User blog:SinnerOfRandomness/Enjoy Your Stay (Ch. 8 + 9)

''Hey guys! Sorry I didn't post Chapter Eight on Monday! I was just really stressed out on Monday and I really didn't want to post anything so yeah. But that means tonight you get TWO chapters!!! ''

''Anyway Chapter Eight is short, but somewhat dramatic. Fabina drama basically. But Chapter Nine is the chapter you all have been waiting for. >:) ''

''I also want to put out that Chapter Ten is also kind of important, because two things are revealed that are very serious, I guess you can consider them plot twists? c:<''







Chapter Eight

Nina’s P.O.V

April 21, 2013 18 years young 17:30

Tomorrow K.T is leaving. I feel a little sad about it, I guess. I can tell she dislikes me, I’m not extremely fond of her either. But I feel I can rant to her. Like, she gets me. I know I can do this exact same thing with Patricia and probably leave happier, but I don’t know. Something draws me to her.

Maybe it’s the afro.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">Amber and I haven’t spoken in days. I hate her and she hates me. Fabian’s been avoiding me. I guess it was stupid of me to believe that he was cheating on me with her. I guess I’m just extremely annoying and stupid.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:27px;font-family:Verdana;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">☠☠

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">It was Eddie’s turn to cook. We needed to go on a food run, since we barely have any food left. He made toast. No jelly. No butter. We ate at seven.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“I’m gonna go on the food run. I’m taking Fabian with me.” Amber said, breaking the silence.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Go tomorrow. Remember that we need to send K.T with supplies tomorrow, that includes food.” Eddie said. Amber nodded. Once I finished my toast I threw my plate in the sink. I’m really getting sick of this place…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">For a long time, I’ve been pondering about leaving the group. Of course, I usually tried to brush the thought away because of my love for Fabian. I could never leave him here. I’d fall apart and he’d finally crack his hard shell…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">But now? It feels like he doesn’t want me anymore. And I’m sure I could probably survive without him.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">I sighed and went to our room a half hour later.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“I have to tell you something.” I said.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“What is it?” Fabian asked not looking away from his thick book. He was on the bed, sitting on his side of the bed, reading. It look like one of the <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">Game of Thrones <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> books.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Look at me. This is important.” I said, a little more snobby than I intended. He, with annoyance, lifted his head to me.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“ <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">What <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">?” He snapped. You could never tell he was so bitter by looking at him. He’s so attractive, it’s hard to think he’d be so mean.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Well first, drop the attitude. I don’t like it, and it’s not amusing anyone. Second, I was going to say I was wrong for thinking you were cheating on me. I haven’t been very trusting lately. Would you care to know why? I don’t care if you do I’m telling you anyway. It’s because I’m thinking about leaving. Alone.” I admitted. Fabian’s eyes widened. He didn’t say anything.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Oh God, please say something. I’ve been practicing that in my head for <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">days <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> now.” I pleaded. He was trying to find something to say, but he couldn’t say anything. I felt throat getting tight.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Please.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Nina...why...why…why do you want to leave?” Fabian asked, his voice cracking and shaking. He sounded like he was going to have a mental breakdown.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“I can’t take it here anymore. I want to discover new people, develop new skills.” I said sitting down on the side of the bed with him. He cracked.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">He got up.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“I can’t take <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">this <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">. Do you know how much <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">stress <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> I have?! You’re mad at me, Eddie’s always up on my case, Victor’s <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">dying <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> and wants me to let him out, K.T is probably planning on murdering me, Amber keeps depending on me to do everything with her, and now you want to <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">leave <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">?!” He screamed. I gulped. He shook his head and sighed.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">“Maybe <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);font-style:italic;white-space:pre-wrap;">I <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;"> have to leave.” He said. Then he walked out the door, slamming it on his way out. I thought I heard him let out a cry.

<span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">His book fell to the floor, losing his page.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;text-align:right;"><span style="font-size:40px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Chapter Nine

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:right;"><span style="font-size:32px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#666666;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Amber’s P.O.V

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt;text-align:right;"><span style="font-size:24px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#666666;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">April 22, 2013 19 years young 9:30

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Eddie sent us at six this morning on the food run. I was annoyed about this because, well, it’s six. I don’t get up until eight, Fabian nine.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Where are we even supposed to go?” I asked.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. Maybe we can find another supermarket.” Fabian said. He looked exhausted.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Or maybe a drugstore.” I suggested. He shrugged. We had been walking for pretty much three and a half hours now. Not one zombie, not one house, not one store.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Are we going in circles? We’ve been walking <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">forever <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> now and it seems like we’ve come across <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">nothing <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.” I said. Even if we were walking in circles, we should have come across <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">one <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> zombie by now. Even if it was injured or chained to something.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. Probably.” He shrugged this off like it was nothing. <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Nothing <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“What’s wrong?” I asked.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Nothing.” <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Nothing <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">I could sense something was going to happen Everything felt more eerie than usual.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">After another two hours of walking, we finally came across a drugstore. The light was still working, despite the static flying everywhere. The only letter that remained untouched on the sign was “G”. I didn’t recognize the store.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The windows were covered in wood, an attempt to barricade the store as a safe house. The walls were splattered with a dark, burgundy blood. Up close it looked crusty and gross.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The parking lot had at least ten corpses. The majority of them were unturned. Most looked like they hadn’t been shot in the head, to prevent infection.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“We better stab the unturned ones in the head.” Fabian said. I shook my head.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“There’s no time, they won’t do anything anyway.” I said.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Now come on.” I said pulling on his hoodie’s sleeve.

 

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The store stunk of roadkill, rancid milk, and dead bodies. We both gagged when we entered the store.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Okay, we should both split. You do this half, I’ll do the other. If you’re being attacked, yell, I’ll do the same. Also, you should probably cover your nose. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.” Fabian said. I nodded and pulled my sweatshirt over my nose. I walked to the aisle closest to the left wall. It was full of children’s toys. Barbies, Littlest Pet Shops, Disney action figures, Hot Wheels, etc. The second half of this long aisle was cosmetics. Maybe I could steal some.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">I found some makeup and nail polish I wanted and put it in the dufflebag. I spotted a hair straightener.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Smooths those puffy locks!”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">I grabbed it. Maybe I could slide it in the bag of supplies we give K.T. That afro <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">has <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> to go.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Aisle after aisle I found nothing useful, food wise anyway, until the middle aisle. Candy. Loads of it. Chocolates, twizzlers, hard candy, everything. I know it isn’t energy food, but I grabbed as much as I could.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Fabian and I met at the middle cash register. The stuff in his dufflebag was sticking out of the sides. We should probably find some new duffle bags. These are pretty shitty.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I guess I had the food side of the store.” Fabian said.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I had the toy and cosmetics side.” I shrugged. He looked down at my bag.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“You’re still girly, Amber.” He smirked.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Oh yeah? Well you’re still geeky. Deep down in there somewhere.” I laughed. He scoffed. Things were going so well, until the door busted open. Dozens and dozens of zombies screeched as they piled into the store.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Umm…” I said, panicked.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Whatever you do, do <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">not <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> go to the back of the store.” Fabian said slowly walking to the side of the store he was on. I pulled out my gun and followed him slowly, walking backwards. I started shooting at the horde. Bodies were dropping as I shot, Fabian joined in. But the horde seemed to be getting larger. They slowly started coming at us. I turned to Fabian. He always knows what to do. He’s smarter than all of us. He knows.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">For once, I finally saw Fabian. The <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">real <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;"> Fabian. Scared, confused, hyperventilating, worried, being <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">human <span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The human, innocent, geeky, helpless, Fabian.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He doesn’t know what to do. You can see the confusion and shock in his face. I put the fun to my head. There’s no way we’ll make it out of here alive.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“JESUS CHRIST AMBER!” Fabian screamed pulling the gun out of my hand. My face was wet from tears and sweat. They’re getting closer…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Fabian shot at them with my gun and his, quickly shooting alternative guns. Bullets flying. Bodies dropping. Zombies screaming, slowly coming closer. Once Fabian made a dent in the horde, they’d all push forward so more zombies could fill in that dent.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He eventually ran out of ammo. I think I was stunned by my fear.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“We have to get in the horde with melee weapons.” Fabian said pulling out his machete. I gulped and grabbed my crowbar with my sweaty palms.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">We both took a deep breath then charged into the horde. I bashed and bashed and bashed in zombies’ heads until I could finally see the door. I felt a sharp, horrible pain on my left calf, but I thought nothing of it. I finally made it out the door, Fabian right behind me. We slammed the door shut and put our backs to it, trying to keep it shut as the zombies tried to push it open.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Are you okay?” He asked kicking the door closed with his back to the door. I noticed he had blood slowly staining his hoodie’s sleeves. I looked down at my left that I felt the pain on. Blood was also slowly staining the leg of my jeans.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I don’t know. I don’t know if you are either. We have to get out of here, is all I know.” I said.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:#000000;font-weight:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Yeah, you’re right.” Fabian agreed. On the count of three, we both let go of the door and ran as fast as we could away from the store. Those bodies from the parking lot were gone.

<span style="font-size:16px;font-family:'TimesNewRoman';color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap;">I had a feeling I knew what our blood stains were caused from.