YLLONA POV
*Before the Apocalypse*
"Brother, have you heard?" I asked, trying to get his attention. Ever since I entered his office, he'd been tapping nonstop on his keyboard.
"What?" He didn't even bother to look at me.
Hello? There's a human in front of you. Maybe you'd like to look this way? I feel like an idiot talking to myself here.
"About the STEM department." I leaned my elbow on his desk and rested my chin on my hand.
"And?"
"The professors caused an accident. They let a bat into the science lab, and it went out of control—biting and scratching three STEM students."
"Then?"
Useless to talk to hmpp. His answers are so short. Why did I even come here? I have so many friends I could talk to but I chose this block of ice human.
"Then two of them were sent to the hospital because they were convulsing?" I said irritably.
"Then?"
His eyes were glued to his laptop screen. No matter how much I talked, he wouldn't even look at me.
Damn it, forget it. Talking to you is pointless.
"You're so hard to talk to, brother. You're like a robot," I complained, glaring at him. *Sign* I should just leave before I lose my mind.
I stood up in frustration and was about to walk out when he suddenly called, "Yllona, come back. I didn't say you could leave."
"Why should I listen to you? You don't even care about what I'm saying," I said, pouting with my arms crossed.
He stopped typing and looked at me coldly, like he was staring straight into my soul. He tilted his head, as if thinking about something. My instincts screamed danger, like this stupid brother of mine would kill me if I didn't obey.
*Sign*
"Fine, I'm coming back to my seat," I said, shoulders slumping as I sat down again. He immediately went back to typing like a madman.
Is he really that serious about being the SSG president? Why even bother going to school if all he wants to do is work?
"Take these books to the library."
Huh? Why me? Do I look like a porter?
"What? Why me? You have so many minions, and you order me?" I said angrily.
"Do you see anyone else here besides the two of us?" he asked with a frown and a sarcastic tone.
Fine, fine I'll do it. As always.
I stomped over and grabbed the books. "Don't forget to give them to Mrs. Paola. Those are newly released history books. Don't drop or lose them."
I answered with a heavy sigh.
Great, more responsibility. Next time, I'm never coming to my brother's office again. I always end up as his servant. I'm such a pretty person and he turns me into a porter. What a waste of my skincare. *Sign*
I was carrying five books, and they were so heavy my arms felt like they'd fall off. I swear, brother I'm cursing this day and your ugly face too!
While walking down the corridor, I heard a commotion. A real one.... people shouting and throwing harsh words at each other.
Oh no. Why now?
"Damn you, you idiot!" a woman shouted.
"And it's true! You had the nerve to leave the group when you're completely useless," another voice replied.
"You have no right to interfere with my life decisions. Whether I left the group or not, it's none of your business!"
"Hah! Don't forget, Irish. Leaving the group comes with a huge price."
"You think I'd leave without knowing that? Are you stupid?"
"Then prepare yourself, because if you fail to give the money the boss is demanding, your brother will be the one they take—Ack!"
"DON'T YOU DARE DRAG MY BROTHER INTO THIS!"
I stopped eavesdropping when they started fighting. I noticed the man with the woman throwing punches at the guy on the ground.
Crap. He didn't see my face clearly, right? I need to get out of here.
I hurried to the library. As usual, it was quiet and peaceful, unlike the chaos outside.
"Where's Mrs. Paola?" I whispered, scanning the area. I spotted her giving a can of milk to a female student.
Wow, she's so hardworking. Her eyebags are huge. Must be a hardworking student…
"Mrs. Paola," I called when she returned to the counter.
"Oh, Ms. Ferrer," she greeted me with a smile.
"These are the books that just arrived. My brother asked me to give them to you."
"Oh, let me see." I handed her the five books, and she checked them one by one.
Ugh, I'm so hungry. I should go to the cafeteria first.
"Um, Mrs. Paola, I'll be going now—"
My smile vanished when she suddenly grabbed my arm.
Damn it, I know what's coming next. I'M HUNGRY, PLEASE LET ME EAT FIRST!
I pouted and gave her puppy eyes, hoping she'd let me go. But it didn't work, she just smiled and pushed the books back to me.
"Do me a favor."
There it is again. Her "favor." So annoying—but what choice do I have? I can't leave until I do it.
"You want me to put them on the bookshelf, right?" I said, cutting her off.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked innocently.
Yes! Every time I return books, you always make me do it!
I laughed fakely, carried the books, and walked toward the huge bookshelves that looked like they belonged to Dr. Einstein with how many there were. Since these were new books, there was obviously no space below—so I had to climb the ladder.
What a lucky day.
After dragging the heavy ladder over, I carefully climbed while holding the five books. Such a wonderful day. What a waste of skincare, I should've just gone to the gym instead of my brother office if i know this will happened.
After half an hour, I finally finished. I walked back toward the counter but before I got close, I heard a loud screaming.
I ran toward the sound and froze in shock at what I saw.
The library was in chaos. Absolute chaos. They weren't like people anymore...more like dogs.... no, they are cannibals. The tables and floor were drenched in blood, bodies lying everywhere.
But....but those bodies suddenly started moving and attacking other students.
T-They were like zombies. Yes. Just like in zombie movies.
F-Fuck. I need to leave. I need to get out of here.
As I panicked, a phone slid to my feet. Its screen was cracked.
"HELLO? ANSWER ME PLEASE, LITTLE SISTER!!!" someone screamed from the phone.
I picked it up, about to answer and ask for help but it suddenly shut off.
"Ah, fuck! Why did you hang up? We need help—"
I froze.
A zombie stood three steps away from me. Its face was horrifying, drenched in blood, its eyes an unnatural color.
"AHHHH!" I screamed and ran as it charged toward me, shrieking while chasing me.
Stay away from me, you ugly thing! Of all people you could chase, why me?!
I threw every book I could grab at it until I reached the area where I'd placed the books earlier.
Why won't this thing stop chasing me?! I dreamed of being chased but not by a zombie!
I saw the heavy ladder and climbed it all the way to the top of the bookshelf. I fit there if I sit down. The zombie followed but soon became confused, searching for me. Until it heard another student screaming and ran off.
"D-Damn it. I thought I was going to die. What the hell is happening?" I panted, clutching my chest as I looked down. Students were running at the far end, but none reached this area—probably because they'd get cornered.
Thank goodness for this ladder. I cursed you before, but now you saved me. What a miracle.
If this is happening in the library, then it must be worse outside.
Brother… I need to call my brother.
I checked my pocket, but the only phone I had was the one I picked up.
"Stupid," I slapped my forehead. "I left my phone on my brother's desk. What a great day I have" I muttered loudly then quickly covered my mouth, afraid the zombies below would hear me.
I looked at the phone. "What if it has no password?" I pressed the power button, praying but when the screen lit up, my shoulders dropped and my hopes faded away. It had a pattern lock.
I started to worry about my brother. Even if he's an ice cold jerk, he's still my brother. I noticed the bottom of the phone and an idea popped into my head.
If I can't call my brother, the emergency number should work, right?
I tapped the emergency icon and dialed. It rang… and rang… but no one answered. I tried again. And again. All failed.
What the hell is happening? Why isn't even 922 answering? Is this only happening on campus? Then why isn't anyone responding?