OUTBREAK

Chapter 1: Finn

High school. Sucks ass, doesn't it? As an eighteen year old, I have quite the cold persona. But get to know me and not all that bad. Trust issues, you know. Walking through the slate gray schools doors, I'm annoyed at all the looks. The stares. The glares. I swear, this school is my enemy and I've no idea what I've done to them. I'm not exactly what you'd call "popular." I'm not a nobody. I'm not invisible, much to my dismay. I'm an outcast, that's for sure. An emo, gothic outcast. I'm definitely not the first choice for anything. I'm not a loser, people acknowledge me and my presence. Again, much to my dismay. Girls try to talk to me, I want nothing to do with them. Well, I want nothing to do with anyone. People are annoying. I hate people, that's primarily why I keep to myself. I'm bisexual so I have to deal with male attention too. And they're even more annoying. Anyone wanna switch lives? I'm getting closer, I wanna take a bath with my fucking toaster. Literally the definition of my shitty ass life. Now you may say "Finn, you're life ain't all that bad." Wrong. My mom's a druggie, my dad is an abusive alcoholic. My sister ignores my existence. My aunt and uncle have disowned me since I came out. Well in reality, my whole family did. I've learned the only one you can truly trust is me, myself and I. Is it lonely, sad and pathetic? Of course. Do I care? Sometimes. One truly is the loneliest number.
"Hey Finn!" I hear my arch nemesis shout.
I turned around and was faced with a new annoyance. And his name was Valon.

Valon. Valon is a jock, sports type that's on the popular side of the spectrum. He's also a gang leader, whereas I'm a dealer. I know, my mom's a druggie and her son deals drugs. I don't sell them to her but I know who does. Someone in Valon's gang. No one will sell to her in mine because she's my mom. Valon is literally the embodiment of "my shit don't stink." I dryly looked at him.

"What do you want?" I asked.
"Oh I can't approach you?" He asked.
"No." I deadpanned.
"Listen street rat, my gang's higher up on the food chain than yours. I'd really not pick a fight with me." Valon threatened.
"Oh no." I sarcastically said.
"What'd you say?" Valon coldly asked.
"I said oh no." I repeated in a sarcastic, mocking tone.
"You're a little punk, you know that?" Valon asked.
"Oh please Captain fucking obvious, tell me something I don't already fucking know." I said.
Valon stepped closer to me, getting in my face. I continued to dryly look at him. Most people would fear him and run away with their tail between their legs. Not me. This cactus doesn't scare me.

"Knock off your attitude, prick. Or I'll beat it out of you." Valon threatened again.
"Oh how I quiver with fear." I said.
I knew I was pushing him. But there's nothing he can't do that my wretched poor excuse of a father doesn't already do. Or has already done.
"You should be used to it, street rat." Valon said.
I shrugged. He's called me "Street Rat" for as long as I can remember.
"Well this talk has been lovely. But I'm done wasting my time with you. Go fuck some poor soul and leave me alone." I bite back at him.
He stood there shocked. So I took my chance and walked away.

Valon was the most infuriating male on the planet. Sometimes I wish he could fucking disappear. But alas, I've been wishing that for years and it has yet to unfortunately happen. Walking into my AP chem class, room B-104, it was eerily silent. Because of the lovely Valon, I was late. Now every high schooler knows when someone's late, the whole class usually turns to look at them. But this, interestingly, didn't happen. The whole class was just staring at the white board, almost in a zombified state. Like they were spacing out. Looking at Mr. Luney he was too, zoning out at his computer screen. It wasn't even on, there was no light reflecting onto his face. Looking around, the room was eerie. It felt off. Like a feeling in the pit of my stomach was secretly telling me to get out. Ignoring it, I sat down in my assigned seats. Yes, they still assign seats in high school.

Twenty minutes into the class and Mr. Luney hadn't even started teaching. None of my classmates had moved. It was like they were frozen. Blank stares on their faces. Turning to my left I saw Jerry, he was usually my lab partner. I poked him, he didn't respond.
"Jerry?" I asked.
I was quiet, Mr. Luney hated talking during his lessons. Unfortunately I got no response from Jerry. I poked him with my sharpened pencil tip this time, again nothing.
"This is odd. Something's wrong." I thought.
My cell phone beeped. I looked at Mr. Luney, he hated cell phones too. But he didn't even notice it, the sound, my talking, or even me. Looking at the screen, I saw a text from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: Is your class spaced out?
Finn: Yes. Who is this?
Unknown Number: The only person in this school who isn't zoning.
Finn: I'll repeat myself... Who the fuck is this?
Unknown Number: Who do you think... Street Rat.

Of course. The only text I get and it's from Valon. I saved his name in my contacts.

Finn: How'd you get my number?
Valon: That's not important right now. Can you sneak out?
Finn: Well considering Mr. Luney is so far out of it, I don't think it'll be an issue.
Valon: I'll meet you by the bathrooms, first floor by the door.
Finn: Don't boss me around. I'm not in your gang.
Valon: Watch your tone with me, Street Rat.
Finn: Kiss my ass and die bitch.
Valon: Hahaha, very funny. I'll see you soon.
Finn: Fine.

The lights in my classroom started flickering. Did the school forget to pay the electricity bill this month? Or am I losing my mind now? Jerry turned to look at me. His eyes were blank and they were slits. Like cat eyes. Greenish gold with black slits.
"Uh, Jerry? What's up with your eyes, bro?" I asked him.
He growled at me. Suddenly the whole class turned to look at me. Their eyes all the same. Mr. Luney looked at me too, licked his lips and stood up, making his way towards me. He was walking like he was a lion stalking his prey. I stood up, backed away creating distance between us. The class followed suit, limping towards me. Jerry was closest to me and went to grab my left arm. I booked it as fast as I could out of that room and fled down the stairs. Panicking just a little I looked around, finally spotting Valon right where he said he'd be. I relaxed at the sight of him, which was odd, and briskly walked up to him.

"There you are." Valon commented, looking down at me.
He was 6'3 and I was a measly 5'7.
"Valon, something's wrong. Like, really wrong." I said.
"And what's that?" Valon asked.
"I think this school has turned into zombies." I said.
Valon chuckled.
"Zombies? Are you high right now?" Valon asked.
"No. Contrary to popular belief, I don't do drugs. I just sell them." I said.
A low grumble sounded behind us. Valon looked up and I turned around. Jerry was walking towards us.
"What in the world?" Valon asked.
"I told you. He's looking at us like we're dinner." I said.
Suddenly, Jerry started sprinting at us. Valon grabbed my left wrist and bolted out of the school. Practically dragging me. He stopped suddenly and when I glanced at why, I really wish I hadn't.

Twenty feet in front is us, stood our former school mates. I was right.

They were zombies. And it looks like Valon and I are the only humans left.

God help us...