Chapter 10

Separation and isolation

"Where are we going?" called out Hiromi.

"Where can we go" groaned Shoko.

"Could you make any more noise?" asked Emi in an annoyed tone.

"Well I'm sorry, but we are in a bit of a difficult situation" replied Hiromi, equally annoyed.

"Wait, lets calm down huh?" said Shoko, "We don't need to get angry at each other."

Chika, who had been leading the group, mostly in silence, turned. She held a small, almost toy-like gun in her hand. She stopped and looked at the others. She hadn't asked to be made the leader. But she was the person with the best weapon. She didn't want the others to start fighting- not so early. They still had paranoia to come as they entered the final stages.

"We have to be quieter then this. We don't know who is out there- and what they might do. Lets just try to be a bit quieter huh?" She spoke kindly, trying not to be aggravating or accusing.

"But what are we doing?" asked Hiromi.

Chika pulled out a small map. She held it out for the others to see. She pointed at one of the squares, close to where they currently found themselves.

"Look- this is the highest point on the island. And there seems to be some form of collapsed building that could offer shelter." She held up the gun. "This is quite small- but I've got a lot of bullets" she said, shaking her bag.

"So what, we just sit up there and wait for someone to ambush us?" asked Hiromi.

"No- we stay there and defend ourselves."

"Sounds a bit simplistic" said Shoko.

"Sometimes the simplest plans are the best" replied Emi; "Less chance of something going wrong."

"So that's your great plan?" asked Hiromi, "We follow you across this island just to sit and wait?!"

"If you've got a better idea, I'd like to hear it!"

"Keep moving? Keep near places where we can hide if someone comes near?" replied Hiromi.

"That doesn't sound much better" replied Emi.

"Oh really? At least our plan doesn't revolve around one site which could turn into a danger zone at any time!"

"Well just leave then! Last time I checked, I didn't want to be burdened with babysitting you anyway!" said Emi.

"Fine." Hiromi turned and began to walk away. Shoko glanced from the rapidly walking and sulking girl to Emi and Chika, the latter looking shocked. She watched as Hiromi continued marching away.

"Hiro! Don't leave."

No reply. Didn't even turn around.

"Come on, lets go" said Emi. Hiromi would probably come back soon enough. She hoped.

"No! I can't just let her go off on her own."

She quickly hugged Chika and then Emi. "I'll try to find you soon! Stay safe!" she said as she ran after Hiromi. The two stood, shocked at what had just happened. Emi stood in silence. This was her fault.

Emi wiped away tears. "They could have been a bit quieter" she said, unable to put her emotions into words.

---

The night sky was very dark. But the moon was surprisingly bright thought Yu as he slowly smoked a cigarette. He could just about see the smoke, watching it as it slowly rose in the cold air. The cigarette was soon finished and dropped to the floor, Yu stamping it out.

So here he was again, all on his own. He had been the loner of the class for a very long time- a title he'd given himself. He didn't have any close friends- instead he floated from one group to another, occasionally being part of numerous groups. But he hadn't had a true friend in years.

Not that he held that against the class. He wasn't some bitter person annoyed at the class- he knew it was his own fault- he'd never really tried. Never even attempted to connect greatly with the class. Both his parents had been dead for almost three years by now. She had been gone…gone for a year. He been living at his grandfathers, but insisted on living independent, so he would be ready for the world. Not that it would do much use now.

He lit up another cigarette, and turned to face the blinking camera. He waved at it and stuck up a middle finger. He leaned back and took another puff.

His closest companion now was his three year old black Labrador named Chiggy, or more commonly known as 'smelly'. He grinned as he thought about the amber eyed dog, his tongue hanging out daftly as he practically grinned as Yu returned from school. His constant need for snacks and belly rubs. The ability of both sneezing and passing wind that the dog possessed. Currently Takamasa's dog crazy father was looking after him, his grandfather having never been too keen about the dog. Ah his grandfather. Even with half-blindness and a bit too much weight he was always up for defending himself.

Yu stood up. And why shouldn't he help the others? Was he not merely sitting here, waiting for death? If he was going to die…surely he should do it his way. Help the others. Who knows. He might even find a friend or two by the end of this. And at least they'd be able to say he was a good guy.

His attention turned to the camera. The blinking light was now flashing wildly. He flicked the unfinished cigarette at the lens, before quickly stubbing that out too. As he stood back up he watched as the light suddenly turned off. He stood waiting. The faint whirring noise had stopped.

"Well, what's happening here?" he asked.

---

"What the fuck is going on?" asked Arai, marching around the room.

"Its some sort of power surge sir! Some of the systems are down. I don't know what caused it!"

"What's wrong?"

"The electrics sir!"

"There's nothing wrong with the collars are there?" asked Arai. They could cope with the cameras being down. They could cope with the loss of danger zones. But lose the collars, and they begin to lose control.

The man began rapidly typing on the keyboard. Arai stood tensely as the technician quickly checked a variety of screens. He then turned around.

"No sir. The collars are operational, and the danger zone function is still working. We are still receiving all information from the collars."

"Then is anything wrong?"

"Wait a second…yes sir. The cameras. The surge took out the camera control system."

"Then fix it!"

"It wasn't well thought out sir. It was quickly set up for the American market with infrastructure put in place only a few days ago. They had to set it up in a suitable location- which is out in the island."

"So?"

"Unless you are willing to find someone crazy enough to go out into an island with thirty pissed off and armed teenagers, while also knowing how to fix the system, we won't have any cameras."

Arai was quiet. He stood with his arms crossed and slowly licked his lips. "Ah fuck it. Looks like the Americans will have to do without their television show. Carry on activities. Danger zone activation occurs in a few hours time."

"Sir, you better come look at this."

Arai walked over to the console. The technician pointed.

"I don't believe it. Wait until he arrives. Then make the sea a permanent danger zone."

"Yes sir."