The Rise Of The Dead

Finn Donald

Finn Donald, a 25-year-old tall and muscular man with a well-groomed beard and long hair tied in a bun, finds himself lost in thought about his girlfriend Carla's habitual tardiness, which has been going on for several weeks now. Finn is an ex-military soldier who was dismissed from service for reasons he didn't want to talk about and is currently unemployed, He lives with Carla.

Carla works at a large multinational company Called Lyra located in Wihan, a bustling city with endless possibilities. Finn finds himself growing increasingly frustrated with her constant tardiness. Was it the traffic? Was it her colleagues? Finn couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on that Carla wasn't telling him.

Then the door opened and Carla came from the office.

"It's 10:30 at night. What the hell, Carla?" he says with frustration. "Where have you been?" He sounds both annoyed and worried as he talks to Carla.

Carla looks defiant as she answers, her voice getting louder with each word. "Working FINN. Some of us actually work, you know," she says sharply. "And I don't want to lose my job, unlike some people."

Finn's jaw tightens as Carla's words hit him like a slap in the face. "It's always the same excuse," he sighs. "This isn't the first time you've been late, Carla. You've been slipping in later and later for weeks now. I'm starting to wonder who else pulls these late nights."

The room crackles with tension as Carla's anger flares. "If you put half as much effort into finding a job as you do into criticizing me, maybe I wouldn't have to work these ridiculous hours," she snaps back, her tone laced with bitterness.

"Wait a minute," Carla interrupts, her voice trembling with anger. "I've never pried into your past, Finn. I've never questioned why they discharged you from the military. And I don't want you doubting me or spying on me."

Finn's face flushes with embarrassment as Carla's accusation stings. "I've never doubted you, Carla," he insists, his voice heavy with regret. "If I had doubted you, I would have asked you about that promotion to head of HR. It's not easy climbing the corporate ladder in a multinational company. But I trusted you."

Carla's hand flies across Finn's cheek in a swift, sharp slap, the sound echoing in the silent room. "You think I'd cheat on you for a promotion?" she cries, her voice breaking with hurt. "Do you really think that little of me? I worked my ass off for that promotion, Finn. Every late night, every project—it was all for us."

Finn's heart sinks as Carla's words sink in. Guilt washes over him, leaving him speechless and lost in a whirlwind of memories and regrets. His chest tightens as he struggles to breathe, his mind racing with thoughts of how he could have doubted the woman he loves.

Finn was devastated he couldn't even talk he was suffering from guilt, and he didn't know why he had spoken like that. All his memories are flashing before his eyes. He couldn't even breathe Then suddenly Carla leaned in and kissed Finn tenderly. Everything else fades away as they embrace each other tightly, seeking comfort and closeness. Their kiss is filled with love and passion, making Finn forget all his worries. When they finally part, Finn feels a sense of peace and connection with Carla like never before. He gazes into Carla's eyes, seeing nothing but love and understanding reflected back at him. In that instant, he knows that no matter what challenges lie ahead, they will face them together, united in their love for each other.

In the morning, when Finn wakes to find himself alone in bed. Panic grips him as he searches frantically for Carla, but she's nowhere to be found. Beside the bed, he finds a letter addressed to him from Carla.

Dear Finny,

Today is the 26th of April. Eight years ago on this very day, I proposed to you. These 8 years have been the best of my entire life. We have been there for each other through many ups and downs. Do you remember that time when I put on that crazy act to stop you from joining the military? I think I should have tried harder to dissuade you from joining.

But the wait to meet you is so good; it made my worries go away. But that day when you came and said they dismissed me, it was the happiest for me because I would have you with me forever. I have never asked you about the past because I knew you would do the right thing; you are always the righteous man. I trusted you. But you have changed a lot. I don't know what is wrong with you; you stopped believing in me, you stopped trusting me.

A relationship is based not only on love but also trust, but you broke it.

I need some time from you. So I am going to Ryian to live with my mom.

With love,

Carla

After reading the letter Finn was devastated, his eyes were filled with tears.

As he closed his eyes he fell into the memories shared with Carla.

A few hours later, he was awake, his mind was heavy with grief. He shuffled to the fridge, grasping for a beer to dull the pain. As he cracked open the bottle, he turned on the news, only to be met with a shocking report.

"Riyan, the heart of our great nation Erithra,  is in chaos," the reporter's voice trembled through the screen. "An unknown virus is causing humans to act erratically, biting each other, and even the dead are rising. Authorities have issued an emergency warning, urging citizens to stay indoors and lock their doors while they work to contain the infected. However, attempts to leave the country have led to major traffic congestion."

Finn's heart raced with panic as he tried repeatedly to call Carla, but each attempt went unanswered, diverting to voicemail. He decided to search for her himself. Packing hastily, he loaded his Hummer H1 and set off towards Erithra, determined to find Carla amidst the chaos.

2027 January

Finn and the mysterious girl he saved from the zombies were traveling in his Hummer H1 SUV to a safe house.

"Are you alright?" Finn inquired.

The mysterious girl nodded.

"Are you hungry?" Finn asked as he handed her some beef jerky.

She took it in silence.

"What is your name?" Finn asked her.

"Rose," replied the mysterious girl.

"Good, you can talk," Finn said sarcastically.

Rose managed a slight smile. "Huh," she chuckled softly.

"Mine's Finn, and this is Falcon" he introduced himself and his Hummer H1 to Rose.

"Which faction are you from?" Finn asked.

"None," she said.

Finn looked at her, confused.

Rose stood at the window, her eyes fixated on the crumbling structures before her. The once proud buildings now lay in ruins, with cracked walls and missing bricks. The grass had grown unchecked, taking over the empty lots and spilling out into the streets. Abandoned cars dotted the landscape, rusting away in the sun.

""It's bad, isn't it? But we have to maintain control and have to fight every day to live in this wretched world, otherwise, we'll end up like that," Finn remarked, gesturing towards the zombies that were a few meters away.

The zombies turned towards them with menacing groans, their decaying hands reaching out as they began to advance towards Finn and Rose.

Finn grinned and said, "Buckle Up," stepping on the accelerator and fixing his gaze on the approaching zombies as if they were prey he had to hunt down.