This Is It

Chapter 5: Family

I grabbed the towel and dabbed my face dry and put on my clothes, i walked over to the mirror and saw this man behind me. His face was blown off and there was blood running down his neck. My heart was beating a thousand miles per second and i stood there frozen staring into the mirror, i finally had the courage to turn around. He was gone a looked around the locker room and no one was in here but me, i'm going insane. Why did i see him in the mirror, whats causing all this stuff to happen to me. Then the lightbulb went off my heart sank to my stomach...its the man who shot himself in that house that Paige and I found. I can't tell anyone about this or they are going to worry about me, and force me to take a break from my job and have the girls go out there by themselves. I'd leave Paige in charge probably because she goes with me a lot out there, but I refuse to leave them by their selves i'm in charge and i will not be on bed rest. I'm not going to tell anyone what happened, everything will be ok. I ran a brush through my long dark brown hair that had some dark red, and black highlights and the i got really close to the mirror. I starred into my hazel eyes that changed colors when i was mad, sad, happy, and when i cried, "One more day living." i sighed into the mirror. I then grabbed all my stuff and walked back to my room on the second floor, and i put my stuff down and then walked back down to the cafeteria where everyone was smiling and laughing while grabbing bowls and pouring warm soup into the white hard plastic bowls. "Well look what the cat dragged in." Bob said wrapping an arm around me and pulling me into a hug. "Yea" i chuckled. "Mackenzie!" yelled someone running up on me and wrapping their arms around my torso, it was Jackson "Hey Jack" i said picking him up in a hug Jackson is a 6 year old African American boy, he lost contact with his parents after the disaster. They said they were coming back for him, but they never did and believe it or not he's a really mature 6 year old. "Someone missed you." smiled Grandma Jess. After i put Jackson down and Tiffany greeted me with a bowl of nice warm beef stew, the smell lingered to my nose and my stomach aced for some food. "Go sit down hun." Said Tiffany kissing my forehead. "Thanks Tiff." I said wrapping an arm around her.

Everyone was laughing and smiling, its honestly just amazing how these people act like the world isn't ending and they can just hit pause and play on their everyday lives, I'd do anything for these guys. When I was done with my bowl of soup I stood up and walked to the front the table and got everyone's attentions. "I just wanted to say something real quick because i honestly don't know what i would've done without an amazing group of people like you guys. Everyone has each others backs and that's what the world needed even before the disaster. I am so proud of all of you guys, I love you guys and you are all family." I said smiling. "Awe Sweat Tart actually has a heart." Bob smiled, 'Sweat Tart' is Bobs nickname for me. I told him the stories of how when i was little and even before the disaster that when my family and I went to the mall my dad and I always went to the candy machines, put in a quarter, spun the handle and got a nice handful of Sweat Tarts. I laughed at Bob's remark he's a nice guy but sometimes he can be a little more controlling, I sometimes have to tell him who's boss sometimes. "Hey is Ron and Pip on night shift?" I asked. "Yes they are at the front doors." Said Paul. "I'm gonna take some snacks and coffee down to them, Jackson if you're done eating you can come with if you want." I said. "Yes!" he said jumping up and running over to me and grabbing some Protein bars off a little shelf. "I'm gonna go get those old farts some coffee." i said laughing and causing Jack to laugh too. I grabbed too resealable coffee mugs and poured coffee into them, I then grabbed some milk and sugar only pouring a little in till the coffee turns a medium colored brown. I then carried the food and drinks with Jack down the halls to the front doors, Jack walked a little further ahead of me, its a shame that his parents did that I know that Jackson's parents left him intentionally...I never told him because he still has hope to find them and I can't break his little heart like that, the kid is my world he's like a little brother and I'm his role model. I will do everything possible to protect him. "Come 'on slow poke." Jackson giggled. "I'm coming." i laughed. We turned around the corner and saw Ron and Pip standing there with their guns and flashlights in their hands, they were standing there scanning the halls and the front doors. "Hey lil' Jacka-" Ron said about to swear in front of Jackson. "Hey. Language." I said laughing a little. "aight aight." he said smiling and hugging Jack. "Hey Pip look what i got you and Ronnie." I smile walking over with the coffee's "Yes, thanks Kenz you're my favorite boss." He chuckled. "I know." i laughed. "We got you food too." said Jack handing Ron and Pip some protein bars. "Thanks kids." Ron said. "Be safe." I said. "Hey can you grab me something tomorrow?" asked Ron. "Yea of course what ever you need, ill grab it any day except the weekends those are my off days." I said. "I need melatonin, I'm having problems sleeping please." Ron said, "Yea of course, anything you want Pip?" i asked. "I need some new batteries." Pip said, "Ok." i said walking away.

I tucked Jack in bed, told everyone goodnight, and then I went to my room closing the door behind me. I turned on the lamp that I found in the teachers lounge when we first started to clean this place out. I Straightened my curly hair since it was now dry, I prefer to straighten it since its a lot easier to pull it back when its straight plus it looks a lot better when i got out to search for supplies. After I was done with my hair I sat on my bed and grabbed my book bag that I put all the money in, I unzipped it and poured all the money out onto the bed. I started counting it when I heard a knock on the door, "Come in." I said still counting money. "What you doing?" asked Sydney "Counting money." I said not paying attention to her. "You're so weird, there's not even a use of taking all this money and counting it." she said. "There is a place out there where other people are safe, and where there is an actual chance for the human race." I said. "You're weird." She said teasing. "aren't we all?" i snickered. She then left the room and i kept on counting money, no one believes that there is a chance for the human race but me.