Dead and Grey *dark*

The Longest Walk

If having good intentions was all that mattered, everyone would be the good guy.

~~~

"I miss my phone." Sams small voice echoes behind me.

We've already been walking for a mile. Not much conversation is made, which I'm fine with. My thoughts are overwhelming enough.

"It's only been a day. It can't be long until they get this all under control." Grant replies, trying to sound hopeful, but even Sam doesn't seem to believe it. Theo mutters something under his breath that I want to ignore, but something about him speaking makes me livid.

I turn around to face Sam, now walking backward.

"After we find mom and dad they'll know what to do. It seems bad now, but we'll get through it. We always do." Even though I believe what I'm saying, it still feels like a lie, an empty promise at the least.

She gives me a small smile. I turn around, tucking a few pieces of loose hair behind my ear. A drip of sweat tickles down the nape of my neck and I wrap my heavy brown hair into a low bun, but even that doesn't help relieve the heat. I tie my jacket around my waist and feel a little relief when a small drift of wind cools my arms. I close my eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the sun tickling my skin. I always preferred the outdoors, especially being with my grandparents, we were always outside. My favorite childhood memories have come from that little farm.

"Heads-up." Theo's voice brings me from my peaceful moment. I follow his gaze about five yards ahead of us. A mini-van rests on the side of the country road. The back passenger side door is open but no one is in sight. All of our attention stays on the vehicle as we close in on it without a word.

The closer we get, I notice a small amount of blood smeared on the trunk door. I swallow as a bunch of nerves bundle in my gut. Theo's hand shoots out giving a signal for everyone to stop. Reluctantly I slow and we all stand there no more than four feet from the car.

"Aaagh." A weak whimper emits from the van. The sound is small and barely noticeable. I look at Theo as he studies the sight. He catches my glance and looks back at me. I tilt my head towards the open door on my side of the van, hinting I was going to check it out. He looks from me to the car as if estimating the dangers, then back at me giving me a nod of approval.

Not that I needed it.

"You need the practice," he whispers, but he isn't being an ass like usual, he seems genuine.

I nod and slowly creep closer to the van, my knife clutched in my right hand. I lift it to guard my face, ready for anything.

As I near the door I see a larger pool of blood, half-dried to the floor. I slowly lift my eyes to the source of the blood. A sickening feeling washes over my whole body, making me shudder at the sight. I have to tear my gaze away as tears well in my eyes.

"Aaaarr." The noise causes my eyes to squeeze shut in horror. Please no. Please don't let this be real.

I force the tears down and wipe away the one that escaped. Turning back towards the group I motion for Theo, not wanting Sam to see what I've witnessed. He gives me a questioning look before calmly walking towards me. I watch his face as he looks at the gore, expecting a disgusted reaction. Instead, he lets a small sigh pass his lips. I see him spin the knife he carries in his right hand back and forth, debating something in his mind.

"I can't." My stomach turns as I once again look towards the scene. A bloodied woman is sprawled across the back seat, covering a small child and a blood-covered empty car seat. The woman's back has been torn into, exposing her spine. Her insides have been ripped out and splattered on every surface in the large van. Her arms cover the body of the child farthest from the open door as if protecting it. Another small gargle scrapes from the throat of the small child, who is feasting on the woman's neck and face. All of the flesh and hair had been torn from her skull, leaving blood-stained bone. I have to force myself to look at the child, and her beady eyes look back at me, hunger spirals in her irises.