In the year, 2029, scientists discovered a secret component hidden in our DNA which had the potential to cure cancer, however, the biological component woke the dormant animal cells, causing many people around the world to change into werewolf/zombie creatures known only as "Inner Forms". 14 years later, the world became an apocalyptic hellhole. With survivors scattered all around the world. The epicentre of the infection being London, England.
Whilst Inner Forms are unable to control themselves and go berserk, some are capable of retaining their humanity.
One of them, a friend to a medical student who worked on her in this project, had total control over herself. Her name was Kunia Mansi. She was helping her friend, Jane Grayson, pack up to head to a nearby survivor community in the city of Glasgow, Scotland.
"Are... you sure you want to go and join this group you've been talking about joining?" asked Kunia, showing signs of nervousness.
Jane replied, "Well, we don't really have any other choice, don't worry, they'll know you're safe." She put the rest of what was left of their stuff into her backpack and hoisted the straps over her shoulders.
However, even after Jane's reassurance, Kunia still wasn't too sure.
She said, "I'm not worried about that it's just... well... I'm worried about the dangers we're going to face."
Jane placed her hand on Kunia's shoulder. "Regardless, I know we'll be alright. You heard the radio broadcast, they're open to other survivors. Especially when they need medical personnel. Heard they got some wounded over there."
Jane's words seemed to help raise Kunia's spirits a bit, but she was still a bit iffy. "Alright... I've got my stuff packed up then...you?" she asked.
Jane nodded as she picked up her weapon - a table leg.
"Hey, do you ever think those things act a bit like zombies?" she asked.
Kunia thought for a moment before responding, " Uh... I think, but I think they also act straight up feral as well."
Jane turned to Kunia, her expression was sad, "True. But I'm glad we're going somewhere new. We can't stay by ourselves. Not after what we've been through. Losing a whole bunch of people too..."
Kunia nodded slowly, looking down, trying to keep herself from crying. There'd be plenty of time for that later.
Jane continued, "But hey, as long as the rain stays off, we'll be alright. I'd hate to be soaked."
Both women jumped at the sound of thunder from outside and the sound of heavy rain. Kunia giving Jane a glance as she said, "Did you have to jinx it?"
"Shit..." was the reply.
The two of them then exited the building and began to run in the soaking rain.
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, two hooded figures ran down a dimly light street before ducking into an alleyway, one of them, an African-British woman, pulled down her hood, revealing her eyepatch, red crimson eye, and long red wavy hair. Her name is Emily Davison.
"Shit, they're everywhere."
She opened up her pistol to see how many rounds she had left.
The other hooded figure, an Irishman by the name of Arson Richardson, pulled down his own hood, revealing his black hair, and brown eyes. "How much you got left, Emily?" he asked.
Emily sighed as she looked up at Arson.
"2 left. What about you?" she replied.
"I got 2 left in my shotgun... I got two clips and a half for my Assault Rifle, and I have 15 shots on my pistol... not doing too well." came his answer.
Emily sighed, closed her eye and held the notch of her pistol up to her nose, she was taking deep breaths to keep herself calm. She spoke quietly, but just enough that her companion could hear her, "We'll be alright...if we can get up to the rooftops, we can get out of the city...I hope. We can do this Arson..."
Arson nodded and pulled out his map.
"Alright, now if we trek down this alleyway and make a left, we'll find a set of ladders for an apartment complex. We can use those to get up to the roof without being dete-"
He was interrupted by the sound of roaring of the creatures of the night; the Inner Forms had found prey.
Both Arson and Emily heard a woman's voice in between the roars, "HOW THE HELL DID THEY SPOT US!? HOOF IT, JANE!"
Arson groans, "Ah fuck me...still civilians in the area."
Emily slowly took out her combat knife, muttering something under her breath as she did so.
Kunia and Jane managed to get themselves a great distance from the Inner Forms when Kunia pushed Jane into another alleyway, and she yelled, "Go! I'll catch up!" before turning fully into her Inner Form, which was a silver kind of werewolf, tearing through the pursuing Inner Forms with her claws.
Arson, who watched this unfold, raised his assault rifle and yelled to Kunia to duck as he fired a shot which took out three Inner Forms.
"SHIT!" was all Kunia could say as she ducked to the ground, Jane rushing over to check if she was okay.
"I'm alright, Jane, don't worry." came her reply.
Kunia got up as they turned to Arson.
"An Inner Form on the good side of things? Hell, I'll take it. Follow my red headed companion in that alleyway there!" He pointed to the alleyway that Emily was at, who was halfway up the ladders.
"This way!" gestured Emily as she continued to rapidly climb up.
"Of course, the Inner Forms can't climb. We'll get to the community faster that way!" proclaimed Jane as Kunia agreed as both of them rushed to the alleyway, with Arson making sure nothing would jump them.
Once they made it to the rooftop, Arson took out his radio and contacted somebody, "Ariona, what's your ETA to the designated LZ?"
Ariona replied, " Got caught up in an Inner Form war! Some are fighting amongst another! I'm out of it now, your chopper's 10 minutes out, but our window is short!"
Arson showed a little bit of worry, how could they reach the edge of the city in 10 minutes?
Kunia smiled, "Leave it to me!" she said as she howled loudly, stunning the Inner Forms down below before going down on all fours. "Now get on my back and hang on!"
Jane yelled out in fear, "You're insane!" she cried.
"Insane is what usually gets you out of trouble!" came the reply of Kunia's.
The group jumped onto Kunia's back as she began to leap from rooftop to rooftop.
Arson was impressed with Kunia's actions as he said, "Holy fuck lady you are insane! ...AND I LOVE IT! You're definitely the material Emily and I are searching for!"
Kunia replied with, " As much as I like the praise, don't fuck with my hearing! Or I'll get atta-" She was cut off by a wall of Inner Forms right in front of her, and she had to take a sharp turn to avoid them.
However, Emily lost her grip and fell off of Kunia, into one of the alleyways, striking her head on the concrete. Luckily, there were no Inner Forms near that particular alleyway, and it was close to the community that Jane and Kunia were heading to.
"Wait! Kunia, look! Isn't that where the community is?!" quirked Jane as she pointed towards it.
"Holy shit, it is! That's our objective!"
Arson yelled Emily's name as he jumped off of Kunia and quickly went down the stairs to grab her.
The group then made it to the entrance of the community's safe zone, Arson carrying Emily in his arms.
"Jane, you're a medical student, right? Can you check to see if Emily's alright?" Arson asked her.
Jane went over to Emily and felt her forehead, although she was unconscious, she only sustained minor injuries, including a cut on her forehead.
"It's alright, Arson. She's unconscious, but alive." she said.
"Thank God for that." exhaled Arson, feeling relieved.
As they went closer to the gate of the entrance, a man with long brown hair and beard was standing with a rifle at the top of the community's watchtower.
"Is that the medical personnel?" he asked.
Jane nodded. "Yeah, we are."
"Were you bitten?" came the man's reply. He appeared to have an American accent.
"No, we're clean." Jane replied, rolling up her sleeves.
Arson, Kunia, and the others did the same (excluding Emily), showing they were all clean.
"Good enough for me." said the man as the gate slowly opened.
The group then entered as the man descended the watchtower and went over to them.
"Welcome...Jane and Kunia, was it?" he asked.
Both girls nodded.
"My name's Michael. Welcome to the Barras, I'll show you around and where everything is." he continued.
Michael showed them the areas around the community. Various tents were propped up, one of them with the red cross symbol on it - indicating that was the Infirmary.
"You must be lucky to have an Inner Form fighting by your side, huh?" said Kunia.
Michael nodded, "Yeah, as long as you have full control over yourself, we should be good."
Kunia got some scared looks from the other survivors, which was understandable, because they weren't sure if she could be trusted.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Inner Forms who retain their humanity in some form, it distances them from their peers. In some cases, it's seen as discrimination, and prejudice.
Kunia thought back to when she became infected, she'd been at her home when screams from her neighbour's house caught her attention, and ran to investigate. As she made it to her neighbours house, the door burst open and she was pinned to the ground, fighting off her infected neighbour. She would've surely been killed if it hadn't been for Jane, who was scavenging the area, looking for supplies with her group when she saw the incident take place. Although she hesitated momentarily, she saved Kunia's life. Of course, when Kunia began to turn, Jane stayed right by her side, knowing the dangers that could've happened to her if Kunia had lost herself completely.
She was brought back to the present when a young teenaged girl, with long brown hair, brown freckles all around her face, and brown eyes ran up to Michael, informing him about a broken gate.
"No worries, Carrie, we'll get somebody to look in on that. Are you any good at repairing gates, Kunia?" he asked.
"Huh? O-oh, yeah, I'm familiar with a little bit of fence repair." she replied. "Mind if I take a look at the damages?"
Carrie said, "Sure. I'll take you to it."
She then escorted Kunia to the broken fence, whilst Arson, still holding Emily, and Jane went to the Infirmary to get started.
End of Chapter One.