My Journal

-Survivors-

STORY 5 - PART ONE

I shudder as I think back on the horrendous events of just yesterday. The mass of chaotic students fleeing for their lives, the sounds of screeching cars colliding to their inevitable doom, and the adrenaline of my heart beating out of my chest. I focused on the door and nothing more. I was faintly aware of Tate by my side, running full pace from the monster tailing our every move. I could barely think straight, still living in the shock of what the world has come to. I didn't think of my family, I simply couldn't; where were they? Were they even alive? I cannot allow myself to cry, I have to be strong. But how can I manage this facade under the weight of knowing?

Tate and I haven't left the woods since the outbreak let loose. I thought they were rumors, that greenish, ghoulish, and flesh-eating monsters would make their way to the US. We all mocked the fact that other countries would make up such ludicrous lies. It had to be fake. How wrong and foolish we were. Now unprepared, always on the verge of death, and unsure of the fast-pace changing future. What we thought we had, what we thought was important, was only a trifle compared to the value of all the lives lost yesterday morning. And I was worried about starting highschool. I laugh quietly to myself and look over to Tate. We took shelter in the woods, climbed a tree as our last resort of any safety we could possibly manage. We didn't sleep at all last night. We sat freezing in this sturdy tree limb, wide-eyed, with joined hands and too scared to let out a single breath.

When morning approached and sun beams peaked gloriously through the trees, I finally allowed myself to whisper. "What do we do now?" I barely speak, only loud enough for Tate's ears. A single teardrop slides down my cheek, reminding me of all that I have lost.

Just as quiet as I had spoken, he meets my unsure eyes and whispers back, "I have no clue. . I'm. . .I'm-"

"Blank." I finished.

After a couple moments of silence I speak again, "At least we have each other." I sigh, on the verge of ugly tears. He nods and takes my hand again in a fond gesture. Two days ago this would have been nothing, Tate is my best friend since childhood. But his gentle touch is the only thing left in my soul, the only confirmation I'm still alive, he is the one thing holding me together. And he has me.

He sighs. "We can't stay here forever."

The thought of leaving this tree terrifies me, and my breathing quickens, but I know he is right. "I know."

"What if we aren't the only ones who got away?"

"I don't know, but I don't want to go find that out."

"Jordyn-"

"I know. . .I'm just so," My voice breaks, about to cry, "so scared. I don't even know who I am anymore. . . What's the point anymore?"

"Hey, hey. Don't talk like that, look at me."

When I look into his eyes, I see the fear behind his wall of courage. I mentally thank him for being strong when I cannot. "We will get through this together."

I nod, defeated. "I'm sorry. I don't know why-"

"Stop. It's okay, come here." He says, gently throwing his arm around me, embracing my brokenness. Though he is braver than me, I can feel his uneven breaths this close to him. And for a silly moment, I wonder if we could be together in another world, another universe. I scold myself for thinking such an impossible, selfish, thought. My heart no longer matters, fleeting emotions are long past us, and I am now cursed to this life of simply surviving.

Instead I allow my mind to wander to my family. Liz is only eight, with a goofy smile and loud laugh. She was supposed to have her first ballet recital tonight, and now her long hours of practice are nothing now. Gone with the wind. I smile at the thought of her first practice, playfully twirling around on her tip-toes. My brother, Brayden, is two years older than me, and all he has talked about for about a year now is buying his first car. Next tuesday my father was supposed to take him to the lot and spend the money he and my brother had saved since forever. He was so excited to drive, and I was fortunate enough to have someone to carpool me and my friends places for free. But money is just money. And a car is only a means of transportation. The things we thought were so important are now dumbed down to nothing. I don't want the objects or the school status, I want my family. Randomly, I think about how my mom must be worried sick.

I do not think of how they might be gone.

It's funny how something can mean the world to you yet lose its importance just like that. If I had known of our unspeakable future, would I have changed the way I lived? Would I be stronger now? It's hopeless to let my thoughts wander too far from reality.

"I need water." Tate mumbles.

"Well, we could go back to my house, we just went to the store yesterday and stocked the fridge with drinks and stuff in case a zombie outbreak were to happen." Where I find the spirits to be sarcastic, I do not know.

He chuckles softly, "There's my Jordyn."

I smile warmly, "Always-" Suddenly, a thought formulates in the depths of my brain. On the brink of a lightbulb, I talk hesitantly, "That trail...the one that goes behind your house."

"Yeah," He agrees slowly, trying to read my mind.

"It connects to the woods, and wraps around to that nature trail that circles the whole town."

His eyes light up, "Right, so, what? We find that trail and circle town?"

"It's our best bet."

"Okay. . .so, when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. We've already lost a lot of daylight today, and I wanna make sure they don't make their way into the woods yet," He nods, and I continue with another shudder, "and if this is anything like the movies or books, they're more active at night."

And with that final word, we share another profound silence. As we both look into the trees, we take in who we are now, and who we will have to be. Not just everyday people of society, but survivors.