---
Lucas's body hit the floor with a heavy thud, blood spurting in dark stains over the desk and the cold floor. The scream that escaped him was swallowed within seconds by the brutal silence that followed.
I stood still, watching as if I were witnessing a scene that didn't concern me. There was no shock, no fear—just a hollow tightening in my chest, a cold recognition that it was inevitable.
The infected, a monster with gray skin and twitching muscles, turned its glassy eyes toward me, and in that instant I knew: I was next.
David muttered some nonsense, probably trying to sound brave, but his voice came out hollow, like the rest of the room.
Without saying a word, I let my backpack drop to the floor with a dull thump and prepared myself.
The monster advanced, slow, clumsy, but lethal in its determination.
When it tried to grab my neck, I reacted with the precision of someone who knows exactly where to apply force.
I grabbed its rotten wrist, pulled the heavy body forward, and used its own momentum to unbalance it, throwing it against the desk with a crash that sent books and papers flying.
It tried to get up but was too off balance.
I took advantage of the opening to deliver a violent punch to its already broken jaw, feeling the dry snap of bone give way.
Still, it turned, trying to bite my arm.
With blood dripping from the wound, I pushed its head to the side and knocked it down with a firm kick to the chest.
The infected fell, but its glassy eyes still searched for any sign of life.
I knew I couldn't let it last.
With a quick move, I grabbed its head and slammed it hard against the edge of the desk.
The monster collapsed, motionless.
The silence that followed was too heavy to be comfortable.
All eyes turned to me—a mix of relief, admiration, and something like respect.
"You… took it down," someone whispered, almost in disbelief.
David, who had been muttering before, swallowed hard and looked away.
Sarah approached, still tense but with a different sparkle in her eyes.
"The door… we have to lock it before more show up."
Hana was silent for a moment, assessing the situation, then said:
"If you can do that, maybe we should listen to what you have to say."
I didn't answer. It wasn't time to talk too much.
I grabbed a chair and placed it against the door with firm, determined movements.
"Who's going to keep watch?" I asked, voice low but firm.
The silence slowly broke. Someone raised a hand. Another followed.
Fear was still there, but now there was something more—a faint hope.
Because, as meaningless as everything was, someone had to keep control.
And, in that moment, it seemed that someone was me.
---
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the door, as if it were the last barrier between the fragile safety of that room and the chaos outside.
David fidgeted nervously, trying to mask his fear with some lame comment no one cared about.
Sarah took a deep breath, eyes searching for some clarity amid the turmoil.
"We need to know what's in the corridor," she said firmly. "If they get past this door, locking it won't help."
Hana gripped the handle of her hunting knife, her eyes shining with determination.
"Someone has to go out and see," she said, looking at me.
"I'll go," I replied, standing up.
Before I could say more, Hana was already at my side.
"I'm coming with you. I'm not letting you go alone."
I didn't have to say anything. Her look didn't accept argument.
"Then let's go," I said, and grabbed the doorknob.
---
The corridor felt like an endless tunnel, the flickering light revealing bloodstains and walls scratched by panic. Every step we took echoed with the beat of our own hearts.
I felt Hana's watchful gaze beside me, her hunting knife steady, ready for any surprise. We knew it couldn't be just that one infected—the silence wouldn't last long.
I rounded a corner; the strong smell of mold and iron filled the air.
A half-open door caught my attention. I pushed it gently.
The classroom was a mess—overturned chairs, scattered papers, a scent of sweat and fear lingering everywhere. But in the corner, a figure curled up behind a desk.
Sebastian.
I recognized him immediately: skinny, way too tall for his age, messy hair, and that white lab coat he loved to wear even at school.
"Ethan?" He widened his eyes, glasses crooked on his face.
"Sebastian," I said without beating around the bush, feeling a pang of relief. "You okay?"
He swallowed hard, adjusted his glasses, and shook his head.
"Better than I expected. But only a little. They… they keep coming. I tried to hide here, but I don't know how much longer I lasted."
I looked around, searching for gaps, exits, possible escape routes.
"You're going to have to stop hiding," I said seriously. "We have to move, make a plan, get ready."
Sebastian squinted, anxiety shining in his green eyes.
"I know… but I hate this. Hate all of it. Blood, fighting, noise… I just want it to be over."
I motioned to Hana, who entered the room just behind me.
"We don't have a choice. It has to be quick and calculated. You're good at that, remember?"
He took a deep breath, trying to pull himself together.
"If I had my watches," he muttered, tapping his wrist, "I'd feel more in control."
"Let's focus on what we have here," I said, gently closing the door. "We gather everyone, make a strategy, and keep calm. There's no other way."
Sebastian nodded, a little steadier.
"Alright. I can come up with something."
I gave a slight smile, despite the weight in my chest.
"Then it's time to show how it's done."
---