Left Forsaken: A The Last Of Us Story

We're Not in Kansas anymore

We reached the outskirts of Colorado by the ending of autumn. The biting cold of winter was creeping in my exposed skin, our trip was bad enough and the cold just worsens it.

. . .

We had been running from a horde of infected that had spilled out from a nearby store while we scavenged for supplies. We heard the angry screech first, then saw Ian and John sprinting our way. "Run!"

Without any hesitation the group broke into a run, our beaten up shoes kicking up dirt and gravel as we ran the hell out of there. My legs had become stronger with this long journey and I was able to endure a long run, this time being with the group instead of behind. "The school!" I yelled through heavy breaths. The big sign labeled 'Kansas Elementary School' was murky and discolored, but in the sun it shone like a beacon. With no time to waste, we sprinted toward the school. As Deborah and I climbed over, Albert and Smith were shooting down the first wave. Finally on the other side of the fence, we headed to the door. We pulled, pushed, kicked but it didn't budge. I scoffed, leave it to America to have more locked schools than community banks.

Smith, after climbing over fence, came in hard with a kick right at the center of the double doors, but they still didn't budge. We heard the fence rattling. John attempted to climb over, but an infected grabbed his leg. He was struggling to kick the thing's grip off his ankle. Albert shot his revolver, the infected's head whipped back from the impact and fell heavily on the asphalt. John wasted no time to climb the rest of the way.

"Through the window," Tina called on us when she noticed a shattered window by the side of the building. She climbed through first, not giving the shards of glass much attention. The shards scrunched under her weight while she squeezed through. We heard a loud thud coming from the fence, an infected had fallen face first on our side of the fence. The rest of the horde attempted to imitate the first. "They are coming!" Albert hurried. I squeezed through the window and right behind me was Albert. "Cover the entrance now." Tina and Deborah were pushing a book case over the shattered window.

Albert and Ian began doing the same with the main door as the infected outside started banging on it. "Forget it!" Smith screamed, "Let's go!" The second set of doors into the building opened with a strong kick of Smith's. We ran through and closed the door behind us, Smith stuck a crowbar between the handle of both doors. That will not hold them off, but will certainly buy us time.

We found ourselves in a dark hallway. The floor was sticky, the roof had cracks on it and the paint slowly peeling off. The sound of dripping water echoed throw the room, matching the rythmic banging of infected on the door. It all gave me a feeling of uneasiness.

The rusty red lockers that lined the walls were all untouched not even one of them was left open. I guess nobody cared for books during the apocalypse, huh?

Our flashlights' beams were waving across the room as we jogged through the neglected hallway. I slipped on a puddle of water and fell on my hip. Albert quickly went to my aid, his callous hand took my gloved one and he heaved me back onto my feet. "I suppose, I should sue the janitor." I stiffened a chuckle. He gave me a slight smile.

"We can take it easy now," Smith said. I placed my 9mm back in its holster, and stalked the rest of the group.

John was beginning to walk in a subtle limp. His right pant leg  was stained with a crimson color. I was beginning to doubt it was an infected's blood as soon as I saw the small red trail the followed him. Ian grabbed his forearm and they fell behind, "We are gonna check this side; see what we can find."

"Be very careful." Deborah's motherly instincts kicked in.

"I'll give you a holler." Ian's voice made my chest fill with anxiety. I stared at the two as they parted the other way.