Classroom of the elite, but there's an apocalypse.

The Collapse (4)

POV - Ayanokoji | 6 AM

The hum of the Honda's engine filled the otherwise silent streets, a jarring contrast to the eerie quiet that had become the norm. The elder Horikita was driving, his focus unwavering as he navigated the debris-strewn roads. In the passenger seat, Ryūen fiddled with the radio, occasionally glancing at the buildings we passed with a mix of curiosity and disdain. I sat in the back, Kitsu dozing beside me, my thoughts a whirlwind of calculations and contingencies.

The radio crackled to life, repeating the government's message in the same female voice from before. It was an unsettling reminder of the fragile state of things. The Advanced Nurturing High School, once a symbol of elite education, was now being touted as a refuge, a beacon of hope in a world consumed by an unknown enemy.

Horikita glanced at the radio. "Things can change so quickly," he commented, his voice neutral.

I replied, "Yes. It seems the government has finally acknowledged the severity of the situation...or perhaps they're just trying to maintain control."

Ryūen scoffed. "Control? Those bastards are clueless. They're just herding sheep to the slaughter. What makes them think that school is any safer than anywhere else?"

"It's an island," I pointed out, "Easily defensible, with pre-existing infrastructure and supplies. A logical choice for a temporary shelter."

"Temporary?" Ryūen said sarcastically. "This isn't temporary. This is the new normal. And that school, with its precious S-system and its pampered students, is going to be a prime target. Mark my words."

I didn't reply. Ryūen's cynicism, while often exaggerated, wasn't entirely unfounded. The school, with its concentration of resources and its isolated location, could become a battleground. A magnet for both the infected and the desperate.

We continued driving. The cityscape was a grim tapestry of abandoned vehicles and boarded-up buildings. True to his word, Horikita detoured to a few shops, allowing Ryūen and me to gather additional supplies. A sporting goods store yielded a crossbow and bolts, along with a sturdy backpack for me to carry it in. A bookstore provided maps of the surrounding prefectures, a welcome addition to our growing collection. At an electronics store, Ryūen managed to find a solar charger and a portable UV lamp. Finally, we gathered more non-perishable food items.

As we loaded the supplies into the car, I noticed something unsettling. A group of figures were watching us from across the street. They were too far away to make out their features clearly, but there was a predatory air surrounding them.

Horikita didn't seem surprised. "Looters," he said simply, "They're everywhere now. We need to be careful."

The encounter served as a stark reminder. The infected weren't our only enemy. Human desperation was just as dangerous, perhaps even more so.

Our next stop was the location Horikita had originally intended to visit. It was a typical high-rise apartment complex.

After leaving Kitsu in the car, we entered via the main door, which was constructed of glass and had already been broken. Horikita led the way as we climbed the stairs and arrived in front of his old room.

With an audible inhale, he unlocked and opened the door.

We entered the apartment and his face visibly hardened. I spent some time looking around.

The apartment was very well organized; however, dust had built up on the countertops. It was apparent nobody had been here for a few days.

"So, you finally going to tell us why we're here?" Ryūen prodded.