[Recommended Song]: When the party's over by: Billie Elish
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They were out before Jace transformed into a zombie. Callista watched as the sun rises- the exact time before his brother transformed.

The squad had the chance to the antidote.

"He will be him again, won't he, shiejie?" Tris queried in a concerned voice. This was a game, based on how the principal announced it. They were on level one, and yet- this is what they had to face.

Callista gave an assuring nod. However, a part of her was worried, worried about her other brother and friend, Kai and Zack.

Yes, Zàijiàn still couldn't find the two missing latters. It's been twenty-four hours since they have all last been together.

"I need to go find my brother, as well as the antidote," Elijah spoke firmly, he was starting to pull himself together. He knew crying over someone or something won't find a solution.

"NO!"

Kiara objected. "Jah, are you crazy?! You can't go out there alone. Jace isn't with you-, he's been infected by a virus God who knows where it came from!" She ranted, the female thought Elijah was being reckless.

Elijah crossed his arms. "I'm not a toddler anymore, jiejie. And, do you really think I need Jace for this one? He's fucking infected! I'm not losing my sanity because of some virus infecting my boyfriend and turning him into a monster."

"Alright, tell me, what's your plan, huh? Risk it and die out there? What if Jace came back to his consciousness and you're still out there fighting for your life? What are we going to tell him? Jace, we're sorry, we failed to protect Elijah- he got attacked while looking for an antidote and our two members. That's bullshit." She argued. "If Jace was in his normal state, do you think he'll agree with this?"

Elijah took a deep breath. "Okay, tell me, jiejie. What do you see right now?" He queried, fighting the urge to yell. "Is he Jace? That guy who confessed to me, your girlfriend's brother, and that brave guy who keeps protecting me from any harm that I've encountered?" The younger emphasized his questions.

Kiara looked behind her, only to realize that she couldn't recognize the said male anymore.

"Is he? No! No, jie. He isn't my boyfriend, he's a turned-monster! Even if he disagreed right now, I will find my brother, go out there and heal Jace, that's it." Elijah says. "I won't go alone if you want, however, if you forbid me to go out there with or without a companion... I'll still go."

Kiara was still in daze about the idea. "Okay, okay, fine. Just- just take Tris with you. I won't let you fight zombies alone."

Tris grabbed a bat near a shelf. They were in room C-235, beside them was the room where Jace was locked.

"Let's go," Tris nodded toward the door. He wasn't that hesitant to go, wanting to protect his brother.

Elijah walked for the door. He placed his hand on top of the knob, gently twisting it earning a creek.

"Hey, Jah, don't forget this." Dominic tossed a knife. He was an excellent tosser, it lessens the possibility of Elijah getting stabbed. (The latter caught it.)

"Thanks," Elijah twirled the knife he held in his hand. He then exited the door, cautiously looking around for a possible ambush from the zombies.

The two brothers walked their way to each room, searching for anything usable.

"What's your plan?" Tris questioned the younger who kept the knife in his pocket.

Elijah dumbfoundedly stared at the hall. "Find the antidote, find survivors, and find Zack and Kai." He said. Tris tutted at him.

"Tsk, tsk, I thought you were keeping yourself prisoned in Jace's arms? Crying on him, you know what I mean."

The younger hummed. "He does everything for me, even I myself realized that I was being a tamed purring cat in his arms."

"You don't plan on bringing back that old lion?" The older further queries. "Sounds like you're once again, being haltered by the neck. This time, you're doing it to yourself by being all under your boyfriend from the beginning."

Elijah shook his head. "I have been haltered by my own parents a long time ago. What you're seeing now is me letting down my defences on Jace, a thing that I've never experienced from my mom and dad. But, only to you, gege, and him."

The younger threw a knife which passed through his brother's shoulder to a zombie. His footsteps were heard as he walked closer to the corpse. He pulled it out and wiped it with a handkerchief he kept.

Tris lay a hand on his chest. "The hell was that?" He asked. Elijah replied. "A zombie, behind you, Tris."

The older was a bit stunned that he didn't see that coming. Elijah and Tris walked through halls and rooms, these two prayed to see their older brother and Kai together at least.

"Hey, isn't that the principal's office?" Tris pointed from afar. It wasn't clear since it's a lot farther than expected. Also, to add to the point-- the squad was randomly running and entering rooms, making them lose their directions.

"I can't take a look, should we use phones?" The younger queried. He thought of the consequences and risks. However, if risks weren't taken, they would lose an opportunity to a lead. If taken, then they might lose a life.

If you're wondering why, there was a crowd of zombies gathered at the principal's office. Using phones for contact would be both a great and risky idea, especially since San Vedra's signal and wifi were still accessible. But, one loud noise and a wrong move could lead to them being a three-course meal.

Tris groaned. "Damn these zombies don't have a life of their own!"

"Dummy, of course they don't- they're freaking dead!" Elijah turned his phone on, switched to silent mode and went to his contacts to text Kai.
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Elijah: Kai... are you alive?

Elijah: Stay alive, please...

Elijah: Kai, why won't you answer?!

Elijah: Damn it!

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"Shit, shit, shit!" Elijah growled to himself in a low voice. "Kai won't answer my texts!"

Tris' stared at his younger brother as though a bucket of ice-water showered down his head. "Neither did Zack-gege, he didn't answer to me as well!"

"If we keep looking for them, we won't be able to find the antidote. The sun already shown itself!" The younger let out a frustrated sob.

Tris then re-called. "There was an instruction from the principal, don't you remember? He'll let us have an antidote once he knew Jace hasn't turn to a zombie till sunrise. It's out of the plate."

"Alright, I forgot about that... All we have to do now is to find the two, let's go!"

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"Zack-ge, I'm hungry..." Kai paced around. Yes, they've survived. Right now, they are with Mia who was shivering and crying.

They're going to die, just like the others.

Die.

Die.

Die.

The female couldn't take it anymore. She screamed as if she'd gone mental.

"Cover her mouth!"

Zack took his handkerchief and wrapped it around the shivering girl's mouth.

"Mia, shhhh..."

Kai shushed. "Please, you're going to bring more zombies in here. Stay quiet, I beg you..."

Mia's tears fell from her eyes. She'd lost everyone-- her group, her friends... To be honest, she doesn't even know if she'll live longer to see her family again.

The door started making a noise- a loud kicking sound. It was as if someone, a crowd wanted to barge in.
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A/N: I haven't updated in a while, I'm sorry if it took long. I'm currently reviewing for another monthly test. I hope you understand, thank you!! ♡

- xoxo: Ms. Khi 🦊🖤