Crimson Abyss

Welcome to the New Age

~{Radioactive by Imagine Dragons}~

Alexandria's POV

          "As Shakespeare once said..." My teacher was talking but I can't help but tune her out. I am exhausted from the events of last night. I snuck out to go to the cemetery to visit my parents. I live with my sister,Thalia. Our parents died when I was thirteen, and every year since then I have gone to see them. I got back with just enough time to get ready and rush to school, so English class just isn't something i'm in the mood to listen to right now.

I started to put my head down on my desk when I heard the door slam open causing me to snap my head towards the door, only to see my sister. Thalia is frantic as she pulls me out of the school against my will. After we get into the car and she explains, I see Jasmine out of the corner of my eye and we go to grab her and her brother Johnathan. I keep my hand on, what i like to call, the "oh shit" handle, because with Thalia's driving the zombies won't get to us. She'd kill us first with her inappropriate music and lack of driving skills.

~ The Grove Mall in Los Angeles, California~

      Once we arrive at the mall, I help Jasmine get her little brother out of the car, and we high-tail it inside. I look behind me to see Thalia stopping to help a turtle.

"Thalia, the turtle will be fine, but our days are now numbered. So if you could keep up that'd be great! I can't have you bitten. I'm too young to plan a funeral!" I exclaim and grab her arm to pull her into the mall with me and Jazz.

"You are so over dramatic. Our days are not numbered," Jazz says with a glare gesturing to her younger brother.

"Jazz, have you heard from your parents? I'm sure Johnny wants to be with—" Thalia was suddenly interrupted by loud banging sounds.

We all started looking around.

"HEY. ITS OVER THERE!" I scream pointing at a huge mob of flesh-eating people starting to enter the mall.

The next thing I know, a huge hand covers my mouth and an arm wraps around my waist pulling me into a dark hallway. My eyes widen. This is it. This is the end of my life. I tried to scream for Thalia and Jazz, but my voice was muffled.

"Hey!" a soft but firm male voice starts, "Don't scream. I'm not a damn zombie! Your screaming and your friends' panicking is going to lead them right to us. Shut up!" Then he lets me go.

I remain quiet. As I look around the dark narrow hallway, I see my sister and a short blonde guy standing over her. I look the opposite direction to see Jazz and her brother sitting in a corner curled into a small ball. I glance back at the taller blonde standing next to me and go to ask him a question when he puts his finger to his mouth as to tell me to be quiet. He looks around before motioning for everyone to follow him. I look to Thalia to see what she wants me to do. She just shrugs at me. I walk over to her and grab her arm, kind of using her as a human shield. I don't know these guys. I don't trust them. I'll stick to Thalia and together we wait for Jazz before following strange blonde men.

        We follow him to the back of some little boutique in the mall. He has all the lights turned off and doors locked behind us. As the two blonde men start to light some candles, I notice a tall dark haired man standing in the corner and I jump.

"You brought back company?!" Dark hair asks.

"Yes. We did. They were panicking, and if we hadn't shut them up, we wouldn't be here right now. The zombie freaks would have known where we were," tall blondie says with an eye roll.

Then the shorter blonde speaks, "Cato, chill. It's not like they knew we were here, and everyone is a little panicked over this. There's no reason to be an ass!" He then turns to my sister, "My name is Peeta. It's nice to meet you. The grumpy blonde is my friend, Cato, and the tall dark haired guy is our friend, Gale. What are y'all's names?"

Thalia glances to me. I glance back at her worried. Not quite sure I trusted these guys enough to tell them anything, but I shrug to let Thalia decide.

"Well, My name is Thalia. The tiny girl in the corner is my friend, Jasmine, and her little brother is Johnathan. Now, the blonde that your friend Cato was so rude to, is my little sister, Alexandria" She says with a glare in Cato's direction.

Peeta nods awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck at the hostility Thalia is showing Cato, "My apologies. Cato isn't the best with manners and we've all been a little stressed, as i'm sure you can imagine."

Gale shakes his head in agreement, "Stressed would be an understatement, but we are staying here for the night if you girls would like to join us until tomorrow, you are more than welcomed too."

I notice Jazz's head perk up at the idea. I just slide my way down to the floor and put my head between my knees. This is too much for one day. I was just sitting in boring everyday senior English. Now, we are running from some zombie-like freaks that are eating human flesh and getting stuck in a mall with boys that we don't know. There's no telling how long this is going to last. I feel myself starting to panic and immediately start to focus on my breathing. I have no time for panic attacks right now. This is probably going to be the new normal for a long time so I may as well get used to it, right?

"Anyway, we got enough food to last us for a few nights until we can get to another store," Cato states tossing a brown bag at Gale.

"Oh. and we also picked up some pepper spray and pocket knives for the three of us," Peeta chips in.

Gale smiles, "excellent. so we should be set for at least the night."

Cato's POV

         We were lucky to be alive! Those girls almost got us killed, and now Gale invites them to stay?! I understand he has a big heart for women, and it probably helps that they are all pretty attractive, but we are in survival mode! They are just going to hold us back!

         I pull Peeta outside into an alley, " Dude. he can't be serious! Those girls can not stay here!"

"And why not? There's nothing wrong with having some extra company for one night. Besides, they clearly needed some help."

"Extra company? Peeta! This is not a sleep over at your house. This is where we are hiding from freaks of nature who want to eat you while you are still alive," I facepalm, "Did you not notice that Alexandria girl? She was starting to panic. We don't have time for that. It will hold us back and get us-"

"Stop. It's one night. They can stay if they want too. It wouldn't hurt. Besides, the zombies don't know where we are. The girls are pretty quiet, and the young boy is asleep. One night won't hurt. Play nice Cato, i mean it," Peeta finishes before walking back inside.

As the door closes, Peeta opens it up and says, "You're doing that thing again by the way." I look at him confused and he continues, "That thing where you pay attention to even the smallest of details to someone you find attractive. Everyone else just saw Alexandria sitting down. You paid close enough attention to know that she was starting to panic."

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever Peeta. let's get inside."

He laughed and we headed back inside. The girls had gotten comfortable. I don't know if they are staying or not, but it looks like they will at least be here for a couple of hours. I sat between Gale and Peeta, "So what do we do now?"