ROTWOTA: Book 1 - The Beginning of Extinction

Finding More Survivors

Louis led the two siblings over to a small bathroom where he had set up a small base for himself to safely live in. Cody and Emma then began to get to know Louis a little better.

"Louis, how did you even manage to get here?" Asked Cody. "Well, it's a long story and I'll give you the basic details." He said.

"Before the blast, my brother Kevin and I were having a conversation at a small restaurant. When it happened, we ducked behind the counter and managed to make it out unharmed. There were three restaurant employees there with us." Explained Louis.

"So what happened next?" Asked Emma. "Well, several hours later, some anthropomorphic animals stormed the place, Kevin and two of the employees were captured. They also almost got me and the third employee too, clearly." Said Louis, pointing to a bandage on his lower leg.

"I am no idea where they took them. As for this place, I got here last night and set up this small camp and stayed put. The next morning, I explored the rest of the place and that's when you two showed up and here we are now." He explained.

"That's quite a survivor's story if I do say so myself. But, I couldn't save my younger brother." Said Cody, who looked like he was about to tear up. Louis noticed this and tried to cheer him up. "Hey listen, I may or not know him, but if he truly is gone, he would want you to keep going and protect Emma. He wouldn't want you to grieve over what happened to him." He said. "Well thanks, I guess." Said Cody who calmed down a little bit. Louis smiled at that response. And not too long afterwards, all three had fallen asleep.

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It had been quite a long while since Cody and Emma had settled into the airport and as they had slept heavily throughout the night, it was now roughly 9 AM.

Emma could suddenly hear commotion going on below them. So she woke up Louis and her brother. "What is it Emma?" Asked Cody tiredly. "We aren't the only ones here." She said. Cody immediately took that as a sign and went outside the bathroom with Louis.

With very little light in the building, they were unable to see the figure that was sneaking up on them.

Suddenly, Louis tripped over something and fell flat on his face. Cody was pushed down almost immediately after being knocked down by a kick to his shoulder. Upon coming back to their senses, they turned to see a person in black clothing all over their body with a biker helmet over their head. "No! Please! Don't take us!" Screamed Cody as he braced for impact.

"Why would I do that?" Asked the figure. Cody was taken aback by this response. Just then, the figure took of their mask to reveal the face of a human. The human in question was a teenage girl who looked no older than 14 with beautiful blonde hair let down and fierce green eyes. "Who are you?" Asked Louis. That was the only response he could think of upon seeing this unfamiliar, yet pretty and badass girl.

"The name's Jenny, and who might you two be?" Asked the girl. "Well, I'm Cody and he's Louis." Said Cody nervously. Jenny then pointed her spear straight at the two of them with one simple and question. "Is there anybody else here?" She asked.

"Well, other than us, Cody's sister is hiding in our makeshift camp." Said Louis. "Well, you can come back with me if you two like." Said Jenny. "I think I'll like that but where we are going?" Asked Cody. "To our little base we have set up." Explained Jenny.

Cody liked the sound of this offer, now he had evidence of there being other survivors. "Sure, let me go tell Emma." He said.  Cody then walked over to the bathroom where his sister was hiding. "Who's here?" She asked. Cody could tell that fear was evident in her voice but he didn't want her to freak out.

"Someone's here to help us. Her name's Jenny and she is offering us to join some other survivors at their base." Explained Cody. Emma was hesitant, but she decided to trust her older brother. Together, the two packed up all of their supplies and went back to join Louis and Jenny.

Upon meeting Jenny, a girl who she didn't know was fully trustful, Emma was a bit frightened at the sight of her, but Jenny tried reassuring her that she wasn't there to hurt them. "So what now?" Asked Louis. "We go back and meet up with at the little camp built by me and other survivors." Answered Jenny.

"How many of them are there?" Asked Cody. "Well, only a few, but it is better than being alone during a time like this." Said Jenny. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Said Louis. With that, all four kids forged out into the wilderness.

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It had been almost the entire day with stops along the way since they had left the airport, but they almost reached their destination. "How much longer till we're there Jenny?" Asked Emma. "You know you've been asking that all day. We're almost there, just hang there, not too much longer." Said Jenny.

Several minutes later, they came across an old barn. Jenny opened the large door that led into a big room with hay scattered everywhere. Almost immediately, they were greeted by a teenage boy with a purple shirt, black pants, flashy brown hair, and intriguing brown eyes.

"Jenny, who are these people you've brought back with you?" Asked the teenager. "It's ok Ivan, They're with me. But what about William?" Asked Jenny.

"He hasn't brought back any survivors but he has gotten quite a bit of food and water. As for Oliver, he and I are doing pretty fine at the moment." Said the teenager.

"That's good to hear. Come on you guys." Said Jenny. She then led them over to where two other boys were.

One of them was wearing dirty blue clothes with dark brown hair and looked like he was 18.

The other one that was sleeping had dirty light green clothing, and had black hair and looked like he was no older than 14 at most.

"Emma, Cody and Louis, I'd like you to meet Ivan, William and Oliver." Said Jenny. "Well, it is nice to meet you all, but I believe we should all get some shut eye." Said Cody, who was implying over at Emma who had already fallen fast asleep.

"Well, in that case, good night you guys." Said Louis.

As Cody knelt down beside his sleeping sister, he looked back on how far he had gone and felt proud of himself and could only hope for a better tomorrow.

"Goodnight, Emma."