Tommy's First Friend | Z Nation

Chapter 1: The End of the World

"What a dork." I sniggered as a boy my age ran head first into a tree. Though being chased by the undead could sometimes do that to you. Taking pity on him, I raised my revolver and shot the two figures but they still kept advancing on the kid. "Hey! Hey! you idiots!" I yelled and in a rush of panic, grabbed a rock and chucked it at one of them. "That kid's too skinny for you. Come at me!"

The undead park ranger turned and began limping towards me, but the other one kept walking to the unconscious boy and it was getting too close for comfort. "Kid! Hey kid! Wake up, kid!"

I was starting to get really scared because no matter how much I kept shooting at the undead, it kept coming.

One clear shot to the head and it fell. Finally.

Not wasting any time, I was quick to dispatch the other one after I heard the kid scream. Guess he woke up. I ran up to him and he was hyperventilating. I grabbed ahold of him and tried to pull him up. "Come one, we've got to go." The kid was frozen stiff, making it impossible to move him.

The kid's grey eyes were wide in fright and I suddenly felt guilty. "Okay, look at me. You're all right and it's going to be fine. Just take deep breaths. In. Out. Good boy, one more time."

The kid's breathing evened out and he gave me a lopsided smile. "Thanks, " he whispered. "What was that?"

"Beats me, but we really need to go." And right on cue, I heard grunts from behind.  There were five more of those things trudging toward us. "Tommy!" A gruff voice shouted.

The kid immediately grabbed my hand and we both ran towards the man, who shot all five of those monsters with ease.

"Pa!" Tommy was pulled into a tight hug and I felt a pang in my chest at the sight of both of them. They reminded me that I would never be able to experience something like that again. I felt someone grab my shoulder and I looked up from my musings to see both father and son with perplexed looks on their faces. I gave them a sheepish grin in return.

"I told pa what happened and I wanted to know your name," Tommy whispered with a shy smile. I had to crane my neck forward to hear him. "Also, thanks for saving me."

"My name's Lyn and you're welcome." I turned my head to the older man, "and you mister, you were really cool back there. The way you shot those things, super badass. Your rifle looks really badass too. An M4A1 right? Where'd you get it?" I questioned and he let out a hearty laugh, ruffling my hair.

"Never seen a girl get so happy about guns before. Shouldn't a cute lass like you be interested in dolls and dresses?" I rolled my eyes at his comment and gave him a smirk. "Sure, next time I'd make sure to save your son by throwing dolls at them and choking them with the frills on my dress."

Tommy sniggered and his dad just gave me an eye-smile.

"Very true and by the way, thanks for saving my kid, Lyn. The name's Jeffrey and this kid here," his hand landed on his son's head, "is Thomas, Tommy for short. Now, how about we all go before more of those things show up again."

Tommy and I both nodded and we all walked a few meters ahead, spotting a jeep stuffed with boxes at the back. I noticed Tommy kept glancing at me and I couldn't help but smile. "Is there something on my face?"

He ducked his head down, his ears turning a light shade of pink. Daw, the kid's shy, how cute.

"Is there someone looking for you? Or are you, you know, looking for someone?" Tommy asked and I shook my head, looking at the dried yellow-orange leaves scattered on the ground. No, I had no one to look for because everyone I loved turned into those things. They're all dead.