Run. Fight. Survive.

Chapter 7

The dreams came back. About each of my family member dying. I would wake up to make sure they were okay but then I start realizing it all happened. Then one day they just stopped. I thought I conquered them. I wouldn't wake up looking for my family. Right when I woke up I would already knew they are gone. It was a relief that I stopped dreaming those bad memories. I think after a while I stopped being scared. It started to feel like I was watching a horror movie. Like I've watched it a hundred times and I already know what happens next. Each night until I stopped having nightmares I always had the same order of events.

First was my mom getting eaten before my eyes by a group of zombies. Each and everyone one of them tearing her apart. Piece by piece. Limb by limb. The shrilling scream coming from my mom telling us to run. I, standing there, sobbing and my dad and brother trying to drag me away. Then the screams just stop.

Next is my dad. We were hunting for food then we hear my dad scream. My brother and I turn and look. There was a zombie biting his shoulder. We see my dad turn him self around and stab it in the head. We both run to him as he is about to fall. We drag my dad as carefully as we can to our camp. We lay him down on his sleeping bag in the tent. I remember our last conversation with him.

My dad first wanted to talk to me," Skylar. I want you to stay strong. I don't want you to fight with Luke. He is all you have left. You will need each other more then ever. And-"

"Daddy please don't go. We need you," I say with tears coming down my eyes.

"Baby I don't want to. Look me in the eye," I do as I'm told and he continues. "I want you to be strong. Don't cry. Luke is the muscle and you are the brains. You try to keep him from doing something stupid. You will always chose him before anyone else. Use all of the hunting tips I have given you. I love you so much. Your mother would be proud of you. Go get your brother."

I walk away getting one last glimpse of him. I walk over to get my brother and tell him to go talk to dad. I watch him walk into the tent and zipping up the door. I'm not close enough to hear what they are talking about but I'm sure it's the same thing. I walk away to get some water and hear a gun shot. I fall to my knees and start bawling.

Last is my older brother Luke. We found a local store in some town and got supplies. I was getting some food and look over at Luke. He found a storage closet and went inside. He screamed and I heard a loud crunch. He walking out with a big bite on his forearm. I look at him and start to cry. We walk back to our camp with thoughts about being alone.

He lays down and starts to get a fever like every person who gets bitten. We talk about random things ignoring what is really happening. He is the first one to break our conversation.

"Skylar we really need to talk about what is happening right now."

"I know. I can't handle the fact that I'm going to be all alone. First mom, then dad, and now you. I started to think that everybody I love is going to stop dying and that me and you were going to grow old together."

"I had that thought too. Skylar you will never be alone. Mom, dad, and I will always be with you. Skylar you are strong, you know how to hunt, and kill zombies. You are smart. Smarter then I was. You can think through problems and figure them out. You are going to find other humans and live with them. Run. Fight. Survive. Do you promise?"

"Yes."

"I want you to do me one last favor," he says while pulling out dads gun. I start to shake my head and cry even more.

"No, no, no I can't."

"Please Skylar. I'm suffering. I don't want to end up like one of those things. I don't want to turn into a zombie and kill you. Please."

"Okay, okay," I say while I take the gun from his hand. My hand starts to shake at the touch the cool metal of the gun. The gun that is going to end Luke's suffering. I point the gun towards his head. He looks in me in the eye and says," I love you. Stay alive."

I stare at him trying to get one last look. I try to get the courage to pull the trigger but can't. Once he sees that I can't do it he says," It's okay to look away."

I nod and turn away from him while closing my eyes still pointing the gun at him. I start crying uncontrollably and pull the trigger.

I wake up with sweat soaking me. I look around for my family making sure they are okay. Then it hit me. It was real. It all happened. I'm still alone.