𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 | 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘺𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘹𝘰𝘯 ¹

𝑻𝒘𝒐

Chapter Two,

All Is Lost

CHLOE's car cut through the night, leaving the chaos of the city behind. Twenty minutes had passed since she'd driven away, leaving behind the remnants of humanity, her old life, and the monotonous routine she had begrudgingly endured. Little did she know, the distance she was putting between herself and the past was about to introduce her to a new form of torment, far worse than what she had escaped.

Unbeknownst to Chloe, a storm was brewing on the horizon. One that would shatter her wish for a return to simpler times, leaving her yearning for the opportunity to relive every fleeting moment she had ever taken for granted. She would wish she could savour every breath without the constant fear that would become her constant companion. If only the world were as safe and predictable as she had once thought.

Her thoughts were haunted by the presence of her twin, a missing half that cast a long shadow over her newfound solitude. Their shared bond, once a comfort, now seemed to tug at her heartstrings, a reminder of the unfillable void. Chloe couldn't shake the vision of them roaming the city's streets, sharing laughter and creating memories that now felt like distant dreams.

She envisioned Cody's camera capturing candid moments, Alli playfully turning each corner into a photo op, Logan's jests lighting up the night, and Adam's content smile as he held his family close. Even her parents seemed to enjoy the urban panorama, her mother and father lost in each other's presence, just as they had always been. Chloe herself had gazed at the city of her aspirations, a mix of awe, excitement, and satisfaction painting her face.

But reality had cruelly intervened, stealing those shared joys. Instead of relishing those moments, Chloe found herself trapped in Logan's car, once full of joyous camaraderie, now stained by tragedy. Alli's laughter and Cody's singing had given way to an agonizing silence. The minutes it took to alter her world were few, but their impact left scars that couldn't be erased.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, a silent testimony to the pain that now consumed her. The car had become a cocoon, muffling her reality, as if she were watching her life from the outside. Each neuron in her brain seemed to fire in unison, a cacophony of fear and confusion. Her thoughts spiraled as the weight of her new reality pressed down on her, until a sudden jolt disrupted her trance.

Someone had appeared in her path, causing her to slam on the brakes. Fear gripped her as she realized her mistake. The figures before her weren't her family; they were strangers, two men with a dangerous aura that sent shivers down her spine. She had unknowingly surrendered control, stopping the car for their benefit.

"COME ON GET OUTTA'F THE CAR! WE NEED A RIDE, SO GET YER ASS OUT!" One of the men's screams jolted her into action. She slammed her foot on the gas pedal in a desperate bid to escape, but before she could gain distance, the sharp crack of a shotgun blast shattered the car's window. Instinctively, she shielded her eyes with her arm and slammed on the brakes once more, the screech of tires accompanying her sudden halt.

"TRY THIS AGAIN AND YOU'LL BE DEAD, YE HEAR MEH?!" he shouted.

Terror gripped her heart, causing her voice to tremble as she pleaded, "P-Please, I-I need the car. I've lost my family, I'm searching for them." Her words were a fragile confession, delivered with a quiver that betrayed her inner turmoil, audible even to the men who had confronted her.

"Merle, lemme handle this!" the other man said.

"Look I don't care what you need, now get out!" Merle's voice pierced the air once more, while his companion closed in on the car door with deliberate, measured steps.