Zompocalypse Diaries (QUICK edit finished)

December 19-20, 2012 PT 1

Dec. 19-20, 2012 PT 1

100 miles we traveled, more than half of that by sea, encountering danger, living and dead alike. Overwhelming feelings of hope, despair, excitement and anger sailed with us as we made the final leg of our journey to safety and the surprise awaiting us at the end.

"Rise and shine ladies!" Jordan yelled into the cabin, pulling us from a restful slumber. The rocking of the boat and the sound of waves lapping against the side was soothing and helped to give us the best rest we'd had in a month.

I bolted upright at the smell of food, not boxed or canned snack items but REAL food.

"Bacon?" I asked. "Where did you come up on bacon?"

"Bruce made another run earlier. Stopped by the grocery store and put your pan to good use. Now, you two get dressed, we've got a long day ahead of us." Jordan stepped back onto the deck, leaving Carrie and me some privacy to change.

"Is it even light out yet?" Carrie asked from under her blankets.

"Almost. Get up, let's go eat." I ran out of the cabin and onto the deck. A blanket was laid out, covered in containers of bacon, eggs and potatoes. My mouth watered at the sight and I quickly sat down, grabbing everything in reach. I didn't realize how hungry I was until real food was being shoveled into my mouth.

I took a look down at myself and shuddered at the sight. I'd lost so much weight in so little time, my body was barely recognizable, even to myself.

After a filling and long drawn out meal, we decided to get a move on. A soft puttering sounded around us as Bruce started the motor. That, along with the lapping waves, was sweet music to my ears. We were almost there, almost home and almost safe.

I thought back to the beginning as we sped along the coast. I'd lost my home, forced out by the shuffling terrors that overran our little city. My father was gone, his body possessed by the death that was sweeping the nation. My mother, I hoped, was safe. I'd not heard from or seen her since the night before the apocalypse. Chances are, with my mother as passive as she is, she was gone too but I'm hoping for the best. I'm hoping somewhere, somehow, I still had something of a family left.

Of course I have Carrie, who has quickly grown to be my best friend. Jordan, someone I love dearly and Bruce, the big brother I never had. But I want, no I NEED, something from my past. Something to hold on to and remind me of what the world once was, what it could still be.

A yell from Carrie pulled me from my thoughts and I glanced to my right to find her leaning over the side of the boat, pointing at the high cliffs looming over the ocean. A massive group of undead was gathered at the edge, the only indication at this distance of their inhumanity were the moans and piercing screams that carried through the air.

I thought of lemmings as they began to leap, one by one, off of the cliff and into the water. Some hit the rocky crag below, instantly breaking their bodies and sending them to the ocean floor. Others made it through the rock formations, only to be swept away by the strong current. The rest, the strongest, swam towards us, hoping for enough speed to make it to the fresh meal bobbing in the ocean.

"Wait it out." Bruce said as I pulled out my pistol, ready to blow the rest of my ammo on the group that was quickly gaining on us. He slowed the boat, nearly stopping on the water.

"What are you doing?" I asked, nearly panicking as the remaining group swam closer.

"Just wait for it." He said, glancing back at the nearing horde. He turned the boat so the back end was in line with them then ran toward the back, ready to signal Jordan when they were close enough.