1 Chapter 1: World Of The Living Dead

I was just minding my own business, diligently wrapping up my scheduled animation series in order to meet the looming deadline.

Life had become rather monotonous for me. I would engage in a cycle of playing, eating, sleeping, and animating, barely keeping afloat in the vast world of the internet, relying on advertising and content monetization to earn a living.

I was on the verge of completing my work, meticulously refining the final set of frames, when suddenly, my phone began to ring.

I reached for my phone and glanced at the caller ID.

To my surprise, it was an unknown number that had sent me a text message.

"If you were to find yourself in a world overrun by zombies, would you be able to survive?"

I didn't know who this person was, and their question seemed really strange. Maybe it was just a prank text from some bored high school kids with nothing better to do.

But I decided to reply anyway, just for the fun of it.

"Of course I am! Living in a world of zombies would be way easier than living in this messed up pre-war world."

I lied, because honestly, living in a world like this would be a lot better than one where the dead come back to life.

I turned off my phone, not really expecting a reply. But then, out of nowhere, my phone started ringing again.

I checked, just in case it was my manager trying to get in touch with me.

"How long do you think you can last?" the unknown number asked once again.

I replied, feeling a sense of unease, "Probably a lifetime..."

To my surprise, the unknown number responded with an emoji message that read, "Shall we see the truth in your words?"

Suddenly, without warning, my consciousness began to fade, and my vision blurred into darkness.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself in a devastated city, surrounded by ruins. My body ached with pain, and I struggled to stand up.

As I surveyed my surroundings, a feeling of confusion washed over me. Everything was in shambles—crumbling buildings, wrecked cars, a scene of utter destruction.

In an attempt to gather my bearings, I reached into my pocket to retrieve my phone, only to find a few old coins instead.

"What in the world..." I muttered in disbelief.

I don't remember putting coins in my pockets. Well lucky me, i got some more spending money.

Then just a moment, i noticed something different  my attire was different to what i usually wore.

Green jacket and a skirt? I'm not a crossdresser. Was someone playing a prank on me?

I rember passing out when i was responding to that... Unkown.. Number..

Wait....

I looked at my arms which was unexplainably smaller and smoother. I also felt short in height, when the wind blows. I can feel my long hair sways by the wind.

"Whats going on?"

I tried pulling my hair thinking it's a wig, which turned out to be real as every strong pull or single strand of hair plucked out hurts.

Not only that, my voice is also strangely high pitched like that of a girl.

This is not me... This is not my body, where am i? what happened?

Just then, something banged on the cars, i was startled.

And when i went to the noise, i saw a dirty back of someone. And i called him.

"Hey!"

When he turns around, his jaw was swinging down, ripped out of his head, his body was filled with wounds and is a real bloody mess.

Growling like those zombies in video games.

I backed out in surprise, and fell down on my butt.

It's not even holloween yet, but i'm surprised at this piece of work. It looks realistic.

Just how much did it cost them to make everything look this good. But what about the changes in current me?

No tech can just change the height of simeone, unless they me some inch on my sleep. I don't want to imagine it.

I crawled back and got up, the zombie walked towards me.

I want to call them out and say stop with the act, but fails due to the apocalyptic feeling of the environment and the realistic flesh hanging out. It made me think everything was real.

My guts was telling me to run away or kill it.

In the first place, was this actually just a prank? It's possible that their filming a movie... But what about the changes on me?

Various things made me refuse to believe that all of this is fake.

I was afraid now. Not because a zombie is nearing closer. But the fact that everything was real.

And to confirm it. I grab a sharp and hard object laying on the ground. It's just a metal piece from the debris.

I take aim and throws it at the head of the zombie, the sharp part quickly sinks in it's head.

Seeing that no one is tending to the wound or try to stopped me, came to my realzition that everything was real

I was a huge zombie fan, but that doesn't mean i want to live in a zombie apocalyptic world.

I'm confident with my leg strenght, i was sure i could bring this zombie down if i kick it's knee.

But fails, i forgot i was in a different body. And so the zombie grabs me, atttempting to bite me.

Powerless against it, i was easily pulled by it. Seeing no other choice, i pushed myself against the zombie, causing the both of us to fall down.

Crushing it's rib as it's rotting body cushioned my fall, and by some play of luck, the back of it's head cracked open, killing the zombie.

I got up and ran away, night was falling closer. I need to find shelter quick. I'll just think about how i got here later after i am safe.

Suddenly rang an alarm, every zombie from the surrounding was attracted by the noise, all of them heading towards the loud alarm coming to the drugstore store. And some are going to me.

Part of me was happy that these zombies are the type that just walks, not like those other game with mutated and powerful zombies.

But i wasn't happy to being here.

I can also hear people screaming, panicking at the situation as the store gets surrounded by zombies.

Gunshots and objects breaking can be heard, i hope these guys are good people.

I decided to help them by minimizing the number of the dead that surrounds the store.

I found a metal pipe and grabbed it, using it to strike the cars forcefully, triggering their alarm systems.

As expected, the zombies paid no attention to the cars after seeing me and instead began to gather in large numbers along my path. I estimated there were around 40 or 50 of them. I sprinted towards an open area, still creating noise to divert their attention.

Luckily, zombies prioritize pursuing the living. If that weren't the case, I would have been futilely banging on metal while they followed the loud clangs.

The majority of them are now trailing behind me, with a few managing to sneak up from behind. Despite my small stature, I adeptly evaded their grasps.

Slowly i was getting surrounded. I was forced to retreat in one of the houses, luckily, the house was unlocked, i climbed towards the 2nd floor, thankfully theres no zombie inside.

Now it's just a race of time before the door breaks. For now i just gotta think how to escape this situation.

At the pharmacy, the tense situation gradually eased, and the remaining zombies were dispatched with relative ease.

"LEE!" one of the men called out.

Lee Everett took down the last zombie. "What is it, Doug?"

"It was a kid! The one who drove away the walkers."

Lee and the others who heard it were taken aback by the revelation.

Worried about the child's safety, Kenny quickly asked, "Did you see where they went?"

"They went east, just down the road where you guys came from with your truck. I hope they're safe," the person replied.

Having made up his mind, Lee took action. "Kenny, give me the axe."

Kenny nodded and handed the axe to Lee. "I'm coming with you."

Doug chimed in, "I'm coming too."

As they were about to leave, one of the girls, who had been in the military before all this chaos began, spoke up. "Wait... What if there's more than just a kid? We can't be too sure. It might be a trap. I've seen what people are capable of in this messed-up world. They kill for anything, thinking they can evade the law."

Carley, a news reporter, reluctantly agreed. "As much as I hate to admit it, she's right..."

Lee understood their concerns, but they had already made up their minds.

"We'll be prepared for any situation. Besides, I doubt it. That's a large number of walkers, and I don't think anyone would risk helping us considering how dangerous our situation is," Lee said.

Lily seemed like she wanted to say something but held her thoughts back. She still had hope for humanity, refusing to dwell on the worst-case scenario.

And so, they stepped outside the pharmacy, moving slowly and quietly. Lee took the lead as Doug pointed out the direction they had gone.

Eventually, they stumbled upon a horde of walkers swarming a house. The undead creatures pounded on the door relentlessly, and most of the windows were shattered.

Their faces filled with horror, the group felt a profound sadness.

"Oh no..." Lee uttered.

Given the overwhelming number of walkers, it seemed impossible for anyone to survive. With a pained expression, Lee said, "Let's go back. There's nothing we can do."

"Damn..." Kenny muttered, unable to believe what he was witnessing.

As they turned to head back, a voice screamed, "HEY, OVER HERE!"

They looked toward the source of the voice and spotted the child on the second floor, waving frantically from the window.