The Alpha Omega.

Safe.

I'm still holding my breath, by the time I'm a mile away. That's when it hits me....
What actually happened to my mom? My mind starts racing, trying to reason that maybe she had just left. There was no way I wasn't gonna find out for myself. I pull the emergency brake and yank the wheel left, the car spins until I see the opposite direction I was going. I let go of the e-brake and slam down the accelerator, feeling the car take off I feel pure adrenaline pump through me.....

I get half a mile away and turn down my friends road, I pull into the back of his driveway and get out. I keep the rifle on my shoulder and the safety off, but my fingers on the guard and not the trigger.
I walk up to the backdoor, do the signature knock for our little group.
Nothing.
I do the knock one more time, but this time the I hear the lock turn....

I take a step back and steady my aim for center mass, based off the average adult male.
The door flys open and there's a BB gun in my face, and behind it is trey.
I smack it out of my face, then hurry inside.

"River?"
Trey says almost inaudibly.

"Yeah."
That's when I see my reflection.... Mark's blood is still on me.
"Trey... You have to listen to me. I had to do what I did."

He nods
"Ok, what happened?"

I begin to explain what had happened at the house, then he asks why I was going back.

"Because, I have to find out if my moms still there."
I look at him, listening to my own breathing. Happy I actually remembered to do so.

"What's the plan?"
He looks up at me and raises an eyebrow.

"Trey, I'm not pulling you into this. Stay here."

"No, you said there's three of them. That's three times the firepower than you."

"True, but this time I'm not asking questions. I'm killing all three of them, then I'm gonna search the house for my mom."
My hand subconsciously grips the rifles handle.

Trey's mouth drops.
"River... You can't actually be serious."

"Yes. I helped these people, and they were gonna rob then kill me..... That's why I said, you don't have to come. I can handle it."

He stares at the ground for a minute, before nodding.
"What's the plan?"

"I have tear gas grenades, but I'm saving those. I just need you to do one thing... I'm giving you an AR-15, spray the back door until they fire back then you run."

"Ok. You ready?"
He stands up.

"Not yet, I have to tell you the route we taking.... Better yet, I'll show you on the way."
I stand up and walk outside, checking for zombies first.
It's clear, but I stay tense and ready.

My hand finds the key ring on my belt, and pop the trunk.
I pull out spare rifle and hand it to him, then give him the extra vest.
"Put it on, then put the rifle sling on."

He does as I say, then checks the rifle. Making sure it's slide works properly, then he nods.
We cut through some backyards, to the house that's right in front of mine.

"Now, you're gonna go left and go around the apartments to get around back."

He nods and moves in the bushes.

I lean back and pray to God Trey can handle this....
I take a deep breath, then listen.
It's about two minutes, before I hear the first shots. I begin counting in my head "1..2..3..4..5..6..7..8..9..10..11..12..13..14..15."

Just as expected halfway through the clip, the sound of the other guns start going off..

That's when I move......
I'm across the road in seconds, the screen doors is still cracked. I use my foot and throw the door open, then kick the slightly cracked wooden one with my other door.....

I see all 3 of them faced the other way.
Jack turns his head first, I aim and put one shot through his neck. I adjust and move to John, he's just starting to realize what's happening.
I put two shots through his chest, then move to Brian.

He drops his gun.
"Please, they made me do it."

I keep my aim on his chest, but I don't pull the trigger.
"Prove it."

"Ok.... Ok."
He starts to turn, but his hand goes for his waistband.

I squeeze the trigger two times, watching as the gun hits the floor and he falls.

Trey comes running in, but turns and pukes as he sees what's happened.

I pull him inside, the noise is gonna attract the zombies.
"You can go sit in the bathroom if you need to, but I have to go look."
I click on the flashlight, then head to the back of my house. I turn towards my room, and kick the door open. I look and see nothing.
So, I turn to my mom's room, then I kick the door open.
I feel relief and confusion, as I realize there's nothing in there.....

I take a deep breath, before walking back into the living room and pulling out the KaBar. Then, I watch as Brian begins to shake.....

"He's turning."
I think to myself.
I'm instantly over him, I jab the knife into his temple, then do the same to the other Jack and John.

I go to leave, then realize they had supplies. I pick up the guns and pile them, then pat down the rest of their bodies.
I find various ammo types and other items.

"Trey, keep the AR, but come take these mags."
I walk to the bathroom and hand them to him.
"I need the vest back though."

He takes off the vest and accepts the clips, then we leave. Heading back to his house. When we arrive I pop the trunk and throw in the items we found. I pull out two extra AR clips then hand them to him.
"Protect your grandparents."

"Wait... River where're you going?"

I close the trunk, then walk to the driver's side and get in.
"I'm gonna survive. That's all I have left to do."
I start the car and put it in reverse.
"Bye Trey, til I see you again."

"Bye River, stay safe."

I pull out, then put the car in drive and take off, deciding I needed to find a house to crash in for the night and some place to wash all of those asshole's blood off.....