Don't Be Afraid

Chapter 20

Issac's POV

The sun is rising fast making sweat pour from my body. I have to wipe the back of my hand across my forehead every five seconds it seems, and my stomach begs for food. I've been walking for at least four hours and so far I've been guessing where to go. There's a million paths that fork off. "Keep walking... keep walking... keep walking," I say over and over again. "Don't give up on me now legs. Please don't."

I reach yet another fork in the road and stop walking. My legs feel like jello and my chest is on fire. I take a look around and my eyes stop on footprints in the mud. Human footprints.

I crouch down beside them and study them more carefully. They're fresh and the way this person walked doesn't seem to be....dead, rotted, or unstable. It looks like they had a pep in their step. Plus the footprints aren't deep which means this person was light on their feet and fast. No zombie walks like that. Not even a fresh one.

I collect my thoughts and take one last look back. The sun is shining through the leaves in a cascade of light. With a heavy sigh I start walking along the trail, never losing sight of the footprints. I've finally found some hope in this dark situation.

Linda's POV

I look at the two girls standing in front of me. Cleo's eyes are dark and expressionless. The fifteen year old girl steps toward me, pauses, then takes another step.

"I'll do it." Her voice cracks and her eyes are shining, wet with left over tears.

Cleo steps forward. "No I'll do it. It was my plan anyway-"

"No!" I stare at the girl and she stares back, but with more intensity. "I'm doing it. If the plan fails, which it most likely will, I want you guys to get out."

Cleo protests. "No let me-"

"No. I have nothing left to live for. Those men....they....they took everything away from me. My sisters are gone. One was only eight. They threw her into a hoard of those things and.....and stood there laughing. I tried..," she laughs. Not a happy or fake one. More like a laugh you hear in the crazy house. She stops laughing and continues. "I tried to help her, but they held me back. They made me watch her get ripped into bits. Her screams haunt me to this day. " A tear falls from her eye, but she stays calm. "Please let my last act be something worth dying for. Please."

I swallow the lump in my throat. "What happened to your other sister?"
She's staring at the ground. Her eyes are glazed over with new tears. "I don't know...she just disappeared. I'm pretty sure she was stabbed. She probably bled out somewhere."

Cleo takes a step toward her, her arms held out in a calming manor. "I'll do this-"

"Please!" She's hugging herself tightly and shaking.

It takes everything in me to talk. "Fine." I point at Cleo's boot. She bends down and retrieves the glass, handing it to the girl.

After a few minutes of unbearable silence, I speak up. "If you're willing to die for us...at least tell me your name. I want to remember my hero." I give her a small smile.

She some-what returns it. "M..Megan."

I let out a shaky breath and extend my hand. "Well Megan, I'm Linda. It's nice to meet you." She smiles more and takes my hand, shaking it for a second and then letting go. The room is getting darker so I nod toward Cleo. "Well, It's time to get into position."

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A/N

Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long! But remember (if any of you care to read these) I have a life outside of wattpad too. Anyways lol, don't forget to vote I love you all! Bye :)