February 24, 2014

6:53 pm

~Alex

 

 A gunshot echoed from a few blocks down the street, much closer than the last one. I was gaining on them.

 But what if I wasn’t near enough?

I pushed the dark thought from my mind, breaking into a run. A loud sound of a firearm hit the streets again, then another. I couldn’t help but marvel at their stupidity. Even I wasn’t dumb enough to fire like that, where the dead could hear it. Plus, it would be a waste of bullets.

 But they weren’t me. And they didn’t think Josh was a waste of a bullet.

 I felt bile rise in my throat. What if I was too late? What if, by the time I got there, he…

 I didn’t let myself finish the thought. That couldn’t happen. Not on my watch.

 I skidded around the corner, trying to turn with enough force to hold my momentum. Now would not be a good time to faceplant.

 I stumbled, but righted myself, bursting through the doors of the old warehouse. My eyes darted back and forth, my hand tightening on the handle of my gun. I wasn’t sure when I’d gotten it out, but at that time, I was glad I had it.

 But there was no chaos in the abandoned building. In fact, it was silent. Eerily so.

 “J-Josh?” I questioned, my voice rebounding off the walls and back to my ears in a disorienting fashion. I waited a few seconds, and my heart hit the floor. Had they killed him already?

 I took a small, pitiful step forward, still unsure if the place was truly empty. And if so, why?

 Had they taken his body with them?

 I let out a soft, choked noise, using my left hand to cover my mouth while my right gripped my gun. My grip was loose, my fingers shaking, and my knuckles were white with the effort. I couldn’t lose him, not after all of this. Not without telling him the truth.

 A small, human noise sounded from off to my right. I froze, tensing for a second before realizing that I recognized the voice.

 Josh.

 I scrambled off towards the sound, stumbling slightly. I rounded the corner, finger on the trigger, waiting and willing to fight off whatever tried to hurt him.

 But what I saw was bad enough to bring me to my knees.

 There was Josh, lying pitifully on the cold floor. His face was ashen, making his dark brown hair stand out brightly on his pale skin. His right hand was pressed weakly against his left shoulder, blood dripping through his fingers and pooling on the ground beneath him. His eyes were closed, and his breathing ragged.

 But he was breathing.

 There was still hope.

 I ran to him, vision beginning to blur from the tears that threatened to overcome me. But I held them back. I had to be strong.

 I half-kneeled, half-collapsed beside him, letting my gun fall to floor and slipping my jacket off my shoulders. I gently pulled his hand back, revealing the small, round wound. I felt sickened. They had shot him, and left him to turn. I carefully pressed the cloth over the injury, putting small amounts of pressure there, simultaneously trying to stop the stop the bleeding and not hurt him further.

 He turned his head to the side, looking at me with unopened eyes. He knew my presence now, and would not be afraid. He looked like he was trying to find words to say, but all he could whisper was name.

 “Alex.”

 The word bounced around in my head, nearly driving me into a state of complete panic. It felt like goodbye.

 “Josh.” I murmured, unable to speak any louder. “Oh, Josh, I’m so sorry. I never should’ve said that. I didn’t want you leave. And now they’ve hurt you, and it’s all my fault.” I let out a strangled sob, feeling thin streaks run down my face from the tears.

 Somehow, he found the strength to say what he thought he had to.

 “Alex.” He said again, his voice remarkably steady. “I’m dying.”

 “No.” I muttered, but even though I knew he heard me, he ignored me.

 “My body will attract them. You’ll-“ His voice caught. “You’ll get hurt.”

 “No.” I said again, more force behind my words this time. I slid my arms under his knees and across his back, picking him up carefully. He winced, but I didn’t hesitate when I strode straight out of the building and into the sunlight. I turned and walked down the way I’d come, towards the old apartment building we called home.

 “Alex.” He said again, but I didn’t let him continue.

 “No.” I made the objection very clear. I felt him go limp in my arms, but I couldn’t think about it. I had to keep moving. Had to-

 

“Alex?” A concerned voice cut through my memory, bringing me sharply back to the present. A hand darted in and out of my line of sight, in a questioning gesture. I jumped a bit, but regained composure quickly. “Yeah?”

 “Are you okay?” I turn to Josh, nodding even before I spoke. “Yeah. Just thinking.” I noticed how his eyes were distant and slightly glazed. Fear spiked through me. It’d been a month, he couldn’t still be-

 “Are you?” I asked, breaking off the train of thought with the sound.

 He just shrugged, which made him wince, though he tried to hide it. “It’s the apocalypse, how okay can you really be?”

 The vague answer set off alarm bells in my head, but I pushed them down. He was always like that.

 I would know.

 He turned towards the window, staring over the city at the setting sun. He smirked slightly when he said. “Though, I guess we have it better than most.”

 I nodded, following his gaze. The twentieth floor really was beautiful. I smiled a little bit, allowing myself to relax. I pushed the memory even further from my mind. Josh was alive, and it was okay now. No sense worrying about it now.

 Suddenly, a though occurred to me. “Josh?” I asked, a frown creeping over my features.

 “Yeah?” He answered, hints of distance still filtered into his voice. But my tone was all serious as I voiced my concern.

 “How much food do we have left?”

 He scowled, reaching a hand behind him to grab his backpack. He half-handed, half-threw it at me, and I scrambled to catch it. He avoided my curious gaze as I opened it, nearly having a panic attack from what I saw.

 It was less than half full.

 “Josh!” I yelled, standing up. “That’s barely anything! Why didn’t you say something?!”

 He trained his stare purposefully to the floor, looking guilty. That didn’t help his image. “I planned on going back to the Walmart tomorrow, and I didn’t want you to worry…”

 I let the bag slip from my fingers, following it as it fell to the floor. I collapsed myself, dropping back into a sitting position, pulling my knees to my chest. “Why do you never tell me things?” I asked, my voice soft. He was at me side in an instant, slinging an arm around my shoulders. A strand of raven black hair fell over my face, and I once again found myself surprised by how much it had grown.  I’d had it cut so close to my head before that it still shocked me. Of course, it probably didn’t help that I hadn’t seen a mirror in a month and a half.

 “Alex, I’m sorry.” Josh said, lowering his volume to match mine. “It’s just that…I want to protect you.” My gaze flickered up to his face, and I saw nothing in it but truth. “You’re like a brother to me, y’know?” I smiled a little bit, calming myself down. “I think of you as a brother too, Josh.” I said, then mentally slapped myself for being so sentimental. That was probably why he didn’t tell me things.

 But somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to take it back.

 “We’re raiding Walmart tomorrow.” I stated, leaving no room for opposition. Josh just laughed, A soft, sweet sound in a dying world.

 “Better wake up early.” He murmured, and I smiled.

 We fell asleep beside each other, our backs pressed against the wall and our eyes to the horizon.

 

~*~*~

 

February 25, 2014

7:26 am

~Adrianne

 

A soft breeze carries the leaves across the empty streets, but the light rustling does not reach my ears as I sit atop the Walmart. I can see the figures shambling awkwardly down the street, but I’m not afraid. I know they’re not smart enough to climb.

I don’t know what kept me there for so long, watching the dead mill around the roads like they’d been doing for a month and a half now. It was not a welcome sight, but not an unfamiliar one, either.

They absence of human life weighed heavily on my soul. So many gone, so fast. My mind wandered to my family and friends. I don’t know what happened to them. I just have to hope they’re okay, and that maybe I’ll see them again someday.

I feel a sharp pain in my chest, the dull ache of loss. I know there’s one person I’ll never see again.

She was with me when it happened.

 

The lights flickered and went out, plunging the room into total darkness. It’s morning, and winter, so the sun has yet to rise. No light filters in from the hallway, and I note the fact, realizing the whole school must be out.

A few soft sounds of fear and alarm reach my ears, and I feel the urge to contribute. Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

Suddenly, the monitor flicks on, causing many students to scream, and many others to laugh. We were eighteen, and in our senior year. We should not be afraid.

But I hear the slight waver in their voices. They feel it, too.

A man stares into the camera, appearing on the screen before us. His expression is grim. His voice is dark when he speaks.

I hear the sound of heavy footsteps outside, and see the shadow of a person. But it is limping, it’s feet angled inwards in an obviously uncomfortable position. I watch him, and so I fail to hear the man’s announcements. But one word catches my attention.

Outbreak.

My mind races to find a logical conclusion, running through all the possibilities. None of them were good.

I felt my thinking stop, my mind going numb from the panic. I hear the words “Apocalypse” and “undead” from the man on the screen. That confirmed it.

I’m not sure when it happened, but the monitor flickered, and died. The room fell to blackness again. There was a long moment of silence as people’s brains worked on overtime, trying to make sense of the situation.

Then the screaming started.

The classroom descended into a flurry of noise and activity. Students ran around in a panic, leaving me the only semi-level headed looking one. But I’m far from my calm. I’m just in too much shock to react.

Arylinn turns to me, fear written all over her face. Her wide, terrified eyes meet my steady gaze, and a silent understanding passes between us.

We have to get out of here.

I take her by the arm, leading her towards the door to the hallway. From across the room, a loud bang sounds on the outside door, eliciting more shouting and chaos among students. But I ignore it all, guiding Arylinn to the door. All I can think about is keeping her safe.

I throw the door open, stumbling into the dark hallway. I pull Ary along behind me, taking her by the wrist, as I knew she didn’t have the strength or presence to get herself out of the building.

I reach the doors faster than I expected, pressing my face to the small square of glass embedded in the front, scanning the street ahead. I see no signs of movement, and I push the door open just a crack, the cool metal sending shivers up my arms. I stick my head outside, and nothing appears to be amiss.

I gently pull on Ary’s arm, and she follows me outside. The cold air washes over my face, but I’m almost too distracted to notice. I take a few hesitant steps, and Ary follows. I slowly gain confidence, moving quickly and efficiently across the parking lot. I begin to catches glimpses of the dead walking off to the sides, starting to close in. The fear rises in me again. I break into a run.

Ary picks up her pace to sprint beside me, and in a moment of faith, I release her.

It was the worst mistake I’ve ever made.

She falters, having come to rely on my guidance. I see her stumble, out of the corner of my eye, but I don’t quite register it.

Until it’s too late.

I hear a scream from behind me and I whirl.

What I see makes my heart shatter into a million tiny pieces.

Ary is frozen place, horror and pain evident on her face as the zombie sinks it’s teeth into her shoulder again. She whimpers, and I don’t think she has the strength to scream this time. She looks up and her eyes meet mine.

The image sears itself into my brain, and I knew even then that I would never forget it, that it would haunt my nightmares ‘til the end of time.

Her gaze is steady, a moment of clarity evident in her stare. Her eyes are tear-filled, but she doesn’t cry. She smiles, though it’s more sad than anything else.

“Run, Adrianne.” She whispers, and her eyes close and she collapses to the ground. I watch the following for only a second, but it feels like much longer.

I turn and run, just like I know she wanted me to, with only one thought running through my head.

It’s my fault.

 

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel the tears fall from my cheeks. I press a hand over my mouth, but can’t hold back the small, choked noise that escapes my throat. I can picture her so clearly, like it’s only been minutes since I last saw her, with her messy blond hair and bright smile. She’d seemed so much younger than she was. I don’t think I could remember a time when she’d said a mean word to anyone. She didn’t deserve this.

I did.

Adrianne Winters, the girl who shunned all social activity for years. Adrianne Winters, the girl who picked a fight with anyone and everyone just because it was easier than being nice. Adrianne Winters, the weird girl no one likes. The girl no one would miss.

I slipped through back through the door and down the stairs, to the store itself. I positioned myself behind the cashiers desk, in the shadows. The only place I can see the doors, and no one would see me. Not that I was worried. I hadn’t seen another living person since Arylinn-

Well, you know. I’d rather not think about it.

I held my gun in a death grip. Not that I was ion danger, just…it helped me feel safe. Well, as safe as anyone could be in a zombie apocalypse.

I was moments like this when I felt the determination to make a life for myself here. I would live for Ary, because she couldn’t. I wouldn’t let her death mean nothing.

I would remember her well.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as the front door opened, revealing to silhouettes. I raised my gun, aiming steadily at the figure on the right.

And then I heard him laugh.

I lowered my weapon, the realization struggling against logic. There was no one around these parts.

But, apparently, there was.

And they’d found me.

Was this some sort of sign? That I could be around actual, living humans again?

He spoke, and my spirit lifted.

“Josh!” He said, laughter still evident in his voice. “That’s not nice!”

The one on the left-Josh, I supposed-only shrugged. “It’s true.”

The other one burst into hysterics again. That when I came to my senses. I stepped slowly forward, into the light, making my movement very clearly deliberate. I holstered my gun, raising my hands in a gesture of innocence. They both stiffened, staring straight at me. Josh narrowed his eyes.

The other boy just looked startled, staring at me with a surprised expression. Then he broke into a grin.

“Josh!” He exclaimed, excited. “It’s a person!”

“Shut your face, Alex.” Josh said, advancing carefully. He looked me up and down, then nodded, apparently satisfied. “You don’t look bit.” He stated, rather obviously. I nodded, swallowing back the urge to run. I was not good with social situations.

But I stepped forwards, for Arylinn.

Time to live.

 

~*~*~

February 25, 2014

8:34 am

~Debbie

 

I felt consciousness return with a jolt. One second I was passed out cold, living in a nightmare, and the next I was staring at the darkness of my closed eyelids. The sudden silence overwhelmed me, and I found myself frozen, unable to do anything other than watch the last flashes of images that ran through my brain.

Darkness, in unbelievable quantities. It surrounded me, pulling me in. I opened my mouth, what I would’ve said, I’m not sure, but no sound came out. There was a loud roar, and a flash-

The scene flickered, replaced by another.

I could see clearly this time, but I wished I couldn’t. The floor was littered with bodies, all human .I tried not to look too closely, but I knew they’d all been shot. Not bitten.

The sound of gunfire echoed off the walls, bouncing between the crates that littered the warehouse floor. I spun in circles, searching for the source of the noise. But no matter where I looked, it always seemed to come from behind me. I tried to take a step forwards, but my feet wouldn’t comply.

A sound of a boy’s laugh sounded from everywhere at once, but it was malicious, sending shivers up my spine. It sounded…evil.

From across the building, a name was called.

“Alex!”

And a gun was shot.

Through the obstacles, I saw a figure crumple. He, being obviously male, fell backwards, holding his shoulder. The laugh sounded again, and the other man’s shoulders shook. He looked barely fifteen, and the other perhaps just a few years older than that.

I felt deeply disturbed.

The younger, crueler figure turned to me. He smiled, but his eyes were cold and inhuman. His raven-black hair was swept over one eye, and his irises were dark as night. He himself was pale and thin, but his stance and positioning made him look lethal.

He winked, and the scene dissolved.

I woke with a start, my eyes wide and my breathing ragged. I put a hand to my chest, as if that could slow my pounding heart. Pale sunlight streamed through a window to my right, the only source of light in the room. I sat bolt upright, and all eyes turned to me. Concern flashed across their faces, but they visibly relaxed as they saw my state. Just another nightmare.

The truth is, I’d been having them since the outbreak started. They usually came in pairs, the first one varying, but with the same themes; darkness, and zombies. But those weren’t so bad. It was the second that got me.

It was a little different every time, but it was always in the warehouse, and always followed the same course of events. The younger man, sometimes introducing himself as Danny, always shot the other. Sometimes he taunted him first, saying that Alex-whoever that was-would be next. Sometimes he said nothing. Once, he called in another man, James, who looked in his twenties and was dangerously muscular, to hold him down.

Dylan put a hand on my shoulder, and I realized I hadn’t moved in a concerning amount of time. I relaxed, smiling a little to let him know I was okay.

I noticed Jamie in the back, who’s head was down, wavy strawberry blond hair falling over his face. His sister, Cairi, sat beside him, blue eyes filled with tears. Her own hair was pulled back into a tight bun on the top of her head. I still found it interesting how alike they looked.

Dahlia sulked in a corner, black hair and clothes rendering her almost invisible in the shadows. Dylan just looked grim, with his auburn curls brushed back, like he’d run his hands through them a few too many times.

Wait.

I did a quick head count. Four. No, that couldn’t be right. There should be five.

Realization hit me with the force of a steam train.

“Nick.” I murmured, automatically looking to Dylan for reassurance. Plus, I knew if it was a joke, he’d be the first to crack.

But he only shook his head, tone soft when he explained. “He got shot.” I frowned, and he continued, seeing my confusion. “Some kid on a rooftop.” His voice cracked, and I saw how difficult it was for him to hold it together. And suddenly, I couldn’t.

I let out a soft, strangled sound, both hands reaching up to cover my mouth. No. It wasn’t true. I wouldn’t believe it.

But it was true.

I couldn’t hide from it forever.

I buried my face in Dylan’s shoulder and sobbed. He slung an arm around my shoulders, holding me closer. Normally, I would’ve protested, not really being one for contact. But that day, I just bring myself to pull away.

Danny’s words echoed over and over in my head, taunting the other.

I’ll kill him. The little piece of shit doesn’t stand any more of a chance then you do.

This world is not for the faint of heart, Josh.

But when he spoke, it sure sounded like he said my name instead.

Debbie.