The Rise Of The Undead

Chapter 5 [Promise]

[Hana]

---

I wake to the crackling sounds of the radio, a jarring noise that breaks the eerie silence of our makeshift shelter. Blinking groggily, I look around, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. The room is dimly lit by the fading light filtering through the small window, casting shadows over the faces of my sleeping companions. Asher is nestled beside me, his warmth a comforting presence amidst the chaos. His breathing is steady, and I find solace in his calm.

The radio, abandoned and partially buried under some scattered supplies, begins to broadcast a new transmission. The voice of the reporter cuts through the static, and I sit up, my heart pounding with a mix of dread and curiosity. The words I hear next are chilling, each one like a cold hand gripping my chest.

The reporter announces that the source of the outbreak has been traced back to our very school-Normane Valley High. My breath catches in my throat as I listen, the gravity of the situation sinking in. The news is clear: the authorities believe that all of us-students, faculty, and staff-are most likely infected. They doubt anyone has survived. The sense of hopelessness is overwhelming.

I glance around the room at the others, still deep in their troubled sleep. Ruby, Gina, Angela, and Kai are huddled together in an uneasy slumber, their faces serene yet marred by the grime and blood of our ordeal. Olivia is leaning against the window, her silhouette framed by the fading light. They all look so vulnerable, so fragile. Asher's arm is draped protectively over me, and I can't help but feel a pang of sadness for the world we've lost and the future that seems to be slipping through our fingers.

The reporter continues, their voice grim but oddly detached. They mention that while the situation is dire, there would be further investigations to ensure no survivors are overlooked. The words barely register as I try to process the full impact of the announcement. The sense of abandonment is palpable-if the authorities are convinced we're all lost, who will come to our rescue? Will anyone even bother to look for us now?

The radio suddenly cuts off, leaving behind a suffocating silence. I am left with a profound sense of despair. Who could have done this? How could something so horrific originate from a place that was supposed to be safe, a place that was supposed to be a haven for learning and growth? The questions churn in my mind, unanswered and haunting.

Just then, Asher stirs beside me. He blinks awake, his eyes meeting mine with a look of concern. "What's wrong?" he asks, his voice groggy but filled with worry.

I swallow hard, my throat dry. "The radio... it's broadcasting the news," I say, my voice trembling. "They've traced the outbreak back to our school. They think we're all gone. They probably won't even come looking for us anymore."

Asher's face darkens as he processes the news. He pulls me closer, his arms tightening around me. "It's going to be okay," he says softly, though his voice lacks the usual confidence. "We're still here. We're still fighting. That's what matters."

I want to believe him, but the weight of the situation feels like a suffocating shroud. Asher's embrace is warm and comforting, a small beacon of hope in the midst of overwhelming darkness. "I just don't understand how this could happen," I admit, my voice breaking. "How could they just give up on us?"

Asher strokes my hair gently, trying to offer solace. "I don't know," he says quietly. "But we have to keep going. For ourselves, and for each other. We have to believe there's still hope."

---

As the others begin to stir, I quickly wipe away my tears, hoping they won't notice. But it's too late-everyone's eyes are on me, concern etched on their faces. Even Ivy, who usually wears an air of aloofness, looks worried. It's unsettling; they've never seen me like this, vulnerable and shaken. The atmosphere in the room is heavy, a palpable sense of dread hanging over us. The news we just heard has sucked the last remnants of hope from our hearts, leaving us adrift in a sea of uncertainty.