PROLOGUE

Chapter One: Connor D.

I think it's been about a week since the initiation. The days have merged into the nights and vice versa. I haven't been entirely sure, so I sit here thinking about it often. We've taken shelter in a concealed underground carpark and we've locked ourselves in. This hideout was Owen's idea. It's proven to be quite sturdy and well-protected, but the problem is that it's right in the center of town, where the canisters were first dropped. To think that this was all due to an insane man. A man who became so obsessed with a fandom that it drove him to recreate the terror in real life. Now the infection is everywhere. At first, it came in from the canisters and dropped down into the air vents of several buildings. We were all in the music room at the time. That room is air locked shut and no vents reach it due to noise pollution. We had to watch through the music room window as green mist protruded from canisters outside and engulfed other students.

Students we knew. Students we hated, students we liked. Fiona Coyne being one of the first. I remember looking up once the fog had cleared to see her staring at us. At first we thought she was just angry because we didn't let her into the canister-free music room even if she had been banging against the glass and begging. I still can't believe we froze and didn't let her in. We were selfish and paranoid. We were idiots. Absolute idiots for leaving her there. Not a day goes by where I don't kick myself for it. Imogen felt guiltiest. She was the only one who unlocked the music room door and rushed outside to apologize to her. A fatal, and drastically unfortunate mistake. The second Fiona attacked her we locked the door again, afraid. Nobody went out to save miss Imogen Moreno. It was too late, anyhow. No one else knew what was going on except for me. We watched as the students attacked Imogen and knew that we had to escape. Tori slowed us down because she said Zig was in there with them. Zig Novak, the guitarist and vocalist of WhisperHug. He was in there with Fiona and we couldn't save him. I think Tori still blames herself.

We ran to the storage room and climbed through the window out into the open. Exposure was necessary. And despite how most of us could never get along, we managed to stick together that day. So, being left without any other options, we ran through the streets in a group. This may have made us an easier target but the havoc elsewhere distracted the infected away from us. All I can remember is the sound of screaming and explosives going off. Cars crashed into the sides of shops and people were running in different directions, making it hard for us to stay in one group. That's when Owen saw the storage house and said something about him visiting it one time with Tristan.

It would be important for me to note that Adam's parents are dead. Or, rather, undead. Just as we were close to the storage building Adam spotted his car and starting running to it, probably in hope to save them. But the windows were cracked and covered in blood. Both Audra and Omar Torres were infected by the time Adam reached the pavement. Drew was standing nearby as well. We tried to lure him into our group but he ended up sprinting in the opposite direction after Jake. Therefore separating the Torres family. For good, maybe. Eli hauled Adam back into the storage building before his parents could chase after us. He hasn't spoken since then. He's traumatized, I think. He screams incompetently in his sleep now, and he cries alone when he's awake. Other than that he never says a word. Even Clare can't comfort him. But as for the rest of our families, well, we have no idea where they are or what state they're in. All lines are down and we can't go searching. Yet.

We're all stuck here in this mess together, locked away underground, hoping that the infected don't sniff us out. We're running low on supplies, too. We don't know where anyone else is and we haven't gone outside since we arrived. We need food, water, proper shelter and weaponry. One wrong move and we're all dead. All of us. Our group. Consisting of Dallas, Clare, Eli, Adam, Maya, Tori, Tristan, Owen, Cam and the Baker siblings. And of course, me. The hockey players are with us because they broke into the music room before the initation. They were there to tease Cam and Tristan for being there, and ended up getting locked in by the time the canisters dropped. Becky was there to complain about the musical again, and she's no use for anything, ever. In fact, I think the Bakers are worse than the entire hockey team. They're always praying and going on about Jesus and whatnot. They're still bitter about the musical and they definitely do not like Tristan or Adam. Or anyone else, really.

I don't know how we're going to get out of this nightmare. Especially with Becky screaming and fainting every time she hears a loud noise. And Adam, being traumatized by the infection of his parents and not knowing where Drew is. And Tori, endlessly depressed and blaming herself for losing Zig. We're all trapped several feet underground, while the undead roam above us.

But we have a plan. Eli's sketched up a map of town and we plan to leave for the police station for weapons.

Tonight.