Takashi sprinted down the corridor, panting heavily, breath coming in tired rasps.

Bloody hell, we had only reached safety a few hours ago, and now this? It's like the whole world is conspiring against us.

The building shook, a secondary shock wave smashing through the big windows on the near side of the school block, showering Takashi with glass. Turning to one of the now empty frames he looked out, seeing one of the Black Hawks lying in a tangled heap of wreckage in the middle of the dead zone.

"Fuck." he spat, turning away, continuing to run for the exit. He reached the stairwell down, and vaulted it, landing heavily. As he did so his foot slid in something and he tumbled painfully, fetching up against a...

"Holy shit!" he recoiled, staring into the dead face of a JDF trooper. Blood was pooled under the body, and it now covered his shirt. Scampering backwards he scrabbled for his weapon but it was no use.

Shit, I left my shotgun with Saeko, not that I had any shells left. Never thought I'd need a weapon in the school. This was supposed to be a place of safety...

"Have 'they' got this far already?" he muttered to himself, thoughts snapping back to reality. "Is that soldier bitten?"

Takashi gingerly reached down, expecting the soldier to reach for him mouth agape and arms grabbing, but nothing happened. Gingerly he flipped the trooper over, revealing that his throat had been cut.

The would is too clean to be done my 'them'... what the fuck is going on here?

Ignoring the blood that was everywhere Takashi searched the fallen man, quickly finding his forces issue side-arm, pocketing it he continued until he found a military baton, with telescopic action.

Its no baseball bat, but it'll do...

He hefted it and took a few practise swings until he was satisfied he had mastered the weight of it.

Now to find someone who knows what the hell is going on.

The sounds of gunshots echoed up from the yard, occasional screams ringing out as well. As Takashi burst through the double doors and emerged blinking into the harsh sunlight it was as if he had been transported back in time, to the very first day of the outbreak...

No, somehow it is even worse...

All around him was chaos, made worse by the fact it was happening in a school again. Teacher supervision was as minimal as before, and only a handful of soldiers were attempting to keep the dead at bay, but even as he watched one ran out of ammunition and as he struggled to reload several swarmed him, dragging him down.

"I have to find my mother..." Takashi said to himself, determined. I only saw her again an hour or so ago. Losing her now would be... it wouldn't be right, after all I've been through!

Where could she be though? Already at the evacuation site? If she was going to help her pupils...

"Ah screw this!" he shouted, frustrated. "I'm just going to have to find someone who knows."

The noise attracted a couple of 'them' who quickly began surging towards him.

"Not today bastards!" Takashi said, moving faster than he thought he would be able to a few hours ago. His fatigue had not been banished, only pushed down deep, but there was no time to worry about that now. He swung out with the metal baton, its length expanding as he swung, and the first one of 'them' went sprawling back with a crushed skull. The second moved faster than Takashi expected, but even so he was ready, driving the baton up into the jaw of the foe, forcing it away. As soon as he had distance another sweep of the baton bit home, and the second was down too, head oozing gore.

Puffing and wheezing Takashi leaned against the wall for a second.

"Man, all this lack of sleep and poor food is taking a toll. I really thought I'd get a chance to have a proper rest and some cooked food here... oh well, no rest for the wicked."

Takashi darted across the open area, only pausing in his search when one of 'them' confronted him, his baton making short work of 'them' when their paths crossed. After a few minutes Takashi came across one of the teachers, a fat older man, who was backed against the wall by one of the dead.

"Not today, bastard!" Takashi said as he took it down with a sweeping blow, splattering the teacher with brains and blood.

"Thanks kid..." the teacher said, slumping down on the floor, pale with fright. "I thought I was dead for sure. But..." he managed to stammer. "Shouldn't you be heading for the evacuation helicopters? The call for evacuation has started."

"I could ask the same of you." Takashi said, helping him up. "You didn't get bitten did you?"

"No, but I would have been if you hadn't have came along... as for the evacuation..." the man coughed, clearing his throat. "Apparently there are still children trapped in the south block. Most of the teachers have gone to get them."

"Shit." Takashi swore. "What about Komoru-Sensei? Do you know where she is?"

"Miss Komuro? Yes, she was going ahead to the south block."

"Fuck." Not good. This is so totally not good... "All right." Takashi continued. "You go ahead to the evacuation point. I'll go help my mother get the other children to safety."

The man looked at him askance. "What can you do, you are only a child yourself."

"Oh really? I've done more and killed more in this past week than someone like you could even believe. We all have. Age is nothing but a number it's all about experience, right?"

"Well..." the teacher began, only for Takashi to drag him aside.

"I won't tell you again, get moving. Leave it to the pro's! All right, you dead bastards, if you think I'm letting you have my mother you have another thing coming!"

It was only when he had sprinted off Takashi realised that he had forgotten to ask about the dead soldier with the cut throat.

Well, no time to go back. I'll ask the next person I see... maybe someone went crazy... or... no, that couldn't be it...


"Father!" Rei shouted as Tadashi Miyamoto toppled, ruby gobbets of blood splattering her and speckling the paving slabs. She caught him as he fell, arms shocked by the impact of his sudden dead weight.

"Father!" she repeated, delirious.

This can't be happening. It just can't. That's a gunshot! 'They' don't use weapons. Is it a stray shot, an accident...

She looked up towards the window where the shot must have come from, and for a brief moment she thought she saw a bright reflection, almost as if...

Sunlight, reflecting from glasses...

"Shido!" she roared, holding her father tight. "Shido!"

"I'm all right." Tadashi whispered, startling her. As she looked down on his ashen face tears welled in her eyes as he forced a smile.

"Trust me, I know. I'm a police officer. I know when a shot is fatal. It missed... all my organs." he coughed. "Still, I won't lie. It's bad. But if you don't shop shouting and crying..." he managed. "'They' will hear you!"

"Father, you're going to be okay?" Rei shouted again.

Rei's head recoiled at the hard slap she was given. More tears welled up this time, tears of pain. She turned to her assailant to see Saeko looking at her without a spark of mercy, hand raised for another slap.

"You..." Rei began.

"Your father is right." Saeko said. "You need to get a hold of yourself. The line of JDF won't hold very long." even as she spoke one was pulled under, his screams cut horribly short. "If you draw attention to yourselves you will never make it to the evacuation point. Your mother is already in the infirmary there, if you take your father then he too can be saved. But only if you hurry. We don't have time to fight our way there. That bleeding is pretty bad."

"You're right." Rei whispered, clutching at her cheek. "I'm sorry, I just panicked."

"I know." Saeko said, her voice now compassionate. "It's been a trying week. But we are near the end now. Don't let your guard down and we can make it though this. But we have to go, now!"

"Leave me behind, I will only slow you down." Tadashi insisted as Rei supported him. "I would rather die then have you hurt."

"No, dad." Rei said firmly. "Mom said the same, and we didn't leave her, and it was a worse situation than this, wasn't it Saeko?"

"That's right. I really did not think we were going to get out of that one alive." she agreed. "I do hope we didn't use up all our luck."

The last Black Hawk had finally used up all of its ammunition and was landing by the destroyed gate, hoping to use its bulk to stop further of 'them' from entering the grounds, but everyone knew it was a foolish hope. If 'they' had to pile their dead corpses a dozen high to form a ramp it would happen eventually, and then a renewed swarm of 'them' would flood in, relentless as a tide. It seemed there was no end to the dead.

"I don't understand how this could happen..." Rei whispered as they covered ground as quickly as they could, closing her ears to her father's laboured breathing and the feel of damp blood on her hands. "What was that explosion?"

"Sabotage." Saeko said. "If I didn't know better I would swear that Koichi Shido is involved."

"We don't know that..." Tadashi coughed. Behind him the last of his surviving officers sold his life dearly, baton flailing.

"I can feel it. It was him!" Rei grated. "We have to warn Takashi! If he doesn't know what is going on..."

"Can you make it without me?" Saeko asked. "I'll go get Takashi." Saeko looked back out at the chaos in front of the gates. "It doesn't look like Hirano or the others made it in time..."

It should be me who goes looking for Takashi, but I can't leave my father. Takashi will understand, so just this once Saeko... I leave him to you.

"Go!" she said through gritted teeth. "I'll meet you at the evacuation point."

Overhead a helicopter took off, a transport one, entirely unlike the sleek combat model that the JDF used, but it was a welcome sight. Even as Saeko slipped away Rei was moving, hurrying along her wounded father.

Once we are on board this nightmare will end. It has to! Hang on Takashi, Saeko is coming for you!


Takashi leapt over another dead body. This one looked like an elderly male, probably a survivor from the city. Blood was everywhere, and the broken blade of a kitchen knife was lying in one corner.

Fuck, looks like we have a serial killer on the loose or something. It isn't another nut is it, like the one at the Shopping mall? If so I have to get to mother fast!

The south school block was just ahead, and Takashi could see the doors had been slammed open so hard that one was hanging off its hinges. The place was quiet though, too quiet.

I don't see any of the children that were supposed to be around here. This stinks of a set-up. Shido's work? If so, I'll have to be careful.

Takashi crept through the open door, only to find the corridors empty. Taking another step into the building he paused. There was a smell in the air, one that he had smelled all too often these past few days. Blood.

And lots of it.

Looking at the stairs he could see a shape lying in the shadows. Creeping cautiously closer he rounded on it.

Looks like a teacher. Stabbed to death. Just what the hell is going on?

The middle-aged woman was lying face down, blood all over her back, where her cardigan and shirt were slashed and torn. It wasn't his mother though. Continuing on he began to climb the steps up to the first floor when a pair of voices drifted down to him. It was hard to tell as they were muffled, but one seemed familiar to him somehow.

Then another voice came through, indistinct but one that Takashi immediately identified. Pulse racing he leapt the stairs three at a time, reaching the landing.

Mother! Hold on.

Her voice had sounded terrified. If it was 'them'...

Rounding on the room from where the voices were coming Takashi kicked it open, ignoring the pain that jolted his leg. The door listed crazily, snapped off on one hinge, and Takashi found himself looking at a nightmare scene.

"You!" he grated, his baton held up, ready to use. "Get the fuck off my mother!"

Tsunoda was by the whiteboard, his hands around her neck, having already torn off her blouse, exposing her bra. Takashi felt his bile rise as he took in the rest of the view. Two more teachers lay dead, and a schoolgirl he didn't know was sitting there, with a dazed expression on her face.

"Takashi!" his mother cried, before Tsunoda put a hand over her mouth squeezing cruelly.

"Oh, is she your mother, you prick?" Tsunoda gloated, eyes bright with malice. "What a co-incidence. I guess that's just an added bonus."

"You knew, didn't you!" Takashi said, taking a step into the classroom.

"Ah ah ah!" Tsunoda laughed, brandishing a knife in his other hand, running it gently up her exposed belly until it reached the underside of her breasts, a thin line of blood beading where the knife had sliced. "I wouldn't get too hasty if I was you. My hand might just slip."

"I said let her go!" Takashi said, taking another step.

"And I said no." Tsunoda sneered. "You think you are so clever, such a rebel." Tsunoda spat. "I'd have enjoyed doing this even if Shido-Sensei hadn't have asked me too."

So it is Shido behind this.

"Why are you killing the teachers?" Takashi asked. "And why the soldiers too? Did you cause this? Thanks to you so many people have died, and more will when 'they' flood the school."

"Seeing Rei Miyamoto hanging on your every word..." Tsunoda continued, ignoring the question. "Other girls too. Hell, even that ice queen Takagi had the hots for you. You make me sick!"

"What the fuck man? You'd do all this... over that? Rei dumped me, you stupid idiot. Just because you..."

"Take another step and she's dead." Tsunoda warned, digging the knife in, causing his mother to moan behind his pressing hand. "Shido-Sensei needed the teachers, civilians and most of the army out of his way. So we did it. I just have to finish up here... but maybe I'll have a little fun with your mother, while you watch. Won't that be fun?"

"You sick fuck..." Takashi said, stepping forwards once more.

"I warned you..." Tsunoda said.

Before Takashi or Tsunoda could respond the sobbing girl stood and raced towards Takashi, tears running down her cheeks.

Another one of Tsunoda's victims? I should make sure she's safe too...

Tsunoda let out a cry of pain, blood streaming down his hand. Takashi's mother had bitten him, savagely twisting until he let her mouth go.

"Watch out Takashi, she's with..." she called, before he got her under control again.

"Bitch, you bit me. I'm really going to wreck you for that..."

She's with …. Tsunoda?

Takashi turned, just as the girl leered, bringing a knife from out under her shirt. It passed by Takashi by a bare inch, slamming into the wall and snapping.

Normally I'd feel bad about hitting a girl, but... he swung up his leg, catching her in the ribs, and as he did so he spun, hurling her towards Tsunoda. She hit a table and staggered, momentarily blocking his view.

Now is my chance.

Takashi dived low, rolling past her. He came up and his baton whirled, catching Tsunoda across the wrist. It snapped with an audible thump. As he screamed Takashi whipped out the handgun he had taken from the dead soldier and jammed it against Tsunoda's knee.

"Seems like I've done this before. Oh well..." Takashi said grimly, flicking off the safety and pulling the trigger.

"You bastard!" Tsunoda screamed as he was pitched backwards, leg shattering. "I'll kill you..."

"Behind you!" Takashi's mother interrupted, eyes wide.

Forgot about the girl... damn, stupid of me.

She brought down another knife while laughing as if she had gone insane. Takashi turned, the knife grazing his neck and stabbing across his collarbone. The bone turned it, but lines of pain still radiated through him.

"That bloody hurt!" he shouted, fist lashing out, hitting her in the stomach. As she doubled up his knee caught her in the face, breaking her nose and flipping her over, where she landed in a clatter of desks and chairs, totally unconscious.

"And chivalry is dead..." he muttered, hands going to his wounded shoulder.

"Are you all right Takashi?" His mother asked, gathering him in a broad hug.

"Watch the shoulder..." he winced. "And put some damn clothes on, it's embarrassing." Takashi flushed. "Oh wait, are you all right. He didn't... hurt you... did he?" he said, glaring at Tsunoda, who was hugging his shattered knee, blood spurting between his fingers, screaming with rage.

"No, not like he did those other pour souls." she began to cry.

"Oh come on, you are safe now." Takashi began. "Well, okay, we aren't safe... but we can get you to the evacuation point. I guess the children here were a lie, right?"

She blew her nose noisily, wiping away snot and tears. "Yes. It seemed that they just wanted to kill us. I don't know why."

"I think I know. But it'd be pointless to explain. Shido probably just wanted as many other adults out of the way as possible so that he can grow his influence. Anyway, come on, we need to get out of here, that gunshot is sure to bring 'them' here."

"Wait... you can't leave me here for 'them'!" Tsunoda shouted between pained cries, failing to struggle to his feet. "Have mercy!"

"Like you had for them, or had for my mother?" Takashi asked harshly. "It isn't my job to judge you, but I don't have to save you either. If you deserve to live you'll have to make that happen yourself." he turned away.

"Come on Mother. We need to get out of here."

"All right." she said, shrugging on her blouse and then pulling on a jacket. "So Rei Miyamoto dumped you eh? No wonder you were so down before all this happened. Well, cheer up, it isn't the end of the world..."

No, this is the end of the world, I'm pretty sure. Still...

Despite his tired muscles and his aching neck and shoulder he had to smile. It was amazing how a parent could put everything into perspective so casually.


Saeko ducked under a flailing swing of an arm and decapitated one of 'them' that had just finished chewing on a soldier. Kneeling down beside the dying man she looked into his eyes.

"You know what being bitten means." Saeko said seriously. "Do you wish for mercy?"

"Yes..." he croaked. "Do it."

"You go with honour. Farewell!" her blade sheared through his neck as though it was parchment.

There is too much resistance when the blade cuts. Even with my skills overuse without proper care is starting to dull the edge. If I do not get the chance to do some effective maintenance...

Saeko looked around, heedless of the moisture forming in her eyes. Less than a dozen soldiers were now holding several score of 'them' at bay, the Black Hawk blocking the gates having been no more than a momentary obstruction, more of 'them' clambering over it every second.

Feeling sick Saeko stumbled for a second. Bending over she retched, bile coming up into her mouth.

I guess I am more worn out than I thought.

Rising she looked back at the man she had given mercy to. That first time it had been easy, at least to do it. Afterwards... that was when the guilt came. Even though it was the right thing to do, sparing someone the suffering of becoming one of 'them'... she looked away again, angrily wiping away her tears. Takashi and Hirano had made the same choices she had.

It is a world where any weakness will eventually destroy us. I wanted a world where I could let free what was in my heart... but do I want this?

Another of 'them' came at her, having broken the line of soldiers. She was moving almost before she could think, blade moving instinctively. One cut and the foe was dead, split nearly in two. Shaking her head to clear the depressing thoughts that dragged at her she continued her search for Takashi.


Rei reached the evacuation sight, looking around trying to make sense of the pandemonium. About half of the helicopters had taken off, yet there was still a swarm of people around, bustling in panic, the few JDF troopers about trying to organize them. One was on a megaphone, calling out instructions, and there was another couple ushering people to one of the waiting helicopters.

It's so... noisy. I've not seen anything like this since the start of all this.

"There's the medical tent." Tadashi said, from between gritted teeth. "If you get me there I should be all right. They can patch me up, and I can look after your mother. It looks like the dead haven't reached here yet."

"All right. Just a bit further then." Rei agreed. "Out of my way everyone. I've a wounded man here!"

Forcing their way through the crowd they soon reached the tent, and Rei pulled aside the curtain. There was a half dozen people with ordinary wounds, such as broken limbs and bad cuts.

There are no people with debilitating illnesses or long term needs though. The JDF is pretty ruthless.

Thinking back to when the group had risked their lives just to save an elderly lady for one more week she sighed. This is the world now, I should be thankful that my parents are still alive.

A doctor took one look at Tadashi with wary eyes. "What's the injury?" beside him a soldier trained a rifle upon him.

"Gunshot. It isn't a bite." Rei answered.

"That seems unlikely." The trooper said harshly.

"It's true, see for yourself." Rei said, looking around for her mother. Kiriko was on a bed in the corner, anaesthetised, her injured leg propped up.

"We have heard rumours of a lot of stabbing incidents." another doctor said. "A lot of soldiers are missing. It's not impossible that they could have taken the guns from fallen men."

"Look, just take care of him, all right?" Rei said, exhausted. "I've dragged him here, and if he doesn't get help he will die. He's a policeman, he'll be an asset when he's better!"

"All right, we have a couple of beds left." one of the doctors said. "We can check his wound and if he isn't bitten we can manage. But we have to be quick, the wounded are shipping out soon. Rumour is this place is going to be overrun any minute."

"It is bad out there..." Tadashi muttered, barely able to speak. "It's the end..."

Rei staggered under his suddenly limp weight.

"All right." one of the doctors said, grabbing him. Another came alongside and together they hauled him to the spare bed. "Get me some adrenaline, and see if we have any blood packs. Looks like he's lost a lot of blood. Officer, stand ready when we inspect the wound."

Before the soldier moved to assist he looked at Rei, and though he wore a visored helmet she could have sworn she saw pity there. "You had best clear out, young lady." he said seriously. "We will do all we can. You need to think about your own evacuation. Best hurry before all the helicopters are full. And sorry about before. Everyone is on edge, as you can imagine why. It'll be better when we reach the new staging points."

"Yeah, I can understand that." Rei said quietly, leaving the tent with one last lingering look at her parents.

"Look, over there!" a familiar voice said, and Rei turned to see Takashi, Saeko and Mrs Komuro.

"You made it then." Takashi said, pulling her into a hug as they reached her.

"Yeah." Rei said quietly. "My dad... he's in a bad way though."

"He'll pull through." Takashi assured her. "He is a fighter."

"Ahem." Mrs Komuro said, looking at them with a sly smile. "I thought you two had broken up?"

"Ah well..." Takashi flushed. "We are just friends. Her father was shot, probably by the same people that attacked you."

"Oh my god. Are you all right?" Rei asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." Mrs Komuro shuddered. "But yes, Takashi came in time and saved me. There are dead people everywhere."

"It must have been Shido. I ended up having to shoot Tsunoda before he... well, you know." Takashi said, eyes hard.

"Is... is he dead?" Rei asked, voice quiet.

"I left him alive, but he won't be able to walk." Takashi growled. "He made his choice. He got what he had coming."

"So if Tsunoda was behind things then Shido is almost certainly involved." Saeko said. "That lays the blame for the disaster here firmly on his shoulders."

Behind them the crowd was massing, people scrambling for the helicopters and safety, but a handful of JDF were still keeping order, one with a megaphone barking orders, the others armed with riot shields and guns keeping the crowds back.

"I should have killed him when I had the chance, back at the Takagi estate..." Rei said.

In the end I didn't have the guts to go through with it. Everyone was so relieved, most of all myself, but if I had of thrust home that bayonet this would have all turned out differently...

"Move the children to the next helicopter." the soldier with the megaphone boomed. "Hurry now."

"All right then children. Follow me to safety!" they turned at the sound of his voice as it rang out majestically across the tumultuous noise of the evacuation site. There he was, some thirty metres away, although with the crowd between them it may as well have been a mile.

"That bastard!" Rei grated. "I should have killed him back at the Takagi estate!"

"Look, he is being followed by children." Saeko observed. "That sick vermin." a flock of younger schoolchildren were following him, Yuuki and the other surviving members of his track team at the rear. As they boarded the helicopter Rei could hold her anger in no longer.

"Shido!" She roared. "You worthless piece of shit! You tried to kill my father! I should have killed you like the snake you are back when I had the chance!"

"I grieve for your loss my dear." he called out, voice mocking. "But to lay the blame for any unfortunate acts on me, well, that would be wrong. I am not responsible for what fate brings, I am but a humble..."

"Shut the fuck up!" Takashi yelled too. Rei was struggling in Saeko's arms, desperate to get free and rush the man she hated above all.

"I think she has gone mad." Saeko remarked.

"I'll help." Mrs Komuro also grabbed Rei, pulling her back.

"Let go of me... I'm going to make him pay..." Rei raged.

"I've already met Tsunoda here. He's already admitted to acting under your orders." Takashi said. His hand was in his pocket, holding something.

No, not that. That is my responsibility.

"Takashi, no." Rei said, ceasing her struggles. As the others let her go she stood, shaking and trembling, emotion surging through her. "If anyone should have the right to kill him it should be me. He has tried to destroy my father in so many ways... besides..." she continued. "We already decided he wasn't worth it."

Although if the chance came, worth it or not, this time... I'd stab him. I would.

"Oh, so that is what happened to Tsunoda." Shido said as the elementary school children were ushered past him up the ramp and into the transport helicopter. "I guess he won't be joining us then. Such a shame." his voice dripped with false sympathy. "But then, the new world has no place for the weak. As I dare say you will find out yourselves soon enough."

"All right, head for point Delta." the man with the megaphone was saying as the last of the children were loaded onto the transport. "We need to scale up the evacuation, the holding cordon is starting to fracture."

Takashi removed his hand from his pocket with a long sigh.

That's good. You don't want to be a murderer. Leaving Tsunoda in such a state will hurt you enough. I don't want that for you Takashi.

"Well well." Shido laughed coldly, face twisted into an ugly leer. "I guess you do not have what it takes either Komuro. A leader should be unafraid of doing what needs doing, no matter how distasteful. You are weak, Komuro! As weak and pathetic as your subordinates. There is no place for such as you in this... in my new world."

The hatch was almost closed now, just Shido and Yuuki standing in the doorway.

"Weak? Only a fool confuses weakness with strength, with resolve." Saeko said quietly.

"Well said." Mrs Komuro approved. "There is no strength in murder, not even in these times. I for one am proud of my son."

So am I. "We all are." Rei said, turning away from Shido with finality. "And if Takagi and the others were here they would be too."

"You just don't get it, do you Shido?" Takashi shouted. "You never will either. It isn't weakness to look after your friends. It's strength! And because we have these bonds we will be around long after you and all your pitiful followers are long gone. So go on, run, you coward. One day we'll meet again, if you survive!"" and with that he stuck up his middle finger in an insulting gesture of farewell. "Come on..." he said, turning away. "I've listened to enough of his crap."

Shido stared, his face twisted into an expression of hate at the insult. Beside him Yuuki blew Takashi a mocking kiss and lifted her skirt, flashing him. Then the door was shut and the rotor blades began to spin up, the helicopter rising into the air, throwing out waves of dust and dirt across the frantic crowd.

"What a scum-bag." Takashi said with feeling.

Rei had to laugh. That he is, that he certainly is.

"Next helicopter for point Gamma. Move in the injured and get as many women on board as we can." the megaphone was barking. Behind them the sounds of gunshots were getting louder and closer. "Hurry, time is wasting." the soldier concluded.

"Looks like this is time for you to go now, Mother." Takashi said, turning and hugging her. "We need you to look after Rei's parents. They are both with the injured. As a woman you can get to the front of the queue here." Takashi turned to Rei as his mother nodded, tears in her eyes.

"Are you going too?"

What kind of a stupid question was that?

Rei flushed with anger. "Don't be stupid. I'll go when you do. We need to stick together. I know... I know my parents will be all right. You'll make sure of that, won't you Mrs Komuro?"

"You can count on me Rei dear." she said, hugging her too. "Please make sure you get on board one of the helicopters. Don't do anything foolish. As for you..." she turned to Saeko. "It was nice to meet you Miss Busujima. Look out for my son and Rei, won't you?"

"I will. It will be my honour." she said seriously. "Now, you need to go."

"Bye Takashi." She said. She looked as if she would say more, but then turned away, tears falling from her cheeks. Rushing to the medical tent she began to help the few soldiers and doctors that were wheeling occupied beds up the ramp.

Takashi watched her for a long moment and then turned away, swallowing, wiping at his eyes.

I know just how you feel. Still, at least... at least we know they are being evacuated. I pray that they will be safe. All of them.

"So what now?" Saeko asked. "I am sure that since we are young we could probably get on the helicopter after this one."

"No." Takashi shook his head. "The JDF won't hold much longer." he flexed at his mounded shoulder, working it. "We need to hold off 'them' as long as possible. Otherwise this place will be overwhelmed."

"I thought we had learned that being a hero is a sure way to die in the new world?" Rei asked.

But I guess that is just the way you are Takashi. I can't fault it.

"I know that." Takashi said. "But... if we don't hold here as long as possible then Hirano and the others won't be able to make the evacuation."

"You still think they are coming?" Saeko asked.

"I just have a feeling. After all we've been through I refuse to accept they are dead. Hell, if that bastard Shido can make it here, then it should have been a stroll in the park for our friends."

"I could go out and try to find them." Saeko offered.

"No, now that would be suicide." Takashi pointed, and they turned to see that only ten JDF troopers were trying to hold back the oncoming horde now. Then it was nine, and then eight, as two were slaughtered in quick succession and dragged down. Within moments the two dead guards had risen and were joining the attackers. "There's no way that you can go out there alone. No..." he sighed.

"As a leader I have to make the hard choices. That is the only thing Shido was right about. And if the last helicopter is set to leave, we have to leave with it. The others wouldn't want us to die for nothing. But if there is even a chance that the others can make it before then... well we have no choice but to fight until the last."

"Well said." Saeko approved. "Leadership of the highest order."

"All right." Rei agreed. "I'm not as confident as you are they'll make it, but we have to try, don't we?"

Behind them the helicopter carrying their parents took off, soaring into the sky.

Go on mom, dad, Mrs Komuro. Go to safety. We will join you soon, I promise!

"All right then, it's decided. Let's do this!" Takashi shouted, charging towards the struggling soldiers as another was dragged down.

Rei exchanged a look with the smiling Saeko as they followed, weapons at the ready.

This is it. The final battle then...


"There goes another one." Takashi said, whipping his baton into the skull of another of 'them', sending it sprawling. "Only one left now..."

"Yes." Saeko agreed, blade cleaving through flesh and bone. Each strike was harder to make than the one before, her antique blade starting to catch on bone with annoying regularity.

Even steel has limits. We went past ours days ago...

"We need to go, Takashi." Rei was saying, the long length of jagged pipe she was using as a spear smashing into the throat of one foe, ripping the head free.

"She is right." Saeko agreed. "The last of the JDF are pulling out."

Indeed the last four JDF troopers were retreating, their ammunition spent, using their batons to fend off the grappling arms and biting jaws. One was unable to do so and fell, blood spurting from his torn throat.

Takashi gritted his teeth. "I know, I know... just another minute."

"You have to know when to cut your losses..." Rei said. "You're the leader, act like it."

"All right then, we..."

"Hey Takashi... Busujima, Miyamoto!" a bossy voice rang out across the school yard. Barking could be heard, and the steady marching of gunshots. In front of them 'they' started falling, heads sliced apart by lethally accurate shooting.

"Oh my god, it's Takagi! And Miss Marikawa and Alice." Rei said. "You were right Takashi!"

"Of course I am, aren't I always?" he grinned. "I don't know why, but for some reason we are masters of leaving things until the last second!"

Takagi was firing a rifle, blasting 'them' out of her path. Several of 'them' came in from behind but they quickly fell, blasted through the heads by some unseen sniper.

"I was going to ask where Hirano is, but I guess that explains it!" Takashi laughed. "But if he doesn't get a move on he'll miss the evacuation."

Miss Marikawa ran up with Alice and Zeke in her arms.

"Hey there girl!" Takashi said, ruffling Alice's hair. "We missed you!"

"We missed you too!" Alice giggled, and Zeke licked out, running a wet tongue over his hand.

"We can talk later!" Takagi said, bringing up her rifle and rattling off a stream of shots. Some more of the dead fell but she still swore.

"Damn, I really thought I was getting better at aiming..."

"It looked good enough to me..." Takashi said. All around them 'they' were collapsing in sprays of crimson, like puppets with cut strings.

"Yeah, well you aren't competing with them are you?" she snapped back.

As feisty as ever, I see.

"So, while this reunion is wonderful and all, if we miss the last helicopter we will have to walk. And I do not know about you, but I would rather fly." Saeko said archly.

"She raises a good point." Takashi agreed, earning a bright smile from Saeko.

"Oh, so you've been busy while we've been gone then Takashi?" Takagi asked. "You always were a lady-killer."

"Well I'm sure you have been getting along well with Hirano as well." Saeko purred, which turned into a full-blown laugh as Takagi flushed bright pink to match her hair.

"I don't know what you could possibly mean." she said primly, dropping out an empty clip and fitting a new one home. "I think we should get to the helicopter now."

"A good idea." Takashi agreed. "Is Hirano coming?"

"We'll have to pick them up, they are doing our covering fire right now."

They?

"All right then. Let's go!" Takashi shouted. They sprinted back towards the final helicopter as the last few people were being loaded aboard. Racing up the steps they watched as the last few JDF troopers followed them in. The hatch shut with a final thump and the rotors spun into life.

"Well, that was tiring. High heels just aren't for running in." Miss Marikawa said, setting Alice down, who ran and embraced Takashi.

"You haven't changed much." Rei grinned. "Although I suppose its only been a little over a day."

"Fashion is very important, even in these times!" Miss Marikawa said primly.

"All right, this 'copter is heading for point Beta." one of the JDF said. "Estimated time of arrival eighty minutes. Get some rest everyone. A doctor will be around to check everyone individually for bite wounds so do not be alarmed."

"Actually we need you to make a quick detour." Takashi said, standing up. "My friends are on a roof just over there, they were giving us covering fire."

"No time for that." the trooper said. "It's too risky. They are on their..."

The click that sounded through the helicopter was chilling. "I don't think you quite understood." Takagi said calmly. "I said you are going to pick up my friends."

"Put down the..." one trooper began. Another moved towards her and she spun, keeping them both in her sights.

"This is set to semi-automatic." Takagi warned. "And I'm not that good of a shot, so I'll just have to hold down the trigger. If I had to guess I'd say that as well as killing you two I'll probably crash the whole helicopter. But if that has to happen, then it happens... on the other hand, you could just set down on that roof and pick up my god-damn friends!"

"Wow, Takagi is on fire!" Takashi grinned.

"Uh, don't you think..." Rei began, but Takagi stopped her.

"Shut up Miyamoto. If it was Takashi down there, you'd be the first to do the same, so don't lecture me, you hypocrite."

"So it's like that is it?" Saeko grinned, hiding her smile behind one hand.

"No it isn't!" Takagi snapped.

"It totally is." Miss Marikawa whispered theatricality so everyone could hear, Zeke barking his agreement.

"All right, all right. Put the gun down and we'll drop a ladder. Just don't do anything foolish." the first trooper said. He moved to the pilot and whispered something to him. The helicopter changed course and came to a stop. The hatch opened and a ladder flopped down.

"Are you all right Takagi?" Saeko asked.

She looks nervous. But then she is pointing a gun at a room full of innocent people.

"Of course I'm all right." She replied harshly. Her tone then softened. "Well... actually I'm not really enjoying this but..."

"Hey guys, long time no see!" Hirano said, flopping into the helicopter, and rolling onto his back, puffing and blowing. "Man, I hate climbing."

Behind him came an unfamiliar but beautiful woman, a pair of sniper rifles slung over her shoulders. As she entered Takagi let out a sigh of relief and let her gun fall. The JDF moved to restrain her but the newcomer held up a hand.

"I don't think you want to do that." She said with a hard smile. "This girl was just making sure we got aboard."

"And you are?" one said, holding a gun pointed at Takagi.

"Shit, that's Rika Minami from the Alpha site." the other trooper said. "She's like a national hero right now."

"That's right." she said. "And to think after all I've done you weren't going to pick me up, and this brave girl here had to point a gun at you to get you to stop. For shame."

As the soldiers began to stammer apologies Takashi turned to Hirano. "So, you made it then? You were cutting it rather fine. Who's the girl?"

"Well, I don't run that fast." Hirano apologised. "As for the girl, she's the friend of Shizuka's who had that flat with the Humvee and all the guns. She's great!"

"I see. More importantly." Takashi leaned in close with a grin. "How's it going with Takagi?"

Hirano flushed and stammered a reply. Saeko let out a long breath and leaned back. Somehow they had made it. A place of safety was coming, but in this new world could anything remain safe for long? Still, any respite would be welcome. It has been a hellish week...


Here ends Act 1: The Dead Rise

Act 2: The Haven will be coming soon.