Komachi street was where it all began.
Humans were turning into creatures known as the Hiji. No one knew how the syndrome was transmitted.
It was going to be an apocalypse.
***
Allister Bjorn, the man of the people, as he was fondly called by the citizens of Kovakh, climbed up the stage with gracious steps only he was capable of. Not even the president commands that much aura as Allister.
The cameras flashed wildly, shutter sounds renting the air.
Adam sat alone at the end of the hall, bored to the bone. He's attended one of these gatherings before, and nothing interesting ever happened. Just the usual droning about politics and the lame questions the journalists ask after the speech.
Minister of Health, Dr. Allister Bjorn was his father. Adam was his father's favorite, even to Adam's surprise and disdain.
But if one took a good look at Adam, one could easily pass him for a commoner judging by his appearance. His bleach white, spiky hair was the only unique feature about him. Even that was unwashed for days.
He was on a brown t-shirt, one of his favorite because it masks how dirty it is, deep green baggy trousers and a pair of old looking black shoes. Adam swiped at a stubborn fly hovering around his ears.
His stubborn choice of appearance was what made him arrive at the hall in a taxi instead of with his dad in a grand black official vehicle as befitting a successful government worker.
Allister started his speech.
Adam started to nod off just at that moment. By now, he knew what his father was going to say off head. After all, they've rehearsed and practiced it together.
It was the nationwide emergency issue about the breakout of an epidemic.
"...The Hiji syndrome, I believe, is not as gruesome as we think," Allister announced. "I implore the force, the government and the world in general to stop the killing of the infected. Until we could ascertain for sure that they are a potential threat to humanity, we are just killing them in vain."
The shutter sounds almost drowned out the speakers. Adam wondered how his father could manage all those flashing lights on his face.
A journalist stood up. A petite female in tight fitting ash coloured suit. Hey auburn hair was in a bun, and the small glasses she wore masks how green her eyes were.
"Mr Allister, the nation is worried that we are on the verge of something similar to a zombie apocalypse. And rightly so, there are evidences to these claims. What do you have to say to that, sir?"
Allister nodded slightly. "They are not zombies," he replied calmly. Adam knew that reply wasn't really calm. Allister was keeping his rage to himself at the moment.
"But they have killed quite a number of residents around Komachi street where the outbreak began. They also keep growing in number. Don't you think there are no misconceptions here? I mean, they are really moving like the undead at the moment," the journalist pressed.
"Like I said in my previous announcement, these rising beings are at the early stages of some kind of mutation that even I do not have an answer to. But after studying their cell samples, I must tell you that they will become a blessing to the nation after the mutation process is complete in them. If only we could give them time..."
The journalist squinted, ready, "and what are you implying, sir?"
Allister has had enough. "All I am saying, you lowlife bitch of a life, is that we might have our very first superhumans as a result of this outbreak! Now, this conference is over!"
Allister stormed down the stage, knocking the microphone away in the process.
"Ugh, those two," Adam groaned as he stood up. "I want to end my life."
That journalist was in fact, Adam's mother, and by extension, Allister's wife. If there was anyone who knew where Allister's rage button was located, it was Lucia Bjorn, his wife.
They are happily married, by the way. That was just a common hate among couples, especially one that involves them facing each other on occasions such as this.
Adam jumped in the car this time with his dad. A few flies followed.
"You stink," Allister wrinkled his nose while fastening his seat belt.
"You stank," Adam replied glumly.
"C'mon, that was your mother's fault. We already talked about this. She just had to poke me till I spoke about the super human theory. It's enough that she finds it ridiculous. Now, she wants the world to share her view?!"
"Ugh, wish a very good sniper would end my life right now."
"I already told you to stop thinking like a demon, you demon," Allister grunted as the car turned to the main road.
A second black car drifted closer and followed, neck to neck with theirs. The window rolled down, and Lucia stuck her tongue out in mockery.
"You bitch," Allister yelled.
"Someone kill me," Adam groaned, covering his eyes, reclining on his seat.
"Race me to the crib, loser!" Lucia yelled back, laughing hysterically, "or I'll publish an article that might actually end your career!"
"Good heavens, I'm sick of this devil's spawn," Allister said through gritted teeth as he sat back and switched gears.
Lucia's car zoomed off, and Allister's followed.
Adam sank further on his seat, groaning. "I hate my life."
"I hate your mom," Allister replied, concentrating hard on the road. He drove like a bat out of hell, moving round and about the few vehicles on the road, his sight set on the back of his wife's car.
They crossed to a deserted road. Adam could tell they were near home even though he didn't look up to check. The street was quiet save for the zooming sound of the couple's cars.
Adam finally sat up. "You're never gonna win," he said to his father while staring straight at her mother's car.
"Shut up, you brat," Allister was red in the face.
"It's not my...DAD!!!" Adam panicked and yelled, pointing at something coming fast as the from Allister's side.
A truck, armed with heavy metal around the bumper, crashed into the side of the speeding car.
Allister's car flew in the air for a moment before landing with an awful crash. The broken car somersaulted four times before falling into a ditch near the road.
Allister Bjorn died instantly. His head rolled open like a scroll and spread along the damaged dashboard.
Adam wheezed, gasping terribly for breath. A long metal rod pierced his stomach, pinning him to the seat. He moved his hand slowly to the rod, scraping the metal in a hopeless attempt to set himself loose. Blood turned his brown shirt dark as it kept streaming out like an open tap.
"Please...kill...me," he begged.
The door of the side where he sat was yanked open by a strong force.
Standing beside him, blocking out the evening light was a giant man, barely dressed and he had a lit cigar hung between his thin lips. His green neck tattoo trailed up to the center of his bald head on the left. On the right was a pretty bad scar that looked likely to be from a fire accident.
"Boy," the man's voice was raspy, "didn't know he had his son with him."
A distant voice responded, "just check and let's move!" The owner of that voice was obviously in a haste, and even more obvious was the fear in his voice.
"Please...kill...me," Adam begged the big man.
The corner of the man's lip curved up, but it didn't look like a smile. "I don't kill kids. This is pretty bad enough. I was only here for your dad, see? You were only unlucky."
"Please..."
"Your dad had us figured out. It was only fair to erase him, see?" This time, he smiled. "Genius father you have there. A pity you'll only talk about it in hell."
"Hey, Rhakar! Get the fuck out of there. Let's fucking go!" That distant voice called again. The giant man, Rhakar, paid no mind though. It was like he didn't hear a thing.
Rhakar moved closer to Adam, peering into his half closed eyes and gently, he placed a hand on Adam's face. "I'd have given you the gift, but that will disrupt the balance. You really have to die, son. Sorry it came from me."
As smoothly as he came in, Rhakar turned and moved away, never losing style, balance or presence.
Adam, on the brink of death, watched him go. But even at that moment, all Adam could think of was the impression Rhakar had left in him.
'His eyes...they are not humane,' he thought. 'So hazy...and so distant. There were little flames coming out of his body...he was icy cold... He must be... A fully mutated Hiji.'
'Dad was right. The infected will become superhumans.'
Adam died...
Or so he thought.
***
Like an intro to a disturbing movie, a chainsaw zoomed into view and away, leaving blood marks on the..."wait, screen?"
[Deranged soul detected!]
[Welcome to the Absolute Massacre System]
Name of host: Adam Bjorn
Health: 100
Number of kills: 0
Number of deaths: 0
Number of assists: 0
Status: Loser
The blood drops slid slowly down the screen but behind the displayed letters. It was a horrible background for whoever or whatever designed it. Dark and gruesomely irritating.
"Fucking hell, I'm not dead yet."