Screams echo through the city, pleading for somebody, anybody to save them. Smoke from car crashes rises into the cloudy, dusty sky, painting it a disgusting shade of beige-green. And above it all, hovering in the sky, a massive holographic panel, with glowing blue words.

DOOMSDAY COUNTDOWN.

That's what it says. In bold and all capitals.

I can't move, can't scream, but as I watch the timer get closer to six zeros, I notice a shambling figure out of the corner of my eye. It freezes as it stumbles into my field of view, and with a loud shriek, the zombie goes for my face.

DOOMSDAY COUNTDOWN:

00:00:00

"Ahh!" I jerk upright, flailing with the sheets and falling onto the floor with a loud CLUNK. I groan and sit up, rubbing my sore head. "Whew," I sigh. "Just a dream." I look up, to see the morning sun filter through the blinds, illuminating my room with a soft, warm light. I get to my feet, stretch, and head into the kitchen.

I have a basic breakfast, just some cereal, milk and yogurt. I shower, and get changed into some appropriate clothing. I catch a glance in the mirror. My long blond hair is all over the place, spiking out like some anime character. My blue eyes gaze out of my fair face, and I trace my finger over the scar on my forehead, mostly hidden by my fringe. My phone buzzes. Cole: Rex! Where r u? I smile, grab my phone and dash out the door.

Cole's waiting for me outside the campus gates. At 6-7 feet, with long, shaggy black hair, often tied up into a bun or ponytail, piercing green eyes, and a permanent smirk, Cole has often been desired by most of our universities female students. When I tease him about it, he just laughs and says he's too busy for dating. "Dating? I spend all my time making sure you don't do something dumb! I don't have time for dating!" He'd laugh, scruffing up my hair even more. Today though, he's wearing a dark navy band singlet, dark jeans, with his hair tied up into a ponytail. He raises a hand as he sees me approach, and walks over.

"Sleep in again?" He asks, eyebrow raised. I laugh sheepishly. "How'd you know?" Cole breaks out into a large grin. "Were you playing that VR game again?" I nod.

Convergence Survival had hit the charts like a meteor strike, climbing up the ranks till it hit the number one spot. It was a game where you had to survive as long as possible in a post apocalyptic world, where several universes have blurred together, corrupting the entire world. Players had to choose certain items from certain pre-existing games to help them survive. CS was particularly notorious for being incredibly realistic, and difficult. The main event of the game was always a zombie apocalypse, and players used the items to survive. It's been losing players for the past year, because of it's extremely difficult survibability.

"I can't believe you still play that game. I mean, that's some hardcore commitment!" Cole laughs, slapping me on the back and nearly sending me sprawling. "Hahaha, thanks," I laugh as we enter our classroom for our lecture. As I take my seat, and the professor starts talking, the words just start to blur out. My eyelids feel like they're weighted. My eyes feel like they have sand in them. Just need to… close my eyes… just for a little bit… My eyes droop closed.

I'm lying on the floor, an unfamiliar figure looming over me. I can hear her voice, but I can't make out any of the words. I think she curses, as she brings out a small glass bottle with a pink liquid in it. She uncorks the bottle, and pours the potion down my throat. Her words start to make sense. "Rex? Rex? Oh come on, Rex. Wake up!"

"Rex! Rex! Please wake up, immediately!" The professor's sharp voice jerks me awake. "H-huh? Sorry sir?" The professor sighs, clearly exasperated over my shenanigans. "If you are so tired, then you can leave now. Go home." I start to protest, but he cuts me off. "If you can't keep your eyes open, I doubt you'll get anywhere today. Go home, get some rest. I'll send you the lesson later." Shame-faced, I grab my bag, and leave the classroom, feeling the rest of the class's eyes on me. Cole gives me a sympathetic smirk as I walk past him. I can hear their muttering as I close the door with a final CLACK.

How am I so tired? I wonder, as I settle back down onto my bed. It was just a bad dream. So why did it feel so real? I lie back on the bed, not bothered to change into pyjamas, and I shut my eyes, and swiftly fall asleep.

BOOM!! The explosion startles me from sleep. I jerk out of the bed, still half awake. I stumble over to the window, and as I swing open the blinds, the screams, explosions and panic all hit me like a slap to the face. And above it all… was a holographic blue panel, with glowing letters.

DOOMSDAY COUNTDOWN:

00:00:00