The Apocalypse: Shelter

Chapter 3

Nick's POV

I walk across my lawn. My dog, Darby, begins to bark crazily when he sees me through the window. I've missed him. I get to the front door, put my key in the lock, turn it, and open the door. Immediately, my dog jumps on me, wagging his tail in excitement as I close the door behind me. I go into the kitchen and walk over to the treat bag. I open it, the smell lingering in the air. I go through all the motions with Darby; sit, paw, lay; and give him the treat. I sit with him for a while, petting his soft fur.

If only he knew what was going on in the world. I get up and start walking down the hallway. Darby follows silently behind me to my room.

I open the door and examine it for useful things. I grab my first aid kit I made for Boy Scouts. I also grab my pocket knife and some rope. I look under my bed and take my recurve bow out from under it. I also grab the arrows and sling them over my shoulder onto my back. I take a backpack from my closet, take off my sweatshirt since I have gotten warm and put it in my bag along with other things; the first aid kit, pocket knife, rope, an extra shirt and pair of pants. I put on my jeans, finally being able to take off the uncomfortable khaki school pants. I look around, but find nothing else useful. Darby just lies on my bed, looking up at me with curiosity in his eyes.

I walk out of my room as Darby jumps down from my bed and follows me still. I turn left down the hallway to the kitchen. I look around for more things to help me on my way. I look in the food pantry and put some cans of vegetables and soup, granola bars, Pringles, oatmeal, and cooking spray in my bag. I shut the door to see none other than Darby looking up at me with the "Do you have food for me?" look. Feeling bad, I give him another treat from the treat bag. I also fill his food and water bowls. I walk over to the knife set and look for a knife like a serial killer looking for his next weapon of choice. I pull the biggest one out of its slot and slip it into my bag. Then, I walk into the living room and sit on the couch to relax with Darby for a moment as he jumps up next to me, lying his head next to my leg. I try to turn on the TV which, no surprise, does not turn on. As I set the remote down, I spot a picture sitting on my coffee table, I pick it up, and a tear rolls down my cheek. It is a picture of my family and I on the beach; my sisters Kayla and Briana, and my mother and father.

"Oh, Darby. Where are they?" His ears perk up as I speak. He looks up at me, and his stare almost speaks to me saying, "I miss them too."

I stroke his soft fur as I think of them, Will I ever see them again? I also think of my friends and if I will ever see them again. Then, I remember my destination - Riely's house - the meeting spot we discussed. I get up and walk slowly to the door. I grab the house key from the divider, seeing Darby right behind me.

I kneel down and hug him, "Goodbye Darby. I love you." I now know why they say a dog is a man's best friend. I hate leaving him here alone. Darby is the last family member left in this house though and he should protect it. I hope someday I will be able to make it back to my home along with my other family members.

That day is a far cry from now though. I get up and turn toward the door, the door to a new journey. I take a deep breath, turn the knob, and open the door. I turn one last time to see Darby. I smile and a tear drips down my cheek. I turn and walk into the outside world. I know Darby is still there, looking out the small, narrow window next to the door, but I don't turn around. I just keep going.

I get across my lawn and onto the road. Walking up the road, I spot a few zombies that I somewhat recognize as my neighbors, but they are not my neighbors. I pay no attention to them since they do not pose a threat to me. I walk down Cherry Tree Ave.

About halfway down the street, a zombie hobbles at the end of a driveway. As I walk past, it spots me and starts to walk towards me. I pull the knife out of my bag. When I get closer, I grab it by the neck to hold it back and stab it right in the head. It falls to the ground motionless. I get a bit of a rush doing this. I get to the end of the street and turn left onto the next street. When I get to the end of the next street, two zombies come stumbling down the street on the hill in front of me. I take an arrow out of the quiver on my back, place the nock on the bowstring, pull it back and shoot. The arrow flies through air, finding its target and hitting it right in the head. The same happens with the second zombie. I walk up to the pair of zombies and pull the arrows out of each of them. Then, I turn right onto Riely's street.

As I walk, I think of what would happen if they were at her house. I think of not being lonely anymore. I get to the end of her lawn, a tree blocking my view of the house. As my view of the house becomes clearer, I spot people in the driveway. Actual people!. As I get closer, it becomes clear who they are and a tear of joy runs down my cheek. I run across the lawn, Mickey spotting me first. I make it to them and pull Mickey, the closest person, in for a hug. Riely and Lauren surround us for a group hug. After a few seconds, we let go.

"You made it!" Riely says with a smile on her face.

"Yeah! I finally made it."

"We've been waiting for you here the whole time!" Lauren says.

"Wow," I say, "I never thought I would see you guys again."

"Same with us," Mickey says, "but we still hoped."

"Let's go inside," Riely says, "It's getting kind of cold."

As we walk down the sidewalk to her front door, I notice for the first time that there is a bit of frost on the grass. We get to the front door and Riely opens it after putting the passcode in. I close it, since I am the last person in, and her four little dogs begin to bark immediately.

"Let's go downstairs and talk about everything," Riely says, "Plus there is enough room for us to all sleep down there."

One by one we file down the stairs. I am the last one and before I go down, I look at her dogs. They are still barking, but not as much as before. I think of Darby, and smile. I know he will be okay. I know we will all be okay. Then, I walk downstairs and close the door behind me, knowing that for one night, we will all be safe and I will not be lonely anymore.