"We're finally going on a school trip after so long! I'm so excited!" Sora exclaimed to her friend, practically bouncing in her seat.
The school bus rumbled down the highway, laughter and chatter filling the air. Some students sang along to songs playing on their phones, while others talked about the places they planned to explore. The teachers at the front occasionally glanced back, trying to maintain some form of order, but the excitement was contagious.
She gazed out of the window, watching the endless stretch of trees and hills pass by. The thought of spending days away from school, surrounded by friends, felt like the perfect escape.
"I hope the cabins are nice," her friend mused. "I don't want to deal with any creepy crawlies."
She laughed, brushing off her friend's concerns. Nothing could ruin this trip. Or so she thought.
---
The next morning, the sun peeked through the flimsy curtains of the cabin. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the stiffness of a restless night. Curiosity tugged at her as she peered outside. But something was off. The campsite was eerily silent.
No chattering students, no bustling teachers. Not a single person in sight.
Panic prickled at her skin. Maybe it was a prank? A weird school activity?
Determined to find out, she slipped on her shoes and stepped outside. The chilly morning air clung to her, but her unease overshadowed the cold. She wandered through the empty grounds, her heartbeat quickening with every step.
Then she saw him.
A man hunched over another figure. The sickening squelch of tearing flesh echoed in the silence. Blood stained the grass beneath them.
She froze, her breath caught in her throat. The man's head jerked up. His eyes were hollow, lifeless. A guttural growl escaped his lips as he stumbled toward her. His twisted limbs and decaying skin sent a wave of terror crashing over her.
Her legs refused to move. The zombie lurched forward, its mouth smeared with crimson.
Just as she braced herself for the end, a hand yanked her back.
"Run!" A familiar voice barked.
It was one of her classmates, Ethan. He dragged her away, the two sprinting through the desolate streets. Her mind raced, questions flooding in. What was happening? Where was everyone?
Finally, they burst into an old building, the heavy door slamming shut behind them. Gasping for breath, she looked around. A small group of her classmates stood huddled together, their faces pale with fear.
"What… what is going on?" she stammered.
The boy's eyes were grim. "They're gone. Everyone… they're all gone. And the ones left behind… they aren't human anymore."
Silence fell over the room as the horrifying truth settled in. The school trip had turned into a nightmare.
And it was only just beginning.