The coming dawn

12/4/2018 /12:30PM/ Canterbury/UK

"Wake up!" I quickly sat upright to meet the eyes of my maths teacher, Mrs Rowen "this is the second time I've had to wake you up this term, how many times must I say this, go to sleep at an earlier time, maths is too important for you to miss out on" I sighed as the class let out a roar of laughter, mainly from my friends occupying the seats next to me.

I rubbed my eyes "I'll be sure to keep that in mind when I'm not too busy finishing coursework" I yawned sarcastically quickly checking the clock it was 12:33PM which meant it was nearly time for lunch, I swiftly unzipped my bag and rushed to put my equipment in, but before I could finish packing away the teacher stopped me, yet again.

"Aaron, if you don't take your education seriously I'll have to put you in after school revision sessions with your friend Adrian" I grumbled at this, and packed up, as the bell suddenly started to ring, signalling the start of lunch the teacher shouted in an old, emotionless, dull voice "remember your exams are in three weeks, remember to revise using your books" as me and my friends immediately exited her class we made our way through the school navigating around the crowd of slow walking people, until we arrived at our usual hang out spot, a small corner on the field covered in bushes and trees, we sat down and started to unwind from the tension of exams and classes.

"I hate that teacher, she's gonna be the death of me I swear" I groaned as I unpacked my peanut butter sandwiches and, started to feast on them as if I was a starving animal, as I said this Adrian looked at me with a big toothy grin.

"You have a thing with getting yourself into trouble don't you" he chuckled, while pulling out a protein bar out from his bag

"No, it's just that I'm an unlucky individual, who gets picked on" I stated, before my other friend Monu joined the conversation looking at me with a doubtful stare.

"What about when you got drunk on presentation evening, when you were meant to be serving drinks, not drinking them yourself and, then passing out, like an idiot" Monu said with a smirk. Adrian chuckled at this as he then began chugging down a bottle of Mountain Dew.

"Like I said, I was bored and, wanted to entertain myself and, pretending to be drunk was a good way to start" I responded now eating a bag of walkers, lastly Alex joined in looking at me amusement plastered over his face.

"I'm not sure about that Aaron, you did, kinda pass out in front of the school, on the lawn" Alex said doubt clearly in his voice, I turned to him with a scowl in my face.

"Shut up Alex, you're just an imperialist!" I responded, as I said this, I started an argument between my three friends, I took this opportunity to zone out, and reflect upon the year.

Adrian was the smallest of us all, but was by far the most competitive, immature and is downright obnoxious, however his attitude towards life, and the situations he finds himself in, makes him appear as the joker of our gang of misfits, usually wearing a plain white T-shirt with black shorts.

I then turned my attention to Alex, who Was lanky, and always had long, curly hair, and refused to get it cut out of fear of getting roasted, he often wore a simple button up shirt, with tracksuit bottoms, however he was quiet, and would always listen and, help people, if he was able to, when his shyness didn't get in the way, however he was also a coward and, didn't like fighting, unless it was someone weaker then him, like his weaker younger brother.

Monu was the largest of the group, and could always be found wearing shorts and hoodies with neon nike shoes, and was also a loudmouth, who couldn't be quiet to save his life, he would always find a way to start an argument, by insulting someone, usually by insulting their intelligence, although ironically he isn't smart himself, as he tended to forget essential information or items, such as money, or his USB stick, however he makes up for this, with his unpredictable and random behaviour.

As I focused back on the conversation my friends was having I groaned as I heard them talking about league of legends "I'm such a beast when I play vayne I could easily take all three of you on!" Adrian said confidently I rolled my eyes at this.

"Did you forget that I only own a PS4 and some garbage laptop even if I had something good to run it on I don't like MOBAs" I said beginning to lay on my back " and besides I'm not getting into the whole PC vs console thing right now I'm too relaxed" I stared at the clear bright blue sky.

"PC is still superior either way" Adrian said dismissively "Monu how long is it until lunch ends?" Monu reached for his phone and lazily clicked the home button.

"Five minutes we should probably start packing up so we can get our seats before someone else takes them" Monu said already standing up with his bag on his back Adrian started to do the same with a sense of urgency.

"Oi are you two coming?" Adrian asked curiously looking at me and Alex who were still lounging around on the grass I waved a hand at him calmly.

"Nah I'll catch up with you shortly I wanna relax for another five minutes" I said content with my spot as Alex agreed to stay longer as well watching Monu and Adrian walk swiftly towards the computing department a small four room building overlooking the field Alex looked at me with depressed expression.

"We've been here for such a long time and we've gotten to know so many people it's to have to leave soon it feels just like yesterday we were experiencing our first day here and now six years later we're leaving" he sighed rubbing he's eyes I sat up.

"Yea and it feels like we only just met a week ago but life goes on and all that crap" I said remembering all the good and bad things that have happened over the last few years "but yea I think I'll miss it as well strangly but we've got university life to look forward to soon hopefully" I stood up stretching my legs " we should probably get moving it'll take a few minutes to walk to class" Alex slowly got up stretching his leg he suddenly collapsed again and made a slight gasp as he recoiled his left leg in pain "what the fuck is wrong?" I said staring at him with an amused look on my face he slowly looked up at me.

"I think my leg just cramped up" he said through gritted teeth I fidgeted with my bag a bit shifting it into a more comfortable position and leaned down towards Alex.

After waiting a few more minutes I reached a hand down towards Alex "here I'll help you up" he reached up and grabbed my hand after he was feeling better we slowly made our way towards the computing department as we reached the door to the department we noticed the lack of sound besides a slow shuffling sound as me and Alex slowly made our way through the short corridor we noticed there was a small blood trail further down the hall leading around a corner I turned to Alex and whispered "what the hell do you think happened it's so quiet and that's fucking blood there someone could be hurt."

"Or worse" Alex said too shocked to say anymore I tapped him on the shoulder and signalled him to follow me, as we crept down the hall as we passed a slightly ajar door two sets of hands wrapped around me and Alex and yanked us into the closet I was about to shout when the same hand covered my mouth and I heard Monu whisper.

"Everyone is fucking dead we have to stay quiet me and Adrian saw everyone in the class and we barely hid inside this closet in time" Monu gulped as he removed his hands from my throat me and Alex turned around and I thought why do we need to be quiet if they're dead .

"Wait are you trying to say some of them are fucking zombies!?" I almost yelled he looked nervous.

"Me and Adrian saw the blood and investigated where it came from and we saw Adam ripping through Dan's neck and then a few of them nearly saw us..and we heard footsteps coming so we hid in here" Monu said grimly both Monu and Adrian looked as pale as the moon.

"Shit well we can't stay here we'll either starve or die of thirst" I said looking the three Alex looked like he was having a mental breakdown I shook him slightly "Oi are you paying attention" he appeared to be unresponsive so I gave him a small slap to the face which seemed to snap him out of it.

"I..I need to find my brother..I need to make sure he's safe" he said shaking as he made his way over to the door I blocked him and pinned him against the wall.

" listen your brother may already be dead we need to focus on how we're going to escape and find help and if you get out of this closet now you'll probably attract their attention so I can't let you go for now..we'll look for him soon".

"You can't just ask me to abandon..." He was cut off by various grunts and moans shuffling through the hallway as we heard something smash against the cheap wood they knew we were here I let go of Alex but stood close enough to make sure he couldn't rush out of the door.

"Yo guy's what the fuck are we going to do!" Adrian said clearly panicked I turned to see a three plastic mops, I started to pass the mops to Monu and Adrian while handing a small caution sign to Alex.

"How are we going to escape using these mops when there's at least five of them or more out there" Monu said shuffling backwards towards the wall.

"We have no choice We're going to have to fight they're soon going to break in if we don't fight we'll die" as the thuds grew louder I started to feel a static shock spreading through my body as I slowly fell to the floor as my vision was fading I could tell everyone else was facing the same problem "are we fucking turning" I coughed as I started to lose my vision before passing out I could only say one word "shit."

Fairfield\Pennsylvania\ Mercy hospital\9:30PM. Francis P.O.V

"I hate rooftops" I muttered as I finished climbing to the roof shortly being followed by Bill, Zoey and Louis. Louis just stared at me blankly.

"Is there anything you don't hate Francis?" Louis said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well I hate fishes but, I like eating them to show them how much I hate them" I said casually Bill just rolled his eyes at my comment.

"Alright people the helicopter pilot said he'd be here to pick up any survivors" he reloaded his M16 "we should make sure we're alone up here" Bill said as he started moving towards the makeshift defensive structure near the back of the roof I took a moment to observe the blackened sky feeling somewhat relaxed feeling the rain drop on to my leather vest before feeling a hand grab my shoulder I instinctively pointed my shotgun at the vampire that grabbed my shoulder before realising it was Louis.

"Jeez Louis I almost blew your fucking head off I thought you were a vampire!" I almost shouted as I lowered my shotgun, Louis just stared at me with a stupid fucking smile on his face.

"They're not vampires Francis they're zombies besides we should get moving I don't feel comfortable standing around in the open like this" he said patting my back as he joined Bill and Zoey in the defensive structure in front of us I sighed and followed them the first thing I noticed was that there was a radio set up on a table to my left Bill and Zoey were focused on trying to communicate with someone, Louis was searching through the first aid cabinet and had a look of bliss on his face as he pulled out two bottles of pills as he shoved them in his pockets I decided to search the closet as I opened it and peeked inside I saw three weapons and a pile of ammunition laying besides them.

"Groovy" I said as I pulled out I desert eagle and stored it away In my holster, I then put my shotgun away in its holster as I picked up an AK-47 I turned to Louis "there's a hunting rifle in here I suggest.." I stopped as the sound of the radio coming to life distracted me as we heard a slightly distorted voice through the radio.

"Hello is anyone there repeat is anyone at mercy hospital, over" the pilot said Bill sprung to life and answered.

"Hello there's four of us on the roof of Mercy hospital and we need immediate evacuation over" Bill responded urgently the pilot shared his urgency.

"I can be there in a few minutes you just need to hold out until I can get there I'll be at the helipad shortly use the minigun on the roof if you need to, over" he said I turned around and saw a boomer slowly shambling along the roof feeling bored I pulled out my desert eagle and loaded it and thought a little target practice couldn't hurt I pointed my desert eagle at the boomer and just heard Bill scream.

"Francis no!" but it was too late and I fired the shot at the boomer causing him to explode launching guts and bile everywhere shortly afterwards we heard multiple shrieks echo from the roof as I noticed the horde of infected spilling out on to the roof. " God fucking damnit Francis"

"Oops" I said as I opened fire into the approaching horde taking down multiple infected Zoey took a pipe bomb, lit it and threw it to another area of the roof bill turned to us quickly.

"Francis!, Louis! Get on the roof and start using that minigun we've come too far to die now" bill said with a raspy breath.
I cocked my shotgun and looked at Louis.

"Come on Louis if you're going to die you might as well go out fighting" I sighed as he rolled his eyes and sprinted up the stairs leading towards the roof I shortly followed after him "Louis get on the gun I'll cover you" he nodded and began to shoot at the oncoming horde mowing down countless infected turning them into a bloody mess I turned around and saw two infected that were climbing up behind us I shot a round into one's head But before I could finish off his companion he punched me in the jaw I let out a small gasp in pain and as it tried following up its attack with a bite I used the stock of my AK and smacked him around the jaw sending teeth flying over the roof I then shot through the chest and kicked it off the roof turning back I continued firing on the infected until I heard a cry for help I turned and saw Louis being dragged away by a smoker I took aim at the smoker holding Louis and sent a bullet flying through its brain.

"Thanks Francis I knew you couldn't live without me" Louis said through small gasps for air I groaned as I sprayed some infected slowly I noticed less infected were appearing I took this opportunity to reload my weapons I leaned back on the railings I loaded the final shell into my shotgun when I started to hear a noise of a helicopter approaching "it's here!" Louis said with glee as me and Louis regrouped with Bill and Zoey downstairs,Bill turned to us.

" everybody sprint straight for the helicopter, it probably attracted every infected in the vicinity to our location no thanks to Francis" Bill glared at me I gave shrug in return "so don't stop for anything" everyone nodded as we began to sprint for the half broken helipad which the helicopter was flying next to I looked behind us and saw a barrage of infected erupting from the building we just left I continued running until I noticed there was a hunter on Bill as Bill let out a scream of pain and agony I emptied a shell point blank into the hunter's head He became lifeless as I kicked him off Bill.

"Zoey!,Louis! get Bill I'll cover you" Louis and Zoey helped Bill to his feet I continued to mow down the infected until Bill was safely in the helicopter.

"Francis get inside!" I heard Louis shout as he fired his machine gun into a group of infected as I was about to make it to the helicopter I felt the ground shake suddenly everything was in slow motion I turned to my left and saw a fucking tank just my luck I thought I tried to shoot at it but it was already too late it's large muscular fist made contact with my body and Launched me to the edge of the roof

"FRANCIS!!" Zoey,Louis and Bill said in unison as I was sent flying back from the force of the tanks punch clutching my chest in pain I looked up and saw the helicopter leaving without me as I looked up at my companions and saw rage, guilt and regret plastered over their faces as they looked down on me helplessly I stood up and spat out blood across the floor.

"Well I'm shit outta luck" I muttered feeling the rain pour over me I looked up at the sky "well I guess this is it for me I guess..I hate dying" I said venom in my voice, wincing with pain after feeling the impact of the tank's punch I heard a scream filled with rage I turned around and saw the tank bolting towards me I closed my eyes and prepared for the final blow as I felt the tanks fist make contact with my chest I was winded and was sent flying off of Mercy hospital. My life flashed before my eyes up until this final moment remembering Louis survived longer than me "ain't life a bitch" I moaned before I lost consciousness and then everything faded to black.

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Westeros/ somewhere up north / the hound POV

"KILL ME!!" I yelled as Arrya began walking away from me I went to shout out again before getting interrupted by a series of coughs "shit" I muttered " I should've sold that bitch while I had the chance" feeling the wind blow through my hair I lowered my head looking at my injuries one of my leg bones were dislocated seeing the bone sticking out my flesh while also looking at the various cuts on my hands from falling down that steep rocky hill I was bleeding fast, as I felt the blood pour from my wounds my vision started to blur and as I started to black out I swear I could see a horse standing in front of me I heard a crackling sound as my vision turned to black.