July 4th 2024
Pulling a cig out of my pocket, i lit it whilst sliding down into my seat. She looked at me, it was the first time i had seen her face in good light. It was smeared in blood and mud, attempting to look like a zombie. Her eyes were a deep blue, my eyes quickly snapped to her clothes as i felt a painful twinge. They were torn and soiled, another attempt at looking more like them. I opened the door and popped the hood before sliding myself around the front of the car. My shaking hands pushed the hood up and balanced me. I scanned the engine. Nothing. Stepping back in confusion i looked over the horizon, into the airfield. There. A military 4x4. I hobbled over to the passenger door and opened it. She stepped out into the light. "We need to get to that car, OK?" I mumbled to her. She firmly nodded and started making her way towards it. "Leave me then?" i thought. Hobbling along i tried to not attract the attention of wandering zombies, i wanted to save some ammo. Reaching the 4x4 she was sat on the hood waiting for me. I threw my rifle into the back. Opening the driver door and taking a seat i ducked down under the dashboard. I was a little fuzzy on how to hotwire a car but it came as i went. Revving the engine i looked up to see her on the hood, looking through the windshield at me.
"Are you okay?" i asked in awe.
"Fine" she replied in a high, scattered voice.
"Get in then." i barked, surprised at my own voice.
Driving along the highway, i took a right turn upward, into the hills. I had given her my headphones and she was listening to Paramore.
"Why I have that on there i have no idea." I said when she started a song.
"Its been my favorite since i was a kid." She replied happily. Then that voice hit me.
"What's your name?" i asked, deeply interested.
"Alysia" She spat it out like it was a disgusting taste. "Its a terrible name i know, i prefer Al-"
"Alice." i interrupted
"What? How do you..." She stopped mid-sentence. "You're David aren't you!?"
"Oh god, Chane Hi-" Repeating after her whilst running down a young looking survivor. I yanked the E-Brake and leaped out of the 4x4. Limping toward them i fell down and checked for a pulse. Nothing. I patted down the body and pulled a AR-15 magazine, half full. Rolling the body over i unzipped the bag and rummaged around. Yes! I pulled out a morphine injector and stabbed it into my leg. Wincing in pain i pushed the needle in and Alice ran over to get a scream of pain in her face. I pulled a 6-shooter quick loader and 14 .357 Magnum rounds. I threw the loader at her and she caught it cleanly. I placed all the ammo in my hand and offered her it. She snatched them up and started loading her magnum. I turned back to the bag and pulled out a variety of junk. 3 bandages, an empty makarov PM mag, and an arrow. Throwing the arrow behind me into the trees i threw the mag with it.
"Help me with this body" i called over to her. She ran over and grabbed it under the arms and i grasped its legs.
"Into the wood" i gasped in-between pained breaths. Dumping it into the wood we turned and made our way back to the 4x4.
"Anyway" i said. "Chane High School right?"
"Yeah, JDF?" she sighed
"Nah, LDM, she always was a bitch." Turning to open the door i saw the body start to twitch. Ushering to her to get in the car, i put it in reverse and got myself straight on the road.
3 Hours on i had just reached the NW airfield. I parked around 200m from the airstrip, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention. I gestured for her to get out and vaulted over the door, expecting her to follow. She opened the door and ran toward the airfield, yelling "sorry!" as she went.
