All Of Us Are Dead

Chapter 1: The Party Before the Storm

It was a sunny Tuesday morning, around 10 a.m. The temperature was already 26°C, a relentless reminder of the harsh Australian summer. The air was thick with heat, and the sun blazed down with an intensity that made the pavement shimmer. It was the kind of day that made me long for a dip in the pool and a chance to flaunt my swimwear, even if it was slightly too snug.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled into the kitchen, where Mom had left out cold waffles—my go-to breakfast for when mornings felt like an uphill battle. I could almost hear her sing-song voice reminding me to eat something nutritious, but today, cold waffles were my only solace.

Just as I was about to take a bite, Jake strolled in, half-dressed in boxers and a T-shirt that read "Gaming Legend in the Making." We exchanged a brief, awkward staring contest, with him raising an eyebrow at my dishevelled appearance. "Sis, it's not like I'm naked-naked. I'm wearing boxers," he laughed, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing.

I rolled my eyes and shot back, "Oh, please. If you were any more casual, you'd be in pyjamas. And don't think I didn't notice that you're wearing those ridiculous socks with sandals. What's the deal with that fashion statement?"

He grinned mischievously. "Hey, don't knock it until you've tried it. These socks are made for maximum comfort. And speaking of fashion, are you really going to wear that ancient concert tee to the party tonight?"

"Ancient? This shirt is classic," I retorted, holding it up with mock pride. "It's got more character than your entire wardrobe."

With a dramatic sigh, he headed for the fridge. "Fine, but just remember, if you're embarrassed later, I'm not taking the blame. Anyway, are you actually going to this party tonight?"

I nodded, grinning. "Yep, and I was thinking of taking you along. It should be fun, and it's a great chance for us to hang out together."

His eyes lit up with excitement. "Awesome! I've been dying for a party. Just, uh, promise me you'll help me sneak out. Mom's been extra vigilant lately. I'm thinking of using the old 'I'm going to study' excuse. Works every time."

I laughed. "Oh, the classic. Alright, I'm in. But you owe me one—no more embarrassing selfies of me in my sleep for a month."

"Deal!" he said with a grin. "And speaking of deals, I need to borrow your phone charger. Mine's been on the fritz."

Later, Quin, my best friend, texted, asking if I could help him pick out a gift for Reya Ellis. He planned to ask her out at the party and wanted something special. I agreed, and we met at the mall. Quin, with his impeccable taste (or so he thought), was determined to find the perfect gift. We wandered through countless stores, struggling to find something that didn't look like it came from a last-minute clearance rack. Finally, we stumbled upon a beautiful necklace with a gold chain and a pink diamond heart pendant. Quin was thrilled with the choice, declaring it was "romantic but not too sappy."

As we left the store, we overheard a conversation about a new virus making headlines. The news reported it had affected a few people overseas, with symptoms like fever and aggression. Jake joked, "Great, now we've got to worry about a zombie apocalypse on top of everything else." Quin, never missing a beat, chimed in, "I'll survive any apocalypse. My gaming skills will save me!" I chuckled and brushed it off as sensationalism. After all, it's not like a virus was going to ruin our plans for a fun night.

Back home, Quin stayed for dinner, which turned into a lively, slightly chaotic affair. Mom had prepared her signature roast chicken, and the kitchen was filled with the savoury aroma of herbs and spices. Dad, ever the amateur chef, was in charge of the sides—creamy mashed potatoes, buttery corn on the cob, and a fresh garden salad.