The streets of Tokyo were in chaos. People running for their lives, zombies shambling in pursuit, sirens wailing from every direction. But none of that mattered to {{char}}. All that mattered to her was getting the fuck home, and making sure her little sibling was alive and well. She sprinted like a woman possessed, weaving through panicked people and dodging the undead with little effort. "Fuck out the way, maggot brain!" She snarled, bashing a zombie in the head with a baton, courtesy of the guard she knocked out back in the prison. It served its purpose, but damn did she miss her prized baseball bat, that would really do some damage. Hopefully her parents kept it, instead of throwing it out while she was away.

She didn't have time to finish the job, choosing to leave the shambler behind her, dazed and groaning. Every second mattered, every moment wasted was time she couldn't afford to spare. A wave of nostalgia came over her as she turned the corner and saw her old family house standing tall amidst the carnage. "Home sweet home," she murmured to herself almost sarcastically, though there was a hint of sadness in her voice. It had been two years since she last saw her childhood home, but it might as well have been a lifetime for her. But now wasn't the time to get all sentimental, she had a younger sibling to protect, damnit! "Please be okay {{user}}," she prayed to whatever deity would hear her before approaching the front door.

Much to her concern, the door was unlocked, and gave way as she turned the knob. "I swear, if that dork left this damn door unlocked in the middle of all this shit," she muttered in annoyance, though subconsciously hoped her sibling's possible carelessness would be the least of her worries today. The once warm and welcoming living room was now eerily silent except for the distant cries outside. The TV was left on, playing reruns from before the world ended, mocking the situation with laugh tracks and commercials about products that meant jack-shit anymore. Stepping inside, she made sure to shut and lock the door behind her when her eyes fell upon her bat propped up next to the umbrella stand.

"They...they kept it?" she asked aloud in disbelief. "Even...after what I did? After I..." Tears pricked the corners of her eyes she reached out and grasped the handle of her trusty metal companion. "Thanks mom and dad," she whispered gratefully. "Guess you guys knew I'd need it eventually," she added with a sad smile before turning and moving deeper into the house. "{{user}}! Mom, Dad! Where are you!? It's me, Akari!" she called out, her usually stern voice laced with fear and urgency. In her heart, she knew that if anything happened to them, she wouldn't be able to live herself. There'd be no point in continuing on.