Apocalyptic Obsessions

Chapter 10: Surviving

Kiwi's POV:

It's been about two months since this whole zombie thing started. It's now late september, winter time here. We've been short on food for a couple weeks, and the supply is only getting smaller as the cold sets in. I wake up from the same nightmare every morning, and today is no different. I jump out of bed, throw on some thick leggings with sweatpants over top, as we didn't think to grab snow pants in the rush before coming out here, and I also put on a shirt, a warm sweater, and my jacket. I pull my hair into a high ponytail. Checking the time as I enter the kitchen, I see it's 7:00 am. We've been able to at least go to the gas station a few times to stock up on gas for the generator, but that's starting to run out too. After eating breakfast I went outside with a bucket to get water. I suddenly remembered that the water was frozen over and turned back to get the axe. Flint was already up, chopping wood.

"Hey, Flint!" I shouted, getting his attention. "Can I borrow the axe? I'm just going to get some water.

"Sure. But please be careful." He said, passing it over and sitting to take a break. I walked onto the ice, finding a spot that looked thin, but not too dangerous, and started chopping at it. Suddenly there was a loud crack. I heard it echo along with Flint yelling my name before the ice gave way and I was falling. The water swallowed me, pulling me under in a current, pulling me deeper. It felt so cold that it was like it was burning. But it didn't hurt... It felt familiar. Something inside me changed.

Flint's POV:

"KIWI!" I yelled, running to the edge of where she'd fallen in. I quickly pulled my jacket off so it wouldn't drag me down and jumped in. The water was so cold, and I was waving my arms around, reaching, trying to grab her as she was pulled further into the water. Finally I got a hold of her jacket and pulled her to me. I hugged her with one arm and started making my way back towards the surface. My free hand hit ice, and I was starting to lose my grip as my limbs were freezing. I pulled Kiwi in as tight as I could and kept pushing until I found the hole in the ice again. I struggled, trying to push her out ahead of me when I felt her weight disappear. I panicked, trying to find her again when I got pulled out of the water and pretty much thrown back to shore. I saw Aly grabbing Kiwi and carrying her over with tears in her eyes. SHe set her down by me.

"You idiot! What the fuck is wrong with you!" She yelled at me, but I ignored her, crawling over to Kiwi's lifeless body.

"She isn't breathing! And she's cold as ice!" I yelled. I started doing CPR. I thanked god that I had taken my first aid. I could hear Aly yelling at me to save her, and the others asking what was going on as they rushed over. I stopped being able to make out words. Everything became a blur as I continued.

It isn't working, why isn't it FUCKING WORKING!!  I thought.  Come on Kiwi...

Kiwi's POV:

I felt someones mouth on mine as water started coming up my throat. I pushed them off, turning and spitting out the water. I rolled over slowly, groaning. I felt so tired...

Maybe I'll just close my eyes for a minute...

I closed them and heard the others yelling.

"What's going on!? She won't open her eyes!" Flint yelled.

"Her body temperature is too low, we have to get her inside and warm her up." Aly said. Their voices were distorted. I would almost describe them as blurred.

"Kiwi, don't fall asleep, please! Stay awake!" I heard Ten say. I felt someone lift me and tried to stay awake.

Flint's POV:

I carried her into the cabin and set her down by the fire. Malus brought some warm PJ's down and I left to grab blankets while they changed her. I changed into some warmer clothes as well, and when I got back downstairs, I laid next to her and placed the blankets over us, pulling her closer hoping it would help warm her up faster.

Kiwi's POV:

I felt someone lay next to me. They felt warmer than me, and I snuggled up against them, happy for the slightest bit more warmth. I finally opened my eyes to see Flint's face a few centimeters away. I knew I should have moved, but I was too tired, and he felt safe and warm. I finally drifted into a sleep.

The next day

"Hey! Up and at 'em!" I heard Flint say. I rolled over to see him herding everyone into the kitchen. Standing up shakily and bringing a blanket with me, I followed. When I entered I saw everyone looking upset.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"Well, we're finally out of food..." Malus said.

"Well then, I guess it's time to go hunting!" I said, turning and starting to go up the stairs to get dressed.

"Hey! Whoa, nu-uh!" I heard as Flint grabbed my wrist, turning me around. " Kiwi, you just escaped death by drowning and freezing, you shouldn't even be up right now, when I said 'up and at 'em,' I was talk to everyone but you."

"Need I remind you that you jumped into that river and almost froze too?" I said, pulling my hand loose and heading up the stairs. He followed quickly behind, watching me grab my multipurpose tool and gun.

"Fine, but I'm going with you, and we are not going anywhere near the ice. And I'm bringing blankets, just in case." He said. I got dressed extra warm and met him outside. We found some deer tracks nearby and started following them. After a while, we came across a large male deer. I signal for Flint to stop moving and we crouch down. As I'm raising my gun to take aim, I hear an odd sound to my right and feel something sharp enter my arm. The deer runs off and I look and pull out what seems to be a dart of some sort.

"Shit." I say, turning to Flint. "Run!"

We take off back towards the cabin. I turn back and see Flint falling behind and getting tackled.

"GO! WARN THE OTHERS!!" He yells, trying to fight back as three men are holding him down, five more running around them to chase me.

I keep running, pushing my body faster then I've every gone. The effects of almost drowning have faded in my panic. I feel another dart hit my leg and quickly pull it out, hoping not all of the drug has gone in, but I'm starting to feel a bit dizzy as I burst through the door.

"We have to go! There's people with tranquilizers after us!" I yell. As we ran back outside, darts started flying. Malus, Ten, and Kaia dropped to the ground. I felt another dart hit me and fall to the ground, looking over at Aly as she takes down two men before the effects of the five darts in her finally start to take. I reach towards Kaia, unconscious a few feet away from me, before everything goes black.