Chapter 1

"Beginnings"

Tanya slowly opened her eyes and looked around. There were people shuffling around her and making strange, inhuman noises. She then went rigid with fear as she remembered what happened.

Two Hours Earlier:

Tanya was standing in the subway train, looking at her phone. I wonder how the folks at home are doing. I bet they are having dinner right about now. I wonder if they miss me. Her thoughts were interrupted as there was a loud screech and she was flung forwards from a sudden halt in momentum. A boy around the age of sixteen caught her, but they both hit the floor of the subway car anyways.

"Ow. What was that?" The boy said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Hell if I know. I hope everything's okay." Tanya responded as she looked around.

A number of people were looking around and whispering to each other. Some were picking themselves up off the floor.

"Mind getting off me? You're kinda heavy." The boy asked, blushing a bit.

"I am not!" Tanya responded, taken aback. She then got up and dusted herself off. "Geez. What's next? You going to ask my age and social?"

"Sorry." The boy got up. "I'm Jason."

"Tanya." She looked at him and noticed that Jason wore a business suit and carried a briefcase. He's dressed older than he looks. I wonder what he does.

"By the way, what is someone your age doing on the subway?"

"Eh?! What's that supposed to mean?! For your information, I'm seventeen."

"Bullshit. There's no way you're older than me."

"How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"What's a sixteen-year-old doing wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase?"

"Nosy much?"

"What? I was just asking."

"Right. Shouldn't your first concern be what is going on with the train, not some stranger?"

Tanya remained quiet, not having a response.

"I'm going to see what's going on." Jason headed into the next subway car.

Tanya sighed and checked her watch. Oh man. This is gonna suck. I'm gonna be late again. Only, it won't be my fault this time. Bah! Who am I kidding? I would have been late regardless. She looked around at the worried looks of the people around her. I really hope things aren't too serious. She then caught something out the corner of her eye over by the window. As she peered out, a look a pure shock etched itself on her face. People were sprinting passed the train, but it was off. They weren't running like normal people. They looked like animals going berserk. A hand smashed through the window and grabbed Tanya, causing her to scream. Several passengers ran over and pulled her away. The hand flailed around in the window as there was yelling and snarling from the assailant. What's going on?!

Jason slammed open the door on the subway car. "There's an attack on the train!"

People tried to remain composed, but some began to panic. One man ran to the closest door and tried to pry it open. "I'm getting the Hell out of here!"

Jason grabbed the man and pulled him away. "Not that way, fool! That's where the attackers are!"

The man broke free and ran to the next car heading towards the back of the train. Some followed him. Tanya went to follow, but Jason pulled her back. "Come with me. I have a better plan." Tanya hesitated, but nodded. Jason took Tanya's hand and lead her to the front of the train.

Tanya looked around. "Where are we going?"

Jason pointed to a hatch leading to the roof of the subway train. "Up there." He climbed up the ladder and pushed the hatch up as it opened with a clang. He helped Tanya up onto the train car. He then pointed to an stairwell that seemed clear. "That's where we want to go."

Tanya nodded. "Right. Let's go."

"Hold up." Jason pointed to the base of the train.

Tanya looked over the edge and saw dozens of people shouting and clawing at the edge of the train, trying to climb up. "Gah! Wha-What do we do?!"

"Simple."

"Huh?" Tanya turned around and looked at Jason, just before he shoved her off the train. She landed in the group of people, who all started attacking her. She screamed in pain as nails dragged on her skin and a cluster and legs and fists barraged her. She saw Jason running up the stairs, grinning. She soon lost consciousness.

Present Time:

Tanya glanced around in fear as her body trembled. The people shuffling around her were so close, they might step on her. However, they didn't seem to be attacking her anymore. She slowly got up and looked around. Those around her didn't seem to pay her any mind. Are these really the same people that attacked me? She looked at her hands and her eyes grew wide in horror. Her fingers were grown into twelve-inch claws. What... What happened?! N-No! She quickly ran up the stair that Jason had ran up and screamed as the light hit her eyes. She stumbled backwards and crashed down the stairs. "Ngh..." Tears ran down her face as she began to cry.