The First ~10K~ (book 1)

1: Reunited

I swung my machete at the Z. It wailed as I stabbed it through the eye.

I turned around once again to face another Z. I slammed the butt of the machete on its nose. It roared and jumped on me. I screamed as my machete skidded away.

The Z snarled and screeched and clawed at me. I tried to push it off, but it was heavier than it looked. I screamed louder this time, hoping, just hoping someone heard me.

Then, something shot into its head. It stopped moving as it died. I pushed it off of me and sucked in big breaths of air.

I looked up and didn't see anyone. I got up and found my machete in a bush. I went back to the Z and examined it.

There wasn't a buellet hole, no stab wound, no dent from a baseball bat.

Then, something glinted in the corner of my eye. I squinted trying to see what it was. I got closer... A paper clip?

I got up and spun around, looking for any sign of a human. I drew my machete and walked closer to the woods. A bush rustled next to me.

I crept toward the bush. My heart racing. Maybe the person left? Wouldn't they want a Thank you first?

"Who's there?" I yelled. I got closer. My breaths got faster and faster. My heart raced and my mind was thinking of a plan.

As I reached the bush and was ready to pounce, something shot out of it on me. I yelped and stumbled with the... Person?

"Let me go!" I yelled.

I shot my eyes open to be greeted by a guy. About the same age as me, 18 at least, with mysterious eyes, a scar on his eyebrow, black messy hair, and the best jawline. I stopped squirming. He looked familiar.

"10K?" I asked. He smiled and got off of me.

"I knew I recognized that pretty face." He smirked. I pulled him into a hug and took him in. His smell, his touch.

"I thought you were dead." I whispered.

"We all thought the same thing." 10K responded.

"We?" I asked. "You mean, you found the others?!"

He nodded and smiled.

"Follow me."

+++

"I found the rest after a few days. I was dehydrated and exhausted, almost out of ammo. Luckily, Warren spotted me and brought me here." 10K told me.

"Sounds like me." I replied.

"We're here." 10K said.

The place was amazing.

There was a stream so clear, it didn't even look like water. A fire pit still smoking from a recent fire. A willow tree and a medow in the distance.

"Guys! I think you're gonna wanna see this!" 10K yelled.

Warren, Doc, Cassandra, Addy, Mack, and Murphy all ran over.

"Maddi?! Oh, my god!" Warren cried. She attacked me with a giant hug. I squeezed her and kissed her cheek.

"God, we thought we lost you!" She cried.

"I'm okay." I smiled. She hugged me one last time and let everyone else get a turn.

"You're a goddamn ninja, girl!" Doc yelled. He pulled me into a hug.

"Same old Doc." I laughed. He kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair.