Chrome Roses

*Chapter 1* {Unedited}

    I held my breath and stared at the animal through the scope on my rifle. It was a male rabbit, just old enough to maybe have a few little baby rabbits waiting for him at home.  Dont think about that, I mentally scolded myself. Its either him or Abby. My brow furrowed at the mention of my twelve year old sister, and I pushed all doubts to the back of my mind, focusing on the scope once more.

    Bang.  It fell to the ground with a tiny squeak of alarm. After storing the rabbit in my sack, I moved on. On my way I came across a large deer. Meat like that could feed uss for the rest of our lives! well, maybe not exactly the reat of our lives, but pretty close to it. I started to aim, but I noticed an odd tension in the air. Brushing it off, I raised my gun once more, but something stoped me. There was a strange sense of foreboding in the air. Even the previously cheerful birds now played an ominous note. Maybe I should just go hunting tomorrow, this rabbit will last the night......

When i reached the house, it was eerily quiet. Too quiet for nothing to be amiss. My heart started to beat faster as i approached the door.

    I pressed myself against the wall, silently pulling out my rifle. I inched closer, praying that my sister and aunt were safe. Soft crying could be heard from inside. I sighed, putting the gun away and going inside. Abby looked up at me teary-eyed, then ran to me and hugged me, sobbing loudly into my shirt. "What's going on?"

    "Its Analisa....."She whispered. The morbid tone of her voice explained all too well what was going on. I felt as if my heart was breaking into a million pieces... again. I tore away from my sister and rushed to my aunts room. She was laying in her bed with her eyes closed, looking peaceful. 

      "Tia..... " My throat constricted and my eyes burned with unshed tears. she couldn't just be gone like that, she was the last person Abby and i had left. What were we going to do without- 

   "Manny?" Analisa whispered. I went to the side of her bed and held her frail hand. She had been getting sicker and sicker for weeks now, but the thought that this would be the last time i ever spoke to her was almost too much to handle. "Oh my sweet, sweet Manuelito. If only your parents could see what a man you've become... they would be so proud." A tear slipped down her cheek and she smiled sadly.

    I squeezed her hand. Suddenly her face turned serious. "Its not safe here for you anymore. You must leave! Take your sister and find Russet. She will keep you safe." She closed her eyes in pain and took a deep breath. "I dont have much time left, Abigail, come here sobrina" Abby stepped forward silently, tears running down her face.

    "Get my satchel from the shelf, hurry they are coming." When she turned away, Analisa turned to me. " Manuelito, guard this satchel as you would guard your sister. If it gets into the wrong hands, there will be hell to pay. And whatever you do, dont open it." "We wont let you down, Tia Analisa." Abby replied, hoisting the bag up onto her back. Analisa replied in a teary voice, "I love you guys.... Be safe." She closed her eyes and exhaled one last time. Then she was gone. 

   Abby fell to her knees beside the bed, sobbing. I went down with her and hugged her, feeling hot tears run down my face. I knew we should probably be leaving, but I couldn't bring myself to move. So we sat there brother and sister, having lost our loved ones for the second time in a row. At least one thing was constant, no matter what happened to us, we were always there for eachother. If there was no one else who would help me, i knew i could always count on Abby to be there in my time of need.

Our family moment was interrupted by the sound of glass breaking and heavy boots stomping through the house. my eyes widened and I mumbled a curse under my breath. Abby had already gotten up and started moving, quietly, toward the panic room. I grabbed the satchel and followed her. When we got  there and the door was secured, I started grabbing as much non perishable foods as i could comfortably carry in another bookbag.