I'm a Survivor: A Carol Peleteir Story

Chapter Two "The Out Break"

"Hi." I smiled shyly as me and Sophia walked up to the person behind the counter- a young man- possibly in his late teens- with his brown eyes staring at my bruises.
I looked down at the flavors, and held onto Sophia's hand.
"What'd you like sweetie?"
"Chocolate!"
"A chocolate cone for her," I smiled. "I'll have a peppermint shake." He awkwardly nodded, and made our order.
"6.78..." He said, and shyly took the money and handed me my shake and gave Sophia her ice cream.
"Why was he being so mean for mom?"
"Because, of Daddy..." I looked down at my green mint milkshake.
"Well," Sophia took a big kick of her ice cream cone. "I don't think he's very nice."
I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Me neither." I looked behind Sophia. A young couple - probably in their twenties, holding the hands of a little girl. I wish we were like that..
"Mom.." Sophia's blue eyes widened as she looked behind me.
I turned to see Ed his face full of anger. He grabbed onto my arm, pressing into my bruise.
"Let's go." He said. "Now."
"Leave them alone, sir." The boy behind the counter said, his hand inching to the emergency phone.
"This is a family matter. Not your business." Ed said.
"Come on Sophia. Let's go.." I said shaking.
"Okay mom.."
"No. They can stay here if they want to." A man about my age said. "I don't care if it's a family matter or not. They weren't doing anything wrong. For God's sake. The little girl didn't even finish her ice cream."
"She can take it with 'er." Ed said, and took hold of Sophia's shirt.
"Ed--" he swung his hand close to my face, I backed up.
"Hey! I'm calling the police!" The boy in the back said, and took hold of the phone dialing.
A woman, covered in blood crashed into the place, where everyone grew quiet. She fell to her knees, she held out her baby girl, dripping in deep red ooze. "They...they killed my baby...they..they.." the little girl growled and torn her teeth into the woman's neck, blood squirting everywhere as she screamed.
"Let's get out of here!" Ed yelled as more people crashed into the place, digging into the families that screamed in horror. I picked up Sophia, as Ed pulled on my shirt.
Decaying civilians groaned and reached for us as we scurried to my station wagon.
"Where are we going Ed?!"
"Shut your trap woman! Or I swear to god!" He snapped. "Where goin' home. Getting our stuff and we're going to Atlanta."
"Why there?"
"Listen." He growled and turned up the radio.
"Everyone stay in your homes. This is like nothing we've seen before. Stay away from contact of the dead. Do not let them go near you. Please, stay in your home or head to Atlanta."
"What?"
"We gotta get our stuff." He stopped the car and let me and Sophia out. We ran into our house and grabbed our personal belongings, as long as food, and toiletries. We ran out to the car, the dead like men, women, and children reaching for us as we got in the car and drove off, leaving our home in the dust. All I could think about was Miranda...I hoped she was safe....