Crimson Pines

Chapter 1

My name is Tara Thornfield, and I live in the middle of our little colony Pinewood. My house is average sized and painted bright orange, as is every other house. They did this in case other people arrived to join or help. They haven't coined an official term for the virus, even though they've had 10 years to name it. Instead, they've spent those 10 years rebuilding civilization in this mountain town.
We keep our stomachs full by eating fish and hunting in the mountains. It takes hard work here, and it can be a little gruelling at times. But I always try to keep my head up and smile, isn't that our motto around here?
"One change at a time makes a better whole."  I keep this attitude during school and volunteer days, hoping it makes someone else smile. It hasn't yet, but I hope it does today! I start my morning routine, combing my bronze hair and packing for school. It's a heavy load of subjects per day, but I do my best. It feels good to work all day knowing that it'll land me a job as a medic. I've always wanted to be a doctor, despite my sensitivity. Ironic, a doctor that faints at the sight of blood.

I walk into the kitchen and shovel peas into my mouth. To my right sits my mother and father. My mother, Beth Thornfield, is a police officer. My father, Paul Thornfield, cooks the small, canned meals in those little care packages they donate in our town. A chef, you could say. 
"Bye, Ma. I'm heading for school." 
"Not until you get this!" She called out.
She handed me a swiss-army knife. It had a sticker I pasted on it when I was 8. That was when the world started falling apart, and when our town had almost gotten infested by the incoming disease. I cradled the knife in my hands, fingering the ripped unicorn sticker. Something about my mother handing me this induced a strange anger in me, but I couldn't remember why. Maybe I was too afraid to recall. 
But she tucked my hair behind my ear and kissed my cheek. I hugged her back.
"You're a smart girl. Keep safe." she waved along with my father as I made my way to Sunny Pines Center.

(AN: Thank you for reading! Please tell your thoughts in the comments. Please give me some advice on how to improve in my writing and formula, that's all thanks!!!)