We both have been quiet since we meet, I have so many questions yet scared he might get mad and leave me alone in the middle of nowhere. Max looks so happy with his head out the window enjoying the wind on his face, at least someone is enjoying this trip. I can't hold it anymore, I ask Danny the one question that has been bothering since I meet him, " Danny, have you lost someone close to you because of this virus?", Danny stays quiet for a while into he said " Yes, 3 days ago I lost my best friend, the love of my life including her dog". I stay quiet for several minutes trying to figure out what to say but what can you say to consulate a broken soul like hi at the movement.
Chapter 2
We been driving for 3 days now, few stops to eat, nap and do our business but nothing else, I'm not gonna waste more time, not gonna commit the same mistake twice. Sam seems like a smart boy, I wonder how he manage to survive this long on his own, I had many questions but wasn't ready to answer his just yet. He caught me off guard and ask if I have lost any close to me because of the virus, I start to remember Sammy at the beach crying, while with her last breath she finally open up her feelings for me; after coming back to reality holding tears back, I answer his question I can tell my answer shock him but don't blame him other people would be drowning on alcohol or drugs but not me, I gotta keep my head up, and now more that I have a new soul under my wings.
Chapter 3
I guess I falled asleep, didn't notice when we stop at a QT to pump gas and grab some snacks since we have run out faster than expected but we didn't seem to care, we had days without eating to keep driving each day we become closer to our destiny. Each day Danny look less stress and more relaxed, he doesn't sleep time since he doesn't commit the same mistakes as he says each time.
Chapter 4
I'm running on a few hours of sleep, Sam sleeps most the time since he still young and doesn't look to stress as I do which is good but sometimes I see worry on his face. I think it's time to open up to him and teach him how to drive so whenever I feel tired, he can take the wheel while I nap, before I start training him on how to survive on his own I must gain his trust. Sam I call him as I prepare the campfire while he sits up the tents, I asked what he would like to eat for dinner, we have can beans, ramen soup or some frozen pizza I found at QT; he thinks about it for a second them decide we should eat some pizza tonight, I agree pizza does sound good after days of eating just snacks.
Chapter 5
We gonna camp out a few miles outside of Nashville, Tennessee we low on fuel and to have a better look on how the city looks in the morning, I didn't mind camping outside I always dream of camping in outside in nature. The night was darker than usual, I could barely see the moon a storm must be approaching let's hope it doesn't catch us while we camp out here than we gonna be i'm serious trouble and dinner would be ruined. I must start to gain Danny trust so we can have each other back in case of an emergency, Max already likes him I do as well but you can never truly know one into your in a tuff spot.
Chapter 6
The storm it's getting closer, day's are becoming darker, nothing was the same since her death. I can't remember the last time I had a decent meal, Sam and I wait for the pizza to be ready into then I start asking Sam how he manage to survive on his own, where are his parents, and how old he was because it was hard to tell; he answer all the question with honesty and felt like his staring to trust me, I promise him I'll teach him how to drive so we switch whenever I get tired he can take the wheel. After dinner, we go to our own separate tends, I give him his shotgun in case we get in trouble or hears something he can protect himself.
Chapter 7
I can't sleep, this is the first time I'm out of town alone, I have Max but still feel like a target in the shooting range.
I'm sure Danny it's asleep already he hasn't had a good night sleep in days and I don't blame him I support the idea of not wasting to much time the faster we arrive to the safe zone, the faster I can check if my parents are alive if not then I don't know what it would be of my life now. The storm passes, we clean up are camp and leave no trace of us being here in case someone pass by or someone following us.
Chapter 8
I feel so rested, so full of energy ready to start the driving again but first we gonna look for more supplies and maybe other survivor who need help getting to the safe zone. We clean up are camp real quick, make sure we don't leave any trace of us being here and hit the road. Nashville looks like all the small town we pass through, desert like there no one here but this time there was car's everywhere and a lot of dead people, this people weren't kill by the virus someone shot them it was a massacre I would say to Sam to cover his eye but he looks so calm which low-key kinda scares me.
Chapter 9
I seen dead bodies before back in San Antonio but they had tan skin, this one have normal skin like ours, which meant they were murder by someone. My mind start to create so many question when a few blocks ahead we hear shots and two girls running scared from there life. Danny pull to the side real quick, told me to get down and make sure Max didn't make any noise; we saw the girls go hide inside the pharmacy then minutes later a truck with 2 guys on armed passed by shooting every building like they own the place. Me and Danny stay down into they made a turn and left for now.
Chapter 10
We heard gun shoot not so far away, I pull over fast, turn off the engine, tell Sam to get down and make sure Max doesn't make a sound or we gonna be in big trouble. Once they left, I grab an AR-15 from the back, lock and load it and tell Sam to wait here. I get off the car, slowly close the door and carefully start walking down to the pharmacy.
I carefully open the door so I don't scare the girls and at the same time get some supplies never know when they can come in handy; after getting all the supplies I needed I start to look for the girls but they find me first since the tall girl has a knife against my throat. I explain to her that I'm here to help but she didn't believe me into Sam comes in with Max.
Chapter 11
I began to worry it's been more than 30 minutes since Danny left, I know he said to wait here but I can't any longer I reach out for my shotgun and wake up Max so he can have my back if anything goes sideways. I walk into the pharmacy to find Danny with the girl's pointing the gun at him, I'm sure he's trying to explain what's going on but don't believe him so I come closer to them, lower my gun and tell them it's the truth I mean who wouldn't believe a sweet 14 year old boy with a shotgun in hand and a dog next to him.
Chapter 12
I wanted to yell at Sam for not obeying me but if it wasn't for him I probably be dead by now. The girl nicely returns me the gun and apologise for the misunderstand, we don't take time to present each other we gather some more supplies and quickly head to the car so we could all get out of this hell. Sam, Max and the other little girl hope in the back seat while me and the new girl hope in the front so she could tell me how can we get out of here pronto, she asked me if before we left I could drive by her house real quick so she could grab a few stuff for her and her sister which I agree since she agreed to help me get out of here.
Chapter 13
We have new company just great, like it wasn't enough with me and Danny but at least now I have someone to talk to since Danny isn't very of a talker after all. Once in the car I overheard the girl ask Danny if he could pass by there house real quick to pick some stuff for her sister and her, and of course he agreed I don't know if it was because she was gonna help us out or Danny thought she was cute, I mean the girl was pretty and for sure hot way out of Danny league on my point of view but you never know seen some ugly dudes with cute girls maybe Danny is like one of them.
Chapter 14
After a few miles we arrived to her house, I order Sam in a nice not mad voice to PLEASE! Stay here and protect the girl and the car since the neighborhood brought me creeps. I grab the 9mm and the shotgun, I handle the 9mm to the girl who I don't know her name just yet since it's lighter and easier to handle, she thanks me and head to the door which looks like someone has broken in; so I told her I'll go in first and she can cover my back. We enter slowly and quietly check the living room, kitchen and rooms everything clear I yell from the master room, same her she says from a room across the hall. Quickly she grabs a backpack and start to full it with some clothes, papers and soon we head out the door.
Chapter 15
This neighborhood gives me a bad vibe, I hope they don't take too long inside the house. I see the girl playing with Max, so to make some conversion with her I tell her my name is Sam and his name is Max, the girl still playing with Max looks at me with a straight face and says " Listen boy I don't care about your life or your buddy, I'm here because my big sister is dumb enough to trust you two morons but if any of you try to make a stupid move I'll shoot you both in the head, understood" me trying not to choke say I understood, so I turn around and look into the house which are pretty cure by the way into something capture my eye in the rooftop of the house on the end of the street. I reach over and grab the hunting rifle with the 8 times scope and look directly at that roof and just as how I suspected we're being watch but for how long and why tho, before I could get off and call for them they both got in the car, the second Danny sees me with the rifle I know for sure he's gonna ask but in a serious tone I tell him " Don't ask and drive the hell out of here", he look at me for a few second then start the engine and soon we were out of this neighborhood.
Chapter 16
We quickly pack the stuff and head to the car, when I get in I see Sam with the rifle pointing somewhere before I could even ask what in the hell he was doing, he told me in a cold serious tone to not ask questions and drive out of here, I could see in his face something was wrong so I start the engine and quickly get of out here. Now that we're far from the neighborhood and heading to the exit of this city, I asked Sam what he saw with the rifle, he look at me in the mirror and said we were being watching for how long he doesn't know but like him, I don't like the idea of being watch so I start to speed up. The girl begins to take of the safety on the 9mm and load it, she must know something but before I could ask a car comes behind us and start shooting our direction, I tell Sam to take cover but of course he won't listen to me instead he loads the AR- 15 ans start shooting back so does the new girl and her little sister, God does everyone on this damn car know how to shoot, I focus back on the road and start to speed all the way.
Chapter 17
In matter of minutes after being out of the creepy neighborhood, someone start to follow us and start shooting I knew there was something sketchy about that place. I see the new girl start shooting back at them, man she already hot but a woman who can protect her self is an angel from hell, before Danny couke say anything dumb like get down and take cover I grab the shotgun and hand it to the crazy bitch next to me maybe not a good idea but we need all the help we can get. I load the AR-15 and start shooting as well, I could tell Danny was against this all the way but I'm not gonna die in hands of some idiots with guns so Danny goes back to focusing on the road. It took half the ammo we had to stop this guys into the angel of hell pull out a Grenade out of her bag and throw at them and BOOM there car explode like in the movie it was awesome.
Chapter 18
This girl pull out a Goddamn grenade out of her purse, when, where, why did she had a grenade in her purse; it didn't matter thanks to her we're safe for now I think our next destination is Columbus, Ohio if we don't make any stop only for gas my calculations say we should be there in 3 days top. We had a close one I say to the group with a smile on my face, Sam agree as he put the guns away, I know hadn't had time to get to know each other but my name is Danny, back there is Sam and our protector Max; after a few minutes they present each other the older one is Veronica and her little sister Malia , well welcome to the group I guess I didn't know what to say. In my mind I was yelling at myself for being so stupid for saying "welcome to the group" looked like a total moron in front of Veronica, I could see Sam laughing in the back when I said that he as well knew that was a dumb move.
Chapter 19
Woah how dumb you gotta be Danny, I said to myself, I could tell he liked her and don't blame him. Veronica is a cute, hot, blonde, badass girl that is sweet but on her bad side could kill you in the blink of an eye, I just meet her 2 hours ago and almost died because of her, my father was right blonde cute girl will always bring trouble. However Malia on the other case well she was just gorgeous with her brown hair, dark brown eyes, tan skin and a scary attitude but I bet in the inside she's a sweetheart playing the tuff paper, any ways you don't get to see that kinda girl on a daily basis. I asked Danny where we headed next and he said Columbus, Ohio which I heard is a beautiful place but I really don't care I just wanna be in the Safe Zone again with my parents.
Chapter 20
Sam, Malia and Max already asleep in the back, both somehow cuddling with Max, for Sam luck he got the backend, Veronica still awake I don't if she can't sleep or thinks I'm gonna fall a sleep and makes us crash but no need to worry I been doing this for a while now. I try to make small conversation with her since the last I had a decent conversion was with Sammy, I miss her a lot but I gotta move on and keep her promise to Sammy, so Veronica I said " Do you know why those guy's where shooting us back there?" she stood quiet for a second then said " When they give out the new about the virus everyone start to freak out, start packing and leaving town but not many did, the guy's who were shooting at as belong to a gang ruled by a supposedly pastor of a church, he believe this virus was all part of God's plan so need to be scared but people didn't listen to him, those who disobey him got killed while other manage to escape. We...we try to escape as well but got capture before we could leave the city, they had us locked in a house for days, they'll feed us every day but for that I had to do favors for the pastor if you know what I mean, one day one of the guard fall asleep so we saw the chance to run and took it, that's when you saw us running to the pharmacy. Thank you Danny if it wasn't for you we'll probably be dead by now, I stood there in shock not knowing what to say but I manage to say " Sorry to hear that and no need to thank me, you're safe now with me" those brought a smile to her which made me feel something inside me, I wasn't sure what it was but I like how it feels. V of how she likes to be called start to write I'm guessing it's her diary I don't look to bother too much, I prefer to give her some privacy and focus on the road instead.
Chapter 21
6/4/2018
Dear diary, after so long we finally manage to escape that hell, and meet some sweet cute boys. They might be brothers but don't look like that much, the older one named Danny is the one who saved us, his sweet, smart and for sure cute even tho sometimes he might say something dumb trying to be sweet but so far his a good guy. At the moment we're heading to Columbus, Ohio and next the Safe Zone where are life begins, nothing exciting has happened so far beside almost getting killed by the pastor people but I left them a little gift to remember me.
Chapter 22
Everyone asleep right now, V falled asleep right after finishing writing on her diary, the kids and max haven't woke up at all since they fall asleep which is good gives me peace and silence to think what's gonna be our next move we're running low on fuel but I'm sure we'll make it to at least a few miles of Columbus. I had to pull over into a small house just outside Columbus, while everyone still a sleep I go to check the house in case anyone lives there but as all the houses we been to are abandoned. I go wake everyone up so we can discuss our next move; V and I are gonna hike into town to get some gas and food since we run out already. I tell Sam to watch out for Malia and search the house for any guns or anything that could help us out and for Max to not make any mess.
Chapter 23
I hate Danny right now, why can't we go hiking to the city and leave the girls here with Max but nooo Mr. I know everything takes V with her and leaves me babysitting Malia which now that I think about isn't that bad, I can get to know her better and maybe she'll stop acting like a little brat. We start to search the house from top to bottom so we start looking in the master bedroom, didn't found anything but an old pair of socks that I'm gonna save to give them to Danny when he comes back; than we head to the second room but nothing, go to the kitchen, living room and once again noting. There was one place we haven't check and that was the basement, either of us had the guts to go down there but it had to be done to ensure Danny there was nothing useful in the house beside the beds for a good night sleep. I go to the car while Ms. I don't trust you stay in the living room to play with Max, I go grab the shotgun tape a flashlight to it, grow some balls and head down to the basement. Once down there I turn the flashlight, but goddamn smelled like something died down there and for sure something dead was down here, there was an old man hanging from a rope, he had a piece of paper on his hands, I quickly grab it and at the speed of light I head up stairs. I go to the living room so me and smart pants could read whatever it was on the paper and it said " To whoever is reading this, it means I wasn't strong enough to live without her, all I ask from you is to bury my body next to my wife located under the tree just outside in the backyard.
Chapter 24
We both been quiet since we start walking to the city, I wanna start a conversation with her but don't know how into a joke Mark once told me made me laugh, quickly she ask me what was I laughing at so I tell her is about a joke an old friend once told me so she asked me to tell her the joke to assure how funny it was so I go " Why did Woody go to the bar?" she asked why, I say " To get Buzz" and at first she looked confused then she started to laugh a little bit then she called me a dork. The way she said it brought those same feelings that I felt when she thank me for saving her, those exact same feelings. I think I'm falling for her, I know it's too fast but yet she's so amazing in so many ways.
Chapter 25
We stay quiet for a while into Danny said this funny joke that made me laugh at a little, he has such a cute smile that makes me wanna smile at well. We finally reach the city after walking a few miles, I didn't mind the exercise at all, I hope those two won't get in any trouble or burn the house down while we gone. We quickly found a gas station, I mean you always used to find one at the entrance of any city for some reason, so we get some cans full them and leave them there since we still gotta go how Danny likes to call it "Grocery Shopping" he's such a dork sometimes that what I like about him so far no matter how bad the situation might be he always since the bright side on things.
Chapter 26
We found a gas station right away, fill the cans leave them hiding since we still gotta go "Grocery Shopping" we walk a few miles into the city into we finally found a Walmart maybe not the best place to shop but all we have so with nothing else in mind we head right into the store, I don't even bother to look for any infected people like who dumb enough to die there anyways, V gets a cart, I get another one and let the shopping begin, we first grab some, bread, ham, cheese, soda, chips, candy, into we hit the alcohol section I'm not that much of a drinker but since it's 4th of July why not so I grab a 12 pack and V comes around the corner with a bottle of Silver Tequila and before I could say a word she says " I'm sorry but I wanna celebrate that I'm out of that shit hole and it's 4th of July so don't complain" and I totally agree with her. Our last stop was the electronic section where we grab a few CDs and a CD player so we can listen to some music while we celebrate 4th of July. On the way out we found some fireworks, we both look at each other and knew we were thinking the same so I grab a few packs so we could see fireworks at night.
Chapter 27
I stood frozen for a few minutes, in my hand was a letter of a dead man with his death wish, I wonder how would Danny react when he read this letter. They been gone for some time I tell Malia and like always she ignore me what's her problem I ask myself; Max start to bark to something or someone so I grab the shotgun and tell Malia to stay behind me just in case it was someone other than the guy's but as suspected it was them with 2 shopping cart full of food, gas for the car, beer and even some CDs woah those still exist and I thought I seen it all. V goes check on Malia while I ask Danny to come with me since I wanted to talk to him, he agreed so we went to the back of the car and that when I tell him what I found at the basement and give him the letter.
Chapter 28
After gathering all our supplies we head to the house to relax and celebrate 4th of July or so I thought into Sam pulls me to the side to talk about something, after searching all the house they only found a dead body and a letter with a death wish. I go tell Sam and Malia to help put the supplies away while I go grab a shovel and start digging a hole next to the tree to accomplish the old man last death wish, after having bury the body, I go upstairs to get a hot shower before getting everything ready for tonight celebration. The dark night once again has surrender us, we're outside next to the fire, telling each other story, drinking having fun and later burn some fireworks to end the night. Sam and I agree to give the girl's the master bedroom and he can have the second room, I'm gonna stay in the car to keep an eye out to see if anyone passes by our comes or direction. The kids go to bed after the fireworks now it's just me, V and half a bottle of Tequila, V takes one last shot before heading to bed I start to clean and turn off the fire don't wanna cause something we can control, as she was heading into the house V comes to me gives me a kiss in my cheek and thanks me for tonight fun.
Chapter 29
06/4/18
Dear diary, tonight after week's of hell I finally saw Malia smile and feel less stress then she usual is on a daily basis. Once again I own it all thanks to Danny if it wasn't for his idea of going " grocery shopping" I wouldn't have seen my sister smile again and act her age for once. Tonight before heading to bed I kiss Danny in the cheek and thank him for tonight. I'm starting to fall for Danny and there no one to blame his sweet, caring, protective, amazing and so many other things but I must control myself Malia protection come first before any boy including Danny.
Chapter 30
Thank you Danny, I said before heading to bed for tonight fun even with all that's going out there you still manage to make everyone smile. I punch Sam in the arm and tell him his time to go to sleep so the adults can have some time for them self, at first the idiot didn't get it but after he saw how V and Danny were looking at each other he understood and came with me, I asked him if Max could sleep with me tonight since the house is cold as winter in Seattle, and he would bring me some heat. Sam acting all gentleman accepted that and order him to go with me instead, he isn't the ugly but I gotta keep focus on my goal and not let my guard down again.
Chapter 31
It's past midnight and still can't stop thinking about V's kiss, I'm really falling for her but what about my feelings for Sammy even tho she's not here anymore I feel like I'm betraying her trust. The sound of 3 or 2 cars brought me back to reality, I wanted to tell them where here and where heading to the same direction but my instinct tell me otherwise so I quietly let them pass and hope there not any trouble. The sun coming up, I make some coffee while I wait everyone to wake up, first comes Malia with Max, then Veronica and last like always Sam half a sleep, I order him to fill the tank of the car while the rest of us loaded the rest of the supplies and counted how much ammo we had before hitting the road.
Chapter 32
I'm the last person to wake up, as I head downstairs Danny tells me to go fill the tank so we can get out of here, I could see worry on his face but I didn't wanna disobey him so I go do as order. Finally after finishing counting the ammo and loading the supplies we hit the road, it felt good to be on the road now a step closer to the safe zone; half way into the city Danny hits the break hard and makes me hit my head against the sit before I could even yell what was that for I see where been blocked by 3 trucks and a group of arm people, I recognise one of them from the rooftop. I tell Danny to put this damn thing in reverse and get the hell out of here but I'm interrupted by a man in his later 40s holding a grenade in hand saying " You think you would escape that easily from me you bitch, after you killed my only son, you think I wouldn't hunt you down like a dog that you are bitch" as he continue to speak Danny order me and Malia to slowly reach for the bags of guns and load them all cause this might go sideways.
Chapter 33
I knew my instinct wasn't wrong those car who passed by where the pastor and his people but how he knew we're heading on this direction, many question crossed my mind into he throw the grenade our direction. I quickly order everyone to get off the car and grab the guns since we gotta shoot back or this is the end of our journey. Sam hands V the 9mm, Malia one of the AR-15, he gives me the sniper since I got a good eye and he uses his favorite shotgun as usual and the shooting beginnings. I could hear Veronica say we're out number and she was right it was 4 against 8 or 9 people and we are low on ammo. Malia takes one down then V does the same I point to the pastor for destroying the car and Sammy letter now I wouldn't be able to keep my promise. We start to retreat soon we are gonna be out of ammo, I notice I been shot but doesn't hurt due to the adrenaline in my body.
Chapter 34
Danny has been shot, we're low on ammo I don't think we gonna make it there only 3 people including the fucking pastor I wanna kill him so bad right now but Danny order us to retreat to plan something fast. We run around the corner and hide in one of the building, I quickly go to Danny to cover is injury but he doesn't bother his thinking I know because I seen that face on him before. Sam quickly makes a count of the ammo while Malia keeps a lookout for the pastor and his people.
Chapter 35
There isn't too much ammo according to Sam to I gotta think fast before it's too late and we all die in vane. I grab the bag with the guns and head outside I order Veronica to grab the kids and Max and leave now that they can, I'll hold on to the pastor and his people as long as I can so you can gain distant between you guys. Sam and Veronica start to argue with me but I shut both of them up and tell them to go NOW!! Don't look back I say, I order Sam to look after them and make sure they make it to the safe zone with tears on his eye he obey and grab Max, Malia just thanks me and start to follow Sam. At last it's just me and Veronica before I could say anything she kisses me with a passion and says goodbye to me before she turn around I promise her that if I make it alive we'll see each other in the safe zone.
Chapter 36
Danny is gonna stay back and fight so we can gain some distant in case he doesn't make it, I wanted to stay and fight with him but I gotta look after the kids and Max now; before leaving Danny I kiss him and thank him one last time for everything. Danny promised me if he made it alive we'll reunite at the safe zone, quickly I start to run on to the direction Sam run with Max and Malia; around the corner I hear a car thinking it was the pastor I run to hide but I see Sam driving a red charger at a fast speed, he hits the breaks and yell to get in, I make him move to the passenger seat so I could drive.
Chapter 37
Now that they are gone it's time to face the pastor with everything I have, as soon as I turn around the corner I start shooting one down 2 more to go. I covered myself against the back of a car while I changed guns since both AR-15 are empty, only thing left is now the 9mm with 7 bullets. The pastor is taking cover behind his cars while the other man keeps shooting wide in the open, at the count of 3 I sprint his way shooting all I got, he shoot me in the let but doesn't stop me I hit him twice one in the shoulder and one in the chest. I only have one bullet left, the pastor start to run but I shoot him in the leg and now his down crawling like a poor bastard.
Chapter 38
Sam keep saying that we should go back, that Danny is still alive but I don't listen to him I keep driving top speed down the road in a matter of days we should arrived at the Safe zone. The kids finally asleep, but I can't stop thinking about Danny how he sacrifice his life to protect us a group of stranger, I never had the chance to tell him how I really felt, how much I loved him, wherever you survived or not Danny thank you for giving us a second chance.
Chapter 39
The pastor start to ask for forgiveness not knowing there isn't none for a piece of shit like him, I grab him by his hair and tell him if he have any last words but he reminds quiet so I grab Sammy knife and stab him right in the heart, this is for what you did to Veronica you bastard. I managed to get in one of the cars they were driving and start drive to the closest pharmacy so I can bandage my gun wounds and start heading to the Safe Zone to reunite with Sam, Max, Malia and Veronica. The trip is gonna be long and lonely but I must keep my head up and get there to find Sammy parents, tell them what happened to her daughter and ask for their forgiveness.
Chapter 40
The past few days been rough with out Danny, he taught me so much in such short time. Now it's time to put those new skills in action and keep my promise to Danny, and make it to the Safe Zone and tell the world what a great hero he was when he still walk the earth. We finally arrived to the Safe Zone, they made run some test to make sure we weren't infected and once free I start to look for my parents.
To continueâŠ.
Epilogue
I can't remember the last time i had a decent meal, I manage to capture a few rabbits and squirrels over the past few days, I'm short on water soon I'll start to dehydrate if I don't find something to drink or I might pass out. The Safe Zone is just a few miles ahead and soon I'll be reunited with Veronica, I hope she remember me I look like a homeless man that even I don't recognize myself.