Unnamed Story Chapter: 2

   "Happy Birthday!" The unison of voices screamed loudly. I counted at least twenty-two people all standing around one girl, and a large cake in front of her. I wasn't an individual who was particularly comfortable in large groups, but I didn't have a choice in this situation. Rika was turning another year older, and it was a party to remember. She was always popular, everyone loved her, and she had friends from every group in school.
"Keitaro!" I looked up, originally staring at my feet, to see Rika waving me over. It seemed like the large group started to spread out to give me the chance to wish her a happy birthday myself.
"Happy birthday, Rika." I said as I walked up.
"Thanks, it means a lot that you came. I know how much you hate large crowds. I personally wouldn't have had this many people, but you know how my sister likes to plan parties."
"Yeah, it's fun though. How's it feel to be older? You certainly look the part." I felt a swift punch to my right arm.
"I'm only kidding." I defended.
"I know, you're the only one that jokes around with me anymore. Let's take a walk though; it's getting too crowded even for me." Rika walked outside the door and into her backyard which was surprisingly empty for such a big party.
"Beautiful day out, isn't it?" I questioned as we sat under a large tree, shading us from the heat of the afternoon sun.
"It really is, too bad school has to start soon." She was right, summer break was almost over and I still had my goal to fulfill.
"Yeah, but that just means we get to see each other every day, right?"
"You even have a bright side to school, don't you Keitaro." She laughed a little while laying back on the grass. She looked amazing, this was my chance. What would be better? Having your childhood friend telling you that they always liked them while on their birthday? Of course if she didn't have the same feelings things could get very awkward very fast.
"Hey Rika, For a lon-"
"Rika, happy birthday!" A girl came running out the door, shouting, my one chance ruined.
"Thanks, Fio." Rika replied.
"I'm doing great! This is such a fantastic party. I got you a gift too, it's inside. Open it as soon as you can ok? Oh hey Rai!" She ran off again to another group of people.
"You've got some odd friends, Rika." I laughed as she bounced away.
"Yeah, maybe you're right. What were you saying earlier? I felt a quick shot of adrenaline run up my spine."
"Uhh, Oh! I've got something for you too." I shuffled through my pocket, trying to hide the nervousness in my voice and actions.
"Here." I pulled out a small knife from my pocket, "Sorry I didn't have time to wrap it." Her face looked a little sad as I pulled out the gift, and obviously changed the conversation; my one chance was ruined anyways.
"I know there have been a lot of assaults, beatings, and other things going around this neighbourhood." I swallowed, trying to keep my composure from "Tripping" on my face earlier. "This knife hides in the bottom of any footwear you have and-"
"I love it, thanks Keitaro." Rika smiled and put it in her boot, "Fits perfectly."
"I'm glad you like it."
"Now I'll feel safe even when you're not there to protect me."
"I told you when we were kids that I'd always protect you, and no harm would ever come to you. We'd be friends forever right? Or at least until we died of old age. Your already half way to looking like that." I laughed, only to feel another swift punch to my arm.
"And you're still single, so that should tell you something about your looks." She retaliated.
"But, you're single too." Yet another punch made contact with me. We laughed afterwards as we looked up into the sky, not a care in the world. I may have missed my chance this time, but I was dead set on telling her how I felt, one day...

   "Duck!" I quickly dropped to the floor as a broom handle went flying over my head.
"That was close, are you ok?" I stumbled to my feet, almost slipping in a pool of blood and looked behind me.
"Wait, stop!" I called out to my rescuer.
"What are you talking about? She was about to bite you and turn you into one of "Those!"
"Just, let's leave this one, ok?" I looked back to see Rika stumbling back to her feet, blood covering her body, her eyes as white as snow – as cold as ice.
"I get it." He handed me a small hand gun, "You know her."
"Wh..Where did you get this?" I stuttered, holding the gun.
"That doesn't matter right now. Kill her."
"Are you joking? I already watched her di-"
"Kill her!" He shouted now, "Wouldn't you rather put her out of her misery yourself, rather than have another person kill her just to get her out of the way?"
"I didn.."
"Then do it!" I was cut off again. I aimed the gun towards Rika, who was now back to her feet.
"Aim for the head, it's the only way to take them out for good." The mysterious person stood behind me.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered as I pulled the trigger. A bang echoed throughout the hallways as blood sprayed and Rika fell to the floor, permanently.
"Good, now let's go." He pointed down the hall to show me the groups of "them" walking towards us, "They are especially attracted to loud noises."

We ran down the hall again, but he started to go downstairs this time.
"Where are you going?" I asked, slowly running out of breath. It was certainly easier than going up the stairs.
"The maintenance shed outside." He quickly replied, knocking another one out of the way.
"What's out there?"
"Weapons of course, and maybe a place to hide and rest for a bit." He was right, there was one door leading in and out of there, and there was bound to be some kind of large blunt objects there."
We got down the stairs and were closing towards the side door of the school, when we had to stop facing about five of those "things" blocking our exit.
"Isn't this where someone really cool and unnaturally overpowered jumps out and saves us?" I commented.
"I wouldn't say I'm overpowered, but I may be of some assistance." Someone walked up from behind us, holding a grain scythe.
"I do indeed love killing these things." He said while stepping in front of us.
"Those are people though! How can you say that?" I asked him.
"In what world are those humans?!" He yelled back at me, "They are monsters that deserve nothing but death!" He ran forward and began to slice each one down, one at a time.
"Every single one! They will die for what they have done!" He began to laugh as he killed the last one, his clothes dripping with their blood.
"This is what they deserved! The world is getting rid of everyone who isn't worthy of the life they were given." He opened the door and ran outside. We quickly followed, uneasy to say the least.

   We ran outside to see countless people walking around, the same guy killing them one by one.
"The shed is over there." He pointed to behind the blood covered student, "Lets run for it."
We ran as fast as we could, dodging "them" until we got to the door. My heart sank to the floor when I saw a giant deadbolt on the door.
"So that's it?" I quietly said to myself.
"I don't think so." He pulled a key out of his pocket and quickly opened the door.
"Wait for me!" the same blood covered person walked backwards towards us, still killing them.
"Help me!" A girl screamed, running towards the shed."
"Quick, run faster!" I shouted to her. My eyes widened more when I saw her fall to the ground.
"What are you doing?!" I screamed as he turned around to face me.
"I told you, these people are not worthy of living."
"Who are you to decide who lives and dies!"
"I saw it in her eyes that she wouldn't survive, and just slow us down. I was helping her out so shut-" He was cut off by one of "them" sneaking up behind him and biting him in the neck. Without hesitation he grabbed his grain scythe, dripping with blood, and stuck it through his own head and into the head of the "thing" behind him. I stared at the grotesque scene before me as my new acquaintance closed the doors to the shed. One girl, cut clean in half, another guy with a giant blade through his head.
"Good riddance..." he said under his breath as the large doors slammed shut.