Never Too Late (a We Are Zodiac Hetalia fanfiction (ON HOLD))

Prologue - The Beginning

Pant. Pant. Pant.
That's all it was for a good minute or so as I ran through the halls of the facility, my heart racing and my legs beginning to wear out.
Finally, I made it to the room and I stumbled to a stop, my shaky hands grabbing the doorknob and frantically turning it, then slamming it open.
Four faces turned to look at me; America, Russia, Japan, and China.
However, China's face had changed. His cheekbones seemed to stick out and he looked deathly pale. His eyes are wide and revealed a fear I never thought I'd see from him.
He was sitting on the edge of the small bed, his body is trembling and he is breathing heavily.
But now, I noticed something growing from the top of his head. Strands of his long, dark hair seemed to fall from his scalp, and replacing his scalp was something-- something I don't know. It looked metallic, and I swear that if I looked closely, I could practically see it growing.
"How is he?" I asked breathlessly, stepping into the room. "I came as quick as I could when I heard the news."
"Not good." Japan murmured, watching China with concern. "His fever is 105 degrees fahrenheit and something is forming on his head."
China's hands immediately flew up to the top of his head and he began scratching at whatever that thing is, as if he thought he could remove it.
"Wh-What is happening to m-me, aru?" His voice was shaky and he seemed to begin hyperventilating.
"Dude, calm down," America hesitantly reached out, but then seemed to think better of it. "Breathe."
China swallowed hard and took a few deep breaths, but that didn't seem to change anything.
"He has arso been very nauseated, paranoid, and uncharacteristicarry viorent," Japan continued listing China's symptoms. "Whatever this disease is, it is unrike any sickness we have ever seen."
"It is very odd," Russia muttered, unable to keep from glancing at that thing growing from China's head.
"What is that, though?" I whispered, also looking at that thing.
"We don't know," America said, shaking his head. He was talking in a serious tone and his expression revealed his confusion and concern. "I don't understand how something like that can-"
Suddenly, China screamed, cutting America off completely. It was terrifying. The howl was out of complete and utter agony.
He grabbed at his head and collapsed to the floor, his entire body is shaking violently.
"China!" Japan called, automatically kneeling beside China, but China's arm swung out and if Japan hadn't dodged, it would have hit him.
The thing growing on China's head grew faster, bigger, and something seemed to form on either side of it.
China screamed again, but this time, it sounded completely inhuman.
"Rosalie, you should get out off here," America turned to me and began guiding me to the door, but I protested.
"W-Wait! What about-"
I glanced back, and looking back to this moment, I wish I hadn't.
China had looked up, his eyes are no longer squeezed shut. He stared wide-eyed straight at me, but in his gaze was something I never saw from him before. He glared with horrifying malice and anger, but then flashed with pain again and he closed his eyes.
There was a loud crack as that thing growing on his head suddenly doubled in size, now with a bright green jewel that glowed in the front. The skin on his head broke and began to bleed as that thing tore out of his skull. Most of his hair fell softly around him, but several strands managed to stay attached to his ripping scalp. I watched as it formed, almost covering China's eyes as two beams shot out from the sides. Now chains fell from them and something formed at the ends. They were metallic plates that, in mere seconds, took shape and are now swaying as if they were scales.
That's exactly what that thing looked like. A huge scale growing from China's head.
The scale stopped growing, then everything fell silent. Nothing was heard except for China's ragged breathing as his body trembled.
Everyone stared in silence, not knowing what to do or say. I wanted to speak, ask China if he was okay, but then he looked up again and I felt my eyes widen.
Blood trailed down his face from his head, but his expression was blank. Slowly, he stood, his head and neck trembling under the weight of the scale.
He was looking downwards so the device covered his eyes; that was until he looked up at us.
His dark eyes were dilated, but they still glared with that same malice I saw only seconds ago. Only now, it looked more vicious. He glared with hatred and with no recognition whatsoever.
Then, his lips parted to show his bared teeth and he somehow immersed a deep growl from within his throat.
I swallowed and gathered the courage to speak.
"Ch-China?"
His head swiveled to glare in my direction as he growled again, louder now.
Then, with a shout, he charged.
"Oh, shit!" America cursed and quickly pulled me out of China's way. China snarled at us, literally snarled, and ran through the door that I had unwisely kept open and escaped the room.
"Don't ret him escape!" Japan ordered, now running out of the room after China.
I was still in shock at what the hell just happened, but then I shook myself out of it
Russia followed Japan and America turned to me. His face was pale and he seemed as shocked as I am, but he still spoke in a steady and serious tone.
"Stay here and keep the door closed. Don't come out until I come back, okay?"
He sounded completely out of character, but who wouldn't in a situation like this?
I swallowed and somehow found my voice.
"O-Okay, yeah." I stuttered, nodding.
Then he ran out of he room, closing the thick wooden door behind him.
A siren went off, signaling that the building was going to lockdown.
I inhaled deeply, realizing that I haven't been breathing very well. My lungs felt as if they can't work properly and my stomach felt heavy. Fear is rattling throughout my body and confusion made my head spin.
What is happening?
I heard another inhuman scream, this time it came from outside, and I looked towards the window. I ran over to look out.
I'm on the third floor of the building so I had to look down to see China running out of the building and towards the wooded area.
Members of the facility and countries chased after him, but he ran faster.
They were very soon out of sight and I backed away from the window, my legs beginning to tremble, as if they could no longer hold my weight.
Then I sat on the bed, staring at the spot where China was only a minute ago. Multiple strands of hair scattered the tiled floor and there were a few droplets of scarlet.
I can't stop thinking about the transformation from being to beast. He became something completely different, something like a monster. Not just in physical appearance, but the way his eyes had looked after he changed. The hunger in his glare. The very emotion in his eyes made the word 'monster' more official.
I've only heard about the virus, but I was never told that it could do that to people.
And I never knew this virus could infect an entire country, even less in only a week.
My heart hammered within my chest as I thought about what this could mean to the world.
And this is just the beginning.

--

I knew that after that day, everything would change, and that the world would never be the same.
Little did I know that not only would the world change, but so would the lives it inhabits.
I didn't know that this new virus could cause so much chaos and death.
But now I do. Now I know the destruction it brought, now I understand the devastation that came along as everyone we knew got infected.
Now the human race is gradually decreasing and the virus has yet to be stabled and cured.
The population isn't the only thing dying out. Humanity is changing. It's becoming less than civilized.
Out of fear, people are killing and rioting for nourishment and protection from the virus. Selfishness, anger, confusion, and fear are controlling their minds and the fear isn't just for the world and others, it's fear for themselves. Fear really does change people.
It changes countries too. I would know, because I saw it with my own eyes.
And now, I share this with anyone who dares to listen.
So here is my story...

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How was that for a prologue? :D
I really hope you guys enjoy this story~!
I'll write the first chapter as soon as I can!
Until then, ciao~!