Chapter 8

I drove away from their street and went back home. While on the way, we ended up calling the attention of multiple zombies and many of them bumped into the car. I can't let this continue, the car is not fortified. Also if I continue to drive our way back to our home, I will end up leading a herd. I decided to take a different route and drive farther away from home on the matter of which Etil violently reacted.

"What the hell are you doing woman?! Your street is that way!"

"I can't lead a herd to our home, idiot!"

Etil sat back. I continue to drive away. I drove the car on 4th gear, good thing the zombified humans don't run as quick as the dogs did, that would be a bigger problem.

I manage to lose the herd trailing behind us. I checked the gas and it's half-way empty. I decided to stop for now and turn the engine off. I told them to hide as much as they can so zombies don't come and attack the car if ever they find it. Aunt Mel got down and hid just on the car's floor. Etil did the same and the two were well hiding behind the chairs and the car door. I can't do the same because I'm in the driver's seat unless I adjust it. And so I did just that, I adjusted the seat back to give me enough space so I can sit on the floor.

As we sat there we started to feel the heat inside the car, we all started to sweat and the windows are getting a bit cloudy. It also started to stink inside, it smells like vinegar. But I can't just open the windows, I don't know if the zombies react to scent. I then looked at my phone, it just turned 5pm. The sunsets at around 6pm during the summer so we had an hour to wait. We couldn't open the aircon either, we don't have much gas left and the car engine would attract zombies so I can't risk that one. We only sat there and waited. Each second minute was so long. The heat makes it all worse, I hate the feeling of thick layers of clothes soaked in sweat pressing against my skin, it's just icky.

We waited and waited, both Etil and were suffering from this hot sticky feeling on our skin. We find it surprising that aunt Mel actually fell asleep. Etil poked me with her frying pan to get my attention. When I looked at her she used sign language that we learned back in grade school.

"I-m_b-o-r-e-d" Etil signed.

"S-a-m-e" I signed.

"G-o-t_a_l-o-t_t-o_t-e-l-l_y-o-u"

"K"

She didn't like my "K."

"W-h-a-t?" I asked confused.

"J-u-s-t_K?!"

I shrugged.

She raised her hand with her middle finger pointing up while the rest were folded.

"Fuck you," her lips moved.

I lightly chuckled and rolled my eyes.

The two of us waited in there for what seemed forever until the night finally took over the orange sky. When it's finally dark I quickly sat on the driver seat and adjusted it. After I adjusted it to where my feet can reach the pedals, I turned the key and the engine sprung to life. Etil sat on the front passenger seat and buckled her seat belt. Aunt Mel was woken up by the engine and panicked, she sat down the instant she woke up. After then, we hit the road once more. In about 3minutes we're back at my family's house.

When we arrived in front of my house, I saw my brother, Frodery, unlocking the padlock hurriedly. Aunt Mel was hesitant to leave the car. She's a little too traumatized that she refuses to leave the car. Out of nowhere, Frodery swooped in between me and Etil. He pulled the old lady out. Etil placed her shock aside and shuts the door behind her while I instinctively clicked the lock button on the remote for the car. We all quickly ran inside the gate. Frod padlocks the gate and we all went inside the house. After being inside, my brother apologized to Aunt Mel. But auntie on the other hand was in a state of shock, she didn't respond to my brother's apology. I then offered the two women to stay in my bedroom. I told Etil that I'll lend her clothes after I took a bath. She nodded and the two went up the stairs. Later on, when it was just my brother and I stood in the silence of darkness, he spoke my name.

"Pheene..."

I looked at him swiftly.

He steps forward and held my face between his hands. The warmth of his palms against my cheeks made me stop moving and breathing, I was stiff as a statue. He then wraps his arms around me and one of his hands held my head prompting my face to press on his chest.

"Shhhhh, Pheene, you're safe now," he whispered.

A sudden surge of pain pierced right through my chest. A familiar feeling that I despise. I pushed him away and took a step back. I slid my hand into the pocket of my hoodie and felt for the flashlight. I brought it out and turned it on. I then quickly ran up the stairs. As I go up, I heard him sigh deeply under his breath.

I went to my drawer which I placed close to my room and not in to give more space since my room isn't very big. I rummaged through my clothes to wear after bathing and to lend to Etil and auntie. I also looked for a clean towel to lend to my best friend and to her mom in the meantime. After getting what I needed I knocked on my own bedroom door before entering. I handed the clothes that Etil and her mom could wear including the towel. After that, I took my towel that was hanging on a huge ass hanger that hangs behind my door. After having all the stuff that I wanted I went to Donny's old room to undress. I then locked the door behind me and placed my garments on a chair.

While undressing the feeling I had on my chest grew stronger. I took heavy and slow breaths in an attempt to control it. My body is trembling and sweating cold sweat. I placed one of my hands on the wall close to me while my other hand clutches on my forehead. I grit my teeth and my eyes widen. My vision is starting to blur and it was hot. I felt tears trickle down my cheek and it agitated me even more. No...no I refuse. I can't let myself go any deeper in the pit! Now thought is forming inside my head. Maybe, just maybe, if I splash cold water on my face I'll feel better. So I decided to take everything off and wrapped myself in my towel. I quickly went downstairs and get to the bathroom as quick as possible.

I entered the bathroom and closed the door, locking it after. I hanged my towel up on the hook and went to turn the faucet on. I waited for the pail to get full before scooping the water with the dipper. After the pail's full, I used the dipper and scooped the water. I then poured the water on my face and allowed the water to fall down my body. The water is not that cold but at least it wasn't warm, I hate warm baths during summer.

I repeatedly poured the water on me until I felt a little better. After pouring how many liters or maybe gallons I decided to stop for a while. I kept thinking about what happened in my past that had no relevance to our situation today.

"Pheene, you're safe now."

I hate that line, I really really hate it! All of them said that to me, I'm so sick of it! My legs felt like pasta that was exposed to boiling water and now I'm kneeling on the floor before I even really notice it.

They always tell me that I'm safe now, that no one will ever hurt me again. Liars! I was never safe around any soul! Why do they always have to lie to me?! I hate this, I really hate this feeling... I wish they'd never told me that, it's a lie that brings back so many memories I've been trying to forget.

"I'm not even safe from my own hands..." I whispered.