In a dimly lit autopsy suite, a medical examiner in a white lab coat and gloves examines Kimura Ran’s severed arm, which is sealed in a blood-smeared biohazard bag. He wears glasses and a face mask pulled under his chin. A clipboard rests on the table, and bright surgical lights glow in the background. In the autopsy suite, the medical examiner closely inspects Ran’s severed arm, now unbagged and resting on the table. The wound site is visibly infected, with rapid tissue decay and dark, swollen pustules. The examiner frowns with concern, noting the abnormal condition. He wears a white lab coat, blue scrubs, and has his face mask pulled below his mouth. The medical examiner leans in to probe Ran’s severed, infected arm with a scalpel. He examines the swollen, darkened flesh with professional focus. Gloved and wearing a lab coat and blue scrubs, he notes visible swelling and tense pustules, indicating possible internal fluid buildup. A scalpel pierces a swollen pustule on Ran’s severed arm, releasing a violent spray of fluid. The burst is messy and sudden, with fluid flying in all directions. The large, stylized sound effect “SPLORT!” dominates the lower half of the panel in dripping letters. The medical examiner recoils in panic, covered in splattered fluid from the burst pustule. His eyes are wide with fear, and several red blotches have appeared on his skin. His gloved hands are raised defensively, and his lab coat and face are stained. A red background emphasizes the shock and alarm of the moment.

Panel 1 In a dimly lit autopsy suite, a medical examiner in a white lab coat and gloves examines Kimura Ran’s severed arm, which is sealed in a blood-smeared biohazard bag. He wears glasses and a face mask pulled under his chin. A clipboard rests on the table, and bright surgical lights glow in the background. Panel 2 In the autopsy suite, the medical examiner closely inspects Ran’s severed arm, now unbagged and resting on the table. The wound site is visibly infected, with rapid tissue decay and dark, swollen pustules. The examiner frowns with concern, noting the abnormal condition. He wears a white lab coat, blue scrubs, and has his face mask pulled below his mouth. Panel 3 The medical examiner leans in to probe Ran’s severed, infected arm with a scalpel. He examines the swollen, darkened flesh with professional focus. Gloved and wearing a lab coat and blue scrubs, he notes visible swelling and tense pustules, indicating possible internal fluid buildup. Panel 4 A scalpel pierces a swollen pustule on Ran’s severed arm, releasing a violent spray of fluid. The burst is messy and sudden, with fluid flying in all directions. The large, stylized sound effect “SPLORT!” dominates the lower half of the panel in dripping letters. Panel 5 The medical examiner recoils in panic, covered in splattered fluid from the burst pustule. His eyes are wide with fear, and several red blotches have appeared on his skin. His gloved hands are raised defensively, and his lab coat and face are stained. A red background emphasizes the shock and alarm of the moment.

Transcript

Caption (Autopsy Suite)
Panel 1
Medical Examiner: Beginning initial examination of severed limb. Clean cut through radius, ulna, and surrounding muscle tissue. Notable discoloration around an apparent bite wound, located just proximal to the wrist.

Panel 2
Medical Examiner: Wound site is… abnormal. Rapid tissue degradation. Localized rot with fluid-filled pustules. Doesn’t look bacterial.

Panel 3
Medical Examiner: There’s visible swelling beneath the surface. Pressure buildup in the pustules-- might be fluid under tension.

Panel 4
Medical Examiner: Making a small incision to examine--
SFX: SPLORT!

Panel 5
Medical Examiner: GAH!

Dead shall rise – Chapter 2 page 5
Posted on July 14, 2025 by Maho Noir

Down in the autopsy suite, things are clinical-- until they’re not.

The medical examiner starts calm and procedural. He walks through the report like it’s any other night shift-- cataloguing tissue damage, noting the unusual decay, prepping for a clean incision. It’s all routine… until it isn’t.

When things go bad, they go fast. And wet. Whatever was inside that arm wasn’t waiting patiently for its turn on the slab.

And yes, the examiner’s mask placement is deliberate. During the pandemic, we all saw folks who wore PPE like it was optional. That detail was a choice-- equal parts commentary and foreshadowing. Turns out half-measures don’t stop what’s coming.

Next up, Ran’s not quite out of bed-- but the interrogation starts anyway.