[Kao– 6:33 a.m.]
I wake to silence.
No birds.
No wind.
Just the low buzz of fear.
Win is already up, pacing.
"She's not here,"
he says.
Palm rubs his eyes.
"Who?"
"Lin."
The words slam into my chest.
Even though I knew it.
Even though I watched her walk away.
Hearing it out loud hurts more than the bite must have.
Best pulls open the supply crates.
Dean checks the water stash.
Emily lifts the blankets.
Jack mutters,
"Maybe she went to the bathroom?"
We all know that's not true.
[6:45 a.m.]
We search.
Not just the rooftop.
But the door, the stairwell, the floor below.
There's a trail.
Faint.
Drying blood. A smear of it on the railing.
"She left us,"
Jack says.
"No,"
I say quietly.
"She protected you guys."
FahFah's voice cracks.
"What do you mean?"
Everyone turns to me.
I exhale once.
Then walk to the edge of the rooftop and point.
Far down the alley below the school's back gate—
A lone figure.
Running.
Leading a horde behind her.
———————
[ Lin– 6:53 a.m.]
My legs don't work like they used to.
The infection is spreading.
But I smile.
Because I'm still faster than them.
I slam open trash bins, knock over fences, scream to lure more.
Zombies come like flies to flame.
"Followme, you sh*t heads."
I'm a light show. A flare.
A decoy.
By the time I reach the bus lot, I count 31 behind me.
My lungs burn.
My side throbs.
The sky above me is so stupidly blue.
I turn around.
Face them head on.
And smile.
—————
[Kao – Present – Rooftop]
"She knew she was turning,"
I say.
I still don't look at anyone.
"She left so we wouldn't have to watch."
Palm sits down slowly, like his knees gave out.
Win's fists are clenched.
Emily starts crying.
Dean walks over to me.
"Did you know?"
he asks.
I don't answer.
Because the truth is worse than yes or no.
"Atleast you guys kissed,"
FahFah says softly.
That breaks me a little.
Just a little.
Win stands.
"We should've— we could've—"
"There was nothing we could've done,"
I say.
Now I look at them.
My voice is cold.
"Because she chose it."
"She made me feel."
"That's why she had to die."
"I'm cursed."
Everyone stares.
Silence presses down again.
Even the wind holds its breath.
I step forward.
Let them see me clearly.
The unblinking stare.
The lack of tears.
The way my hands no longer tremble.
I speak softly, like I'm letting go of something I've held too long.
"I'm not like you."
"I'm a Naïve."
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