Down The Dark Road

Chapter 5

Two Years Ago

I wake up, and Mom is sitting next to a fire, heating up a can of soup.
"Hey, sleepyhead. Have a nice nap?"
"Yeah, it was okay." I lie. Who could sleep when this is what the world's become?
"What are we doing today?" She hands me the heated can, and starts to heat up another.
"We have to find a car. I'm sure the city's been evacuated by now, so we can check the highway again. Before we left I heard about a place called Sanctuary on the news. It's almost like a bunker, they're taking everyone who can fit. We have to get there quickly."
I swish the soup around in the can, staring at the floating letters. I start to think about the things I'll never see again.
My school, my friends, family reunions, cheerleading camp. All the things I've taken for granted.
"Amelia, eat your soup. You have to keep your strength up."

. . .

We walk back to the highway, and sure enough there are empty cars lined up for who knows how long. The corpse I saw last night is lying on the ground. Maggots and flies have already made it their home. I quickly look away, afraid I'll be sick.
Mom and I walk until the amount of cars start to thin out. Mom finds a car that still has the key in the ignition, and we're on our way.