Apocalypse After School

The room was tense, the air thick with unease as everyone processed the disturbing new information. The dim lighting cast long shadows on the walls, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere.

Even Haruka, who usually carried a carefree demeanor, sat stiffly in her chair, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the table. Her wide eyes darted nervously toward the crow perched on the windowsill.

Yuto broke the silence with a nervous chuckle, his voice shaky and uncertain. "Does this mean animals can infect us? What about insects? Mosquitoes could just infect us whenever they feel like it."

Isamu sighed, his movements deliberate as he lowered himself onto a nearby chair, his gaze fixed on the crow. "Let's not panic. We don't know how this virus works. Maybe this crow was exposed early, or perhaps it had high brain activity like humans. It could even be something in its genetics. There are too many unknowns, and speculation won't help us."

The crow cawed softly, its black feathers ruffling as it turned and took flight, the sound of its wings cutting through the heavy silence.

'I need to get their minds off this before they spiral further into despair,' Isamu thought. Takumi stood abruptly and walked outside to the hallway, toward the ladder in the corner. His footsteps echoed slightly, drawing everyone's attention. Without looking back, he casually addressed them. "Are you guys helping or what?"

The simplicity of his question pierced the tension like a pin to a balloon. One by one, the others rose from their seats, exchanging uncertain glances before following him.

'Nice one, Takumi,' Isamu thought, leaning against the wall with a faint smirk. 'Spoken like a true captain. That's something I could never pull off—a simple act, but not my style, no matter how hard I tried to sell it.'

They spent hours repairing the ladder, sweat glistening on their brows as they worked in unison. By the time Mr. Kazuki tested it, the steps were sturdy, no creaks or loose tape in sight. Relief washed over the group as cheers erupted, their voices echoing in the empty building.

For the first time in what felt like days, they smiled and laughed, the earlier tension momentarily forgotten.

They gathered around a makeshift table, cracking open cans of food for a late lunch. The soft glow of their battery-powered lanterns created a cozy atmosphere despite their dire circumstances.

'This is good,' Isamu thought, watching the others exchange lighthearted banter. 'They're holding onto hope, and that's exactly what survivors need. Hope keeps them moving forward. At least, statistically speaking, it's more likely to keep people alive.'

"So, where do we go from here?" Mr. Kazuki asked, his voice cutting through the chatter as he looked at Isamu expectantly.

Isamu took a sharp breath, his expression turning serious. "I was thinking we'd head to the cafeteria before sunset. It's going to be tough carrying the ladder silently, though, so I'll need volunteers. And someone to help bring back food from the cafeteria."

Riku cleared his throat, his tone determined. "I'll go. I want to leave this school—with Mr. Kazuki."

The room fell into a heavy silence. All eyes turned to Riku, who stared back with a mixture of defiance and desperation.

'Surprise, surprise. Someone wants to leave,' Isamu thought dryly.

Mr. Kazuki nodded slightly. "If anyone else wants to come with me, now's the time to speak up."

The others exchanged uneasy glances, shifting uncomfortably in their seats but remaining silent. Isamu frowned, genuinely surprised at their hesitation.

'So, everyone's pinning their hopes on the sign we painted on the roof? A miracle helicopter? They're either too scared to leave or too stubborn to admit it's worse out there. Not that I blame them—we don't know for sure.'

"I still need someone to come back with food from the cafeteria," Isamu said, breaking the silence.

Takumi sighed, raising a hand. "I'll go I guess."

Isamu nodded. "Alright. We leave in an hour and stay the night there. First thing in the morning, we'll set up the ladder and send you on your way," he said, looking at Mr. Kazuki.

Kazuki offered a warm smile. "Thank you, Isamu. You've been a great help."

Isamu rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding Kazuki's gaze. "Don't thank me yet. Let's get you across safely first."

The hour passed quickly. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long golden rays through the cracked windows, the group geared up. Each of them carried what they could—supplies, weapons, and the newly repaired ladder.

Sliding out the window with practiced caution, they descended to the first floor. The faint groans of the horde drifted up to meet them, a haunting reminder of the danger below.

Takumi gestured toward Isamu. "Your cue."

Isamu reached into his bag, retrieving a beaker from their stash in the science lab. 'This lab is really saving our asses,' he thought, tossing the beaker as far as he could. The resulting shatter redirected the undead's attention, the horde shambling toward the noise.

Moving carefully, they carried the ladder, their steps silent but deliberate. As they approached the cafeteria, a few stragglers turned to follow. Isamu jogged ahead, untying the towel securing the door.

"Open the f**king door," Riku hissed, his voice trembling with urgency.

"I'm trying," Isamu snapped, fumbling with the knot. Finally, the door gave way, and the group pushed inside, slamming it shut behind them. A metallic clang resonated as they shoved a lunch table against it for reinforcement, as the dead scratched at the door. 

Takumi dropped to the floor, his chest heaving. "That was too f**king close."

Isamu leaned against the wall, letting out a soft chuckle. "They're dead people trying to eat us. It's always going to be f**king close."

Takumi cracked a grin, laughing weakly. Mr. Kazuki and Riku carefully set the ladder down, both collapsing beside it in exhaustion.

'It's always close,' Isamu thought, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling. 'Each plan is a gamble, and they follow me so blindly. I guess they have no better ideas, or they're just desperate but still... I can't let it get to me. Focus on the task at hand—and figure out who opened that damn window in the storage room as a side quest.'