Chapter 1: Ego
A young man with black hair crouched behind a door, peering through the narrow gap. He could see the pale figure of something—or someone—approaching him. His heartbeat pounded, quickening with each step it took closer. He glanced around and grabbed a bat lying nearby, clutching it tightly.
The creature was coming, and he knew there was no way to avoid it. Running past it wouldn't help; more would likely follow. He swallowed hard, bracing himself as he waited for it to enter. The footsteps echoed in his ears, each one a grim warning. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself, and as the door began to creak open, he swung the bat with all his strength.
The bat struck the pale figure square in the chest, crushing its ribs. Blood sprayed across the floor, splattering onto him, and he fell to his knees in shock, staring at his attacker. Just a few hours ago, this creature had been his neighbor. They hadn't been close, but they'd always exchanged a smile and a nod whenever they passed in the hallway.
"Is it... is it over?" he gasped, his breath coming in heavy pants.
But it wasn't. The creature let out a guttural growl and clawed its way across the floor toward him, its fingers digging deep into the tile. He froze, eyes wide with panic, but adrenaline surged through him, clearing his mind of hesitation. This wasn't his neighbor anymore; it was a monster. Life or death. He gripped the bat tighter, raised it, and slammed it down on its head again and again.
Sweat dripped from his forehead as he kept swinging, not stopping until the creature finally lay still. Breathing heavily, he allowed himself a sigh of relief. But just as he thought it was over, pain exploded in his neck. He felt himself yanked backward, powerful hands grabbing him from behind.
"Arrgh!" he screamed, the agony overwhelming him as his life slipped away.
Zack jolted awake, gasping, his eyes wide in shock as he looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers in disbelief. "Wasn't I eaten by a zombie? How... how am I still alive!?"
Suddenly, he remembered something and glanced frantically at the calendar on the wall.
December 13th, The Corona virus Zeta variant had broken out two days ago, transforming 80% of humanity into mindless, flesh-craving zombies overnight. Civilization had collapsed instantly, like the switch of a light.
Though Zack was one of the lucky 20% who survived, his fortune hadn't lasted. Just two days later, zombies had broken into his apartment, and he had joined the ranks of the undead himself.