Apocalyptic

Chapter One

All they desire is death. Not their own. They thrive to kill because it makes their dead hearts fill with warmth. Something both the living and the biters desperately want. No one ever feels alive anymore. Pale eyes and grey flesh aren't exactly the definition of lively. But it is much more so than the biter's sunken eyes, ripped apart grey/brown flesh, rotted teeth, and, of course, the virus. Some of the living say it was an uncontrollable outbreak of rabies or mad-cow disease transmitted through uncooked beef, but most the living I've met say it was a government test gone dreadfully wrong.

Now, I'm on the run. To The Safeland.  Most of the living still call it Canada, but those who are running know it best by The Safeland. Years ago, their district leader somehow knew the apocalypse was approaching and commanded his people to build the Great Dome; so the outbreak could never reach them. He was soon killed by an ignorant American man who claimed the leader created the fatal virus. Now outsiders are no longer permitted within the inside of the dome. And you have to plan it carefully and skillfully, or else they'll shoot you. Even the most respected living can't get inside the Great Dome. It's a fight for survival. A fight for humanity.

"Are you sure it's safe there?" A timid and cracking voice pulls me out of my trance. It belongs to Adalind, the girl I took in as my sister. She witnessed her parents become biters. We both did. It started with a mad man with bloodshot eyes that were slowly sinking into his crushed skull. He was running- stumbling toward them. Unaware of Adalind or me. He bit her father, who fell to the ground convulsing. Her mother screamed in anguish as the mad man sunk his sharp yellow teeth into her shoulder. And she joined her husband on the ground. Their limbs snapping and veins popping. Until they rose up and ran. I guess they were some of the first to become infected with the virus. And at first it was traumatizing. But now it's an every day thing. To see convulsing bodies and biters attacking the living.

"Yes, I'm sure," I finally respond after an agonizingly long pause. She nods, her dim eyes meeting my own.

"I'm really scared, Avril."

I look down, pursing my lips together. I'm just as scared as she is. The drizzle of the evening hours adds to the dangers of fall. Biters are attracted to two things: sound and human blood. And with loud puddles and crunching leaves as an addition to our open wounds, it makes us perfect targets for the biters. But rule one of survival is that fear doesn't exist. "Fear is nonexistent." I reply numbly.

            She steps back from me. "Avril..." Her voice is tight, as if she's about to cry.

            "Come here." I extend my arms out and give her a rare smile. And she smiles back as she hugs me. I stroke her blond hair lovingly. "Its okay, Adie. We'll be okay."

            She nods.  "Now, come along. We need to find a store for supplies." I take her cold, shaking hand in my own.

            Hours of walking passes before Adalind tugs on my jacket sleeve. "Look, Avril!" She whispers and points unsteadily at an abandoned supermarket. I can't resist smiling again. Today's been good for us so far. We haven't encountered any biters, we've kept warm, and now we've found a large store that's probably full of supplies. I get my hatchet out of my bag. If there are any biters in there, we're not leaving without a fight.