(Disclaimer for the Series: I don't own any part of the High School of the Dead franchise. Any of the characters seen in this story belong to me, and I reserve all the rights to them.)

((AN: So I'm looking around at all the other HOTD fanfics with original characters, and I think to myself… 'Hey Irv182, maybe in the future, somewhere in the story when your people are safe… maybe you should ask one of the fellow authors out there if they want to make a fun, A/U collaboration story?' I think it'd be fun, with two or more creative minds working together like that.))

Chapter 10: Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

Last chapter was left at a crossroads of sorts, with our surviving four stuck with two paths to choose in order to get to a safer location than their current status. In front of them is a large chain link fence with a door on in, though it is padlocked shut. To their right is an alleyway which leads to a seemingly empty looking area of the street.

March 23rd. 8:55 P.M. 14 hours into the outbreak. Survivors: Four. Location: Alleyway in between two streets. Status: Indecisive.

"Well, which way do we choose?" Anthony asked the group. The four survivors stood in the middle of thin, dark and putrid smelling alleyway. Garbage and mold littered the cracks of the stone floor, and the odor of the alleyway smelt of rotting fruit and urine. But even that was a pleasant smell as compared to the distinct smell of human decomposition. Anthony's nose twitched as he tried to slowly breathe in the disgusting air.

"I say we go over the gate over there," Joshua said, pointing to the large fence in front of them. Anthony shook his head in disagreement. "That might make too much noise. 'They' would swarm us easily. Not to mention that the fence is not only high, but only wide enough for two of us to climb over at a time. It's too risky." Joshua took a short moment to process this, and frowned not too far after. "I guess you're right… But that only leave two choices: Going back or going to the right." Anthony began scratching his chin, thinking about it. "Should we try to go down the way to the right? I mean, there's nothing for us if we go back."

"There's shelter," Joshua protested. "There's food… drink… and a place where we can feel safe." Anthony shook his head once again. "We've already had this argument. There's also a lot of deli meat, not to mention all the dairy products. Without power, it will only take days before that shop reeks of the odor of spoiled milk and rotting meat. Are you okay with that?" He was right, and Joshua knew it. But that's why he was in charge, and not Joshua. Anthony was intelligent, charismatic, and courageous. That's why he was captain of the wrestling team, as well as the baseball team.

"I'm okay with going down the alleyway," Officer Revis said to Anthony. Marie quickly nodded in agreement. The only thing holding them back was the vote from Joshua. "Joshua… are you still unsure?" Anthony asked him. Joshua just shook his head to Anthony. "No… let's go down the alleyway. We have nothing to lose, right?" Anthony gave him a sort of half smile, and nodded. "Exactly. Revis, Joshua, Marie, Then me. Let's go."

The four headed down the alleyway in the exact order given to them by their leader, where they suddenly stopped. Revis and Joshua saw something jump in front of them across the opening of the alleyway, and stopped dead in their tracks. "What the HELL was that?" Joshua nearly yelled, trying hard not to attract 'them'. "I-it had to be a trash bag. 'They' can't jump… right? 'They' can barely stand or walk straight, so we shouldn't worry…" The two just looked at each other, and slowly crept up to the edge of the alleyway.

Revis shone his light toward the way where the object had flown, only for them to see nothing. In two different ways, this was definitely a good sign; on one hand, there was nothing there. That includes none of 'them'. On the other hand… there's a possibility that there are no 'special infected' from Left 4 Dead in this world. With the realization that there were alone, if not only for a little bit, the group carried on, using Revis' flashlight as their only light of salvation forward in this pitch dark, apocalyptic hell.

The street in front of them looked to be completely empty. However, one could never be too cautious; especially in an apocalyptic situation such as this. There was an eerie silence that accompanied the walk through the street, with an occasional clanging of a trash can or the sound of a gust of wind whistling by. That, paired with the thought that the group had really no place to actually stay was disheartening.

A few blocks passed them by, with an occasional sign of 'them' being around. Things became more visible with the additions of burning cars giving off a glow of light. It was getting rather late, and the four of them were getting tired. What they really needed was to find a place to rest for at least one night; whether it was a car, a van, or even an abandoned bus. As they stood in the middle of an intersection, Joshua attempted to read the sign to see where they were; however due to his poor eyesight coupled with the darkness, it was pointless. "Anthony, if you would…would you telling me where we are?" He asked, pointing to the street sign. Anthony shone his light over at the direction Joshua pointed, and read the sign to him. "We're at the intersection of 37th and 23rd," he replied.

Joshua gave off a small smirk. "Okay, good. Then we're not too far from a place I believe might be pretty safe." Anthony shrugged. "Oh really, how about clueing us in?" Joshua nodded back to him. "Just follow me. Trust me, we'll be fine." He took Revis' flashlight and led the group two more blocks down the street, and suddenly stopped in front of a store. "Here we are guys." The three others looked up at the building, with Anthony shining his light at the sign above. "Joshua, this is a Laundromat," Marie said to him. "That might be true, but…" He said, walking over to the door. He opened the door and walked inside. "The owner never locks the door. That and it had manual storefront gates. Astor whether or not there are some of 'them' in here, he never seems to open his store on certain days. And today happens to be one of them." Revis smiled at the boy. "I suppose you've done this before, Joshua?" Joshua shook his head. "No, but my dad is a detective. And he taught me how to observe everything around me. Told me one day some information might come in handy. I guess I was lucky this time. Now everyone, hurry up inside. We don't have all night." The group then walked into the Laundromat, and locked the door behind them. They set up all the storefront gates, and sighed a bit in relief. They were safe, at least for tonight. But who knows how lucky they'd be in the future?

((AN: I don't think I have much to say at this portion. Well, other than 'Thank you' to all the loyal readers. I know I update sporadically, but you guys have kept reading. Thanks, guys and girls. You're the reason I haven't given up on this story yet.))