Commence

A week had passed and not a single event was sought to be important worth remembering. The power shortage went havoc and the water ran dried. All that was left are the scarce resources stored from our fridge as big as a mammoth, sort of. The supplies are dropping quickly, and soon we could meet our awaited demise. But of course, the quickest yet most dangerous option will be venturing outside, scavenging for relief. Canned goods, purified water, gasoline and such will be placed at the outmost priority, second from our lives.

But what had happened from these past few days? What started the spread of the disease which made humanity trembled in fear? Who are connected upon the contamination of the world?

My questions left unanswered. I ponder in thought and gazed on the grey ceiling, hot but not sweating. The inability of curing diseases across our circle will be inevitable. Sooner or later, once our feet stepped outside, new dangers awaits us. Wild life will be greeting us with awe.

It was fortunate that most of our devices are solar powered channels, which means it can be fuelled from the rays of the sun. A truly dependable outlet. No new messages was sent by my old man, thus I became more worried than ever. No news means good news is actually a false assumption during this time. Unabled to contact the other side, my dad, could mean certain death in our situation, nonetheless the origin of this madness. I couldn't find the courage to explain the whole part of my overall background linked in this crisis to Annette, the newest ally of the Turner family

Although lacking, she could be proven dependable sometimes. She has vast knowledge about medical related topics, not much from a health allied student; which was a strand called from this country. But she excels not only in the humanity's health but on the course of technologies and tinkering of machineries. She was born talented, understanding comprehensive puzzles as her innate gift. She claims to be the daughter of the mayor and doctor, whose names I do not know. I myself proclaims my knowledge as extensive far superior than hers; my pride had said so.

To my side is the same Annette, lying on the couch like she owned the whole thing. You're a guest here, remember? I soon pushed these frivolous thoughts and shared my opinion.

"Do you understand our current situation?"

"Nope. Not at all~" she replied in a goofy smile.

To that extent is was plausible, but somehow if her goal was to irritate me with her tone then she had long achieved her plans.

"But I do know that this was surely an experiment. A virus may be? But the holes from their body could prove my theory wrong" she changed her position, yet still laid on her back.

"If I were to guess, this must be done outside of this small country and was forcibly spread with the help of a 'somebody', terrorist may be? Who's capable enough to garnish the power house of the different states, internationally? The virus spread fast in 12 hours' time. With that, we can narrow down our culprit." She exclaims, but refuses to bat an eye, seemingly spouting as if it was the natural thing to say.

But the girl has a point. Her merits is as pure as gold and her deduction was outstanding, much like I had thought the same. To pinpoint such accuracy, I had commended her silently.

"You catch up quicker that I had expected." I commented on her opinion, but my eyes are glued with judgement. You may deceive me with your knowledge, but your current standing, I mean lying on the couch proves me wrong.

"Elementary." And soon laid back to her once original position, uninterested.

"Are you interested on finding that out?" I asked

"Terrorism? Nope. Leave me out of it" she snickered, avoid responsibility.

We're the last hope of humanity, you know? As if my face gave it away, she stood from the couch and walked straight to my mum's room

"Hey, wait a…"

*slam* she slammed the door shut, well, not as loud as anyone could imagine.

'What's her problem? Geez' I lamented on the thought. Girls are scary creatures.

My mum who was listening from the kitchen's floor, whose busy preparing the food for our next gourmet, timidly sat on the couch parallel to mine.

"Don't mind her. She may have her own problems. Her family was indeed massacred by this frenzy." A soft angelic voice and a gentle smile bathe my face.

Understanding the people around us. A nature that we, the humans, build relationships with. May be, looking at the bigger picture, she was struggling. Struggling enough to cope from her lack of understanding, considering the fact that this is a deadly phenomenon. Then again, what else I can do? I ponder on the thought and continued formulating a plan.

Three successful weeks came and nothing astonishing had happen except for the continuous decrease of our renowned stock of food and water. Next week, actually the week after, we must formulate a plan and start gathering some Intel or bravery catching our food

We've been respecting our distance, me and Annette after 'that' conversation. It must've hit hard, pressuring her from the situation. But what else can I do? As if I'm trying to lift a hundred kilogram weights passed by a friendly ally, my father which passed his responsibilities to me. Not that I can refuse. Even if I wanted to, who else has the power to stop this nightmare? Likewise my similar thought of worry, the maids asked a urgent meeting between the family boards. Us.

"M-My deepest apology… but it looks like all of our foods are…declining" Quinn awkwardly reports. She speaks like a child filled with embarrassment, but reliable at most times. Her face borrowed on the ground with her expressions hidden from her short hair bangs.

(Author's notes: Quinn's act of speaking is stuttering, similarly to a kid being shy talking with the adults)

"Madam, what must we do?" Marionette asked, closing her eyes whilst slightly lowering her head.

It was indeed a difficult question holding such limited answers. I was about to get their attention and propose the pros and cons of getting out but Annette, who was quicker, raises her hand.

"The only thing left is to visit the nearby malls and stores. If we could, stopping over to a nearby house for their fridge, assuming that their food had yet to be rotten." she stated the same fact that I was supposed to say. Well, it's less job for me to bother.

"But that would only mean stretching our luck. These malls might contain drifting creatures that might gobble up the moment we stepped inside their vicinity" My mother replied, gazing to my eyes. It was a silent action, asking for my opinion.

"Indeed. I'd advise everyone to gather and fill our bags with resources next week. As of where, we should head for a nearby store downtown. Any miniature stall would do. Canned foods and potable water is our top concern. I, myself will be volunteering on this expedition. Annette should also come with me. We will be ri…."

"EEEEEEEEH" Annette cut me off with a loud sound, refusing my reason.

"You're coming with me. You're brisk, mentally prepared, intellectual, and armed with first aid knowledge that I myself can't compare. And besides, you'll be having me" replying to her complain. I did wanted to say that she isn't part of our family, a stranger from the outside but…it would've been rude to add fuel to the fire.

With a crushing defeat, unable to retort anything, she reluctantly nodded to my aim.

"Master Grey, it'll be best if… I can tag along" the shy Quinn spoke, clasping her hands. "I…I want to be useful too. I've learned basic first aids when I was in middle school and I may not l-look like it but I'm the fastest one here in this room" her determination could be seen in her glittering eyes. Is she about to cry or prove her worth? Let's leave it be.

"But…"I wanted to decline but I couldn't form a good reason for it. I was… afraid losing my closest friend. A part of my family.

"I-If the situation turns for the worst, we will retreat with or without your orders. A-A valuable life cannot be replaced." Quinn insisted that the both of us would go alone, retrieving our abating resources.

My mum was worried from our judgement but soon considered everything beforehand.

"If it's you, you can do everything" She said, as she pats my head and fixes my hair

"Promise me you'll be safe, okay?" My mum was showering me with love as the light embeds my face with glimmering hope.

"Besides, I'm here. Failure will never be an option!" My mum cried an ocean as she saw a spitting image of my dad through me. It's our favourite line during the immediate stress upon facing any problem. Annette, who was standing there couldn't give a face. The shifting responsibility had benefit her more than anyone in this room. She had been freely lodging in our home and left unharmed. Despite everything, the meeting had ended; and thus, we hoped for the best.

Another three weeks had pass and the cataclysm reached our side. Well decided to commence our plan, that is to travel outside and to gather wares left from the apocalypse. Our stronghold, our house, will be strictly protected by Marionette, my mum, and Annette; barricading our walls adding to our defences at the interval of our arrival.

The equipment, as needed are the machete, baseball bat, two backpacks (one each), my phone which included a lot of necessary tools, a lighter, a rope, and a bottle while we're at it. We'll never know what would hit us outside. Normal clothes are recommended compared from what I had used from saving Annette. A heavy baggage could lead potential risks of slowing us down.

"What's our mode of transport?" Quinn asked.

We can travel by foot but I'm pretty sure we could be surrounded by zombies in less than a minute, so no. that's a bad idea.

"We'll use our car" I bluntly replied. The garage is located besides the entrance of our house. We will be relying on the GPS of my phone. Approximately two kilometres away from our home, there's a well-known store something with a seven in, I don't know. I rarely go out, and even if I could I wouldn't. I could just ask my maid to buy me the demanded food or products, I wouldn't bother knowing where and how did they bought it.

All of the members of the house stood tall, patiently waiting for my decision. I prepared the directions going to the store. With a light *beep* from the phone, the map had been successfully settled. If we had a gun, it'll be easier.

As if my thoughts had been read, Marionette presented us a gun. A Glock, with two magazines prepared and one readied inside. It holds 9mm bullets, ultra-concealable, accurate and a fantastic tool for all shooters regardless of one's hand size. Truly a master piece. But, was it alright to hold a gun at my age?

"Don't worry, master! I-I'll be the one shooting them in the head if that ever happens" I never doubted my maids, but Quinn, with the sound your voice it is kind of troubling. Anyway, let it be. For our safety, I ordered Quinn to open fire in her pleasure. She replied with a light nod and gave us a smile, as she secured the gun around her hips.

Finally, with perfect preparations, me and Quinn went inside our car which was bought around two months ago. The seat has always been comfortable, and Quinn will be the one taking the wheels. I called shotgun. Always.

My mum walked over my window and checked for the gas. It seemed fine fortunately and that eases everyone's worry.

"Mum, Marionette, Annette" I called for their attention.

"Once the door opens, we'll be driving in an incredible speed. At that time, please be ready to close the gate the instant we're outside, got it?" If they didn't then we'll all going to die, but I kept that fact and anticipated the future.

"Got it" Annette replied with enthusiasm. May be she was over from the fact that she was excluded from this adventure. At least, she's capable enough to tend my mum as long as its health related problems. But I doubt Marionette could be better, who knows.

"Grey, please be safe" My mum, for the last time, kisses my forehead as a form of goodbye.

"Roger. I love you, mum"

"I love you too, sweetie"

After our exchange, we are now about to dread the undead road.