I don't remember much of those first days. Blinding pain. Screaming. Momentary relief. More screaming. And then isolation. I was always.. alone.
I hated it.
I hated being alone and in pain.
I hated it.
Until I welcomed the white, painles...
I woke up from a nightmare, my heart thrumming in my chest and sweat dripping down my face. The dream had started out fine, me with my family and friends, just hanging out and having fun.
Then the apocalypse came, along with the Cranks, and I had to watch everybody I cared for die in front of me. In reality, I don't know what happened to my friends or family.
I had been separated from my family when the apocalypse first started 6 months ago, and I hadn't been able to contact my friends. By now, I had just accepted the fact that I was probably never going to see them again.
I realized I was crying, and I brushed the tears away with my shaking hands. I looked around myself, concluding that it was probably very early in the morning. The sun still hadn't risen, so it was clearly before 6 am.
I knew I wasn't going to be able to fall back asleep, so I threw my feet over the edge of my cot, my shoulder length, curly brown hair falling in my face. I ignored it and slipped my feet into my boots. Standing up, I made my way to the tent entrance, my hazel-brown eyes trying to adjust to the dark.
I wrapped my arms around myself when a cold wind hit me, and I realized I forgot my coat. I quickly grabbed it from back inside the tent and came back out. I could see the ocean rippling, too large to freeze over, though I was sure the water temperature was extremely cold.
I sighed and walked through the quiet, dark camp, not stopping till I reached the edge of the water. The waves lapped at my boots, soaking them, but I didn't care. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh, crisp air.
The only time I got peace and quiet here at Water's Edge Haven(usually just called Water's Edge) was at night, when everyone was asleep. During the day, people were constantly working.
Whether it be hunting for food, bringing back fresh water, or tending to the garden, the people of Water's Edge were always moving. Our leader, Rebecca Harrington, usually hid away in her tent, dealing with the 'leader matters'.
My job was to work in the gardens, even though I'd rather be in the woods, hunting with a bow and arrows.
My eyes opened and I shifted. I could sense someone walking up behind me, but didn't bother turning around. Somehow, I knew it was Derek Weathers, an 18 year old I had met when I first came to Water's Edge. Over time, he had become my best friend, and ultimately, my only true friend.
He was slightly taller than me and had short, dark brown hair with side bangs that frequently fell in his face.
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I didn't acknowledge him until he stood beside me.
"Hi, Derek," I whispered, still staring out over the glittering ocean.
I could feel him looking at me. "Hey, Clara," he greeted softly. "Trouble sleeping?"
I finally met his gaze, finding his midnight blue eyes looking at me with care and concern. "Yeah," I replied, my voice still a whisper. "You?"
