With Our Time Left

Chapter 4

LORI'S POV

Pain shot through my body as I slowly regained consciousness. My head was throbbing, a dull ache that seemed to pulse with every heartbeat. I blinked my eyes open, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Everything was upside down. It took me a moment to realize that the car was flipped, the world outside the shattered windshield tilted and askew.

I groaned and tried to move, but my seatbelt held me tight against the seat. I reached up, fumbling for the latch with numb fingers. My head was spinning, my vision blurry, but I finally managed to unclip it. I fell onto the roof of the car, gasping as a sharp pain shot through my side. I forced myself to take a deep breath, to focus. I had to get out. I had to find Sara.

Glass crunched beneath me as I crawled through the shattered window, every movement sending a wave of pain through my body. I could taste blood in my mouth, feel the sting of it on my lips. I pushed myself through the jagged opening, feeling the glass scrape against my skin, but I didn't care. I had to move.

Once outside, I lay there for a moment on the cold, hard pavement, my chest heaving. The world around me was chaos—screams, growls, the distant roar of explosions. I turned my head and saw them—those creatures, the undead, stumbling through the wreckage of the crash. They hadn't noticed me yet, but they would soon.

I forced myself up, wincing at the pain in my side. I glanced around, searching for my phone. It had been in my hand before the crash. My eyes fell on a glint of metal a few feet away. There it was, lying in the middle of the road. I staggered toward it, every step agony, but I made it, scooping it up with trembling hands.

The screen was cracked, but it still worked. I quickly dialed Sara's number again, my fingers shaking. "Come on, come on," I whispered, praying she'd answer. The line rang, but there was no answer.

"Damn it!" I hissed under my breath, my heart pounding with fear. I needed to get to her, but I had no idea where she was, and I couldn't stay here. The creatures were getting closer, their guttural moans filling the air.

I looked around, searching for a way out. There was an alleyway to my left, narrow and dark. It seemed like my best option. I turned and started limping toward it, trying to ignore the pain in my side. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the creatures moving faster now, drawn by the sound of the crash.

I pushed myself harder, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I could feel the blood trickling down my forehead, the sting of it in my eyes, but I didn't stop. I reached the alleyway and ducked inside, pressing my back against the wall. I needed to catch my breath, to think.

My hand went to the rosary still hanging around my neck, and I closed my eyes, whispering a prayer under my breath. "Please, God, help me find her. Help me find my daughter."

I scanned my surroundings, squinting against the dust and smoke. I heard a soft whimpering nearby—a child's voice. I turned and saw him—a small boy, maybe ten or eleven, huddled against a wall, his eyes wide with fear. He was all alone.

I hesitated for a split second, torn between my desperation to find Sara and the instinct to help. I moved toward him slowly, hands raised to show I wasn't a threat.

"Hey there," I said gently, trying to keep my voice calm. "Are you okay?"

The boy looked up at me, tears streaming down his face. "My mom... she didn't come back," he choked out, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know where she is."

My heart clenched. I couldn't just leave him. "What's your name?"

"Jacob," he replied, sniffling.

"Jacob, I'm Lori," I said softly. "I'm looking for my daughter, Sara. We can look for her together. We just have to stay safe, okay?"

He nodded, and I reached out to take his hand, feeling his tiny fingers grip mine tightly. As I pulled him along, I couldn't help but think of Samuel, my son.

Flashback

I remember the day we told the kids. Sara had screamed, accusing us both of ruining her life, while Mila had cried silently, clutching her favorite stuffed toy. But Samuel—he didn't cry, didn't scream. He just sat there, his big brown eyes wide and confused, looking up at me like he was waiting for me to say it was all a joke.

That night, after Stephen left, Samuel crawled into bed beside me, his body trembling. "Mom, are we still a family?" he whispered, his voice so sad it broke my heart.

I pulled him close, hugging him tightly. "Of course we are, sweetheart. We'll always be a family, no matter what."

He looked up at me, his face serious "Even if Dad doesn't live here anymore?"

I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. "Even then," I promised, stroking his hair. "We'll always have each other, Samuel. Always."

His face relaxed, a small smile forming. "Okay, Mom," he murmured, snuggling closer. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby," I whispered, kissing the top of his head, my heart aching with the weight of everything I couldn't say.

End of Flashback

I blinked back tears, the memory of Samuel's innocent face flashing before me. He'd always been so sensitive, so caring. I wondered where he was now, if he was safe. If he even knew what was happening.

I glanced down at Jacob, who was staring up at me with the same wide, fearful eyes Samuel had all those years ago. I squeezed his hand a little tighter, silently hoping that this boy won't lose everything too.

"We'll find a place to hide for now, okay?" I whispered to Jacob, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my insides.

We ducked into a nearby alley, keeping to the shadows, trying to avoid the staggering figures moving through the streets. My mind was racing. I needed a plan. I needed to find Sara and somehow get back to Samuel and Mila. I needed to believe they were all still safe.

I touched the rosary around my neck, feeling the smooth beads press against my fingers. "Please, God," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Keep them safe. Keep my family together."

Jacob squeezed my hand again, his small fingers trembling. I looked down at him, forcing a smile. "We're going to be okay," I said, more to myself than to him.