The Road Between Us

The Bunker

Three weeks ago a virus swept the nation.
It happened so fast they didn't even come up with a name for the virus.
The virus spreads through contact with an infected person.
No one knows what caused the host family to be infected but after the family in Washington got sick and touched others it spread like wildfire.
Quarantine camps were set up everywhere to try to contain the virus.
Schools were closed and shops hadn't opened for days.
Within weeks millions  was dead.
Including our parents.
Leaving only the ones who had not come in contact with it left alive.
My mom was a nurse so the virus killed her before many people knew about it.
My dad we assumed was going to be fine  like me and my little brother but he died too, 4 days after my mom.
There are rumors that some people can be immune to the virus.
Once you get sick there is no getting better.
First, you start sweating.
Then, you vomit blood.
Then you pass away.
Within 48 hours your dead.
Life as we know it is gone.
And I promised my dad I would keep my brother safe.

~~~~~~~
We ran out of food three days ago but I've been waiting to leave. I don't want to leave my home, this is where i grew up, but we will starve if we don't. My dad told me 40 miles from here there is bunker stocked with food.
No one knew the virus was coming so no one could have gotten to their bunkers in time. Today is the day we head for it.

I throw my bag over my shoulder and turn to find Carter sitting on the stairs clutching his stuffed bear mom gave him before she died.
He promised her he would keep it safe.

So many promises..

"Carter you can bring Mr. Snuggles but if you lose him we're not going back for it." I crouch down to his height.

He nods and stands up showing me he's ready to go.

Carter hasn't  talked since our mom died.

I close the front door one last time and head out down the street, map in hand.

It's 40 miles...can't be that hard....right?

The street is crowded with bodies and abandoned cars.

Carter covers his eyes most of the walk.

If we could get a car to work it would make this trip much quicker, but i didn't pay close enough attention when dad tried to teach me how to hot wire a car.

Bicycles would be great to...but no one rode much in the city.

So for now walking will have to do.

We passed by my old school.
I didn't bother looking in, i didn't want to see people i know dead.
~~~~~~

7 miles later

Carter began whining long ago so i ended up carrying him for 2 miles.

It's a good things he's small for a 7 year old.

"We're going to be fine okay..."

Carter nods softly

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you....i promise."

Carter looks out into the sky as the sun is beginning to set.

All my life mom and dad have taken care of us.

How am i supposed to know what to do all on my own.

As night time began approaching i realized i had forgotten to bring one of my dad guns.

Now we are out here in the dark with no way to protect ourselves.