As she got closer, I knew that I had to move. I quickly scrambled to my feet. I stumbled at first but managed to steady myself just in time. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I took off running, my legs pumping as fast as they could.
I could still hear her behind me, her moans growing louder and more frenzied. I sprinted into the kitchen and opened a drawer, and rummaged around, frantically searching for a weapon.
My eyes scan every inch of its contents, searching hastily for any sign of weapons. I freeze as I see her come around the corner. Her gruesome face twisted in hunger and her arms stretched out towards me.
I'm now yanking open the second drawer, throwing utensils aside, and growing more and more panicked with each passing second.
I hesitated for a moment, my fingers hovering over the contents of the drawer. I knew what I needed was in there, but my heart was pounding in my chest. I took a deep breath and reached in, my hand scrabbling until my fingers closed around the cool, hard handle of the hatched.
I pulled it out as fast as I could, the weight of it familiar in my hand. As I closed my fingers around it, my mind raced with possibilities. I knew I had to act fast, and the hatched was just what I needed to make my move.
As I turned around, I saw her lunging towards me. With lightning speed, she grabbed me by the shoulders, her sharp nails digging into my flesh.
Summoning all the courage I could muster, I brought the hatched down on her head with one swift blow. It felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was only a split second. The impact of the hatchet against her skull was deafening, and I felt it reverberate through my body.
Her grip finally released, and I stumbled backward, shaken but alive. Looking down, I saw her lifeless body lying motionless on the ground beside me.
I feel sick to my core, my body reacting to the unimaginable sight that I've just witnessed. The images of her keep playing over and over in my head.
I rush towards the sink, heaving uncontrollably. My body convulses with each retch, and I feel hot tears streaming down my face. The sounds of my vomiting echo in my ears, a constant reminder of what I did.
After what seems like an eternity, the feeling of sickness subsides, but the pain and sadness remain.
I slowly feel my legs give out as I slide down to the ground. My back leans against the side of the cupboard, as I close my eyes.
I try to think of a solution, something I can do to fix everything. But every idea seems useless, like a bandaid on a bullet wound. I feel lost and alone like I'm the only one who knows how bad things have gotten.
I know I need to stay strong, but it's difficult when everything seems so bleak and hopeless. I try to push these thoughts aside and focus on what I can do in the present moment. But it's hard when the future looks so uncertain.
I knew that I needed to come up with a plan. First, I needed to board up this place.
I grabbed all the supplies I could find in the backyard, including planks of wood, nails, and a hammer. I also noticed an axe leaning against the shed, so I picked that up as well.
I started to nail the planks of wood to the frame of the front door. I worked as fast as I could, slamming the nails into the wood with the hammer and holding the planks in place with my foot.
After finishing the doors, I moved on to the windows. Each one had to be boarded up to prevent them from getting in. Sweat was pouring down my face as I worked, and my arms were aching from all the hammering, but I pushed through my exhaustion
Finally, after what felt like hours, I had boarded up all the windows. I stepped back and looked at my handiwork. The house was now secure. Well secure as it could be.
I make my way to the pantry. As I open the door, I'm met with a bounty of food - cans of vegetables, boxes of rice, and bags of beans line the shelves.
I begin to take inventory, counting the cans and boxes as I go. It quickly becomes clear that I have at least two weeks' worth of food here.
As I closed the pantry door and headed back to the kitchen, I stood there staring at the motionless body. I had to bury her. I can't just leave her like that.
I was lost in thought when suddenly I heard shouting and yelling coming from outside. I hurried to the window and peered outside. It looked like my neighbors were packing up to leave. They were shouting at each other, and I could see frustration on their faces.
Suddenly, the phone rang. I stumbled towards the phone, barely keeping my balance as I almost tripped.
"Hello?" I answered, breathless.
"Dad!" I practically shouted, relieved.
My father's voice came through the receiver, slightly garbled but still comforting. "Kayla? Please stay inside! I'm on my way home."
My heartbeat slowed slightly, but I still felt uneasy. My father wouldn't be here for at least a few hours. "Dad, something bad happened. One of those things broke into the house, and Mom...she turned."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. Finally, my father spoke again, his voice tight with concern. "What do you mean, she turned.
I'm currently trying to explain the situation to my dad on the phone. But the line suddenly dies, leaving me in an anxious state.
I tried calling him again, but there was no response. Suddenly, the electricity goes out too, leaving me in complete darkness.