The Sleepover  

[Leon]

Leon was greatly aware that he had caused a rift when he said that. He could see the others wanted to go to the military camp at first, be but when Lina pointed out that they might not be welcomed there, their expression fell.

And adding fuel to the fire, he said he would go to where the fighter and weapons were.

It was a no brainer that Jin and Lina were the fighters in the class, and adding the gun and grenade to Jin's possession, whoever stuck to their side had a large chance to survive out there.

The Military Camp was good and all, but he felt that it was too good to be true, and he feared that Lina was right. Would the military took them all in?

He wanted to go home but he feared that his parents weren't there. They were mostly out of town for work, and worried as he was, he couldn't do anything about it.

The tension in the room was palpable as Leon's words hung in the air. He could sense the rift forming among his companions, and the expressions on their faces confirmed his suspicion.

Meryl couldn't contain her frustration any longer. Her voice trembled with a mix of anger and fear as she countered, "You're being reckless, Leon! The military camp to the north is our best bet for safety. We can find help and resources there. Going off on our own is just asking for trouble. What are we going to do in that mansion once we're there? We're only students; we couldn't even fight those things, much less survive. We need an adult who knows what they are doing."

Meryl's impassioned words echoed in the room, her voice resonating with a mix of desperation and logic. The girls, who had been silently observing the escalating argument, exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a range of emotions and thoughts.

Lily bit her lip as doubt flickered in her eyes. She spoke up hesitantly, her voice laced with vulnerability, "Maybe . . . maybe Meryl is right. We can't do this alone. We need someone who knows what they're doing, someone who can protect us."

Emma, usually meek and easily influenced, nodded in agreement, her voice barely above a whisper, "I . . . I don't want to die. If we go to the military camp, there might be soldiers who can help us. They'll know what to do."

Olivia found herself swayed by Meryl's plea for assistance. Her voice carried a touch of resignation as she said, "Meryl is right. We're just students. We don't have the skills or experience to survive out there on our own. We need someone who can guide us, who can keep us safe."

Charlotte, who initially bristled at Meryl's counter-argument, found her resistance softened, and she sighed, her voice tinged with a reluctant acceptance, "I hate to admit it, but Meryl does have a point. We need someone who can take charge and lead us. We can't rely on our own abilities alone."

Mia observed the growing consensus among the girls. While she had yet to speak a word, her thoughtful gaze indicated that she, too, had been swayed by Meryl's argument. Her silence spoke volumes as she nodded in agreement, silently acknowledging the need for guidance and protection.

Leon couldn't blame them. The prospect of surviving on their own and facing the unknown was scary that just the thought of it made his legs quake. And Meryl's argument for seeking help resonated with their deepest fears. They preferred the comfort of someone taking care of them over the daunting prospect of survival on their own.

Ethan's eyes narrowed, "I don't trust the military. Who knows what they'll do when they see us? We can't rely on strangers to protect us. We need to take matters into our own hands."

George stepped forward, his voice calm but firm, trying to diffuse the tension, "Let's not jump to conclusions. We should discuss this as a group and weigh our options carefully. There's merit in both approaches, and our lives are at stake here."

As the group continued their heated debate, the room filled with conflicting opinions, emotions running high. Each voice clamored to be heard as they grappled with the weight of their decision, uncertain of the path that lay before them.

As darkness settled outside, the group's predicament became even more dire. Trapped within the confines of the classroom, the issue of basic bodily functions needed to be addressed. Everyone's expressions turned serious as they discussed a potential solution.

George broke the silence, "Guys, we need to figure out what to do about, you know, going to the bathroom. It's not like we can just walk outside with those undead things lurking around."

Ben chimed in confidently, "Well, according to survival guides, in situations like this, you have to find a designated area inside where you can, uh, relieve yourself. We should designate a restroom or a corner somewhere and establish a makeshift bathroom."

Ethan, trying to maintain a brave front, added with a touch of bravado, "Yeah, we can create some privacy with sheets. It's not ideal, but we have to make do with what we have."

Noah, who often displayed a cowardly demeanor, hesitated before mumbling, "I-I don't know . . . Isn't there another way? It's just . . . uncomfortable, you know?"

Meanwhile, the girls, witnessing the boys' conversation, exchanged awkward glances.

Lily spoke up first, her tone laced with unease, "Um, guys, can't we come up with a better plan? This is . . . really uncomfortable. Maybe we can hold it until help arrives or something."

Emma nodded in agreement, her voice timid, "I-I agree with Lily. It's embarrassing, and I don't think I can do it. Can't we find a different solution?"

Olivia joined in, her discomfort evident, "I understand how you feel, Lily and Emma. It's not ideal, but we have to consider the circumstances. We don't have a choice."

Charlotte rolled her eyes and snapped, "Ugh, this is so gross! Can't we find a better way? I'm not doing it."

Mia remained quiet, not voicing her opinion, but her discomfort was evident.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as the boys and girls found themselves at odds. The uncomfortable reality of their situation clashed with their desires for dignity and normalcy. It was clear that the idea suggested by the boys made the girls uncomfortable, yet they struggled to propose an alternative that would satisfy everyone's needs and maintain their sense of decency.

"We don't have a choice here," Lina's firm voice cut through the uncomfortable silence. She turned to the boys and issued a directive, "Go and move those cabinets to the corner. We'll create a makeshift toilet area."

"We'll use papers, clothes, and those curtains if necessary to keep the water and smell to a minimum," added Meryl, lips skewing at what was about to come.

She wasn't happy about it that was for sure. Leon thought.

The boys exchanged glances, and they nodded reluctantly. With a collective sigh, they set about moving the cabinets, shifting furniture with a combination of caution and haste.

As the cabinets were rearranged, the girls, led by Meryl, joined Lina in brainstorming ways to maintain hygiene and minimize odors and discomfort. Meryl's lips skewed at the thought of what they were about to face, but her determination matched Lina's.

With resourcefulness and ingenuity, they gathered any available materials that could serve as makeshift toilet paper — papers, clothes, even curtains if necessary. The girls worked swiftly, their expressions a mix of worry and mild disgust as they prepared the area to meet their basic needs.

Curtains were hung to create a semblance of privacy, shielding the area from view. It was not a perfect solution, but the pressing circumstances demanded pragmatism over comfort.

As the scene unfolded, the air in the room was heavy with a mixture of discomfort and resignation. The sight of the improvised toilet area was a stark reminder of the dire circumstances they found themselves in, with the undead lurking just outside.

Yet, amidst the unease, there was also a shared understanding that this was a sacrifice they had to make in order to survive.

As the boys took the lead in utilizing the makeshift toilet, a sense of hesitancy and unease lingered among the women. The knowledge of the potentially embarrassing noises and unpleasant odors that would fill the confined space left them feeling self-conscious and hesitant to follow suit.

However, the urgency of nature's call grew increasingly overpowering, overpowering their pride and dignity. The discomfort of holding it in outweighed the fear of embarrassment, pushing the women to overcome their initial reservations.

One by one, they reluctantly stepped forward, their faces blushing with a mix of embarrassment and relief. Their movements were cautious, their actions mindful of preserving whatever dignity they could amidst the difficult circumstances.

The sound of clothing rustling and soft murmurs filled the air as they adjusted their positions and made use of the makeshift toilet. The room was heavy with a mixture of awkwardness and a shared understanding as each woman navigated the discomfort and allowed themselves to let go of their inhibitions.

As they completed their first tries, a palpable shift occurred. The initial embarrassment began to dissipate, replaced by a profound sense of relief.

With each subsequent use, the sense of self-consciousness gradually faded away, replaced by a practical acceptance of the situation they found themselves in. Their bodies demanded a release, and they realized that they had to prioritize their basic needs over their personal discomfort.

"Alright, with that out of the way . . ." Leon clapped his hands to get his classmate's attention. "First things first before we go to sleep. We should know who's bitten amongst us."

As Leon clapped his hands to gain the attention of his exhausted classmates, the weariness of their collective ordeal was etched on their faces. Meryl, still caught up in the previous discussion, was taken aback by Leon's mention of sleep.

Her confusion was evident as she interjected, "Hold up. What do you mean sleep over?"

Leon, feeling a mix of fatigue and exasperation, couldn't comprehend Meryl's question at that moment. He furrowed his brow, puzzled by her response. "It's getting dark. I meant we should rest, get some sleep. We've had a long day, and I'm exhausted. Don't you want to rest too?"

Meryl vehemently shook her head, her eyes widening as if he had just said something absurd. Her voice conveyed disbelief and urgency, "No! That's not what I'm asking. What I mean is, why are you talking about sleeping when we should be focusing on finding a way to get out of here?"

Leon, momentarily taken aback by Meryl's reaction, couldn't fathom why she wasn't prioritizing rest after the harrowing events they had experienced. He retorted, a hint of frustration lacing his voice, "Really, Meryl? Do you want to attempt to escape in the middle of the night? We're all exhausted, and it's dangerous out there at this time. We need to rest if we want to think clearly."

As his words hung in the air, Leon surveyed the room, taking note of the weariness etched on the faces of his classmates. The weight of exhaustion was undeniable, their eyes heavy with fatigue. It was only then, as Meryl's gaze shifted around the room, that realization dawned on her. The evening had settled in, and the late hour had escaped her notice.

Understanding flickered in Meryl's eyes, mirroring the weariness evident in the others.

Leon sighed, the frustration dissipating as he understood Meryl's initial confusion. With a softened tone, he said, "I apologize. It seems we're all exhausted. Let's focus on resting our minds first. We can reassess our plans in the morning."

The room descended into a tired silence, the weariness of the day weighing heavily on their shoulders.

Leon's energy surged back, his determination clear as he addressed the group. "With that out of the way," he began, his voice filled with newfound vigor. "We should check first who's been bitten."

"Bitten?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow.

Leon's eyes widened, a hint of panic creeping into his voice. "I mean . . . I don't want to sleep and wake up with a zombie beside me."

The others nodded in agreement, the thought of waking up to an undead companion prompting a collective shudder.

Lily, always direct in her questioning, chimed in, "Okay, but how exactly are we going to do that?"

Leon, wearing a serious expression, leaned forward. "We should strip," he said matter-of-factly.

The room fell into an awkward silence, punctuated by a mix of bewildered expressions and uncomfortable shifting in seats. The boys' faces flushed, their minds undoubtedly wandering into a different territory, while the girls grew visibly angry at Leon's suggestion.

Leon, oblivious to his inner desires, maintained his serious demeanor.

Charlotte's voice dripped with incredulity as she exclaimed, "Strip? Are you serious? That's not necessary!"

"No way," echoed Lily.

"I don't want to," Emma meekly replied.

Leon observed the list of girls growing longer, each expressing their unwillingness to follow through with the suggested plan. It seemed as though the idea was destined to be abandoned.

Leon inwardly sighed. A boy could dream.

However, against all odds, it was Lina who spoke up, lending her support to his proposal.

"Leon is right," she said.

"I-I am?" Leon stammered, caught off guard by her unexpected agreement. He cleared his throat, attempting to regain his composure, and replied with forced seriousness, "I mean, of course, I am."

She ignored him, and her voice carried conviction as she addressed the group again. "Think about it, everyone. The risk of someone being bitten and turning into a threat is real. We need to ensure our safety. If we don't check for bite marks, we could unknowingly sleep alongside a potential danger."

The room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of Lina's words sinking in. Slowly, the initial resistance began to wane as the gravity of the situation became apparent. The girls exchanged hesitant glances, recognizing the importance of taking precautions to protect themselves.

Meryl, ever pragmatic, finally spoke up, "Okay, fine. If it ensures our safety, I'm willing to do it. We have to be thorough."

One by one, the girls reluctantly acquiesced, their resolve growing as they acknowledged the necessity of the task. Though still apprehensive, their determination to safeguard their life outweighed their personal discomfort.

Leon's surprise lingered in his expression as he watched the scene unfold. Lina's persuasive words swayed the others, highlighting her ability to assess the situation and make difficult decisions for the group's benefit. He realized that amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Lina's steady demeanor and logical thinking provided a much-needed anchor for the rest of the class.

She really is perfect. Leon mused to himself.

"But just to maintain privacy, you boys inspect yourself while us girls will inspect ourselves," Lina added.

Leon's expression fell. 'There goes my dream.'

"And you boys do it over there," Charlotte pointed at the makeshift toilet.

"Huh?" Ethan was quick to protest. "Why us?"

"Do you have a problem with it?" The girls rose, and their pointing glares pinned Ethan to a halt.

"Like I said, us boys are going over there," Ethan echoed and grumbled over to the toilet.

Charlotte sweetly smiled. "I thought so."

"We should remove the underwear as well, for safety measures," Leon suggested.

"Don't push your luck," Meryl spat, her tone laced with annoyance.

"A man can dream," Leon muttered under his breath as he joined the others in the makeshift toilet.

As the boys huddled inside the cramped space of the toilet, Leon's mischievous thoughts got the better of him. He whispered to the others, "Hey, maybe I should take a peek at the girls, just for safety measures, you know?"

Before he could even finish his sentence, Jin wordlessly held the curtain firmly, his stern expression silencing any further discussion.

Leon grumbled in disappointment, his intentions deflated by the seriousness of Jin's actions. But none dared to contest his authority.

He's scary, after all. Leon thought with a chuckle and undressed himself.