As I stared through the stained, blood-coated window in the back seat of the car, I felt paralyzed with numbness. The snow-like fog had already managed to hover over and spread across the town like the endless clouds in the sky, only these clouds weren't so beautiful. Spewing sadness and making it almost impossible to see the road up ahead, my view within these walls was limited. But for once, I thanked the dismal fog, for the brutal bloodbath outside was a show I could never find enjoyment in. Humanity almost on the brink of extinction? Now that was a reality I'd have to get used to.
The tall, lush fields of grass that once neighbored the area, were now bathed in the presence of corpses and the sickening stench that enveloped them. It was absurd to think that the image of little children playing in these fields was once present, for it had been nothing but the eerie stillness surrounding the atmosphere they were once in for as long as I can remember.
And if you listened closely, you could hear them. The uninfected. Their painful cries filled the area, yet the only response that greeted them was the carnivorous beasts and their crooked smiles, ready to have their next feast along with infinite others following their trail.
"Hurry! There's too many, we can't hold 'em off much longer!"
The muffled yells I could hear out the window came from what was left of the remaining policemen, but they were only a reminder of what we were up against. The booming sound of their loud gunshots being fired was no match for the gruesome groans that veiled across every corner — I mean, a few puny old boys going against a swarm of the dead? Not the best outcome, rest assured. Instead of what was expected to be a decrease in number, the re-loading of ammo only managed to attract a bigger herd. But now that wasn't their problem anymore.
Getting out of the city was.
People were scurrying from place to place, panicking non-stop. Children sobbing, innocents suffering, yet here I was - utterly helpless, unable to do anything about it. Was I making the right choice? I didn't know anymore. All I knew was that I needed to get out of this place as fast as possible. There was nothing left for me here other than memories. The type of memories that you wish could be erased forever.
I took a deep breath.
This was it. This was my decision. I'm doing the right thing.
At least, that's what I'd try to tell myself. Looking through the screams and cries of the innocents, the city was dead. Its livelihood and vibrance, now a ghost of what it once was, no longer kept the city full of energy. With fog invading parts of the air, and the clouds just threatening to rain; that would be just one of the many reasons to be rushing out of here.
And from then on I realized, this wasn't my home.
At least, not anymore. And as much as I was going to miss it, I doubted that it would ever return to the place it once was. As we pressed through the last few blocks within the outskirts, the city slowly faded along the way, and I thought about what I was leaving behind.
"What're you thinking about?"
Dallas glanced at the rear-view mirror, eyeing me as he noticed that I had zoned out for a while. He's always been so caring, and it's no surprise he'd check on me. But the love he always so willingly gave was something I lost in myself a long time ago.
"Oh, don't worry about it. It's nothing," I said attempting not to worry him.
I knew it was just a harmless question, but right now wasn't the time to start up a conversation which would in the end; get us nowhere.
"Doesn't seem like nothing," he scoffed.
I shook my head.
"It doesn't matter anyway."
He rolled his eyes. "C'mon, Val. You've got to be better than that."
And believe me, it was true. He was the only person who knew me more than I knew myself. And as much as I didn't want to admit it, keeping secrets from him was impossible.
I shut my eyes closed and took a deep breath once again.
"Is this what everything comes down to?" I asked, resting my head on the window.
There was a pause of silence that filled the room, followed by Dallas letting out a heavy sigh. He knew exactly what I meant, and knew the exact answer to it. That's what scared him, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't share the same feelings.
"Honestly, I don't know anymore," he said in a calm, but stern tone.
"I highly doubt things would ever go back to normal.."
Looking at it now, trying to understand his feelings wasn't so difficult. I was aware that in this state, everyone was facing their own wars. Dealing with the losses of family, friends, and loved ones. But I couldn't help but feel for Dallas. And I know I shouldn't - he's said it before. He doesn't want my pity. He doesn't need it.
But still, losing your mother is already hard as it is on its own, and with your father hating every inch of your existence too, you can tell he's had it more than just rough. Being the only person he has, I've never left his side since. And I plan to keep it that way.
I stared out the window once again. Somewhere in the back of my mind somehow, there was still a glimpse of hope - that one day, things would go back to normal. That one day, I'd wake up to the realization that this was all some sick-twisted dream.
Well, that hope no longer existed.
I had to learn and accept that things would never go back to how they used to be. After having lived in a world where every city was nothing but worn-down buildings and debris, I'd say that I've already gotten used to the depressing aura across every street. I wasn't that naive. I knew the difference between fantasies and reality. And this; this was my reality.
I sighed and took a look through the rear windshield. Numbers of the infected were trailing behind us - each one more grotesque than the other. I watched as the last structures within the city became one with nothingness, and how slowly they disappeared further into the mist. And for a second, I closed my eyes. I tried to remember what this now deranged city once was. The beautiful, and peaceful city it once was. A place that once stood so proud was now no longer protecting the people within its wall, but leaving behind antiquity for those who entered it.
Only to open my eyes and realize that before me was nothing more but a dying home trying to cling to life, while a part of me slowly died with it. The sun still tried its best to illuminate its bright beams, but even then I knew the sun would give up eventually. Who would want to live in a broken world?
Driving away from the wreckage, the only thing following me was the silent voices inside my head, while I sat there drifting off the edge of insanity.
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hi there fellas :))
suggest ways i could improve 💕
update: tuesday, 18th may 2021
so i actually wrote this story a longass time ago so sorry if it's bad LOL but i might edit it a bit and publish it again. i actually wrote a part 2 (sort of) for this but that one was just way too cringe so she's staying in the drafts for now. anyways hope u enjoyed reading! <3
