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I ran to my house, trying to ignore the annoying backpack hitting my back. It was way too heavy for running, but let's just say I didn't expect the world would end today. On a thursday too, which happened to be the day when I carried the most books in my backpack. I swear, if there's a god, he did this on purpose. I heard people screaming somewhere behind me, they were also running. I doubt any of us had even the slightest idea of where we were actually going, probably just hoping we'd get into a safe place miraculously. I couldn't turn back to see what was happening there, I knew I'd just see people get torn apart, someone dying, crashed cars and shit.I kept going on the sidewalk, feeling how air burned in my lungs. I did exercise but to this extent, goddamit. I ran into an alley between houses just to stop for a moment. I needed to think through where should I go. I had a long way to my house, about 45 minute walk. Maybe not that long normally, but now I have a much higher chance of being devoured by a zombie than I did a year ago. I just came back from Shinobu's house, who had to give me some extra science lessons cause I was too dumb for that class. I wonder if she's safe right now. I visualised the road to my house and tried to think of any reasonable good places to stay on the way. Giyuu lived close! There was a chance he wouldn't even answer the door, but maybe he'll feel kind enough at the moment. I took a deep breath and started running again, this time going further away from the main street.Soon, I saw his light blue house. He lived with his sister, I knew her pretty well. She was very kind, and cared for her brother a lot. I knocked on the door, almost bruising my knuckles.
- Giyuu?! Tsutako?! Are you home??!! - I screamed, still slamming on the door. I turned my head to the street, to see what's happening right next to me and the first thing I saw was a woman trying to fight off a madman, however he bit her neck and ripped it apart. I'm gonna seriously shit myself if no one lets me in there. I couldn't hear any footsteps or voices inside. Maybe they're both already dead. If they are, I'm pretty much fucked. To my surprise, the door violently opened and someone just grabbed me inside without a warning. He shut the door and locked it instantly, still holding me.
- Are you alright? - Tomioka asked me, evidently trying to calm himself down. That guy always held himself together and now he seemed paranoid, shaking even. I guess it was the sombies outside that made him loose his composure.
- I'm okay. Did something happen to you? You seem frightened. - I asked him.
- It's nothing. I don't know where my sister is. - He explained.
- It's a massacre out there. I was at Shinobu's when everything went down.
- Then why didn't you just stay there? - He asked leading me inside. He peeked through closed blinds to see how everything is outside.
- I didn't want to trouble her! I already went out of the house when people started screaming and running, so I just ran with them. Besides, her family came over to visit, she has enough people to worry about.
- So you decided to trouble me instead? - He looked at me with empty eyes, as always. I could never figure out if he was happy, angry or sad.
- I'm sorry! Listen, I can just go if you want. - I suggested, not really knowing how to react. I did feel a bit bad though.
- Don't be. Just stay, I'm here alone anyway. We'll wait it out. Do you have service on your phone? - Maybe he wasn't so pissed with me after all.I took out the phone from my pocket. I saw some old notifications and a bunch of messages from my mom, asking me where I am. I texted her I'm safe as quickly as I could and hoped the message would deliever.
- I do, you wanna try calling Tsutako? - I asked.
- Call your mother first. - He suggested, seeing the spam I got from her.I tapped on her number and put it on speaker. The signals continued for what felt like an eternity, before she picked up.
- WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU SAFE?? - She almost screeched.
- I'm okay, I'm at Giyuu's. What about you?
- I THINK SO? Me and your father are still at home, sweetie. Just hang in there, we'll pick you up when everything calms down. - She thankfully calmed down a bit, but her voice was still breaking a little.
- We'll find eachother later okay?
- Okay. Wait, your dad wants to talk to you. - I heard her pass the phone. - Sweetie, I think we might have to leave early. If anything happens, we're driving to my brother's. - My father explained.
- I understand. Don't worry about me, or at least try to.
- Giyuu, are you there? - My mother asked.
- I'm here. - He said.
- Take care of her okay honey? She won't even last a second if she goes out there.
- MOM!
- I will. Stay safe. - He said emotionlessly, as always. My mother hung up, not paying attention to my protests.We tried calling Tsutako, but she didn't pick up. I started to read the notifications with the boy, sitting on the floor for some reason. The groupchats were going crazy, alerts and other media were on fire. Now the aggressive zombies out there were called ,,the sick'', ,,patients'', or some other terms, but it was very clear they've lost their minds. I've seen a man get run over and he still got up and attacked five people. Or a woman with a knife still in her neck, who was still walking around, ready to attack someone. It was pretty clear to me they were zombies. There was no time to question the morality of killing them. I wonder how everything's gonna turn out.
I started reading the messages. A spam from Mitsuri, unanswered calls from Shinobu, Rengoku asking if I'm okay and even Sanemi worrying. ,,Worrying'' was a long stretch in Sanemi's case though, he just sent me ,,Where the fuck are you'' 20 minutes ago. How sweet of them all.- Since when are you close to Shinazugawa? - Giyuu asked, starting a conversation for the first time ever.
- Eeeh...since a few months? Maybe a year? No idea, we got paired up together for a project and it stuck. - I explained. Tomioka might've been my friend since childhood, but we didn't talk or hang out every single day. We were planning on catching up soon, I guess this is the right time to. It was getting dark outside, so we decided I'd stay the night. I answered all of the texts and sent a long message to my parents, almost tearing up. It was just in case any of us dies.Giyuu turned on only a small light in his room, so that other people won't see it and try to come inside. I curled up right next to him, doing my best not to fall apart before anything bad even happened to me. I was fighting the tears threatening to spill any minute.
- Are you crying? - He asked me. And I hought I was hiding it pretty well.
- Absolutely not. - My voice fucking cracked. My cover was blown.
I only felt a pat on my head. He wasn't very touchy after all. This did make me feel at peace though, at least for a moment.