21 Days

Chapter I: Willow Park Boys' School

It was the spring of April 20xx, the new semester has just begun. The long days of summer vacation has long since passed and students who wanted to pass the college entrance examination next year must work harder this year.

The premises of Willow Park Boys School was filled with young energy because it was the season for freshmen. Sophomores and juniors were seen poking fun on the young students, wondering how innocent they were. 

Like last year, Jake Sim was still being avoided. He was already in his last year and he thought to himself that he only had to endure this one last time before he can become free.

He was kicked out of the basketball club last year due to fighting. He fought with the captain for reasons still unknown to the teachers. They concluded it was a love affair but for Jake, that was not the issue. Up until now, he refuses to tell people about it yet the torment from the club members continue. He would end up going home with a bruised face and broken arms yet he’s gotten used to it, he would always make up excuses to which his parents only believed.

As he was walking on the school ground, a group of people stood before him. It was the basketball club. Their leader Jay wore a smug face and spat the gum he was chewing on Jake’s finely ironed clothes.

“Sup cutie? Did you miss me?” he said with a smirk followed by his groups’ hollering. 

Jake could only stare at Jay’s face with agitation. He wanted to destroy that face and wipe the smile out of the guy’s face. Jay nudged his shoulder causing him to take a step back.

“Why don’t you fight wimp?” Jay said while scratching his head. “Have your guts gone down the drain? How about I give that pretty face a good punch?”

Jay swung his right arm in the air in attempt to land a punch on Jake’s face but he stopped mid air and fell into a series of laughter,

“Have you seen you damn face? You’re ready to kill me.” he said. “Too bad you can’t.” he smirked.

“Let’s go. It’s getting boring here.” Jay said and his small gang of basketball muscle heads left

All the time, Jake’s fist was clenched tightly. Nobody wanted to defy Jay because of his connections. Jay was the son of the school’s director. He was protected and that’s why he was feared. Jay was only harsh against Jake yet the reason behind it was yet to be discussed.

Jake heaves a sigh and continued walking towards his classroom. Because he doesn’t have any other club he could go, mostly because of his reputation, Jake was stuck up with studying reasons why he was able to get into the top 10 of his level. He was in Class A and there, he lives a peaceful life.

“Yoooo Jakeyyyy! I saw you this morning but can’t come near because you’re being tormented again. Sorry I can’t really defend you.” it was Wilbert, one of his classmate he’s in good terms with. Wilbert sat next to him and opened a magazine of the new game soon to be released in the public.

“Look at this, this game is called Dare Devil and it is rumored to be one of the most scary game that will be released. I already pre-ordered and just expecting it to come on my doors.” he chirped.

“That looks interesting. Should I play with you when the time comes?” Jake finally smiled. Another interest of his is playing games and this one seems to be interesting..

“Sure sure... Just make sure you come with me in secret. I don’t want to associate myself with the muscle head captain of the basketball’s club. Just saying his name made me want to piss myself. He’s just that scary.” Wilbert said.

When the teacher finally arrived, the conversation they were into was suddenly halted. Mr. Rodriguez was their homeroom teacher, he was rumored to be mean and prank and scary as hell so when students in the class saw him, they all quieted down.

They were in the middle of the discussions about class rules when a commotion suddenly occurred outside. There was a lot of screaming and the student’s can’t help but be curious. Mr. Wilson saw that the students’ attention was onto something else so he cleared his throat.

“Attention please. I am still saying something. Do not let the noise outside distract you.” he said in his coldest tone.

While they were at it, the school’s warning system started to release a horrifying alarm causing murmurs inside the classroom.

“Silence!” Mr. Wilson yelled. “During emergencies like this, the best thing to do is stay calm.” 

“I doubt anyone will be calm in this state.” Wilbert whispered next to Jake. He then went and show his phone to Jake underneath the desk.

It was being reported everywhere that a strange event has been occurring right that time as they were peacefully seated in the four corners of their classroom.

Jake’s eyes widened and before he knew it, like everyone else, he was on his phone, reading the article that such tragedy is currently happening. It seems like a joke, an unrealistic joke but wherever he looks, the report was everywhere.

“The Dead are Rising and Attacking.”

“Is the World Ending?” 

Sad headlines such as those are everywhere and Jake was panicking inside. Out of nowhere, Jay appeared before him and landed a punch on his face. Jay was agitated but it only caused the students inside the class to panic that they started running everywhere. Wilbert was horrified that Jay appeared out of nowhere. He too got so scared that he ran away with the crowd. Mr. Wilson was about to stop the fighting but he was called by the faculty and had no choice but be carried to the swarm of young students panicking. Now, its just the two of the who remain inside the classroom.

“It’s your fault!” Jay screamed while Jake found his footing and stood up. He then went and grabbed Jay’s collar.

"Why do you always blame me for everything? You know I’m so done with seeing your damned face yelling at me with your nonsense.” Jake spat, pushing Jay away and attempting to walk outside the classroom. But even before he could go out, he noticed the group of students running on the opposite direction. It looks like a stampede.

When the noise started to dissipate, Jake heard a strange sound, an outworldy sound that he first heard. When he saw the thing, he was left speechless. He was taken aback.

What is that? he thought to himself. It was one of the most bizarre thing he’d ever laid his eyes on.

He held his breath and slowly backed away, Jay on the other hand was frowning by this strange gesture. He was startled when Jake rushed to him and covered his mouth when he attempted to talk. He finally understood why when the thing came into view. A strange student was walking blindly on their direction, he was dragging his twisted feet as he walked to the direction of the sound which was at the end of the corridor.

The student’s clothes were bloody and his face looked as if they rotted. He was mangled everywhere.

Jay’s eyes were wide. The two of them could only look at the creature in silence. It was growling, it was drooling and the disfigured form made him look as if he came out of the horror movie.

Jay could feel his body tremble and he did not dare move, nor make a sound. Once it passed by the door, Jay pushed Jake away and went for the door. He shut it rather loudly creating an echoing sound and before they knew it, the creatures were swarming on their door. There were like five or six of those in the door.

The front door, luckily was closed and the two of them had to hold in the door at the back where most creatures were gathered, scratching on the glasss and forcing themselves in. They were attracted by the noise and now, the two boy’s lives were at risk.

The lock was not holding up the force from the outside so Jake decided to look for something to block the door away. He saw the book shelf at the back and tried his luck pushing it on Jay’s diretion, who was still holding onto the back door.

When he saw what Jake was doing, he rushed to help and the two managed to put the shelf on the back, blocking the things from entering. Once done, they watched the creatures growl outside in pure hunger.

Jay scrunched up his nose.

“Ugh... What’s that smell? It’s so disgusting.” he said to himself while Jake on the other hand pushed the teacher’s table at the back of the front door. For a while the two of them were safe, just Jake thought it sucks because he was stuck with the person he hated the most. It was the guy who made his life miserable.

Jake walked near the windows and watched how there were ambulances and police cars at the front gate of the school, the lights were still on yet it looks like even the one who wanted to give help has become victims to that tragedy.

He felt Jay’s presence in the same area, he too wanted to see what was happening outside but the moment he does, he felt like throwing up. The stench of the undead and blood was everywhere, he even saw a living person’s face got eaten. Jay was coughing and puking, he can’t endure the disgust, He wanted to run away but he doesn’t know where.

Jake saw Jay’s situation and for a while he looked satisfied. It was the first time he saw Jay suffering. He minded his own business but Jake was the type with conscience. He grabbed his water bottle and handled it to Jay who was being tortured by the disgusting smell.

“I don’t know if this will help but you just have to try.” Jake said.

Jay scrunched up his nose and once again, the disgusting smell filled his nostrils. He gagged and threw up nothing. He emptied his guts and now he has nothing.

“How would that stupid thing works? Just give me something nice for the smell, those things won’t help.” Jay said in agony.

Jake sighed and scratched his head. He then went and grabbed his handkerchief and put some cologne on it. Jay saw this and he rushed near Jake, snatched the thing away and heaved a relieved sigh. It was not the best smell but it managed to cover the disgusting smell away.

--

6:00 pm

The smell on the handkerchief was fading, Jay noticed. Once again, he could smell the disgusting stench of the dead and the disgust was already inside his throat. Before it could happen, using force he ransacked Jake’s bag for the cologne and put some on the small cloth and around him.

The creatures have long gone from hanging out on the door yet their presence can be heard around. This makes the two boys aware that not any time soon, they will be saved. New York is a big city with 8.36 million. There’s no way some normal people such as them will be saved as quick.

Hunger was already felt yet the two seems not to take interest in food that time. Jake’s eyes remained trained on the faraway city, it looks burning from afar. Although it was still bright with the nigh lights, the electric lines seems not to be hanging up. There were sparks here and there, probably what caused the fire. He has been in tune with the live news since earlier yet even back there, it quieted down.

Out of nowhere, Jay’s phone started ringing. It was his father. He quickly answered it and Jake seems to notice it.

“Dad!!!” Jay said.

“Where are you and are you safe?” 

“I... Ugh... I am stuck at school. I am with someone.” Jay said this while pacing.

“It doesn’t matter! As long as you’re alive. Stay there, wait for us. Do not drop the call.”

“Sure... I’ll be here waiting.” Jay looked relieved.

“We’ll be in a van so make sure you wait in front of the school. So we can save you.” 

“In front? But it’s hard going there, these things are everywhere.” Jay reasoned out.

“AH... That’s right... Then just wait for me. Where are you, what floor and what classroom?”

“ I am inside class 3-A, third floor. I.. I’ll wait for you.”

Jay slumped down, his phone on his ear as he waited patiently. After some minutes, Jake saw a black van approaching the school gates.

“I think it is your father.” Jake mentioned and Jay shot up, looked at the window and through the opened window started waving his arm. He even opened the flash of his phone so that his father would easily spot him.

The van parked behind the ambulance and the police car that was blocking the way. It was frustrating on Jay’s father part but they have no choice but go down of the car and start shooting up those things so they could get to Jay.

“Son... You still alive? Sorry I wasn’t able to come quickly. I was in a meeting.’

“Sure... Just I am thankful that you’re still--”

“AGHHHHHH!!! W...WHat are you doing?!! AGHHH IT HURTS AHGHHHHHH.”  

“W...What’s happening? Dad? Are you still here? Dad?!!” Jay’s eyes found itself trained on the parked van.

Because of the noise of the gunshots, the things heard it and started running on that direction, now, there are too many of those creatures more than the director’s men can handle. It was a lost case and Jay can’t believe that he just saw his father die before his own eyes.

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