Reluctant

Chapter 1

         The year my family died was the worst, the same with all the people I ever held close. Of all the times in the world, why now? Now, three days before my eleventh birthday. How could an eleven year old deal with this kind of thing?

         I felt alone. The government had shot, and killed, everyone I had once held close. People all around the world confirmed that the same strange crisis was happening to them as well. Everyone was dead, their bodies lay lifeless across the globe. The ones alive were struggling to find food, water and more importantly, shelter.

       Most people are killed in mass genocides by the government. The survivors then needed to avoid one of the most dangerous killers on the planet; Shredders. These killers used their sharpened nails and razor-sharp teeth to tear their victims to pieces then eat the remains. Cannibals.

      Very few of us survived the first couple of months of this apocalypse. I had found survivors and formed a village-type of encampment. I was more like captain, or president of our small group. Ten of us against the diseased world.

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         I'm pulled out of my daze by a voice I'd come to recognize. "Jessica, we're out of food and you're the only one who knows how hunt. Please Jesse." She pleads. I pinch the bridge of my nose and screw my eyes shut. I sigh deeply before opening my eyes to Jewel, who not only was my best friend, but our only nurse for the group.

          I nod, grab my dagger and go to my tent, grabbing my bag along with some extra supplies. Being hunter was my "job" at our encampment, due to people leaving their weapons and belongings in their old homes.

         As I walk further into the forest, the sun begins to set. Animals quickly start to appear the deeper I got. A deer rushes past me and I whip out the bow I'd become accustomed to. As I'm about to shoot the arrow, something or some-ONE runs into me. Though it was dark, I could see his features perfectly. He had dark hair, hazel eyes and had had a scar across his left cheek. He was also tan, semi-muscular and a little bit on the tall side.

         I quickly shove him off of me and grip my dagger tighter. He looks down at his ripped, blood-stained shirt with confusion. I look at my dagger, the edge coated in blood. I pulled myself out of the daze and look at him, studying him carefully.

      "Who are you?!" I shout. "show me your teeth and nails!" He lets out a snarl and shows me his teeth. Instead of showing me all of his nails, he gives me the finger and smirks. I glare in return.

        "Show me yours." He says in a calm voice. As I raise my hands, another boy appears, only this one I knew. He turns his head and grins widely, exposing his razor sharp teeth.

         He charges at me with full speed, but stop abruptly. In his chest lays my dagger. He looks surprised and gasps; quickly falling to the ground in a heap. The strange brunette boy looks at me with awe and i crack a triumphant smile.

         The smile is short lived as I hear a loud scream coming from the same direction as the camp. My eyes widen and I sprint towards towards the sound, faster than I've ever ran before. I hear footsteps behind me and roll my eyes. This boy is already aggravating. Not even 5 minutes later, I reach my encampment.

         As I turn the corner, I stop; dead in my tracks. My eyes widen as the scene in front of me unfolds. Across the camp, bodies were torn into various bits, some unable to be named. I try to keep my tears from falling to no avail. I check every tent and cry even harder the people's faces are frozen with panic.

          Once I've checked every tent, I go back and grab my bag; gathering as much supplies as possible. I hear footsteps outside my tent and quickly draw my dagger. As soon as I spin around, I lower it and roll my eyes.

        "What do you want?" I growl. He opens his mouth but quickly closes it; looking down at his feet. I walk towards the forest; heading north. The strange boy falls into step beside me. I turn my head and silently glare at him.

         "There's this place I was planning on going to...A safe haven really. Would you like me to show you the way?" I nod once and continue walking in silence. My mind goes back to the encampment. The bodies thrown everywhere.

           I blink back the tears to try and keep them from falling. One tear betrays my efforts and slides down my face. "So, we might be partners for a while. What's your name?" Instead of answering, I grunt in response.

          "M' name's Carter." He says, completely ignoring my annoyance. "Jessica" I retort. He smiles and holds his hand out. I look at it skeptically and cautiously slide my hand into his; shaking once. He retracts his hand and continues to stare at me. I glare in return. As we continued walking, he continues asking me questions like, 'How old are you?' 'When did you move on here?' and etc. The questions became obnoxious in an instant.

           "Shut up and take me to that...Haven before i kill you myself." I threaten. He raises his hands in mock-surrender. "Fine by me, but please...no staring." He retorts with a huge grin and a wink. I roll my eyes in annoyance. He smiles and puts his hands down to his sides, continuing his walk.

            After a few minutes he clears his throat awkwardly and stops. I slowly swing around and shoot him a glare. He smiles slightly and rubs the back of his neck. "I know we just met and all, but I was wondering...w-would you want to help me find my brother?" he asks.

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Here's the first chapter to my new story "Reluctant". I really hope you guys enjoy this story, I've been editing and have barely started to post this story. Me and another person will be writing this story. He will co-write it and write a few chapters towards the end and the pro and epilogue. Hope you guys enjoy!!!

Stay perfect my lovelies! xxxx

-Lani