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𝔸 𝔽𝕖𝕨 ℍ𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤 𝔹𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕊𝕙𝕚𝕥 𝔾𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝔽𝕦𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕕:
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"God fucking dammit, Janice!"
"It's not my fault! Kyle said you were fine with it!"
This is the scene that takes place behind the counter at a lovely little fast food joint known as Wacky's. Don't ask why it's named that. Anytime you ask, everyone has a different answer. It serves the greasiest burgers and fries you'll find, with not a single "healthy" option in sight. It's the place you go when you want cheap and quick food to-go. Like McDonald's, except it's not that famous. It's smaller, smellier, and mostly unremarkable.
And here we see two women arguing as they pack a delivery order. One is so forgettable that she doesn't get a description. All YOU, dear reader, need to know is that her name is Janice. The other is much more memorable, seeing as she's pretty and pissed off. Her name is Iris. Well, technically, it's Iris Rose Drake, because her mother was pretentious enough to want her to have a middle name, and her father was too much of a pushover to disagree.
Her brown hair is tied back in a messy bun, a few strands framing her freckled face. Her green eyes are narrowed at Janice in a glare, since again, she's pissed. "Why is she so mad" you might be asking. To sum it up, Kyle's an unreliable douchebag, and Janice has a party to get to in two hours. And who is left to stick around the store until the next shift comes in? That's right, Iris! You get a gold star, reader! Now, let's get back to listening in on these two.
"You didn't think to ask me?! I have Koda at home, Penny's only staying until 8, which is when WE agreed I'd get off!" Iris fumed, her gloved hands shoving another wrapped burger into the paper bag with Wacky's logo on it. Janice at least had the decency to look sheepish as she continued to help bag up the food, still trying to plead her case. "I know, I know! But Kyle texted me that now he's not gonna come in early! Apparently he and his girlfriend are fighting because he was an idiot and forgot that today was their anniversary and now he's trying to make it up to her-" She rambles on, Iris mostly tuning it out at this point because it's all unnecessary details to the main point, which is "-I really really really need you to stay just two more hours! Kyle is going to come in at 10, and if he doesn't I'll kick his ass myself!"
Iris let out a long suffering sigh, mentally kicking herself for ever agreeing to take this extra shift. At the time she thought it would be worth it, seeing as more money never hurt anyone and her friend Penny was willing to watch her dog. Not to mention she would be helping out her (now ex) favorite coworker, so what's the harm? Apparently it's lots of harm, at least to her mental tolerance of Kyle's bullshit. "You owe me, Janice." She grumbled, her frustration still simmering but willing to let it go for tonight. She'd make sure to text Penny and let her know she could head home for the night, seeing as Koda could handle two hours alone instead of the 8 hours Iris was usually working. Janice let out a stream of gratitude as she headed for the door, Iris waving her off as she walked out, pulling her phone out to send Penny a text. Now to survive the next two hours on the slowest night of the week.
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Two hours later and Kyle is strolling into Wacky's with some muttered excuse about the bad traffic. Iris ignored it, finally walking into the back to grab her bag and change out of her work shirt, pulling on a long sleeved black shirt and her over sized green bomber jacket. She's glad to be out of her work clothes, especially since they tended to smell like grease and broken dreams. (The Outfit below, but without the belt and gloves. The original picture is not mine, I only edited in the jacket, the bag, and the text.)
Iris quickly left Wacky's after grabbing her bag, stuffing her work shirt inside as she slung it over her shoulder. With one last wave to Kyle (that she wished could have been the bird) she was out the door and walking to the nearby bus stop. Luckily the bus line still ran this late, not stopping until closer to midnight. Her steps seemed louder in the quiet of the street, tapping against the concrete. The late hour combined with the fact that it was a Thursday meant no one was out and about at this time. It left Iris in the quiet ambiance of the city, the distant hum of the highway being the only noise she could focus on. It only made her all the more eager to get onto a bus, where she could pull out her headphones and let herself be immersed in the lull of Lofi. She wouldn't dare wear them now, seeing as vigilance had been hammered into her psyche since she turned 12.
"Don't let yourself be distracted," her mother had warned her, looking at her with those stern green eyes that had reflected her own curious ones. "There are people in the world you can't trust. Don't let yourself be caught unaware." At the time she had only partially understood the meaning, being only 12 years old and barely aware of the world outside of her school, house, and the park she used to play in. Having grown up, she knew the meaning well and wore it like a shield, a first line of defense against danger that had yet to make itself known to her. She considered herself one of the lucky ones, having never experienced anything close to dangerous. Even here, miles away from her hometown. It didn't stop her from being cautious, only meant that she was aware how good she had it and cherished that fact.
As she arrived at the bus stop, so did the bus. It creaked to a stop with that usual hiss of tires settling, and the door opened with a whoosh. Iris stepped inside, pressing her bus pass to the scanner with a nod to the driver. "Evening Earl. Slow night?" She asked, glancing at the mostly empty bus. The only people onboard was an elderly woman in a handicap seat and a guy who looked homeless sitting in the back, both of which ignored Iris as she took a seat right in front. Earl, the bus driver with a mustache and crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, gave her a smile as he nods back. "As usual. How's the dog?" he asks, the doors closing and the bus beginning to gradually move down the street. Iris let out a small huff at the mention of her dog, a small smile playing on her lips. "Koda has been his typical gremlin self, but I love him for it." She mused, her eyes trailing along the interior of the bus as they usually did.
Her gaze landed on the man in the back of the bus, his appearance catching her attention. Even though the bus was brisk thanks to the air conditioning, the man looked like he was sweating bullets. His frame seemed to be wracked with shivers too, a twitching that reminded Iris of the time she saw her father get electrocuted because he had been dumb enough to try and go at the wiring of their house without any training. The stranger's behavior seemed to set off alarms in her mind, the kind that made her mother's advice ring in her ear. Don't let yourself be caught unaware. So she kept her eyes on the back of the bus, watching as the bus stopped and the elderly woman ambled off at her own pace. The man didn't move outside of the trembling, and with him being at the back, most of his appearance was covered by the seat in front of him.
He isn't talking or trying to come over here, she noted as she relaxed slightly in her seat. Maybe he's just sick? I would ask, but he's all the way back there, and I'd rather not try to start a conversation with a stranger on the bus this late at night. Iris sighed as she grabbed her headphones, deciding to indulge in the Lofi she had been wanting to listen to earlier. The music filled her ears, blocking out the world's noise as she looked out the window. I'm sure Earl is at least aware of the guy, he's usually good with keeping an eye on things even when he's driving. The music soothed her concerns, making her relax a bit more, even if she kept her eyes fixed on the bus's path, knowing her stop is coming. It's none of my business anyway. I am not the kind of person to just bother a stranger with concern, especially alone. That's just asking for trouble. She watched as each building passed, her eyes trailing over each familiar landmark in her usual route home. We're almost at the stop, anyway.
The bus finally reached her stop, and she grabbed her bag, pausing her music and letting her headphones hang on her neck as she stood. Earl opened the doors, the usual creak filling the air as Iris walked the short distance down the aisle. From behind, she barely registered the low groaning sound the stranger let out. I guess he is sick. Poor guy. Hope he gets home soon. Her eyes caught on the rear-view mirror, noting that the man had stood and... well, one wouldn't really call that walking, seeing as he was lurching with every movement. It made the hairs on her neck stand up, a sense of impending dread causing her to speed up her steps as she moved down the stairs. I don't like this. Why is he moving like that? Is he fucking drunk or something?! Is he getting off at my stop? Fuck, I hope he's not trying to follow me. Earl seemed to notice the man's movements, and stood from his seat, blocking the stairs as he started to speak. "Alright buddy, you need to-"
Iris couldn't tell you why she had decided to look back in that moment. Maybe it was to see how the guy reacted to Earl, maybe it was to see if Earl handled the guy, maybe it was just a morbid curiosity as to how this situation would end. But she did look back... just in time to see the guy lunge at Earl with a snarl, tackling him. In the confined space of the bus entrance, that meant that the two of them fell down the steps and onto the street. But that didn't seem to impede the sick man's movements, because in the next moment, he was biting into Earl. And not just a simple bite. He was tearing into Earl's flesh like it was Papier-mâché. A bloody, gory mess of Papier-mâché, but still. The pained scream that Earl let out would ring in her ears for a while after, the sound so loud, so deafening, that Iris could only stand in frozen shock as it all happened. Then it seemed to quiet. The screaming stopped. Earl went limp for a moment, then started to twitch. And Iris watched as he stood, same sporadic, spasming movements as the man- no, the thing, that bit him. Both of them, standing there, and turning to her with bloodshot eyes. And like a switch being flipped, something clicked in her mind.
So she did. She began to run like her life depended on it, because it did. She could hear both of them following her, their animalistic growls ringing out behind her as she booked it down the street. Her heart was pounding as she ran, her mind racing with too many thoughts and plenty of curses. Fuck, fuck fuck, what the fuck just happened?! Holy shit, don't stop running! God, I haven't run like this since the track team in high school! Fuck, am I that out of shape?! Doesn't matter, fuck! Just run, just fucking run! Iris turned a corner, seeing a chainlink fence midway down the dark space. And hearing her pursuers still behind her, she darted down the alleyway.
She got to the foot of the fence, and with a strength she could only attribute to adrenaline, she hoisted herself up the fence and over, dropping onto the other side with an oomph of effort. The two things behind her crashed into the fence, both already straining against it and trying to get at her through it. Iris paused for only a moment, breathless and shaking from a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through her. Fuck... What the actual fuck?! I don't know what is going on, but fuck this! She turned, running down the alleyway again, this time without being chased. I need to go! I don't know where, but I can't stay here- She ran past the sidewalk and onto the street, and was suddenly blinded by headlights. FUCK!
With some kind of instincts, Iris moved back, nearly tripping over her own feet to get out of the path of the oncoming car. At the same time, the car hits the brake with a screech, stopping mere inches before hitting her. For one tense moment, there was quiet again, only broken by the hum of the car's engine and the sound of her labored breathing. Then the silence broke as Iris let the dam burst. After a shitty shift at work, watching the bus driver get attacked, running from said bus driver and the damn thing that bit him, to now almost being hit by a car? Let's just say it's perfectly understandable that she exploded. "Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" She shouted at the sky, not really caring how crazy she might look. The universe had messed with her all night, she was calling it out. "You're having a field day with my patience today aren't you, you little shit! I get away from the monsters chasing me so you decide I needed to get hit by a car instead?! FUCK YOU!"
"Uh..." A nervous voice cut in. Since she was too busy cursing out the universe (like it deserved) Iris hadn't noticed the window of the car roll down. The driver, it seemed, was a guy wearing a gray hoodie, a red t-shirt, a red beanie on top of dark brown dreadlocks, and a concerned look in his light brown eyes as he spoke up again. "Are you okay?" Iris took a deep breath, trying to steady her anger. This stranger did nothing wrong, do NOT be mean to a concerned stranger. You have better manners then that. "I'm fine. Just had a very, very long night." She huffed, her tone strained with stress. A tired sounding chuckle came from the seat behind him, and Iris' gaze darted over to see another guy sitting there. This time with black hair, salted with a few gray hairs at his temples, black glasses, and... is that guy wearing a suit? He must have come from work. "Lemme guess. Nearly got attacked by a Zombie?" He asks, his dark brown eyes meeting her gaze.
Is THAT what those are? Now way... really? Damn, I guess they look different when they're just starting out. No rotting flesh or unbearable stench yet. "Two of them, actually. One of them was on the bus and bit the driver." From somewhere in the alley behind her came the creak of metal, and a sudden snap. Oh Fuck... "Speaking of, do y'all have room in there for one more?" She asks, her tone a mix of conversational and panicked as she glanced behind her. A part of the fence keeping the two zombies at bay had snapped, and both were trying to shove through at the same time. Goddammit universe, why do you hate me?! Her hand darted to the backseat's door handle, trying it to find it locked. The guy in the driver's seat looked conflicted, turning to talk to the others in the car. Oh yes, please, discuss this while I stand out here vulnerable, I'm perfectly fine, totally not panicking right now-
Her frantic inner monologue got cut off as she heard the door unlock, and she pulled it open quickly, scrambling inside while being mindful not to hit anyone on her way in. There was an empty seat in the third row, smack dab in the middle. She took it, snapping her seatbelt into place just as quickly. Oh thank god! The car immediately began driving again, the soft rumble of the engine humming in the seats. Iris let out a long sigh, a small disbelieving laugh escaping her. "Thanks. Glad to know not everyone in the apocalypse is an asshole." She quipped, trying to lighten the mood and her own earlier panic. The guy next to her, with messy blonde hair that ended at his shoulders and wearing a leather jacket and white t-shirt, laughed at her words, his hazel eyes bright with amusement. The girl on her other side, with black hair styled in a bob, wearing a light blue cardigan and round frame silver glasses, gave a small nervous chuckle instead.
A moment of silence filled the car as they all seemed to settle. She broke it again, not liking the silence. "I'm Iris, by the way." She introduces herself. If I'm gonna be with these guys for the time being, might as well know each other's names. The guy next to her smiled, sticking out his hand for a shake that she accepts. "I'm Anthony, nice to meet you. Next to you is Nikki." Nikki adjusted her glasses before giving Iris a small wave, a polite smile on her face. Iris gave a nod, looking towards the front of the car. There were the two guys she talked to earlier, and two gals she had yet to speak to. The driver spoke up first, an awkward smile on his face. "I'm Chris." Iris gave another nod of acknowledgment, then one of the girls, with ginger hair in a ponytail and bright green eyes turned and smiled at her brightly. "I'm Pippa! And this Grumpy Gus in the passenger seat is Mary." She introduces herself and the woman in front of her with long brown hair and blue eyes, a small beauty mark next to her left eye. The woman, Mary, gave Iris a nod of her own, which she returned easily.
That just left the last guy, the one sitting in the other center seat behind Chris. He turned his gaze to her, his exhaustion obvious as he speaks. "Jude." He says, with a simple nod and no flair. Fitting, for the business attire and tired demeanor. "Nice to meet you all." She muses, leaning back slightly in her seat as her mind seemed to finally calm from the residual panic from earlier. Her gaze drifted from the roof of the car to the window on her left next to Nikki, and her heart lurched as she saw the what was going on outside. Hordes of zombies ambling along, some outright chasing a few people who screamed as they ran. Broken windows, car alarms blaring, debris in the streets, just the general chaos of the apocalypse as they drove past it with haste. That's when Iris realized...
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