Beginning of the End

XXXVIII

It's been a few weeks since Alek proposed, and it's as if everything was perfect and how I had always imagined it would be. Minus rotting flesh all the time. But, everything was slowly getting to normal. Tyler was up and walking around, arm in a sling. He was learning how to hold the gun and shoot with his left hand. Aysa avoided Alek and I, always going on his late night walks, which didn't bother me, as he always made it back safely. Alek helped my dad and stepmom out a lot. Which is what he was doing today in the cafeteria, as I played with my little sister, Gabbi, and Lamar, we just ran around the Community, playing tag.

    "You're it!" Lamar yelled as he poked her back, then quickly turning to run.

    "Nope! Issy is it!" She yelled as she ran after me.

    "Oh no!" I said as I fake tripped, allowing her to tag me.

    "Babe!" I heard Alek call for me.

    "Let's go see what's going on." I smiled as I picked her up, walking towards the cafeteria with Lamar right behind us.

    "There you guys are," Alek smiled as we turned the corner, "Dinner's almost ready." He kissed my cheek, the Gabbi's forehead. My dad and Jenni stepped out, with a cigarette each. I set Gabbi down and then looked at my dad.

    "So, what's for dinner?"

    "Deer pot roast." He said, lighting his cigarette.

    "That sounds good as fuck." Lamar sighed.

    "Alek seasoned the deer. So, maybe not so much." Jenni chuckled.

    "Hey!" He said, defensively.

    "You know I'm kidding, you did great." Jenni patted him on the back. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me.

    "How has your day been?" He asked, pushing a strand of my hair behind my ear.

    "It was good. Just old fun and games." I smiled, kissing him.

    "Enough with this gross bullshit, go get everyone for dinner." My dad said, groaning, then turning back into the cafeteria. Gabbi and Jenni also walked into the cafeteria.

    "Lamar and I are gonna go round everyone up, so go get plates and shit ready." I smiled, kissing Alek on the cheek.

    "Alright, babe. See you soon." He waved as he turned into the cafeteria.

    "Man," Lamar chuckled, "Who the hell ever would've thought?" I turned to him.

    "Thought what?" I asked, confused.

    "That the apocalypse would be this okay? Like, sure, Tyler lost an arm. But, honestly, it affected us more than it did him. He's so carefree. As if nothing ever fucking happened." Lamar smiled and just shook his head.

    "Well, it comes with its downsides," I turned to him, "You know that. Elyas knows that."

    "Yeah... You're right..." He sighed, "But, it's everyone around that has made it easier." He smiled, patted me on the back, then went to knock on everyone's door. I turned and walked towards my house. As I approached, I see Aysa walking up to the fence. I walked over, helping him open it.

    "Hey." I said, smiling slightly.

    "Hi." He replied, blankly, walking right past me.

    "Aysa, stop." I called out after him, causing him to turn to me.

    "What?" He asked.

    "How was your walk?" I asked, clearing the tension. He smiled softly.

    "It was good. Hopefully it all pays off." He nodded and turned away, walking towards the cafeteria. I followed shortly after, stopping by my house to pick up my trusty sledgehammer.

    "I didn't forget about you." I whispered as I picked him up.

We all finished eating, and we all just sat and talked for what felt like hours, when suddenly I heard a gunshot. I heard yelps and gasps all throughout the cafeteria. I stood up slowly, reaching for Edge at my side. Lamar, Alek, Khalil, Nick, Aysa, and Cymon were on their feet too, guns drawn, ready to walk out. I looked at them and nodded. I turned to my dad and Jed.

    "Keep everyone in here, please." I pleaded. They both nodded. We all walked out, towards the Front Gate. There stood... My stepdad and his people.