On The Run & A Loaded Gun

Chapter one

"I can remeber it like it was yesterday." His voice sounded worn out and croaky. "It was a normal day, all smiles and sunshine. At the time you never thought anything could really happen. You hear the stories on the radio and TV about how terrified the smart scientists are of an outbreak. But you really can't get your mind around the thought of it." The fire cracked as one of the younger boys poked it with a stick that he sat beside him. "You were probably just a little girl back then. It took years for them to finally release the news. But it was too late. I knew one day they were going to lose control and release those things. Or whatever virus or disease changed them, they sure aren't people." Why didn't I remember hearing about any of this?

"George," he raised his head when his name was called. "They can't get us, right? I mean were safe, we have food and weapons, we'll make it out, right?" It was something we all were worried about, them. We didn't know what they were capable of.

It was getting darker and if we wanted to survive any longer, our best bet would be to go inside. "I just don't remember any of it happening. The news, or anything. It seems like a blur."

The guy they called George was most likely the oldest, "well not eating for a while will do that to ya. Expecially when you're on the run like you were."

On the run? "Where exactly did you guys find me, again?" I finished up the glass of cold water I'd been working on for a while.

"About five miles from the sheriffs office. I guess you were headed for the city. I guess we'll never really know." He sat up from the log he was sitting on and started for the stairs on the porch. "But whatever the reason, you're lucky we found you. You would've been those things dinner by now." The screen door shut behind him as the boys were working to put the fire out.

--

It was early in the morning. The clock on the wall in the room they let me sleep in was broken, the hands read 11:36. Which is an odd time to stop. The sun wasn't even up yet, but the house hold below me was. I could hear talking and smell coffee brewing. As quietly as I could, I pushed the covers off of my legs and slide them to meet the cold wooden floor. I didn't take notice to the wallpaper, it had little pink flowers on it. It was probably used as a little girls room at one point. It sure was beautiful. "You up?" It caused me to jump.

"Yes." I said quietly.

The voice walked into the room, "Haley, right?" I nodded. The guy a little older than me, and I was 20. "My grandpa didn't notice this on you, a loaded Beretta 92." A small grin was on his face as he handed me the gun. "Don't worry, it ain't loaded anymore."

"Thanks." Who was this guy?

He started walking backwards towards the door, "I'm Luke by the way. And theres breakfast downstairs." He waved and then disappeared out the door.

Luke. It was cute. He was cute. He was goofy.

"Eggs, bacon, toast, milk." One of the younger boys said as I entered the kitchen. I was wearing a white tank top and a plaid shirt that I didn't bother to button up, along with the pair of worn out jean shorts I had on yesterday. He looked a lot like Luke, just smaller. He began with himself, "I'm Joey, thats Marty, thats Cory, and thats Luke." When he got to Luke, he looked over and smiled at me.

"You like eggs right?" Luke said, handing me a plate with everything along with a glass of milk.

I frowned, "No." Then quickly smiled and took the plate, "who doesn't like eggs and bacon?"

All of a sudden, there was a horrific yell. George ran into the room, "come quick." Everyone dropped what they were doing, including me.

He led us out to the barn that had the cows, but unlike yesterday, there was a cow laying dead in the middle of the barn. "One of those bastards got in here." Luke said, running his hands through his hair.

"We need to secure the property better, go eat then meet me back out here." George waved us off.

As soon as we reached the porch Luke finally talked, "its starting to hit me that this is serious."

I opened the door to the house, "well, we just have to be careful."

"Its $5.50, you only gave me 5." The cashier was getting ansy.

I sat the soda and cigarettes down on the counter, "its a fifty cent difference. What the hell does it matter?" Behind me, a line was starting to form.

"Get lost, kid." He said, shooing me away like a fly. As I headed for the door, I knocked over the magazine display. "Hey!" Then I ran through the door and out of the parking lot.

"Haley, are you okay?" Luke was almost shaking me.

I was out of breath for some weird reason. "I'm fine, I just blacked out for a second."

"You need to eat." He pulled me over to the table and sat me down.

The kids joined us in the kitchen. "Don't worry about me, I'm just really wore out. I feel like I was running for days."

"Take it easy today." Luke said. "Alright guys, I think today we should work on fixing the fence posts and securing the windows and doors. I know we already did, but I feel like they aren't going to hold for a long time." He stood up and walked to the island. "And I'll help as soon as Haley and I get back from the town." He smiled and left the room.

After I finished eating. I met Luke outside who was talking to George. "We're gonna hit the road. We'll be back then." He said.

Luke drove a truck, which was nice since it can haul a lot. "What are we getting there?"

"Well no ones really around anymore. Most of the people are dead or left town. So we're going to go look for any supplies we might need. We'll stop at the sheriffs office too." Great.

He was sitting in his recyliner, watching TV and drinking. "Did you get me my cigs?" He asked.

I smiled and pulled a box out of my pocket. "Here, dad." All my life my dad smoked. I'd do anything for my dad.

"You had enough right?" He was hitting the box on his hand, then he reached for his lighter.

As I scratched my head, I couldn't stop thinking about what I did. "Uh, yeah. Exactly enough." Hopefully, they didn't do anything about it.

It was almost 10, so I decided to go up to my room and lay down. As I stared out the window, I heard the sound of sirens, then to match it, I saw them.

The truck stopped and Luke opened his door. "Alright, I have two flashlights and you brought your gun, right?"

I felt the back of leg, where I kept the gun, in my boot. Then nodded.

"We'll stay together in larger buildings, in smaller buildings, we can go our own ways. But if you need anything, just yell." He smiled and led the way.

The first place we looked in was what was left of an old clothing store. I managed to find a few old shirts and jeans, while Luke found two bottles of water in the store room and a pair of shoes. Which would come in handy in the winter. We hit about 5 different buildings and only found small things like glasses, a few interesting books, and a blanket or two. "Lets start headin' home." After we had everything in the bed of the truck, Luke started the truck, and we were gone. "I know you probably don't want to stop at the Sheriffs office, but we need to. There might be some weapons or other things we need."

I nodded, not wanting to talk to him.

**Authors note**

Alright guys, thats the first chapter. I know there really wasn't much excitment, but I promise there will be more about Haleys past, a lot more zombie action, and more of Luke. Because he sounds dreamy. ;) I hope you guys enjoy it! PS, I have another story out, that I think ya'll would like, so please give it a read and let me know! Thanks!