Dead End

5: Amara

I ran up to Holden as he got out of the grey SUV and pulled him for a hug. I looked into his car to see Amelia sitting in the front seat. There were supplies filling the back seat and trunk. I didn't see his mom anywhere in the mess. I looked at him and he just grimly shook his head. She didn't make it either. Ethan jumped out of the red truck and my sister ran, wrapping her arms around him. By the time I walked back to my car, I was pulled in for another hug but this time by someone shorter. Juno wrapped her arms around me tightly.

"I'm so glad you're ok!" I could hear the anxiety hidden in the words. She didn't know if she would find me.

"I am. Can't say the same for my parents unfortunately. What about yours?" I pulled back and squinted from the sunlight. The day went by fast considering the sun was about to set.

"My mom was attacked at work and Paul attacked Lily while we were packing at home. I don't know about my dad and his parents." Her voice cracked at the end. Clearly she had been through a lot today too.

"What about Kayden?" I saw tears forming as I mentioned her youngest brother.

"Paxton went to his school but-"A few tears fell. "He's gone." She answered grimly.

I pulled her into another hug.

"Mom's parents were out of town when all of this happened. I called them right before they were attacked on the highway. They said we can go to their place." Paxton walked up to us. Anxiety left my body upon hearing that we had somewhere to go.

You would never be able to tell Paxton and Juno were related if they didn't tell you. Paxton had red hair and was as pale as they come, covered in freckles. His much shorter sister, Juno was tan with dark hair but they both shared the dark eyes.

"Damien King?" Holden excitedly greeted my boyfriend.

"Holden Nelson?" He grinned back as they did their really goofy handshake that requires them to hip bump at the end. "I'm assuming the amazing Amelia Reed is with you?" Holden nodded his head towards his car where his 10 year old sister was watching through the driver's window.

"Do they always greet each other with their full names?" Paxton looked at me as he laughed.

"Yes." I shook my head with a grin. "We should get going. Everyone is tired and I don't want to become chow for them." I nodded my head in the direction of a group of the dead stumbling towards us. They were far down the street. I couldn't tell if they were neighbors or high school kids who were walking home.

We all got into our cars and followed Juno and Paxton to their grandparents house. I always loved this house. It was way past the city and their driveway took a few minutes to drive up. The house was huge with a four car garage attached. It was two stories with grey paneling on the outside and a black roof. The front porch was big but nothing compared to the back patio which had benches wrapped around and porch swings on either side. We all parked in front of the house. I'm sure the guys will start talking about finding more supplies but it can wait until tomorrow. The amount of trauma we've been through today has already done enough damage.

Juno and Paxton opened the doors for everyone. The first floor has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The basement only has a bathroom but a couch big enough for the little kids to sleep on. Paxton claimed his grandparent's room, Juno decided to share with her brother, Holden took the one across the hall from them, Kaylee and Ethan took the room across from the bathroom, leaving Damien and I with the room right in the middle of the hallway. Kaylee helped Leon change into pajamas and picked out some toys for him to play with. Ethan did the same for his little sister so she and Leon could play together. Juno and I figured out what to feed everyone while the guys talked about supply runs. I guessed it.