Suddenly, a spotlight shone over the fare gates, illuminating a figure, a shape. It took me a few seconds to process what I was seeing, even having to double take just to be sure that I was seeing what I was seeing. Eventually, I had to admit, my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me.

  It was a sheep. A rather odd sheep. Its fleece shimmered like the night sky in the wilderness. Galaxies and stars flickered and moved along its coat. It was quite the sight to behold, as if its fleece was something more, like a part of the universe itself. That was where all normality faded…

  The sheep was standing on its hind legs, almost like a person. In its… fore-hoof was a cane… A top hat on its head, and a pair of star shaped sunglasses that glittered and shone like they were actual stars. Then there was the odd spotlight shining down on them, it followed and made the area around the sheep sparkle. As if they were the focus of everything.

  With a twirl and a deep bow, like one a magician would take when walking on stage, the sheep spoke.

  “As I said already, Welcome to the newbie event! An event specifically made for new rabbits like yourself! Many of you have met Usagi, well, everyone can just call me Sheep because that’s what I am. A sheep!”

  Somehow, hearing them say that… it really didn’t make it easier to accept what I was seeing. Nobody spoke up and for good reason.

  “Baa~! Baa~! Baa~! I love you rabbits, always so self-aware of their own inadequacies. So much better than those nosy dogs, and those frivolous foxes. Don’t even get me started on the tigers…” That sounded eerily familiar…

  “Now, Now, Sheep, you shouldn’t be delaying so much, Pyon!” Suddenly, Usagi appeared beside the sheep. Their white form contrasted the sheep’s dark fleece. Like the moon against the starry night sky.

  “Tch…” Sheep clicked their tongue. “I operate the events Usagi, not you!”

  “Yes, that is true, but if we keep delaying, we might miss out, Pyon!” Usagi retorted back.

  “Fine, fine, whatever… Ahem… Now, you all are new, and new rabbits tend to cause issues if left unattended. With the waxing and waning of the moon cycles, much like the ebb and flow of tides, so too does your magic.”

  They said and took a twirl before continuing.

  “Every full moon, magic reaches its peak, especially at this hour, when the day before and the next meet. When such an event happens, it creates an anomaly, a kind of rift between reality as we know it, and fantasy.”

  Sheep continued. With every word they spoke, a show occurred around them. The spotlight beaming down would form a backdrop. An empty sky slowly filled in with pieces of a moon until it became whole.

  “Rabbits are given minimal control over their magic and minimal tutelage. However, leaving you to your devices as is, will eventually result in calamity for those around you. Some of you, perhaps already noticed?”

  I looked at my own frost covered form. Even now, controlling my breathing, I could feel the ice crackling away, muting my emotions and fears. Then, I glanced over to Amanda, the plants squirming around her form. Finally, I looked at Diana, and though subtle, the air around her seemed to swirl. Giving her that move star look, where her hair subtly shifted to an unseen breeze.

  “It would disrupt our little game too much if you were left without an opportunity to get control of your powers, as such, it was decided that all new rabbits would be put through an event, Baa~! Baa~! Baa~!”

  They laughed, or, it sounded like a laugh.

  “Events typically follow a pattern.” The sheep pressed on. “Performing in an event, will reward Sheep coins, these coins can then be exchanged for fabulous and limited prizes!”

  Sheep tapped their cane on the tiled floor and, we heard a crack from behind. The sealed shut convenience store came to life, blazing with life. Even the ticket counters changed, glittering and clanging like we were in a casino, not a subway.

  “Feel free to check out the rewards, once I finish.”

  Everyone looked over in awe but soon enough, refocused on Sheep.

  “Events themselves are rare, and typically they serve a purpose beyond just granting rare opportunities. Events can limit powers, grant conditional powers, and so much more! Events are made to prevent all of those chosen from becoming too comfortable in their new world. They also present a chance for us to send you to otherwise little-known locations for purposes unknown!”

  Their words had me on edge and also… it made me question once more why I was here. Usagi had saved me. Of that… well, I was beginning to question that notion. Either way, it became clear, it wasn’t out of benevolence. Strangely, it didn’t bother me. If anything, I felt better about this whole situation I found myself in. If only because it made it so much easier to accept the situation I was in.

  Uncaring for my thoughts, Sheep pressed on.

  “Now, soon a train will arrive. All those that wish to partake in the event just need to enter the train! Those who have decided otherwise, well, good luck getting home. Baa~! Baa~! Baa~!” With a final laugh and flourish, Sheep disappeared in a sparkling nebula.

  Conversations broke out. People flowed towards the ticket machines and the store, and I was no different. The ticket machines had become simple coin changers. Allowing the exchange of Sheep coins with Bronze and Silver coins, whatever that meant.

  Then there was the store. It was filled with all types of oddities. Books, materials, clothing, and even equipment of all kinds and types jammed into a small space. The items were all labeled, though, behind the counter were a set of odder items.

  Almost like the back of a ticket counter at a gaming center, there were even more times, though, these appeared more special. Less mundane, more, specialized in a way. The stuff here, clearly gathered the most attention.

  Books on Blood magic, Necromancy, Alchemy, and such garnered the most attention. Along with glowing vials that were labelled oddly, like Regeneration, Life Sense, Adaptation. Then came the ampules, small syringes filled with color coded liquids, each assigned a parameter, Strength, Dexterity, Endurance, and Magic. With each having an astronomical price beside them.

  With no real answers, people whispered and muttered, but eventually they petered back into the main area of the subway. With a sigh, I stepped away, then made my way back while Diana took their own final glances at the store’s inventory. Afterwards, we all exchanged glances, but nobody spoke up.

  “Hey…” Diana spoke up after a moment of silence. The crowd had died down, silence reigned, but over the silence, we could hear it. Something approaching from afar. A train.

  “Do you know how to fight?” Diana asked, looking at me, her hand gripping her pick with all she had.

  “A bit.” My words calmed her, but only slightly.

  “How much?”

  “I learned some martial arts, and I have some confidence in self-defense.” I didn’t need to tell her that according to my teacher I had no talent, even if I learned all the moves he was willing to teach me.

  She sighed. “I suppose that’s better than nothing…”

  “What about you? You have your pick, but can you actually swing it?”

  Diana huffed, clearly offended. “Of course I can use it. I’ve also learned multiple martial arts. I can handle myself.”

  Her eyes drifted to Amanda, and my eyes followed. Under our combined gaze, Amanda shifted.

  “Uh… I’ve never actually been in a fight before. Hehe…”

  We both sighed.

  “Sorry…” Amanda apologized.

  “It’s not a problem, and why were you asking that Diana?” I pivoted over.

  “I have a feeling we’ll end up having to fight, or worse.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, but… I just sighed and settled in.

  “You might be right…” I trailed off. We went silent again.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Not long later, the train arrived. The screeching of its brakes was loud, deafening even. It came to a stop with a loud hiss and clunk, the doors slid open with a rattle and the fare gates all blazed on and swung open, as if inviting us into the belly of a beast.

  Nobody cared for the fanfare or the presentation of it all. Everyone lined up to enter. Not a soul stayed behind. Slowly, we filed through the gates and through the train car doors into the cabins themselves.

  Groups clumped together, standing or sitting where possible. Walking up and down lanes until they could find a place. Eventually, every cabin had at least one group within. When everyone was settled, the train intercom crackled to life.

  “I hope everyone is buckled in and ready! There’s no going back from here on out, Baa~! Baa~! Baa~!” Sheep laughed over the intercom; the train doors all slammed shut with a squeal. Sealing us in. Then, without any prelude, the train jolted into motion.

  “Now, let me explain the rules for this event. You will need to survive for 72 hours. That is all. Now, there are a little over a hundred participants this time around, so… those within the top 10, will be rewarded a gold coin, the person at the top will be given two gold coins. Surviving the event will grant you a hundred sheep coins to do with as you please!

  Now, do your best to survive, Baa~! Baa~! Baa~!”

  And with that, the intercom cut off. The cabins were dark, lit up only by the meagre lane lighting, but as soon as the intercom cut out, the lights cut out as well. For a single, horrifying moment, there was nothing but the sound of the train moving through a tight tunnel. We were suddenly aware of every single bump or turn the train took.

  Then, the train lurched, lights flickered back on. With a loud squeal it came to a stop. Everyone without exception ran out into the station, then froze.

  We were back where we had started, seemingly… Only, the fare gates were broken, shattered and twisted. The lights above were on, but they hummed and buzzed. Flickering as if they were about to die at any second.

  Then there was the smell. A cloying smell, as if the station had been abandoned for some time. Slowly, cautiously, we made our way out to the main floor of the station. The station entrance was closed, the shutter had been lowered, trapping us within, but light streamed in between the shutters. Motes of dust danced within those beams of light.

  A majority went towards the shuttered gate. I started towards it, but a hand pulled at my sleeve. I looked at the owner of the hand, Diana, and she motioned towards another familiar sight. The convenience store.

  “If we’re going to survive for three days, we might as well see if we can get food and water.” She explained not a moment later.

  “That’s a good idea.” I looked back and noticed Amanda trailing behind, I waved to her, then we continued forward.

  The convenience store was open, the shutters were rent and torn, but the interior was fine. The lights were on, the fridges hummed. The lights flickered. Food was arrayed on the shelves and the coolers full. Without hesitation, Diana began to grab boxes of granola bars and stuffed them into her bag. Along with bottles of water.

  Lacking a proper bag to store goods, I went to the counter and scavenged and eventually found rolls of plastic bags. I separated them…

  “Can I have a bag?” A girl asked, she was a tad shorter than everyone else. Hey eyes flickered with anxiety.

  “Sure, here.” I handed it over without fuss and watched as she filled it up with goods and left. Then, I continued my work and began to fill my own bags, even handing some to Amanda to fill.

  Soon, others piled in. Quickly emptying the store.

  “We need more.” Diana mentioned as the shelves emptied.

  “There should be a storage area.” I mentioned. My eyes roved around the store and stopped at a particular door. “It should be through there.

  She eyed me, but didn’t question it. When we reached the door, Diana raised her pick, prepared to bash open the lock. I stopped her. She looked at me, clearly annoyed.

  “It might be unlocked.” I offered and tested it. It was locked. Not just that… Something had been jammed in the lock…

  “Mm… that’s odd.”

  She sighed and motioned for me to move, then swung at the handle. After a few swings, she managed to gouge out the lock. The door then swung open after a few good kicks. Opening up to a much large area, completely shrouded in darkness.

  I stepped forward and paused. A sound reached my ears. A low… groan? Was someone in here. I opened my mouth to speak, when something lunged out of the darkness. Something crashed into me, sending me to the ground. I moved on instinct, my arm raised up, just when teeth clacked just before my face. Saliva dripped down.

  I felt something pressing down on me. pushing into me. Then, the next second it was shoved off. A green tendril took its place. I scrambled up. Trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

  I looked towards where the figure went, just in time to see Diana slam her pick into its skull.

  It looked like a man. Only… more like a dried husk. The commotion attracted attention. Others within the store gathered, muttering over the corpse. Diana calmly pulled out her pick and wiped it down with a cloth she had.

  My heart hammered in my chest as I played out the moments.

  “Is that… a zombie?” Somebody muttered, but that alone caused the tension to skyrocket. Everyone started fidgeting and looking around.

  A hand was thrust in my face. “Do you need a hand?” It was Amanda.

  I took it. “Yeah, thanks… I have no idea what the hell just happened.”

  “I don’t know either. I just, one second you were standing the next you were on the ground. I thought the thing bit you and… and…” She motioned to the vines covering her body. “They reacted!” She motioned with her hands pushing out.

  “Well, it saved my life. Thanks.”

  “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “Me too…” I looked around. “We should probably check out the back room before anyone else gets the same idea.”

  “We should…” Amanda nodded after noticing the shift in the air. Diana was way ahead of us, already having gone in. We followed in after her, as did the others in the store. Soon enough, boxes were torn apart, and goods were divvied up. My eyes though, were on a door that had been wrenched open.

  The door led to what looked like a lounge. The couch had been torn up. Blood was everywhere. The room looked like a slaughterhouse. Silently, I scoured through the room. Eventually finding a key stowed away under a pile of bloody garbage.

  We shared looks, none of us daring to voice what we thought of the situation. I scratched my head, and Amanda’s eyes were flitting about nervously.

  Eventually, we made our way out of the store. More people were flowing in, and we looked over to the shutters.

  “Looks like they managed to pry it open.” I muttered aloud.

  “Mm, it does.” Diana follows up with.

  “S-should we follow?” Amanda asks after a moment. People were shimmying through the opening with bags full of goods and going up the stairs. I went to answer her but paused when I saw the station monitors.

  “Diana, look. You’re famous.” I pointed towards the monitor.

  She looked towards the monitor. On the screen were the event rankings. With Diana at the top. She went to speak but paused when new names took her place, and some… were crossed out. The numbers climbed and more names were crossed out, and I could feel the hair on my neck rising up.

  We weren’t the only one to notice the oddity. Others nearby had heard me and were looking. Something hung in the air. Then a voice cut through the air.

  “ZOMBIES!!!” A scream. All eyes shot towards the shuttered entrance. People were running down the stairs, trying to shimmy back through the opening. They were clawing and grabbing, those on the opposite end worked to pull them through faster, disregarding cuts and gashes.

  I made to move forward as well but froze when a figure fell down the steps. Those on the other end screamed.

  “FASTER! FASTER!” They pushed, and pushed, which only served to further block the narrow opening.

  “We need to move.” I heard Diana say. “We need to move, now!” Diana yelled, jolting everyone into action. Those closest to the shutter continued to help pull people through, up until the zombies crashed into the group trying to shimmy through.

  Horrible screams cut through the underground space.

  We ran, for the train, only to find it gone. In its place was only an empty tunnel, but it was something. Diana led the way, her bag clanking with every step. I pumped my feet to keep up, only to glance back and notice Amanda falling behind. I slowed and offered a hand, pulling her forward.

  Soon, the screams behind us hit a new octave. We ran into the tunnels, going forward. My mind was processing what I knew. I hadn’t been here before, my eyes raking across the walls for anything. I pulled on the ice, shifting my breathing as I let it freeze over the terror threatening to overtake me.

  “There should be an emergency exit up ahead!” I cried out, seeing the sign.

  Diana didn’t reply back, but her head shifted to keep an eye out. I could hear more people coming up from behind. I allowed myself a brief glance, and I saw people fleeing and further back… The zombies that were on our tail.

  “They’re catching up!” I yelled out, causing everyone to redouble their efforts. Amanda nearly slipped once or twice, but each time, I righted her without even slowing down.

  I could hear them approaching ever closer, when Diana cried out. “HERE!” She stopped in front of a door. Perhaps the key was for that? It looked harder to break, surely…

  Diana pulled back her pick, breathed, and with a mighty swing, wind swirled along the pick’s edge. On impact, the pick scored an ugly scar on the metal door, filling the tunnel with the sound of tearing metal. Ripping apart the lock and nearly cleaving it in two. Sweat dripped down her brow and with a kick, wrenched the door open. Without pause she rushed forward.

  We followed.

  The passageway was narrow, barely enough for two people to stand side by side. The passage continued for some way, then gave way to a dead end with a ladder. Diana was already climbing it by the time we arrived at its base. With a grunt, and a blast of wind, the hatch at the top came off. She pulled herself out, and I pushed Amanda up. I made to follow but paused when more people came.

  I hesitated… Cold logic demanded I go first. But… I pushed that down and offered a hand. I felt the ice in my veins solidify as I pushed people up multiple rungs, hastening our escape. Distant screams grew ever louder. Until they echoed in my skull.

  I didn’t keep count, but I could see the undead rapidly approaching. I very nearly threw myself up, but another girl was coming up fast. Zombies nipping at her heel. I gauged. The cold helped to stretch the seconds out, giving me time to think.

  The decision came all too easily. I grit my teeth and surge forward, grabbed the girl’s hand and thrust her towards the ladder.

  I took a stance. My fist, coated in ice slammed into the first zombie, crunching in their skull with ease. I followed up with a palm, pushing into the chest of another approaching zombie, sending them hurtling back into the oncoming horde, buying me precious seconds.

  I bolted for the ladder, I scrambled up, and on my way, I grabbed the girl still trying to climb and flung her out, all the while still climbing. Hands grasped at my legs, claws scratching against the frost coating me, leaving marks. With a swift kick, I pushed them back and scrambled onto wet concrete. The smell of old, rotting garbage slammed into my sinuses.

  Hurriedly I took in our position. An alley, filled with trash. People scattered about. Many panting, hyperventilating. Clearly in shock. Then I heard it. Clambering from just behind, I scrambled back, just when the first withered hands reached out…

  Only to be denied, when the metal hatch slammed down. Severed fingers flew out, but the hatch shook and beat, threatening to fly back open. Diana, and a few others gathered, and moved a heavy dumpster atop the hatch, securing it.

  Once it was secured. Everyone waited. The sounds of nails scraping on metal reached our ears. Harsh cries and groans muffled by the metal hatch filled the alley.

  That was all we listened to for a few minutes, that, and our beating hearts thumping in our chests.

  What the hell had we gotten ourselves involved in?