The End of All Things

Fearing the Future

Emma's pov

We're on the highway and somehow made our way to Idaho. Its pretty deserted except for an occasional walker. I turn on the radio to just hear static. I check all the channels, nothing. I just put in a cd to calm me down. Ever since this shit fest started my anxiety has been through the roof. Ryans been a big help though. I just wish this never happened.

"You okay?" Ry asks as ive been staring at the cd player for a good three minutes.

"Ya, ya im fine. Im just thinking." I say looking at him then strait ahead.

"What about?" He asks again taking my hand.

"About us. This world. What are we going to do Ry." I say almost tearing up.

"Em, we're going to be fine. Im not going to let anything happen to any of us." He explains tightening his grib on my hand.

"Where are we going?" I say changing the subject.

"You said we have to find a deserted area. I think we found it." He says driving on.

"Whats that?" I ask pointing ahead.

"It kind of looks like a farm?" He answers squinting ahead.

As we get closer it turns out to be a farm as Ryan thought. It looks empty except for some cattle kept close to the house. We drive closer and notice theres an electric fence around it.

We get out of the truck and the bus stops behind us.

"HELLO?" Ryan shouts toward the house.

Theres no reply for a couple minutes until a man probably in his seventies emerges from the house.

"What do you want?!" They ask from the house.

"We were passing by and we need a place to stay for the night! We have medical supplies and food if needed!" I shout back.

"How do I know you're telling the truth!" He yells.

Ryan runs to the bus and grabs some medical shit and food. "See! We're not lying sir! We just need a safe place to sleep!" He explains holding up the stuff.

"Alright! But only one night!" He yells coming to let us in.

"Thank you so much sir." I smile walking up to him as Ryan drives the truck in.

"Im Emma." I extend my hand and shake his hand.

"Nice to meet ya. Im Allen." His smiles warm and welcoming.

"Where y'all from?" He asks me as we watch the automobiles drive in.

"LA." I respond scanning the horizon for walkers.

"Damn. Y'all came a long way. How is it up there?" He asks now looking at me.

"Its... its scary honestly. Theres so many walkers." I explain shaking my head then look back to him.

"Well its safe here. The fence keeps the fuckers out." He chuckles.

The cars park and everyone gets out.

"Y'all hungrey? We're about to have dinner." He says pointing behind him.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say we're starving." I half smile rubbing the back of my neck.

"Come in come in." He directs us all to the dining room to meet his wife Jenny and his son, who looks around 19, John.

We eat really well. None of us have had a decent mean since before this shit started. Ry sits in the chair across from me. We end up playing footsie the entire dinner. Good to know some things never change.

After dinner Allen shows us where we'll be sleeping. Its a pretty big house, five bedrooms in total. He gives Ry and I our own room. Im guessing because we're technically the 'leaders' of the group. The others split the extra two rooms.

Everyone heads to bed including Ryan and I. I lay in bed closing my eyes as my head hits the pillow.

10. 20. 30 minutes go by and I cant sleep. I guess the thought of a walker breaking in and eating me kinda freaks me out.

I roll out of bed and sneak downstairs, trying not to make any loose boards creak.

I go out the front door closing it behind me. I sit on the porch steps scanning the outline of the forest around us. Its quiet. Peaceful for once. Theres not a walker in sight which is surprising.

Theres a cooling breeze that makes my blonde hair to flow slowly. I hug my knees and rest my chin on the top of my knee caps.

"What are you doing out here?" I turn my head to see Trick staring at me with his head slightly cocked.

"Couldn't sleep." I sigh replacing my head back to my knees.

He sits beside me also bringing his knees to his chest. We sit in silence for a little before he breaks it.

"Are you okay?" He asks looking at me.

"I don't even think I can answer that question anymore." I scoff shaking my head.

"Its okay to be scared. We all are.." He says dropping his voice at the end.

"Who isnt." I sigh taking out a cigarette.

"Really Em? I thought you quit?" He sounds disappointed.

"Cant think of a better time to start up again." I chuckle taking a drag.

"I love you sis." He says before kissing the side of my head.

"Night." I reply.

"Night." He sighs before heading back inside.

I finish the cigarette off before crushing it on the porch and let it fall between the crack.

I take a minute before going back to bed. I climb the stairs that creak under my weight.

When I get back into the bedroom, Ryan's still sound asleep. I curl up next to him and finally sleep comes.