Katherin Hassan-Clarke and Esther Quinn, young lovers living on the coast of Riga, Latvia, face the terrifying realisation that their home is no longer safe when a deadly zombie pathogen ravages Eastern Europe. Fleeing their home before they are for...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
There was a sharp knock on the door.
Raven jumped to her feet; momentarily forgetting her anger towards Jaxx as she shouted for him to help.
They weren't willing to open the door without backup. What if the visitors weren't Katherin and Esther?
What if they had returned and one of them was injured; or worse, bitten?
Raven shook her head. She didn't want to consider that possibility.
Jaxx thundered down the stairs; a hammer held tightly between his fingers. He couldn't remember where he'd left his dagger after shouting at Katherin, and he didn't have the time to search through Ivory's kitchen drawers. What if Katherin and Esther were outside? Jaxx already felt guilty about his behaviour before. He didn't want another mistake eating away at his conscience.
"Stand back, but be wary. I'm going to open the door," Jaxx spoke firmly.
The others stood back.
Ivory gripped a t-shirt between her fingers.
Rosabelle bit down on her pen; glancing towards the staircase as if she was planning her escape.
Everyone had the same thought: it had to be Katherin and Esther, right?
Jaxx removed the beam of wood across the door; flicking the simple latch that served as their only other form of defence. The lock clicked.
The people outside didn't attempt to force the door open. The others stood in wait.
Sweat dripped down Jaxx's brow. He wiped it away; hoping that the others didn't notice. They needed him to be brave, not fearful of the unknown.
Jaxx opened the door slightly, holding it ajar so that he could see the people outside.
Esther stood at the doorway. Her hand was raised; poised to knock a second time. Jaxx couldn't help but notice the dried blood splattered across Esther's clothes and face.
What had happened while Esther was outside? A sick feeling worked its way into Jaxx's gut. He still couldn't see Katherin.
"What are you waiting for? Open the door!" Ivory cried once she recognised Esther in the doorway.
Jaxx opened the door immediately. Esther didn't step inside.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Ivory asked. She rushed to the door; momentarily hesitating as she stepped outside to hug her friend.
"I'm fine. Katherin saved me." Esther shuddered, voice cracking as she spat the words out. "Katherin needs help. We were heading back and some survivors found us. Katherin told me to run but she never came after me. Oh god - do you think they killed her?"
Esther doubled over; dry retching onto the pavement.
Ivory looked to Jaxx.
Jaxx hurried up the stairs. He knew what was expected of him. Jaxx had been the reason that Katherin ran, so now it was his job to find her.
He couldn't do it alone, though. It was too dangerous. Morgana would be happy to help. She'd been obsessed with helping others since Ttod had abandoned them; keeping busy to outrun her destructive feelings.
Gwynth would be more than happy to help. She'd been lost without Esther; shouting at those who dared to step in her path or speak about the outside conditions. Now that Esther had returned, she'd be willing to do anything to please her sister.
Esther would beg Gwynth to help Katherin. Even though Gwynth had never approved of Esther dating a woman like Katherin, she wouldn't be able to say no to her sister. She'd help. Jaxx was sure of it.
Morgana and Gwynth had agreed to help; immediately sorting through their belongings to find supplies.
A tense silence filled the air. Everyone stuck to their jobs; Rosabelle set aside food and Ivory comforted Esther. Lyria stood huddled over a table; making a list of places where the others should look for Katherin.
The sun rose above the clouds. Esther rubbed her eyes; wrapping herself in a blanket. She glanced frequently at the door as if Katherin would suddenly appear. That didn't happen, though. Katherin didn't return.
Jaxx kissed Raven on the cheek before stepping outside. Morgana and Gwynth were waiting for him; hefting their bags awkwardly as they surveyed the area around them.
If another group of survivors had taken Katherin, then they weren't friendly. They were more than willing to hurt others to survive. Jaxx needed to remember that.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Hi everyone!
What did you think of this chapter?
I'm heading off to my UQ program tomorrow! It's so exciting and more than a little nerve-wracking.
I should be able to post the next chapter of SURVIVE on time as my camp finishes on Thursday. If not, I'll be sure to let you know.
Have you finished school for the year? I finished on Friday. Next year will be my senior year. I'm excited, but it's terrifying at the same time. I need to get certain grades to get into the university I want - I'm planning to major in history and writing for my bachelor of arts and archaeology and psychology for my bachelor of science.
