Knowing Me, Knowing You

CHAPTER 8

—CHAPTER EIGHT—

                         “All set?” Johan questioned after zipping his bag.

He's now standing near the window and a slightly opened the blinds then peek from the outside world. Surprisingly, it's still quiet.

“Are you really sure with this plan?” Johan voiced out his nagging thoughts again.

“Do we have another option aside from starving ourselves to death as we stay here doing nothing?” Akira spat with no venom.

Johan can't help it but snort in return.

“Sometimes it's really difficult to read your mood. You're a hot headed kind of a woman.” he added.

“Maybe I am. Did you see anything?” Akira lifted her left brown upon questioning.

To be honest, both of her hands are sweating so bad. She is the one who suggested the idea of going out tonight yet, she feels like backing out already.

Johan shook his head, “You what's weird? I haven't heard anything suspicious. I don't see any single human, not even a zombie walking around this area.

Akira went near to the window and opened half of the it, removing the blinds.

“Maybe..they're on a different street?”

It's eerily quiet outside. It doesn't help the fact that darkness is slowly swallowing the brightness of each corners.

“I told you this is a bad idea.” Johan absentmindedly blurted out his inner thoughts again.

She heave a deep sight, “I told you, we don't have a choice…”

“Well?” The man crooked his head to face the nervous Akira.

“We should go.” they both gulped.

Akira for her impulsively making a decision. AGAIN.

And Johan for silently admiring the girl's bravery.

***

When they first went out of the four corners of their room, they stood there in the middle of the hallway stupidly.

And when none of them started working, Johan took the initiative to lead the way. He carefully held Akira's left elbow because it seems like she is already rooted on her spot.

The hallways is dark but due to the moonlight from the several opened windows, they can still see clearly what they are walking through. And if something appears along the way, they will immediately notice it.

They walk briskly, and if ever Akira noticed Johansson's tightening hold on her left elbow, she didn't comment on it.

There's a dried liquid on the floor. Not far away from them is a few lifeless bodies lying on the floor.

Carefully, they silently walk past on a few bodies that's been lying on the floor tiles after making a turn to a separate hallway. Akira remembers herself running in the exact same spot the first day the virus succumb.

They walk and continue walking until they are currently facing the outside door, which is now left opened.

Skeptical, they both held firmly on the respective weapons that they are holding.

A baseball bat for Akira and a kitchen knife for Johansson.

The moment they took their first step outside, Akira intake a sharp breath of disgust. There's a pungent smile of blood and rotten flesh. A mixture of smoke and rotten flesh also reaches their nose.

Johan fight the urge to puke right there.

Akira pulled his sleeve and went to the left direction of that street.

“Are you familiar with this place?”

Akira shook her head, “How about you?” the idol also did the same movement. “This is my first time visiting this place.”

“I mean, I know this place but I'm not that familiar. Our school campus is only a few hours from here. Of course, it's only located in the same island. The wonderful island of Lastardes.” Akira explained.

“You haven't visited this place yet?” this is like, Johansson's 55th question for the day.

Sighing, Akira nodded her head and stare at their surroundings. The buildings are near to collapsing, even the arena where they came from is also not in a good state when they're able to view its whole architecture from the outside.

“Hold up,” Akira squinted her eyes and stare at the nearby establishments.

“What is it?” Johan followed her move curiously.

With eyes roaming in concentration, she look for a certain building, “I think… it's on the other block.” she said and went on the right street.

Wordlessly, Johan followed her while still being hyper aware to their surroundings, one soft sound will make them alter.

Akira read the front sign, “This is the nearby convenience store. I remember buying snacks for our team here before the official press conference starts. We should go.”

Akira carelessly went to the broken door and was about to open it when a filthy hand reached her from the inside of the broken glass door.

She jumped in surprised but the undead still manages to claw her causing her to scream so loudly.

Johan never moved so fast in his entire life, but at that moment, he did.

He used the kitchen knife to butcher the arms of the undead that is now clawing Akira's arm.
The grayish arm of the zombie dropped on the floor after doing so. The arms even moved for a few seconds before it lies there unmoving.

Johan firmly gripped on Akira's left arm and search for any bite or scratch marks, he sighed deeply when he found none.

He saw her quivering lips before saying, “I w-was fast to dodge his hold but it's still manage to grasp my long sleeve…” she whispered and stared at her torn sleeves.

“You’re lucky his nails didn't went near your skin..” Johan murmured breathlessly.

He first drag Akira on a safe distance near his view before watching the armless zombie banging his head from the broken glass door, its uneven face is filled with tiny pieces of glass and its left eye is already missing. Johan kicked the glass door and let the zombie run to his spot before attacking it with the katana that he hid from his back.

He made sure to hit its head before it rolled down to the other side of the street. They both watch its body fell in front of the convenience store.

—end of chapter eight—