Trash in the Apocalypse

Chapter 6: Reanimate

Jun crouched down beside the old grandma. His eyes were staring at the question mark icon hovering above the grandma's body.

He placed his hand on top of the body, and as expected, the icon expanded, showing an information screen.

[Normita Mellendres - Dead]

-the host body died from severe pain.

- a gunshot killed the host.

-Not enough energy to reanimate.

-Recharging from energy source... 20%

The screen automatically closed after a few seconds, just long enough for Jun to read everything that it contains. Jun was giving his all trying to digest all the new information.

Jun is not an idiot. He's just confused about what those words could mean.

He can accept and think about what a carrier and reanimation might mean.

Witnessing all those impossible things happening outside; people biting and killing each other, a legless crawling teenage girl, a woman trying to go out of the car's window instead of opening the door, adding the disproportioned bodies of the jeepney's passengers.

There's only one thing that sprouts upon his mind. Zombies!

A smile blossomed on his face, unknowingly. He might not have explicitly said it, but Jun is incredibly bored with his life. He lost his direction and life's purpose a long time ago.

He felt his heart beating faster at the thought of a wild adventure. A new world with a new set of rules!

Just then, a game countdown appeared atop his hand that was still holding the old grandma's body.

Looting... Please hold. 10...9...

"What are you doing?"

A soft female voice came from his side. Jun looked up and saw a woman sitting beside him.

He removed his hand and stared at the woman's name tag before he answered.

"Nothing special. By the way, Alex, does that hurt?" Jun said while pointing on her left arm.

"Not really. It just stings a bit," Alex replied, not even glancing at Jun. 

The whole time that she was speaking, she was looking down on the grandma.

"Let me take a look."

Jun grabbed her hand before she could have even said anything, and a screen instantly appeared.

[Left Arm - Bitten]

[Description] The user was bitten by a carrier and will reanimate as a carrier after death. The wound will heal after two days, 23 hours 36 minutes.

- Hand movement speed reduced by 5%.

- Will received jolts of pain when making quick movements.

- Applying first-aid would shorten recovery time.

"Let go of me!" Alex pulled back her hand then stood up and went back to her co-employees. The manager, who was near, covered Alex from his view.

Jun raised both of his hands beside his head, then pulled a nearby chair and sat down.

Now, there are only two more questions that he needs answers. First, why would zombies need energy sources? And second, can everyone see what he can see.

***

The people inside the bank finally realized that something was wrong when they finally have the time to focus on what was happening outside.

The most common thing that they can hear outside was the ear-piercing call for help, followed by a miserable cry. Numerous car alarms kept on blaring in the distance, giving a resounding beat in their hearts.

The female employees blocked the glass door with a curtain when Jun suggested that they should cover the door with something.

The manager helped Pablo move two filing cabinets behind the door.

"What's your plan?" Jake asked as he sat beside Jun.

"What do you mean?"

Jake looked around before saying in a hushed tone, "I just have this feeling that you won't stay here. So, can you please take me with you."

"Sure, want to be my lackey? It's a good thing considering your current conditions." Jun stood up and walked to the entrance. He checked the situation outside through the slit on the curtains and went back to his seat. 

He exhaled and stretched his shoulders as he sat on the chair. "I think you know that you would be safe just by staying here... while following me around would be a lot more dangerous. So why?"

"I don't know. I just feel it."

"Hmm. Gut feeling, huh. One of the things that save me from a lot of things.", Jun reminisced and then started laughing. "Sure you can follow me, but I need you to pass one test of mine. And just a reminder. If you choose to follow me, you can't quit on your own." Jun said as he stared at Jake, causing the teen to sweat profusely.

"By the way, I'm returning your bat. You'll probably need it soon enough."

Jake took the bat and became confused by what Jun said. The only entrance to this bank was the glass door, and he's sure that it's locked.

Before he could ask what Jun meant by that, a soft moan came from behind.

He turned his head just on the right time to see the body on the floor twitch. Its eyes slowly opened, and the eye's unique brilliance once again brightened.

Even if Jake was somewhat slow, he was still able to guess that this was the test that Jun was referring to. 

He limped forward and stopped near the body. He steadied himself, gathering his strength on both of his arms then swung the bat downwards forcefully. 

The head caved in, but the grandma's body still managed to claw both of its hands forward, making Jake panic and bash the head one more time.

The skull made a crunching sound, as blood and brain matter scattered everywhere. Jake being the closest one receives most of the gooey liquids. 

He felt his stomach churned, and before he could even turn around, he was already puking. The blood and brain matter started dripping off his face as he moved his head while vomiting.

"Hahaha! How does it feel? Stand up. We're almost done here." Jun grabbed Jake's arm and sat him beside the grandma's corpse. "Now, just place your hand there and tell me what you see."

Jake was still doubting whether he understood what Jun was implying when his eyes suddenly widened.

He turned his head to look at Jun and said, "Something appeared! It's a transparent screen. It says 'Normita Mellendres' and that I'm looting the body!"