Katie: (speaking aloud, a bit provocatively)
"Come on, punching bag, show me what you've got!"
She threw punches with intensity, her movements precise but fueled by raw energy. The rhythm of her strikes quickened as her mind drifted back to recent events.
Katie: (pausing for a moment, hands on her hips)
"Honestly, those zombies better stay out of my way. With or without a system, I'll show them what I'm made of."
She resumed her training, driven by her natural determination.
---
Mary in her room
In her room, Mary—logical and thoughtful—was deep into studying the human body. Manuals lay open on her desk as she jotted down precise notes in a notebook.
Mary: (murmuring to herself)
"If those zombies can still move, their central nervous system must still be active… But what triggers that activity? A viral mutation, maybe?"
She closed one book and opened another, her mind racing for answers to the mysteries she'd recently uncovered.
Mary: (frowning)
"And that special zombie… Why was it different? Is it an evolutionary step of the virus or something else?"
Her determined expression made it clear how much she wanted to understand and analyze their situation to better prepare for what lay ahead.
---
William in his room
William, quiet and composed, had settled into a comfortable armchair in his room. Wearing headphones, he listened to classical music with his eyes closed.
William: (murmuring to himself with a calm smile)
"Ah, Bach… always perfect for clearing the mind."
The music transported him, helping to soothe his thoughts after the tension of the past few days. Occasionally, he tapped his foot to the rhythm or smiled at a familiar melody.
William: (opening his eyes, thoughtful)
"We'll really need to come up with a long-term strategy. The zombies probably won't be our only problem…"
But he chose to push those thoughts aside for now, focusing instead on the notes echoing through his headphones.
---
Hayden in his room with Blue
In his room, Hayden—laid-back and sarcastic—lay sprawled on his bed, hands behind his head.
Hayden: (with a sigh)
"Alright, Blue, what's left in the system options? No secrets between us, right?"
Blue: (replying in an amused tone)
"You're impatient today, Hayden. Alright, listen up—here's a preview of the remaining features: the Shop, Inventory, and Party Management."
Hayden sat up slightly, intrigued.
Hayden: (mocking)
"A shop? Great, can I buy a soda and some chips?"
Blue: (chuckling softly)
"Not quite. The shop lets you acquire specific items or skills in exchange for experience points—or another type of currency you'll learn about later."
Hayden: (hesitant)
"Okay… and the inventory?"
Blue: (explaining)
"A space where you can store everything you collect or purchase. No need to carry a backpack—it's all virtual and accessible anytime."
Hayden: (smirking)
"Handy. And party management?"
Blue: (more serious)
"It's a feature that will let you organize and coordinate your team. But be warned—it evolves based on your relationships with them and their level of commitment."
Hayden paused, thinking it over with a half-smile.
Hayden: (with sarcasm)
"Great. So I'm their manager now? They should be paying me for this."
Blue: (amused)
"You're doing it out of pure altruism, of course."
Hayden burst out laughing, enjoying the banter, though he knew deep down how serious it all was. Every feature could be crucial to their survival.
---
Gabriella Sanchez, always calculating and methodical, was monitoring the control center screens at Life Corp. The lost signal from the specimen near the karaoke bar continued to trouble her. Her daughter Amber, along with her friends, were in that same building—and Gabriella wasn't one to leave anything to chance, especially when it came to protecting her child.
She pressed a communication button.
Gabriella: (calm but authoritative)
"Alpha Team, I want a full inspection of the karaoke bar vicinity. Detailed report on anything you find. A secondary unit will be deployed to extract my daughter and her friends from the rear. Remember: absolute discretion."
A series of confirmations crackled through her headset. Gabriella allowed herself a brief sigh. She opened her personal terminal and began drafting a message to the high school principal.
---
Message to the Principal
From: Gabriella Sanchez – Director of Operations, Life Corp
Subject: Extraction of my daughter and her friends
> Dear Principal,
I would like to inform you that my daughter, Amber Sanchez, and her friends—Loïs, Véra, Liam, Harry, and Gary—will be transferred to a secure area under Life Corp supervision. This measure is being taken to ensure their safety in light of current circumstances.
I kindly ask that you refrain from disclosing this operation to other students or parents to avoid unnecessary panic.
Sincerely,
Gabriella Sanchez
Exterior Inspection of the Karaoke Bar
The team deployed on the ground cautiously approached the exterior of the karaoke bar. The area bore the marks of a recent fight.
Unit Leader: (speaking into his mic, observing the surroundings)
"We've got blood on the ground, several zombie corpses scattered around. Some of the cuts are clean—almost surgical. Others look like they were taken down with precise, efficient technique."
One of the soldiers crouched to inspect one of the bodies.
Soldier: (surprised)
"Sir, take a look at this. These wounds… this isn't the work of an amateur. Whoever did this knows how to handle a blade."
The leader nodded, puzzled.
Unit Leader: (into the mic again)
"No sign of the special specimen. No tracks, no distinctive evidence. Continue the inspection—see if we can find any clues. But stay sharp."
They had no idea that Hayden, armed with his katana, was the one behind the chaotic scene.
---
Convoy Behind the Karaoke Bar
Meanwhile, at the rear of the karaoke bar, a discreet armored vehicle waited to pick up Amber and her friends. Inside, Amber Sanchez sat upright, phone in hand, texting her mother.
Amber: (calmly, to her friends)
"My mom says everything is under control. They're taking us somewhere safe, far from all this. No questions—we do what she says."
Loïs, a girl with a suspicious attitude, raised an eyebrow.
Loïs: (sarcastic)
"No questions, huh? Like we don't even have the right to know where we're going..."
Amber shot her a cold look.
Amber: (icy tone)
"My mom knows what she's doing. She's always known what's best for me—and for us. So, Loïs, keep your comments to yourself."
Gary, sitting in a corner, crossed his arms.
Gary: (trying to lighten the mood)
"Chill, girls. We're friends—no need to tear each other apart."
Véra, usually more reserved, spoke up timidly.
Véra: (hesitant)
"I agree with Amber. If Life Corp is offering us shelter, it means they have a plan. I'd rather trust the professionals."
Liam, the most pragmatic of the group, nodded.
Liam: (supporting Amber)
"Look, we don't really have another option. We could stay here and wait for what? More zombies? I vote we go."
Harry, for his part, simply shrugged, going along with the majority without much concern.
Harry: (laid-back)
"Do what you want. I'm going wherever the risk is lowest."
Amber sent one final reassuring message to her mother as the convoy rolled out, carrying them off toward an unknown destination.