The Shadows Of What We Knew

2|Leaving home

"Violet" a voice from above shouts,while shaking me. Huh.I must be pretty late for school.

My vision begins to clear,as a look up to see my step brother's concerned face."I must of fell asleep on the floor,I had the strangest dream about the lurkers being in our town,but I know that's not possible." Alex remains silent

"...It can't be possible,can it?" I question.

Alex shakes his head solemnly.

I crank my head to look across the carpet and there lays what used to be mother now lifeless on the floor.

This can't be happening
The lurkers can't of got here so quick.My mother...the one the kept us all together when things got bad,the strong one.
I jump up feeling a rush of blood to my head,which almost knocks me down again.Before I can look Alex is escorting me out the room.

He sits me down on my bed before I fall to the floor "listen,Violet.We've got to get out of here,it's not safe,the lurkers they...just watch"
He reaches onto my desk and switches on the television,immediately the screen flickers onto a wide eyed woman,in a panicked state "yet another State has been infiltrated as a Lorry full of lurkers-that were due to be experimented on in Oregon,collided with a bus .Other reports of outbreaks have been seen all over America.We advise citizens of Oregon to stay inside,as a extremely large heard is headed from the motorway.we are in a time of crisis. Now onto Dave with the weather"

I feel sick.

Alex holds my shoulders as he looks into my eyes"Right,Violet,I know your in a state of shock right now,and it's hard to accept,but if we don't leave soon,the street'll be overrun,I know it and we'll have no chance of escaping"
A moment of silence passes. The atmosphere feeling dead.
"So...What now?They told us to stay put" My voice cracks.
Alex looks up from the floor and meets my gaze, nervously playing with his fingers.
" I guess..uh..in the walking dead,like...whenever they just stay ,they get over run . So please,we need to go-only pack what is necessary"

~
We frantically search the house for things of use,I begin to pack clothes into my backpack,and it takes a lot out of my not taking any makeup.
I try to control myself and run downstairs to the set of drawers in my step dads office.

I bring out two guns...I doubt we'll need them.
I meet my brother in the kitchen-He has two backpacks slung over his shoulders,filled with clothes and food.He then produces a array of kitchen knives ,so we trade guns,knives and bullets.
"Just to be safe" he reassures. "Are you ready to go yet?".
" I don't think I have a choice"

Alex nods and swings his back pack onto his shoulder. Without looking back, he fiercely walks down the hallway and out the door.
I couldn't do that. Be like Alex.
He puts on a brave face but I know he is as frightened as me.
Maybe even worse.
Putting on a brave face and all. Fake it 'till you make it, right?

The next step I take will be outside. I take a deep breath not really feeling any emotion but dizziness.
My whole life and my destiny has completely changed paths in a matter of seconds.
I take one last glance at the place I grew up.
All the memories and none of it ever mattered.

Alex turns around. "Violet" he says sternly.
I tighten the straps to my back pack and take the step.

I pick up my pace to catch up to where Alex was standing. He doesn't say anything, just starts to walk with a certain sorrow in his eyes.
His light brown hair all disheveled and messy.

"We need to go the supermarket downtown,my mum should be working there,I know we're not on good terms but ...I just want to see if she's still there,y'know." Alex says,I nod my head slowly at him.
we continue walking until we reach the hill leading up.
"Violet.Get the knife now."
"Why..." My voice trails as Alex points to a limping figure.
I reach into my bag and scramble;the figure getting closer.My hands settle on a knife and I hand it over,getting another out for me.
The creature is now close enough to be visible,it has the same hollow,empty looking eyes as my mum.Its skin tight to its face,but creased and decomposing.Its rib cage sticking out from its figure.
Alex swallows hard and begins to walk closer.The lurker becoming aware of his presence and picks up its pace as it gargles and growls. I flinch as Alex makes one swift stab into its stomach,the creature doesn't react and then dislocates is jaw attempting to clamp it over his shoulder. No, Alex, please I need someone, I can't lose you as well. What do I do? My feet are stuck to the ground and my whole body is tensed, I want to do something. I need to help him. But I can't move. Alex wriggles away making my body sigh in relief He tries to stab it again.Nothing.The lurker reaches out to try and swipe him,Alex stands above and brings down the knife directly into its head.
The creature falls silent.

~

The door to the supermarket is slightly shattered and the lights are off,seems inviting.

We carefully shut the doors behind us,and make our way towards the staff room with our knives up.I hear a crack behind me and snap round,my backpack crashing  into the nearby shelves.Alex glares at me and signals me to move quicker.

Alex then hears the snapping too and we sprint up to the door.Alex pauses at the door and takes in his sorroundings,I follow his eyes ,and they began to widen,he quickly shoves me inside and shuts the door behind him.

"NO,No-stoppp,please" a voice cries.
I turn around where a group of teens are stood,I immediately start to recognise some of the faces...