DIERY Of The Dead: War against the Zombies (A Zombie Apocalyptic Novella)

Chapter 2 : The Martyr Ceremony

At V.I.G.I.L Academy (Valdian Institute For Ground and Infantry Learning) we didn't wear mourning clothes. We believe a soldier who died in battle for his country is martyred and is therefore not mourned but celebrated. Celebrated as a brave comrade.

Thus we dressed ourselves in Vigil's official Violet uniforms and held a parade. Glen's family and friends had flown in from their district via Vigil's airships. Most of us came from different districts to study at VIGIL.

It was either here or Medical school and I did not like the idea of opening up corpses. I am sure my stomach doesn't either. But who knew I would be doing just that a few days later? Life has a twisted sense of humour, I must say. As if life wasn't twisted enough.

The black horse that had been carrying the coffin would be joined in by another white horse.

Black and white like Yin and Yang signifying the balance between life and death. Glen's family were seated inside the chariot with the open coffin. His body was draped with the Valdian flag.

The chariot would then take round around the vast Vigil campus. Following close behind the chariot were Glen's Squadron mates dressed in their Squadron's– Siren– uniforms instead of the official purple uniforms. The girl whose face was streaming with tears a few hours ago was now leading the parade at the front, her expression stoic and calm yet sombre.

We were waiting at the centre of the Academy, watching the parade and preparing the stage for the Head of Vigil to address the family. I was in charge of collecting the flowers. It was funny really. We used Valerian flowers as a tribute to the martyred, to symbolize their strength even in death. I was always chosen for this task thanks to my name Valeria, derived from these very flowers. As such I had become an expert at finding the flowers. After a few minutes of searching and picking the flowers, I had collected enough Red and white Vallerians for the Ceremony.

"Oye! I think those are more than enough Val." Ian from the Hydra squadron called out to me, pointing at the flowers.

"Be grateful that these are not for you." I quipped, shooting a playful glance at Ian. Ian ever the prankster laughed it off and placed a bunch of flowers in my hair.

"Oh my even the dead would rise to gaze upon such disasterous beauty" Ian says as he dodges my jabs.

Ian earned a whack from Cezar. "I think the disastrous beauty would be you." Cezar laughs as he messes up Ian's hair. Dami and I carefully pull out the Valerian's from my hair as we control our laughter.

"Don't mind him. You look cute." Cezar says as he straightens my disarrayed hair. Dami bursts out laughing while I hold my smile. "Thanks Cezar! You are not bad yourself! Might you tell us the secret to your untanned skin?" A cleverly fabricated joke. I really wanted some answers.

Cezar froze for a fraction of a second which might have gone unnoticed by others, but not for me. He was quick to regain his composure. "I just used the strongest sunscreen I could find." He chuckles. "Want the name?"

Ya sure. I doubt the strongest of sunscreens could beat the heat near the border areas. Especially with the war going on how did he have time to put sunscreen every day? Or maybe I was just overthinking, in which case I should definitely try out this sunscreen.

"Yes please!" I replied back winking.

"You really will be a lifesaver" Dami ever the diva, she could be the master of disguise with her makeup and fashion skills.

"You lot! Stop dawdling and help us here." Lydia calls out.

We quickly rushed to finish the rest of the arrangements before the Head Master joined us. The horse-driven chariot had returned after covering the grounds. Glen's mourning parents were quickly escorted to their seats in the open ground. His mother was a frail and petite woman, her tear-stained eyes were hidden by a handkerchief. His dad on the other hand was tall and held his ground as he held his sobbing wife by the shoulders.