Apocalypta

The Tree House (5:00 pm; Dec. 6)

It was nearing dark when I woke up, huddled in a corner with Mr. Carrots the bunny tucked safely in my arms

I was still in this nightmare

Too scared to even go near the door, I just wait here--where I'm safe from those things--until death comes

I haven't eaten for days, I'm to die soon

I was supposed to start Junior High, graduating from a 7th grade hell. I have to admit though, this is definitely worse than 7th grade

Looking around, I wondered 'There isn't any noise coming from the bottom if the tree house! Have they given up?'

Slowly and hesitantly, I rise from my position only to sink back down into it when I hear pounding on the door

Since the door was made of rotten wood, it broke easily and I cried "P-Please don't h-hurt me! I-I don't want to-to die!"

"Vhat?" A thick accent reached my ears and I immediately stop bawling "Vhy vould you zink zat I vould kill you, fraulein?"

Looking up, I spot a boy my age with blonde slicked back hair and blue eyes "H-Hello..."

"J-ja, Gu-Guten Tag..." He replies awkwardly, his hand on his neck as he looks away, embarrassed

"Hey, Luddy! Was dauert das so lange?" A German voice called from the foot of the tree

He sighs, obviously slightly irritated with a tinge of pink on his cheeks "Es gibt eine Mädchen hier!"

"Is your name  Luddy?" I wondered out loud, burying my head into the back of Mr. Carrots' face

"N-Nein!" He immediately shouts "Mein name ist Ludvig..."

"O-Okay..." I nodded, waiting for him to leave

"Do you vant to come viz me und mein bruder?" He puts a hand in front of me, gesturing for me to grab it

I hesitated, wondering if I was to die by zombie if I go but--when I looked up into his eyes--my doubt surprisingly vanished and I grabbed his hand "O-Okay..."

Climbing down from the tree house, I made sure to try and stick near Ludwig since he's the only one I felt like I could trust

He held my hand until we came across a boy, teenager actually, on the other side of the tree house with a bloodied up steel baseball bat

The teenager furrowed his eyebrows "Ist dass das Mädchen?"

"J-ja..." Ludwig blushed, looking away from the white-haired teen

Turning to me, he gestured to the teen "Zhat is mein bruder, Gilbert..."

"Nice to meet you, Mädchen!" He chuckles, his voice also laced with a German accent

"I-It's nice to know I-I'm not th-the only one..." I gave a small smile "My name is [Name] [L. Name]..."

"Mein is Gilbert Beilshmidt!" He chuckles and I immediately notice that his accent isn't as thick as Ludwig's

"I hope I won't be a bother or anything..." I sigh

Turning back to me again, Ludwig smiles sincerely "It's okay... You're safer viz us und bruder by your side anyvay..."

And, for the first time in weeks, I actually believed him and smiled