I had watched endless zombie movies before the sickness. Now, I felt as though I was in one. In order to kill the zombies completely you had to hit them in the head. I waited to see if maybe, just maybe she would get up and move but she didn’t. What happened next would forever stay with me. A couple of screamers emerged from the woods running wildly towards my mother. They pounced and attacked her dead body with such force I thought for a moment I saw her move but it was only the screamers ripping her apart. They consumed every last bit of her I watched in horror. I was unable to look anywhere else. After they were done they stood and ran in the direction they had came from.
The sun made its first appearance and I noticed I was holding silas’ hand tightly, sweat dripped down my fingers. I released his hand, stood and made my way to the bunker in complete silence.
Day 52:
The truck was packed with weapons and supplies to last us a couple of weeks. I still had my doubts we wouldn’t make it past the first night but Silas was convinced he could use his light to keep the screamers away. The garage door opened and my eyes found the spot where my mother had stood. I allowed myself a moment to feel and remember her one last time before the truck was in drive. We drove past the farm. The pasture cleared from the horrors that occured. No sign of the brutal deaths the cows had endured. The sun was rising and we drove into town, then down the highway, finally entering the city. It was 9 am. when we reached the city line; it was not the city I remembered only weeks ago. Buildings were destroyed, trash littered the ground and the air was putrid and thick with rot and death. We turned down Main Street onto West Street. I viewed Silas’ rigid and tense demeanor. His eyes were glassed over and he seemed to be deep in thought. We passed numerous broken down houses. The windows and doors violated beyond repair.
“Stop!” He yelled.
I jumped out of my seat and stopped the truck in the middle of the road. Before I had the truck in park Silas had jumped out and ran up the walkway of a huge three story brickstone house. He burst through the front door as I chased after him.
“Silas!” I called stepping into the house.
The house was beautiful and had been spared from the damage and destruction. Some of the windows had cracks and a few were broken. I walked into the living room. My eyes focused on the pictures on the mantel. In a black frame was a happy family a smiling dad, mom and standing between them was a gorgeous young man. He was wearing a sky blue polo shirt and tan pants. His hair was perfect and his face was full of life and happiness. His dark eyes stared back at me.
“They are not here.”
I turned and saw Silas standing between the livingroom and kitchen entry. His eyes puffy from fighting back tears. It was a losing battle as I watched a tear fall from the corner of his eye. I walked over to him and hugged him, he hugged me back tightly. He was exceptionally strong and I couldn’t help but wonder if he could break me. After some time he released me, I could see the pain washed over his face.
“They could still be out there, searching for you,” I said trying to sound hopeful.
He eyed me but didn’t say anything. Maybe he was trying to read me, to see if I believed my own words. He took my hand and gently walked me through the kitchen and into the dining room. We stepped into the room and it was apparent something awful had happened there. Cold chills coursed through my body as I inspected the blood that was spewed all over the room. It was clear a bloodbath had taken place. My heart skipped knowing whatever had happened was definitely the end for someone; possibly multiple people. There was no possible way anyone could have survived. Silas rubbed his hands over his face and walked out of the house getting in the driver's seat of the truck.
“Do you know how to drive?” I questioned climbing into the passenger seat.
“Yes, I have my license if that is what you mean,” he replied.
We drove in silence street after street. We did this for hours. The city was still. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was anyone else out there.The thought was terrifying and thrilling all at once. The streets were messy but drivable, we drove to the outskirts of the city. I noticed smoke coming from one of the chimneys at a warehouse. I pointed to the smoke; we made our way to the gated building. A huge sign read, “W.S.C. Organic Foods LLC.” We stepped out of the truck and viewed a massive gate before us. A tall fence with barbed wire ran the perimeter of the warehouse. It looked more like a prison then a place food was stored. Silas saw a small camera and a keypad. He pushed different buttons but nothing happened.
“How may I help you?” A voice said over a loudspeaker.
We gaped at each other in amazement.
“Hi, we are searching for our families. Could you please help us?” I asked nervously.
The gate opened and we loaded back in the truck. We drove on toward the white warehouse. As we approached the warehouse I could see two bay doors open multiple people came forward. I was trembling with excitement. There were people alive, and we found them!
A tall skinny guy with a scruffy beard knocked on Silas’ window.
“You can get out of the truck. We are not going to hurt you, you are safe here.”
Silas peered in my direction and we cautiously stepped out of the truck. I walked over to Silas and stood by his side. The tall skinny man put his hand out in greeting.
“Nice to meet you, my name is Quinn. This here is Lucy.”
He put his free hand on the back of a beautiful tall blonde with natural curls that bounced when she walked up to me. She too put her hand out in greeting. My hand closed around hers and I couldn’t help but notice how dainty and slender her fingers were. Her nail polish was a vibrant pink but had faded and was chipped in spots. Her hand though soft, felt cold. She smiled like a practiced movie star. Her teeth were sparkling white each tooth in perfect alignment. Her parents must have spent a fortune on those babies. Lucy released my hand and reached for Silas’.
I felt an instant serge of energy flow through me as I watched her smile brightly at Silas. I felt myself involuntarily take Silas’ light, I could feel it move into my hands. I balled my fists and tried not to allow the mixture of emotions to overpower me. I watched Lucy shake Silas’ hand. She glanced at me and winked. Silas’ skin turned to a pale white. I tried to give the light back but a burst of electrical power shot out of me aiming straight at Lucy. She fell backwards hitting the ground with a painful force. Everyone watched in stunned silence. Lucy laid on the ground without moving. Quinn and Silas eyed me for what felt like an eternity, before they ran to Lucy. Silas appeared a bit weak but was able to function. Lucy stirred before they approached. She surprised everyone by sitting up.
“Look what we have here! Another gifted one,” Lucy exclaimed. She smiled brightly and was so cheerful I couldn’t help but smile back.
Quinn assisted Lucy getting to her feet. I felt relieved that I hadn’t hurt her. It was difficult to control the energy that had moved through me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that,” I cried.
“It’s all good, you have come to the right place. There are others like you here,” Quinn explained.
Lucy joined in, “We are all learning how to control our new abilities I’m not upset with you. Our emotions play a huge part in how we shift and move the energy around inside of us. You are not the first to lose control. We will help you here. There are eleven…”
Lucy’s words were cut off by an unwanted but well known scream. Screams echoed from the city. People standing around us uttered terrified groans, some covered their ears fear washed over their faces. The sun was fading away and the screamers were rising.