He pauses, searching for his words, before turning to Katie.
HAYDEN: Katie, you're always the one pushing me to do better, calling me out when I go too far or when I'm being too lazy. Without you, I wouldn't be able to take this situation seriously.
He then looks at Mary, a glint of camaraderie in his eyes.
HAYDEN: Mary, you've always been the most logical, the most rational. And yeah, I know this is driving you crazy. But that's exactly why I need you—because you remind me to stay grounded.
His gaze shifts to William, a nearly teasing smile on his lips.
HAYDEN: And you, Will... You're the pragmatic one, the realist. You always have this ability to analyze a situation and find a solution. Even if you're struggling to believe all this, I know you're the one who'll keep us alive, with your whole 'this isn't a game' obsession.
Finally, he turns to Flora, his tone softening.
HAYDEN: Flora... You have this way of seeing things differently. You're calm, thoughtful, but you notice what others overlook. And honestly, you're kind of our moral compass. Without you, I don't know if I'd keep my head straight.
He straightens up and looks at them all, gripping the katana firmly by his side.
HAYDEN: (more serious) You're my family. And I may have this power, this katana, or even Blue Dragon in my head… but without you, it's meaningless. I can't do this alone. I need you. Just as you are.
The group remains silent, their emotions visible on their faces. Katie looks at him with a spark of admiration, Mary hesitates but seems less resistant, William crosses his arms in deep thought, and Flora, always calm, gives a faint smile.
FLORA: (gently) Hayden, we're here. We'll always be here.
KATIE: (with a mischievous smile) As long as you remember that I'm the boss here, we'll be fine.
MARY: (with a slight grimace) I'll try not to run… but no promises.
WILLIAM: (nodding) We've followed you this far, Hay. No way we're stopping now.
Hayden takes a deep breath, a genuine smile spreading across his lips.
HAYDEN: Perfect. Because we have a world to save... And maybe a pizza to share before that.
The scene ends on a warm note, with the friends chuckling softly, realizing that despite the unimaginable, their friendship remains their greatest strength.
---
The atmosphere in the other room was tense, a stark contrast to Hayden's group. The luxury and extravagance were still present—the champagne fizzed, and delicate dishes were elegantly arranged on the tables—but an undercurrent of panic was slowly creeping in, just beneath the surface.
Amber, seated at a table, was frantically scrolling through her phone. She looked troubled, her face tense, her fingers tapping anxiously on the screen. Her eyes darted over the flood of articles and videos appearing on social media, some showing chaotic scenes of zombie attacks in different cities around the world.
AMBER: (muttering to herself, eyes wide) Oh my God… it's real. It's really real…
At first, the other members of the group, distracted by the festive atmosphere, didn't notice her growing distress. But Amber's alarmed expression, the flicker of panic on her face, eventually caught Clyde's attention. He was seated at a more distant table, leisurely enjoying his glass of whiskey with an almost unsettling indifference. When he spotted Amber, he slowly stood up, his gaze cold and piercing as it met hers.
CLYDE: (raising an eyebrow) What's wrong, princess?
Amber, almost trembling, abruptly stood up and turned to him, the fear in her eyes unmistakable.
AMBER: (hands trembling) It's… it's all over the internet, Clyde. Everywhere. The zombies, the attacks… they say it's spreading like crazy! And… and I think they're already here, in Orlando.
A shadow of fear quickly spread through the room. A small group of friends around the table stood up, letting out nervous exclamations. The panic intensified when another person, Lila, stood up as well, waving her phone.
LILA: (terrified) This isn't a joke, guys! Look at this! They're saying it's a global outbreak…
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The sound of conversations faded like a candle being blown out, replaced by murmurs and anxious glances. The stress mounted with each passing second, everyone starting to move nervously around the room.
CLYDE: (in a menacing tone) Stop panicking. That's not how we solve things. Stay calm, and it will pass.
Inside the karaoke bar, the mood had changed drastically. The walls, once vibrant with music and laughter, were now heavy with tension and confusion. Hayden's group, initially reluctant to believe in the zombie threat, was beginning to feel the urgency of the situation. Each member reacted differently, but all shared a palpable unease.
But Clyde's authoritative voice didn't have the expected effect. In fact, his attempt to stay in control only worsened the anxiety of those around him, who began talking louder, some heading towards the exit.
AMBER: (on the verge of tears) I… I'm serious, Clyde. Don't you get it? We're living in a fucking nightmare!
Clyde, losing a bit of his usual composure, gave her a cold stare, but the worry in his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease. He knew that once panic took over the room, the situation would spiral out of control. People started pushing past each other, trying to reach the exit, shouting instructions, as the first signs of mass hysteria spread.
LILA: (crying) I want to get out of here… I want to go home!
The situation completely unraveled.
Amber, her hands still trembling, looked around at the others, a mix of confusion and terror on her face. She knew there was no going back. She had seen the truth, and now, fear was spreading throughout the room.
A scream pierced the air, making everyone jump. The waiters near the entrance had been alerted by a strange noise coming from outside. The tension rose another notch. The only sounds now were hurried footsteps, slamming doors, and panicked voices.
CLYDE: (murmuring, with a hint of twisted excitement in his eyes) Looks like we don't have a choice…
---
Inside the karaoke room:
Hayden finally stood up, his face unreadable, but his eyes filled with a newfound determination. His mind raced as he gripped his katana, knowing what had to be done if he wanted to protect his friends. He briefly turned to his group.
HAYDEN: We need to get out, assess the situation. Stay together and keep your heads cool. We don't know how long this will last.
Katie, slightly calmer, gave a firm nod, while Mary, still skeptical, crossed her arms.
KATIE: I'm ready, but that still doesn't mean I believe any of this, Hay.
MARY: (half irritated, half worried) We have no idea what we're dealing with. You want us to go outside… and risk our lives over a rumor?
FLORA: (more serious, but clearly worried) I don't know if I can just sit here and wait. We need to know what's happening outside.
The others nodded in silent agreement, doubt and fear mixing with the confusion.
---
Outside the building:
The area outside the karaoke bar was steeped in an eerie atmosphere, one that felt disconnected from Orlando's usual bustling nightlife. Distant sirens wailed, emergency voices echoed through the night, but the city's usual noises seemed to fade away. Everything was calm, but with an unsettling silence. The air was thick and humid, as if something sinister was brewing in the shadows.
Near the entrance, Lila stood alone, visibly panicked. She had stepped outside to catch her breath, hoping to calm herself, but everything around her felt unreal, almost frozen in time. As she scanned the surroundings, her gaze locked onto a figure moving awkwardly in the street—a zombie. She gasped, her eyes widening in terror.
LILA: No… no, this can't be real…!
She stepped back slowly, trying to retreat to the safety of the karaoke bar, but in her hysteria, she tripped and fell onto the ground. Her hands scraped against the rough concrete as she struggled to get up. The zombie, drawn by the noise, slowly turned toward her, its movements jerky yet relentless.
She let out a scream—a pure, primal cry of terror—and that was all it took to trigger a chain reaction in the street. More figures, just as twisted, emerged from the shadows, shambling toward her. Lila, desperate, scrambled to her feet and ran toward the karaoke bar's door, but she was too slow. A zombie lunged, grabbing her arm.
Lila's scream turned into a series of frantic shrieks as another zombie caught hold of her, its claws tearing through her coat. She screamed again, but it was too late. Within seconds, she was surrounded, and the horror unfolded before the eyes of anyone watching in shock.
---
Inside Hayden's room:
The alarm blared.
The sounds of screams reached them, triggering everyone's survival instincts. The tension in the room was unbearable.
HAYDEN: (immediately reacting) Stay here. I'll assess the situation.
He moved toward the door, but before stepping out, he turned back to his group.
HAYDEN: No matter what you believe, nothing changes. We have to face this together.
He opened the door, ready to confront the outside world. The sounds grew louder, the screams multiplied, and the shadows of zombies loomed under the dim streetlights.
At that moment, Hayden's group stood frozen. Each of them knew that the reality they had denied just minutes ago had become their living nightmare.
---
Inside the karaoke building:
Hayden walked slowly out of the karaoke room, katana in hand, his footsteps echoing lightly on the tiled floor of the empty hallway. The contrast was striking—the neon lights of the advertising signs and the remnants of festive decorations made the scene feel strangely surreal, almost ironic given the gravity of the situation. The silence in the corridor was deafening, broken only by panicked voices from other rooms and the distant creaking of poorly closed doors.
Hayden paused for a moment. His sharp, focused eyes scanned every visible corner. Abandoned cups, scattered food crumbs, hastily discarded jackets—signs of the earlier chaos. But for now, no immediate danger inside. He tightened his grip on his katana and moved forward, his steps steady but cautious.
---
Near the exit:
As he approached the large glass doors leading outside, Hayden felt the air grow heavier. The sounds were clearer now—deep, guttural growls, sickening chewing noises, and the faint echoes of sirens in the night. He stopped dead in his tracks, his gaze locking onto the scene before him.
Through the glass, under the flickering glow of the streetlights, he saw Lila. Or what was left of her. Her body lay sprawled on the ground, her coat shredded and soaked in blood. Several zombies crouched around her, their grotesque figures tearing into her flesh in a relentless frenzy. The sound of jaws crunching bone was almost unbearable.
Hayden stood frozen for a moment, his breath quickening. He clenched his jaw, a mix of anger and helplessness flooding his mind. He muttered under his breath:
HAYDEN: Shit… Lila…
The zombies, alerted by the movement or some primal instinct, slowly began to lift their heads. Their decayed, blood-covered faces turned toward him, their hollow eyes and dripping jaws making them look nightmarish.
Hayden didn't back down. He mentally prepared himself, his fingers tightening around his katana. But he knew he had to be careful. Fighting here, in the open, could attract more zombies and endanger those still inside.
---
Inside Hayden's room:
Katie, Flora, Mary, and William exchanged anxious glances.
KATIE: (whispering) He's been gone too long… We should check on him.
FLORA: No. He told us to stay here. If he's outside, it's because he wants us to be safe.
MARY: (skeptical but worried) It's dangerous. What if we're the next ones trapped out there?
WILLIAM: (trying to stay calm) Trust him. Hayden knows what he's doing. But if things go south, we need a plan.
The tension in the room escalated as the noises outside grew louder. In the distance, they heard another scream—maybe another victim. Their faces darkened.