Chapter One
Thump, Thump
My eyes bolted open. My breathing became shallow and I cautiously got out of the bare bed. The abandoned room was bright, full of sunlight coming in through the tattered curtains. The window was open and a summer breeze came in bringing the stench of heat and death. After a year of living in hell you get used to the constant smell.
I reached to retrieve my satchel that was sitting on the nightstand beside my sleeping area. Digging inside quickly I grabbed my rusty hunting knife and swung the bag over my shoulder that held all my belongings. My heart began to pick up speed as I thought of all the horrible intruders that could be invading my temporary hiding spot.
Cautiously, I creeped to the door and opened it, wincing every time it creaked. I stepped through the doorway and shuffled to the staircase.
Thump, Thump
I was halfway down the steps to my escape when I heard the noise again. I peered around the room and found the target. It was leaning against the door (my way out) and banging its head repeatedly against the wooden board. It would’ve been funny but I knew better than to make any sudden movements.
I rolled my eyes and sighed instead.
They were such stupid beings but the fact they had a need for flesh made them dangerous. They even devoured my mother’s (not to mention horribly annoying) Pomeranian dog. Technically if anything lived and breathed they ate it.
Thump, Thump
The pounding was becoming louder as I neared the beast. I crouched low ready to spring fast if I needed to. I finally blew out my signature whistle when I could smell the death singed on the back of Its head. Reacting to the sound It spun around wildly and before it could even lunge I stabbed It in the eye twice before it crumpled in heap to the ground. I backed away quickly and stared at it for five long seconds.
One.
Nothing
Two.
Nothing
Three.
Nothing
Four.
Nothing
Five.
Nothing. Phew.
I wait five seconds because it helps me check to see if the thing is actually dead. Usually they get up within that time frame and eat your face as you peer over its unmoving body. I’ve seen it happen too many times and I’ve learned the lesson.
I pushed the body to the side with my foot and walked out of the house looking both ways first. The road was clear and I moved out onto the country. I preferred being in an open area so I could see all boundaries around me. You never know when you might need to make a quick escape.
Back in Los Angeles where I lived, the city was technically suicidal when the apocalypse started. A mass of people plus a horrible virus did not exactly equal unicorns and rainbows.
To say the least, I got out of there as fast as I could, but alas, my mother couldn’t bear to leave our beautiful house. I hadn’t heard from her since I left so I had just assumed she died like everyone else I knew.
I’m not going to lie though, I do miss playing sports (especially basketball) and hanging out, doing normal teenager things but ever since I saw my first “zombie” attack, those things stopped mattering to me. Now my main hobby is just surviving.
