The Dead End

Chapter 3

As my tears flow, I wonder why I got out of bed at all. The morning rain clouds up my windows and I can't see at all. Even if I could, it would all be gray, but the picture on my wall. It reminds me that it's not so bad at all.

Well at least it convinces me. I stare at my mother, father, brother, and I plastered in the frame of the picture, an image of pure perfection. I reminencse the days when life was simpler, easier. I miss the days when life was......ALIVE. I wipe the tears from eyes. "Why am I crying," I ask myself. I think it's because I miss my parents, but they'll never comeback. They died from whatever insane lunatic created this vigorous virus, and I assume my parents got infected most likely first.

Gathering my belongings, I hated how we were always on the move. Considering this was the longest time I ever stayed in one spot, I really became attached to this place. So attached, it's no longer just a place; it's my home. Well at least it was.

Sometimes I feel so alone, despite being surrounded by these lovely people. I often have to remind myself that my brother is even still alive. I spend several nights crying, but I have to brush my feelings aside if I want to live. 

Heading out of my now old room, I head to our tricked out bus upgraded by Kirsten. Throwing my bags on the bus, I sat down greeting everyone. Conversation surrounded me, yet I remained silent engulfed in my own private thoughts.

"Hey, Jade," the guy from yesterday greets me as he plops down on the seat beside me. 

"Hi, I didn't catch your name through all the confusion yesterday." 

"Oh, you can call me Nick."  

"So Nick, how did you end up at the gas station," I asked looking into his piercing blue eyes. 

"Actually, it was my father's gas station, and when the infection spreaded it was one the safest places to take my sister. I can still remember when my mother first caught the disease. After being on beadrest for weeks due to high fevers, she stayed at home most of the time. I couldn't stand to let my sister see her like this, so I packed our bags and darted. And, that's how I ended up at the gas station." 

"Sorry about your sister, I'm sure she's in a better place than this living hell." 

"Yeah, hopefully," he said clearly hearing his mood drop. 

As he turned straight, we waited on the bus to pull off after everyone boarded. 

Before pulling off I muttered two words, "Goodbye home." 

******

[Jordan] 

I couldn't love Kirsten more for adding a sun roof to the ceiling of the bus. As I rest my shotgun on the top of the bus, I watch the perimeter for my next victim. Cocking the gun, I squeeze the trigger at a nearby zombie. Backed up by Derrick, I watch as he works his machine gun blasting the zombies who heard my gunshot. I fire another shot, killing two this time. 

"So how far away is this so called safehaven?"  I ask over the loud blasting of our guns. 

"I have no idea," Derrick responds. 

"You think you could hold up for while without me?" 

"Look at who you're talking too."

"Oh, well. I'll be right back." 

Lowering myself down from the top of the bus, I look for Ben.

"Hey, Ben," I waited on a response. "Do you know how far away the safehaven is?" 

"It's about a two day drive so I think it's best if you and Derrick save your ammo." 

"Alright, bossman." 

Heading back up to the top of the bus, I see Jade sitting on the seat with the new guy. She flips her hair and bats her eyes. She likes him! Hilarious, just wait till I get the time. 

"Hey, Derrick! Hold fire, come down and get some rest." 

"Alright." 

I go to the back of the bus flopping down on the comfortable bus seat. I close my eyes listening to the harmony of the multitude of voices blending together. Using the voices as lullabyes, I eventually fall asleep.  

 *****

[Jade's POV]

"A hoard of zombies up ahead!" Kirsten yelled slowing the pace of the bus.

"Hey, Jade," I hear Ben call. "let's take this one!" 

"Sounds like fun!" I respond. 

As I get up, a hand catches my attention. That's when Nick speaks two words almost crushing my heart. He said, "Be careful!" 

Grabbing a gun, I loaded it thinking about what Nick told me. Rising through the roof of the bus, I shielded my eyes from the blinding rays that attacked me. 

"Headshots!" Ben yelled eager to pull the trigger. It's amazing how killing zombies have become almost an everyday hobby. '

Looking out of one eye, I aimed directing my gun at the head of one zombie. When they heard the shot, they began to pick up their paste darting in the direction of the bus. The missing limbs added to the horror of the scene. I pulled the trigger again watching the blood splatter into the air. Shooting zombies began to feel like a game of Wack-a-Mole. Thinking about that game brought back memories. 

"Jade come here!" Mother called. 

Standing as a family, we waited on the flash from the camera. Slightly blinded, I ran back to my favorite game. Wack-a-Mole!!! The sounds of several other games blurred my senses, but I smelt the aroma of pizza drifting through the air. Picking up the toy hammer, I put in a quarter watching the game come alive. Watching a head appear, I striked like a viper. With the biggest grin, I forgot about the sadness of my mother and father always being gone. I had no worries at all, but letting a mole go without being attacked. 

The pressure from the burden of my parents being absent was slightly heavier since they are permanently gone. Shooting these zombies was my new way of drifting away from the truth, but it still hurts that there could never be another family picture. I'm just hoping nothing happens to my new family.