S.O.S Society of survivors

43- Chloe

                              8 days ago.

Allison's pov

I groaned in pain. My head was pounding.
My ribs were burning and I could feel dried blood on my face. I could also taste it.

I tried sitting up but failed miserably. I instead just laid there on my back staring at the dark and dusty ceiling.

" This sucks. " I said out loud.

" But you just got here. Wait until you've been here a few days. " I jumped at the sound of another voice. It was monotone and quiet.

I lifted my head slightly to see a small girl with an emotionless face. She couldn't have been older then eleven.

" Are you just going too stare at me or are you going to do something? " the little girl asked.

I looked myself up on my elbows and managed to get into a sitting position.
" who are you? "

The girl tilted her head. Her almost white blonde hair stuck to her sweaty face. " I'm me. "

I clenched my teeth together " I meant what's your name? "

She shrugged " I can't tell you. " I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion " Why not? "

" You're a stranger. "

I rolled my eyes " Fine ,if we're gonna do it that way. My name is Allison, I am an only child, My favorite color is black, my ribs are most definitely bruised, if not broken, and I'm positive I'm slowly going insane. Now we're not strangers. "

The girl just stared at me. Her eyes were a light baby blue but they weren't how a kids eyes should be. They should be full of life and wonder but hers were full of pain and sorrow.

" My name's Chloe. " she finally spoke. I nodded. " Well Chloe , do you mind telling me where we are? "

She seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. " We're in hell. "

Chloe had helped me up and placed me sitting against the wall. She started treating my wounds. I was amazed at how good she was at it. Like she had practice.

"How old are you?" I asked after she finished. " Nine. " she was around phoebe's age. My heart felt like it dropped. " How long have you been here ? "
She had to think for a moment " Maybe a month or so.

I nodded. Looking around the room there wasn't much. There was a bucket in the corner,and some hay bunched up to make a bed. There was a hole or two in the wall which let light in.

" You must be confused. " Chloe said.
I laughed with no emotion " Yeah kinda. "

Chloe sat down beside me and started explaining that we were located in only a small portion of the Cannibal's territory.
The room that we were in was like a prison cell that could only be unlock from the outside.

Apparently there were others also trapped but in different rooms. We barely get let out so we don't see others often.

We work for food and water, fail to work and you're dinner.

"Then every few weeks they gather everyone up in a room. Two people will be selected to fight in order to show strength. It's considered an honor to be chosen."

I knew where this was going but I still had too ask " What do they fight? "

"Each other. The prison fight is considered the main event but before that they capture zombies which their warriors can fight. You know to pump up the crowd or something."

" What happens if you lose? "

" You are pronounced weak and get eaten alive, if you're still alive after the fight that is. "

" brutal . "

" Yeah it can get pretty violent. "

I looked at her shocked " have you watched one of the fights? "

She nodded " everyone has to watch. It's the orders. "

"How many fights have you watched?"

" I don't remember , I just know it's been alot. "

"They're not gonna make someone your age fight right?"

Chloe tried for a laugh " They don't care. They've sent kids younger then me in just got the humor of it. "

A few nights went by. Me and Chloe had started to become close.

Whenever we would get bored I would share stories of all the adventures I had.
She especially loved all the stories of me, Kiki, and Riley fighting the zombies.

It made me happy to see Chloe smile at all our stupid decisions.

One night, as Chloe sat in my lap, fast asleep, I couldn't help but think of everyone. " I'm so stupid. " I whispered to myself. I just hope that everyone was okay.

The room started lighting up so!e signalling that it was morning. I ran my fingers through Chloe's hair.

" Come on sleepy head! We need to get to work! "

Work was simple. Clean your assigned cannibals living and eating quarters.
Sometimes they would have us watch their kids while out hunting.

Then you would get dumped back in your room with stale bread for dinner.
During dinner is when me and Chloe talked.

We talked about what we would do if the apocalypse never happened.
Chloe wanted to be a vet and I was going to be a child services person.

I found out Chloe had lost both her parents to the fights, but in different ways.

" My mom didn't last long. " she said " she was sick and tired, she was dying. "

"And your dad?" I asked.

She seemed lost in thought. " He won. "
Her eyes seemed to dull when she said this.

" what  happened to him? "

" He stayed with them. " she whispered.
I looked at her eyes wide " and he didn't try to save you? "

" he tried but I didn't want to go with him. "
" Why not. I would be left in a heartbeat. "

She stood up and walked over to me. She sat on my lap and pulled me into a hug. I froze.

Slowly I wrapped my arms around her. I felt water drip onto my arm. Looking down I noticed that this was the first major emotion Chloe had Ever really shown.

Sadness.

" He ate her. " she cried. " he ate her, I saw him. "
I rubbed Chloe's back.

She looked up at me and for a moment I saw something. I saw a wanting for someone to protect and save her. I saw fear and sadness all bottle up not to show weakness. I saw a little girl who was terrified of the uncertain future, a girl who just needed a hug.

I saw me.

" My dad. He killed my mom. He went against her in the fight. " My breath stopped and I watched Chloe fall apart.

I wrapped my arms tighter around her.

That's when I decided I was gonna save this girl.

Or die trying.