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Tales At World’s End

Jameson_Smith_2550
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Chapter 1 - Welcome to the end

I wake up in my room, I rub my eyes as I look around the room. I get out of my bed and get dressed into my school uniform. I woke up like this everyday again and again.

My name is Conor Matthews, a third year student at St. Andrew's secondary school in Dublin. I wouldn't say I enjoyed school. It wasn't that I don't have friends, I don't. It was boring, I would prefer to play games and watch movies.

I walked down stairs and saw my dad making breakfast, he looked over his shoulder. "Oh, hey Conor, I just made pancakes. Ready for school?"

I nod my head and eat the pancakes. I stared at my father who was washing up the dishes. He was a tall man with brown hair and ocean blue eyes.

Finishing the pancakes, I got up and put my bag on my shoulder.

"Connor? I just got a call from my unit. They say there's an emergency at the base. I was just called in so I won't be able to drive to school, okay?" He said putting on his jacket and grabbing his car keys.

"Okay dad."

I open the door and walk out down the path that leads towards the school. Today was like any other day, I walked behind the crowd of students heading in the same direction.

It's just another day that's what I keep saying to myself.

Sounds of laughter can be heard as I turn my head to look. I saw a group of girls giggling and laughing with each other, the girl in the middle was the one who made me stare. Mai Madonna, she was in my year, my childhood best friend and the girl I have had a crush on forever.

Not like I have a chance with her. I wasn't physically appealing, not really good looking. I did not do any physical activities like sports or exercising, so my body was out of shape. There was no chance that I could date her. It wasn't like those movies where the girl likes the guy for who he is despite his physical appearance. I know the world doesn't work like that, people judge based on appearance.

I sit down in class looking out the window tuning out what the teacher is saying. I could see the mountains from the window, the wind blowing through the trees, the lake running down its course. people walking pass, it was peaceful, quiet. As I looked through the window I thought I could see something strange. It looked like an older man yet his skin complexion was a light green, almost a sickly colour. He walked slowly, the people walking around stopped and looked at the person with worry for his health. One person pulled out their phone to call an ambulance, another walked up to him to see if he was alright but the man grabbed them and bit them. The person screams so loud that it could be heard from my classroom.

Everyone who had seats near the window stares out and the teacher tries to make them focus on the class. They walked over the window to see what was going on and saw all that happened. Whispers can be heard throughout the classroom as everyone tries to see out the window, some have their phones out trying to record it.

I couldn't turn away from the window, I felt sick seeing what was happening outside. The person who had been bitten skin starts to become the same colour of the man who had bitten them. It's like something I have seen in a cliche zombie movie.

Calm down conor, zombies don't exist. They can't, can they?

"Hey! There is a message from the president!" Someone shouted out. Everyone pulls out their phones to check what was going on.

I pull out my phone and play the message the president had sent out to the public.

The video shows the president. He looked tired and stressed, He sighs before he begins to speak. "my people, I hate to inform you but there has been a worldwide spread of a virus of unknown origin. Do not panic, I assure you that we are try-"

He was cut off as the door was broken down. People that have been infected rush into the door and launch themselves on top of the president as the camera goes out. It didn't take much imagination to know what happened to the president.

I turn off my phone and look around at the horrified faces of my classmates. Somewhere getting sick in the corner, others covering their mouths in shock and horror. Yet for some reason I couldn't explain or understand, I didn't feel terrified at all.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by the principal speaking through the coms.

"Okay, by now you all have seen the disturbing message… but rest assured that it is our duty to protect you. Some of the teachers have started to block the entire school. Yet we believe it will only last us a few hours. So we are planning to use all the available buses to get as many students out".

I looked around the classroom to see everyones expressions, some were hopeful, while others were not trying to cling onto the hope.

I glanced towards Mai, she looked nervous and was shaking, sweat falling down her brow.

Maybe I should get up and help comfort her? Ask if she's already, we haven't really talked to each other after coming into secondary school. What would I even say? Don't think like that, you can do it.

I started to stand up, I then saw Alex Kane go over to her. He was a member of the student council and was a part of the Judo club. Alex was everything I was not charismatic, handsome and popular. Everyone wanted to be in the friend group that ALex was in.

"You, okay Mai, I know this is scary but don't worry I will protect you" a smile spread on his face, his eyes shining from the light in the room. Mai was blushing from his words and mannerism.

I sat back down. Why did I think that if I comforted Mai? She would like me…

A few hours pass as the teachers get the buses ready. I still had my doubts about this plan, I just watched as Mai and Alex were laughing with each other. I turned away and looked out the window and saw the infected people claw at the gate of the school. I don't like calling them the infected when they are clearly just zombies.

'Clunk'

The noise kept getting louder; it was like the ground was crashing open itself. A large monstrous zombie that was double the size of the normal ones, pushes its way to the front of the gate and claws at it. Its hands ripping through the metal gate with ease the smaller zombies get through.

Everyone was panicking now, the teachers tried to calm down but everyone was trying to get out of here, pushing others out of the way.

Zombies overflow the school. I ran out of the classroom as fast as I could possibly run, my out of shape body slowing me down, as I stopped by a corner to catch my breath. My breathing was heavy, so I started running again. Trying to make it to the bus before it left.

A zombie jumped out as I was running down the hallway, its claws scratching my torso. It hurt like my body was on fire. I pushed it back, running to the bus. I was almost there, Mai and Alex were running towards it as well.

"Everyone on board! We only have two seats left and the other buses are already gone!"

One of the teachers shouted I don't remember her name. I believe it was Miss. Willson, she was the history teacher.

Wait, there were only two seats left? Yet there are three of us. Meaning one has to stay. No, there might be enough space if everyone sits on each other's laps.

"Wait, what if w-"

I was cut off as I was pushed to the ground by Alex. I looked up at him, shocked that he would do that in front of everyone.

"We're not bringing someone like you with us. You're just dead weight that will slow us all down".

He glared at me with a cold expression, as he had said it.

I looked at the others seeing if anyone would defend me. They all were silent on the bus, only the noises of the zombies could be heard. Miss. Willson just turned around, the person I looked at was Mai. I waited for her to say something. She slowly opens her mouth.

"I agree with Alex, you would just hold us all back. Nobody wants to die because of you".

My heart broke, I don't know what else I would expect. It still hurts to hear the girl you had been best friends with since childhood and a long time crush. Call you dead weight, no she is planning on leaving me here to die!

I try to stand up and protest.

"This? Isn't fair! We all leave if we just make space."

Alex pulls me towards him, spinning on his right foot, then throwing me over his shoulder. I slammed into the ground, losing wind. As I lay there defeated. Everyone sat on the bus and left me to die.

This wasn't fair! What did I do to deserve this fate? What about Dad or Mum.. are they safe or are they even alive. I don't want to die!

Struggling to my feet, regaining my breath, I try to get out of the school. Multiple of the larger zombies approach me, the largest of the group attacks first punching which felt like being hit by a wrecking ball. The punch has sent me into the brick wall, it was a miracle that I survived that punch. I coughed up blood, feeling like I was choking. I try gasping for air.

It walks up to me grabbing my arm lifting me up. It stares coldly at me, it rips off my arm. I scream in pain, I fall to the ground, blood pouring out from my stump. The large monstrous zombie stomped on my abdomen crushing my internal organs. The pain was agonising, my grip on life started to slip from my grasp.

I'm going to die? I'm going to die?! No, I can't die… I want to live!

The zombies stare down at my body, a pool of blood surrounding me. They turn around and walk away, not bothering to finish my life.

My vision was clouded, as I began to lose consciousness. I heard a voice within my head.

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