I was screaming and crying out to see if anyone was there. So far not good. I got no response. I was done. I pushed on every inch of my surroundings as hard as I could. Nothing moved and I was still stuck. I looked for any signs that there was someone else alive. Nope. "ANYONE OUT THERE?!?!?!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. All I could hear was the wind blowing by. I went into the corner and went in a ball. I couldn't do anything but cry. I was alone and hopeless left to die. My aunt and brother are dead and I have no purpose to live. I'm just going to die because I have no food or water. Without my little brother I can't go on. Even if I somehow got out I couldn't go on without him. He's the reason I'm here today. If I wasn't here my aunt would take everything out on him. I couldn't let that happen. I forced my eyes shut to try to block the tears that kept pouring out. I couldn't do it so I opened my eyes.
My sight was blurry due to the tears but I swear I saw a girl set a note down and walk away through the wall like it was no deal. I almost had a heart attack! I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision but by then she left. I crawled over to where the note was and looked at it. Is it for me? Why me? Is it real? All these questions flowed through my head but I grabbed the note. I don't know why because every part of me said to stay away. I unfolded it and it read:
"Seven little birds are caught in a trap,
But soon their little wings will start to flap.
All will be well but they aren't the only ones,
Flying through the trees having so much fun.
Too happy to realize what's lurking around,
Watch your friends and don't make a sound.
Watch your back because fate will come,
And take a heartbeat that's like a drum.
Don't be too sad though you lost a friend,
Because before too long they'll will be back again.
Searching, Hunting, Killing. That's all it really does,
Will you take your life for someone you love?
Find the missing piece and stand for what it is,
Then maybe just maybe, you'll get what you miss."
What the heck? That's all I remember thinking. What does it mean? I leaned back on the wall by the note and I felt a tiny pebble fall. It wasn't much but it was more than anything. I slipped the note in my pocket and pushed at the spot where the pebble fell. Piece by piece I slowly made a hole that I could fit out of. I crawled out and suddenly I wish I didn't.
I was thousands of people lying on the ground. They all were pale with no life in their eyes. Their lips were dry and I knew they were dead. Almost all the buildings had collapsed and I was still here. Most people would be happy that they had survived. But I wasn't. I didn't ask for this. I didn't choose this. Would you want to survive while everyone else is dead? That's not the life for me. I walked around looking at the dead bodies. I wanted to look away but I just couldn't. I knew I was looking for something but what? Then I saw it. Face up I saw my aunt lying there, motionless. I was in shock. Most people would cry but I couldn't. I couldn't find the emotion. Yes she did beat me, but she was my aunt. I loved her even if she didn't love me.
I was staring at her for about 5 minutes when I felt a little pair of arms wrap around me. I screamed and almost had a heart attack! I was about to yell again but I heard a little quiet sniffle. I turned around and I saw Jack. I was happy and broken at the same time. I was so glad he was alive but I couldn't see my brother like this. His hair was a mess and his eyes were puffy from crying. I got down on my knees and pulled him into a hug. "It's alright. Everything will be fine. I'm here for you." I whispered in his ear. We stayed like that for about 10 minutes. It wasn't awkward it was nice. It let both of us know that no matter what we have each other. I stood up and grabbed his hand. His eyes were still puffy but he had stopped crying. We walked around and I made sure he didn't see Aunt J.
We walked around then I suddenly heard noises from around the corner. I stopped dead in my tracks and pulled my brother behind me. For all I know it could be a bunch of murderers. I peered around the corner and breathed a sigh of relief. It was a group of people from our new, now destroyed, home. There was obviously a leader but his back was turned to us. Jack and I walked around the corner and since I, my stupid self, stepped on a leaf. It crunched under my feet and he turned around. I was looking straight into the eyes of Chris. Those beautiful blue eyes and that warm smile and wait what? He was smiling at me? "Crystal is that you?" I heard him say snapping me out of my day dream. I smiled and nodded and we walked closer to the group. "Mike!" I heard Jack shout as he to his friend. They were happy to see each other. I looked around at the group and saw Jack who is my brother, Mike who is his friend, Lizzy the little red head, Ashley the girl who hates me, and another face I didn't recognize. He had brown hair that curved upward. He had blue eyes and looked about my age. He stood up and walked towards me. "The name's David." "Crystal" It was kind of awkward so Chris piped in and said "Now that everyone's here I say we should move out and see what's around." Everyone agreed and got up and started walking.
I said "What do you mean by everyone's here?" His face turned bright red and he said "Oh... Umm... Well you see... I just kind of had the feeling that there would be seven of us." It was a horrible excuse but I let it slide. Did he get a note too? Does he know what's going on? I forced the questions out of my head because the last thing I need is him to hate me when there's only a couple of us alive. We walked around New York City and saw a mess! Cars were crashed and buildings fell. Among all the mess there was one thing left that caught all of our eyes. The Empire State Building. It seemed to glisten in the sun and whispered thoughts that gave us hope.
We kept walking and as we were walking past a bakery I saw her. The lady that gave me the note. I kept walking with the group but my eyes never left her. She looked like she was ordering something and she turned around and looked down as if a small child was there. While she was turned around towards me she saw me staring. That face. It looked too familiar. Our eyes met and she smiled. It wasn't a creepy smile but sweet smile. Then she disappeared into thin air. I was freaking out on the inside but I hid it.
As we kept walking I saw glimpses of her. It seemed as if she was following me. We got to a broken down hotel but there was still a few rooms. We each got our own rooms and we settled down quickly. I was lying in bed when I remembered my note. I pulled it out and thought about the lady. I held the note to myself and closed my eyes. I was relaxed for once. It didn't last long though. I heard the door creak open and my eyes shot open. All I could think about is it's her. She's coming to get me.
