The End.

13

"Okay. So what's the plan? We just wait here to be shot to death by whoever is out there?" Calum asks, frustrated.

"It could have been anything! There are other people still living. Maybe it was further away then we think." I said, remembering my exact words just a few minutes ago. A while back, I would have thought that I jinxed myself, but I don't believe in that anymore. This is just a coincidence.

"No. That was less than a mile away." David said, peering out the glass door into the nearly empty parking lot.

"Wait. Who was with Alison?" Kyle chimed in.

"I thought you were?" I said, getting a little bit worked up.

"No, she said she was going to find you and she left."

"Okay. She's probably just looking for something, maybe she went to use the bathroom or she forgot something and went back for it." David reasoned, trying to calm our already distressed nerves.

"Ali?" I said, finally without whispering. There was no reply, no gentle whisper, no shuffling of feet, no squeaking of boots. No one said a word.

"Okay, wait." Calum started. "Maybe she went outside, thought she saw someone, and so she shot. Now she's probably in the jeep waiting on us. There's no need to stress, she's smart enough to figure this out." Calum said, reassuring us.

I nervously cracked my knuckles as Toby and Spencer exchanged worried glances. We then walked out the door, rolling out our carts full of supplies. Some of us pushed the carts, while the ones who's hands were free were holding loaded guns aimed towards nothing and ready to shoot.

When we got to the jeeps, we shoved everything in the backs of the cars in a few quick motions.

Then, we walked around to get in and leave. I opened the door, expecting to see Alison sitting there filing her nails or picking at her chipped nail polish, but instead opened the door to find an empty seat. The feeling of hollowness was back within seconds.

I turned around, trying to glance inside the other jeep, but instead saw the same thing. Nothing.

The feeling is back. That feeling times ten. It's inexplicable, terrible. I took a deep breath, ready to take the next step in finding wherever she went.

"Let's go, um, let's go look around the building. She's probably just hiding somewhere still." David managed to say, obviously at a loss of words.

I nodded my head in a shaky motion for us to proceed in looking for her, even though there was a small feeling in the back of my head that there was no hope.

I took one step at a time. Kyle walked beside me, reassuring me and comforting me in his own way. We all listened closely for any sign of life, walking, shuffling of boots, whispering, breathing, etcetera.

I was abruptly shaken out of my hopeless thoughts when I heard familiar sounding heavy breathing. By the look on everyone's faces that were now looking at me, I was the one doing the breathing.

I kept my eyes focused on the pavement. Looking for any sign I could find.

By the looks on everyone's faces when I finally looked up, they were doubtful. Something had gone wrong within the first raid.

I continued taking deep, shaky breaths as I walked. Then, something silver caught my eye. I ran over to the object and picked it up.

"What is it?" Calum asked. I didn't reply. I couldn't.

In my hand was a silver bracelet with a heart pendant engraved with Alison's initials. AEN

I closed my eyes, taking another shaky breath.