Dead city: beginning of the end

Raven was on her knees.

Tears silently rolled down her cheeks… but she was smiling. That kind of smile that makes people uncomfortable because they know it's hiding something huge. Jade looked at her, completely unsure whether to hug her or give her space . She just stood there, watching Raven smile through the pain.

Then—

Groaning.

From upstairs.

Everyone froze. It was that nasty, gurgly, slow zombie sound they were now way too familiar with.

Raven pointing at Orion, motioning him to go upstairs. He looked at her, slightly raising his eyebrows.

Raven: I'll go.

Jade (steping forward): Are you sure?

Raven (nodded calmly):Yes.

She walked up the stairs. One step. Another. Quiet, steady.

The room door creaked open… and there they were.

Her mom and dad.

Not alive.

Not… them.

Just like the movies. Except this time she couldn't scream or cry. She did what she had to do. And when she came back downstairs, her face was blank. She had officially switched off.

Then Raven got to packing like this was just a sleepover at the end of the world. She grabbed her manga stash, her phone (of course), the charger, every single anime merch item she'd ever hoarded like figurines, some clothes, extra knives, and her skincare bag—which, respectfully, was way smaller than Jade's. 💅

Everything was quiet. Everyone was still kinda watching her.

Until—

Jade (suddenly shouted): RAVEN!!😱

Raven (looking up, all calm): What?😲

Jade :WHAT ABOUT OUR CLASSMATES?!😱

Raven (blinking):Ohh them😌

Then it hit her like a frying pan.

Raven:OHHHHH THEM?! 😱

She instantly picked up her phone and called Blake(one of the kids from the circle in chapter one "CLASS DISMISSED")

He actually picked up.

Blake:Hello? 👀 Is this… Raven?

Raven(practically dancing):Yesssss this is meeeeee😆😆.

Blake:OH MY GOD YOU'RE ALIVE 😭."Wait where are you?? Who are you with?

Raven:I'm at my house, just leaving now! What about you?😉

Blake:I'm at my house with Austin and Grayson( other kids from the circle)

That's when she gets the idea.

Raven:Wait… remember that hotel you had your birthday at during summer vacation?

Blake(already sounding suspicious):Yeah?🤨

Raven:Let's meet there. Tomorrow.😆

Blake(acting all dramatic):Hmm…Let me think.

Raven (rolling her eyes with a grin):Surviving the apocalypse is cool and all… but it's better with friends 😌

Blake( groaning);That was so expected from you.😆

Raven:Yup,and it was perfect😆😆🤌.