The One We Call Hope

~2~ First Escape

As the trio just stood there, taking in the fact that their world is coming to an end, Sofia couldn't help but panic. What about Mom and Dad? How will we survive? How can we even get out of school grounds? Many thoughts ran through Sofia's mind. Desirae seemed to read Sofia's mind. Desirae cleared her throat to gain her friends' attention.

"There are some short gates at the back of the school that we can climb over to get out of the school grounds. At the baseball field near the gates, there should be bats lying around from the baseball team. I just hope that the team didn't take it." Desirae seemed so confident, it made Sofia a bit jealous. That was not important though, what was important is survival. Sofia shook her head to get rid of the feeling.

Monica nodded. "That's good. We'll go get the bats first. If there's only one bat, I'll take it. I have some experience with fighting, so we'll look for some more weapons later. Trust me, I can protect us!" Sofia opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. They looked at her, confused. "What is it, Sofia?" Monica asked.

She sighed, almost hesitating again. "Can we call our families to see if they're okay?" Her friends nodded and they all proceeded to call their parents. Sofia quickly dialed her mother's number and pressed the phone to her ear. Luckily, the phone rang, meaning that there was a small chance her mother could pick up. Considering that she wasn't already... In that moment, Sofia's mother picked up. "Mom? Mom?! Are you there?" Sofia's friends looked at her, shocked.

"Sofia!" Her mother sounds relieved and panicked. There was a lot of background noise, like screaming, honking of horns and sheer chaos. "Please! Don't worry about me! Right now I'm driving to the house! Please, do not worry about me and just run! Sofia, just get to safety as quick as you can!" Tears threatened to fall out Sofia's eyes. Before she could respond, her mother continued talking. "If you can, make it to the house. If not, tell me when you are in safety. I'll pick you up. Please, Sofia, I beg of you. The power cords are still up, but who knows how long we have before they go down." A loud explosion like sound erupted on her mother's side and her mother gasped, shocked. "Sofia, I love you..." Sofia gave out a small "I love you" before the line disconnected.

"Sofia..." Monica mumbled in pity before pulling her friend into a small warming hug. Sofia took a deep breath before releasing from the hug.

"Were you guys able to get to your parents?" They shook their heads, Desirae more devastated than Monica. Desirae had a close relationship with her father while Monica never spoke about her parents. All Sofia knew was that her father was rarely home, and her mother was practically a single mother who wasn't in the picture anymore. "We can stop by my house and just figure out what to do from there. My mom is going to try to make it there as well." Nodding, the three girls quickly but quietly ran downstairs. There were zombies everywhere in the hallways either eating others or limping around. People who were still alive screamed in pain, soon to be taken away by death. The girls stopped at the hallway.

"What should we do?" Monica whispered. Desirae quickly shushed Monica and pointed at a young couple walking down the hallway. The zombies didn't glance at the couple. Why aren't they going after them? Sofia wondered. The guy tripped over a shoe, falling on the floor and creating a slam on the ground. Some zombies turned to the couple. The girl started screaming and running away, the guy quickly following her.

Desirae narrowed her eyes, in thought. "I think they react to sound." Desirae started walking down the hallways slowly, cautious. Monica and Sofia followed her closely. A zombie inside a closed classroom banged its head at the door as Sofia walked past, earning a yelp from the girl. Desirae quickly covered Sofia's mouth and watched the zombie bang its head onto the classroom door, desperate to get Sofia. Desirae looked at Sofia's cut on her knee. "I think they react to blood too." Desirae thought out loud. "Smell and sounds seem to attract these zombies." Desirae took note of that in her head and nodded to herself. "Let's hurry and treat your knee, Sofia." The trio started running, passing the zombies who attempted but couldn't seem to catch up to them.