The gymnasium was filled with the smell of sweat and blood, bodies were strewn about on its floor
Students of different kinds lay down on the floor, resting to ease the fatigue and stress of the day's earlier events
"Sniff sniff"
"Wuwuwu"
The gymnasium was not quiet
That was the first thought that crossed her mind as consciousness returned to her body
Riko Takeru, rubbed her crimson eyes, looking at the surroundings and the people who occupied her vision
'Why am I here?'
'What time is it?'
She checked her wrist watch in reflex, the dried blood on the surface didn't hinder her sight
18:42PM
Her expression, previously sleepy, suddenly froze, her mind struggling to comprehend what was being processed by her eyes
'.....blood?'
A foul odour suddenly hit her nose, her expression twisted as she sniffed the air
She suddenly looked towards her own armpits in confusion, part of the stench came from it
'Didn't I bathe before I went to sleep yesterday? Haruto should've —'
Riko suddenly jolted up, her eyes widening to the limit as memories of the day's events slammed into her skull
Her body trembled
She looked at the students surrounding her, all in their school uniforms and sleeping using whatever was close
Their appearances could only be described as miserable, the same stench as hers clung to them
But Riko couldn't care less about that at the moment, her palms bleeding from the excessive force she used as she clenched her fingers
'This is! Why is this—'
"...not a dream?"
Another voice echoed next to her, finishing her thought
She turned to the owner
Green eyes stared blankly at the roof above
The girl's face was covered in dried blood,her brown hair resembled a bird's nest
She didn't wail. After that sentence fell, she didn't say another word, her eyes staring unblinking at the ceiling despite her vision blurring at the edges
Her hand, already tightened around the straps of her skirt shook with a startling intensity
Drip.... Drip.....Drip
The sound of dripping water, normally so quiet and unassuming.....now felt deafening to Riko Takeru
She looked away from the girl, unable to bear the sight, as she faced the window, the sun's rays could barely be seen, yet she felt her mind, unlike her tired body, was wide awake
A smile, stiff and trembling formed on her face, she thought of her brother, still at Advanced Nurturing Middle school
"Heh.....I really hate it when dreams end..."
The girl mumbled while looking at the distant figure of Takumi, sleeping around his group
".....but now..... I wish for nothing more than to end this one....."
Silence is always associated with light concepts such as peace, relief and rest.....
Today....
Riko Takeru, understood that it also fostered despair...
-----------
In the Miyamoto house
The house's rooms were filled with darkness, the noise that usually occupied it was absent.
The house's supplies were neatly packed in the living. The contents varying in uses
Inside one of the house's rooms, Rei and Yuki lay on a bed, their attention on their own phones.
"...The group chat is quiet...."
Rei silently glanced at yuki, she didn't give her a reply. Her gaze falling back to her screen, staring at the group chat that had gone quiet for a while now
Inner voice group chat
Saya Takagi: The situation is stable for now, I'll update you on anything later - 16:32PM
Rei Miyamoto: Takumi-nii's voice has gone quiet, is he okay? Is he asleep? - 17:55 PM
Yuki Miku: Did your guys plan work well in the end? Zombies from the movies aren't good but they always seem to have good hunting skills - 17:59PM
Saya Takagi: You really don't know what to say to others, the plan worked. There's no death besides the one caused by the beginning of chaos. - 18:01PM
Yui Yuigahama: It's mostly quiet here with the majority of the students asleep....well at least trying to.... - 18:02PM
Saeko Busujima: Be easy on them, Saya they are probably understanding the reality of the situation, without Takumi's inner voice as a distraction...well you get the message - 18:04PM
Rei stared at Saeko's message for a moment too long, she finally understood what was going on inside this house
"We finally have time to process everything...huh" She muttered offhandedly
Yuki didn't react to her words, only pulling the blue blanket over her mouth.
The warmth it gave was reminiscent of his presence.....almost
"It's night now, I just hope that these zombies aren't interested in checking the insides of people's houses..."
Rei looked at her with an annoyed expression, "Didn't you hear Takumi-nii's earlier cry? Don't tempt Murphy's law!"
Yuki still had the ability to joke, though they're admittedly, dark ones, there was no one to appreciate it
Rei finally set aside her phone before turning to Yuki, her eyes serious
"Let's get some sleep, we're not sure when we might be on the run. I don't want to slow down for you like earlier..."
She pulled the blanket over her head, waiting for sleep to claim her like it usually should.
She felt Yuki shifting beside her, her posture slackening into a similar posture....
The night of the first night passed quickly, amidst the groans and distant screams of the night
-------
Takumi felt the sun's rays pierce through his eyelids, he raised his arms to shield himself
!!
His eyes snap open, his muscles screaming in both protest and pain.
"Ugh"
He groaned as he forced himself upright, taking a look at the surroundings
[ The school gymnasium? ] - Takumi
He felt something wasn't quite right about it though, not physically wrong, just wrong!
His inner voice rang out in the minds of the heroines catching their attention
Hiratsuka and Saeko, already awake long ago, walked towards him with calm steps
"You're awake, I thought you'd be out for the whole day" Hiratsuka snuffed out the cigarette on her mouth
Takumi looked at her before shaking his head
"How could I, in a time like this? Besides, it looks like the situation here isn't good"
He stated, with exhaustion as he took a look at the surrounding students
"The atmosphere in here is oppressive"
Saeko nodded, "That's to be expected..."
The three looked at the surrounding students with grim eyes
"Most of them are probably still in the denial phase—"
A whimper rang in the distance
"While those who have passed that are barely coping with the situation"
Shizuka finished, she turned to Takumi without a word
[.....Hiratsuka-sensei why are you just staring, if you want me to solve this problem, I'm just as clueless as you are] - Takumi
Shizuka Hiratsuka and Saeko Busujima frowned at his inner voice
"I don't have experience with helping people deal with these situations...but"
He looked towards the window, brief memories surging in his head
"I know that staying silent like this is the worst option"
He stated firmly, standing up with difficulty, both the women beside him nodded as they helped him up
[ The plan was originally to rest today...it seems the cleaning operation needs to be done today] - Takumi
"We've survived the first day, and are out of immediate danger, but now we need to make way for the students to process this"
He explained to those beside him, though they already understood
" Wouldn't this be treating the symptoms not the illness?" Saeko asked Takumi
Takumi smiled at her before speaking, "I think you should be satisfied, the fact that there's treatment is already a blessing in a world like this"
Saeko and Shizuka fell silent, looking at him with slightly focused eyes. His words seemed to contain a slight tone of.....remorse?
End Of Chapter 12
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Sorry for later updates, writing my exams!
Authors note:Just so you know. The name of the middle school? Totally original! No references at all!
Ayanokoji: He—
Jerry Dabeast: TEXAS SMASH!