Author's Note: Sorry to all my readers. Lately I haven't been getting any time to write due to the simultaneous exams and projects so this one's a short chapter. Well as non of you guys know due to me never writing an author's note, I do this for fun and to improve my writing so reviews about my writing and writing style will be highly appreciated.

I don't own HOTD or prototype.

While Alex is counting sheeps on a pool of blood (while healing of course)

Saeko POV

We drove for an hour or so and made our way towards the river. By then the rain had died down. No one said a word, probably due to fear. The zombie apocalypse was bad enough and now we had encountered something out of a bad dream, something gruesome enough to have even me shake in fear. It was only moments after we reached the river that I noticed that I've been griping my wooden sword with all my might. It took some time for me to compose myself but it couldn't be said the same for the others. Though the night was still young and the beach had a low number of them we didn't take a chance and drove right through the river towards a small land in the path of the river hoping to leave the monstrosity behind. Takashi mentioned that he used to play there when he was young.

After making sure that the island was clear and changing into something appropriate we made a small camp fire. I expected this, as sleep flew out the window the moment we saw that thing. Around the fire everyone sat and thought about the recent events. Finally Takashi spoke up. "I couldn't save Alex", he said punching the ground to let out his pent up frustration. Everyone turned their head down a little excluding me and Takagi. "Calm down Takashi. We don't know if he's dead" Takagi shot out with an annoyed expression. It was true, we didn't see Alex get bit of anything. "For now let's all assume he made it out alive, he definitely looked like someone who can handle himself", I said but I seriously had doubts. "I for one am glad that he's not around anymore. He really gave me the creeps. Kinda like Shido", Kouta said while hugging onto his rifle. To my surprise everyone batted their eyes at his comment. Even Takashi stayed silent. Did they really think so low of him? I did see malice in those eyes of his but it wasn't something to abandon him for.

Nobody mentioned anything about the hooded monster. It seemed as though everyone was trying to get its image out of their heads let alone talk about it. they had to talk about sooner or later so I guess everyone mentally agreed on later rather than sooner.

"I'm gonna check the area once again", I said and made my way towards the beach. I needed to cool off and be alone. The ever shining light of the moon reminded me of the time Alex and I was alone in that small dark room. Our meeting was short but I knew he was hiding something. He tried to fool me with his façade but I saw right threw it. After all it was the same façade I wore every day. I chuckled at my own fate. "He was probably the only one who could have understood me", I thought.

I felt sad for the first time that day. Even after I had made short work of many of the infected kendo club members who knew and respected me since middle school, the only bit of sadness I felt was directed to a person I hardly knew. Takashi was just frustrated in his helplessness and everybody seemed to be feeling fear let alone sadness. I knew there were others who felt the same way as Kouta but apparently smart enough to keep their mouth shut in the matter.

I noticed that my hands were shaking. Yes, I felt fear but what I feared wasn't the monster we saw. I feared rejection. Fear of being rejected like Alex. I was terrified of what my friends would think of me when they find the real me. The me that beat a man inches away from death not for self defence but for pleasure. The me that has been secretly enjoying this apocalypse. The façade I wore perfectly for all these times had been skewed by everything that had happened and I knew it wouldn't last long.

"Would they accept me?" I thought as I looked up at the moon

"Or would I suffer a similar fate as yours Alex?"

P.S. the water problem that Alex had in the previous chapter is to limit him. He is really overpowered so I just thought up a way to stop that. It will be explained soon enough in the next chapter and I'll add bio bomb since everyone wants that.