HOTDR Chapter 20: To the Dead We Go
Last time on Highschool of the Dead Revamped…
Momosuke: Iori, move!
Iori pulled himself away from his potential killer just enough for Momosuke to kick it on the side of the head, causing it to fall over. Chie jumped on top of it and stabbed it in the back of the head, putting it down for good. Momosuke held out an arm to Iori, helping him up. Chie immediately went over to Raven, who was sitting on the floor, holding her arm. She was frantic, panicky.
Chie: Raven, Raven! What's wrong?!
Raven (crying): It-It bit me! It bit my forearm!
Momosuke: Oh no…
Iori: Goddamnit…
Chie: Let me take a look at it.
Chie helped Raven roll up her shirt sleeve and saw small bite marks in her arm. You could clearly see where she was bitten.
Chie: These bite marks… He got you alright, but he didn't bite hard enough to break the skin. You're fine.
Iori sighed in relief.
Momosuke: Oh man. That was close. I don't think I could've handled losing someone else.
The group heard guns clicking behind them and they had all put their weapons down for a brief moment. The only one that was still armed was Chie with her knife and Momosuke with an arrow in his hand.
Voice 1: Nobody move. If you move, I'll splatter this kid's brain all over the walls.
Momosuke could feel that a gun was pointed at the back of his head.
Voice 2: Don't say a word. Don't make any noise. And do everything we say.
Voice 1: And MAYBE nobody will get hurt.
Momosuke (thinking): Oh, shit…
Opening Theme Song: I'm Still Breathing by Maon Kurosaki
Voice 1: Stand up. Now.
Momosuke stood up from one knee with his hands up; Iori, Chie and Raven all stood with their weapons on the floor. The people holding them at gunpoint were outfitted in all black; black long sleeve shirts, black pants, black boots, even black gloves and black masks. The only things visible were their eyes.
Iori (thinking): Their voices… Are they women?
The taller assailant pointed to the exit.
Voice 1: Let's go.
Momosuke led the way out, followed by Iori, Chie and then Raven. The shorter bandit used the handle of her pistol to hit Iori in the back of the head, causing him to stumble face first into the corner of the drink machine, knocking him out. She then tossed rope to Raven.
Voice 2: Tie him up.
Raven: You didn't have to hit him.
Voice 2: Shut your fuckin mouth. Didn't I say not to speak?
Raven quietly took the rope and securely tied up Iori on the floor.
Voice 1: It better be tight too. If he's gone when we get back, people will die.
Momosuke: Why are you doing this?
The taller girl pistol whipped him on the temple, stunning him and causing him to stumble backwards and fall down.
Voice 1: Tie him up too. I'm tired of talking.
Chie was tossed some rope and a zip tie to tie up Momosuke. As she was tying his legs together, he opened one eye and looked at her with a blank expression on his face. He was beginning to pass out. Blood was running slowly from the lining of his forehead.
Chie (whispering): We'll be back for you.
And with that, Momosuke closed his eye, unconscious. Chie stood and turned around to see there was a gun pointed at her face.
Female 1: Let's move.
Female 2: Take us to that car you came in and drive us to your camp. You two look way too clean to live out in the wilderness.
Chie: We don't have a home anymore.
Female 2: Don't fuck with me, you little bitch! Take us!
Raven: She's not lying! We were overran today… we were forced to leave.
Female 1: By the dead?
Raven: No… the living.
Female 2: Pfft. You expect me to believe that shit?
Female 1: No, they might not be lying. I heard gunshots earlier today when I was out. That must've been them.
Female 2: Whatever. Let's get a move on before I get bored.
Raven and Chie began leaving, walking slowly being sure to not fire off one of the ladies holding them hostage.
Female 1: How many of you are there?
Chie: Fourteen. Maybe Fifteen.
Female 1: That's a good bit of people. Yumi, we need to be careful when we get there.
Female 2: Yeah, yeah. We get in, take their things and get out like we always do.
Female 1: Don't get careless. These people are armed.
Chie got in on the driver side of the vehicle and Raven got in the passenger seat. The two holding them hostage got in the backseat.
Female 2: Take us to the rest of your group. If you try anything stupid, I'll splatter your brain on the dash and make your friend drive. You got me?
Chie nodded nervously and put the car in gear. She took off slowly, being sure not to aggravate one of them.
Chie (thinking): I have to think of something! I can't let these girls get to our group!
Back with the group, Saeko had gotten down from the roof of the car she was keeping watch on to trade places with Rodack, who was now keeping watch. She had wondered off into the forest for a while, staring at the ground as she went. Birds were flying above in a formation as they usually do, and wild animals scurried about, going on with their normal lives as though the world hasn't changed.
Saeko (thinking): I don't know what to do… Where do I go? What is my goal?
To her left, she heard one of the infected drawings near; it must have heard her footsteps trotting through the fallen leaves. She quickly unsheathed her sword and began speed walking towards it. As it reached for her, she cut off the hand that it reached out to her. She then cut off its right leg, causing it to collapse to the ground. It used it other arm to reach up to her, growling as it tried to get a hold of her. She stared at the monster in disgust, letting it reach for her boots. She cut off the second arm of the monster and then squatted down in front of its face at a safe distance.
Saeko (thinking): You want a piece of me, huh?
She took off her fingerless glove on her right hand and began slowly reaching her hand towards the undead's mouth. It began chomping, anxious to take a bite out of Saeko's hand. She kept her hand at a safe distance and watched as the creature desperately tried to get close enough to bite her. She pulled her hand away and stood up. She put her glove back on and stomped its head in, killing it.
Totsuka was sitting in the bed of the truck with Kohta, enjoying the little bit of sunlight that wasn't being blocked by clouds. Summer was nearing its end and the weather was showing it. Rika was taking a few sips of water and went to go sit down in the driver's seat of the SUV. In the passenger seat was Shizuka and Alice sitting on her lap. Saya was lying down on the back seat, relaxing for once even though she was worried about Momosuke. Rei was sitting with Takashi near the side of the road.
Totsuka: So. What's the plan? Any ideas on what to do or where to go?
Kohta: Far away from Gansho hospital… It's gone now. *sniffles*
Saya: Kohta, you'd better not cry about it.
Kohta: But it was our home. Doesn't anyone else feel sad about it?!
Rei: Feeling sad about it won't change anything. What happened, happened and it's time we move on.
Kohta: It happened 3 hours ago!
Rika: Kohta!
Everyone grew silent.
Rika: That's enough. Rei is right. It happened… and it hurts. But we'll recover. We always do.
Saya sat up in the back of the SUV to see Rika walking towards the group with a look of determination in her eyes.
Saya (thinking): Hmph. Nice to see that you're back, Rika.
Rika: We need to come up with something. Living out in the woods won't do. Not with little Alice at our side.
Rodack: So what now?
Rika: We search for a place. Secure, secluded and more importantly; comfortable.
Totsuka: Do you think we can find a place that was more secure and comfortable than the hospital?
Rika: The hospital wasn't secure. We tricked ourselves into thinking we were safe when in reality, we were out in the open. That won't happen again. We need a place where we can grow our own food, purify our own water and such. The hospital had us spoiled because it had tons of food from when it was in use. And I'm sure that food could've lasted us for another 6 months easy.
Lars: So for now. We have no choice but to live out in the woods.
Rika: Incorrect, Lars. For now, we'll find somewhere local to hold up in once the others return. It'll have to be a gas station, or a motel or something temporary. From there, we start our search for a place. We will have to search for supplies daily since we're out in the sticks for a while.
Saya: Agreed. How will shifts go for watchout? We have to have someone on watch at all times.
Takashi: Wherever we go, wherever we end up, we need to be a lot more careful than what we were at Gansho. We were way too comfortable in the hospital and it made our defense sloppy. I can't lose anyone anymore.
Rei (thinking): Takashi...
Alice: Where's big sister Saeko?
Takashi looked all over with his eyes, searching for Saeko.
Takashi (to himself): Dammit.
Everyone looked around, noticing that Saeko was gone. She wasn't in any of the vehicles and she wasn't in eyeshot of the forest from the road. She had up and disappeared on them.
Rika: Anyone see where-
As she began to speak, the distant sound of a car approaching caught Rika's attention. She looked to her left and saw the sedan that the other's had left in.
Rika (thinking): They're back.
Kohta: Ah, sick! They made it back!
Totsuka: I wonder what they found.
The car stopped rather close to them and nobody got out right away. After a few seconds of silence, Raven stepped out of the passenger seat and didn't advance towards her friends.
Rei: Hey.. Raven. You okay?
Immediately after Rei spoke, Chie stepped out of the driver's seat, both remaining near the car.
Rika (thinking): Something's not right.
From the back seats came the two girls, still wearing their masks. Both aimed guns at the back of their heads.
Rodack: What the fuck is going on?!
Rei: Drop your weapons!
Rodack, Kohta, Totsuka and Rei all aimed their weapons at the people holding their friends hostage.
Lars (whispering to Shizuka): Ms. Shizuka, keep Alice safe!
Shizuka (whispering to Lars): O-Okay!
Female 1: Negative. You will not be giving the orders here. You will listen to everything we say or we will kill your friends right here and now.
Totsuka: Why? Why are you doing this?!
Female 1: These two and two more went into our territory and began stealing our things. So, this is what we do to those who try to pull one over on us.
Kohta: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I think we have a misunderstanding!
Female 2: Shut the fuck up, fat ass! No more talking!
Female 1: Weapons. On the ground, now.
Everyone stood their ground, not willing to give up so easily. If it was a fight they wanted, it was a fight they were gonna get.
Rika: Do as they say.
Rodack: What?!
Totsuka: But Rika-
Rika: Just do it. We're in no position to make demands.
Slowly but surely, everyone lowered their weapons and placed them on the ground as ordered. Shizuka had her hand covering Alice's mouth, just in case she were to make a noise.
Female 2: Hey, kid. Bring us your supplies in a bag and place it on the ground in front of me.
Totsuka: What? Me?
Female 2: No, the other kid next to you. Get a move on, fuck nut!
Totsuka: Okay, okay! Sheesh.
Totsuka quickly picked up a duffel bag from the bed of the truck and checked it. It was a portion of their food and water supply.
Totsuka (thinking): Dammit! They're going to take our food! And water! But more importantly, our food! We gotta do something!
Rika (thinking): I have to think. I don't want to go for a gun, because they're both dead if I do. If I make any moves at all, they'll pull the trigger. This is hard… I actually can't do anything right now! I guess we just have to lose this one, too.
Takashi: There has to be something we can do to prove this is all an accident.
Female 1: Quiet. *to Totsuka* Let's not take all day, kid. We don't want to be here any longer than we need to be-
Female 2: Look out!
Female 1 looked to her immediate right and saw a woman wielding a katana coming for her; it was Saeko. As both women looked to the attacker, Raven grabbed the hand of Female 2 in attempts to get the firearm out of hand. But Female 2 quickly overpowered her, putting her to the concrete on her back and punched her in the stomach. Female 1 drew her machete and blocked the vertical strike that Saeko delivered. Chie managed to run away to safety, out of the line of fire while Saeko engaged the enemy.
Female 2: Chinami!
Chinami: I got it!
With a machete in one hand and her pistol in the other, then pushed Saeko back, unlocking blades. She put her pistol in her thigh holster.
Chinami: I like a challenge.
Saeko firmly clenched her katana hilt, ready to fight.
Chinami: Hold the hostage, Mayumi.
Mayumi: Alright. Little bitch isn't going anywhere.
Mayumi grabbed Raven by her hair and put her handgun to her neck, ready to fire.
Rika (thinking): Dammit! I missed my chance! Back to square one.
Chinami walked towards Saeko who had a blank expression on her face. She firmly planted her feet and used her right hand to hold her machete above her head, aimed at Saeko and she had her left arm outstretched to Saeko with her palm facing her. She winked at Saeko which angered her, causing her to rush Chinami relentlessly.
The two clashed back and forth, parrying strikes and delivering counter attacks only to be blocked or parried again. It was easy to see that they were both skilled swordsmen. Saeko went for a low, horizontal strike attempting to cut Chinami's legs in half at the knees, but failed as it was seen and blocked. As it was blocked, Chinami stepped on Saeko's blade, holding her in place long enough for her to punch Saeko in the face. She stumbled back, but quickly regained her guard. Before she knew it, Chinami was in her face once again, delivering an onslaught of strikes from all directions. But knowing Saeko, she was able to block the flurry.
Chinami went for a diagonal chop at Saeko's neck, but was swiftly parried and followed by an elbow which struck her in the temple. She, too, stumbled back a few steps but quickly regained her composure. Both bleeding, Saeko from the lip and Chinami from a gash on her temple, the two charged each other again. They locked blades once more.
Chinami: Phew! You're pretty good. I think I'm actually getting tired.
Saeko stood sturn, not making any noise or change in expression.
Chinami: What's your name?
Still, Saeko stood silent, refusing to say anything to this woman. Chinami shrugged.
Chinami: Hmph. Fine then. Be that way.
Chinami used her right foot to kick the inside of Saeko's left knee, throwing her off balance. The slight loss of balance was just enough for Chinami to deliver a back fist to Saeko, causing her to fall to the ground. Chinami stomped on her wrist before she got the chance to stand, causing her to unhand her katana. She pointed her blade to Saeko's face.
Chinami: Stay down, no name.
Saya (thinking): Whoa… She… She beat Saeko… That's… unheard of!
Lars (thinking): I have to do something… But if I'm seen moving, Raven is dead.
Alice: No!
Everyone stopped what they were doing and saw Alice running from the SUV towards Saeko and Chinami. Everyone was frozen, unable to move or speak; fearful that they were going to witness Alice's death here. She made it over to Saeko and got on her knees, hugging her.
Saeko: Alice…
Alice: Please! Don't hurt big sister Saeko! We've already lost too many of our family! Ame, Rukina, Nado, Tak, Kotetsu, Kiba! I don't want anyone to get hurt! Please! Stop fighting each other!
Alice began to cry, scared for her big sister. Chinami slowly lowered her machete.
Chinami (thinking): It's… a little girl…
Rika (thinking): Shit! Shizuka, what-
She looked over to Shizuka who was also in shock. Alice had slipped away from her quickly, not giving Shizuka enough time to catch her.
Mayumi (to Raven): What is a little girl doing with you?! Huh?!
Mayumi forcefully pulled on her hair, trying to get a quick answer.
Chinami: Mayumi, enough! Little girl, are you sure you know these people?
Alice: Yes, of course! This is Saeko, that's Raven, there's Takashi, and Rika. That's Chie, there's Lars, *whispers to Chinami* he's my favorite. And that's Rei and Kohta too! Ms. Shizuka is over there. There's Saya too. She can be mean sometimes, but that's what big sisters are for! There's Totsuka and Roduck over there. *whispers to Chinami* That's not his real name, but that's what I secretly call him.
Chinami (thinking): She really knows them. We've made a mistake.
Mayumi: Chinami-
Chinami: I know. We've royally messed up.
Mayumi let go of Raven, even helping her to her feet and dusting her off.
Takashi (thinking): What's going on here? I don't get it.
Chinami: Anyone that would care for a child in the middle of the apocalypse are no enemy to us.
Mayumi: We must've gotten the wrong idea about you guys from the others.
Chinami: We're sorry.
Alice: Where are Momo and Iori? I don't see them in the car.
Rika: Yeah, where are the other two?
Chinami: They're safe. We'll take you to them.
Mayumi: Do you guys have enough vehicle space for everyone?
Rika: We'll manage.
The group picked up their weapons and the two girls put theirs away. They weren't enemies, and that was clear to them now.
Rika got in the driver's seat of the sedan and Chinami got into the passenger seat. Rodack, Kohta and Alice fit in the backseat while Totsuka popped open the trunk and sat there. Shizuka drove the SUV, Saya got in the passenger seat. Mayumi sat in the back seat with Chie, Takashi and Rei sat in the second row of seats while Saeko, Raven and Lars sat in the third row of the SUV.
Lars: It's a little… cramped in here.
Chie: I think you'll manage.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
Momosuke: Where…?
He checked his surroundings to see that he was standing on the side of the street at a bus stop. To his left stood a woman and to the right of him was Kiba.
Momosuke: Kiba? You…
Momosuke realized that Kiba looked a lot younger than he already does; he was a child again. He looked at his clothing and saw that he was in the same clothing as Kiba; their old elementary school's uniforms.
Kiba: Thank you for walking us, Mrs. Kamigawa! We almost got lost the last time we walked here.
Mrs. Kamigawa: Oh, not a problem boys. You'd better hurry up and get to school! You'll be late!
Momosuke (thinking): Mom…
Iori (distant, faint): Hey! Momosuke! You gotta get up!
Momosuke (waking up): Huh? What?
He immediately heard knocking and banging on the doors and windows of the gas station.
Iori: It's the undead! They know we're in here!
Momosuke: Huh!? What?! How?
Iori: Someone drove by a little while ago and they were honking their horn! I guess they were trying to lead them away or something, but they led them to us!
Momosuke: Ah, shit! We gotta find a way out of here!
Still bound by his restraints, he frantically searched for something to cut himself free with. He looked to the counter that was quite a bit of a distance away and saw a couple of knives lying around.
Momosuke: Iori! The counter!
Iori looked to see the knives as though they were calling to him.
Iori: Oh, hell yeah!
Momosuke, without the use of his hands, pushed himself against the wall and used his leg strength to push himself to his feet. As he managed to stand, he could feel his balance not aligned and began to fall again. He sat on his knees and looked to the counter.
Momosuke (thinking): Shit! Why are legs so hard to use!
Iori: Come on, Momo! Get over there!
Momosuke: Shut up! I'm trying!
He pressed himself against the wall behind him again and managed to get to his feet after struggling. He began to take slow hops toward the counter, being careful to not fall again. The infected broke a hole through the window to Iori's left.
Iori: They're getting in!
Momosuke: Fuck!
He began hopping faster, still trying his hardest to get to the counter containing their freedom. He quickly looked over his shoulder to Iori and as he did so, the undead broke several more windows, splashing glass shards onto Iori. His eyes grew wide, but then he focused back on the mission. He reached the counter and remembered that he had his hands behind his back. He turned around and began reaching backwards for knife closest to him. He grabbed it and stood frozen.
Momosuke (thinking): Oh no… how am I supposed to cut myself free?!
One of the infected fell through the window and flopped to the floor.
Iori: Oh shit! Oh shit!
As the undead was on the floor, crawling towards Iori, the guys heard gunshots nearby and the infected outside began dropping like flies. The front door flew open; it was Chinami, Mayumi and Saeko first. Behind them was Lars, Takashi and Saya. Mayumi shot the creature on the floor, saving Iori. Iori let out a sigh of relief.
Iori: Oh man. Thank you so much. Wait…
Momosuke: Weren't you going to kill us or something?
Chinami: What? No, we were never going to kill you. Just make your our slaves.
Momosuke: Oh. Because that's better.
Saeko walked to Momosuke and cut his hands free, then freed his legs.
Momosuke: Thank you, Saeko.
Saeko walked away from him and went outside without saying a word. Saya ran over to him and hugged him tightly, pushing her face against his chest. Chie walked into the building and saw Saya hugging him and looked away nonchalantly.
Saya: I'm so glad you're okay. Please, don't do that ever again.
Momosuke: Do what?
Saya: Scare me like that… you idiot!
Momosuke chuckled, seeing that she's getting back to her old self again.
Momosuke: Okay. I'll try not to.
Saya: Your head, you're bleeding. Are you okay?
Momosuke: I'll be fine. I promise.
Shizuka quickly walked over to Iori to check for wounds.
Shizuka: Are you okay, Iori?
Iori: I'm… much better now.
Chinami: Hey, "Momosuke" is it? Sorry for tying you guys up. It was… a big misunderstanding.
Momosuke: Hm?
Iori: What made you guys change your mind about us?
Mayumi: Anyone that can care for a little girl through this chaos of a world is cool in my book.
Mayumi looked back to Alice, who was getting a piggy back ride from Lars. Rodack entered with Rika and Rei. Behind them came Kohta and Totsuka. Everyone was now in this gas station together.
Chinami: There's another wave approaching. We should get ready to intercept.
Takashi: Okay. Alright everyone, you heard her.
Lars: Do we really listen to the girls that held our people hostage and threatened to kill them?
Rika: We've already established that that was a misunderstanding. We let it go and move on. They had our friends safe and sound.
Rodack: Safe and sound you say?
Totsuka: They weren't exactly chowing down on a 9 course meal when we were arrived. They were tied up.
Takashi: Hey, knock it off, guys. At least they're alive.
Saya: Momosuke is bleeding! What did you do-
Momosuke: Calm down… everyone. They did the right thing. They didn't know us and all they saw were a bunch of strangers taking their stuff. I don't blame them for taking the precautions that they did.
Saya: Momosuke…
Rika: All is forgiven. We were the intruders here, accidental or not. Momosuke is right. They didn't know us. We would've done the same thing if they trespassed in our home.
Everyone was quiet for a moment.
Chinami: You are all welcome to stay in our Plaza for a night. It's the least we can do after the mistake we've made.
Mayumi: Make yourselves at home. There's a motel across the street. Feel free to crash there.
Rika nodded to Mayumi and the new allies walked away, leaving everyone in the gas station. Saya hugged Momosuke again, emphasizing that she missed him. Totsuka patted Momosuke on the shoulder.
Totsuka: You good, bro?
Momosuke: Yeah, I'll be okay.
Totsuka held out a fist to Momosuke and he responded with a fist of his own. The two fist bump and Totsuka immediately turned his attention to Iori.
Totsuka: Iori.
Iori: Yeah?
Totsuka: What did they do to you here?
Iori: They… knocked out me and Momo and forced Raven and Chie to tie us up. Nothing major, but that taller girl has got a hell of a right arm.
Raven (whispering to herself): Tell me about it.
Takashi: We're all here, all together. As long as we've got that, I'd say we're in pretty good shape.
Everyone was quiet, listening to Takashi speak. Everyone began looking to each other, comforting one another. He was right. They had each other. Even though they've taken some losses, they have grown as a team and as a family. Momosuke walked over to Takashi, patting him on the shoulder. Takashi looked to him and saw a smile of approval on his face and he smiled back.
A few hours have gone by and night has fallen upon them. Across the street from the gas station was a secure motel that Mayumi and Chinami usually sleep in. Most members from the group were bunked up, lying down after a long, stressful day. They took a huge hit, but nothing they can't recover from. Momosuke, Takashi, Rika and Rodack were together, walking around the motel where their family was and checking on them.
Momosuke: Everyone seems to be in bed, except for Lars.
Rika: Where is he?
Momosuke: He's on the roof, keeping watching.
Rodack: Good. It was very generous of the girls to let us sleep here for the night. So the least that we can do is make sure that we take care of ourselves so they don't have to watch over us.
Takashi: Yeah. Where are the girls, anyway? I wanted to talk to them before it got too late.
The four travelled casually over to the gas station where they last saw them. The surrounding area seemed clear; the sisters had announced to them that they have a parameter of defenses set up all around the plaza. Being careful to not set off any alarms, they took extra precaution while moving. They got to the gas station as saw that the girls were playing some kind of trading card game at a table they had set up.
Mayumi: What is it?
Takashi: Uh…
Rika: Takashi had a few things to ask you ladies.
She patted him on the back and nudged him forward. Takashi gave Rika the side eye.
Takashi (thinking): Gee, thanks Rika.
Chinami: We're waiting, "Takashi".
Takashi: Uh, so yeah. I was just wondering… Why did you girls have a change of heart on our group today?
Mayumi: Huh?
Chinami: What do you mean?
Takashi: You brought Raven and Chie to us as hostages. You even brought our best close quarters combat fight, Saeko, to the ground. But as soon as you saw Alice… you both changed.
Chinami: *chuckles* Hm… That, huh. Well… We figured if you guys went out of your way to take care of that little girl during the apocalypse, you can't be too bad.
Mayumi: Luckily, we were right. You seem to be okay people. Better than the others that we've run into in the last few months.
The girls each played a card, taking a turn in the game. Takashi took a few steps forward.
Takashi: But, why? There was no reason for you to let up on us. We were in the wrong, invading your domain. Taking your supplies.
Mayumi: It's because… we've lost more than we ever thought we would.
Momosuke: What do you mean?
Chinami: We had a sister… Our baby sister...She was only 8 years old. We lost her about a month after this all went down.
Mayumi: We were cut off, Chinami and Reya got separated from me.
Takashi: So her name was Reya.
Mayumi nodded her head. Chinami laid her hand of cards face down and stood up, walking to the window across the room.
Chinami: We… I couldn't do anything. There were too many and I was unarmed. It was across town, near the Tokonosu Library.
Rika: The really big one. That must've been overrun since the beginning. That area of town was always heavily populated.
Mayumi: Yeah, well unfortunately that's where we were when the outbreak happened.
Chinami: It was just us. Mayumi had to run, I saw that. If she stayed, she would've been pinned against a wall with no escape. Like a lamb to the slaughter.
Mayumi: You know if I could've made it to you guys, I would've.
Chinami: I know… I… I got pinned onto the ground. It had me and I couldn't get it off. Reya… that damn girl… So brave. She rushed over to try to help me. I screamed at her to go away and run for herself… But she didn't listen.
Chinami lowered her head for a moment, then looked up to the moon in the sky. Momosuke could see the anguish on her face from the side. She was crying, saddened by the thought of her sister. Mayumi laid her hand face down and stood up, walking over to Chinami. The two sisters hugged, comforting one another.
Mayumi: Long story short, Reya wasn't careful. She put her hand in the face of the undead… and it bit her, taking off 2 of her fingers and a chunk of her hand.
Chinami (crying, sobbing): She screamed… She screamed so loud…
Mayumi: I've never heard her scream that loud before… Even after that one time she was bitten on her leg by a spider. She was terrified of those things and she didn't scream that loud from them.
Chinami: I didn't know what to do… I got the infected off of me and… I just picked her up and ran.
Mayumi: I met up with them at our secondary hideout. I saw what happened… We both knew what was going to happen to her.
Momosuke: What did you decide to do with her?
Mayumi looked over to Momosuke, thinking if she should answer him. A tear began to form at her left eye as well. This whole conversation was hitting them where it hurts.
Mayumi: I… I had to do something… She wouldn't stop screaming. And you know noise attracts them.
Chinami buried her face into Mayumi's chest.
Mayumi: Chi Chi was on the floor in front of her, trying to calm her down. She knew what we had to do… We couldn't let her turn. So I…
Mayumi choked on her words for a moment, stopping completely. She swallowed hard and gathered herself.
Mayumi: I shot her… in the back of the head. Her blood splashed onto Chinami… and all I can remember seeing was Chinami's face…
Chinami (sobbing): I know she had to do it… But… I just wasn't ready for it.
Mayumi: And from then on… we've been cold to everyone. We haven't let anyone else stay with us until we met you guys. For some reason… when I see a little girl… I immediately think of our little Reya.
Chinami (sniffling): It must be a weakness of ours. It made me really happy on the inside when I realized that there were still good people out there willing to take care of a little girl. A group that we ran into a few months back would've rathered rape the girl then help her.
Mayumi: Those bastards… I remember them.
Chinami: How can you forget, Mayumi? They threatened to repopulate the world with us.
Mayumi: And that's why they aren't alive anymore. We made sure of that.
Takashi: You two seem to have your heads on straight.
Rodack: And you're dangerous. That's what you have to be out here.
Mayumi: Nobody will come near my sister. I've made that mistake before and it won't happen again.
Rika: So you must be the older sister then, Mayumi?
Chinami: Actually, I'm the older sister.
Takashi: Oh. Uh…
Momosuke: That's…
Rodack (to Momosuke): Unexpected?
Momosuke: Yeah… Yeah that's the word.
Mayumi: What? I seem older than Chi Chi?
Momosuke: I mean… just a bit, yeah.
Rika: You two okay?
Chinami wiped her face and Mayumi wiped her eyes. They hated when people saw them cry; they thought it made them look weak or defenseless.
Chinami: Yeah… *sniffles* We're okay.
Mayumi: We just get… a little emotional when we think about our late sister.
Takashi: I'm sorry I asked…
Chinami: It's okay. Don't worry about it. It's only natural for you to be curious out the cause of our change of heart. Speaking of Change of Heart-
Chinami looked to the table and then looked to Mayumi. The two went to go sit back down and finish their card game.
Mayumi: Be careful around the west side of the plaza. We've rigged it with traps.
Chinami: East side has bells and other alarms all over. If anything makes a sound, we'll hear it.
Rika: We'll have a group of two patrolling the area in shifts, you know. For our safety.
Chinami: I understand. You want to feel safe and patrolling makes you feel safer. That's totally fine.
Mayumi: Just don't fuck anything up.
Takashi: Got it.
~Later that night~
Rodack and Lars were on patrol, walking throughout the plaza in laps. Rodack had his original AR-15 and Lars was carrying the baseball bat; he didn't feel the need for a firearm. Nurse Shizuka was curled up next to Rika, sleeping comfortably while also trying to comfort her friend for the loss of her brother. Momosuke and Saya were also in the motel, a few doors down from Rika and Shizuka and the two were getting comfortable. Saya, although angry at him, cuddled on him and buried her face on his chest, trying to comfort him. He just lost his best friend in the world and she knew it was a sensitive time for him. Alice was with Rei and Saeko, the three sharing a room; they offered Alice a bed to herself but she wanted to stay as close to the girls as possible so she could feel safe. Totsuka, Chie and Raven decided to room together because the more that were together, the safer they thought they would be. Iori and Kohta were on the roof of the motel while Rodack and Lars continued to patrol and for Rei and Takashi? The two were sitting up together, talking.
Takashi was standing by the window in his boxers and tank top, staring out into the night.
Rei: Are you going to be okay?
Takashi looked over to her over his shoulder and then back outside.
Takashi: What made you ask that?
Rei: Well… I understand what you're going through. We lost the twins a short while ago and then Nado, Tak and Kiba all at once. You feel like our family keeps dying and you probably think it's your fault.
Takashi couldn't respond, she was spot on. He felt like everything was crumbling in front of him and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He wanted what was best for his family but he was questioning his decisions now because it seems like people still die no matter what he does. Rei got up, in her bra and panties, and walked over to him, hugging him from behind.
Rei: No matter what you decide to do, I'll support you. You and Rika have to lead this group and we all believe in both of you. Sometimes, things are out of our control. You can't decide who lives and who dies or what goes right and what goes wrong. Things just happen.
Takashi clenched his right hand tightly into a fist, but then relaxed his hand. He realized that she was right in every way. He doesn't have control over who lives and dies, all he can do is try to avoid it.
Rei: Regardless of what happens to us, I love you.
She hugged him slightly tighter than before and used her right hand to rub his stomach. Her warm touch was enough to give Takashi a much needed smile.
Takashi (voiceover): That was it… This was the first day outside of Gansho Hospital. We lost our home, our friends… and the worst thing is that we were all powerless. We will be better for next time. And whoever attacks us won't walk away. We'll kill them all.
END CHAPTER 20
Ending Theme Song: The Place of Hope by Maon Kurosaki
NEXT TIME ON HOTDR
Takashi: There's not much to say… we feel defeated. We have lost.
Momosuke: Yeah, we lost. But do you think that's gonna hold us down? I won't let my brother and friends die in vain.
Rei: Whatever it takes, I will kill Shido, even if I have to do it with my bare hands.
Takashi: It doesn't matter what they throw at us next. We'll be ready for it. They'll learn that they've fucked with the wrong group.
Totsuka: Next time on Highschool of the Dead Revamped.
ALL: No Dead Weight!
Kohta: No Dead Weight? Who's gonna be dead weight?!
Rodack: Kohta, calm down. It's probably gonna be you.
Kohta: Oh… well that's- Hey!