~the undead Diaries~ (re-editing!!)

Fainting and Turning

Dear Diary

I don't know what to do, everyone is freaking out and it's all on my shoulders. They won't lay off. I get that I have the most experience, but I can't do everything. It's frustrating.

~Zilla out

Finn's POV

Just moments ago, everything felt relatively calm, but now Zilla suddenly passed out in my arms. Panic surged through me as I struggled to comprehend the situation. I quickly settled myself down on the floor, cradling her in my lap, and gently laid her head against my shoulder, hoping my presence would somehow comfort her. "Kai, you awake?" I called out, trying to coax him into helping with Zilla's sudden fainting spell. My voice was shaky, laced with concern.

When no response came, I glanced up to find Kai sitting upright in his bed, but it wasn't just the position that caught my attention. His breathing was erratic, with sharp inhales punctuated by gasps, and his eyes were wide with fear as if he were lost in a nightmare. "Kai?" I asked cautiously, my heart pounding in my chest. Worry gnawed at me—he looked like he was on the brink of a panic attack, and I had no idea why.

"KAI!" I yelled, urgency surging through my voice. My desperation grew; I needed his help, but the sight of him like this was only heightening my anxiety. It felt like the walls were closing in, and a wave of helplessness washed over me.

That must have been the wrong approach because as he finally stood up—his movements awkward and unsteady—he emitted a guttural groan that echoed in our small space.

Oh sh*t. A rush of dread filled me as I realized the gravity of the situation: two friends in distress, and I was stuck in the middle, unsure of how to pull either of them back to safety.

Almost like a zombie, Kai seemed to have transformed before my eyes. As he turned towards me, an icy chill swept through me; his eyes, once a vibrant green, were now devoid of color, replaced by an eerie, unsettling white that sent shivers down my spine. "No, no, no," I whispered under my breath, a sense of panic rising within me. How could this be? He hadn't been bitten—Zilla had checked him thoroughly when we arrived here yesterday.

However, the chaos in my mind clouded my judgment and prevented me from noticing the change in Kai until it was too late. He was on the ground now, crawling slowly and unnaturally toward us, a haunting expression that felt all too familiar but wrong in every way. My heart raced as I realized that this was no longer the Kai I knew; he was lost to whatever horror had consumed him.

Zilla stood beside me, her eyes wide with fear, and I knew I had to protect her. I couldn't let this creature that had once been a friend reach us, no matter what it took. I steeled myself, taking a deep breath to calm my rising dread. Then, without thinking twice, I kicked out with all my strength, my foot connecting with Kai's face. A surge of guilt washed over me, but I pushed it aside; keeping Zilla safe was my top priority.

"Guys!!! Help us, please!!!" I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls of the abandoned building, desperation threading the words. The impending danger loomed over us, and I needed the others to respond quickly before it was too late.

Just moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed up the staircase, followed by frantic banging on the door. It seemed that my friends were much quicker than I had anticipated, but unfortunately, they were still a bit late. I suddenly remembered, in a wave of frustration, that we had locked the door earlier in our haste.

"Finn! We can't get in because the door is locked!" I called out, my voice tinged with urgency. The realization hit me hard: they were just outside, probably worried and confused, while I stood inside, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance at my forgetfulness. I glanced at the lock, wishing it would magically turn itself and let them in.