Surviving The Haze ☑️

Chapter One

"Maia! Maia, wake up!" Lucy urged, shaking my shoulders fiercely.

I sat up quickly, consciously grabbing the machine gun that laid next to me. "What? What is it? What happened?" I asked, fearing the worst as I met my sister's worried eyes.

She pouted. "We don't have anything for breakfast."

I face-palmed myself. "You got me all worked up just because you're hungry?"

She shrugged. "I need food."

I sighed and looked around the motel room I had picked out last night. It was pretty bad-looking. It had moth-eaten curtains, hole-filled cushioned chairs, and a dusty mattress. The window was covered in grime, and the bathroom was covered in mold.

It was sucky, but the Haze would never look for us here.

It had been six months since the Haze came. For two months, Lucy and I stayed hidden in the sewers underneath our hometown, San Angelo, but we had run out of food so we crawled to the surface. Ever since, Lucy and I traveled from place to place throughout Texas, hitting mostly small towns.

We are now in Marfa, and we're staying here for a few days until we need to move.

I slowly stood up and stretched. Rubbing my hands over my eyes, I looked down at my twin. Lucy was sitting cross-legged on the ground, gazing up at me with her wide brown eyes. I could see she was hungry, so I started to change into clothes I use for scavenging.

Lucy grabbed my hand as I reached to peel off my dirty shirt. "Am I going with you this time?" She asked.

As much as I liked keeping an eye on her, I couldn't bring her down to the streets with me. She could get killed by a Hazer, or be taken over by a Haze. I knew she would be safe up here because the Haze didn't think we would stay in such repulsive conditions.

I shook my head. "It'll be safer up here. I'll be back soon. While I'm gone, wash our dirty clothes. The bathtub should be good to wash them in."

She nodded sadly as she began picking up the dirty clothes. I quickly changed into my scavenger clothes and grabbed my machine gun, along with some ammo that I shoved in my pants. I picked up an empty trash bag to bring with me.

Before I left my sister, I walked to where she was piling the clothes. "Lulu?"

She glanced up at me. "Yeah, Mimi?"

I gently pulled her to her feet, placing my hands on her shoulders. I stared at her, taking her in before I left.

She had long brown hair the color of dark chocolate that ended at her waist and round light-chocolate colored eyes. She was a few inches shorter than me, and she had a straight figure like me.

Lucy was my twin, but she was also my best friend.

I smiled softly at her. "Lulu, I love you, and I will always protect you. You know that right?"

She nodded at me. "Yes, and I love you, too, Mimi."

I smiled wider. "Okay. So if I don't come back by the time the clothes dry, you need to go to the next town as fast as you can. Don't worry about me, okay? I'm leaving my shotgun here so you can have something to protect yourself with. Okay?"

Tears streamed down my sister's face as she nodded. "I'll do what you say."

I smiled sadly, tears bubbling up in my own eyes. I wrapped her in a right hug, holding her tight. She squeezed me back, crying into my shoulder. I petted her hair to comfort her.

I quickly pulled away, knowing if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to leave. "Bye, Lulu."

She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Bye, Mimi."

Then I was gone.

***

I raided a nearby Express Mart for food. Most of the shelves were empty, but there was a few things there I knew we could eat.

Almost a full shelf of canned ravioli sat near the back, so I stuffed them all into the sack. A few unopened bags of chips littered the shop's floor, so I quickly put them in the bag as well. A shelf was still filled with dry cereal, so I tossed them all in the bag, too.

Kool-Aid, Caprisuns, and bottled water lined a whole shelf, top to bottom. I hurriedly swiped them all into the bag. Knowing my sister hated regular water, I snatched a few packs of flavoring that sat next to the beverages. Luckily, all the drinks didn't need to be refrigerated, so that was a plus.

I quickly tied the bag up and slung it over my shoulder, brushing my ponytail out of the way. I began to walk out of the tiny store when I heard footsteps near the back of the store. I whipped around; my machine pointed in the direction of the shuffling feet. I dropped the bag so I could make sure I got a good shot. I hid behind one of the shelves as the footsteps got closer to me. I peeked around the corner, and I nearly screamed.

A Hazer was only a yard away from me.

I pulled back from the corner, trying to slow down my breathing. I couldn't believe it. There was one here.

I remembered what I told Lucy this morning, but I realized I couldn't leave her on her own. She isn't as smart and impulsive as me. She wouldn't make it to the next town, and it would all be for nothing.

I had to get back to her.

Without thinking twice, I held my machine gun tight in my hands and stepped around the corner. The Hazer immediately saw me, and its glowing blue eyes narrowed at me.

"We have found you. Di-Li-Sa will be pleased," the Hazer smiled menacingly.

Before it could make a move to me, I pointed the gun at it, said, "I ain't pleasing no one," and fired rapidly at the evil creature.

The bullets ripped through its chest, flinging her backwards. Blood spewed from its host's body as its head slammed in the ground; a cracking sound filling the store.

I released my finger from the trigger once it hit the floor, but kept it aimed at the body in case it hadn't died. I crept towards it, shaking slightly. As I stood over it, I nearly burst into tears.

It was a little girl. She looked around eight or nine, and her body was pale an tiny. The bullet holes in her chest soaked the yellow My Little Pony shirt she had been wearing red. I choked on a sob as her blonde curls wept red blood, knowing she had cracked her head when she fell.

I turned away, not being able to look at her much longer. Before I left, I squatted down, and I softy pet her hair.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," I whispered hoarsely, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I planted a kiss on her broken skull an stood. Quickly wiping the tears away, I walked back over to the bag I dropped and ran out of the store.

I knew I would have nightmares tonight.

********************************************

Hey, guys. Hope you enjoyed that chapter. I know it's slow rolling, but bear with me. I have a plan.

Well, all I have to say is give me some feedback. I'll take any criticism y'all give me, and I'll try to improve.

Thanks reading. See ya.