Dawn Of The Undead

Chapter 5: Time Is Of The Essence

Date: September 19th, 2021

Time: 10:25AM

Location: Walker Residence.

All of us gathered up near the back door, and prepared for the worst. The zombies had gotten more powerful overnight, so we knew what to expect, but, what about the day after? The question was thrown around as we began our journey from Hayleys' home to our safe house. Hopefully the place was still intact after a few days. Maybe we would arrive safely and not face any trouble, but just the sight of the destruction that had occurred recently reminded me that survival wasn't guaranteed.

As we approached closer and closer to the safe house, more and more zombies seemed to get in our way. Routes were changed, and we even had to turn back and circle some areas because of the amount of undead crowding the roads and houses. The threat of hell-hounds was becoming more and more real as we continued our walk to the HQ. Signs displaying a scythe, most likely in relation to the notorious group "Reaper" were drawn on the sides of houses and small buildings. They had been here before, which could be a good thing as well as a bad thing. The good, being now that they have been here they won't be coming back, bad in the fact that they could still be here. I tried not to expect the worse and hoped for the best.

"To think that, just a few days ago, this place was full of children and adults walking the streets. Driving to work while anticipating to get back home to their families. Enjoying life as they knew it, everyday being a new chapter in the book of life. Now they either lay dead, or walk the earth as the undead enemy." Robert sighed.

"Things took a turn for the worst I suppose." Tori responded. "I've lost contact with my co-workers and friends as well as my family. I feel so bad for the families that have lost their loved ones because of this.

"Life is tough sometimes you know? Jeff responded. " Life challenges us everyday and yet, we push on through it."

I finally piped up and responded to the first thing that came to mind: "Yet we push on through it. You're right Jeff, we do push through it.  People pushed through 9/11, terrorist attacks, Pearl Harbor, World Wars. But now a greater obstacle lies in our path. The fate of humanity lies beneath us now, and we can't give up trying. Even though there is billions infected, and a cure is most out of reach, we can't loose hope. Albert Einstein once said: "Never give up, and be confident in what you do. There may be tough times, but the difficulties which you face will make you more determined to achieve your objectives and to win against all the odds." That's what I've lived by for my whole life. And now we must live by it as well."

Everyone stood speechless, not a word was spoken. Aiden nodded at me as if to say "good choice of words." He knew I was determined to survive this apocalypse, especially with Tori and my family still alive.

We arrived at the neighborhood where the safe house was located, and proceeded down the road. There weren't as many undead here as there were in the city, but we still kept a look out. Walking around the burning cars and destroyed homes, I noticed that something wasn't right. Fresh blood outlined almost every house on the street, spelling out the abbreviations R.P.R. 

"Reaper." exasperated Aiden. "They've been here recently."

Aiden rushed us to the side of the road as we neared a broken in home. Bolting into the broken door, What lie before us was unsettling to say the least. More dead bodies of survivors that had been killed. Not by the undead, but by Reaper. As a group, we entered up into the second story of the home, and proceeded to climb up into the attic. After we all entered, Aiden motioned us to sit down while he grabbed a marker board and a marker. We all sat in silence as he drew up the neighborhood and wrote some notes.