zombie apocalypse | the fallen (book One) [REWRITING]

chapter 4

"Preston!" Emma shouts from the couch. "Sshh, remember the zombies are outside." "Oh,sorry." "Did you take your meds?" "Yeah." "Good." Preston smiles at her and stands back up. "Zoe?" "Yeah Em?" "Are you okay? You look sad." " I'm fine. You just rest okay?" You smile at her and go to your mom.

"What's wrong?" "Nothing" "zo." "Kryssie." "Im your mother you can tell me." "I'm your child and i don't want to." "Zoe every time you let something bother you it hurts you." "I'd rather have it hurt me than someone else." You tiredly roll your eyes and turn away walking back to the couch.

"What does your mom mean, Zoe?" "Hmm?" You look confused but you know exactly what Preston means. "Why do you carry things alone." "I don't want anyone else to bear the things I've seen and heard." "You shouldn't deal with things alone." "I've made it this far." 

After twenty minutes of silence your mom walks over and sits down. "I'm going out to get some things. We don't have much ammo or medical supplies. We need more weapons too." "You're not going alone." You and Preston say in sync. "Preston you have to take care of Emma. if anything happened to you, I don't know what i would do with her.  Zoe, I know it has been almost 2 years since you finally let go of everything. but I don't wanna risk you going while you're upset. You know how you get, especially if you're reminded of certain things."

You try to speak but you can't. You just give her this confused 'what the fuck' look. "Zoe?" "Y-yeah?" "If you're this worried then I won't go now. But I have to go sooner or later." "You're so worried about us but what about you? What if you get hurt?  "I won't. You taught me what I need to know. I've watched you and your father for years." She gives you a reassuring smile."but I guess it can wait for now. " you don't say anything and go up stairs.

"Preston?" "You're gonna go aren't you?"  "Yeah." "What do you think she's gonna say when she finds out? And she's right what if something does happen? she needs you." "I'll come back. I can't leave her alone." "Which is exactly why you shouldn't go. Just be careful, please."

"I will. But if something happens then I need you to look after her. I'm not saying take care of her forever, but until she's okay."  "I won't leave her no matter what. Just... Just come back, okay?"

"Thank you. It might be a couple days but if it's any longer than a Week then don't look for me. Find somewhere safe to go." Kryssie stands up and starts getting ready. Once it's 2:30am she checks on you and leaves. "Good luck." Preston says with a shaky voice. "Thanks." Kyrssie leaves and Preston goes to make sure you're still asleep.

The next day.

"Hola." "Hi."Preston says softly "HI ZOE!" Emma yells from the living room. "Hi Em." You smile at her. "8:36am. Me? I've never been awake this early, even for school." You start walking over to the fridge but then you freeze. "8:36... My mom should be awake by now." "Zoe." "Yeah?" "She left...while you were asleep." "What!?" "She said it'll be a couple days but if she isn't back after a Week then...." "And you just let her!?"

You walk towards the door but Preston grabs your arm. "You cannot go out there. We don't even know where she is right now but I'm sure she's okay. You just need to believe it." "Believe it. Right. Because if you believe then everything will be okay. That isn't how it works." "Zoe I know you're angry and upset but she's strong.  She even decided to bring her phone if she needed to contact you." "And what if something goes wrong? Phone stops working? Someone or something gets to her before she can come home? She's all I have left."

she will always be here, Zoe. She promised she wouldn't leave you alone." You start to feel tears rolling down your face slowly. Preston notices and walks closer to you and wipes your tears. "Don't cry. Everything will be okay I promise." He hugs you and you hug him back tightly. "Ooo Preston has a girlfrieeeeend." "Em, this is not the time for your jokes." "...sorry." She turns around on the couch and stares at the blank TV.