Protect You - z.m.

Ⅱ

2016

Food seemed like and extinct species. Well, junk food and your regular eat-after-school snack. I haven't seen a Cheetos bag for months, so when I saw a filled, untouched one, I went all fangirl I guess. I haven't fangirled since my favorite band's song hit top charts. How oblivious I was to the following events.

I moaned in great pleasure, stuffing a handful of cheesy Cheetos in my dry mouth. Save some for later, I try to tell myself. I guess I've always been known to have no sense of control. Before I know it, I'm sucking my cheesy covered hands and hoping for more. If I found one there should be more. Scavenging the shelves of the almost empty gas station, I come out with a handful of granola bars and a triumphant smile. Before leaving the station, I left one lone granola bar in the counter with a note, "BE SAFE AND GOOD LUCK" I figured someone would need it.

Checking my surrounding, I sat cautiously on the sidewalk and zipped open my bag. Knowing the need to travel light, there is only a big Gatorade bottle filled up with water, left over apple - which surprisingly didn't rot -, and the thick and heavy photo album. Stuffing the granola bars to the very bottom, I opened the heavy album. I know the traveling light thing is not working that well, but I'd endure the extra weight for the memories of my friends and family. Countless hours of being bored, I relived the memories of the photos that I remembered thoroughly.

The first page pictures of my small family - Papa, Mama, Jon, Adam, and our dog Snarl. It was the hottest day of 8th grade summer and Mama insisted on taking the picture. Beads of sweat rolled down my slightly tanned forehead as I smiled widely at the camera. Snarl was seated on five year old Adam, his tongue sticking out in a twisted smile. Jon who was a year older than me, had a arm swung over Mama and Papa, a lazy smirk tugging his lips. Then finally there was small, awkward me, sitting on the porch. It was weird how this picture seemed to be taken a century ago.

A soft moaning was heard behind me as I immediately packed up and headed for the road. Killing the monster would only alert the attention of the other nasty creatures littered around. If I looked back, it would only slow my fast pace down. I guess from all this f.ucking madness I learn one thing, you can't look back or it will catch up and screw you over. The only thing is to keep looking forward.

✘ Zayn Malik

The burning Texas sun scorched my back, as we trudged on through the abandon freeway. Shrugging off my black jacket, I placed it over my head as to attempt to block the blistering sun. Harry scowled beside me, running a hand through his sweaty brown curls. He was currently shirtless to try to relieve the pain of the burning sun.

"I can't take this Zayn," Harry panted, stopping abruptly. "We need f.ucking water."

I stopped, crouching down to give my tired long legs a break. "No sh.it Sherlock. If we're lucky, we might hit a gas station up a few miles."

"Yeah, keywords if and miles." Harry grumbled, setting down his heavy pack full of food. Pounds of food, but unfortunately no water. "Let's take break, huh?"

I scanned the area around us before nodding. None of the zombies were around, leaving the freeway abandon. Unloading the food from my pack, I handed Harry a bag of chips and fed myself the same. I winces at every crack the chip made as I sunk my teeth into the greasy texture. It wasn't as loud as our talking before, but the sound made me cringe. Flashes of Anna come to me, the world fading to the scenes of her screaming.

"Anna!" I screamed, as the zombies sink their rotten teeth into her pale skin. Blood ran down her simple white blouse and onto her wripped jeans.

"Zayn!" She sobs, as I take a knife and quickly stab the zombie watermelon-like head.

"Zayn, dude." Harry shook me as I came out of the horrifying scene. "You okay? You.. uh.. Kinda zoned out for a second."

I'm fine, just relived the death of my girlfriend. Her face stills haunts me even though the incident happened months ago. "I'm fine."

"You absolutely sure?" Harry asked, starting zip up his pack. I glared at him.

"Yes." I tried to put as much venom in the single word. Harry lifted his hands in mock surrender before laughing. Pretty soon, I was chuckling with my backpack zipped up and ready to go.

Our laughter ceased when a mixture of a grunt and a moan sounded behind us. Knowing very well it was a zombie, I instinctively wrapped my hand around the pocket knife I placed in my jean pocket. Sure enough, it was a zombie. Her clothes seemed torn from; strips of vintage clothing in strips hanging loosely. She was a grandmother most likely - the thought of a zombie sinking its teeth into her frail skin made me clench my fist in anger and disgust.

"Man, it isn't worth it. She's slow as a turtle and her left leg is missing - well most of it." Surprised my eyes traveled to her obvious eaten leg. The zombie walked at an utterly slow pace and stumbled every few seconds.

"You're right man, let's go." I scoffed, as we traveled down the empty highway for any sign of hope.

//\\

AUTHOR'S NOTE

hey guys, I hope this was pretty long. atleast longer than the last chapter. I want to try to post frequently along with long chapters. idk that might not last long.

ew I got the worst haircut ever. i literally go in there for a trim and the lady cuts my hair 4 inches ☹.

btw this story isn't gonna have instant love cause that annoys me so much. :/ anyways, vote, comment, and follow!