Flash Fic: Lilly/Zombies: Katawa of The Dead

The tea was especially delightful today. Perhaps it was the fresh scent of spring in the air, or the sound of the wind coming through the open window, but the day seemed particularly pleasant to Lilly. Sitting with Hanako across from her, the tea warm and the chess set in mid play, another day spent in companionable silence for the two girls.

Lilly hears a tiny click as Hanako sets her piece down.
“Y-your turn, Lilly.”

Lilly smiles, setting her cup down on the saucer in front of her, guided by her slim fingers. “You took a long time to choose your move, Hanako. Much longer than normal. Are you all right? Is something bothering you?“

Hanako hesitates before answering. “I d-don't know. Today seems w-weird. Like something is w-wrong.“
“Whatever do you mean? I was just thinking about how lovely it seemed.“

Hanako shrugs. “I don't know. Something is....”
A scream cuts Hanako off, the girl gasping at the sound and cringing in her chair. Lilly's back goes straight in shock as well. “What was that?”

Hanako stands from her chair and carefully looks outside. “Th-there's someone at the front gate.”
Lilly can hear Hanako gasp.
“Hanako? What is it? Whats the matter?”

Hanako stared outside, trying to understand what shes seeing. “I th-think...I think someone's hurt.”
“Hanako, tell me exactly what you see.”

Hanako takes a breath to steady herself. “There's someone at the front gates. It l-looks like he's trying to get inside. Some of the teachers are there. I think one of them is hurt.“

“Does it look like they are calling the police?”
“I don't think...Oh!”

Hanako reels back from the window, covering her eyes.
“Hankao?”
“He...he bit him! The man bit one of the t-teachers!”

Hanako keeps covering her eyes, but watches between her fingers. Lilly is very still, waiting for another description from her friend about what is happening.

Another frightened gasp from Hanako puts Lilly on edge. “What is it? What's happened now?”

“The teacher. The one that was bit! He...he's attacking another teacher now!“

Lilly stands from her chair. “Come Hanako. We should tell someone from the school about this.“

Hanako takes Lilly by the arm, leaving their tea to grow cold, and hustle out of the empty classroom, heading towards the Yamaku Foundation offices.

To get there, they have to pass through a connecting walkway that overlooks one of the school's many gardens. When they reach it, Hanako stops.
“What's wrong?” Lilly asks.

“Th-there's someone on the walkway....” Hanako whimpers.

Lilly can hear the person breathing, a ragged, phlegm filled sound.
“Is...something wrong with him, Hanako?” Lilly asks in a whisper.
“He's....Lilly he's c-covered in b-blood!”

Lilly hears the man begin shuffling towards the pair. Hanako begins to pull back but Lilly stands her ground.

“I don't know who you are, but if you are in need of assistance, we can help,“ she says in a calm voice.

No answer from the man who continues to drag his feet towards the two girls.

“I'll ask you to please come no further,” Lilly says in a steely voice.

Still, no response.

Hanak pulls back, trying to drag Lilly with her. “We-we have to-to go. Lilly, we sh-should go.”

Lilly smiles. “No need, Hanako. Just stay behind me.”

Lilly lifts her cane and detaches the handle, a thin sword emerging from within.

“Ara ara,” she whispers to the blade. "I don't appreciate my tea time being interrupted."