Dixons daughter

2

I couldn't sleep last night. I wasn't sure if it was the heat, the sound of walkers off in the woods, or my incurable insomnia I've had since I was ten.  No matter which it was, it didn't stop the fact that I was tired as hell and had to make a run 3 miles through the woods. 

I sat up accidentally bumping my head on the wall waking up my mother. I groaned while rubbing my head. Before she realized I was the one groaning she screamed out.

"ARLO! ARI? BABY WHERE ARE YOU" I put my hand over her mouth before she could get every walkers attention in the whole area. She squirmed until she realized it was my hand on her dry lips. "Arlo Jackson, don't you ever scare me like that again" she attempted scolding me. I just rolled my eyes.

"Mama you can't scream like that" I said giving her the evil eye. " I'm going to make the run now before it gets to hot outside. I'll see you in a bit. Go back to sleep" I stated leaving no room for questions. She nodded her head and sunk back into the couch she was sleeping on. Letting out a deep breath I went to change. I quietly crept up to my room hoping not to wake mama up. I pulled on a pair of jeans from my dresser and an old
tshirt of my dads of a band  he supposedly used to listen to. The yellow fabric was big on me but I tied it back with a hair tie so it wouldn't get in my way.  I took my brush and quickly ran it through my hair before pinning it up on my head again. I quickly grabbed my army green duffle and shotgun before heading out into the woods.

The walk was quiet. I would say too quiet but these days I've been wishing for peace and quiet. Hoping for no bloodshed from walkers trying to get their next meal. As I hiked the trail through the woods I kept watch, making sure no walkers were headed towards me. I occasionally turned back to make sure none were creeping up on me either.

When I finally made it to the closest town my feet were aching. I would have taken a break if my goal wasn't so close. I walked up to the general store that I was so used to visiting until the outbreak. The shutters in the front windows were closed and the front door bolted. Luckily I found a way through the back shortage room a couple weeks ago.  I crawled in through a small hole just big enough for me. Since I was small it wasn't too hard, Im only five foot and I'm done growing. I swept up and down the store making sure no walkers were able to get in. Once I finished checking the store I hung my gun over my shoulder and pulled my bag behind me while grabbing things from the aisles.

Toothpaste.
A couple packs of crackers.
Firewood.
Tampons.
And amo.

That was what was left at this store. I was just about to leave when something caught my eye. I looked at the white box on the shelf. The now dull Red Cross calling out at me. I quickly stuffed it in my bag before squeezing out the way I came in and sprinting to the woods.

In the woods I got an uneasy feeling like someone was watching me. I picked up my gun making sure I was ready to fire at any moment. I glanced around while walking. I turned around right in time.  I shot a walker in the shoulder. It fell
Back but got up and let out a disturbing growl. I had just enough time to shoot it in the head before it fell on top of me, brains splattered on my shirt. I took a deep breath hoping there weren't any more before pulling myself up and jogging home.

When I got into the back yard of the house I could hear yelling.

"HELP. ARLO. HELP. SOMEBODY PLEASE" it was my mom. I could hear faint growl but I was certain it was coming from inside the house.  I sprinted as fast as I could to the house throwing my bag down and running to my mommy. There was a walker I top of her. It was missing an arm and her blood was all over my mothers torso.

"MOMMY" I called before shooting the walker off her. I kneeled down and started crying. "Mama! Thank god your ok-" I was cut off by her yelling.

"ARLO" she looked at me very seriously but lovingly.

"Mom?" I questioned worry in my voice. My stomach hurt. The blood from the walker was now all over her but I couldn't help but hold onto her.

"Baby I'm not fine" she stated staring up into nothing. I raised my head to the roof trying to hold back tears and look strong.

"W-what do you mean. W-what are you taking about. Come on m-mom your fine" I said trying to convince myself that it wasn't true, hoping she was wrong.

"I was bitten" she Moaned, pain going through her body. She pulled up her once grey shirt to revel a chunk taken out of her stomach. I gasped, this time letting the tears roll out. She reached up with her hand covered in blood from holding her abdomen. She ran her hand through my hair. " you gotta put me down" she said.  My once grey hair a red color as the blood from her hand ran across it.

"Bu-" I started to say.

"No buts Ari" she winced. Barely able to talk. I let out another sob. "Please no mama. Please".

"Arlo, you stop that. You know this has to be done" she said while smiling. How can she be so god damn strong about this. She's been bit for gods sake. "Before you do though. I need to tell you something " I grabbed her hand.

"What. Mom. Of corse. Tell me anything" I said but still hoping this wasn't true and it was just a a bad dream.

" I need to tell you the truth about your father."