It was a boring Monday, and Jason was counting the minutes until the end of history class. Four months down, five weeks to go. That was all that stood between him and freedom—college, a fresh start, and no more of Mr. Grege’s raspy lectures.

Jason slouched in his seat, his notebook open but blank. Mr. Grege, a grizzled old man with coffee-stained teeth and a permanent scowl, was droning on about Reconstruction. Jason didn’t care. The man had no mercy, assigning a group project over winter break, and Jason was still salty about it. He glanced at the clock. Five minutes left. He could survive five more minutes.

When the bell finally rang, Jason was out of his seat before the sound faded, swinging his bag over one shoulder. As he stepped into the crowded hallway, Ricky intercepted him with a slap on the back.

“Yo, did you see what happened in Jersey?” Ricky asked, falling into step beside him.

Jason smirked. Ricky was always buzzing about some conspiracy or another. They’d met freshman year on the track team, and even though the season was over now, they still stuck together like glue. “Pretty sure everyone’s seen it,” Jason said. “Some gas leak made half the city go crazy. People attacking each other and all that. But the government’s got it under control now.”

Ricky snorted. “Gas leak, my ass. That’s just the cover-up. It’s zombies, man. Z-o-m-b-i-e-s. I’ve got proof. Listen to this podcast—this guy was there. A survivor.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “One guy out of ten thousand? Pretty sure the rest of the survivors are backing the gas-leak story. Come on, Rick, you don’t really buy into that, do you?”

Ricky threw up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. You’re a skeptic. Whatever. That’s not even the crazy part.”

“Oh?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow. “What’s crazier than zombies?”

“They wiped the whole city off the map.” Ricky leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Leveled it. Every building, every street, gone. Just rubble.”

Jason frowned. “Wait, what? They bombed the city?”

“Hell yeah, they did. Flattened the place like it was never there. And there were still, like, twenty thousand people in quarantine.”

“Okay, that’s weird,” Jason admitted. “But I’m sure they had a good reason. Containment or whatever.” He shrugged. “Anyway, none of this matters. We’ve got gym class to get to.”

“Sure, sure,” Ricky said, smirking. “Gym class. That’s what you’re so eager for. Not Jessy, right?”

Jason groaned. “Shut up.”

Ricky laughed as they made their way to the locker room, the conversation fading into lighthearted teasing. But Jason couldn’t shake the thought of what Ricky had said. A whole city wiped off the map. Even for the government, that was extreme.

Jason and Ricky shoved their way through the crowded locker room, the smell of sweat and deodorant already thick in the air. Jason grabbed his gym clothes from his locker, shaking his head as Ricky kept rambling.

“I’m just saying, the government doesn’t flatten a whole city unless they’re hiding something big,” Ricky said, pulling his shirt over his head.

“Yeah, yeah,” Jason replied, rolling his eyes. “Save it for your conspiracy blog.”

As they stepped out onto the gym floor, the rest of their friend group was already gathered near the bleachers. Jessy was stretching, her short, dirty-blonde hair tucked behind her ears. She waved as Jason and Ricky approached.

“About time you two showed up,” she said with a grin. “What, were you solving the world’s mysteries back there?”

“More like Ricky was inventing them,” Jason shot back, smirking.

“Hey, it’s called being informed,” Ricky said, pretending to be offended.

Beside Jessy, another girl rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t pop out of her head. That was Hannah, the self-appointed realist of the group. Her long black hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail, and her expression was its usual mix of mild irritation and sarcasm.

“Let me guess,” Hannah said. “Zombies again?”

Ricky pointed at her dramatically. “See! Even Hannah knows what’s up.”

“No,” she deadpanned. “I just know you can’t shut up about it.”

Sitting on the floor a little farther away was Elliot, the nerd of the group. He was hunched over his phone, probably reading some obscure science article. His thick glasses slipped down his nose as he looked up. “Actually, the gas-leak theory isn’t totally implausible,” he said, pushing his glasses up. “If it were a neurotoxin, it could cause aggressive behavior and—”

“Oh my God, Elliot,” Hannah interrupted. “Please stop before I lose the will to live.”

Jessy laughed and nudged Hannah with her elbow. “Be nice. Not everyone can survive on caffeine and spite like you.”

Jason grinned as he dropped his bag on the floor. This was his group—chaotic, loud, and sometimes annoying, but they made life interesting.

Coach Thompson blew his whistle, signaling the start of warm-ups. The group reluctantly got to their feet and started jogging laps around the gym. Jessy fell into step beside Jason, falling into an easy rhythm with him as she tied her loose ponytail tighter.

“You’re quiet today,” she said, glancing at him with a small smile. “What’s got you so serious? Usually, you’re keeping up with Ricky’s nonsense.”

Jason shrugged. “Just thinking about college. Five more weeks of this place, and we’re free.”

Jessy gave him a sidelong glance, her smile turning playful. “Free? Don’t tell me you’re actually going to miss us. What’ll you do without gym class and Ricky’s survival theories?”

Jason grinned. “I’m pretty sure I’ll survive.”

“Sure you will,” she teased, lightly nudging his arm.

Behind them, Ricky’s voice cut through their conversation. “Jason, don’t think I didn’t see that. You’re not even trying to deny she’s the reason you’re still sane around here.”

Jason rolled his eyes, his ears burning. “Ricky, just focus on not tripping over your own feet.”

“Smooth deflection,” Jessy said, her tone light, but the faintest flush touched her cheeks.

Hannah jogged past them, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. “I swear, you two make laps around the gym feel like a bad romantic comedy.”

Jason sputtered. “We’re not—”

Jessy cut him off with a laugh, shaking her head. “Ignore her. Let’s pick up the pace before Coach starts yelling at us.” She sped up, her steps quick and effortless.

Jason watched her for a split second too long before snapping back to reality. “Yeah, sure,” he muttered, trying to act like his legs weren’t suddenly working against him.

At the back of the group, Elliot groaned, his face red from the effort. “Can we all just agree gym class is some kind of cruel social experiment?” he muttered, doubling down on his slow jog.

After warm-ups, the group regrouped near the water fountain. As they caught their breath, a sharp voice cut through the chatter.

“Nice job keeping up, losers,” Tina, the mean-spirited yet oddly loyal member of their group, said with a smirk. She flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms.

“Tina, your compassion is overwhelming,” Jessy said, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, I’m just calling it like I see it,” Tina replied. “Elliot looked like he was about to keel over.”

“I survived, didn’t I?” Elliot shot back.

“Barely,” Tina said, smirking.

It was the moment every student longed for during school hours—other than the dismissal bell. Lunch. Should it really be called lunch when it was barely 9 in the morning? Probably not, but no one cared. For the seniors, it was a sacred time to unwind, even if they were still sweaty and gross from gym class.

Today was pizza day, a tradition as questionable as it was irresistible. Sure, the pizza was little more than greasy bread with a thin layer of lukewarm cheese, but there was something about it that made everyone line up for a slice. Maybe it was because the alternative was an even sadder mystery-meat sandwich.

Jason led the way to their usual table, balancing his tray with a mix of practiced ease and exhaustion. “You’d think they’d at least give us time to shower before feeding us this stuff,” he muttered, flopping into his seat.

“They know better,” Ricky said, plopping down beside him. “Showering would mean skipping class, and they can’t risk anyone being too happy.”

Jessy slid in across from them, dropping her tray with a smirk. “You’re all just mad because you got smoked in gym.”

“Smoked? I wasn’t even trying,” Jason shot back.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Hannah said, joining them and poking at her pizza slice like it might spring to life. “Honestly, the only thing worse than gym class is this.”

“Hey, pizza day is sacred,” Ricky declared, taking an exaggerated bite of his slice.

Elliot was the last to sit down, carefully adjusting his tray to avoid spilling his milk carton. “Statistically, the food’s nutritional value is inversely proportional to how much people look forward to it.”

“Statistically,” Hannah repeated, rolling her eyes. “Do you ever stop being a nerd?”

“Do you ever stop being annoying?” Elliot shot back, earning a laugh from Jessy.

Before anyone could reply, a loud laugh interrupted their conversation.

“ZOMBIES are here! HAHAHA!”

The group turned to see Bobby, the class clown, sauntering up to their table with his usual flair. He slapped Ricky on the back, making him nearly choke on his pizza.

“What are you talking about, Bobby?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, you seriously haven’t heard?” Bobby said, grinning like he had the best secret in the world.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

“Haven’t heard what?” Jessy asked, leaning forward.

“Well, I was hinting at the violent gang attacks downtown,” Bobby said, drawing out the words for dramatic effect. “Reported like 20 minutes ago. Guess it’s only a matter of time before they show up here!” He let out another over-the-top laugh and strolled back to his own table, leaving the group confused.

“Gang attacks? At 9 in the morning?” Jessy asked, glancing at Jason.

“That’s... weird,” Jason said, frowning.

“Not weird,” Elliot chimed in, pushing up his glasses. “Statistically, early morning incidents are uncommon, but not unprecedented. Could just be a coincidence.”

“Or it could be something bigger,” Ricky said, pulling out his phone.

“Oh, great. Here we go,” Hannah said, rolling her eyes. “What’s your conspiracy theory this time?”

“No theory, just facts,” Ricky replied, holding up his phone. “Look—there’s video. People are losing their minds downtown. Fighting, smashing windows... it’s chaos.”

Jessy leaned over to see the screen. “Isn’t that near Five Points?”

“Yeah, like two miles from here,” Ricky said, his voice more serious now.

Jason pulled out his own phone, scrolling through his notifications. His stomach tightened as he read the headlines:

BREAKING: Violent Riots in Downtown Atlanta. Emergency Services Overwhelmed.

Multiple Casualties Reported in Gang-Related Clashes.

“Wait, what? I thought this stuff only happens in movies,” Hannah said, her usual sarcasm gone.

The table fell quiet, the lighthearted mood quickly fading. The greasy pizza sat untouched on their trays as a sense of unease settled over the group. Whatever was happening downtown, it was too close for comfort.

hen lunch was over, the group said their goodbyes and scattered to their next classes. The buzz of lunchtime conversation faded, replaced by the dull routine of third period. Jason was halfway through a math worksheet when the loudspeaker crackled to life.

“All students are to remain in lockdown. I repeat, all students are to remain in lockdown. This is not a drill. All free teachers and staff are to report to the office immediately.”

The room went silent, tension rising as everyone exchanged uncertain glances. Jason’s phone buzzed on his desk, the vibrations loud in the quiet classroom. He glanced at the screen.

Bing Bing Bing.

A text popped up from Ricky:

Jason, tell me you’re hearing this. Is this about Bobby’s ‘gang attack’ thing?

Before Jason could reply, another message came through from Jessy:

It has to be connected. My teacher’s freaking out, whispering with another teacher in the hall. They look scared.

Jason: What do you think it is? It sounded crazy when Bobby said it, but now I’m not so sure.

Ricky: I don’t think it’s just gangs. Look at this—

A link popped up from Ricky, but Jason hesitated to click on it in class. Another buzz interrupted his thoughts.

Hannah:

Guys. My mom just texted me. She said something’s happening downtown—people attacking each other. She told me to stay safe.

Jason felt his stomach drop. Another text came in, this time from Elliot:

Okay, so not gangs. But if it’s not that, then what?

Jessy: Ricky, what did that link say?

Ricky: It’s a news article. They’re calling it “violent riots” or “mass hysteria,” but some witnesses say people are… biting.

Hannah: Biting? Are you serious?

Jason: Like Bobby said. Zombies.

Elliot: No way. That’s not real. It can’t be real.

Jessy: Whatever it is, it’s real enough to lock down the school.

Another buzz lit up Jason’s phone.

Ricky: Guys, the news says there are reports of it spreading. Not just downtown. It’s heading toward us.

Jason’s phone buzzed again, this time with more urgency. Everyone in the classroom was tense, whispering or staring at their phones. Jason glanced at the texts flooding his group chat.

Jessy: Okay, this is getting scary. What are we supposed to do if it’s heading toward us?

Hannah: Should we just wait? I mean, the teachers know what’s going on, right? They wouldn’t just leave us hanging.

Ricky: Hannah, come on. They’re as clueless as we are. My teacher just locked the door and sat down like that’s gonna help.

Elliot: Guys, we should just do what we’re told. Stay put, wait for the lockdown to end. That’s what we’re supposed to do.

Tina: Of course you’d say that, Elliot. You’re the type to die because you blindly follow orders.

Jason: Tina, seriously? Now’s not the time to turn this into a debate.

Tina: No, I’m serious! Think about it—if this is as bad as it sounds, staying in one place makes us sitting ducks.

Hannah: So what, we just walk out? They won’t let us leave the school, Tina.

Tina: You’re overthinking it. Teachers are all panicked right now; they won’t even notice if we slip out. My car’s parked just around the block. If we leave now, we can avoid whatever’s coming.

Jason: Leave the school? Are you sure that’s a good idea?

Ricky: Finally, someone talking sense. Staying here isn’t safe. Bobby said this was close, and if the news is right, we’re next in line.

Elliot: You’re all insane. What if this is just a misunderstanding? Leaving could make things worse.

Tina: What misunderstanding, Elliot? There’s news reports, lockdowns, and people losing their minds downtown. Face it, something’s happening, and sitting here isn’t going to save us.

Hannah: But we’d get in so much trouble if we leave! They’d suspend us or worse.

Jason: A suspension for a few days doesn’t sound so bad if it means staying alive.

Jessy: Jason’s got a point. If this is nothing, we’ll deal with the consequences later. But if it’s real…

The group chat went quiet for a moment, everyone processing Jessy’s words.

Ricky: I’m in. Tina, your car’s behind the school, right?

Tina: Yeah. If we leave now, we can make it before anyone notices. We’ll stick together. Better chance that way.

Hannah: I don’t like this. What if we’re wrong?

Jason: And what if we’re right? Look, we’re wasting time arguing. We need to move.

Jessy: Okay, but we need a plan. If we’re leaving, we do it quietly and fast. No second-guessing.

Tina: Finally, someone making sense. Meet me by the north exit in five minutes.

Jason slipped his phone into his pocket and glanced around the room. His teacher was pacing nervously by the door, muttering into a radio. No one was paying attention to the students anymore. Jason made eye contact with Jessy across the room, and she gave him a small nod.

It was time to move.

They slipped out of the classroom, their footsteps soft against the tiled floor. As it turned out, they weren’t the only ones with the idea to leave. Other students were already gathered near the north exit, whispering nervously or checking their phones. The faint hum of tension filled the air, but no one dared to make a sound louder than necessary.

“All right, let’s go,” Tina said, pushing the door open. The cool air hit them as they stepped outside, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere inside.

The group followed Tina’s lead, staying close together. What was supposed to be chaos—just five blocks from downtown—was eerily silent. Too silent.

“Stick close,” Tina whispered over her shoulder. “We’re not strolling; we’re moving. Fast, but not enough to draw attention.”

The group picked up their pace, navigating the quiet streets. Once they cleared the school grounds and Tina’s car came into view, they instinctively sped up, their brisk walk turning into a light jog. No one spoke; their focus was on the car.

They reached it in record time, piling in like sardines. Jason slammed the door shut beside him, glancing nervously out the window.

“Where to, guys?” Tina asked, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“My house,” Hannah suggested quickly. “It’s the furthest away from the area.”

“Guys, look at this,” Ricky said, his voice trembling as he held up his phone. The screen lit up with a flood of notifications from news apps and social media. “It’s everywhere—six different locations now.”

The group leaned in, reading over his shoulder:

BREAKING NEWS: Violent Gang Attacks Reported Across City

UPDATE: Police Struggle to Contain Coordinated Assaults—Civilians Urged to Shelter in Place

ALERT: Unverified Reports Suggest Attacks May Be Spreading to Suburbs

LIVE: Witness Claims 'It’s Not Just Gangs'—Panic Grows in City Center

EMERGENCY BROADCAST: Lockdown Protocols Activated in Schools Across Metro Area

“My house,” Elliot said firmly. “It’s a clear path up the road, and it’s got a top floor. We can see everything from there.”

“Good idea,” Jason added, nodding. “We need somewhere we can regroup and figure out what’s going on.”

Tina didn’t hesitate. “Okay,” she said, starting the car.

The engine roared to life, breaking the oppressive silence around them. As Tina pulled out, they glanced nervously at the empty streets. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t just a random gang attack anymore—and they all knew it.

As they drove through the desolate streets toward Elliot’s apartment building, the silence seemed to grow heavier with every passing block. It was as if the entire city was holding its breath. Then, without warning, it shattered.

Screaming. Yelling. The distant wail of sirens. But the most jarring of all was the deafening roar of jets slicing through the sky above them.

“Why are there jets in a city?” Hannah asked, her voice trembling as she stared out the window.

“I fucking told you!” Ricky shouted, gripping the car seat in front of him. “Zombies! They’re real, and now they’re here!”

“Shut the fuck up!” Jason snapped, his tone sharp and cutting. “Now’s not the time. Something is actually happening, and we need to stay calm.”

“It is weird, though. You have to admit that, Jason,” Jessy chimed in, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of worry.

“Maybe it’s a scare tactic,” Elliot offered from the back seat, adjusting his glasses nervously. “Like a psychological operation—jets flying low over civilian areas can create mass panic and compliance. The military has done it in conflict zones before.”

“Well, whatever it is, we’re here. Let’s go,” Tina said as she parked the car in front of the apartment building.

The group didn’t waste any time, jumping out of the car and sprinting toward the building. The eerie silence of the city was now replaced by a cacophony of chaos in the distance.

They reached the front door and rushed inside, instinctively avoiding the elevator. They’d all seen enough horror movies to know how that could end. Taking the stairs two at a time, they finally reached Elliot’s apartment on the top floor.

Elliot fumbled with his keys but managed to unlock the door, ushering everyone inside. “Lock it,” Tina said immediately, and Jason turned the deadbolt with a loud click.

Elliot headed straight for the TV, grabbing the remote. “Let’s see if the news has anything,” he said, flipping through the channels.

The screen came to life, showing a frazzled news anchor sitting in what looked like a hastily arranged studio.

“This is an ongoing emergency. Reports are flooding in from across the metro area of violent attacks. Authorities have issued a citywide lockdown and are urging everyone to stay indoors. Avoid contact with unknown individuals and secure all entry points to your home.”

The screen switched to shaky cell phone footage showing a group of police officers barricading a street. A small crowd of people surged toward them, and the camera caught a brief but horrifying glimpse of someone breaking through the barricade. Their face was pale, their eyes wild, and they lunged at the nearest officer with inhuman speed. The footage cut abruptly.

“What the hell was that?” Jessy whispered, leaning closer to the screen.

The anchor reappeared, her voice shaking. “Unconfirmed reports suggest that these incidents are similar to those that happened in Atlantic City last month. Authorities are urging calm, but resources are being stretched thin. If you are in a safe location, do not leave.”

Ricky shook his head, pacing the room. “This is it. This is the apocalypse. We’re all screwed.”

“No, it’s not. Calm down,” Jason said, his voice firm. “This is a bigger city than Atlantic. They have more resources to handle this gas leak.”

“You’re still on the gas leak? It’s zombies!” Ricky shot back, exasperated.

“Calm down,” hannah say, the tension palpable.

“Can we get to the roof from your apartment?” Jason asked.

“Yeah, you can. I’ll show you,” Elliot replied.

“You guys stay here. Tell me if something comes up on the news. Me and Elliot will see what the outside looks like,” Jason said, his voice resolute.