" Shhh they're right around the corner, but if we run we can get to that ladder and into that apartment building before the walkers get to us." "No Gena we aren't leaving this spot until Jason gets back." I roll my eyes as Lily once again being the stubborn one the one who doesn't know when to shut the fuck up and just let us do our job of keeping everyone safe. A year into this and she has been with us 7 months now and we've kept our whole crew safe, but Lily here thinks she knows better every time because she was some kind of survival expert pre zombies. " I sigh grabbing Gena by her shirt as i quietly say" please shut up. Haven't you learned by now Jason and I are on the same page I wouldn't be saying lets go if Jason and I hadn't already had a plan. Look around that corner Lily.. see the flash on top of the building that is Jason. Now zip it grab one of the kids and lets fucking go before that hoard walks this way."
She just looks down and grabs Makayla her daughter. I grab the little boy we rescued a few days ago when his mom and dad got trapped while out hunting for supplies. He hasn't told us his name yet. He hasn't even talked yet. He hasn't even cried he just stares at the wall. We have managed to get him to eat once, but i don't know how long he can go on like this. I breath out a sigh and say on 3 let's run and do not look back just keep going and climb that ladder as fast as you can. Let Makayla go first. Does everyone understand the plan? Nod if you understand." Everyone nods and on 3 we run. The little boy buries his head in my neck. As we reach the ladder, I look down the alley and see there are runners coming straight for us. i put the little boy on the ladder and he starts climbing with Makayla not far behind him. Lily goes up next and as she is making her way up the 3rd step breaks. She looks back mouths sorry, but she keeps going and im left there with no way up by sheer luck i guess i am able to jump up and reach the broken piece of ladder and with all the strength i have left in my body i pull myself up onto the ladder before the runners get to me. I swallow the throw up that just came up and i climb when i reach the top I fall over the ledge and lay down looking up at the sky. A few minutes later i look up at Lily who is holding onto the kids crying. The little boy looks at me and yells out " gena" I sit up and he runs to me hugging me tightly. I can't help but smile because he is hugging me, and he finally spoke.
I wrap my arms around him and hug him back tightly. He whispers," i thought they ate you too." I hug him tighter and say," i promised i won't let them get us." He smiles and i wipe the tears sliding down his cheeks. He softly says, "my name is Adam... you don't have to call me little boy anymore." I laugh and say," well it's nice to officially meet you, Adam. How old are you." He holds up 7 fingers and i nod" nice age nice age. 7 is fun." He shrugs his shoulders as i stand up and takes my hand as he says, " i guess... my mommy and daddy died on my birthday.. they were trying to get me a present. I saw a truck at a store we were in. Mommy went to get it and they all came.. Daddy tried to save her.... It was all my fault. " I stop and grab his cheeks in my hand and say" hey now.. no it wasn't. Never think it was your fault." He just nods and looks down at his feet. We walk over to Lily and Makayla. Makayla hugs me and says" you're okay!" I hug her back and look at Lily a little angry because she could have helped me and choose not to." Lily puts her hand on my shoulder and says" im so glad you're okay. I don't know what we would do without you." As im about to say something I see Jason coming over to us.
" Well, that was fucking close Gena. What happened ? Your ass was almost done for!" I roll my eyes and say" well the ladder broke. I had to jump for it. Im lucky i guess. But on to better news." i point to the little boy and say" everyone this is Adam and he is 7." Everyone smiles and he softly says " Hello." Jason gets on his level and says" Adam is such a cool name. Its nice to meet you. Are you hungry? We have food for everyone inside and if anyone needs a shower there is hot water." Lily's eyes get big and she says" soap too? " Jason chuckles as he nods his head and waves for us to follow him. As we do Adam grabs my hand tighter and says " are we safe here?" I nod and say" yes i wouldn't bring yall here if it wasn't and i trust Jason. he checked it out and made sure there are no zombies i promise we are safe just don't get out of my sight, okay? don't go wandering around this is a huge building and i don't want you getting lost okay?" He nods and as we get inside we are greeted by 5 more people. I pull Adam closer to me and Jason mouths " its safe i swear." I let go of my grip a bit on adam and relax myself.
