It all started while Keith was at work. His day started like any other day. He got up late and changed his clothes, grabbed his bag and made his way to Starbucks where he went straight to the back of the shop, put on his apron and name tag. "So..." He looked at the planner hanging at the door. "Today's till eleven," he mumbled.
Luckily the Asian missed rush hour and had a nice and quiet few hours of standing behind the counter. Only ten or maybe fifteen people entered the shop and left as soon as they got they drinks. It was relaxing. Too relaxing. Almost boring at that point. He sighed and leaned against the counter, watching the door. The other two employees already went to the back since they had the feeling that no one would come anyway at that hour. But it was only five in the afternoon.
Usually nurses would get their drinks for their late shifts or for their way home, people from their offices would storm in and get some coffee so they wouldn't fall asleep in their cars while driving. But none of those people came. The streets were empty from what Keith could see through the windows. The only things passing by were some cars and literal trash. Actual paper and plastic bags.
After a while Keith decided to get out his phone. Since the manager wasn't here anyway no one would care. He would've put it into his pocket again as soon as a costumer would enter the shop anyway.
Seven PM.
Still nothing. It was almost as if the whole city died. Just as Keith started to clean the counter someone burst into through the door and shut it behind them quickly, leaning against it. Keith looked up at the person.
A tall man with broad shoulders and a lot of muscles stood there, panting heavily as if he was almost killed. Little blood splatters covered his prostatic arm. Fear could be clearly seen in his face. It took a little for the man to catch his breath until he looked at Keith.
"Welcome to Starbucks...?" Keith said, his voice actually getting higher towards the end of the sentence. Silence. Very awkward and heavy silence.
The man finally broke the silence. "Are you...Y'know. A little suicidal? There are these things everywhere and you just stayed here?" Keith tilted his head in confusion, giving the man a questioning look.
"Things? Sir, I don't mean to be rude, since thata against the policy here but, I think you're crazy."
"You're the crazy one here," the man said. "People left their houses behind, left to find safe spaces. But you, you're just calm amd don't even care? That's crazy. "
Keith gave him another questioning look. That was when he noticed something. That man, he had several weapons attached to a belt around his waist. "Okay, uhm...First, I think you're crazy. Secondly, what's your name?"
He slowly reached for his phone while he waited for an answer, ready to call the police.
"Takashi Shirogane, you can call me Shiro though. At least you could if you wouldn't be so crazily stubborn..".
Keith rolled his eyes and slowly walked around the counter, putting his phone into his pocket. "So, Takashi, if you think you're the sane one here tell me what's happening," he said, sounding more like he was daring Shiro to find a good excuse for his craziness.
"Zombies." Was all he said and pointed to the empty streets outside the shop.
It almost sounded like a very well acted out joke. Keith tried to keep it in, but couldn't help it. He laughed and turned away. "Sure," he huffed out between his laughter as he went to the back of the shop where his bag was. Just as he openedthe door-
A scream and the door banging closed to be heard.
"Takashi!" He called out and ran back to the front of the shop. "What the actual fuck- Did you, like, get some actors? Because there are five weirdly acting and moaning people in the break room!" Shiro shrugged and looked away.
