Age of the Dead

A New Beginning

(A.N: this is just the first chapter of the sequel I've been writing)

My stomach eats away at my body. I have been walking for days or weeks. I'm not counting. I don't know how much longer I will go on. I hope not long. I feel death pulling at my sleeve. I let it take me. I fall onto the ground and let darkness cover my vision.

___

I open my eyes to men yelling. I hear a loud buzzing noise. Am I alive still? How? Why? I open my eyes all the way and realize I am in a small blurred room. A helicopter? Why am I in a helicopter. I try to sit up, but quickly realize I am restrained.
"Stay down, Stephanie. We are landing." I hear a familiar voice say. I look over in the direction of the voice. Luke. He looks different. He looks like a soldier. His dark  brown hair still swept across his face.
"Whats-" I try to ask what is going on but my voice fails on me. I have not spoken for weeks. I try again.
"What's going on?" My cracking voice sounds small and fragile.
"Stephanie, you were found in the woods about 25 miles away from camp. Your stomach was empty and you were almost dead from heat exhaustion. The rotters were almost on you when I found you. We sent a search party the day you went missing. We went farther and farther every day. You mom has been crying for weeks." Luke says in the caring voice I remember.
"Is she-" I try again to speak but am cut off.
"Shh, Don't try to speak.  When we rescued you you tried to attack me. You were screaming and trying to punch and kick anyone who touched you." Because I don't want to be here.
"When you screamed after not speaking for so long. It damaged your vocal cords. Just nod or shake your head. Do you remember being rescued?"
Nod
"Do you remember your name?"
Nod. My name is Stephanie Rose Miller.
"Did you run away?"
Nod. I wanted to leave.
"You left after telling me you 'would be right back'"
I wait a few seconds then I nod just the slightest bit. I'm sorry. I didn't want you to try and stop me.
"Why would you lie to me." His eyes fill with tears. I don't say anything. I am looking into his eyes and my heart shatters for him. How could I do that. Then he clears his throat.
"I am going to let you sleep now, okay? We are going to carry your stretcher out of the Helicopter. Stay still." Luke stands. I didn't even notice him sit down on the edge of my bed. I lay my head back on the pillow. I feel myself being lifted and walked out of the plane. My vision is so blurry I feel as though I am going to be sick. I look into the clouds.
Why didn't you take me? I don't want to be here anymore. I say to God. If there even is one. Why would he let the world fall into this kind of chaos. I see myself being carried through the doorway. I feel the cold hard air in my nose again, then I close my eyes.