TellTale The Walking Dead But With One OC

Jake, a 9-year-old boy, was ready to follow his daily routine during summer vacation: get up, get fresh, make some pancakes, and spend the rest of the day skateboarding and hanging out with his friends. But today, something was different. "So why in the world am I seeing zombies?" That was his first thought as he looked outside his window. He rubbed his eyes, hoping it was just a bad dream. "I mean, it's just like that survival game I played recently, right?" But the sight of shuffling, groaning figures in the streets confirmed his worst fears. The sound of distant screams and the eerie silence that followed sent chills down his spine. "My parents just chose the worst day to leave for vacation... oh right!"As soon as he remembered the word 'parents,' panic set in. He ran down the stairs, his heart pounding, and locked all the doors in the house. His hands trembled as he grabbed the phone, only to see it blinking red. He quickly turned on the answering machine to hear: "Jake, if you are hearing this, know that we love you and promise me you'll remember everything... everything we taught you about surviving in the forest and... and there's the basement where we store our canned food, okay? We know you don't like the taste, but make do with them... please..." The voice grew weaker. "Stay alive... no matter what... message end."Jake felt a lump in his throat as the message ended. He didn't waste a single moment. He rushed to his room, grabbed his metal baseball bat, and dashed into the basement, his mind racing with his parents' last words. The basement was dark and musty, filled with the smell of canned food and old wood. Jake's grip tightened on the bat as he steeled himself for whatever might come next.The basement was eerily quiet, except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creak of the house settling. Jake's eyes darted around, taking in the rows of shelves lined with canned goods, bottled water, and other supplies his parents had meticulously stored. He grabbed a flashlight from a nearby shelf and turned it on, the beam cutting through the darkness."Okay, Jake," he whispered to himself, trying to calm his racing heart. "You can do this. Just like Mom and Dad taught you."He took a deep breath and began to organize the supplies. He found a backpack and started packing it with essentials: canned food, a can opener, water bottles, a first aid kit, a small camping stove, and some extra batteries for the flashlight, he took a camping kit his father used to use. He also found a blanket and a couple of his favorite books, thinking they might help him pass the time and keep his spirits up.As he worked, his mind wandered to his friends. He wondered if they were safe, if they were with their families, or if they were as scared as he was. He wished he could call them, but the phone lines were down, and there was no way to know if they were okay. The thought made his chest tighten with worry.A sudden noise upstairs snapped him back to reality. It sounded like something had bumped into the front door. Jake froze, his heart pounding in his ears. He turned off the flashlight and crouched in the corner, gripping the baseball bat tightly. The noise came again, followed by a low growling sound. Jake's mind raced with possibilities: Was it a zombie? Had they already found him?Minutes felt like hours as Jake waited in the darkness, listening intently. The noises eventually faded, but the fear lingered. He knew he couldn't stay in the basement forever. He had to find a way to survive, just like his parents had said.When the house finally fell silent again, Jake allowed himself to relax slightly. He turned the flashlight back on and looked around the basement one last time, making sure he hadn't missed anything important. His eyes fell on an old camping knife his dad had given him for his last birthday. He strapped it to his belt, feeling a little more prepared for whatever lay ahead.With his backpack ready and his bat in hand, Jake took one last deep breath and headed for the basement stairs. He knew he had to be brave, for his parents, for himself. As he climbed the steps, he whispered a promise to himself: "Stay alive, no matter what."Emerging from the basement, Jake moved cautiously through the house, checking each room to make sure it was secure. The sunlight streaming through the windows felt almost surreal, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding outside. He made his way to the living room and peeked through the curtains. The street was eerily empty now, the zombies having moved on in search of other prey.Jake's mind raced with the possibilities of what to do next. He knew staying put wasn't an option. He needed to find other survivors, people who could help him, and maybe even reunite with his parents. But where to start? He remembered his parents' advice about the forest. It was a few miles away, but it might be his best chance to find safety and other survivors.He grabbed a map from the drawer in the kitchen and spread it out on the table. Tracing a route with his finger, he planned his journey to the forest. It would be dangerous, but he had to try. Gathering his courage, he slung the backpack over his shoulders, tightened his grip on the baseball bat, and stepped out the front door.The world outside was a stark contrast to the one he knew just days ago. The streets were littered with debris, abandoned cars, and the occasional shuffling zombie. Jake kept to the shadows, moving quickly and quietly. Every sound made him jump, but he pressed on, determined to reach the safety of the forest.As he navigated through the neighborhood, he kept an eye out for any signs of life. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the distant moans of the undead. He passed by houses that had once been filled with laughter and joy, now eerily silent and deserted.Jake's small stature and quick reflexes helped him move stealthily. He used his knowledge of the neighborhood, ducking through backyards and hopping fences to avoid the main roads. He remembered the advice his parents had drilled into him during their camping trips: stay alert, stay quiet, and always have an escape plan. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jake reached the edge of the forest. The dense trees loomed ahead, offering both shelter and danger. He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. This was it. The beginning of a new, uncertain journey. He took a deep breath and stepped into the forest, the shadows closing around him.With each step, Jake felt a mix of fear and determination. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew he had to keep going. For his parents, for his friends, and for himself. As he ventured deeper into the woods, he held onto the hope that he would find safety.