Chapter 28

"Breaking News: Saitama Correspondent Reports." The image shifted to a bustling park in Saitama, where a young reporter stood, microphone in hand.

"The number of deaths in the Saitama prefecture has tragically surpassed 10,000," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "The governor has declared a state of emergency--"

Before she could finish, a deafening gunshot echoed through the room. The camera lurched as the anchor ducked, her face contorted in fear.

"That was gunfire! Just now, the police opened fire!" a panicked voice shouted from off-screen.

"What are they shooting at?!" The reporter cried, our eyes glued to the screen. The camera panned, revealing a scene of utter chaos. 

An ambulance crew desperately wheeled in bodies, only to have the lifeless figures rise again, their moans echoing through the park. Police officers, faces grim, fired upon the reanimated corpses.

A sickening silence fell over the room as the horrifying images faded, replaced by an anxious "Please Stand By" screen. The tension seemed to crackle in the air, a suffocating fear weighing on everyone's hearts.

When the screen finally switched back to the studio, the once composed news anchor sat disheveled, her eyes filled with a reflection of the terror she had just witnessed. 

She fumbled with her notes, her hands trembling. "There's been some sort of... problem," she stuttered, her voice thin and strained. 

A bead of sweat rolled down her temple as she forced out the next words, "F-from now on, we'll be broadcasting solely from the studio."

Her gaze darted around the room, never quite settling on the camera. "As you can tell, the situation outside has become... critical. We implore you... please stay in your homes unless absolutely necessary."

She took a ragged breath, as if struggling to compose herself. "Once it's safe, we promise to bring you more information about the ongoing crisis."

"That's all? Why aren't they saying more?" Takashi demanded, his frustration barely contained.

Saya adjusted her glasses, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. "Because they're afraid of panic," she said, her voice unnervingly calm.

"Even now?" Takashi scoffed, the disbelief clear in his voice.

"Especially now!" Saya retorted, a hint of exasperation coloring her tone. "Fear leads to chaos, and chaos to anarchy. How do you expect them to fight this... this thing, if society falls apart?" 

Her voice trailed off, a chilling silence replacing her normally composed demeanor. "And when it does, what will protect us then?"

Takashi slammed his fist against the desk, the sound echoing in the tense silence. "Obviously, it's the government's job!" he slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing in the tense silence. "Why would they leave us to fend for ourselves?"

Saya, ever the voice of calm amidst the storm, shook her head. "Don't you see, Takashi?" she said, her voice betraying a hint of exasperation. "We're likely on our own here. The authorities have likely quarantined the entire town, especially if this outbreak is localized."

Takashi scoffed. "Localized? Have you heard the tv? This thing is spreading like wildfire. They can't just abandon us!"

Despair settled over the room like a shroud. The tv broadcasted the grim news, each word a hammer blow to our already fragile hope. In the tense silence that followed, I, felt compelled to speak.

"Maybe they're overwhelmed," I offered, my voice laced with uncertainty. "Focussing their resources on larger cities, trying to contain the outbreak before it spreads further."

Saeko, the ever-pragmatic one, nodded in agreement. "It's a harsh reality, but Will might be right. We can't waste time and energy blaming them. We need to focus on what we can control - our own survival."

Rei's brow furrowed in worry. "But what about our families? What if they're out there, alone?"

Her voice cracked, echoing the collective sigh that rippled through the room. The weight of our situation, the uncertainty of our loved ones' fates, pressed down on us like a suffocating fog.

Remembering their initial plan, Will voiced a suggestion. "We can use the buses, we can use them to get out of school, find somewhere safer."

My words hung in the air, a spark of hope amidst the suffocating despair. We all looked towards the school buses parked outside, a potential escape pod from the nightmare that had become our school. It was a risky plan, fraught with dangers unknown, but staying put meant certain death.

The TV continued to broadcast updates about the recent riots, warning citizens to stay indoors for their safety. The images on the screen showed scenes of chaos and destruction, with streets filled with panicked crowds and emergency vehicles racing through the city.

The air crackled with disbelief and suppressed panic. Kohta, still grappling with the enormity of the situation, stammered, "They just appeared out of nowhere...But how...When I was surfing the web this morning, it was business as usual..."

Hiashi's voice, heavy with shock, echoed Kohta's sentiment, "I can't believe that it only took a few hours for the city to come to this."

Rei, fueled by youthful optimism, clung to a sliver of hope. "But there must be some place that's safe, right? And soon, things will be back to normal."

Saya, ever the voice of reason, shattered the fragile hope. "Keep dreaming," she said, her voice laced with a harsh reality.

Takashi, bristling at her bluntness, snapped, "Do you really have to say it like that?"

Ignoring his anger, Saya met his gaze steadily. "This is a pandemic," she declared, her voice leaving no room for argument. "What am I supposed to say? Flowers and rainbows?"

Shizuka, the ever-observant one, fell silent, her brow furrowed in deep thought. Unlike the others whose emotions ran high, she seemed to be processing the information on a deeper level, analyzing the implications and formulating a plan, her silence a stark contrast to the chaos brewing around her.

"It's when an epidemic of an infectious disease, like a virus or bacteria, spreads rapidly across a large geographical area," Saya continued, her voice filled with a quiet urgency.

Sawa, ever curious, inquired, "Like influenza?"

Saya shook her head. "More like the Spanish Flu of 1918. It was a highly infectious strain of H1N1 influenza virus that spread worldwide during World War I. Over 600 million people were infected, and an estimated 50 million died, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history."

"And think about how much panic the swine flu caused in 2009," Saya added, emphasizing the scale of the current situation. "While it wasn't as severe, it still caused significant disruptions and highlighted the potential for rapid global spread of infectious diseases."

Shizuka, her brow furrowed in deep concentration, interjected, "Isn't this more similar to the Black Death of the 14th century? Europe's population was estimated to have declined by a third due to that pandemic."

Saya, impressed by Shizuka's knowledge, acknowledged her with a smile. "You're sharper than you look, Shizuka-sensei. The Black Death, caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium transmitted by fleas, was indeed a devastating pandemic. However," she cautioned, "while we know they share similarities in terms of rapid spread and widespread devastation, we still need more information about this specific outbreak.

Comparing it to past pandemics might offer some historical context, but it doesn't necessarily provide all the answers."

Kyoko-sensei, the biology teacher, finally spoke after a thoughtful silence.

"That's precisely what concerns me," she said, her voice grave. "Based on the news reports, the cause of this outbreak remains unknown. Without knowing the specific pathogen, its transmission method is through biting but how about other methods such as blood, and potential vulnerabilities, we're essentially flying blind."

Her words resonated with the room, amplifying the immense challenge they faced. The unknown nature of the pandemic added another layer of fear and uncertainty to their already precarious situation.

The weight of Shizuka-sensei's explanation hung heavy in the air. Takashi, unable to grasp the brutal reality, blurted out, "How did those diseases stop?"

Shizuka-sensei, her voice firm yet laced with sadness, explained, "There are many theories, but...the harsh truth is, some diseases like those 'die' because they kill so many people that there are simply not enough individuals left to spread them. It's a horrific consequence, one we should never hope for."

Kohta's gaze drifted towards the window, where shambling figures continued their relentless pursuit. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, "But...in this case, the dead are moving around and attacking people. Doesn't that mean it can keep spreading indefinitely?"

Saeko, ever the pragmatist, chimed in with a question that echoed everyone's unspoken fear. "Then you're implying this outbreak has no natural end? It will just keep spreading until...?"

Shizuka, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of hope amidst the bleakness, offered a tentative suggestion. "But it's going to be hot outside! Maybe their... decaying bodies won't be able to sustain their movement for long!"

Saeko, ever grounded in reality, countered her optimism. "And what is the duration of this process? How long can we realistically hope they'll be incapacitated by the heat?"

Shizuka-sensei, her voice losing some of its earlier cheer, explained, "Well, in summer, decomposition can happen quite quickly. Some parts of the body can decompose within 22 days. However, during winter, this process can take months. So, while the heat might slow them down, it's not a guaranteed solution, and certainly not one we can rely on in the long term."

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Shizuka's explanation settling in. The initial spark of hope had dimmed, replaced by the harsh reality of their situation. They were facing an unknown enemy, with no clear end in sight, and the clock was ticking.

Saya's skepticism cut through the room like a knife. "I take it back, you're not smarter than you look. How do we know they'll even start to decompose?"

Hiashi, always curious, chimed in, "Why do you say that?"

Saya didn't hold back, her frustration evident. "Don't these things defy our knowledge of medicine? So why bother relying on it?"

Kyoko-sensei, with a somber expression, interjected, her voice trembling slightly. "She could be right. Those things, after they bite a normal person, decay their flesh at a rapid rate."

Shizuka-sensei furrowed her brow in concern, her eyes darting around the room. "It could be hopeless. Just how long..."

Kyoko-sensei approached me with a grave expression, pulling me aside from the group. "Hey Will, I know I am about to ask you something dangerous. Can you bring me one of them outside and bring it in the lab room? I want the body to have minimal damage as much as possible," she explained in a hushed tone.

I nodded, understanding the seriousness of her request. "Sure, sensei, but what are you gonna do with it?" I asked, mentally preparing myself to venture back into the danger zone.

"I might need to dissect them to learn something from them at least," she replied, her voice tinged with a mix of determination and apprehension.

With a deep breath, I steeled myself and headed outside, scanning the surroundings for any lurking undead. Spotting one of the corpses that had sustained minimal damage, I carefully dragged it back into the lab room.

Dragging the corpse into another room, I found Kyoko-sensei already waiting, clad in gloves and a mask, her expression tense with anticipation.

As I carefully laid the corpse onto a nearby table, Kyoko-sensei's hands shook visibly, betraying her inner turmoil at the sight. I could sense the gravity of the situation weighing heavily upon her, the realization of what she was about to undertake sinking in.

Her eyes flickered with a mix of horror and determination as she surveyed the lifeless form before her. It was evident that this was not an easy task for her, but her commitment to unraveling the mysteries of the undead remained unwavering.

Concern etched into my features, I approached her cautiously, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Sensei, are you alright?" I inquired softly, my voice laced with genuine worry.

Before she could respond, a sudden wave of nausea swept over her, causing her to stagger back, her complexion paling beneath the mask. With a choked gasp, she stumbled to the corner of the room, doubling over as she retched uncontrollably.

Helpless to do anything but watch, I stood by her side, offering silent support as she weathered the storm of sickness. After what felt like an eternity, she finally managed to regain her composure, albeit with a pallor that spoke of her lingering discomfort.

With a gentle smile, I reached out to her once more, offering a steadying hand. "Take your time, sensei," I said softly, hoping to provide some solace amidst the chaos of the moment.

As Kyoko-sensei meticulously dissected the zombie, her expression remained grim and focused. With each incision, she revealed the gruesome truth hidden beneath the undead exterior.

As she probed deeper into the creature's anatomy, her voice was tinged with a mixture of dread and determination. "The tissue is necrotic," she muttered, her tone devoid of fascination. "There's no sign of cellular activity. It's as if the body is devoid of life, yet somehow animated."

Her hands moved with practiced precision, revealing organs that appeared decayed beyond recognition. "The internal organs show signs of advanced decay," she continued, her voice steady despite the macabre scene unfolding before her. "It's as if the normal processes of decomposition have been accelerated."

With each revelation, a sense of unease settled over the room, the stark reality of their situation becoming ever more apparent. Kyoko-sensei's findings painted a bleak picture, one that offered little hope for understanding or salvation.

Yet, despite the horror of her discoveries, Kyoko-sensei remained steadfast in her determination to uncover the truth. With a heavy heart, she continued her examination, knowing that the answers she sought might only lead to further despair.

Their muscle density is significantly higher than that of a living human," Kyoko-sensei observed, her voice tinged with concern. "It's as if their bodies have undergone some sort of grotesque transformation, granting them inhuman strength and resilience."

As she studied the muscle tissue under the harsh glare of the overhead lights, Kyoko-sensei's brow furrowed in concentration. "It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, almost as if it's... altering their physiology from within."

The implications of her discovery weighed heavily on Kyoko-sensei's mind as she continued her examination. With each revelation, the mystery surrounding the undead grew deeper, their very existence defying all known laws of science and nature.

Despite the growing sense of unease in the room, Kyoko-sensei pressed on, determined to uncover the truth behind this terrifying phenomenon. Yet, with each passing moment, it became increasingly clear that some secrets were better left undisturbed.

A few minutes passed, exhaustion weighed heavily upon Kyoko-sensei as she sank down into the corner, her body trembling with fatigue. The intensity of her efforts had taken its toll, leaving her drained both physically and mentally.

I watched with concern as she rested her head in her hands, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The strain of dissecting the zombie, coupled with the weight of her discoveries, had clearly overwhelmed her.

"Sensei, are you alright?" I asked softly, stepping closer to offer her some support.

She looked up at me, her eyes weary and haunted by what she had seen. "I'm... I'm fine," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just... just give me a moment."

I nodded understandingly, giving her the space she needed to collect herself. It was evident that she had pushed herself to the limit in pursuit of knowledge, and now she needed time to rest and recuperate.

As Kyoko-sensei sat there, her shoulders trembling with silent sobs, my heart went out to her. The weight of the situation, the horror of what she had witnessed, all of it seemed to crash down upon her in that moment.

I knelt down beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. "It's okay, sensei," I whispered softly, my voice laced with empathy. "You've done more than enough."

Her sobs continued, unabated, as she buried her face in her hands, the weight of her emotions too heavy to bear. I could feel the pain radiating from her, a raw and visceral reminder of the human cost of our struggle against the undead.

In that moment, all I could do was offer her my presence, a silent companion in her time of need. Together, we would weather this storm, drawing strength from each other as we faced the trials ahead. And though the road ahead was fraught with uncertainty, I was determined to stand by her side, offering whatever solace and support I could in the face of such overwhelming despair.

After returning to the room, we gathered the group and conveyed what we had discovered during the dissection. The solemn expressions on our faces spoke volumes as we shared the unsettling truth about the creatures' lifeless eyes and unnaturally dense muscle tissue. Though no words were spoken, the gravity of our findings weighed heavily on everyone present, reinforcing the dire nature of our situation and the urgency of our efforts to survive.

A grim silence descended upon the group, broken only by the tremor in Sawa's voice. "So, what if they are evolving? What does that mean for us?"

Saeko, ever the pragmatist, forced a semblance of hope. "It means we have to be smarter, faster, and more adaptable than they are. We need a plan, a destination, and the will to see this through."

Takashi, his bravado momentarily shaken, chimed in, "But what about our families? We can't just leave them behind."

Saeko's gaze softened slightly. "We can't abandon hope of finding them, Takashi. But we also need to be realistic. Helping others is important, but we can only do so if we ourselves survive."

A heavy sigh escaped from my lips. "She's right. We need a safe haven, a place to regroup, to strategize. A place where we can help others if we're able."

With unanimous agreement, the group prepared to move forward. Rei sought clarity, her voice laced with concern. "What's the best way out?"

Saya wasted no time in answering, her determination shining through. "The front door is closest to the parking lot."

Takashi's enthusiasm couldn't be contained. "Let's go!" he shouted, his energy infectious.

I intervened, pulling back the overly excited Takashi, my expression serious yet compassionate. "Just to confirm, you don't need to rush in fighting unless it is absolutely necessary. Refrain from fighting, save your strength, and try to look out for your surroundings."

"They only respond to sound. I tested it earlier with the otaku," Saya added, offering a crucial piece of information.

"Additionally, they're powerful enough to break down a normal door. So once they get a hold of you, you're gonna get eaten. Be careful," Saeko warned, her tone serious and foreboding.

With a collective nod, we resolved to remain vigilant, knowing that our survival depended on our ability to adapt to this ever-changing threat.