"Were you bitten or scratched?" the man asked with a hint of wariness.
Riku was confused and just as he was about to ask why that's important. The beautiful woman beside the man spoke.
"Look at his face Stephen, he's confused, besides if he was bitten or scratched he would've turned in less than a minute already. By the way I'm Eliza."
The woman tried to smile, but the situation they were in didn't allow her to smile.
"T-Takahashi" he stammered, whether it was because of the beauty of the woman or how she reminded him of his mom, he didn't know why and he couldn't find an answer as the man called Stephen spoke.
" Sorry bout that kid. Just like what she said, the name's Stephen, are you alone or are you waiting for someone?"
"N-no I'm alone, but can you please explain why is it important if you were bitten or scratched?"
While the question isn't exactly offensive. His heart ached a little as he was reminded of the fact that his parents were no longer with him. Maybe it was obvious on his face because Stephen apologized and explained.
"Sorry that might've been insensitive with this bullsh*t going on. As for why it's important. It's because those things infect people when they're either bit or scratched. After a minute or so they start turning into zombies."
"Zombies?" Riku had to repeat it.
" Yes kid, zombies just like the ones in the movies. They rely more on their hearing, though they're not blind and they have enormous strength they can bust down wooden doors as if they're made out of plastic"