What We Lost

venture out

I was right- the cereal wouldn't get me far. I dug through our cabinets for a while, found some stale bread. No wonder Lucas got takeout so often; he hardly went to the grocery store. My stomach grumbles harshly as I ate the chewy bread for breakfast. I stop, thinking. I've made up my mind. I can't stay in here forever. I need to figure out a way to get into the city.
I go upstairs to shower and get ready. I used the water carefully, it wasn't long before it would run out- along with the heat in the house. I dress with layers. If I'm attacked, maybe this will prevent being bitten. I pause, staring at myself in the mirror. Who am I kidding. I can't even think about getting bit. I pull my freshly washed hair up in a bun, deciding it would air dry. Now all I needed to do was figure out what to bring.

I bolted from upstairs down to the basement, we had to have stuff down here . I nearly trip running down the stairs. As I looked over the metal shelves along the walls, I let out a cry of triumph.
"Yes!" I pull down a small black briefcase. This must be Lucas's gun. It was a gift from dad when he moved out. I open the case carefully and lift the small silver pistol. I never learned how to shoot. But I could figure it out. I would need to figure it out.
I pull back the release, and from the back of the gun, a few bullets dropped. I shift them back in and reload. I do the only thing that makes sense to me- practice. I pull out an empty cardboard box from under the basement stairs, positioning it in front of me. Once I build up the courage, I raise the pistol out in front of me, steadying my arms.

Breathe in, breathe out. My finger lingers over the trigger. And then I pull it and shoot. I nearly fall backwards with the force, the bullet plunging through the cardboard. I sigh, wiping the sweat away from my forehead. I reload and flick the safety on before sliding it into the belt of my jeans. It was easier than I thought it would be. Half of what I knew to do was what I learned from old western movies. I find I learn a lot from movies.

I walk back upstairs, carrying my bag over my shoulder. I put some extra bullets in the front pocket just in case. The thought of using it; killing something that resembles a human, even if it isn't, makes my head spin. Yet I knew I had to be prepared. Before I approach my front door I peak outside my window. Our street was empty, from what I could see. Nothing but our neighbors abandoned houses and vehicles left behind. This means the creatures went back to the city, as far as they knew there were no humans in the neighborhoods to look for. I close the curtain, standing in front of the door. I take a deep breath before turning the knob, and opening it. The sunlight hits my eyes and I wince at the brightness, squinting.