Chapter I: The End of Normality

Hayley noticed, from the side of the fire, that Dante hadn't come to join them. Walking away from her spot by the others, she approached him. Dante seemed to be somewhat of an outcast or loner... or at least seemed to have that type of personality. Knowing that their survival depended on being able to work well together - everyone working well with each other - she wanted him to actually join their group.

Looking down to him, as he gazed up at the high stars, she wondered what was on his mind. Was he afraid for his own loved ones as they all were? Was he burdened by their being there?

"Dante, why don't you join us all by the fire. It'll be a lot warmer than being all alone in the dark over here. I mean... you helped to make it, after all." Hayley said in a kind voice.

Allowing him to make up his mind, she went over to the railing again and looked to the north. Somewhere that way, far over the trees of the forest and the sprawling hills beyond, was the city of Helmston. There, her brother was hopefully unharmed by all of this. She could only hope now... the television was down, as well as any form of communication that any of them had. Survival now depended on each of their willpower and want to live.

The low talking of Jaimie, Amber, and the others could only just be heard over the methodical crackling of the fire that they had made. They all were warm, and for the moment had food in their stomachs. The prospect of surviving this ordeal seemed a bit more hopeful to them in such a moment.... yet the question of what was to come in the future scared them all.




Jake looked over to Everett when he entered the dorm-room. Everett asked Jacob if he wanted to grab some food. The question posed was at just the right time. Getting up from his bed, in which he was reading quietly just moments before, he went over to his desk chair and grabbed his jacket. Throwing it on, he swiped the lanyard holding his ID and put it in his pocket.

"Yeah, let's go grab something to eat. I still have a bit of work to get done afterward, but after we can go over to Ptolemy East and see Jessica and the others." Jake responded with a grin.

Jessica Griswold, Alan Gibbs, Ian McCameron, and Emily Sedrik were their close friends that they would usually hang out with during and after dinner on many nights. Jess and Jake had been friends since elementary school, in fact, and were just then starting to go steady as a couple (not to the surprise of anyone else). The other three, they had met during Freshman Orientation two years prior. Since then, all had kept well in touch.

They met in the usual place, by the pond in front of Memorial Hall. Going into the building; which looked like an actual restaurant, rather than a college cafeteria, they all sat down at a half-circle booth after getting their meals from the buffet-style kitchen. After eating, everyone went back to Ptolemy East to enjoy some time together. All of them being 21, were allowed to have alcohol outside of campus, so around 9:00, they walked a bit off campus to the near-by pub called "Elmer's". There they drank a bit and ended up watching the baseball game that was on the TV.

At 12:00, the party decided it was best to go back to their dorms. "Thirsty Thursdays" were better times to go out and drink... they all had class tomorrow. Everett and Jake started to head back. To return toward their end of campus, they had to cross the road at the heart of campus. As they started to do so, however, they stopped dead in their tracks. The beams of a pair of headlights was coming their way... and fast. Before they knew it, a car came flying down the road around 80 miles per hour, barely missing them, and then swerved only to hit a tree almost one hundred feet away. They stood, dumbstruck looking at the vehicle that had been totaled before them.

Jake started toward the car to see if anyone was OK. Normally, he would have stayed rooted to the spot, but the alcohol he had consumed told him to do otherwise. Before he got to the car however, the driver's door swung open with a creek. Jake stopped and looked to Everett. Next came the passenger side door. The driver fell to the ground, mumbling the words "Help Me.". Before he could say it again, he made a sickening cough, resulting in a massive puddle of blood being spit out like vomit. Jake backed away when the man fell face first to the ground... motionless. The passenger had collapsed at the other side of the car. Jake looked closely. In the streetlight above, he could see several marks on both bodies... they looked like bite marks. Walking over to the driver, he rolled him over and gasped, falling onto his butt and backing away in shock.

The driver's entire stomach was open. Pieces of intestine hung out, organs burst or bleeding onto the pavement. Jake tried to hold down the vomit he felt in his throat. He couldn't. Running over to a bush, he vomited until he could stop. A gasp from Everett made him look back over to the car. The two previously dead bodies started to move...

"This isn't happening... this can't be fucking real." Jake said in a low voice. "Everett... Everett we- we need to run... we need to get outta here."

Ava was the first to fall asleep. After a long day of stress and intensity, she needed to rest. There were many things still on her mind, but fatigue took the better of her. She was curled up on the ground, close enough to the fire that it was giving her heat, but not burning her. However, she still appeared to be cold. Harvey looked over at her, sighed, and then took off his jacket, laying it on her like a blanket.

"Stupid kid," Harvey muttered with a slight smile. "Always thinking about others and not herself."

Harvey wasn't tired despite all this. In fact, he was quite restless. He didn't want to stay here long, that's for sure. He wanted to know what was going on with those freaks down there. They needed to get caught up with what was going on. Maybe some news programs would make things a bit clearer. If someone had a radio, that issue would be solved.

Harvey wasn't deathly afraid at the moment. In some ways he was actually a bit happy. He wouldn't have to go to school tomorrow, after all, and he finally had the chance to beat undead versions of kids he had hated throughout his school year. It was kind of sick, but Harvey didn't want to deny that he enjoyed it. It was quite thrilling, actually. The only thing he was worried about right now was his mother and Ava. They weren't as steady as he was in dire situations. They would always be in danger.

He stood up and stretched after a bit, wanting to walk around to keep his blood flowing. He noticed Hayley standing by the rail and decided he might as well burn time and start up some conversation. Harvey casually walked over, standing next to her, looking out at the same city she was staring at.

"You worried about family, too?" Harvey said. "Ava's so worried she fell asleep from thinkin' too hard. This stuff is crazy, you know?"

He took out a pack of cigarettes and held it out to Hayley.

"Cig?" he asked casually. "Despite what people say, it might help cool you down. Frankly, I think long term consequences are the last of our worries right now."

Dante was thinking of the days of Palmero Italy, the day his father showed what a Made Man does. He was only eight what he experienced, and that day will change Dante entirely. It was a cold night in the Tuscany Hills where the stars are shinning and the city lights started to fade away in the distance. Dante was in the passenger seat trying to figure out when the car will stop. His father started to turn away from the main road and onto a beaten dirt path.

Only a few minutes later there were multiple cars parked and each aiming their headlights to an old tree that was withering into death. His father got out of the car first and from the car he saw his dad’s associates gather around him shaking hands and exchanging words. But on the corner of his eye he sees a man in the backseat of a car acting unusual. This man looked to be very old and was dressed up in a suit with a fedora. His hands where behind his back and he struggled around the car. Dante’s father opens the door and leads his soon towards to his friends he was talking to.

A man greets Dante and says his name is Gaetano Fidanzati. Dante started to shake violently as if ice was forming around his spine. He knew that name because so did all of Italy. Gaetano Fidanzati is the head boss of the Resuttana Family and his reputation was well known. His father pulls out the old man from the car and throws him next to the tree. “Boss this man has broken Omerta to the cops. All of us have spotted him talking to the police and he is a traitor to all of us.” Dante’s father said loudly. Gaetano Fidanzati walked up to Dante’s father and taps on his shoulder and whispers in his ear. As soon he left Dante’s father pulls out a pistol and gives it to Dante. “Son you will remember this day for the rest of your life. You will be like me and serve the family. Today you will understand what Omerta means if broken.”
……………………………………………………………………
His day dream was broken when footsteps was heading towards Dante. He tilted his head up and saw it was only Haley. He shuffles his pockets and pulls out a cigarette and starts to smoke it while glazing at the stars. He heard what Hailey said to Dante and it was kind of her to care. “I’m alright I prefer the cold better than the heat” said nicely to Hailey. He guessed that the main reason to come over was to figure out why Dante acted the way he does.

He starts to stand up and meets up with Hailey at the railing. He puts his elbows on the rails why rubbing his eyes. He still had the bottle of vodka from the workshop. Dante starts taking gulps of it and just stares at the horizon. He looked over and can easily see what was on her mind. She was scared and she had family she actually loved. “Get some sleep or you might be to tired tomorrow” he said to Hailey. He walks away and sees Harvey heading towards to Hailey. He takes a seat on a air-condition unit and starts drinking the vodka more and more.

The idea of sleep was indeed quite irresistible. As Dante left to go and drink a bit more, she remained at the railing. Harvey had come over to her side. Upon his asking if she wanted a cigarette, she actually had contemplated it. She nodded wordlessly, taking a cigarette from the box he held out to her and thanking him. At the moment, she really did need something to just calm her down...

Getting it lit, she breathed in the smoke deeply. She suddenly found her throat constricting from the inhalation, leading to her coughing and spluttering. Her eyes watered a bit from the effort; but in the end, even with everything going to hell around them, she started to laugh. It was ridiculous... she could kill multiple people in a day with naught but a broken broom stick, but she couldn't even smoke one cigarette.

"Maybe smoking just isn't for me, Harvey." She said mid laugh. "Thanks." She finished with a kind smile.

As they leaned there at the rail, overlooking the dark city below, she tried not to worry anymore. Surely her parents would have found shelter somewhere. Perhaps they barricaded themselves at home.... they would definitely be safe... definitely. Although with his hardened exterior and rather indifferent attitude, Hayley could tell that Harvey was worried.

"You're a bit like my brother, Harvey. Have you ever met him? He's in Helmston University... I wonder if... if he's alright over there." Hayley thought out loud.




Jake and Everett had run, as hard as their feet could take them. Both stumbled due to the alcohol still in their bodies all the way back to Darius West. The campus was still rather quiet, perhaps those two people were dead already. He had no idea what the hell just happened...

Running to the front entrance of their dorm building, Jake hastily swiped his ID card over the scanner and ripped open the door. One of their friends - Ashley Jennings - sat alone in the front lobby. Ashley was slender, rather attractive, and had long brown hair, many times tied into a ponytail. She always worked on those nights to sign people in and out of the building... a safety precaution prescribed by the administrative office. She took one look at them and smirked. She definitely knew that they had both been drinking.

"Good night at Elmer's... Jake, Everett?" Ashley asked looking up from her laptop.

"Uhhh... yea... until we were almost run over on Middle Street coming back here." Jake replied.

"Middle Street? They were students then? Go report them or something." Ashley waved it away.

"No... these were two guys. Something wasn't right with them, they were fuckin' torn to shreds." Everett cringed.

"Shreds? Were they beat up or something?" Ashley asked, suddenly becoming a bit serious.

Jake and Everett sat in the chairs by the desk she was at. They leaned back, trying to still gather themselves mentally and physically. They had run all the way across campus to Darius West. Jake looked back to Ashley.

"It was worse than beat up... this guy's stomach was like.. torn open. I'm surprised he wasn't fuckin' dead." Jake replied.

Ashley leaned back in her own chair, looking at the two of them. They obviously were serious, and had been through a shock. Even alcohol wouldn't give them hallucinations like the one's that they had described. Whatever happened out there was serious.... Getting up from her seat, she went to the door and looked out through the paneled window. It was quite dark out but she could see by the lamplight that nothing stirred on their part of campus.

Fishing her cell phone from her purse, she flipped it open and called the campus police. Reciting what Jake and Everett told her, she notified the police about the accident and the driver's strange behavior.

"The officers should be on their way to the accident... do you guys need anything?" Ashley asked.

"Yeah, sleep." Everett said with a groan in his voice. He rubbed his eyes and got up from the chair.

"I think we're just gonna go back to our room. You're welcome to come hang out if you want - your shift is over around now anyway, right?" Jake said.

"Yeah, why not. I don't fell like sleeping anyway..." Ashley said as she packed up her laptop and work papers.

Following them to their dorm room, they all entered and sat around. Their dorm was considered one of the best on campus due to the sheer amount of interesting things within. It was as big as any other, but they added furniture and neat gadgets to make the room truly like a second home. Carpets were draped on the floor, pictures and posters of various things covered almost every square inch of the walls. A fake ficus plant stood at one corner next to a small leather couch. Their beds were bunked on one side of the room, and their wardrobes stood at the other. Atop a large cabinet sat a large LCD TV. Hooked up to that was a video game system and a sound system. A small refrigerator stood adjacent to that and atop that a built-in microwave. Strung around the walls were Christmas lights and part lights. On a stand sat a party system light that would flash, strobe, and perform laser lights if so desired. Both of their desks sat in corners, topped by laptops and everything else that they needed.

As they all sat, Ashley remembered that she had forgot to finish her Psychology 430 homework - Jake allowed her to use his desk for that. Casually, he sprawled out on their couch and flipped on the television. Blinking on in 1080p HD - something that could be considered the greatest envy of the other guys on their floor - he flipped through the stations. Finding nothing at first, he threw the controller to Everett. As he went through the channels, he stopped for a moment upon a news channel local to them.

"Hey, Ev... go back to Channel 17 for a second." Jake said, suddenly sitting up.

As he did so, they saw a reporter in a large city. Fires raged behind them as they pointed to the destruction behind them. Police officers, all armored like the SWAT stood around the reporter. Everett and Ashley started to watch now too.

"I am here in Bakersfield surrounded by guards who are tasked to protect my life at all costs. This news is to go out to the entire nation soon as a warning of what is to come. Something catastrophic has occurred here in this sleepy city of Bakersfield, something terrible that only was thought to happen in fiction.

An Infection has taken hold of this city, plunging the citizens into disarray. The infection is fast killing and seemingly... reanimates the dead after a matter of time - depending on where it is applied and how fast it travels through the body. I am told a number estimating a few thousand deaths has been recorded by police who are struggling to hold the Infected at bay. Please be aware that these Infected should NOT be approached under any circumstances. They are seemingly blind but attracted by sound, and they carry the Infection with their bites. The Infected are highly dangerous.

It is asked that all civilians please stay in your homes, lock your doors, and try to make no noise. The situation will be under control shortly."


Jake and the others watched with expressions of fright. It was only a city away, mere miles. Ashley and Everett looked to each other in silent shock... was this some kind of sick joke? Jake however, sat in horror, the revelations of what was going on in his hometown struck him numb. Getting up from the sofa, he snatched his phone from his bed and quickly tried to call his mother. A dial tone signalling that the phone-line was down came to his ear. With increasing desperation, he called his sister Hayley.

All was silent. Her cell was either off, or something was seriously wrong. He knew Hayley... she never shut off her cell, she was practically attached to the thing. Looking to Everett and Ashley he tried to mouth his fright but could find no words to say. Just as he was about to run to his door, Ashley barred his way.

"Hold on! You're just gonna get yourself killed! Not to mention your drunk!" Ashley said forcefully.

"I don't care... my family's over there!" Jake yelled with anger.

Just as he was about to get to his door, the lights gave a flicker. They all stopped what they were doing and looked to each other. Suddenly, the electricity went out completely, plunging the dorm into darkness.

Harvey chuckled a bit at Hayley's attempt to smoke a cigarette. At least she tried, Harvey thought to himself. He was almost surprised she took one. He figured she'd act a little differently and decline. She was probably desperate to find some method to calm herself, so he couldn't blame her for accepting it.

"Yeah, I knew Jake," Harvey replied to her, lighting a cigarette for himself. "He's a good guy. Never got too close to him, but you could say we're friends."

She was concerned for her brother, Harvey knew that. All of them were in the same situation, worried sick for their families and friends. Harvey felt the same himself.

"I don't know if anyone is 'alright' anymore," Harvey continued. "But Helmston's a ways away. I don't think the madness here has spread that far yet. It inevitably will, but I think for now the only people we have to worry about are in this town."

Harvey didn't really know whether that was true or not. He had no idea how far this strange curse has spread. For all he knew it was all over the world already. It certainly had the potential to travel incredibly fast, if these things could turn living people into one of their own.

"Maybe you should get some sleep," Harvey said to Hayley. "I can stay up and keep an eye out for things. I'm not tired."

Hayley did as was suggested. Her exhaustion from the day, her sadness and the stress she had felt until then seemed to fall upon her like a lead weight. Sleep came quickly, and all of that seemed to lift. She felt light as she curled up by the fire near Ava. She felt at that moment, looking back at things, that she could trust everyone on that roof, even Dante - as indifferent as he seemed.

Letting slumber take a hold of her, she drifted off into dreams that she would not remember when she woke up the following morning. It was a bliss more rewarding than she had ever felt - likely because she had never had a day quite like that.

The crackling of the fire, and light breathing of those sleeping, and the melodic breeze that flowed around them lulled them all to sleep aside from Harvey, who sat watchful over them all.



Early in the morning, around 7:00 AM, Hayley woke up. He rubbed her eyes in that childish way one always does in the morning. She almost forgot that there were others around her, it took her by surprise until she remembered seconds later about what happened the day before. If only she could go back then and none of this would have happened. She would've liked to have woken up in her cozy bed back at home.

Sitting up, she looked to their fire. It was naught but a bit of glowing embers now. The sun had started to come up, casting the city into a twilight. Still, buildings seemed to be burning as a few plumes of smoke could be seen in the distance.

Hayley looked over toward the air-conditioning unit - Dante seemed to be sleeping... or passed out... atop of it. Harvey was slumped against the railing - he likely fell asleep quite early in the morning. The other remained around the embers - curled up in their jackets. She shook both Jaimie and Amber awake, then went to Ava third.

"C'mon, get up. We have to leave soon." Hayley said quietly to each of them.

Next, she went to wake up Harvey, John, and then Dante. She shook them and said the same as what she said to the latter. When they all gathered themselves up and waited, Hayley thought of what they should do next.

Obviously, they would have to get down off the roof and into town... They would have to be extremely careful. Most of them wanted to get to their families... but it would be a terrible idea to split up. She finally came to a conclusion - they would leave for the closest person's house and take refuge there for a while. Surely, an adult could help them.




Jake and the others were frozen. Each were looking to each other... or where they thought the other was through the pitch darkness. Looking out the window, the lamps had gone out as well... the only hint of light came from the moon high above. Grabbing their cell phones, they flipped them and used the LED lights to see where everyone was.

"Ashley, Everett - you don't think..." Jake started.

"I think that guy was one of them. One of those Infected! Shit! It's gonna happen here now too!" Everett said rather hysterically.

"Calm down! There... there has to be some rational explanation for all of this. Maybe there's a storm coming and the power went down." Ashley blustered.

"No... this can't be a coincidence! I have to get to my sister and my parents." Jake resolved.

Shots from across campus rang out through the air. It came from the spot where the car had crashed. Obviously, whatever was still there was no longer human. The shots seemed to continue, however they were slightly drowned out by the campus-wide intercom system popping to life.

"Students and faculty, there has been siting of the Infected on campus. Please stay in your buildings and be sure to lock all doors and windows. Helmston University is now in a state of lock-down, this is not a drill."

Jake had already resolved to leave, however the introduction of the Infected on their own campus scared him. His fright was pushed aside by an overwhelming want to get home and to make sure that his parents and sister were OK. He would fight to get there if he had to. Walking to his wardrobe, he opened the doors and fished out his Kendo Katana.

"If you guys really want to stay here, go right ahead, but I'm leaving and no one can stop me." Jake said.

"W-wait... Jake..." Everett started.

"No, that's that." Jake said, he had extended his katana toward Everett as a threat. "Don't get in my way..."

Dante woken up when Hailey started to shake him softly, it worked but he still felled on the ground. He stood up and pulled out his cellphone to see the time it is. It was 7:00 am in the morning but problem was he was drinking heavily till 4 in the morning. He scratch his head and crawled his was to the edge just so he can throw up.

When he was done throwing up at the edge he walks around the roof trying to find the vodka bottle he was drinking last night. When he found the bottle it was nearly gone. He pours what’s left of the bottle in his mouth and starts swishing it in his mouth to clean it. “I should go in the workshop and clean myself up”. He head towards the ladder and slides down into the classroom. He walks up to his truck and pulls out a duffel bag that was behind the front seat. It was his spare clothes that he always had when he traveled to college towns. He starts changing out of his school clothes and puts on a black dress shirt with a red tie, tan shorts, and finally a pair of sunglasses. Dante no longer cared about the zombies that where just on the other side of the classrooms wall. He was annoyed and didn't care if they where dangerous. He was confident in himself when it came to killing the zombies. He climbs up the ladder to see what he will do now.

Everyone gathered around and Hailey starts to talk. Dante guessed all of them will plan to do another stay on the roof but he was wrong. The plan was to go door to door to all of the homes of everyone in the group to see if there families where still alive. He lived alone and the only thing that will be in his apartment would be more liquor bottles and nothing useful. He starts to walk to the air condition unit in order to pick up his homemade scythe. He thought he might be able to find some better weapon like a machete or even a crossbow. While the group exchanges whose home is close he just sits on the air condition unit and lights a cigarette waiting to go.

Morning came almost too quickly. Harvey couldn't even remember falling asleep that night. He's just been staring up at the stars when he suddenly heard Hayley's voice waking everyone up. Ava was also awake, rubbing her eyes softly and holding the jacket Harvey gave to her. She walked over to him and handed it back.

"Thanks, Harvey," she said.

Harvey responded with a grunt, putting the jacket back on quickly and putting his cigarettes and lighter back in the pocket.

"What do we do today?" Ava asked Harvey, unsure of their next actions.
"We go find mom and pop," Harvey replied frankly.
"You think their still alive?"
"Of course I think their alive. But it doesn't matter what I think, it matters what I know. And I definitely don't know if they are alive or not. So please, don't fool yourself."

Ava didn't like the response she got, but knew he was right. She couldn't get her hopes up for something that was probably an unrealistic thought. If mother was alive, it'd be a miracle. Ava believed in miracles, though. Maybe that'd help.

Harvey walked away from Ava and to the others. They were all gathering together whatever things they had and getting ready to leave. There weren't many confident faces out there, but he expected they would all be prepared to do what they must to survive.

"So are we ready to get our asses in gear or what?" Harvey asked. "Whose house do we get to visit first?"

John looked around as the discussion was brought up of who's house to visit. John pondered the answer. His house was close, and if his father was there, they could seek survival from him. His mother wasn't, he knew, for she was visiting her relatives, in a different state. What a relief, thought John, that she was safe, but then he knew that his father could probably handle himself.

However, his father might leave the others to die, but John doubted it. Faults he may have, but his father understood the word teamwork better than he did, for John never had much experience with it, no one wanted him to play on their team in basketball when he was in seventh grade.

He took out his notepad, and it was a special notepad where he recorded the tactics, strategy, and organization of parts of the armed forces of the US Military. He also attempted to guess through his father's somewhat mysterious career.

"Alright, I have an idea. We may attempt to go into mine, for it is six blocks down south. My father, if he is there, may be trusted. Over the years, I tried to guess his military career. So far, I know he joined the US Army in 1986, as a Private, and by 1988, was a Specialist in the 3rd Infantry Division. At that point, he took the Special Forces Qualification Course, and in 1989, was a Sergeant in the 7th Special Forces Group, serving as a Communications Sergeant. I know he fought in Panama, Operation Just Cause, but after that it gets weird. When he was promoted into Staff Sergeantcy, he wasn't in the 7th SFG anymore, but in 1993, comes back as a Sergeant Major, becoming his Company's Operations Sergeant."

John was hopeful that they might learn how to survive from him.

"That's what we need the most, survival, and I think he's the man to teach it, if he's alive, and I do hope he is. We can't run far, because I know there would be more and more beings all over the place. I don't believe this is the one area where they crawl around, I think this was fierce, and spread like a pandemic. On our way, we'd have to be extremely quiet, though." Brians knew staying here would be prolonged torment, they'd just have to go to a different location, or their minds would be lost.

Hayley thought for a moment. She had originally intended on going to her own home to check on her parents - so John lived closer? As she meditated on what they should do, she stood by the long ladder down to the ground far below. In one hand, she gripped her spear. Either way, they would only be taking a short rest at his home, if it was the closest. Hayley knew that John probably would want to stay with his father, after all it was the only sensible thing, right? So slowly, their pack would grow smaller and smaller until only one or two people remained. The prospect didn't seem too inviting.

The want to see her own loved ones was at the front of her mind. She would do anything to see them well. She could only hope that they had escaped the terror of what had been happening in the city. Her father, Yoko Shimura was a private contractor - he was either working at home, or out to see his client. Her mother Hikari Shimura was likely at the elementary school as she was a teacher there. It had been a full day since what would be called Z-Day, but she had a feeling that they would both have striven to return home. As for the others, their houses were just as important to get to. Everyone wanted to get back to someone.

"Alright then, John, we'll stop at your house first. If your parents aren't there though, we will maybe stay for the night and then we have to move." Hayley said.

Throwing her spear over the side of the railing, it fell with a soft sound onto the damp grass three stories below. Grasping the rungs of the long ladder that led down the side of the building, she made her way down toward the bottom. Hayley tried to conceal that she closed her eyes the entire way - she never was one for heights. Considering the situation they were all in, however, she swallowed her fear and descended toward the ground. Upon touching feet onto the grass, she grasped her spear and beckoned the others down after she took a look around and saw that the coast was clear.

She stood at the side of the school. Feet away, there was a small side road that was bordered at the other side by homes. From there, the road would slowly snake down the large hill that the school resided upon and would head straight into the city. Their route was clear - decidedly John would direct them to his place of residence. Hayley knew that they would likely run into clusters of them on their way to their destination, however she could only hope her gut was wrong.




Jake grabbed his draw-string bag and filled it with various items from food and water to a blanket and a flashlight. His friends stood motionless in the dark room, lit by the moon and their cellphones that they held aloft. Everett cut the unbearable silence quickly however.

"Listen, Jake... I'm coming with you. If... If that Infection really has spread here onto campus than we're no better off. And it's not really possible for me to get back home when I live two states away and I don't have a car, huh? When we get to your place, I'll just tell my parents I'm with you..." Everett said.

Jake had stopped. Looking to his roommate, a small thankful smile crept across his face.

"Thanks man, that means a lot." Jake said.

"W-well... then I'm coming too! I live in state... but like, hours away. I doubt my parents would come to get me anyway with everything that's going on... For all we know, they'll probably trying to call me to tell me to stay in my dorm and wait it out or something..." Ashley resolved as well, ending her explanation with a nervous laugh.

"OK, so Jake... what about everyone else? What about Alan, Ian, and Emily... and Jessica?" Everett asked with sudden realization that they could be in danger.

Ptolemy East was closest to the accident... they were farthest. Jake knew that they were more liable to run into The Infected than they were. The thought of Jessica turning into one of them churned his stomach with a mix of fright and anger. Gripping that wooden Kendo katana, he knew what he had to do.

"We're gonna go get them... we have to go get them. And then we can leave here. I drive a pickup, so we can just put the others in the back. Let's see... so it's myself, you Everett, you Ashley, Jessica, Alan, Ian, and Emily... OK. I can fit five including myself in the truck. The other three can sit in the back, they should be alright. I have a feeling that taking multiple cars will just cause trouble - traffic out of Bakersfield, and soon Helmston might be really bad." Jake considered.

"That sounds good. Let me get some stuff packed..." Everett said.

"Oh yea, I should head back to my room and grab some things. That utility knife might come in handy!" Ashley thought out loud.

"Utility knife? Why would you have that?" Everett asked with a smirk.

"Hey, you never know... right?" Ashley said.

Ashley had left their dorm for a long while. Everett and Jake had finished their packing quickly, and as they waited for Ashley, sighing they thought that she was packing everything that was quite unnecessary... just as all girls would. Just as Jake started fumbling with his sword's hilt, their door slammed open and shut just as quickly. A frazzled Ashley stood looking at them with eyes wide open in fear. She leaned against the door and slid down, breathing a sigh of relief once inside.

"What's the matter.... did you bring enough to put you that out of breath?" Everett asked with a laugh.

"No, idiot! They're here... in the building... The Infected."

Everett and Jake took one look at each other and knew that they had to leave... and quickly. The building's electricity was still out, they had to be careful. Jake motioned for Ashley to get up, and once she did so, he made to open the door. Something wasn't right - down the hall, signs of a struggle could be heard. Screams pierced the relative quiet of the dorm soon after. Doors started to open from various rooms - guys started to poke their heads out to see what was wrong. But then, it happened - a girl came busting through the stairway door and onto their floor, she was limping badly and in great distress obviously by the look on her face. Soon, a hobbling guy came running after. Upon tackling her to the ground, he started to actually bit straight into her flesh - resulting in the most terrible screams that any of them had ever heard.

"Shit, we need to get out of here!" Jake said.

They all left his room, leaving him to lock it up which he did quickly. Shoving his lanyard into his pocket, he ran with the others to the other end of the hall to the second stairwell door. Yelling blasted into their ears and panicking guys and girls hurriedly made their way down the stairs in the most haphazardly way possible. People pushed each other out of the way, eager to get the hell out of the building and into what they hoped would be the arms of freedom. Running into the lobby into the midst of everyone else in the dorm, the door was thrown open. Students screamed suddenly, some of the Infected had been sauntering by the front of the dorm building and started to attack the noisy college students. They had all started to scatter every which way. Jake steered the other two away from the main entrance and led them down the side hall where they burst out and into the cool night air.

"So, Ptolemy East, right?" Ashley asked as she gripped Everett's arm with increasing intensity. Everett didn't seem to mind this... or leastways he didn't seem to notice.

Jake nodded and they ran across campus. They had all thrown their bags over their shoulders and all of them seemed to carry some form of weapon. Jake has his training katana, Everett a baseball bat, and Ashley her utility knife. The cool air hit them in bursts as they ran. When they reached a large field that lay in the very center of a few dorm and academic buildings, they could see the outlines of students. They were not running however, merely walking aimlessly. This did not feel right to Jake and the others. Nevertheless, they continued to run... until Everett stepped onto a Frisbee left on the dark grass. The resounding "CRACK" made them stop, and the one's who had been walking as well. When the walking students had promptly started to saunter toward them, they knew trouble neared. Ptolemy East wasn't too far away, but getting past them would be a bit difficult.

Harvey listened dully as John listed off many of his father's achievements. It almost made him feel like he was trying to rub it in that his dad was better than all of theirs. People like that were people that Harvey couldn't stand. They really didn't need to know all that stuff. All it did was serve to annoy Harvey until he got a headache.

Ava didn't care who they went to first. She knew that they were a bit farther in than quite a few people that lived close by the school, so they'd likely find their parents after a few people. It bugged her, yes, but she couldn't be selfish. Everyone here wanted to see their parents, so they'd have to wait in line.

She followed Hayley down the ladder and Harvey came down soon after. They were finally out of the school and into the big wide world. A big wide world full of zombies. By now the whole population could be like this. Harvey walked up to John, his hands in his pockets, ready to get out of here.

"Are you going to lead us on or tell some more fuckin' stories about good ol' pop?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

Everyone was climbing down the stairs except for Dante. He was smoking a cigarette thinking to himself. He had no family in this little town and if he did he wouldn't care. His only family was his step-mom who didn't care what happen to her. She spent almost all of Dante's inheritance on crap and once he turned 18 she left for New York City and mooch off some other prick. Both parents are dead and he doesn't know any other relatives and if he did they will be in Italy enjoying themselves.

By the time Dante his thoughts where done he was the only one on the roof. It was a nuisance that he would have to do this. He knew in a way most of their parents will be dead or gone and he will have to work with emotional crippled people. "God damn it" he says to himself.

He slides down carrying his scythe on his back and hits the first floor. Everyone was looking around the horizon just to see if zombies are near by. He started to head the main street slowly to see what the damage is. It was not a pretty sight on the avenue. Bodies where scatter all over the road, the smell was horrific, and blood sprayed all over. It looked like as if genocide was committed here on the street.

He walks back to the others and said "We should avoid the main road, it looks like hell and smells like it as well".

John looked up. So Harvey thought that he loved his dad, did he?

"I hate him more than you do." he said coldly. "My own father doesn't mean a crap to me at the moment, what matters to me, is living. I think it's highly unlikely that he's alive, and I'm not looking forward to be relieved of that possibility." John walked down the ladder, seeing that now, there was no authority at all in Bakersfield. What was there, were just rundown poor substitutes of its buildings.

John looked up when Dante suggested they stay off the main road. Seemed like a good idea, but something else would have conflicted. He starts speaking a bit softer than usual, in case it springs up hordes of the beings.

"However, what we must know, is that if we do advance down small roads, we'll be taken down at corners, which we must avoid. We'll have to have some space at least, if ever we need to run away from these beings." said John, and, something else sprang up, like an idea. "We need arms, more than simple wooden chairs or mops, we need more than that. If there are weapons here, I wouldn't know, but I could see police cruisers throughout the city, and I don't know how they fared."

John walks over to a dead body, that stands slumped on a ruined and burning car. Blood was strewn all over the body, and was still steadily dripping. The sight was horrifying, but John resisted the temptation to puke, he knew it wouldn't do just now, but he still felt a bit sick.

John begins leading them down to his house, making sure that they move quietly, and when they go two blocks down south, he suddenly remembers something.

"What you must know, is that my father is most likely dead. I know my mother's safe, so I am not worrying as of now, except for myself. If she was here in Bakersfield, I'd be sobbing by now, but I'm only leading you to my place because I feel it's closest, and I wanna barricade the hell out of it when we get there." John spoke quietly.

"We're not staying there long though, I can assure you it won't be safe, I do live close to the school, where all this started." John said the last sentence in disgust, because all of the pandemonium happened at the school, and now they were all tangled in the mess. He actually hated his father, and his father most likely was disappointed to have him as a son, but he was ready to tolerate his existence, if such a thing was needed.

Dante was listening to the jabbering of two idiots and it was aggravating to him. "You two shut up because all you are doing is revealing your arrogance" he said to John and Harvey. "I seriously don't care if your emotions to your dad is love or hate but I can say no doubt you will sob for their death"

He steps ahead of everyone just so he can make it clear to the entire group. "None of you don't even know the meaning of cold. You will be emotionally compromised when you see your family dead regardless of how you feel for them. Even the most coldest bastard will show emotions to anyone that is related to them so don't get cocky. None of you have deal in the business of death so listen to someone who has been around it. A man who acts toughness will only die, a man who is to arrogant will only die, and finally a man who is emotionally crippled will only die" he said firmly. He grabs his scythe and pulls it out with his right hand and faces away from the group.

"The only way to live is make a promise to yourself. If you see a family member dead use it to your advantage. You have to promise yourself to live and I don't care what it will be but make sure it is something that will affect you" he said smoothly.

In his mind Dante was planning ahead for the trip. If John's father was in the military his home should contain items that can help out in survival. He is hoping the house might contain military communication equipment or weapons. But he question John's assessment on his father career. It was only logical for a father to tell his career to his kin unless it was something classified. Either way the more covert the job was then there should be better equipment that comes with it. But he more worried about the stability of the others. After all they are just Americans who lived in a peaceful life in this shit town. Dante was the only person in the group who has seen the ugliness of the world at first hand. He was a born an Mafioso and has done his share with his father until he died. Either way his skills will now be in good use.

John bit back the retort he was longing to utter. The meaning of cold, as Dante put it, has been somewhat the answer that a gang member seeking forgiveness would put in. He wondered if Dante and Harvey had been gang members or not, but something was strange. No matter what he said, everyone dies. Everyone. No one can live forever. Perhaps put the group to an explanation of it, on his philosophical take on it?

"Everyone dies, period. That's the main point, immortality is only being remembered forever, and I don't believe in that, but those who believe immortality is living thousands of years, they haven't grown up yet. You say you were a dealer in the "business of death", and perhaps, though it is highly unlikely, you killed someone, you're not the dealer. No one is. Death is natural and inevitable, and though you might doubt my words, I don't fear death. What I fear, is pain, and if the hordes shall get too close, I shall attempt to commit suicide, I fear all kinds of pain, though mental and emotional pain I fear more than the other kinds." John explained, and now, he wondered why he had few friends. Immaturity, some people were too much of dumbasses to listen to Brians, and always shunned him out.

"Our plan of living, I'm trying to see through it too, I know, Dante, you're thinking about it, but we must think and make decisions soon, if we are to survive. That includes our supply of weaponry, food, the necessary provisions." They have now neared John's block, and John sees that the number of dead bodies have somewhat decreased as they came closer, but still, the bodies remained, slumped on cars, lying on the sidewalk, it was a mess. "There's my home" John points.

It was a normal New England style house, you can put it, with a normal front lawn and a mailbox on it. The porch had blood around it, and a dead body was slumped on the side of the house. However, John's father's car was not outside, it was gone. He must have left, John thought, and John wondered where he went, but that was not to be questioned as of now. John strode over to the porch, wondering what would happen if he went in the house. Quietly opening the front door, he strode in. It was clean, thank heavens, but it was empty, as John scanned each room. A few closet doors were open, but John thought that his father must have searched for something. Relief ran across John's mind as he went in his room, and found no being in it.

John checked the answering machine, and found a message. His mother's voice came.

"If any of you are there, get to us right now!" John knew his mother wanted them to come to her and her parents, but there was a time when his father disappeared completely, after Panama, no doubt doing something extremely covert, in a time of grave need. John did nothing, after the machine was done. It was time for him to disappear.

Harvey walked the rest of the trip to John's house with a smile on his face. It was beautiful how much conversation one could start up with just a few harsh words. The kid had daddy issues. That seemed to be a common theme today. Harvey backed off for the rest of the way as Dante and John argued about death, daddy, and probably something else he didn't pay much attention to. It wasn't quite worth intervening. All Harvey knew was that he at least got them moving.

Harvey wasn't too keen on John's plans. They were rather military and unappealing to him. He didn't want to stick around with someone's dad, even if it meant to survive. He'd have to move on eventually to see his own parents, anyways. Right now, a leader was not determined. Perhaps that was a bad idea, because everyone right now seemed to want to take charge with their own ideals. Harvey didn't want to lead a band of morons, and he sure as hell didn't want Dante or John leading everyone, so he felt Hayley was the best candidate. She was cool-headed and a lot smarter than the lot of them. There was no argument about it.

The home they came to was quite normal, but cozy. Of course, there was a bit of blood and a corpse on the porch, but that was to be expected. "Nice house," Harvey said out of the blue when they were walking in. He went through the doors, Ava following close behind. She had been silent for a time. Harvey was guessing she was mad at him for starting a conflict back there. She'd just have to get over it.

Harvey opened a closet, hoping that John didn't mind him rooting around. It was the end of the world, after all, so it would be unreasonable for him to deny them possible survival equipment. It seemed to be something of a sports closet, and Harvey noticed a nice steel bat in there, fairly light-weight and perfect for slamming into the heads of zombies. Might've belonged to John's father or something, as Harvey could never remember seeing the kid in a sport. They probably tried it out on him, but it didn't work.

"You aren't going to steal that, are you?" Ava asked, standing behind Harvey.
"It's not stealing," Harvey insisted. "I need something to defend myself with. This is basic survival tactics. Believe me, military boy over there will understand."
"I guess so."
"I know so."

Harvey took his new weapon and closed the closet door. He walked into the room where John was, seeing him standing there over an answering machine. Harvey wasn't quite sure if he was stunned at something or what. It seemed like his parents weren't there after all, so maybe he was having trouble contacting them. This would likely be a common occurrence at all their households.

"They not here?" Harvey asked. "Then we should probably get moving, maybe take some food with us. Other people want to know if their parents are alive too, so we can't stay here forever."

As they started walking, Hayley slowed down a bit and walked next to John. She had been thinking the entire time as to the best route and what they would likely expect. The truth was, they couldn't expect anything. They couldn't expect there to be them at every corner, they couldn't expect them to not be on all the side roads. Everything was unknown, and they were walking right into it - the only clear thing that could even be done.

"I don't think that all of this started here at the school... it wouldn't make sense. Sure, it started for us, but how would a student just suddenly die and reanimate. This is like... some kind of virus - it had to have started from somewhere else in the city. Of course, none of that matters now, the virus is spreading by now through this city and likely others." Hayley looked to the others.

Even with their horrified expressions, she knew that the truth had to be told. The overwhelming truth had dawned unto all of their minds - they didn't know a thing. They, the living, would soon become a large minority in that city, that country, and the world as they knew it.

Hayley moved back toward the forefront, her spear always at the ready. It truly hadn't taken her long to become a bit paranoid - but then the same could be said of the others. The end of the side street loomed just ahead of them as the main road was clear. Poking her head between the buildings at either of her side, she looked to both and checked for signs of the Infected.

Seeing nothing, she allowed John to push on ahead and lead them toward his home. By the obviously egging on of Harvey, the nagging argument between Dante and John started. The girls of the group - herself, Jaimie, Ava, and Amber - were all quiet. They were all getting annoyed with the constant argument. Hayley gave Harvey an angered look then walked to Dante and John, pushing them away from each other. Stopping the group and looking to the two of them, she had a look of disgust on her face.

"Listen, you two - shut the hell up! No one needs to know about family issues, or what death means, or what it feels like to kill. Do you people not realize that none of that matters now?! If we don't get together as a group and actually work well with each other - we are all going to die. I don't give a shit how many people you apparently killed back in the Mafia, Dante. I don't care about how bad of a dad you have or whatever, John. What I care about is getting out of this alive, and keeping you all alive as well. But maybe you both are too concerned about yourself, or how you might be able to lead the group to see beyond all of this nonsense!" Hayley exploded with anger and frustration.

No one had ever seen Hayley Shimura get mad in such a way. She was known simply back at school as that one laid-back, happy-go-lucky, cute girl. Even she couldn't remember a time where she was more enraged over other people. It quieted everyone quite quickly, and the argument ended there.

It didn't take long for them to get to John's home. The street there were on was upon a hill moving down, houses lined both sides of the road. Corpses lay in the road, not many of course, but here and there they were. This disturbed Hayley, as she knew that upon dying, reanimation occurs. Humans that die do not stay "dead" on the ground for long. Perhaps someone out there was fighting the Infected just as they were.

John's father had obviously left the home. His car was gone, tread marks resided fresh upon the tar driveway. The door was unlocked - allowing the others to enter. Upon doing so, everyone spread out. The sound of the message on the answering machine was no doubt John's mother's voice. There at the house temporary shelter, food, drink, and materials for new weapons were readily available. Hayley walked around the house and looked around. She found a long walking-stick. It was thick enough to not break upon multiple impacts. Taking the stick, she walked around again and found a military grade trench knife - likely John's father's. Taking that, she left for the kitchen and grabbed the strongest tape she could find. Flipping the long blade up until it locked into position, she taped the knife onto the stick until she couldn't move it at all. Throwing her old spear away, she looked upon the new one.

It was quiet, obviously deadly with that seven inch blade, more durable, and a bit longer than the old broom-stick spear. Looking to the others she smiled, clacking her new spear's haft onto the tile floor. Who would have thought she'd be so happy to have made a weapon of all things.

"Well, what'dya think guys? I think this should get the job done nicely for a while." Hayley said cheerfully. "Anyway - we are staying here for a little while. Get anything you might need, then we're heading to my house. Plan on staying there for the night."

Once he reached the house everyone walked through the main door. The garage door was still open where it had a working bench and some stacked up boxes. He walks in in and starts looking around. The car was gone so Dante guessed anything that can fire a bullet is more likely no longer inside. He was interested in the stacked up boxes because it seemed that none of them are marked. He opens every box and only to find nothing until he got his hand on the last box. Inside it looked like some equipment that looked military.

But as soon Dante ruffled around the box it was nothing but useless documentation. He kicks the box in anger cursing to himself. He spent the following ten minutes gathering nothing but family garbage. He sits down on the floor looking at the open neighborhood. It was empty with some bodies laying on the ground. He stands up in disappointment and goes around back and enter the backyard. He notice a work shed that had a padlock. With Dante's luck it will be something that wont help him.

He pulls out his homemade scythe and starts breaking the lock at a cost. As soon the padlock was off the crude blade of his scythe was officially broken. He opens the shed and sees really nothing interesting. It had some good stuff like shovels and bush clippers but nothing that was exciting. He starts moving stuff since the shed was cluttered with junk. He pulls out a large weeder that was hiding in the back. It looked very new as if it was not even used but he was happy that this is a light weight weapon. But as he keeping moving items away he keeps finding some good stuff inside. The second item he found was a propane torch and finally the last item a hatchet that was rusting a little bit.

Either way Dante had items that he would be able to use. He heads up to the house backyard door and enters. Everyone one was gathering what they want. Dante looks around the kitchen and starts looking for something he can eat. He opens the fridge to see what could be left. The fridge was still little bit cold and there was some yogurt cups. He pulls out two out and sits down at their table. He was hungry since he didn't eat for a while. He picks up a spoon and starts eating while everyone carries on their business.

"Looks like we'll be here for a little while," Harvey said to Ava, both of them taking a seat on a couch in the living room. "I disagree with the decision, but fine. Waiting around is the last thing we should be doing."
"We have to rest every so often, you know," Ava said, shrugging. "You're just going to have to deal with it, Harvey."
"Yeah, I kind of figured that, thanks," Harvey replied sharply. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

Ava could understand Harvey's impatience, but it could get annoying sometimes. It was selfish and it didn't help anyone's opinion of him. Ava wished that her brother would listen to her more often. Maybe it would help get him in less trouble. Harvey is always trying to prove something and make himself look cool, but Ava knows deep down that he's just like the rest of them.

Harvey had ignored his sister ever since she was born. Whenever she wanted to play, he'd go off somewhere else. He was surprised that she didn't hate his guts yet. Truthfully, he didn't deserve how nice Ava was to him. That's why he felt it was his responsibility to protect her during this time. It was the least he could do to make up for how much of an asshole he'd been in the past.

"When do you think this is all going to be over?" Ava asked out of the blue.
"I don't know," Harvey replied shrugging. "Probably not for a long time. I don't see any signs of control yet, do you? Unless everyone gets their asses in gear before it's too late, we're never going to get out of this."
"I don't like thinking about it that way," Ava said, sighing.
"I don't either," Harvey shot back, "but it doesn't mean we should just lie to ourselves. We've got to face the truth, or we won't be prepared for anything."

John looked up as Harvey asked him if his parents were there.

"They not here?" he asked. John pondered the answer.

"My mother is in a different state, with her relatives. Now my father, two possible conclusions. He either joined up with the resistance to this infection, or he might have joined back with his old friends. He took some stuff with him, his car isn't here, he's pretty much gone. I'm not going over to my mother, there's no point, it would give me false hope. Right now, I'm attempting to prepare to resist this infection, or whatever it is. I'm not answering the machine, I'm simply not alive." John walked over to his room, and emptied his book bag on the bed. Taking a few ham and bacon sandwiches, he also took two water bottles. He walked down to the basement to get a shovel, to use against the beings.