Finding Out

It has been a few days since the accident, and I can finally move without much issue. I still feel a bit weak, but that must be because of my head injury. Is that how it works, I wonder?

Anyways, Kara is still not talking to me. She always comes and checks on me, but she doesn't say anything. She just stares at me with a sad look before she leaves. It is starting to creep me out a little.

Just the previous day, I asked Carlos to contact my Aunt. He said he tried to do it multiple times, but he couldn't reach her. I got a bit scared after hearing that but he succeeded in calming me down.

Or at least, that's what I let him believe.

Yesterday night, I saw some movement near my window. I thought it must be a cat or an animal, but to my horror, it was a man who was walking with a chunk of his face missing.

It was as if the death was walking in itself.

I wanted to scream, but I instantly knew it was a bad idea. That thing didn't know I was there, so shouting would just alert him of my presence. He would break in then.

So instead of screaming, I very slowly moved out of the room, only to see Kara standing outside with her hand extended toward my door in a knocking gesture. I could tell she wished to say something, but before she could, I saw her noticing the thing outside.

Without saying another word, Kara quickly moved toward the window. The thing was tapping on it as if it wanted nothing more than to break in.

Kara took a deep breath, before taking out a knife from her purse. It looked sharp.

My eyes widened as I saw what she did next. Opening the window, she backed away to let the thing put its head inside, and just as it did that, she stabbed it in its brain.

Using both her hands to push that thing outside, Kara quickly closed the window before running up to me and hugging me tightly. At that moment I realized I was shaking, too scared to even run.

It was all like a nightmare. A nightmare that has become my reality.

"We will talk about this tomorrow, I swear!"

~~~

[ Present Time ]

"So, you guys are telling me...that the dead have started walking? That there are people out there who are eating each other like some monsters? Not to mention, there is no response from the government for that problem?"

I looked on at the two adults inside the room, staring at them with a critical eye. I'd have never believed them if I didn't see that thing outside yesterday. If what they say is true, then that must mean that the world has come to an end.

Oh no...what about my aunt? How is she?!

"Not quite." Kara shook her head at me, putting her hand over my shoulder, seizing my worries for a bit. "They're not people. Don't ever confuse them with people." Kara warned, her expression deadly serious.

"What do you mean?"

"They're no longer what they used to be." It was Carlos who spoke this time, his eyes looking away. "They have turned into some brainless monsters. It's because of a virus we couldn't cure. My colleague believed that they were still sane, that belief cost him his sanity as well. He got bitten, and in a matter of a few hours, he turned into one of them."

"Wait, you mean to tell me, that if they bite you, you turn into them?"

"Precisely."

Carlos said glumly, making me shudder at the thought.

That's disgusting. I don't want to look like that weirdo!

"Those...things, are not human. Not anymore." Kara crossed her arms, looking at the floor with her face stricken with overwhelming sadness. "Considering them as such is the biggest mistake you can make in your life."

I looked at Carlos, wanting him to explain why she acts this way. Something has happened to her, something terrible.

Carlos gave me a sad smile and shook his head, which made me not want to question her anymore.

"So... What's the plan? How are we gonna survive?"

"Our priority should be to join a group. The more we are, the better the chances of our survival. We were just waiting for you to get healed enough before taking our leave. Now that you're fine, we will leave in a few hours. You are coming with us as well."

I stared at them, a reluctant expression on my face.

"...I want to see my aunt."

"Listen, Jace. I don't want to sound-"

"She is alive. I know it!"

I shouted, glaring at the man. I know I'm acting like a child, but I am a child, you can't blame me! I wish to see my aunt, to let her know I'm fine and well. There is no way I can leave without letting her know!

Carlos sighed.

"Maybe we will find her with some other survivors. There is no way for anyone to survive without a group outside. If she is alive, which I hope she is, she must be with a group. And I'm sure she must be looking for you as well."

I glared at him some more, before finally relenting.

"Fine. Let's pack some things that we might need before leaving."

Carlos nodded and went upstairs to his room. Kara looked at him as he left, before looking at me.

She smiled as she kneeled in front of me. Her eyes still looked sad, but she was putting on a brave face to reassure me. A face my aunt makes every time we are suffering from financial problems.

"Don't worry, Jace. I will protect you."

She hugged me, and for some reason, I couldn't help but hug her back.

For a moment, I felt as if I was back home, hugging my aunt after a tough day at school.

~*~

Yo, Dear Readers.

Author here.

The story is finally going to take its course in the next chapter. I'm sure I might be causing some plot holes, but please bear with me for a bit. And kindly leave a comment and vote for the story. It helps to keep me motivated.

The MC will not meet Clementine for some time. I want to establish him as a character before making him meet her, as that would seem more appropriate to me.

That's all I had to say.

Peace.