Age of the Dead

Sure thing, Princess

When we arrive at Masons house Julie insists on coming in with us.  I tell mason to call out for his mom and whomever lives with him.

"Mom, Dad, Alex!" He walks to the living room. Creeeak  A door creaks open from near the kitchen. I look at Mason he looks excited. Yeah it could be his family, but it could also be someone looting his home.

"Mom?" He calls out to the kitchen. Another creak. I slide my knife out of my waist band and hold it up. "Its Mason." Another creak.  A head peaks out from around the corner. Its a woman.

"Mason!" She calls. I am guessing she is his mom. She runs up and pulls him into her embrace. A boy runs out from around the corner. He is only about 12. Mason lets go and stands up straighter.

"So, we have some kids with us from school and we need the car." Mason states to his mom bluntly.

"How many do you have?" She asks realizing how hard it would be to keep a big group together in an apocalypse.

"Um," He counts the group in his head. "Around 10." He says. Masons mom nods.

"Do you want to use the van? Since that is the car you have been practicing driving in." His mom asks.

"We should have Julie drive. She already has her license." She nods again.  Mason leads us out to the van. Julie jumps in the drivers seat and Masons mom hands her the keys.

"I'm gonna go ask who from my car wants to drive with you guys." I walk over to the suburban and ask.  Lea and Jake decide to ride with Julie and Mason. While they are walking over I grab Jakes arm and stop him in his tracks. He spins around.

"If you try anything with them. I will find you and I will do the honor of slitting your throat." I say angrily. He smirks and rips his arm from my grip.

"Sure thing, princess." He winks and walks over to the van.  I cringe on the inside and walk back to the suburban. Brandon gets in the front of the suburban and Luke's dad in the passenger seat and Luke me and his brother in the middle row. I look over to Luke and as Im about to speak I  get a knock on the window. It is Julie. I roll my window down and she asks,

"So we are stopping at your house next then going to the camp?"

"Yeah" I say. She smiles and walks away. I roll the window up. Brandon pulls out and drives to my house down the road. When we pull in I don't see my moms car. I get out of the car and meet her at the front door. 

 I am nervous to go inside. I take shallow breathes. There is a glass window on my front door. I try to look through and see if there is anything inside. Then I put my ear to the door and listen for rotter's. I don't hear anything so I pull my knife out and swing the door open. I see a small purple sticky note on the table in the kitchen. I walk over to it looking around as I walk. When I get over to it I see my mothers hand writing.

"Good morning baby, by now you have probably realized how bad the disease is getting. Yes, I am okay and so is your Dad. I have heard about a refugee camp that is free of virus. Any one can go in. If you get bit they have science labs. They run tests to try and find a cure. They have been unsuccessful so far :(  But I decided it  would be best if I go. I have taken your friend, Julies mom and little sister. The camp is called 'River Mount Haven' There is a flier to the left" I look at the flier then begin reading again. "Please come here, you will be safe. I love you baby. Be strong, and safe. Love Mom." I feel a tear slip down my cheek. I let out a small sob. Then cover my mouth hard with my left hand. I can't cry. I have to be strong. I wipe my cheek then  fold the sticky note and put it in my back pocket.

"I love you too mom." I whisper. I walk to the bathroom up stairs and take off all of my make up I put on the day before. I pull my hair back into a ponytail. Then go to my room and quickly pull on a sweat shirt then I walk out to the van Julie was driving. She rolls down the window.

"Yeah?" she asks

"Our families went to river mount! My mom left a note telling my to meet her there." I pull the flier out of my backpack and show her the map on the back. Julie is smiling.

"So my family is safe?" Her eyes are watering. I smile and nod. "Okay, so lets get to river mount." Julie seems determined to get to river mount. I half walk half jog back over to the suburban and get in and sit next to Luke in the middle row of seats.

"Your family-" I cut him off

"They're safe. They are with Julie's family at river mount." He smiles and grabs my hand twisting our fingers together and sits it on hid knee. I give Brandon the map. He studies it for a bit and then pulls out of my driveway.

Were going to River Mount. I think. I can't help but smile.