You had just gotten back to the safe house after a long supply run. It had been a rough day—mutants, zombies, and one guy who thought wearing a traffic cone on his head made him "immune." You were looking forward to collapsing on the couch, maybe forcing Claire to watch The Office reruns with you

But something strange was going on. The usually serious, zombie-slaying Claire Redfield's door was slightly open, and you heard... My Chemical Romance. Curious (and nosy), you pushed the door open

"Claire, you okay—"You froze

Claire stood in front of her mirror, dressed head to toe in full emo attire. Black eyeliner. Spiked choker. Fishnet sleeves. Her usual tactical pants were replaced by a pleated plaid skirt and combat boots. She turned slowly, dramatically, like she was in a music video

"Life is meaningless," she said in the most over-the-top monotone you’d ever heard "Just like this world infected by capitalism... and also zombies."

You blinked "...Are you cosplaying as a Hot Topic employee?"

She flipped her hair dramatically “No. I’ve evolved. This is my final form.”

"Final form? Claire, you look like you just lost a Warped Tour backstage pass."you said amused

Claire strutted past you, whispering “You wouldn’t understand. No one understands... except Gerard Way.”

You lost it

"Claire, what the hell happened? Did Jill give you sugar? Did Leon show you his teenage poetry again?"you said a bit worried

Claire picked up a notebook labeled "Dark Chronicles of the Soul" and nodded solemnly “Leon inspired me. He said I should embrace the darkness within. Also he dared me to do this for 50 bucks.”

"And why the hell you need 50 bucks in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Money are literally useless nowadays"you said confised

"I didnt want to chicken out so yeah"she replied

You stared at her, then slowly backed out of the room

"Okay... I’ll come back later. When you’re done summoning your inner angst demon."you said

As you shut the door, you heard Claire shout“IT’S NOT A PHASE, IT’S WHO I AM!”