Anon Apocalypse

Anonymous

Tempest and Storm  skittered around my feet as I trudged through the thick forest, kicking dirt and rocks around as we wondered further into its depths. We had been walking for days, with no other signs of life. What little food and water had been in my pack had been used up already, and we had been surviving off edible berries and water from the occasional stream. With a sigh I stopped and looked at my surroundings, spotting a flat boulder to have a rest. As I leaned against the flat surface, my fury companions hopped next to me and curled against my sides. I rubbed each of their tiny heads and frowned, I knew they were just as hungry as I was, unfortunately the virus was not exclusive to humans and a lot of the wildlife had been wiped out. It was uncommon to come across normal healthy animals like the foxes. They were truly miracles in this forsaken world. As I aimlessly brushed my fingers across my pups fur I pondered my plan of action. 

Heading north doesn't seem to get me anywhere, but if I change directions now  it could cost me more time. I leaned forward placing my head in my hands and groaned in frustration. Come on Phoenix! Think! I rolled my shoulders and stood back up, stretching my legs and hoisting my bag back over my shoulders. I would continue north and try to find another colony. Tempest and Storm stretched and hopped down to my feet, ready to push on. I pulled a white bandana from my pocket, unfolded the corners holding a pile of blueberries. I split the pile three ways and gave the pups their portions. After eating mine I tucked the bandana back in my pocket and brushed my hands on my pants. As we continued on our search for colonies my mind wondered thinking of events before the C19 Virus. 

The US had been thrown into a civil war, the Government had been exposed for their lies and deceit to the people. So they rose up, the minorities took a stance against the injustice bestowed upon them and made their voices heard. I smiled at the memory of the people standing together and taking back what was theirs. The witches had risen to protect those fighting for justice, an anonymous organization leaked confidential government information and deployed special agents to defend the citizens. All kinds of individuals and organizations rose up to fight. That was when C19 was released, in hopes of regaining control of the people, causing the downfall of our world as we knew it. I frowned remembering my first encounter with a mutant. My mother and I had been out with a few other families raiding abandoned grocery stores to  stock in the colony. One of the men with us had let out a blood curling scream and was dragged behind one of the grocery stacks. Then emerging from behind was one of the most disgusting things I had ever seen. Its body was that of a humans, but covered in slimy scaled with a gaping mouth lined with sharp teeth. A tail swung side to side from behind him as he raised his talons and snapped his mouth at he nearest prey. My mother had dragged me out and back to the colony before I could see what became of our companions or the monster.   

Almost as if I had conjured the very thing, a snarling scaled mutant barreled into my path. I froze and reached for my switchblade, cursing that it was the only weapon I had. If it were to get close enough to give me a flesh wound I would be done for. My body would mutate into the very thing I despised most. Tempest and Stella crouched ready to pounce but I sternly clicked my tongue, summoning them to stand close behind me. I wouldn't let this beast hurt them, even if I died in the process. I slowly crouched down to the ground running my hand along the ground searching for a worthy makeshift weapon. The mutant slowly blinked its scaled eyes and began circling around me. I grasped onto a decent sized stone and took a deep breath, luckily for me I had played eleven years of softball before the virus, so aim wasn't a problem for me. With a quick and fluid motion I chucked the rock at the center of the mutants face landing my blow. It reeled back with a howl covering its face as black blood oozed down. 

"RUN!" I shouted to my fox companions as we began sprinting further into the forest, I kept my switchblade in my hand at the ready for when the mutant began giving chase. And sure enough, it did. I hopped over dead fallen logs and swerved between trees, luckily the foxes were quick and agile and were sprinting ahead. I was determined to escape this, I wouldn't die now. As I darted behind another tree the mutant wailed and sprung forward catching its claws on my backpack and sending me hurtling into a tree. I gasped for breath as I landed, keeping a firm hold on my blade. I wouldn't go down without a fight. I scrambled to my feet crouching low as the mutant slowly stalked me, snapping its jaws at every step. The wound from my rock had began healing, skin sticking together till there wasn't even a scar. I cursed at this ability they had, the perfect weapon huh Trump.