~Along the Road~

Chapter 1: Far From Home

Chapter One

You know what I miss the most? Going to the movies. I loved going with my dad. He was always so fun to hang out with. We'd make fun of those classic drama movies and always go see the horror ones. Man, I miss those days.

My names Matt. I'm fifteen years old. I don't remember how long ago it was, when it all started. I could only remember my parent's deaths and the old camp that we were in. After they died there, I had to run away. I mean, the only people I trusted there were them. I was afraid. You don't get to be afraid in this world because it only gets you, or the ones you love, killed.

I've been away from that camp for at least 2 months, maybe more. I'm a lone survivor, scavenging what I can eat, moving from location to location. I have recently found a place, just an old little house. It's pretty shitty actually. It's basically my base. Where I keep everything. At least it's something.

I've been thinking recently. About how many of us, the living ones of course, were still left? Should I try to go back there? To my old camp? Those people were just so obnoxious. Taking my food. Using my stuff. I guess I'm better off here, alone, for now at least.

Crap. Thinking time was over. I heard banging on the door, and I couldn't tell if it was the Dead ones or one like me. Who was I fooling of course it's the Dead ones. Why would anyone else have had a reason to find me? I got up off the cozy bed I happened to be sitting on, grabbed my bow and quiver, and went out the back.

I couldn't tell how many of them, at least five, maybe six. So much for my 'base'. Sucks for them cause I had at least a dozen arrows on me. I saw them at the edge of my vision, banging on the window. I sighed. I stepped back about six or seven feet behind them, and quickly pulled an arrow back into my bow, aiming very cautiously. I let the arrow fly, and gave a satisfied "Bam" as the weapon plunges into the back of a dead one's head.

I felt victorious at the success of my shot. Unfortunately, there were still the five others who were approaching somewhat quickly. Luckily, I was prepared for a few short range attacks. I sharpened the ends of my bow this morning, figuring that it would come in handy. As usual, my instincts helped me. I whacked the one nearest to me in the face with my bow, pushing it to the ground. I slammed my foot down on its head, and killed it without a second thought. Two down and four to go. Somehow, my task didn't seem any easier. I stabbed another with the top end of my bow, killing it instantly. I stabbed two more, killing them. One more. I walk behind it. I placed the bow string in its mouth. I put my foot on its back and pulled the handle of the bow as hard as I physically could. Breaking the top half of its head right off, I laughed. The adrenaline was finally surging through me, and I felt pure, raw power.

The corpses were piled below me, and I began to feel like a bit of a hero. There were no real heroes in this world, and I needed to realize that before I plunged in headfirst. So many legends had died from developing an ego. One lucky run wasn't anything to brag about. I was just trying to survive. With a sigh, I broke my confident stance, and began to slip back into a less distorted reality.

I slowly walked back to the entrance of my base. I announced to myself almost too brightly, "I think I'll like it here." and walked inside, not glancing back to the outside world.

END OF CHAPTER ONE