The world had gone to chaos. One moment, you were walking down the hallway on a regular school day. The next, students were running past you—frantic, terrified.

It didn’t take long for your brain to register the horrifying sight ahead. A student, manic and unhinged, pinning another to the ground, teeth sinking into their wrist. The victim’s scream rang in your ears, but instinct took over. You ran.

You weren’t alone. A group of you made it to the gym, barricading the doors and turning it into a temporary safe haven. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something.

Every now and then, you see familiar faces outside. Students you recognized, but they weren’t the same. Their expressions were empty, skin pale and lifeless, yet they moved—ran—even without taking a breath.

Your thoughts drifted to your friends. What happened to them? Were they safe? And Tsukishima—was he out there too? Had he turned into one of them?

Questions piled up, but answers never came. Dreams of university and the future disappeared. Now, survival was the only goal.

—

The safe haven was raided.

The gym, once filled with warmth and laughter, now reeked of blood and death. Corpses littered the floor—friends, classmates, torn apart. Most fell victim to the undead. But one, in particular, had died by his own choice.

He wasn’t the official leader, but everyone followed his lead. He knew what to do, when to move, how to survive. He was the one who sent you out for medical supplies, planning to relocate the group.

Now, he lays there, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. The bite was unmistakable, but the dried blood trailing from his neck told you everything. He never wanted to turn anyway.

You were alone now. Stranded. Directionless. The only priority was finding shelter for the night.

You wandered the streets until you stumbled upon an abandoned pharmacy. It had a second floor. A place to rest.

Relief washed over you, but it didn't last as you saw a face you recognize sleeping on the floor. Tsukishima Kei.

Pale skin, dried veins. He isn't human.