Prologue: The Beginning Part 1

A typical school day for Rena Watanabe is being picked on (if not being hit on) everyday by her fellow classmates at Fujima Academy. It was no different here in the city than it was in the village she spent most her life in.

Over the years she'd actually gotten so used to the crap that she didn't even care for the most part. Sometimes she'd simply ignore the issue and move on, while other days she would break down in frustration, taking it out on whomever made the mistake of crossing her.

Her eyes were a perfect violet coloring, complemented by her short, wavy, jet black hair. A body that was athletically tuned yet she never played any sports due to social awkwardness. To top it all off she wore glasses when she would decide to read, which was what she normally did whenever she had the chance to escape the dreary reality she branded as "high school life".

She had learned over the years that it was more effective to simply pent up her anger and hatred towards others rather than merely letting it out for every annoyance she came across (which turned out to be quite often).

The day started as normal as can be, sitting in her favorite desk, minding her own business. At least until some pest would come up to her and start making fun of Rena for her glasses or the book she was reading. Hell, sometimes it was just for the fact she was a complete a tomboy.

Being in High school is evidently going to be filled with various idiots and wannabe punks who didn't know the first thing about the world they lived in. It was common for their ignorance to make them think they ruled the world and yet, they're just another speck on the God forsaken planet. At least that's the way Rena saw it for the most part.

In the middle of Language Arts class, the teacher gave the student's time to work on whatever he'd consider school related. Rena predictably decided to read one of her books to pass the period until it was time for lunch.

With only ten minutes before the bell would ring, a make student approached her with a smug look to him. Rena raised an eyebrow to him only to have her book snatched from her hands without warning. A spike of anger went through her as she tried to maintain calm and professional about it.

"The hell you reading this time bookworm?" the boy questioned as he waved it back and forth, almost threatening to tear the pages from the spine.

"Just some basic literature, try not to strain yourself." Rena remarked as she crossed her arms in hopes that he'd soon become bored and move on.

As in any ordinary school, the teacher was conveniently not paying attention to what was going on in the class.

"You look ridiculous in those glasses. Has anyone ever told you that?" the boy then questioned as he then leaned against Rena's desk.

"Why? Fancy me without them do ya?" Rena replied sarcastically as she rolled her eyes in disgust at him.

"You wish, bitch. Figured you more for a lesbian anyways." the boy harshly replied only to feel the sting of Rena's hand slapping across his face before she snatched her book back, a fiery look in her eyes.

The boy returned with an intense glare as he narrowed his eyes. Both fists gripped tight as he pulled a hand back, ready to pummel Rena for her bold defiance.

"Why you no good... What the?" the enraged boy snarled before his arm began wind forward only to jolt back when someone pulled back on it.

"You really should watch that aggression." commented a soothing yet powerful female voice.

"Yeah? And whose gonna make... Oh it's you, Saeko... I-I'm sorry I'll just leave you two be." the bully stammered as he began to recoil in pure terror at the sight of her.

"I think you should take a seat before you know who has to get involved." the purple haired girl known as Saeko warned with a sly smirk forming across her face.

"Good idea, wouldn't want to get him involved..." the boy replied as he cautiously stepped back and took a seat.

Rena had a look of surprise as she then looked over to see the calm, proud girl standing before her, offering a torn out piece of the book. Students snickered in the background as the cowardly boy was emasculated before all of them.

"I'm sure he won't be a problem anytime soon. If so let me know..." Saeko explained before looking down at Rena, leaving her to give a name.

"Rena and you didn't have to do that for me... but thank you." Rena said as she then tried to fit the torn page back into its proper place.

It wasn't normal for Rena when anyone actually treated with respect and kindness, at least without wanting something in return at least.

"No. I didn't have to, but I certainly wanted to. He had it coming, had a friend of mine been here things would've gone much differently. Try to stay out of trouble, Rena." Saeko said with a sadistic twist in her words before heading for the door, grabbing a wooden practice sword leaning on the side of the wall besides the door.

Before the teacher could say a word, the bell rang, almost as if Saeko knew the exact moment it would upon her exit.

While all the students hustled and prepared to leave the class, Rena was already out the door long ready before everyone else as always. When she left the room she looked back and forth to see no signs of Saeko Busijima, vanishing mysteriously just as she appeared.

While the boys and girls of the school walked by with the latest gossip and news, Rena simply walked while she read, occasionally looking up to make sure she wasn't about to walk into something or someone.

"Damn... Wonder who that friend of hers is? And here I thought everyone here were a bunch of fu-" Rena thought to herself before looking out a window to see a group of students circled around something clearly of interest.

The curious loner observed as a single figure fought with five opposing figures, at least until a second figure jumped in at the end. Rena smirked and couldn't help but enjoy a good fight.

Suddenly, the bells rang before she knew it. Rena grumbled to herself as she then made her way towards class, knowing the halls would be filled up once more within a few seconds.

"Shame, right when things were just about to get interesting." Rena thought to herself as she took her seat in the next class over.

The lone girl set her personal reading aside and pulled out a large text booking chemistry. She knew better than to skip out on the lectures and read her personal literature instead. Soon enough more and more students poured in before the teacher himself decided to finally show up.

For the most part the lecture was dry and held little to no interest in Rena. All she wanted to do was read her stories and shut everyone out. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed something very peculiar.

Down by the iron gates that separated the facility from the outside world, a man in a black suit continuously bumped into the gates.

*clang* *clang* *clang*

Over and over as if he felt nothing by it and soon enough he was approached by four teachers to investigate the strange disturbance.

At first nobody moved from what Rena could tell, most likely they were given him the standard school policy and that he was trespassing. But eventually the strongest male of the four teachers walked up towards the mystery man and pulled him into the very gate itself with excessive force.

Rena found this most intriguing and continued to watch more attentively now. She narrowed her eyes when the heavily built teacher suddenly recoiled in what looked like pure, agonizing pain.

Her eyes slowly began to widen when she noticed a pool of fresh blood steadily forming beneath the now still figure. Before Rena could say another word she saw a shadow looming over her.

The weary girl looked up only to see her teacher standing before her with an annoyed look to his face.

"Miss Watanabe, please pay attention unless you wish to fail this semester." the teacher instructed as he crossed both arms, speaking in a disappointed tone.

"But look at what's happening outside!" Rena exclaimed as she knew whatever was happening outside couldn't possibly be good when blood was drawn.

"What can be so important that it's going to distract you from my-" the teacher began to question as he strolled over towards the window for a better view only to fall silent at the sight before him.

All that could be identified was to him though was the splotches and twin trails of blood that made their way towards the very front doors of the academy's entrance.

Rena knew something was going to happen and standing around to wait for it wasn't on her agenda. While the teacher stood there with his jaw dropped and the rest of the students crowding around the window to see what the commotion was about, Rena made the choice to slip out of class unnoticed (not that anyone would care had they known what was coming up next).

While Rena explored the empty hallways, the speaker above her made that dreaded crackle before the principal's voice came to life on it. However, it certainly wasn't to read off the daily announcements.

"This announcement is for all students. An emergency situation is taking place inside the school right now. All students must follow your teacher's instructions and evacuate. I repeat, an emergency situation is taking place inside the school right now-" the announcement continued over the intercom before it made a loud screech, almost as if interrupted by something.

Rena's heart began to pound as she stood still with the rest of the school, all paralyzed in fear and uncertainty.

"Get away from me! Get back... Argh! Help! HHEELLPP! Aaaaahhhh!" was all that could be heard before the intercom went silent again, only this time it stayed silent.

Moments later the entire halls erupted with mobs of students fleeing and panicking alike. Rena quickly opened up a broom closet and slammed the door to avoid being caught up in it. Fully aware she would've been tossed around like a rag doll had she been swept up in the chaos.

Rena could do nothing but wait out the stampeding students. Five minutes had soon passed, that's when everything became quiet again. With a slight hesitance, the lone girl moved towards the security looked door only to jump back when the door handle began to jiggle, someone desperately trying to break in.

"Hello?! Somebody in there? C'mon open up!" a male voice pleaded as he continued his feeble attempt to get inside.

However, before Rena could even think of letting him in another figure stood before the boy. She watched in terror as she could hear an agonizing scream of terror followed by a splash of blood coating the transparent window on the door.

Rena began to feel tremors running down her arms and legs, her spine feeling a cold chill running down it as she could only hear the sound of someone eating. But who could possibly eat at a time like this?

Soon Rena mustered up the courage to peek outside and see what attacked the now silent boy. Her small hands slowly turned the door handle around only to cringe when the door made a loud creaking noise.

Suddenly Rena jolted back and pulled the door with her out of reaction. It didn't take long before the figure that attacked the boy began to pound against the door until one of its hands reached through. A bloody, torn up, grey arm reached in desperately trying to grab at Rena.

"I'm warning you! Back off!" Rena warned as she began to look around for something to defend herself with, unwilling to go down without a fight.

Luckily there were plenty of various objects for Rena to use at her disposal. She grabbed the nearest thing she deemed sturdy, a monkey wrench, then proceeded to slam it down onto her attacker's arm.

*snap*

A horrid, bone crunching noise could be heard as the force from the blunt object was more than enough to snap a few fingers. Rena however, just stood there in shock when the desperate figure showed no signs of pain, and even less signs of giving up.

"What the fuck?" Rena questioned herself as she began to pummel at the hand and arm continuously.

Soon enough the arm was broken, the arm just dangling there as the figure continued to attempt to break into the closest despite the serious injury.

"Must be on drugs... Ugh, what is that smell?!" Rena thought to herself before recoiling at the rotten smell of what could only be summed up as dead flesh.

Soon enough the flimsy arm was pulled back and replaced by a ghoulish looking face, it's jaws snapped hungrily, the yellow teeth threatening to fall out as the stench was even worse than before. Its eyes rolled into its head and its skin pale grey.

Rena swung the wrench at it, feeling an impulse of adrenaline as the metal tool connected to the skull of her attacker. At first nothing happened so Rena tried even harder in desperation.

*thwack*

Suddenly the weak, mushy skull caved in, dark blood splattered along the walls and door as the grey figure slumped backwards. Rena remained where she stood, breathing heavily as she just took a moment to collect herself.

It wasn't the first time she had to kill in self-defense, but it certainly wasn't getting any easier for her, at least not until she'd realized what she was truly up against.

Rena slowly walked out the door to see the lifeless grey figure before her. The smell was putrid yet it was impossible for someone to smell like they've been dead for days when it had only been less than a minute ago.

"It's like a living nightmare, only I doubt I can just close my eyes and wake up in my bed." Rena muttered to herself as she tapped the rotten head with her foot.

Her gaze then shifted over to see the boy that tried to get inside the closest just moments ago. A large chunk of flesh could be seen missing from his neck, a pool of his blood painted the door and floor around him. It didn't take advanced medical knowledge to know the victim died from blood loss and a direct wound to the windpipe.

"Sorry bud, gotta look out for myself here." Rena said to the boy, somewhat regretting her actions yet knowing she was smart enough to know what it took to survive.

Suddenly, the fallen students' body began to twitch. Rena stepped back and watched as the student stood upright, its head slowly twisting around until she was looking into the soulless, pearl colored eyes. The teenager tightly gripped her wrench, fully aware that whatever this boy was now, it certainly was no human.

*thwak*

Rena swiped the metal tool across the student's jaw, a horrid crunching noise could be heard when she made impact. Several teeth and a dash of blood went across the room, the student showing no signs of pain nor yield anytime soon.

"These freaks just don't stop!" Rena thought to herself as she swung again, the wrench brushing off the shoulder.

The third time around Rena managed to strike between the eyes. The student fell over backwards but soon began to squirm, attempting to pull itself back up for more.

However, Rena slammed the wrench down a second time, a third time, even a fourth time. With every strike she got closer and closer to where she needed to strike: the brain. She took a few moments to observe the motionless figure, expecting it to get back up.

Luckily it stayed down this time, giving Rena a few moments to catch her breath. She loosened the grip on her only means of defense before she took the time to evaluate that this was an unprecedented infection that required her to avoid contact as much as possible.

"I should try to avoid the infected as much as I can. Can barely hold one of Them off on my own." Rena calculated as she spun around to see she was not alone after all.

The entire hallway was filled with Them, she was hopelessly outnumbered and was barely able to take on one. Rena just stood there as the sunlight beamed through the window, making it impossible for her to hide or even hope to remain undetected.

Her grip tightened once more, but to her continuance the infected shambled away from her when what sounded like a nail gun could be heard a level below. The lone survivor let out a sigh of relief, before she looked out a window to see the carnage outside.

Teacher and students alike were being torn to shreds whenever grabbed by the infected. Rena shuttered as she could do nothing but watch.

"Guess those things can't see a thing, must be sound if they'd leave for no reason. Better get out while there's still a chance." Rena thought to herself as she went down a flight of stairs, making sure to not run into any more infected.

Out in the distance she could see the parking lot full of cars for the taking. Unfortunately for her there were also at least thirty of Them wandering the perimeter.

Rena suddenly flinched as a fire alarm went off. She looked up towards the loud sirens as her attention then turned towards the infected corpses in the parking lot slowly making their way towards the source of the sound.

"At least somebody has a plan." Rena muttered under her breath as she watched three male students sprinting and vaulting over the walls as if they knew the infected would be distracted.

Without hesitation, Rena ran down the stairs only to stop dead in her tracks. The hallway before her a gory mess unlike anything she'd ever encountered before.

Blood was splattered across the tiled floors and lockers. Student entrails, limbs, and other remains decorated the gruesome scene while the reanimated corpses of those who weren't torn to shreds were all clawing and reaching towards the speaker that would buzz the fire alarm every three seconds.

Rena suddenly felt a burning sensation in her chest and throat, she covered her mouth just in time to avoid throwing up her previous meal as well as alert any infected that may overhear it.

She slowly walked down the hall, fingers tightly clenched around her lips to avoid any risk of giving into vomiting. Both heart and mind pounded heavily as the stench proved to be overwhelming for Rena.

*clang*

with little to know control left, she dropped her only means of defense. Rena didn't even bother turning back as she knew she'd already drawn too much attention. Luckily the alarms were more than enough to keep the infected occupied.

When Rena finally made it outside she fell to one knee, spewing out the burning puke from her mouth without any hesitation now. Her eyes twitched as images of the unnerving scene moments ago would flash in her mind.

The acidic smell kept her alert though as she then pulled herself back up, looking out towards the smashed up iron gates with large tire marks. If she was going to escape, now was the time to do it.