Count To Ten

Chapter 2

They are dead, zombies.

One thing that my crazy mind came up with. Call me delusional all you want but that's the only theory I can think of. What else could it be? Unless this is all a dream, which I'm hoping to be and also doubting.

I ran and ran until I lost track of them. Even though my running is slow, they were slower so there's a chance I could outrun them and I did.

Where will I go? I walked on the pavements and just then, it started raining. Great.

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself as I looked at the road ahead. I'm hoping that there's going to be a vehicle that could give me a lift. What am I saying? It's the middle of the night! I couldn't even see civilization within a mile radius. And this place is just creeping me out. The only thing that I could see were street lamps lining on the sides, barely illuminating the road.

I sighed as I continued walking. It's not like I have any other choice. My tears were mixing with the rain as they dropped down my cheeks. Just then I heard an engine running, a car! Maybe I wasn't that unlucky after all. I almost cried from the joy that overtook me.

I looked ahead and squinted at the headlights that were pointed this way. I pulled my thumb out, indicating that I was in need of a lift. As the vehicle approached, I noticed it was a truck.

Truck. Chemicals. Mom and dad. Stacey. Zombies.

And then, tears were running down my face again like the Niagara Falls. The truck stopped in front of me and the window was rolled down and revealed a skinny man around his late fifties. I also noticed that the truck was like a farm truck and was carrying crops and goods on the back.

Thankfully, the tears wasn't noticeable due to me already being soaked form head to toe because of the rain.

"You need a ride, kid?" The man asked, poking his head out of the window.

I nodded my head,"Y-yes," My voice was croaky due to the crying so I cleared my throat,"Yeah,"

The man gave me a polite smile before saying,"Hop in," he gestured his head to the passenger seat.

I rounded the car and opened the door before hopping in and locking the door beside me. I know I shouldn't trust strangers. For all I know he could be a murderer or something bad but this my last hope. I'll take any chances I have. I glanced at the man and he seems sweet, so I'd take this opportunity. This is better than being stranded in the middle of nowhere.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night, kid? Don't you know that what you're doing is dangerous?" I'm glad that he didn't notice my condition or I have no doubt he would kick me out of his truck. He would probably think that I was a beggar or a homeless girl and the last thing I want to do is to scare him off.

As much as I'm grateful for his concern, I can't help but be irritated. It's not like I wanted to be stuck here. But instead of saying the truth nor that, I went with,"I, um, lost my way and my car kind of broke down."

He shook his head,"Where's your car?"

"I left it, it's already old anyway,"

We were silent for a couple of minutes before he said,"My name's Bob, what's yours, kid?"

I was hesitant, because for all I know he could be a pedophile or that he kidnaps teenage girls like me. But I ended up telling him anyway, what could an old man do? "Ashley,"

"Where to?" He asked after some time.

"Huh?"

"Where are you going?"