HOTDR Chapter 8: Running Dead Or Alive
Last time on Highschool of the Dead Revamped…
Kiba: In the garage, there's a vehicle.
Takashi: A car?
Kiba: Well…
Kohta: Humvee?!
Saya: We can go to my house. It's big enough for all of us and my parents should be there.
Kiba: Please tell me you hear that.
Kohta: Sounds close. Do you see anything?
Takashi: There! It's a little puppy!
Takashi: Cover me!
Rei: Are you INSANE!?
Takashi closed the door on her talking and climbed back onto the roof. He banged on the roof again and that was Shizuka's signal to drive off. The group rode off into the night down the dark road, unaware of what awaits them in future events to come.
~8 a.m., Day 3, Crossing the River under Tokonosu Bridge~
The next morning after the group successfully avoided death at the house, they were crossing the water once again and heading back over to the other side of the bridge. The side of the water with Rika and Kiba's house was far too heavily populated with "them", so the group decided that Saya's house would be a little better.
While crossing the water, Kiba and Takashi were laying on the roof of the Humvee while Kohta was sitting on the hood. Kiba was resting with his hands behind his head and his ankles crossed over one another and Takashi was doing the same thing. Kohta was sitting with one leg hanging off of the hood and the other leg was folded in front of him with his rifle laying on his lap. Saya had fallen asleep with her head leaning against the left rear passenger window and Momosuke's head was still on her lap; he, too, was sleeping soundly. Nurse Shizuka was sleeping in the front passenger seat, she deserves the rest. She was up until 6 a.m. applying stitches to Momosuke's stab wound. Saeko was awake and looking out through the right passenger window with Alice's head on her lap. The poor girl was tired out of her mind. The puppy, who remains nameless for now, was laying on the floor beneath Saeko's feet. Rei was sitting on the floor with her back to the left rear passenger door. She was awake, but was in deep thought.
A lot of stuff was on Rei's mind; the incident at the school, Takashi, Hisashi, her parents, and if things would ever go back to the way they use to be. Same with Saeko. She was watching the water pass by as she was thinking about the freshman from the school that committed suicide as well as how she feels about Kiba.
Saeko (thinking): So much has happened and these people have stayed by my side… They really are my new family.
Rei (thinking): If only Takashi knew how I felt about him. He might have an idea already, but I really want to say it myself. I don't know how though. I was so mean to him after what he did to Hisashi… I know he was trying to protect me, but there had to have been another way… Or maybe not.
Kiba (thinking): I wonder what Saeko thinks about me. And Momosuke… he's banged up pretty bad. I just wish I could've gotten there sooner… Damn I'm hungry.
Takashi (thinking): Rei… Rei, Rei, Rei… If you could know how I felt about you, I feel like my mind could rest. Ever since I killed Hisashi, you've been treating me like crap. But I know that's just what girls do when they're upset. I know you don't mean it. But sometimes… makes me wonder if you even care about my existence or not.
Kohta (thinking): You know what I'd love right now? A sausage McMuffin from Mcdonald's right now.I haven't eaten in a while.
While steering the Humvee, Lars reached his right hand up and knocked on the ceiling, signalling to Takashi, Kiba and Kohta. Kiba and Takashi sat up from their comfortable state.
Kiba: Land.
Takashi: Ready to do this?
Kiba: Hell yeah man.
Takashi knocked on the front passenger window to wake everyone in the Humvee up.
Takashi: Get up, get up. We need to get changed and everything.
Saya woke up from her sleep, a little bit of drool was formed at the corner of her mouth. Momosuke woke up with a small puddle of drool on his forehead. He wiped his forehead and sat up, looking around for the cause of the waterfall of saliva on his face. He looked to his right and saw Saya wiping her face.
Momosuke: Really Saya?
Saya (yawning): What?
Momosuke: Did you drool on me?
Saya (stretching): I don't know what you're talking about.
Alice: Nē-chan?
Saeko: Hm? What is it, Alice?
Alice: Are the dead people gone?
Saeko: For now, yes. When we're on the move, I want you to stay close to us, okay? Don't wander off and get lost.
Alice: I will. I don't want to get lost. Because then I'll be away from my new brothers and sisters.
Momosuke: We won't let anything happen to you, Alice. I promise.
Saya: We'll watch over you.
Rei held out her pinky to Alice.
Rei: Pinky promise?
Alice wrapped his pinky around her's.
Alice: Promise!
The Humvee hit the shore and it felt like a speed bump, causing everyone to jump. Rei opened the back door when Lars stopped the vehicle and put it in park. Now awake, Ms. Shizuka opens her passenger door and steps out onto the grass with Rei and the others as they exited the vehicle. Kiba and Takashi hopped down from the roof and Kohta slid to the ground from the hood.
Kiba: Good to be back on land!
Takashi: We were only on the water for like 20 minutes or so.
Kiba: Oh yeah.
Momosuke and Lars walked towards the guys; Kiba, Kohta and Takashi were in a little group circle talking like guys do. Momosuke was holding his stomach in pain.
Kiba: Damn, bro… You look like shit.
Momosuke: Thanks. This hurts like hell.
Kohta: I'd imagine. I mean, you had a knife in you.
Takashi: You alright, Lars? You never really talk much, do you?
Lars: No.
Takashi: Well you gotta talk to us man. We all know a little about each other, but nothing about you. Bro bonding.
Lars: Sorry. I'll work on talking more.
Takashi: Well good.
Saya: Momo!
Momosuke turned to his right and saw that Saya was walking towards him.
Momosuke: What's up?
Saya: Don't move around so much! Nurse Shizuka worked really hard on those stitches. Let them fully heal before you irritate the wound.
Momosuke: I'll try not to move so much.
Saya hugged him and Momosuke hesitated to hug her with both arms. She brushed her hand over the wound by accident and caused Momosuke to flinch.
Saya: Oh! I'm sorry!
Momosuke: Don't think much of it. It's alright. You should go change your clothes with the girls. You look like yesterday. Ha ha.
Saya slapped him on the arm.
Saya: Whatever.
She walked over to the girls, who were changing behind the Humvee, out of sight from the guys. Momosuke shook his head at her with a smile on his face.
Kiba: You and her are really getting along now, Momo.
Momosuke: Is that what you call it?
Takashi: Yeah. Believe it or not, she seems happier now than when we were younger. I think you make her a little warmer.
Momosuke: You guys are crazy. We're not even a couple.
Kiba: No, but you could be.
Momosuke: Huh?
Takashi: Seriously. I think you two could really hit it off as a couple.
Momosuke: What about you and Rei?
Takashi: Uh… I don't know. We're still… working things out.
Momosuke: How about you and Saeko, Kiba?
Kiba: I'm not sure to be honest.
Momosuke: I've got some stuff to tell you later.
Kiba: About her?
Momosuke: About what me and her talked about.
Rei (from a distance): Those are mine!
The guys look back to see a hand in the air, holding up a pair of panties and another set of arms reaching for them.
Rei (from a distance): Give em back!
Saya (from a distance): Magic words!
Momosuke shook his head in disappointment while smiling.
Momosuke (thinking): She really does seem a lot happier than she did before.
Kiba: I wonder how Akia and Tak are doing out there. Do you think they're still alive?
Kohta: They went off with Shido-sensei. So they should be alright. They had a lot of people on that bus. More people to help defend themselves.
Momosuke: I wonder what they're up to right now…
~Two Days Ago~
After Momosuke and Rei fell over each other and the group knew that the bus wasn't going to stay for too much longer, Kiba decided to tell Akia and Tak to continue without them and tell the driver to wait.
Kiba: You two go! Tell the bus driver to wait for us!
Akia and Tak nodded and continued running for the bus ahead. When they made it to the bus, they were greeted by Koichi Shido, the teacher from Class 3A.
Shido: Hello, gentlemen. Glad that you could make it.
Tak: Thank you for waiting. Can you wait for my friends? They're right there and on the way.
Shido: I don't see why not. The more the merrier.
Tak and Akia went onto the bus.
Shido (under his breath): Unless they don't make it in time. No promises, kid.
The last guy from the second group tripped up as the other two and Akia and Tak made it to the bus. He fell and landed on the asphalt, sliding ten yards to the bus before stopping. He stopped right in front of Mr. Shido.
Sophomore: Please, Sensei. I think I dislocated my knee! I can't move it.
Mr. Shido: Oh no… it seems like there's no use for you anymore…
Sophomore: Huh..?!
Mr. Shido: Your knee. If it's dislocated, it'll take quite a while to fully heal.
He lifted his foot and stomped on the student's face, shattering his glasses and forcing shards of the lens into his face. He screamed at the top of his lungs, drawing in more of "them".
Sophomore: What?! What the hell mister!?
Mr. Shido: Like I already said, there's no use for you in this world now.
He stepped onto the bus and closed the doors. He sat down in the driver's seat, put his seatbelt on, and put the bus in drive. As the tires screeched, dust particles and debris flew into the kid's bleeding eyes and badly scarred forehead. Akia saw what Shido did, but Tak didn't.
Akia (thinking): Holy shit. He just kicked that kid in the face without hesitation.
Shido sat in the driver's seat on the bus and closed the door.
Shido: Now, now! Sit down children! We're about to leave and think it might be a bumpy ride.
Tak: Whoa! Wait!
Shido put the bus in gear and pulled off, leaving Takashi's group behind.
Kiba (from a distance): ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!?
Tak: Hey! Stop the bus!
Shido: I can't do that. There are way too many of those things out there. We had to leave or we'd have been overrun.
Tak: I don't care! We can't just leave them!
Shido: Trust me, young one. They're as good as dead.
Tak: You're fucking crazy.
Shido: You want to go back for them in a crowd of those man eaters and I'm crazy?
Tak sat in the back of the bus next to Taniuchi; he had window seat. Taniuchi was a dorky looking girl with rounded lens glasses, blue eyes and dark blue hair. Tsunoda, an arrogant, obnoxious student from the Academy, stood over Taniuchi and Tak. He was a bigger guy with a jock look to him. He had blonde hair on the top and around the sides and back of his head was brown.
Tsunoda: You watch what the fuck you say to Shido-sensei, punk!
Tak just continued to look out through the window, seeming to ignore him.
Tak: Get out of my face. Don't you see there's a lady right here?
Tsunoda: Move, Taniuchi.
Taniuchi: Um, ok!
She quickly stood up and moved out of Tsunoda's way. He grabbed Tak by the shirt and Tak brushed his hand away forcefully. Tak stood to his feet.
Tak: Is there something you want to do?
Tsunoda: You little shit! Who do you think you are?!
Tak: Back away from me or I'll embarrass you in front of all of these girls.
Tsunoda: Embarrass me?! Ha ha ha!
Tak cocked back his fist and launched it into Tsunoda's stomach, causing him to double over. Yamada and Akia grabbed Tak's arms, restraining him from hitting Tsunoda again. Yuuki, Kawamoto and Miura all restrained Tsunoda from charging a defenseless Tak. Shido brought the bus to a stop and put it in park. He walked towards the back of the bus with his hands behind his back, looking like an innocent child.
Shido: Stop this barbaric fighting this instant!
Tak: This idiot came at me. So I defended myself.
Tsunoda: Shut up, you fucker!
Tsunoda tried to break free of Miura, Kawamoto and Yuuki's grip but Shido slapped Tsunoda across the face, causing him to stop. The sound of his open hand slapping his cheek echoed throughout the bus. Shido leaned in very close to Tak, to where only he could hear what Shido was saying.
Shido (whispering directly Tak): If you don't cut the shit, I'll throw you to the dead myself, got me?
His words put a little bit of fear into Tak's eyes. Shido backed away from Tak and put his hands into the air.
Shido: Now can't we all just get along until we can find a safe place?
Tak: I don't like when assholes like that yell at girls.
Shido: Tsunoda, Tak! Have a seat right this instant! You two need to cool off until you can speak without foul language.
Tak and Tsunoda sat in opposite sats on the bus, Tak in the back and Tsunoda in the front, and Shido went back to the driver's seat. He put the bus in gear and continued down the road.
~Four Hours Later~
Later that same day, Shido found an abandoned parking lot to a motel and decided it would be better to stay on the bus for the night instead of going up to the motel and risk running into "them" in the darkness. Tak had fallen asleep on the bus and once he felt the bus wasn't moving anymore, he decided it was time to get up. He saw that everyone was sitting in their seats and Shido was standing in the front of the bus, giving a speech.
Tak (thinking): What the hell is going on?
Shido walked over to Yuuki and Kawamoto, who were sharing a seat, and put his index finger on Yuuki's chin.
Shido: You young ladies have had a very long day. I think it's about time we all unwinded and let our imaginations run wild. Why not let us enjoy ourselves while we breathe God's air and stand on His ground! We are alive right now so that we may explore the glorious mysteries of life itself! Let us plant the seeds and let the flowers blossom!
Tak (thinking): What the fuck does he mean!?
Shido leaned in towards Yuuki and licked her neck, making her shiver in delight.
Taniuchi: Shido-sensei, me next.
Kawamoto: Me too!
Shido: Now, now, one at a time. In the meantime, Miura, Akia, can you do me a small favor and keep them busy for a second?
Kawamoto, Taniuchi and Yuuki all began taking their tops off and unbuttoning the boys' pants for them. Akia began taking off Kawamoto's shoes and school socks. He was rubbing his hands sensually over her legs, making her moan.
Kawamoto (moaning): Your hands are so soft, Akia-kun.
Shido: There we go. Explore the human body and have fun while you do it. It's best to learn through experience, right?
Kawamoto (moaning): Yes, Shido-sensei.
Taniuchi: Anything for you, Shido-sensei.
Shido (thinking): Good. I've got them right where I want them.
Shido looked over to Tsunoda who was watching Miura lick Taniuchi's stomach.
Shido: Tsunoda.
Tsunoda: Y-Yes, sensei!
Shido: Do you want to… give me a hand over here?
Tsunoda: Uh, um. What do you mean?
Shido: Help me show Ms. Yuuki here a good time. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that I want to save for last.
Tsunoda: Uh… sure! I mean… Yeah. I got it.
Tak (thinking): I gotta get the fuck outta here. They're on a school bus having a fucking orgy!
Tak stood up from his seat and began walking towards the front of the bus.
Shido: Leaving so soon, Mr. Imoji? The fun is just beginning.
Tak: Go to hell.
Tak opened the door with the lever and walked out, not closing it behind. Completely unarmed, he walked alone up the street and into the dark abyss before him.
~Back to the Present~
The girls were just finishing up with the process of changing into fresh clothing and the guys were waiting for them patiently. Kohta would occasionally glance over to the girls. Luckily, he didn't get caught. Saya and Saeko began walking towards the guys.
Saeko: Gentlemen. We're about to go into the car. We're ready when you are.
Momosuke: Alright. We should go quick. I'd rather not hang around here much longer, know what I mean?
Saeko: Right.
She turned around and walked away while Saya grabbed Momosuke's hand and playfully pulled him along.
Momosuke: Hey, hey! Watch it! My side, Takagi!
The guys followed behind Saeko, Saya and Momosuke to the Humvee and Shizuka sensei was in the driver's seat, ready to go. Momosuke sat in the front seat with Saya on his lap, Alice and the puppy were in the back with Saeko, Takashi and Lars. Kohta was using the hole in the roof to peek out through like he was doing last night. Rei and Kiba were on the roof, Rei laying on her stomach and Kiba casually sitting upright with his legs crossed. He was holding onto the hole in the roof to keep his balance.
Nurse Shizuka: Hold on tight, everyone!
Alice: Yes, ma'am!
The dog barked. As they were cruising through the streets, heading towards Saya's house, Shizuka noticed that there were a lot less of "them" on this side of the water now. Saya had given her directions and landmarks to look for and fell asleep with her face on Momosuke's shirt. She was still sitting on his lap with her butt aimed to his right and her legs crossing his. She simply leaned on him to catch up on rest, since she didn't get much sleep last night.
Momosuke (thinking): She must be exhausted. She was up all night with me. Even though I couldn't sleep, I know she wanted to. But she didn't because she wanted to make sure I was alright. I can see it right now. She's changing… Even if it is little by little, she is definitely making the adjustment to having real friends. I can tell she wasn't very social before all of this. Her people skills weren't exactly spectacular. But I think she's gotten better.
Saya adjusted herself and rubbed her cheek against his shirt to get comfortable. Momosuke shook his head in disbelief.
Momosuke (thinking): What are you dreaming of right now?
Kiba, on the roof looking up at the clouds, looked over to Rei.
Kiba: Hey, Rei.
Rei: Yeah? What's up?
Kiba: Are you and Takashi…?
Rei: Are we what?!
Kiba: Whoa, whoa, calm down. I was just asking if you two were… y'know. Together?
Rei: I don't know. You should ask him. He is "your" friend, right?
Kiba: Well, shit. I was just wondering if you two were putting the stamp on it or not. No need to get hostile.
Rei: Ugh… I'm sorry. When I think about our situation-
Kiba: So it is a situation? You two have talked about it, yes?
Rei: Eh… sorta. I don't know anymore. I remember he was going to tell me something in the school but he was interrupted.
Kiba: Well, what if I talk to him for you? See what's going on in his mind.
Rei: You… You'd do that?
Kiba: Of course. Why wouldn't I?
Rei: Hm…
Rei squinted her eyes towards Kiba and Kiba squinted back at her, slightly tilting his head away.
Rei: You want me to ask Saeko something.
Kiba: Uh… what?
Rei: That's it. You got a question for her and don't know how to ask her. Am I wrong?
Kiba: I- uh… well… Kinda? Not really…? Maybe?
Rei: What is it?
Kiba: I don't really have a question for her… I just want to know how she feels about me. Or if she is even considering us being a thing. And I mean… you're a girl.
Rei: I am.
Kiba: I mean… You talk to her about girl stuff. Don't girls talk about boys and stuff?
Rei: Hm… Sometimes.
Kiba: Anything… about ol' Kiba by chance?
Rei: Hm…. Maybe.
Kiba: Maybe?! What's maybe?
Rei: Maybe as in… Maybe. Maybe she's said a few things about you… maybe she hasn't.
Kiba: You're fucking with my emotions right now. Did she or didn't she? I'm getting nervous.
Rei: Let's just say, she hasn't said anything bad.
Kiba: That's good right?!
Rei: Yeah. So keep it that way.
Kiba: Eh… I don't know how if I can barely talk to her without my tongue getting in a knot.
Rei: Whenever you talk to her, just try being yourself. We love it when a guy can talk to us as himself and not as some guy he's trying to be.
Kiba: Well… I think I've gotta work on that.
Rei: It'll get easier the more you talk to her. I promise.
Kiba looked to the clouds and back down. He lowered his head and shook his head left to right. He let out a deep exhale.
Rei: Hey.
She tapped his shoulder and he looked at Rei once again. She was holding out her pinky to him.
Rei: Everything that was said just now stays between us, okay?
Kiba: Oh it better.
Kiba locked his pinky with hers. Kohta had sunk down into the Humvee for a bit to check on Alice and missed Rei and Kiba's entire conversation. He poked his body up through the hole and looked forward to see a small horde of "them" incoming.
Kohta (calling): Shizuka-sensei! We got a horde! 200 meters!
Takashi leaned forward and looked through the windshield to see a small horde travelling towards them.
Takashi: Sensei. Change course. We can still get their if you take this next right.
She slowed down and made a smooth turn so that Rei and Kiba wouldn't fly off of the roof. She continued down the street and saw that another horde, much bigger than the last, was heading up the road, cutting them off.
Takashi: Sensei! Left!
Again, she made a very easy turn and then picked up speed down the road. And without a seconds notice, there was another horde blocking the way.
Takashi: What the hell is going on?
Kohta: Seems like the closer we get to Takagi's place, the more of "them" there are.
Momosuke patted Saya on her arm to wake her up.
Saya (waking up): Huh? What's wrong?
Momosuke: Up time. We've got trouble.
Saya: What?
She saw that a horde, much larger than the other two were in front of them.
Saya: Shizuka-sensei, if you make this left, and then a right, we will still be on route to my house.
Shizuka: Okay!
She made the next left and then an immediate right, turning onto a road that had a view of Takagi's house in the distance.
Saya: There it is! We're almost there!
Shizuka was distracted by the house to notice that there was a somewhat of a roadblock in front of them. It had barbedwire and sandbags blocking the entire street.
Rei: Sensei!
Shizuka focused back to the road and saw the road block. Panicked, she slammed on brakes and turned the Humvee to the left, letting the right side of the vehicle almost smack into the barricade. The sudden stop sent Rei with her rifle and Kiba flying off of the roof; Rei hit the corner of the roof of the Humvee as she spun off and landed on the cement road back first while Kiba glided off of the vehicle and landed on his shoulder and side of his neck, doing a half scorpion. Rei laid there on the ground, unable to move while Kiba rolled to his back, unable to move as well.
Momosuke: KIBA!
Takashi: REI!
Kohta: Oh no!
Alice: No!
Saeko opened the left rear passenger door with her bokken and Lars and Takashi followed. Momosuke and Saya, pinned in by the blockade, had to climb to the backseat and the exit. Kohta stayed in the vehicle with Ms. Shizuka and Alice with the puppy. Kohta switched the safety of his weapon to "off" because he saw that there was an oncoming horde, bigger than the other hordes that were cutting them off.
Kohta: We gotta hurry guys! A big group of those things! 100 yards out!
Momosuke: Kiba! Are you alright?!
Momosuke rushed over to Kiba, who seemed to be unconscious on the ground. Takashi and Saeko went to tend to Rei and Saya accompanied Momosuke with Kiba. Lars had Takashi's baseball bat in hand, ready to defend his new friends while Kohta covered him with sniper fire.
Rei (to Takashi and Saeko): My-My back. I think it's gone numb!
Takashi: Calm down! You need to save your energy!
Saeko: Takashi!
Takashi looked to see that the horde was in plain sight now. They were approaching faster than they thought. Kiba's face was scraped near the right eyebrow and right temple. It was leaking blood, but not bleeding uncontrollably.
Momosuke: Kiba! Kiba can you hear me?
Kiba: Why… do you… have to be so loud?
Momosuke: Oh thank fuckin shit you're okay.
Saya: You landed on your neck…
Kiba: I didn't know that.
Saya: Asshole. Can you move it?
Kiba: I don't think I wanna try. My shoulder might be busted too.
Momosuke: Come on, man. You gotta get up so we can get to the Humvee.
Kiba: This shit hurts… It might be fractured or something.
Momosuke: We'll worry about that later. We gotta get you to safety first.
Momosuke grabbed him by the non-hurt arm and tried to move him. Kiba yelled out in pain as he tried to stand up on his two feet. Saya went to grab the other arm to help.
Kiba: No, no, no! Don't touch! I might kill you.
Saya: Well, what am I supposed to do?!
Momosuke: See if you can help Takashi with Rei. I think I've got Kiba.
Saya went to Rei's aid with Takashi. Saeko had gone with Lars to help fend off the horde while the other's tended to the wounded. Nurse Shizuka thought about going out to help, but she needed to stay with the vehicle in case they needed a quick escape. Kohta was now firing rounds of his AR-10 off at "them" as they were getting too close for comfort.
Kohta: We really gotta get a move on, guys!
Rei: Please. Help me get to the car.
Takashi: Here, I got you.
Saya and Takashi picked her up and immediately let her go because she screamed out in pain. Takashi tried picking up her rifle but it was still strapped to her, and moving obviously wasn't a very good idea. He got on the ground next to her and began adjusting the rifle to a position he could shoot from.
Takashi: Rei, stay still!
Rei: What are you doing?
Takashi: Just hold on.
Takashi was lying on the ground and using Rei's stomach as a bipod for the rifle. He began firing randomly into the oncoming crowd. Lars and Saeko were still smashing down as many of "them" as they could, but there were just too many. Momosuke got Kiba to the Humvee and sat him down on the backseat with his legs still hanging out through the rear left passenger door. Saya had gone to the Humvee with Momosuke.
Saya: Is he okay?
Momosuke: Yeah. Right shoulder?
Kiba: Speak for yourself… and yeah, right one. I think it's fractured man. I'm telling you.
Momosuke: It's not fractured. You wouldn't be speaking because you'd still be screaming in pain.
Kiba: Nurse Shizuka? Can you look at my shoulder when we get to Takagi's-
Momosuke quickly took his arm moved it up with force, forcing the dislocated shoulder back into the socket. Kiba yelled out in pain again, kicking his legs.
Kiba: WHAT THE FUCK?!
Momosuke: I told you it wasn't fractured.
Kiba: You could've given me a fuckin warning first!
Momosuke: If I'd have done that, we'd still be at the part where you count down from 3 and keep stopping me because you'd chicken out.
Kohta: Uh, I don't mean to interrupt, but we got a little trouble guys!
Momosuke and Kiba looked to see that the main horde was less than 35 yards away and gaining. Momosuke saw that Takashi was on the ground with Rei and his aim was awful. He was firing wildly and missing mostly every shot he fired. Kiba looked to Saeko and Lars; Saeko had backed away and gained some distance. Her face was sweaty and she was breathing heavily. Lars, too, was sweating a great deal and the constant swinging has worn him out as well.
Lars (thinking): Damn. They don't stop. And the huge group behind these are really close now.
Saeko (thinking): We're in trouble.
Saya: What are we going to do?
Momosuke was quiet and Kiba didn't have much to say either. Takashi had stopped firing Rei's weapon, as did Kohta. Alice sat in the back seat and cuddled the puppy with her eyes closed.
Rei: Takashi? What's wrong?
Takashi: I'm out of ammo. Not much I can do without that.
Rei: But… they're coming.
Takashi: I guess this is it. We had a good run, right?
Kohta: So this is how it ends, huh?
Saeko: Seems that way. It was a pleasure knowing you all.
An arrow flew past Lars and went into the forehead of one of the infected. The corpse flopped to the ground. Everyone looked to see that Momosuke was holding his Crossbow.
Momosuke: You guys aren't giving up, are you? Especially you, Kiba.
Kiba: What?
Momosuke: I see that look on your face. You aren't thinking of giving up, are you?
Saya (thinking): Momosuke…
He tossed his Crossbow to the side and ran forward, snatching the baseball bat from Lars and swinging it at the oncoming horde, taking down several of them.
Momosuke: I sure as hell hope I'm not the only one that still has some fight in them! Because if it's just me, I'm going to have all the fun!
Momosuke went back to swinging the baseball bat, cleaning house with it. Kiba began thinking about when they were freshmen in high school and those seniors ganged up on them. He didn't give up again those odds, so why was he thinking of giving up now?
Kiba (thinking): Dammit, Momosuke. You always know what to say. *chuckles* Well shit. Now I have to help that dumbass!
He got up and ran forward.
Saya: Wait! Kiba! Your shoulder!
He ignored her and continued running to Saeko. He snatched the bokken from her hands with his left hand and began fighting alongside Momosuke with his only good arm.
Saeko (thinking): What the hell are those two doing?!
Lars (thinking): Either they're really stupid, or really brave. Why should I be any less than that?
Lars ran forward, empty handed, and began fighting the undead with a flurry of punches and kicks. Kohta changed magazines in his AR-10 and began firing into the crowd again, picking off the ones that get too close to his friends. Takashi got up and went to the trunk, grabbing the Ithaca from the back. He loaded 5 shells into the shotgun and pumped it, readying to fire.
Takashi: I think it's time that we fucked these things up!
He ran to the front lines and fired a round from the shotgun, clearing out a large group in one blast.
Takashi: WHOA! Fuckin' A!
Kohta: Remember to aim at the chest because of the recoil!
Takashi (calling out to Kohta): Yeah! Thanks!
Momosuke and Kiba were really deep in the horde at this point. Covering each other's backs, they managed to stay alive.
Kiba: Not the best idea, Momo!
Momosuke: Seemed like a good idea at the time!
Kiba: We gotta get the hell outta here! I'm no one's lunch meat!
Kiba, still using only one arm, bashed in the skull of one of "them" that tried to bite Momosuke's left arm.
Momosuke: Thanks!
Kiba: Don't mention it!
Momosuke saw a small gap in the horde of undead that led to the right side of road. That was there only chance.
Momosuke: Come on!
Momosuke led the way, breaking jaws and smashing skulls along the way. They reached the sidewalk and stood near a light pole. Saya stood on the hood of the Humvee.
Saya: There I see them! They're okay!
Takashi: Where are they?!
Saya: Right sidewalk!
Takashi: There's no way we can make it over there!
Momosuke (calling out): Don't worry about us!
Saya (calling out): What?
Momosuke: We'll find a way around!
Kiba began banging the wooden sword against the metallic light pole, drawing the horde towards them.
Kiba: Oh shit. That worked.
Momosuke: Idiot! Come on!
The two made their way up a staircase that led to another road. Kiba started to feel weak and Momosuke helped him up the stairs. Just then, a group of people in dark blue suits, that resembled firefighter uniforms, approached the group from behind the blockade. One of them took their helmet off and revealed her face to the group.
Takashi: Ms. Takagi?!
Saya: Mom!
Kiba: Are you fucking kidding me?
Momosuke: Don't worry about it. We'll find a way. Come on.
Saya (calling out): Momosuke!
Momosuke (calling out): Yeah?
Saya (calling out): The big house on the hill! Look for the big house on this hill!
Momosuke (calling out): Okay!
Momosuke and Kiba ran off.
Saya (thinking): Please be safe.
Ms. Takagi: You guys are going to be alright. I hope my daughter hasn't caused too much trouble.
Kohta: No, ma'am! She causing just the right amount of trouble!
Saya (growling): Kohta…
Kohta (yelling out): Aah!
Ms. Takagi: Stop it, Saya.
Saya: Yes, ma'am.
She gives Kohta the death stare. Lars and Saeko quickly retreated to the group and four of the guys in suits hopped the gated barricade with high pressure air guns and began blasting back the infected with condensed air. Rei screamed out in pain as the rescue squad lifted her up to carry her. Kohta helped Alice and the puppy over first and then everyone else followed.
Momosuke and Kiba were trotting down the street, continuing on the path to Saya's place when a few of "them" made an appearance; they were heading in the direction of the gunshots from Takashi and Kohta. Momosuke let go of Kiba for a moment and took down the two infected that charged him. Kiba was leaning against the railing to keep his balance when another one of "them" came from his left. He saw it and got in his fighting stance with the bokken. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that three were closing in as well as the one he was first aware of.
Kiba: Momosuke.
Momosuke: Little busy bro.
Kiba looked to see that Momosuke was handling a problem of his own; he was fighting a small group of them. Knowing he didn't have the strength to fight them all alone, he had to run. So he did. He ran away from them and led them away from Momosuke's back.
Kiba: Hey! This way fuckers!
Momosuke: What? Kiba what are you doing?
Kiba: I can't fight them right now man! My arm and back are fuckin destroyed!
Momosuke: Where are you going!
Kiba: Somewhere to lead them off!
Momosuke: Meet me at the old shrine on Toshiren Street!
Kiba: Okay!
Momosuke: You better not die!
Kiba: If you die, you're not my friend anymore!
The two ran off in their different directions with high hopes of seeing one another again. Momosuke ran down the sidewalk, fighting those things as he ran and Kiba ran while making noise, drawing as many as he could towards him because he had an idea to go into a house and exit through the back, leading them to an empty house. These two are smart, but will they see each other again?
END CHAPTER 8
NEXT TIME ON HOTDR
Saya: Momosuke and Kiba are out there by themselves…
Takashi: And they split up. This might be bad.
Saeko: Especially with Kiba in his current state. I hope he'll be okay…
Ms. Takagi: They seem like tough boys. They should be able to handle themselves.
Saya: Mom?! What are you doing here?
Ms. Takagi: What? I can't be in your little aftershow?
Saya: No! Main cast only!
Takashi: Takagi, she's fine.
Kohta: Yes she is!
Saya punched Kohta on the top of the head.
Kohta: Hey! Ow!
Saya: Shut up, fat ass!
Rei: Calm down, Saya. You should be more concerned with Momosuke instead of hitting Kohta.
Saya: Yeah… You're right.
Ms. Shizuka: What do you guys think will happen if I try to call Rika?
Takashi: Who's Rika?
ALL (except Kiba/Momosuke): Next time on Highschool of the Dead Revamped! Shrine of the Dead!
Rei: Are they going to a shrine?
Takashi: I don't know. Probably.