Just A Pale Bloke

Barry stayed close to the wall, crouched behind the railing as he watched the boy and girl downstairs. They were still arguing softly, unaware that someone—something—was listening to every word. His fingers stayed tense against the cold metal, but his mind was racing through quiet thoughts. He hadn't spoken to anyone since this all started. He wasn't even sure what he sounded like anymore.

The boy glanced up toward the steps. Barry held still. For a moment, he thought the guy had seen him, but his eyes moved on. The girl said something about the fire exit, and then they both turned and began walking toward the corner of the ground floor.

Barry stood slowly, cautious. But this time, he didn't walk away.

He took the stairs quietly and stepped out into the hallway, clearing his throat as he approached. The sound made both students freeze and spin around. The boy raised the fire extinguisher slightly, his body going stiff. The girl grabbed the boy's arm.

Barry raised both hands in front of him.

"Hey," he said.

His voice cracked a little, like he hadn't used it in hours.

"I'm not... I'm fine. I'm normal. I saw you from upstairs."

The girl squinted at him and then stepped closer. She had black braids tied back, a soft round face, and tired brown eyes. She wore a denim jacket over her hoodie and jeans that looked a bit torn at the knee.

"Blimey," she said. "You scared me."

Then she tilted her head and looked him up and down.

"You're... proper pale, aren't you?"

The boy relaxed his grip on the extinguisher. He had short curly hair, light brown skin, and a slight stoop in his shoulders. His voice was lower than Barry's, and calmer.

"You okay, mate? You look like you've seen a ghost. Or been one."

Barry rubbed the back of his neck and gave a weak laugh.

"Yeah, I've been feeling a bit weird all morning. No idea why."

The girl raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Well, it suits you. You kinda look like us in the winter. Pale and half-asleep."

Barry chuckled again, forcing a light tone.

"Guess I just skipped breakfast."

Inside, he was thinking too fast. If they got close, would they notice something? He hadn't blinked in a while. His skin was cold. Would they hear that his heart wasn't beating?

The boy stepped forward and held out a hand.

"I'm Dion. Second year. Finance."

Barry shook it.

"Barry. First year. Social sciences."

The girl gave him a nod.

"I'm Rachel. Psychology. Year two."

Barry felt a strange pull in his chest again. These were just normal people. Students. Like him. And for a moment, he didn't feel completely alone.

"You seen anyone else?" Dion asked.

Barry looked toward the stairs and then shook his head.

"Just some of the... people downstairs. Not right. Like zombies."

Rachel folded her arms.

"We thought we could get out through the side door. But the corridor's crawling. They're just walking about like they don't know where they're going."

"Some of them bang into stuff," Dion added, "but they don't really talk. Don't even shout. It's weird."

Barry nodded, slowly.

"Yeah. I saw them too. I was upstairs when some came in from the stairwell. I had to hide in a class."

He didn't mention what he was. Or the bite. Or Jamie. Just kept it quiet.

Rachel gave him a quick look.

"You're not bitten or anything, right?"

Barry shook his head quickly.

"No. Nothing like that."

'Not anymore,' he added silently.

Dion leaned against the wall and ran a hand through his hair.

"We're trying to figure out the safest way out. Side doors are full of them. Main entrance might be bad too."

Rachel sighed.

"If we can get to the cafeteria area, maybe there's a back gate. Or at least somewhere with better doors."

Barry kept his face still, but inside, he felt like a pot about to boil. Tell them? Don't tell them? The zombies were near that exact side exit. Would it sound strange if he knew too much?

'Just act natural,' he told himself.

"I think I saw a group by the courtyard," he said.

Rachel frowned.

"Which way?"

Barry pointed slowly.

"Near the double doors that lead to the quad. They were banging on something. Maybe trying to get in."

Dion straightened up.

"So that's a no for that path."

"Yeah," Barry said. "Sorry."

Rachel blew out a sharp breath.

"Alright. We'll just take it slow. One hallway at a time. If we see anything moving, we don't run—we duck back. Simple."

Barry nodded, grateful for her logic. It wasn't some grand plan. Just careful steps.

"Where are you lot from?" he asked, just to fill the silence.

Rachel glanced at Dion.

"Well, I'm from North London. He's from Birmingham, I think."

"Yeah," Dion replied. "You?"

"Luton," Barry said. "Came here for uni. My family's back in Birmingham."

He paused.

"My mum, dad, and little sister. They're still over there."

Rachel gave a soft nod.

"Hope they're alright."

"Yeah."

Barry didn't want to dwell. His parents had messaged that morning before classes started. That was before everything changed. No messages had come through since.

He looked at Dion again and had to ask.

"You guys been together since it started?"

"Found each other in the library," Dion said. "She was hiding behind a book trolley."

Rachel smiled faintly.

"You were hiding behind a bean bag."

Barry laughed, the sound coming more freely now.

"Glad you found each other."

Rachel pulled her jacket sleeves down and stepped toward the hallway.

"Alright. Let's try the path toward the sports centre. Might be clearer. If we keep to the walls and check each hall before moving, we should be alright."

Dion picked up the extinguisher and nodded.

Barry hesitated.

'Should I tell them I don't need to breathe? Or that I can hear everything sharper now?'

No.

He wasn't sure how long he could keep it up, but right now, they saw him as just a pale guy. Maybe a bit quiet. Maybe nervous. But normal.

He could hold onto that a bit longer.

"Let's go," he said.

They began walking in single file, eyes darting to each door, every shadow. Barry stayed in the middle. His steps were quiet. His ears stayed sharp. And in his chest, there was no heartbeat—but still, somehow, he felt alive.

He didn't know how long it would last. Or if he could keep pretending. But for now, he wasn't alone, and that was enough.