Survivor (A Glenn Rhee fanfiction)

After

Chapter 45: After
Kadyn's POV

I have never been so afraid in my life.

The walkers trail after me as I tear through the forest. I run in a blind panic, knowing that if I slow down, I'll be ripped to shreds by the monsters flanking me. All I can hear is the snarling of the raging corpses and the frantic pounding of my heart.

I force myself to continue running, completely ignoring the pain in my sides and my burning lungs begging for air. I am pushed on in fear and trepidation.

Am I the only one who made it out? The question recapitulates over and over in my mind, consuming the entirety of my thoughts.

Clusters of green foliage and thorn-filled vines tangle around my legs, nearly snaring and tripping me as I bolt through the dense, green forest.

I run for what seems like hours, eventually leaving the walkers behind. I waste no time in standing around without a plan. I scale up a pine tree like a squirrel, only stopping when I reach a thick branch near the middle. I'm far enough up that the walkers can't get me, but low enough to be able to jump if necessary.

Panting, I rest my back against the trunk of the pine tree. I close my eyes and focus on catching my breath as dry sobs escape my lips. The previous question races through my mind again. Am I the only one who made it out?

Surely not. The evacuation bus made it out, and Glenn was on that bus. If I can track it, I can get him back. I didn't see Rick after the first shots were fired. I don't even know if Baylee is alive.

I open my bleary eyes and look at my legs. The thorns had ripped the legs of my jeans up, and the scratches on my legs are bright red. I wrap my coat tighter around my body, shivering a little.

The air is getting colder by the minute. I'm glad I found the pine tree when I did. During my time in the apocalypse, I've learned that the walkers are more active during the night, and I don't have a lot of bullets, let alone a flashlight.

As if on cue, the sound of growls erupt from below. In the dim lighting, I can make out the eerie figure of a corpse, limping along through the underbrush. Two more figures follow suit, and I hold my breath, watching silently.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch the corpses pass. It's different being alone. The sense of security is lost. There is no barrier between safe and danger.

The moon starts to rise, casting a silvery glow throughout the forest. I look up at the stars through the pine needles.

It's odd, that everything changed in the world, yet the world is still the same in a way. Humanity is nearly lost, yet the stars are still shining. The moon is still rising, the trees are still standing. What is the purpose of it?

The wind whistles through the trees, and I slump against the trunk, desperately wishing to be back at the prison with Glenn, and Baylee, and Rick and everyone else. Desperately wishing to feel safe again..

//

I wake up abruptly, nearly losing my balance on the branch I'm perched on. I blink my eyes and look around. The sun has just risen; traces of pink and orange still reside in the sky.

My stomach rumbles noisily. I carefully unstrap the tiny drawstring bag from my shoulders. I open it up and dig around for something to eat.

I curse when I find nothing. No food, only four bullets, a half empty water bottle, a picture of me and Glenn, and some other assorted junk.

I let out a groan and lean against the tree trunk, unsatisfied. I have nothing. No supplies, no change of clothes, nothing. Everything was in my cell back at the prison, which is who-knows-how-far behind me.