Keep Awake

Act 1

"Partners"

All I have to do is stay alive. Don't close my eyes or they'll get me. Lose my guard and I'll surely die. Once you're bitten, you'll become a zombie. All I have to do, is keep awake.

[08:16 Downtown Toronto ; Dead Zone]

The partners stood on the front step of Sasori's apartment, groaning in frustration. Littering the streets were about fifty to sixty of them. Some gathered in small groups, others drifting off on their own.

"Shit… un." Deidara balled his fist, looking back to Sasori. "It's too bad you don't have a silencer for your rifle, yeah; and a hammer leaves you too open." He and Sasori scanned the buildings; seeing which ones would be best to get to.

"If we're quiet, we could sneak around them without them hearing us. Then we can start raiding places, looking for a better weapon, and extras to have on hand." Sasori lightly went down the stairs away from his apartment, vaulting himself over the railing and landing quietly on the grass.

"Are you crazy, un?" Deidara chased after, whispering just loudly enough for his partner to hear. "They'll see us!" They checked every where as they moved, hiding behind a row of composters.

Sasori sighed, "You obviously haven't noticed then?" the blonde gave him a inquiring look, shaking his head to tell him to go on. "Look," Sasori pointed at a nearby zombie. "They're eyes… they're completely white. They're practically blind, and all their nerves are dead, they can only react to noise and bright light shining in their eyes, since it burns. They try to get rid of it, because it hurts them." Sasori seated himself on the grass, trying not to inhale the scent of rotting food and scraps from the composters.

"Are you sure, yeah?" Deidara seated himself down, keeping his hand close to his weapon; checking around. A bad habit for him, the same as a chain smoker or alcoholic; it needs to be done in order to feel secure.

"Yes, I'm sure. I've tested my theory before, now let's go." Sasori hoisted himself up, walking to the infested street; the blonde following warily behind. "Just stay… quiet… and you'll… be fine…" they both stepped lightly, walking around the dead.

"S-Sasori… un…" Deidara froze, gulping hard as one of them walked dangerously close to him. Too close for his usual comfort. He closed his eyes, trying not to gag from the stench reeking from the corpse's rotting flesh as it limped by.

"Just don't… move… Deidara.." Sasori slowly turned back, trying to keep the blonde calm as it moved past him. He saw the blonde peek by opening his single visible eye, becoming alarmed when the teen began to silently panic.

"What?" Sasori whispered calmly. One thing he'd taught himself, you always stay calm in these situations. Loose your cool and you could end up dead.

"B-behind you… Sasori…" Deidara looked around carefully noticing that it was safe for him to move now that the zombie had moved off further. Sasori on the other hand was in a bad position. He looked out of the corner of his eye, noticing one of them was going to run into him at any moment.

He slid his foot, cautiously stepping out of the way; the cadaver stopping in front of the red head, turning its head to face him. Drool, blood and bile poured out of its rotting mouth, giving a guttural groan at Sasori; his face being splattered with some of the saliva mixture.

Deidara resisted the urge to gag, holding his stomach as he looked at his friend covered in its contents. "Sasori, I thought you said they couldn't see!" the blonde whispered, not moving a muscle.

Said red head moved his eyes to look at the blonde, "They can't brat… it must have heard me move…" he brought his attention back to the zombie that was still staring at him, placing his hand onto the strap going across his chest that connected to his rifle. "D-Deidara, just check to see if others are coming…" he whispered, staying focused on the carcass.

Deidara did as told; doing a quick shoulder check. "There's none coming, un.." he took a step forward towards Sasori, seeing if he could somehow help.

"Don't… move… brat." Sasori hissed, staring at the ugly thing in front of him. A block down the street, a flock of birds took off, causing disturbance in the silence, drawing the attention of them towards it. Sasori sighed in relief, tip toeing over to the blonde. The two broke out in a fit of quiet relieved laughter, watching as some of them moved towards the birds.

"Okay, let's go, un." Deidara turned around running faintly to another complex; Sasori behind him.

[09:04 AM Complex ; Dead Zone]

"Did you find anything Sasori?" Deidara rummaged through closets and cupboards, looking for any sort of weapons or food; ANYTHING.

"Not yet…" the red head replied from another room, the sound of things being moved around and searched through quietly echoing through the building. Deidara backed out of the closet he was in, going to find Sasori.

"I'm going down to the garage built onto the side of this apartment, un." Sasori nodded, continuing his search.

The artist went down the stairs, opening the door to the garage carefully. He didn't see or hear anything zombie like; so he felt around the wall finding a light switch.

'Please work, un..' he flicked the switch up, the lights blinking and coming to life. Deidara thanked the gods, going into the garage.

Since the outbreak started four days previous, there were waves of blackouts. The last he heard from the news stations was the second day of the end of the world; two days before. Water hadn't been working the whole time, so both he and Sasori were sweaty and dirty. Fires had raged through the province continual ash falling from the sky like grey snow.

Both had now seen their fair share of people being eaten alive; bitten and turning. Both had had to sacrifice their sanity. Both had killed… to survive. Of course, Sasori was the first person he'd ran into in a while that hadn't been bitten or turning. So that he was thankful for.

Deidara smirked, looking at all the new weapons he could bring with him. A nail gun with a pressurised air tank, wrenches, screw drivers, knives, circular saw blades of all sorts, an axe and his personal favorite… a chainsaw. He began gathering the smaller items, and stashing them in his bag.

"AHHH SOMEBODY HELP ME, AHHHH!" Deidara looked up quickly as the shrill scream pierced the air. He jogged over to the window in the garage door; looking out. He frowned, watching a helpless woman struggle against three of them, which was quickly becoming a small horde.

"NO! STOP!" she continued to cry out, her arm sticking up; grasping at the air as she was eaten alive. Sure the blonde felt bad for her, but there was nothing he could do. Once she was bitten she was done for; so there was no point in trying to help her. He walked back to his bag, grabbing some extra nails for the nail gun before picking up the chainsaw and axe and heading back up to the complex Sasori was in.

"Hey, Sasori… I found some weapons, yeah." the red head looked up, spotting an axe and chainsaw in the blonde's grip; he smirked standing up and taking the axe. He spun it in his grip a couple times, grinning. "I take it you like it?" Deidara smiled at the red head coyly, watching him like he was a kid in a candy store.

"Oh yes, I do Deidara. By the way, I found some Aspirin and Tylenol in the bathroom, and in the cupboards a bit of food that hadn't spoiled." He chucked the food to Deidara, placing the two pill bottles in his bag.

"Good, un. I also have circular saw blades, screwdrivers, knives, a couple wrenches… and.." he beamed, pulling the nail gun out and showing it to Sasori.

"What were these people? Carpenters?" Sasori nodded, thinking it well enough for this loot. "We need to continue looking, maybe we'll find some more people." they grabbed their things and headed back out.

[14:05 PM Dead Zone]

"Oh… my god…un…"

"Well… here's our people…"

Deidara and Sasori stared around them. There were a lot more people that were still living then they'd expected; but unfortunately for them, most had become horde bait for others to escape. Small fires still burned, and the damage to the whole section of the city they were at was… extensive. They panned the city, the blonde flinching as he saw one of them ripping a man's throat out, blood squirting and dripping everywhere. He felt pressure on his shoulder, turning to look at Sasori's hand which had squeezed his shoulder for reassurance as the red head continued to stare ahead.

"Shall we avoid this brat?" the blonde nodded, looking at the new zombies standing up. He sighed, scratching his head.

"If we're going to use that chainsaw, we need to go to a gas station, un. It didn't have very much gas left in it and hopefully the pumps still work." He groaned, putting his hand above his eyes to shield them from the sun. He scanned the horizon, looking for a gas station. He looked up and down the multiple rows of deserted buildings, one in particular catching his eye.

"But first…hm," Deidara smirked, "We have a little stop to make, yeah." The blonde took off, quietly running down the steep street. The red head was curious as he too began to jog down the hill.

'Stop where?'

"Brat wait up!" The red head panted as he caught up to the blonde. They were hiding in the shadows, Deidara still smirking broadly. "What's so funny?" the doctor huffed, glaring at Deidara, who continued to smile.

"Nothing, un~" Deidara checked around, shuffling through the streets and between them. Sasori followed suit, having his axe ready. He kicked his heel, loosing his footing and tripped into one of them; sending them both to the ground.

"Shit…" Sasori stared into the eyes, knowing it couldn't see him. Sasori forced the axe handle down onto the carcass's throat as it tried to bite him. Others began to shuffle over at the commotion.

"You coming Saso-" Deidara checked back to see where the blonde was, catching a glimpse of a horde quickly surrounding him. "Damn it, un!" Deidara ran over towards Sasori to aid him, grabbing the pull cord to the chainsaw; starting the machine.

"DEIDARA! THAT WAS THE MOST IDIOTIC THING YOU COULD HAVE DONE!" Sasori yelled to the blonde when he started the chainsaw, straddling the zombie he swung the axe blade swiftly into its face, blood smearing across his body.

"YEAH BUT IT'S TOTALLY WORTH IT, UN!" The blonde laughed, bringing the motorized blade across three of their chests; painting himself in blood and guts. He panted, looking around to see that more of them were coming. He looked again in another direction, seeing that Sasori was fighting off two more zombies.

"COME ON SASORI, UN!" Deidara waited long enough to watch Sasori finish off the last one; decapitating it. He rose an eyebrow when the red head came over; who was smiling.

"What?" he smirked, looking behind him made his expression drop. "Deidara…" said male also turned around, frowning. A large host of them were headed their way; fast. Their deep groans and moans filling the streets as the group ran towards the two. "RUN!" the pair took off after Sasori's command, sprinting down the street.

Buildings whizzed by; the blonde taking a second glance at the place he'd wanted to stop, quickly stopping himself to duck to the side of the building, pulling his partner with him.

"Why are we here Deidara? This is a Honda dealership, these cars and bikes don't have any gas in them!" Sasori continued to let the blonde pull him until they came out back of the building; Deidara grinning.

"The ones on display don't my man, but the ones for test drives always have gas in them, yeah." Deidara quickly searched around, spotting a bike which to his delight had keys in the ignition. "Oh thank god," he ran over to the bike, finding two helmets sitting beside it. He slipped one on after pulling his hair out, holding the other out to Sasori.

"You know, this seems too much like a movie," Sasori chuckled, grabbing the helmet; putting it on and seating himself behind Deidara, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.

"Ready, un?" Deidara looked back, the tinted visor blocking his eyes. He started the engine, revving it a few times; taking off quickly towards another gas station in another part of the city.

[16:22 PM, Local Toronto gas station ; Dead Zone ; Sundown]

Sasori sighed, pacing around the gas station parking lot while Deidara filled up the bike and chainsaw with fuel. The low murmur of gas flowing through the tube and soft hiss as it filled the tanks, resonant as the sun began to set.

"You know Sasori, I've always wanted a Honda Fireblade1, un." Deidara smiled to himself, which was unseen to the red head. He looked around quickly hoping they hadn't found the pair. Both were panting heavily. Scared; it's something you had to be out here. Even if you don't admit it, fear sinks down to the core and rots the flesh. They didn't want to be alone, they wanted others to be safe as well. Deep down, not even the meanest person… wants to die alone.

"Hm.. Of course brat. Now are you almost finished?" Sasori walked up to Deidara, placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Why do you always call me 'brat' un? I have a name." Deidara hissed, finishing up at the pump and replacing the nozzle.

"I know, and I use it when necessary." Sasori smirked, letting go of his shoulder. "I'm going to go see if there's anything we can use in the store." he waved his hand back at Deidara, walking up to the doors. They were automatic, and at this time they should work. He stood in front of them; the two glass doors not budging. He resorted to pushing on them; to his disappointment they wouldn't budge.

"Here, un." Deidara held out his crowbar to the doctor, receiving a glare.

"We can't use that, the sound will draw them in, idiot."

"I'm sure we can…" Deidara swung the crowbar at the door, the glass shattering "…manage, un!" He poked at more of the glass, making a hole big enough for the shorter man to get through.

"Huh, no alarm…" Sasori crouched in, looking around the store. He spotted some things that were essential; a flashlight, batteries, food and most likely, cash in the register.

He wandered down each aisle, only picking up things he needed. His brown eyes glinted mischievously when they spotted something that interested him. Down at the end of the aisle, were a few smooth wooden baseball bats. He strode down to the end, picking up one of the bats and swinging it through the air a couple times.

"Mm.. Sassy likes, un?" the red head jumped, spinning round slightly red, then began to glare at the blonde.

"Yes, I do like; and did you just flirt with.. No at me?" Sasori's eyebrow raised, watching the blonde circle him.

"I may have, un." the red head smirked. "And I may not have, un. Depends on how you take it." his face fell into a frown, after he realised he'd been set up for that. Deidara smirked back as he watched his elder's reactions.

"You set me up, brat." Sasori pouted, smacking the blonde over the head.

"No, you set yourself up, yeah. You did just answer a question for me though. You are gay, no?" Deidara rubbed his head, still looking at the red head playfully.

"Not entirely, now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get us some cash from that register." Sasori walked towards the front of the store, Deidara chasing after.

"I thought you didn't want to make a noise, hm?" Deidara watched as the shorter man climbed the counter, holding the bat above his head.

"Well, I guess I'll have to won't I brat?" Sasori grinned, bringing the bat down hard onto the register, denting it so the cash tray popped out with a small 'ding', to which they both laughed at. "Hold out your bag, brat." Sasori grabbed some of the cash, stuffing it into Deidara's already full bag.

"Sasori, we need to hurry, I think I see them coming, un. It's night time, and they're coming un. This isn't safe! " Deidara said, panic rising within him, but no doubt, a mass was moving their way. Deidara tugged on what material he could of Sasori's skinnies, drawing the doctor's attention to the outside.

"Fine," he grabbed the rest of the cash and stuffed it into his bag; hopping off the counter. They left the store, Deidara picking up his helmet and slipping it on, Sasori mimicking these actions. They hopped on the bike quickly the horde starting to surround the station.

Sasori picked up the chainsaw in his free hand, waiting for Deidara to start the bike; sweat dampening his skin. He quickly tapped on Deidara's arm, watching as the horde began to crowd around them.

"Deidara… we need to go… like NOW."

"I'm trying Sasori, un! The bike won't start!" the blonde turned the key in the ignition a few more times.

"What do you mean it won't start! This is a brand new bike!" Sasori growled, having his bat ready.

"I don't know why it won't start, hm!" Deidara hissed back, continuing to turn the key. Sasori dismounted the bike, walking up to a zombie; landing a swift blow to its face, trying to stall time as Deidara tried to bring the engine to life. "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! Un!" Deidara cursed, repeating his actions again; distracting him from the impending danger behind him.

"Deidara! Watch it!" the bloodied red head ran over, trying to get to it before it got to Deidara; the blonde turning around, and freezing as the zombie stopped in its tracks… its damaged and rotting corpse falling limp onto the bike; the echoing of a gun shot piercing the air.

"Haha bitches! That's what I'm talking about! Head shot mother fuckers!" A sliver haired man approached the scene from the darkness, a gun in each hand, and a metal rod hanging from a chain clipped to his pants glinting in the light emitted from the pumps.