"The engine will attract the ones wandering around here, better go to a safer location before you radio in with miss Takagi"

The driver closes the car's door as he finishes speaking

I nod and turn around

The sound of the jeep's engine echoes behind me as the car drives off, heading back towards its usual patrol route

I take a deep breath and look around me, at the corpses that were now walking towards me, attracted to the sound of the engine that was here a couple of seconds ago

(Yea, Better move out)

I jerk my shoulders and do a couple of jumps in place

(First, get away from here

Second radio in with Yuriko

Third...don't get bit

Alright me, let's move out)

I narrow my eyes and focus on the road ahead of me

(While there are a couple of corpses that are headed towards my direction

The road ahead of me only has a small group of three 'blocking' my way and the road along with the pavement is wide enough for me to just walk around them safely

And now that i am alone again i can actually be stealthy again

As fighting is not a good idea right now, because the only close-range weapon i got is a knife..

And the gun...but it's better to hold on to it in case things get bad)

With that, i silently move down the street strafing around the corpses that were shambling towards the opposite direction

(Still, it is weird how there are no crashed or abandoned cars around here, did Souichiro's men clear them out?

hmm...seems unlikely)

I think as i keep moving down the street

(So what can i use as a vantage point?

This place has no cars for me to climb and i am not going to use a house fence as higher ground...

Actually...i expected the location to look more industrial as the power plant is supposed to be near, yet i still see houses around

Maybe i am not that close?

I expected the location around the powerplant to be empty of houses)

I then checked the clothes the corpses wore as i walked passed them

(None of these guys are dressed like industrial workers either)

After walking past the initial group of corpses i looked down the street ahead of me

(And if the facility was overrun by a horde, then why there are corpses shambling about...

No that's...a stupid question, maybe these ones arrived later, or they got stuck to a wall or something

Maybe the horde didn't come from this way to begin with)

Looking ahead i could also see an intersection in the distance

(Ok lets head there first, then figure out what to do

The road is relatively clear so i should reach it without meeting much of a resistance)

With that, i stay in the middle of the road and start walking towards the intersection

(This is the first time since the school that i am actually alone again huh...

I just had to pull the short end of the stick

I could have used the free time in the estate to get closer to the group...like asking Saeko to train with me...

but noooo, motherfucking Shido must pop up and fuck shit up...

I should have tossed his stupid ass to a group of corpses and let him get chewed up

Now i am stuck here because of him while Takashi is doing God knows what...)

I shake my head and look around

(Uhh I will worry about that later...got to keep the focus on my surroundings before i end up bumping into something)

With that, i stop thinking and keep the focus on the corpses that were shambling about on the road

And upon reaching the intersection a couple of minutes later

I stop at it's middle and look at the three diverging paths

(Let's see...if i go straight, the whole view seems to stay the same

To my right, i can see an increase in housing on a downhill road

To my left, i can actually see the opposite, the houses here get exchanged for tree patches and small fields, with the road going uphill

Also...Are these two giant chimneys in the distance?

...yea...this is definitely my road...and if i can see the chimneys from here...i must not be too far away after all)

I turn to my left and start walking up the road

I take the radio out of my pocket and push the talk button

(Can't find any safe location so i might as well call in now)

"Miss Takagi, sorry for the delay i had to find a clear spot to call, i am on foot at an uphill road that seems to lead to the powerplant"

I say in a low tone as i keep walking

And a couple of seconds later

"It's alright

The guards should have left you on a road that leads to the powerplant as long as you turn north on the first intersection"

Yuriko answers back

"Hmm...so i am heading north...

Speaking of it

Where is my compass?...it was not in the bag"

I answer back as i keep walking up the road

"Compass?...there was no compass in the bag when they brought it to me"

Yuriko answers

(Somebody has sticky fingers apparently...)

"...Never mind then, no point dwelling on this now...

So i am heading north...that means i will end up in the south part of the facility?"

I ask

"Yes if you head straight after taking the north turn you will end up on the south part of the power plant

I know i said it before, but the facility is overrun, so be..."

"Careful i know..."

I cut her off

"Don't worry, if i didn't feel like i could handle this i would not have asked you to send me here in the first place"

After i finished taking the radio stayed silent for a couple of seconds

"Heh, then good luck

If anything comes up, talk to me

I will keep radio silent so i don't accidentally end up attracting any infected to you"

And the radio goes silent once more

I put the radio back into the side pocket on my pants and keep a steady pace forward

And as i kept moving up the hill the houses kept decreasing in number until the only thing i could see was trees and fields

The street itself was clear of corpse other than the occasional shambler that was strolling to hell knows where

I could see more corpses standing still on the fields though

(Let's hope they stay there...pretending to be trees)

I turn my sight to the road and look at the two giant chimneys

I expected to see an increase in corpses as i got closer, yet...i saw nothing

The road stayed empty as ever

(I don't like this...for a road leading to an infestation...it's almost empty)

I quickened my pace, trying to reach the power plant a little faster

And after climbing the uphill slope, i finally saw it

"Well...fuck..."

I growl under my breath as i look at the power station that extended below me

Or more exactly, at the fence surrounding the power station

The reason why this place was almost free of corpses was pretty simple to figure out now

The fence was holding all the corpses inside...the same inside...that i needed to get into

(At least... I got a good view of the facility from up here)

I scratch the back of my head as i keep looking at the power station

Trying to figure out how i will be getting inside without leaving several parts of me as a sacrifice

(I am going to need a tank and a flamethrower...

Ughhh...)

I look around me to make sure i didn't have any corpses creeping up on me and then kneel down and turn my sight back towards the facility

(The south is a no go...

Jumping over the south fence would be instant suicide...the other side has a giant ass horde packed all together, no way i'm getting passed that

My side of the fence is clear though, so i could hypothetically..walk around the whole facility...or...

Create a diversion...if these things are so good at hearing things...i could draw a lot of them in one side of the facility by making a racket next to the fence...)

I think as i look at the fence, following its path with my sight

(The fence also seems to enclose the facility in a rather tight space...gives the feeling of a private facility to be honest

And as Yuriko said..one main building, it looks like a capital 'L' with the longer part of the structure extending to the west and east, i suspect... the north fence must be on the back of that building, the two chimneys are also in front of it

I see the warehouse on the fence that is close to me and to the left...so...southwest? the west fence should be behind it..but i can't see it right now

And then there are a bunch of...metal structures? to the east

I have no frigging idea what they are for but i can see a lot of pipes fusing them together

There is also a giant silo on the far end right next to the main building..so i guess..the east fence ends around there...

Yuriko told me to look at the main building and the warehouse...

Now...the warehouse is currently in the spot where the horde has gathered at...

Also worth mentioning is that the horde is not spread out all over the facility, it is actually gathered near the warehouse

So...something made them move to that one spot?...

Hmm guess one way to find out...time to move out)

I get up start moving down the hill moving towards the facility

(I will circle around the fence to check for an opening)

I think as i walk down the hill

It didn't take too long to reach the fence after that

And so here i was, standing a few meters away from a moaning horde separated only by a tall wire fence

I sigh and look at the sky

(At least i still got time...it must be what...three pm now?

So...guess i'll check the left side first as the warehouse is closer to it)

With that i start heading to the left, walking next to the fence in silence

I kept looking at the warehouse as i walked

(The shutters are down, there is a good chance a group could barricade in there if the structure has not been compromised)

I kept walking until the west fence slowly came into view

And once i had a clear view west fence

I saw what was probably the horde's 'entrance' point

(...That's...a big hole alright)

Most of the west fence had been toppled over

(So the horde came from the west or northwest)

There was also a steep increase in corpses on this side, both inside the facility, and outside

(Yeaa...not this way)

I turn around and quickly start walking in the opposite direction

(Hope the horde came only from one direction...if the east side is like this too...ugh...)

I backtrack all the way until i reached the starting point and then start heading towards the east end of the fence

(The structures over this side are also blocking my view...got to keep me on edge till the last minute huh...)

This time around it was also a much longer walk as i had to walk all the way to the end of the fence

And when i finally reached said end

I took the turn and looked at the east fence

(...clear)

I breathe a sigh of relief

(Guess i'm going this way then)

I think as i start walking down the east fence

(Compared to the south one this one is way longer, but as it also covers the distance of the silo at the far end

Any entry point i should be able to find, should be before that)

This side of the fence was also free of corpses, compared to the west and south side

(Guess nobody tried to run this way huh...)

I kept walking next to the fence until finally, i saw a good location to jump inside

(An open space, looks like it leads to a road inside the facility

Better than jumping in and being surrounded by metal walls and machinery

I don't know if any of them are still active or dangerous...plus tight spaces put me in a very bad disadvantage)

I make up my mind and take a few steps back moving away from the fence, then run-up to it

And using the momentum i climb up

After my upper body was over the top of the fence

I push my legs to the side and vault over it

And land with my face looking at the fence

(...why am i getting a feeling of Deja Vu right now...)

I turn around and look at the road that was a few meters away from me

(That road should probably lead me to the main building if i follow it)

I kneel down and take off my backpack

I then open it and take out the combat knife before closing the backpack and strapping it on my back once more

(Not raring to jump into to a fight with a corpse, but it's infinitely better than going in barehanded...Hisashi can vouch on that)

I get up and silently move to the center of the deserted 'road'

(Let's see

The main building is straight ahead as i jumped in near the end of the east fence

The warehouse with the mass of the horde is probably far off to my left,

I say probably as at the moment my vision of it is blocked by all the metal structures

So if i go straight... i will end up to the main building

With that, i start moving down the road

Thankfully as the road itself was rather wide and other than the structures on my left, the right side looked like a giant concrete field that led straight to the main building

Probably a parking for big rigs or something

Meaning i had more than enough space to move around the roaming corpses

(It is weird though...for all the corpses roaming about

I don't see any blood on the floor or any half-eaten carcasses

And so far, all the corpses look like normal civilians or factory workers

None of them look like the people from Souichiro's group

As all of em wore that white school uniform knock-off...or was it a military uniform knock-off?

No idea what the engineers would wear though)

As i kept moving down the road, i could also see several black objects near the main building

(Hmm...Cars...Souichiro did return to the estate in a black jeep after all)

And as the road was getting a bit too populated for my likes i turned to the right and headed towards the giant concrete field

(This place makes me want to sprint for some reason...)

I shake my head and keep moving forward

As i got near the main building... i saw the first signs of struggle

A dead-dead body..or what remained of it

And several corpses surrounding it

The whole sight was a good distance away from the cars and entrance so it would not really obstruct me in any way

(Still..i wonder)

I stop a couple of meters away from the corpses that surrounded the body

The feast they had still visible on their bloody rotting faces

(The body does look like to be one of Souichiro's men...these guys...should have been armed right?)

I squint my eyes trying to get a better look while lifting my mask

(Can't see any weapons there though...could be under the body...but...

Trying to get there would be impossible without me bumping into a corpse

It's a shame...but i'm not risking it)

I pull my mask down and keep moving towards the main entrance

Only to come to a full stop shortly after

(Well...should have expected this...but...uhh...crap)

The entrance was flooded, corpses creating a wall before the front door

(How the hell do i get inside?...

A window?

If they are locked i will end up making too much noise in order to smash them..not something i want do with all of these creeps standing next to the entrance

I could look around the building, enter it from a window that is away from the group...

Hmm...the front door also looks closed from what i can see...so there is a chance the insides are still clear

But before that...)

I decided to check the vehicles first

The area around them was also relatively clear

With only a couple of corpses flocking around a big semi-truck that was parked among the vehicles

I move towards a jeep that had no corpses surrounding it in order to get a better look

(The windows are tinted black, i can't see crap )

I move to the driver's door and grab the handle

(Heh...Yea as if it would be this easy...)

I think as i pull the handle on the door

Only to find that the car was indeed unlocked

(...Well...holy shit)

I continue to open the door while moving to the side using the door as cover, then look inside

(Looks empty)

I proceed to do the same with the back seat door

(Empty as well)

I silently close the back seat door and enter the jeep's driver seat while leaving the door open

(Let's see...what might we have in here)

I open the passenger's glove box, then look around the seats and floor

(Nothing, nothing...and...nothing...huh

Well...this was underwhelming)

I was about to exit the car

When my sight got caught by something that was hanging behind the steering wheel

(You...gotta be kidding me)

The keys were still in the ignition switch

(Either they are really forgetful...or they left in a big fucking hurry

In either case, if this ain't a lucky break then i don't know what it)

I smirk as i pull out the keys

(Just in case)

And exit the jeep, silently closing the door behind me as i look at the corpses that were blocking the entrance to the main building

I stand there jiggling the car keys for some seconds before turning to look at them

I open the door once more and enter the car

Then close the door, this time with a loud thud

I put the keys in the ignition and turn them

'BRRROOOOOM'

And the engine comes alive with a roar

I rev the engine a little and then

"BEEEEEEEEEEEEP"

I press hard on the horn

I dart my head around to see the corpses in the surrounding area moving towards the car

Including the ones that were flocking at the door

(well...that did the trick...but i really don't want to be right here now)

I turn my sight to the gearbox as i move to turn the car to reverse

(Ohh... it's automatic?)

I think as i move the lever to reverse

I turn the car around while in reverse and then change the lever to 'D' then press on the pedal again

(Now...where do i stop?)

My sight stops at the toppled west fence

(...)

I keep staring at the fence before steering the car towards it

(And i just had...a very stupid idea)

I press on the pedal harder as the car increases speed before going over the fence and moving outside to the grassy fields

Whatever corpse was in front of me...well...too bad for them

Once outside i steer to the left and speed down the field, the toppled fence next to me to my left

If i said i tried to avoid the corpses that were on my way...i would be lying

The ones that were sent flying left and right being the proof of it

And once i reached the end of the fence i press on the brake and turn to the left

I then drive forward again until i reached the same location where i was when i first got here

The center of the south fence

I then turn the car to face the fence

(Alright...now

I need something long and hard...

...err

That sounded wrong...)

I shake my head and exit the car

(A tree branch would do...but...let's check the trunk first)

I move to the back of the jeep and open the trunk

(Empty...go figure...tree branch it is then)

I close the trunk and look around

(Fields...fields and more fields...

where is a tree when you need it...

Hmm i think...

I saw some trees on the top of the hill where i came from)

With that, i start walking up the hill

Reaching the top i look at the trees that were around me

(Well...there are trees here...but...Ughh...the branches are too far up, i need to climb up the trees to even reach a branch that might do...

...and considering that all i have is a combat knife, cutting a live branch while hanging on a tree...will take forever...so...

Time for plan B)

I turn around, run back to the car and enter it

(And by plan B...

I mean...

time to do something very fucking stupid)

'BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP'

I punch the horn and keep my hand on it

The corpses behind the fence...stop moving

And turn to 'look' at me

"Yep...definitely a good idea

...This ain't creepy at all..."

And then...the fence starts rattling

The corpses start pushing up against each other as they try to move towards the car causing the fence to start swaying as they grind against it

(I wonder if the tree wannabe corpses back in the fields can hear this...

ohh who am i kidding, of course they can)

I keep pressing on the horn as the fence keep shaking more violently by the second

Until

CRASH

The fence goes down, along with a crap-load of corpses behind it

I move the lever in reverse and press on the pedal

(To think they can overpower a fence this fast...)

The horde now free from the confines of the fence starts spreading outside like a flood

(...and yea...i'm outa here)

I change the lever to 'D' and stomp on the pedal

The wheels screech before the jeep start picking up speed

I let go of the horn and turn to the left driving in a straight line until i was away from the incoming horde

I then steer the jeep closer to the fence and keep driving in a straight line

Once i reached the end of the fence i turn to the right and start going straight again

As i pass the warehouse i shut down the engine to silence the car and let it roll forward with the momentum it had

i look at the corpses that were bumping into everything as they tried to head off towards the south fence

(All that noise is making them go nuts)

I pass the warehouse and stop further down

(Hope the sound of the engine did not make too many of them change direction

...i actually wanted to leave the car behind with the horn acting as a decoy...but climbing like a monkey to cut a tree branch yea...no)

With that, i look outside before exiting the car

Then i start walking towards the warehouse

The corpses that were around here were still 'focused' on going towards the south fence

Several meters later i turn left and go over the fallen west fence

Coming up next to the back wall of the warehouse to my right and a concrete wall to my left

(Wonder what that wall is for..parking lot? thing has no ceiling)

I then keep going straight between the warehouse and the wall towards the street that was ahead of me

Only to come to a full stop as i saw what would somebody call a parade marching down the street

(It seems i attracted more than just the horde that was at the warehouse...hope their attention span lasts long enough so they don't end up stopping next to the warehouse)

With that, i silently move to the nearby wall to my left and kneel down

(Now...we wait)

I think as i look at the knife in my hand

(Got to find a sheath for you...driving with you in my hand was a pain in the ass)

I look back at the 'parade' that was moving down the street

(Uhh...I wish the group was here with me...

then again...it's safer in the estate)

I sigh

(Wonder what they're doing right now...

I could...ask Yuriko...

nahh...

...no, she already has her plate full with Shido

I should not bother her with stuff like that

but...

I still need to figure out how to deal with Saeko's mental state

Normally, Saeko and Takashi split today at noon so they 'sleep' at the shrine tonight..

Yet we got to the estate way earlier

And the way it's going..the split might not happen at all

As my actions already changed how the anime would go by making the whole group go to the mansion...

And if the house won't fall...then the dynamites will not be used, so there will not be any loud noise to cause corpses to block off the road

Meaning that Saeko won't have her 'moment'

And if she keeps that all stuff bottled up inside her...well...

she did say it her self...getting out of control and possibly turning on us

And i can't just go to her and be all 'Hur durr, tell me how you like beating the shit out of people and believe you are not worthy of positive human feelings so i can tell you i care'...even if i do indeed care

she needs to be the one to start that conversation...problem is

if she will...and well...

with who she will...though that part is just my problem to be honest

Kohta's mental breakdown in the manga had a lot to do with that cop that kept speaking in the third person from the mall..what was her name again? Asuzu? Azuzu? Azamu?..uhh...asu...asa..mi?

Right...think it was Asami

He ends up falling for her, and she did like him as well...which makes it even worse, as he had to shoot her in the head not long after...

If i could avoid her death...no

After i make sure that she won't get killed, Kohta will be much better mentally...

Takashi mentally is...fine?...plot shield and stuff...

Yea...Jokes aside he also finally has Rei...so that gives him a reason to keep his shit together

Saya...already had a mental break down once...but so far she seems to be the type that bounces back stronger

Rei is probably going to be fine as long Takashi is around...

And then...there is me...

...and that...is a good question...

What about me?

I feel...fine...but...you can't ask a lunatic if he is crazy...

I don't feel the need to mutilate corpses for the fun of it

but...i do want to kick Shido in a group of corpses and watch as he screams...)

I shake my head and look at the road

Most of the horde was gone, meaning i could go towards the front gate of the warehouse

(Whatever, more stuff to worry about for later

...time to go)

I get up and walk towards the street

Then take a right and walk down the side of the road ending up next the front door of the warehouse

(No blood or bodies near the door)

I then try to open it

(hmm...it is not locked...but something is blocking it...barricaded?)

I stand in front of the door and stare at it

(Well...i'm out of ideas now

...The warehouse is made out of cement walls...so driving into it with the jeep

ain't gonna cut it...common think THINK)

I hit my head on the door and turn around

(At least it's still clear of corpses)

I move towards the shutters and give them a light knock

(Metal...

I wonder if there is any button to activate them from the outside)

I start looking around...but keep coming back with negative results

(Ughh...for fuck's sake)

I lean my back against the shutters

(I did all this crap and now i'm all spent on the last straight...

what a load of bull...

...i didn't see any type of ladder or catwalk around the warehouse either...

and the windows are too high

so...how the fuck i'm getting inside?

well...i could...drive the car into the shutters...

Nahh...retarded idea..that might wreck the car if i'm not lucky

plus i will just attract the horde back here

hmm...)

I take the radio out of my side pocket and press the talk button

"Uhh...i might need some help over here"

I waited for an answer...

but i got nothing

"Miss Takagi?"

...Again nothing

(she is probably busy)

Just as i was about to put the radio back in my pocket

"IDIOT!?"

The radio goes live and a different female voice comes alive

(...You...gotta be joking)

I quickly cover the radio and look around for any copses that might have heard the shout

"For the love of God, don't shout you're going to get me killed"

I say calmly in the radio as i look around

(...no corpses...

ughh that's two years out of my life)

"Umm sorry about that"

A different female voice answers

"Uhh...yea..cat's out the bag?"

I ask as i keep a looking round

"Heh...i guess it is...

...Mama this ain't funny! what is going on here!"

Two different voices could be heard over the radio

(God i can hear her shouting from over the radio...)

Deciding it was too risky to sit here while Saya was going off like a siren on the walky-talky i walked back to the car

Once there i got inside and closed the door, making sure all the windows were also closed in hopes to mask some of the noise

and well, having a giant metal bucket between me and the hungry dead did count for something

"Umm...Naier?"

The radio goes live a couple of minutes later

"Still here...so...what...the...hell?"

I answer back

"Uhh...i left the radio on the table...and forgot to switch off it while Saya was in the room...then..."

The voice in the radio speaks up

"Yea...i get the rest...did you tell her anything?

About her father?

About Shido?

About uhh...me?"

I answer

"No...she bolted out of the room...

she said she is bringing the others"

Yuriko answers

"So much for being stealthy...hope she won't go off shouting it for all to hear in the estate"

I answer back

"So..how...is the situation there?

You did try to call me"

Yuriko speaks up

"Ohh right...so

hmm

There was a horde in the lower part of the facility, surrounding the warehouse

The main building also had a rather big group of walking corpses blocking the front door, but the door itself was closed

Didn't manage to get a better look at it yet though

I managed to get both the horde and the large group away from the corresponding structures...

but...uhhh...well...

i hit a little..."

I ended up stalling

"What...did something happen?"

Yuriko butts in

"What..no it's just that...

i can't get into the warehouse now..."

I finish my sentence and hear Yuriko sigh

"Well the door is blocked from the inside

Seems like somebody locked them self's in there, after attracting the horde

but as i said i can't get inside

shutters are down, windows are too high, door is blocked

walls are made of concrete

If they were made out of a more fragile material i could just drive the ca...uhh...

actually...

never mind the last part"

I stop mid-sentence

"Naier...for crying out loud...

I told you to..."

I cut mid-sentence

"Be careful...i know...

but i am running out of ideas here...

that's why i called you before ramming any car into any wall..."

I finish talking

"God...just...let me do the talking after your group gets here...alright?"

Yuriko speaks up

"Alright..."

I scan the location around the car by looking outside the windows

(Still clear)

And a couple of minutes pass

"Naier...they are here...

They want to speak to you"

The radio goes live again

As I hear Yuriko's voice

"mhm"

I answer back

And almost instantly

"Alright, idiot!

Explanation, now!

What is going on here!?

Where are you!?"

I heard an angry shouting voice aka, Saya

"Uhh...your mother will explain that"

I say as i look out of the window

The radio goes silent

And a couple of minutes pass

(And the whole thing went to shit...ughhh)

"Naier?"

A different voice comes alive in the radio

(Saeko? well it is either her or Rei...)

"I'm listening"

I answer

"Is it true?

About Shido trying to frame you?

And you heading off to an overrun power-plant by your self?"

Saeko speaks up again

"Yes and not exactly...it was not...overrun...just a small horde"

(Yep that's a lie...but they already sound pissed enough)

I answer

I hear a sigh over the radio

"Why you didn't tell us anything?

we are supposed to be a team...

...You don't care how others might feel if something...happened to you?"

Saeko answers back at me

(Not being fair is she?)

"And what you would do if you knew...

You still would have to stay back in the estate

If they saw the whole group missing...everybody would start poking their noses in places they shouldn't"

I answer back

The radio stays silent

(...This will be cheesy as fuck...but uhh...i can't figure a better way to say it and i'm short on time...so yea...cringe time)

"You guys...are all i got left...everybody i knew is either dead or on the other side of the globe

I did not do this because i didn't care

Telling you all about it while you would still have to stay behind, would not have had any positive effects in the end"

I finish talking

A couple of seconds later

"We will talk about this...after you come back here

...so you better come back

Alive..."

Saeko answers back

"Agreed..."