The group spent the majority of the day planning and strategizing on what to do next. They knew where they had to go but mainly spiraled upon how they could get there quickly. It would be a struggle, but the struggle was nothing new to them.
Albeit some parts of the day involved studying Carmilla's abilities and her newfound genealogy. Zakariyya's theory had been proven true.
Not only did the virus evolve within her, but it became one with her bodily functions and coexisted with the strands of her DNA. As the virus continued to evolve, so did Carmilla.
She could talk to trees, command the grass, and even produce fruit on fertile soil. This was only possible however so long as she kept contact with the earth. A note that would be taken into account later.
Once the day was over, everyone had gone to sleep. They planned to move as soon as morning light had shined upon them. Once the next day came, they had wasted no time. Zakariyya and Atlas carried the bags of resources on top of Storm, and Serenity walked with Snow while holding the bag of weapons. Ianessa rode on top of Tank with Illumin and Carmilla behind her.
And so their journey to paradise began that day. It would take them a full day to make it halfway at most. However, they had enough time and resources to bide their time.
17 hours of nonstop walking later...
Serenity had just shot down three zombies with a silencer, and Ianessa had gotten off of Tank to slice a zombie's head in half.
Night fell quickly in the group's eyes, which had them alert for any more zombies that lurked as they entered the eastern countryside. Much to their luck, there were barely more than a few individuals who lived in the countryside, so it was just them for the remainder of their travel.
Carmilla was looking up at the sky, dazed by its brilliance. Illumin noticed and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hm?" Carmilla looked back at Illumin. "What are you looking at?" He asked. Carmilla smirked and pointed upwards; "The stars. It feels like they're closer now." Carmilla said as she continued to stare up.
Illumin looked up and beheld the constant twinkling of the stars. He tried to find enjoyment in them but was only met with anxious thoughts of a zombie biting his ankle if he didn't stay alert. The thought of it alone made him shiver.
"Your heart is racing Illumin, are you okay?" Carmilla asked, looking over her shoulder. Illumin looked at her eye to eye. His heart dropped. "You can hear my heartbeat?" Illumin asked perturbed. Carmilla nodded.
"I hear and see a lot more than I used to now. I can even hear the rhythm of Zak and Atlas's breathing." Carmilla exemplified. Illumin was dumbfounded but impressed at the same time. "I guess turning into a zombie isn't without perks huh?" Ianessa joked while walking.
Carmilla couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, I guess I so." She smiled. "I still can't believe you got bit though... it's like one thing after another." Ianessa uttered in disbelief. "Sometimes I don't either. Then I look down at my leg and.. the bite's still there." Carmilla paused at the moment.
Zakariyya heard this. "Well, if any of us get bit, hopefully, we can become like you and keep our heads!" He enthused. This got a small laugh out of the group. All except for Atlas. Zakariyya smiled at his friends, and looked down at Xolt, reaching down while on top of Storm to give him a small pat on the head
"Can you believe it Atlas? Something so young and small... having to survive in a world like this." Zakariyya awed. "I need you to do me a favor Zak." Atlas dismissed the question. His voice turned oddly cold. "Huh? What is it?" Zakariyya asked.
"If I get bitten, I need you to kill me." Zakariyya was dumbfounded. "What?!" Zakariyya yelled but was shushed instantly. "Are you kidding me Atlas..?! You know I can't do that-" "You're the only one who can do that." Atlas emphasized, "Ianessa won't do it, I know Carmilla won't do it, Illumin's just a kid, and Serenity would be scarred for life. You see where I'm getting at here?" Atlas asked.
Zakariyya nodded, understanding the direness of what could be at hand. "I understand, but I still encourage you to slow down before making that decision. Carmilla was bitten, but she's still alive. She died but came back with Phytokinesis. Who's to say that won't happen to you?" Zakariyya questioned.
Atlas took a deep breath, audibly exhaling into the cool nightly air. "I don't know, but it sounds like a gamble. I hate gambles." Atlas responded. Zakariyya frowned at the response. He wanted all of his friends to make it through the apocalypse alive... or for as many of them to live through it as possible.
They thought nobody could hear them since Carmilla and Ianessa were still talking. However, Serenity heard every word spoken. She wished that she hadn't heard what Atlas requested, but it sounded like something to expect from her Twin.
She wanted to say something, anything to comfort and console him. To say that no zombie would get him, that no rancid decayed walking corpse would land a tooth on his skin so long as she could help it. But she looked down, and the words never came out. She was scared.
Serenity shook her head a little and looked around to make sure no zombies were in the area. Not one of them was in sight. Although about a mile away, a camp of tents, lights, and broken-down vehicles could be seen in the distance.
"Guys, we got what looks like a campsite on our 12!" Serenity announced. The others all took a moment to look ahead and observe. "It's true," Carmilla confirmed. "Okay, what do we think everyone? Do we rest there for tonight?" Ianessa asked.
"Hell yeah, I'm tired as fuck!" Serenity answered. "I'm down if the area's clear," Atlas answered. Illumin didn't say anything, but his yawn was an obvious yes. Zakariyya merely nodded.
Carmilla tugged at the shoulder of Ianessa's shirt. "I don't know, what if it's someone else's camp and we took it from them? Or worse..." Carmilla shared her train of thought. As realistic as it was, Ianessa shook her head.
"We don't have a choice Carmilla. I'm tired, Z's tired, Illumin's on the brink of passing out, I don't even know how tired Atlas might be, and Serenity is one of our strongest assets. I don't know about you, need to rest and soon." Ianessa summarized.
Carmilla hummed a soft tune, glancing at Ianessa before turning her gaze toward the approaching campsite. "I can't shake this feeling," she said, a hint of concern in her voice. "I just hope nothing goes awry."
YOU ARE READING
Zombie Life
Short StoryA group of childhood friends finally leave college together as a success! They are about to have the summer of their lives... until a new pandemic arises... and the dead start eating the living.
