From fiction to reality

The students were panicked as they ran back towards the hostel, and fear had made them somewhat blind, as they were not able to run properly; their footsteps were colliding with each other's, and a few tripped over and fell to the ground. But no one cared about the fallen students and just ran over them, completely ignoring their friends.

Looking at this, Kabir was furious. "Don't leave anyone behind, you fools!" he shouted, picking up a fallen girl into his arms. "Go, go!" he gave her a little push, his voice desperate.

Kabir's words had resonated with a few other kids, and they stopped to help their fallen friends. But the brief humanitarian actions were stopped in a moment, as one of the infected jumped forward and sunk its teeth into the girl's neck, whom Kabir had just helped.

Everyone was horrified at this sight and was just looking at the girl, shouting in pain as blood spilled from her neck like a fountain. Soon, two more infected joined, and the girl's shouts were not heard. This sight sent shivers down the students' spines.

One boy had his eyes widen as he muttered, "Zo... zombie!" And then he shouted in horror, "They're zombies!" and ran away.

The other students followed his action, and the crowd resumed running. Even Kabir was now scared enough to leave the fallen kids and run.

Panic surged through the student horde as they bolted through the basketball court. Kabir made an urgent cry, "Tell everyone to run! Warden's orders!" He was so loud that even amid the constant sound of feet pounding, his voice was heard clearly by everyone.

They knew why Kabir wanted to lie - who'd believe a zombie outbreak, but if the warden had given an order, people would comply without questioning?

Kabir was fast, but despite his speed, he struggled to cut through the panicked crowd. He wouldn't dream of tripping anyone, not now at least.

Soon, they'd reach the volleyball court, where Jai and his crew were refereeing matches; there were two fights going on simultaneously.

Jai's eyes focused on the duel between Jerry and Maya, the school's martial arts aces; he didn't register the approaching horde at first.

The matches came to a halt as the terrified students ran through the volleyball court. Yelling, shouting, and crying, all students just ran without even looking at anyone.

Jai and his group watched in confusion. "What the heck is this?" Jai calmly asked anyone who could answer from the panicked crowd of kids, but they only cared about running while yelling "RUN! RUNNN! ZOMBIE!! RUN."

Kabir came beside Jai and gasped for breath before shouting, "Go warn Kiaan and Rahul!"

Before Jai could question him, the source of the panic emerged.

A group of humans in rage, with clothes torn and blood dripping from their mouths all over their clothes, was seen rushing towards them. "Wh...wh..what the…" Jai stammered, his voice catching in his throat. Kabir had his eyes widened with fear, managed to yell, "Zombies! Run!"

The students who were at martial arts training, watching both the fights from the side, waiting for their turn, now started running towards the football field as well; some tripping and falling, others screaming.

Jerry, Kiaan's younger sister, stumbled over a fallen boy. "Ahh..." She yelled, grabbing her feet.

Maya, who was past the court, saw this and turned around to help the kid while thinking, "Kiaan would kill me if I let her die," but Kabir shouted, "I'll get her! Just keep moving!" Trusting him, Maya decided to run with the crowd.

Jerry shouted, "Help me, I think my ankle is twisted," tears trickling from her face as she looked at Kabir and Jai.

Jai was rushing towards Jerry to help her as he spoke, "Wait, I'll be the..." After walking a few steps, he was stopped by Kabir, who held his wrist and jerked it. "We cannot carry her," Kabir said as he dragged Jai.

Even Jai's heart was heavy for the poor girl. "No matter how much I hate Kiaan, but Jerry is just a kid," he said with regret in his voice.

"Screw her, we need to prioritize our safety," Kabir said as he kept pulling Jai. Soon, Jai just shook his head and looked away from Jerry as he ran off, "I am sorry, but if Kabir says run, I'll run."

Then an announcement sounded through the air; Anju's voice was of panic and urgency. "Everyone, attention! We are under attack by... vicious intruders. Students below class 10, seek shelter immediately. Seniors, prioritize their protection. Leaders arm yourselves with actual weapons, not training sticks. Kill them if necessary!"

Kabir's eyes widened as something rushed past him. "What the fu.." he thought, but didn't turn around to see what that orange blur was, which went towards the infected humans.

Before he could decide to turn, another announcement sliced through the air. "Jai, Kabir, Maya, don't even think of fighting them unarmed. One bite and you'll become just like them. This is not a drill, don't take it lightly."

Jai, Kabir, and Maya were good at hand-to-hand combat and preferred that, that's why Anju ordered them not to.

...

Viren was putting the bullets in the magazine. "What the heck is going on here.." he wondered while looking around the room.

After the magazine was filled, Viren gripped the gun and approached the unconscious waiters. He was ready to shoot them if they showed any signs of infection.

"You have to do it, you have to do it," Viren kept repeating in his head.

Both waiters lay slumped, sweat beading on their foreheads. Viren gently nudged one, "Hey! Wake up, man. Tell me, do you know who I am?" His voice held a desperate edge. "I don't want to kill you guys," he thought as he saw none of them waking up.

The waiter just breathed heavily just like before. Viren tried again, his voice firmer. "Hey! Can you hear me? Please, just get up."

This time, an eye cracked open, dull and filled with fear. "Help... did it come?" the waiter muttered, his voice as low as a whisper.

Viren was filled with relief. "No, not yet. Just checking on you guys."

But fear lingered in the waiter's eyes as he saw Viren holding a gun. "Will you... will you kill me if…" He coughed, unable to finish the sentence.

Viren's heart ached for the man's terror. "No," he said, his voice firm despite the lie. "No, we'll all be fine. Help will come soon, for all of us, just stay strong." The waiter took Viren's words and went back to sleep or maybe passed out.

With a heavy heart, Viren left the room, the weight of his responsibility weighing on him. "Protecting these men, these kids, Anju..." His worry was touching the sky.