Destiny of the Dead

Chapter 1 Ghost Town

We were walking through the dry forest, weapons in our hands, looking out for any Walkers. There's five of us my father, my little brother Max, our neighbors Liam and Kim, and then there's me Destiny. Our clothes were dirty and ragged. I bet people would say we looked liked looked like zombies, how ironic. We were searching for supplies. We are all injured and sick, not just physically but also mentally. We were torn apart shattered and broken. People we used to love now have transformed into science experiments gone wrong.
Just like Mom....It happened when my brother was playing outside in the sandbox making little sand castles. I was sitting at the kitchen table. When a piercing scream was heard from outside. I saw mom bolt outside with a bat. I ran to the window and looked out to see my brother was on the ground as my mother was guarding him while hitting an alive rotting corpse with a baseball bat. I was devastated as the creature bit into her neck. Her dark red blood spraying everywhere. My brother dashed into the house hollering for dad. My father was already aware as he bursted through the front door with a 12 gauge in his hands. He froze as he saw his wife with bloodshot eyes and her entrails hanging out of her. He remained frozen. She was stumbling toward him covered in blood and growling. He STILL wouldn't budge. I'm not just going to stand there watch another one my family members die.  So I took action and snatched the gun out of his palms.
I aimed toward her bloodied head and fired. I slammed the door closed before the other zombie could get in and then broke down from shock. My mother is dead... I killed her...What the hell is happening? WHAT was that thing? Why did it do that, Where did it go. I cried out in confusion and frustration. I wrapped my hands over my head and curled into a fetal position. Tears running down my face.
    I was snapped out of my thoughts as Liam says.
"Look a town! " he said it like he was searching for water in a desert.
" Everyone get ready."  my father said boldly.
    Everyone got their weapons out. As we cautiously walked into the worn down and broken village. It was a small town the building and houses were covered in vines and trash. The dead were hiding in the dark. A couple of zombies sensed our presence and started to crawl toward us. Max hid behind me as Liam had a Bat and smashed the heads of some of the decaying monsters. I whipped out my slingshot and shot some crawlers. Liam and Kim broke into what looked to be an abandoned gas station. My dad searched a two story house with Max. I searched a rotting old camper with rays of light shining through the windows and holes from decay.  I heard a low growl coming from the back of the shack yet it didn't sound like a living corpse it sounded... dog-like.
I carefully neared to the source of the sound. I was right! It was a dog it was a german shepherd. Who in hell would leave this poor dog behind? The poor thing was shivering and snarling in terror huddled in small closet. It looked like it hasn't eaten in months. I gingerly reached my hand out. he took that as a threat and he lunged toward my arm piercing my skin. I flinched and held back a scream. He let go of my arm and blood dripped to the ground. I got over the pounding pain in my arm and remembered the venison jerky in my back pocket of my ripped jeans. I took a piece out and offered it to the dog, His ears popped up.
He licked his dog lips eyeing the treat. I placed a piece on the ground about a foot in front of him. He slowly stumbled toward the snack. He grabbed it with his mouth he chewed it up and swallowed it.

    " Good boy...that's right come on out, I won't hurt you..." I coaxed.

He looked into my eyes. I smiled and gave him more. He gladly wolfed them down. I then reached my hand and gently petted him.
He wagged his tail and panted happily leaning into my touch.

    "Hehe, Come on let's get outta here."
He stayed standing I turned around and sighed. I took out another treat and that lured him out.
He finally accepted and left the camper. I remembered the bite mark he gave me I decided to look for something to wrap it up in. I went to see Liam and Kim at the gas station.

    "Hey Destiny! Whoa you found a dog ?" Kim said.
" Yup!"I responded.
" What's its name? Kim questions.
"Uhh.. hmm.. How about Jake?" I answer.
"Whoa! Where did you get that wound on your arm?." Kim said.
" Oh um when I found Jake he was very afraid and alarmed and when I tried to touch him he bit me. But only because he thought I was going to hurt him! It wasn't really his fault
I should have been more careful." I explained.
    " Oh, okay... man he did that? Wow I bet he could take down a zombie with a bite like that..."Kim said quite amazed.
    "Honey!" Liam said.
    " What?" Kim said.
    " Her arm?" Liam inquiries.
    " Oh! Sorry, um here." She apologized and handed me a first-aid kit.
    "Thanks." I thanked him.
    I took out the bandages and wrapped my arm like it was a present. Jake lowered his head like if he was saying sorry. I brought my hand to his head and patted his tan and black fur.
    "It's alright buddy." I reassured him.
    "Come on guys! The sun's going down it's time to go to bed!" My dad called out from the old house. We all ran to the house and closed the door I shoved the dresser in front of the door
As a barricade just in case. The windows were all boarded up and blankets draped over the wooden planks, Probably to avoid any suspicion from the dead. We all sat down in the candle lit, living room. My dad held Max in his arms. I remember when I was that small I was the little brave 9-year old; climbing trees and doing balancing acts. Whenever a kid would push me in school I would push them back returning the favour. I would always be the leader pulling the group through the dark with my burning bright candle. I was the hope, I was the alpha, I was the hero. But ten years later i'm not so sure anymore. I now stumble and fall, I'm  the victim, the one that needs the saving. The brave person I used to be is now gone and dead. 
    "Alright everyone here's dinner." Kim says as she gives everyone something that would look like it would belong in a bag of trail mix. Now I'm not complaining I actually really like trail mix but It's not really made for dinner but i'll take whatever I can get my hands on. Jake nudged my leg eyeing my food.
    "Oh are you hungry?"I asked Jake he looked at me licking his snout.
    "I take that as a yes." I said as took all the Jerky out of my pocket and placed them in front of Jake. He wagged his tail happily and licked my face before gobbling it all down.
I smiled and petted him.

    I sat down on the couch and took out my dagger and a small piece of wood. Wondering what I should carve it into I thought about Jake and the wild look In his eyes. What's as wild and free as him? Then it hit me wolves are wild, free and strong. I start to carve the head very carefully and skillfully. You see back when I was in highschool I always liked the classes where I could put my creativity into use, and make something really great. I was the star of carpentry. Transforming ordinary wood into masterpieces. Back then I would build tree houses, with the small amount of friends I had and we would stay above and away from the rest. Watching the whole world below us. Reading scary stories and sleeping in the comfort of nature. Some called me the "tree hugger" because I always liked to climb the trees and hunt wild animals during hunting season. Those were the good ole days.
    I eventually finished Jake's, howling wood wolf charm. I brush off the wood shaving and took some string I had found. I made sure It would perfectly fit around Jake's neck. I pulled the string through the ring popping out of the craft. I tied the string and slipped it on Jake's neck. He glanced at me. It almost looked like he smiled at me. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. I layed on the couch and stared at ceiling. Most candles had burnt out except the one next to me. I thought about it how bright it burned it lit up the night until peril hits and Its hope burns out. I took out its flame and the room accepted the darkness of the night. I sighed and rolled to my side attempting to drift off. But the feeling of lonesome hits me like an upset bull.
Even though I know i'm not alone I still feel by myself. I dread being alone, No one to hear your screams of terror, no one to hold your hand, Nothing to comfort you. I begin to vibrate indicating a panic attack is about to control my mind. I clutch my chest. Internally begging the anxiety to go away and leave me alone. I feel a  hand tap my cheek. I jump at the surprise of a presence.
Its Max.
    "Max why are you still awake?" I whisper to my brother trying to hide my fear.
    "I'm scared can I sleep with you? Please..." He quiety asked me.
    " Uh um sure..." I answer me and my sibling has never really been that close before so I found it a bit strange that he would want to sleep with me. I shifted onto my back and he crawled onto my chest.
    "Destiny?' Max said my name.
    " hmm?"
    " I'm sorry..." he apologised.
    "...What are you talking about? I whispered.
    " About mom..." he said sadly. The area fell silent.
" I Always feel guilty about it, she risked herself to save me and now she's... " he starts to tear up. I sighed. I understood how he felt but I didn't want to admit it. I don't really like talking about my feelings or even hearing about other people's feelings. It always felt way too awkward. I secretly wanted him to go away but I force myself to hold him and comfort his sobbing form. I let my eyelids slide closed . before I drifted off I said.
    " I love you Max."