Count To Ten

Chapter 7

Two options: Attack or run.

I choose the latter. I don't know how to attack! And I can't even hurt an ant for goodness' sake!

"Julie, run." I whispered, taking slow steps backwards.

She nodded, shaking slightly as she tried to stay calm.

"When I count to three, okay? Don't be like earlier and be stupid. You'll just get us in more trouble." I hissed at her.

"A-alright, I-I'm with you h-here." She said, her voice shaking because of the fright. Crossing her heart in a promise, she nodded.

"1... 2 ... 3!" I yelled running and this time, taking her hand in mine to make sure she's with me.

I dragged her as fast as my legs could carry us to the car. I hopped in the passenger's seat as she sat at the driver's.

I breathed out a sigh of relief when we got inside. I swear, those things were an inch close to us.

Julie started driving away and I slumped back in my seat. Though, I was just curious and confused on what really happened that night and I really wanted to stay and inspect more but our lives were more important. I wouldn't let us get eaten just because of my stupidity.

We'll just have to go back another time.

We quickly drove away from there, not wasting any more time.

"Where will we go?" She asked, eyes not leaving the road.

"I don't know. But I'm sure we're not the only people left."

*~*~*

I looked at the trees as we passed by them, the breeze swaying the leaves slightly. The branches, bending and dancing as the wind passes through them. The sky, different shades of orange like a painting on a canvas. The sun, out shining all things in the sky, bright as always as it begins to set. Despite all that is happening, the world doesn't stop. The world is a cruel place, it doesn't stop for me, or for you or for anyone else. It's just like everyday, as if nothing was going wrong. But if we look at the reality, things does not work like it does before anymore. No more families having a picnic near the lake, no more greeting good morning's or good afternoon's in the street, no more kids running and playing around the playground. And now, I'm wondering if what I'm seeing around me is real, if these trees are real, if the world around me is real. Because I don't know what's real and what's not anymore. The undead are supposed to be fictional, they're supposed to be only seen in movies, read in books, appear in imaginations and not walking on the streets of New York.

But there is nothing that I could do but to survive this.

I sighed deeply with dread as I stared out at my window. Why am I even thinking about these things? When it's all my fault? Then it struck me like a bullet in my chest;

It's my fault.

My fault that my parents are dead,

My fault that my sister is missing,

My fault that everything's a mess,

My fault that everyone's lives are destroyed,

Everything's my fault,

"It's all my fault," I suddenly sobbed, tears flowing endlessly down my cheeks.

Julie gave me a sideways glance then returned her eyes on the road. "Are you alright, Ash?" She asked worriedly.

"It's all my fault, Julie," I wiped my tears furiously with my arms.

"No it's not-,"

"Don't you dare tell me it's not!" I bursted, more tears streaming down my face endlessly.

Julie looks taken aback from my outburst but decided to keep her mouth shut.

"We all know the truth," I whispered,"Even if we pretend."

"Yes, I understand but we cannot grieve now. What's down is done, we have to get through this. We need to fight, Ash, we need to survive," Julie explains,"And we cannot do that if we keep on looking behind us, we need to look forward. Always look forward."

"Yes but I could have done something!"

"You could have, but you didn't. I'm sorry if ever you are offended but it's the truth. What you could do now is to give your best and do what you could do while you can. That will prevent you from feeling that way that you could have done something."

I sighed, knowing what she said was right. My mother used to tell me that we must not mourn over our past but rather we should focus on the present and prepare for our future. Very cliché, I know-those quotes. But what those cliché quotes say are truth.

"You understand me, Ashley?"

"Yes," I sighed, feeling sad and angry and frustrated all at the same time. But I couldn't complain about my situation right now, I know there are other who are in worse cases. At least be happy that I have my best friend with me and that I'm not alone in this. "Thanks, Julie,"

She glanced at me, confused,"For what?"

"For being there with me when I needed you most. For always making me realize my mistakes and the stupid things that I've done. All in all, for sticking with me all this time,"

Julie then smiles,"Same for you, Ash,"

I suddenly pulled her into a hug, forgetting that she was driving.

"Alright, alright," she laughed lightly,"Get off! I'm driving! I dot want this to be the cause of our death!- A hug!"

I released her and went back in my seat, laughing along with her to ease the mood. And in that moment, I know I couldn't have asked for a better company. And even with all that's happening, I still find happiness in the little things that we do.