Kou was running. 

 Only mere minutes ago she was arriving at her new job at a famous historical site, but now she was running from killer creatures. Running with Hinata. 

 Hinata was an acquaintance of hers. She was tough, beautiful, and intelligent. She was a bit of a popular girl, but it wasn’t obvious when she spoke. She had a boyfriend who recently passed away due to a stroke. Ever since then, she was getting harassed by boys who crushed on her.

 “Kou, we are going to need to leave. I know a place we can go.” Hinata said as her blonde hair bounced off of her shoulder. They left on their journey, running from the dangerous parasites that infested the world.

 It seemed like years to the girls as they ran out of town. They couldn’t grab a car, since the noise would attract the attention of the monsters. 

 One of the creatures landed on a boy and almost immediately took out his blood. It grew and grew, leaving the child lifeless as it carried on. Kou looked with traumatized eyes before Hinata nudged her to carry on. While it was true that the blonde was less empathetic, she did feel sorrow and discomfort at the sight. However, she did know that death was inevitable. What shocked her most was the rate at which a human could be killed by something that seemed so harmless. Even still, she knew that the fate of the boy would be replicated in both of them if she did not continue. 

 After a long while, the two reached the bunker. Hinata entered a complex 13 number password, and the heavy silver door opened. 

 The floor was cold. There were four bunk beds. Other than that, there were storage containers labeled with yellow sticky notes. A lone phone charger was plugged in through a single outlet. There was no form of entertainment or service. No decor to look at, either. Just metals. 

 “This is where we’ll be staying until these bastards leave. I wish they would go to Hell right now.” Hinata huffed. She was frustrated, but not at her black-haired roommate. She was irritated at her own fear of the situation.

 “I guess.” Kou sighed. She wasn’t happy, either. After a moment of silence, she spoke. “I hope mom is okay.” Her words made her cry, as it wasn’t likely that her mother was well. Hinata didn’t know what to say.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I wish she was here to protect me,” Kou clarified. The two sat on the edge of one of the bunk beds, leaning against each other. Kou didn’t care who saw her cry. She was so worked up that it didn’t matter anymore.

 “It’ll be okay.” Hinata squeezed her. “We’ll get through this.” Kou could have listened to her. She needed someone to talk to. She needed someone to remind her that they were still okay. The pain nearly killed her. Her mother could have dropped dead like that young boy. He was innocent, and so was Kou’s mother. As if to read the younger person’s mind, Hinata frowned. “Gruesome things happen to the innocent sometimes. We just have to live on and cherish every moment.” 

 “I suppose.” Kou wiped a tear off her face. “I’ll be strong.” Hinata smiled. “I’ll be strong for mom, that boy, and the world.” 

 “Wonderful. I’m sorry, by the way. I know how loss feels.” The blonde sat on one of the bunk beds. “It’s inevitable, but still heartbreaking.”

 Kou debated mentioning the other girl’s boyfriend, but decided it was too intrusive. She simply looked at her. “I feel awful for you, too.”

 “He would’ve died, anyway.” Hinata gave a sad smile. “He wasn’t strong. The parasites would have gotten him.” 

 “Wouldn’t you protect him?” The black-haired woman asked. “You loved him.”

 Hinata sat there quietly. “I suspected him of cheating on me. Our love wouldn’t last.” She muttered. “His parents didn’t like me, anyway.” 

 Kou gave her a quick hug. “Must be rough. When we get out of here, I’m going to live by a garden.” She stated. “You need to have goals like that. Don’t give up, ever.”

 “I won’t.” She said. The two became closer in a matter of hours. They went from mere acquaintances to close friends. 

 Maybe everything would be fine. Both Kou and Hinata were stuck, but thankfully they had food, according to yellow sticky note on the storage closet. It was full of rice and non-perishable items that Hinata collected earlier that year. Something inside her knew something tragic would occur, and that caused her to found the place.

 “Hopefully we’ll leave soon.” Hinata said. She was clearly bored, but she tried to hide it. She failed at the task.

 “Yea.” Images of the deceased boy filled Kou’s mind. “I doubt it, though.” It was hard to not be pessimistic when your world was destroyed by dangerous mosquitos.

 “Whatever happens, we’re just two idiots trapped together.” Hinata joked. It earned a laugh from the other. “Now, let’s get some rest. Don’t be afraid. Top bunk or bottom bunk?”

 “Bottom.” Kou decided, and the other girl pointed to one of them.

 “Goodnight.” Hinata said as she climbed onto the ladder of the top bunk. “See ya later!”

 “Night!” It would be okay, Kou decided.