1. Safe Death

(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 :>>

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