can contribute to this team is asking questions. But then, I didn't expect that Joas would be answering me. As he said,

"Haunt down Werth" he told quietly. Three words, but leaves us a great impact.

"...stole his weapons, his helicopter, torture him... to forcefully let him confess" he continued, pain and eagerness in his eyes.

"No! We can't do that, what the **** is that!?" Conan belted.

"Just like what you said, he has weapons, how can we even counter him like this?" Nari spoke, being pessimistic again.

"... with your syringes?" she added like she's trying to mock Joas. Shit man, why can't she just understand him? Even yeah, they both got a point.

Joas didn't bother to reply, just ignored Nari.

"Calm down, it's just a spare plan, don't panic. Right, Joas?" Mihu told, trying to stop the quarrel of the three.

The silence wrapped us again, as he used it as his reply. We already know what it means.

"Tell us how!!!" Conan hissed, slamming the wheels as he broke the silence.

"... if you would insist, do it alone!" Conan yelled, from that moment, our car suddenly got bumped into something blocking the road, which made Conan lose control of the vehicle. Together with a violent wind blow contradicting our move direction.

"Conan, focus on the road! What the--!" Mihu started panicking as she grip Conan's wrist. Tires started screeching at this point, Joas lean over and took over the wheel. But it's getting worse, something has ruptured our car tires. It started swerving in a wrong lane, heading over into a dangerous cliff. Yes, we're not going to die from the zombies, but will fall down the cliff. Everything fears me now.

All of us were now hysterically panicking, as our bodies bump into the car wall hardly inside. Glass window started cracking. The crash sound is scary, I can hear the metal crumpling as it loses its track. Joas still trying to stop it.

No zombies around, but we're now on a verge of falling, I close my eyes firmly as I unlock the door to jump out. Car flying as we felt on our seat, having a bridge as my last view.

But then, a second passed, nothing happened...

I abruptly open my eyes as it suddenly stops moving, and It is a perfect surprise.

As the car's windshield glass suddenly shattered into us...

Blasting inside, leaving a loud cracking sound... the moment an unknown entity crash down on our car hood, in front of our window... one knee bended as she fall.

Turns out to be a terrifying girl figure hiding in a cloak. All we can see was her human eye, a small face, partially decaying like a typical zombie. Black long hair flowing by the wind.

She's stopping the engine, as she weighs down the car,preventing it from sliding down using her own body...

All of us can't utter any word. Extreme shock on our faces as we saw that unknown entity. She gazes at us sidewards, staring at one of us by the corner of her eye.

Her presence screams so much power, like a great protector.

Or... maybe I'm wrong.

As she suddenly thumps the broken windshield with her foot, shattering its glass even more, creating a huge hole. We're all taken aback. Mihu moves shakingly as she tries to find any weapon on her bag, Nari clocks her gun, I'm still frozen.

And in a blink of an eye, she had already clutched Joas' body sadistically out of the car, flipping him hard into the ground. We instantly move on our seats,

The unknown entity of a girl jumps off the car, approaches Joas.

• • •

Third-person

Nari let out a one, two, three, four continues gunshot directly towards the mysterious entity they're encountering. The loud bang rang out the whole area.

But then, they are all awfully went mute. Dumbstruck on their seat. Clueless as nothing happened.

As the unknown entity continues to walk out without even enduring any pain. No trace of blood can be seen pouring out from her body. She gazes down fiercely at Joas, as he slowly closes his eyes, vision of her gradually blurs as he completely lost his consciousness.

The unknown entity started carrying him into her shoulder like a sack. That made the other five instantly got alarmed, as they went out from the car panicking, signing her to stop.

"Please, no, what do you need from us?" Mihu begged, lifting her both hands.

The unknown entity turns to them as she draws out a sharp knife from her coat. Pointed it to the five, taunting. They slowly back away as they got more horrified, staring at their reflection from the silver, bloody blade the entity holds.

"Calm down, we're not gonna hurt you" Conan spoke, staring intently at the unknown entity in front of them.

Yakun followed, "We wanted to thank you for saving our lives, but.. please, bring him back to us. He's not your reward." he stated calmly, slowly taking a step forward. The entity tilted her head slowly, discrediting his lame statement. Ridiculed, yet face remained emotionless under her cloak, unseen.

"What are we gonna do now?" Hecor whispered to his friends.

"She's just by herself, why are you all scared of her?" Conan told, watching her.

Mihu answered right away, "She's an unknown entity, we have no idea what she can do"

The unknown entity purposely took a step back, like she's preparing for something, slowly trying to escape. That's when they realized something more dangerous. At that rate, they can already hear loud groans coming ahead from the area. Indicates that zombies are now their next dilemma, the root of everything.

The tension between each one of them gets heavier, as they stare at each other, eyes asking what to do.

And just right as they turn to her again, she vanished just like that.

"****!" Conan grunted.

Hecor runs quickly to check under the bridge, "There she is!"

They all automatically run just to chase after the unknown entity who captured Joas for no apparent reason. And from that, zombies had already spread around, started attacking their car.

They ran as fast as they could, they're getting farther and farther from where they came. As they passed by elsewhere unfamiliar to their eyes. They continue running. Until they went on a place where there's no longer any trace of people can be found, even a vehicle. Completely strange. Still, they followed her. Like they are being entangled into her curse, as they never lose her to their sight, no matter how fast she is. It's getting darker. They're all just hoping that this place is no longer reachable for zombies.

Until they reach the point she finally disappeared from their eyes. They quickly look around as they stop by a dark tunnel. They're all panting heavily. Had no idea where they gonna find the unknown entity who captured Joas. Unfortunately, they are now lost as well.

"What was that? Why she's after him?" Mihu said while panting as she rested her both arms on her knees.

"Can you track him?" Conan asked as he wander his eyes around.

"If we could track him from the first place, we shouldn't be chasing him until here" Mihu rolled her eyes in sarcasm.

"I need water" Hecor talking to himself before he walks away.

"What are we gonna do now? where are we?" Conan replied. Nari on the other side trying to clock her gun. Yakun staring elsewhere. Mihu started scanning her watch as she try to find their location.

"Error" she grunted, dropping her shoulder.

"... this is odd" she added, biting her nails.

"Mhmm.. guys?" came from Hecor's voice somewhere, but oddly can't see him around. They wander their eyes over the place. Turning heads left to right. But see nothing.".... can someone... help me.. up here?" he spoke again, extreme suffering can be trace on his voice. They started to became uneasy as they searches where his voice coming from.

"Where are y— ****" Mihu left terribly shocked. Frightening as she covers her mouth. Eyes widen. The rest of them finally saw him as well, sharing the same response, horrified.

As they look up to him.

Mihu

Joas has been captured by a peculiar girl who saved our car from sliding down the cliff. But then, we've been totally lost after trying to chase them. Into a strange place we couldn't even track, here inside a dark tunnel.

"Mhmm.. guys?" it came from Hecor's voice somewhere, I instantly turn around, but oddly can't see him around. As we wander our eyes over the place. Turning our heads left to right. But see nothing of him.

".... can someone... help me.. up here?" he spoke again, extreme suffering can be trace on his voice. I'm starting to get alarmed, feeling uneasy as we search where his voice coming from.

"Where are y— ****" I was stiffened,

I was left terribly shocked. Frightening as I cover my mouth. Eyes widen. All of us finally saw him, sharing the same response, horrified.

As we look up to him.

Dreadfully hanging by a rope...

With his body awfully stabbed with tons of sharp woods... fastening him into the wall, as the blood congested from his lesion. There's a lot of blood rushing down, all over his body, his skin was terribly teared up. My vision started to get blur as I shed heavy tears, and it aches my eyes. I was left frozen. I never imagined that I will be witnessing this kind of heart-wrenching event injust a day.

"****" Conan grunted, stepping backward.

"Or maybe... y.. you can just leave m...me" Hecor uttered with a trace of agony in his voice. His one hand supporting his neck to let himself breathe.

And I can't do anything but cry. I approach him quickly as I rummage on my backpack on what I can use to free him out. But I can't think well. My hands were shaking in fear and panic attacks.

"Stop talking, we'll leave you out that wall!" Nari fumed, as she try to look closer at the sharp woods bore down into Hecor's body.

"Oh come on Conan, look out for the root of the rope!" Yakun belted as he try to unfasten the rope gently not to hurt Hecor. We're now in complete chaos.

"It'll be fast" Nari asserted to Hecor, as she try to remove the sharp woods one by one, out of Hecor's body."... just endure the pain" she ordered.

Hecor let out a loud groan as Nari started pulling the woods out of his skin. I decided to help, removes the wood gently as possible. His whimpers echoed inside the tunnel, as he bit his lips terribly in pain, and cries out. His veins popping out tells his wholesome suffering. And I cried, cried along with him as I saw his flesh sticking along with every wood I'm pulling out.

"Do not lose your breath, inhale!" Yakun snapped. With the eagerness of him saving Hecor rising. Hopefully, the rope will be untied from him soon as possible.

"I'm... sorry... this is... all my f... fault" Hecor trembled.

"I cannot see the root! It's already too dark in here!" Conan shouted, few miles away from us.

From that moment, we're all taken aback as the tunnel's entrance got closed. Leaving us trapped inside. With an unknown destination awaits us in the darkness. And just like that, the wind suddenly screams in terror.

"What... are we going to do now?" Conan cries out.

Everyone left silent for a while. Together with a certain presence slowly approaching from the dark side of the tunnel.

As we listen to footsteps... getting heavier as it approach. I need to think of a plan.

"THAT'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO AN INVADERS LIKE YOU" A deep voice rang out.

Invaders? I knew it. This entity and the entity we encountered earlier are just the same. They're not after human flesh. I also notice that the entity who captured Joas is uncertainly a counterpart of the big head zombies ruining our city. I need to contact dad right away.

From that moment, another unknown entity along with us is now a few steps away.

We left frozen.

As it reveals an unusually tall man, with black and red eyes. I bit my lip in frustration. He continues to step closer. Until we can already see an unusual mark on his forehead. Indeed, freaks me out as we saw his almost skeleton body. Face almost a skull, hairless. He stopped, 6 meters away from us.

What... is this...

A new kind of zombie?

All of us were left with no words. ****. We need to escape. At this rate, sweats are all over my body. I'm feeling nauseated. We should be already with dad at this point.

But then, I've been quickly alarmed as I hear a clocking gun. It's Nari.

I quickly turn to her as I gave her a warning stare to stop. That gun wouldn't gonna work. He might just end up into something worse. Then again, from that moment, the unknown entity in front of us started cracking his neck. Which made us became more puzzled and terrified at this rate. Hell. Apart from that, a huge number of footsteps started wrapping near our spot. This is the worst. That cracking bone is his way of calling disciples. Damn.

His lips parted, and form a smile on his face, pretty horrible.

We need to go.

"Let's run" Conan whispered behind me.

"... we also have our own lives" he added.

"WHERE YOU GONNA RUN?" the entity heard us.

"... HERE?" he pointed behind him, turning to his back for a while.

"... but you have to die first before you could enter here" he added,

From that moment, footsteps are getting nearer and louder. We need to decide what to do right away.

"Bow... down..." Hecor whispered. Without any of us turning to him, we obeyed.

Just around the moment, he jumps out of the rope and lies on the ground. As it surprisingly releases a long piece of a tree trunk, swang freely up to the air. Hitting the unknown entity hilariously on his head. Instantly got beheaded. We left our minds hanging, startled. We didn't expect that to come.

My body still hasn't recovered, when the rails were lying in was caved in. Makes us hardly rolled down into something deeper.

All of us didn't waste a second as we slide down. Bringin us into an uncanny place. I roamed my eyes around the dark forest. Decaying skeletons strangely hanging on every trees. No vision of the sky can be seen at a higher distance. Surely located underground.

"Are we back in the dark ages—" Yakun spoke, when Conan interrupted him,

"Look what I found," Conan told as he approaches us, holding familiar wallet. It is Joas' wallet, that also contains his money, cards, and ids inside.

"He's just around" Nari uttered said, looking around an almost empty place. I quickly turn to approach Hecor who is currently ill. I let him lay on my lap as he struggled to stand on his feet.

"We need to take him soon to the hospital" I suggested, as I take off my scarf and ripped it all to pieces., just to cover all his wounds. I saw them also do what I did, as they contribute a piece of their cloth to Hecor. He's losing a lot of blood, he's too pale. Extreme torment hinting into his face. I gave him an assuring smile, he'll be okay. Tears flowing down again to my cheek, as he mouthed " thank you".

"Maybe we can find here," Conan said, wandering his eyes around the place, and yes, he might be right, I can see some lamp post around this woods, giving us a pang of hope that there could be someone who can help us here.

But then the terror arises when we started hearing a mass number of footsteps again, and it is louder.

"We need to go," I said, immediately stood up. Yakun approaches us and escorted Hecor on his shoulders.

"Let's part ways. And track each other by Mihu's devices" Nari said,

I answered right away, "All right, here" I reach for my bag as I distribute to them a different handy gadget I kept with me.

Then we all started to part ways.

• • •

Just as we plan, we escape and seek any home we can stop by just for Hecor. But unfortunately, we've been running for almost a half-hour with no trace of people. Or any entity. Hecor started to get weaker as he was now carried by Yakun on his back. Leaving me hopeless.

Oh God, help us. I can't imagine myself bearing Hecor's death.

We started to walk more gently, sharpening my eyes on everything we passed by. There are oddly no animals around, the air was closed. It is completely strange.

From that, I didn't expect God will be answering my prayer right away.

My eyes sparkled in surprise. As I saw a huge and beautifully grown treehouse. Yes, I am sure, It is a freaking treehouse.

"Yakun, look!" I exclaimed, pointing its direction.

"What do you think..." Yakun being skeptical.

We both think twice, thrice, and hundreds of times before we decided to finally climb up. It has narrow wooden stairs. Like a typical treehouse. The lights were not that visible. Not sure if there has. But still, we continue.

I stayed behind Yakun as we climb up. But then, amidst going up, a drip of blood anonymously shed into Yakun's face. We instantly took a step back. Panicking as we check where is it going.

"What the.." Yakun grunted, wiping it off.

To our surprise, a teen-aged boy showed up from the treehouse. Holding a bloody knife in his hand. Delivering us into an insane frustration as we step back.

"WOAH! A LIVINGS!" he shouted like an innocent child. Staring down to us.

My eyes widen as I clearly saw his familiar features few distance away. Just like the girl entity we encountered, his body is extremely pale and few parts of his body were decaying a bit. He's strangely wearing a white hospital gown, which indeed makes us more puzzled.

But at the same time, few inches away from my theories.

He called us "livings". Meaning, it is because he wasn't. They could be indeed the zombies' counterparts. As they are not coming after human flesh. This is so enchanting.

They totally look like a typical zombie. But doesn't eat humans, and the fact that they can straightly speak like a real human, makes me question my sanity.

But then, that's when I came up with an idea. The girl entity abducted Joas for some reason. And possibly a good one. This boy could provide more information about her and their entities.  As far as I remember, the entity who captured Joas can't face the empty-headed zombies in our city. Uncertainly, these zombies and those zombies, are opponents.

But, what are these entities up for? If don't need human flesh, then why do they exist?

And what the hell is this strange place stand for?