Chapter 3

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We sat for about an hour and chalked all the houses we knew had kids in them. We first check marked the houses with younger kids because they would be needing attention a lot sooner than others.

I sat for a few minutes as Melanie went to grab something from her room.

This situation, whatever happened has most likely left every single survivor weak.

Our entire population would most likely die out within a few days. I don't know why, but I feel like not a single soul would be brave enough to take a stand after what just happened. I kinda feel like I might just collapse as well.

But as dad always said, there should be someone to set an example for others, even if they too are terrified.

I let out a sigh and stood up. I went over to the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water.

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I went upstairs to Melanie's room to look for her. The door to her parent's room was open a crack.

I could hear movement from inside. "Melanie?" I called.

"Yes?" she answered, opening the door and stepping out into the hall. "You need something?"

"Nothing, what were you up to?" I asked.

"Cleaning up." She said. "I think we should be getting rid of these bodies somehow, they'll start rotting soon."

"Hmm, guess we should. Anyways let's go. The sooner we start today the better." I said and walked back downstairs.

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We told Diana to go and prepare some juice and glasses of water, while we were out.

I and Melanie went back to my house to get some more utensils and supplies. Then we got ready to go out.

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I stood in my room, with a few bags stuffed with clothes next to my closet. I picked up another empty bag and took out some of my books and put them in the bag.

Picking up another bag, I put in a few flashlights I had and a few other things. I took it downstairs and transferred the thing into my backpack, which was still sitting next to the door.

Swinging the bag over my shoulder, I opened the door and walked out. Melanie was waiting for me by the fence.

We walked silently down the street, till we reached the house two houses away from mine. Just as I opened the door installed in the fence, there were loud cry's coming from inside.

We walked up to the door, and Melanie gave a few loud knocks.

The door opened a few seconds later, and Anna peeked out.

"Hi, Anna. How are you?" Melanie asked as Anna opened the door completely.

"I'm doing great. I'm just having a hard time with Lia." she answered, and just as she finished her sentence there was a loud wail from upstairs.

"Anna, how about you go and get some of your and baby Lia's clothes, while Melanie calms Lia down? And if you don't mind, I'll also take a few other supplies." I said as she stepped aside to let us in.

"Okay." she mumbled and closed the door behind us.

Melanie headed upstairs to calm Lia, Anna followed me to the kitchen and handed me some bags. She took out some more and headed upstairs to pack some of their clothes and books.

I opened up the bags and stuffed in some utensils. Then I carefully put some plates into another. By that time Melanie had already put baby Lia to sleep and had come downstairs to help me.

We wrapped things up and took them out into the hallway. Anna had already put all the bagged clothes over there and came down with a sleeping baby Lia in her arms.

"How are we going to get all this over there?" Anna asked.

"You guys have bikes, right?" Melanie asked, a mischievous glimmer in her eyes.

"Yeah, we have two. Why?" Anna answered.

"Don't worry about it. Can you carry her over to my house?" I said to her.

"Yeah, I guess." she said.

"Well, you do that, me and Avery will bring over the things." Melanie said, heading towards the garage to get the bikes out.

"Please lock the door when you guys are done." Anna said and opened the door.

" 'K." I said and stood in the doorway and watched her as she left towards the house.

There was a light breeze, and the sun was out. I stood there and waited for Melanie to bring over the bikes.

As Melanie brought the bikes out, I picked up a few bags and stuffed them into the basket.

Taking the helmet from her, I took the bike out onto the driveway and got on.

Riding the bike out of the driveway, I turned and a few seconds later passed by Anna.

Reaching my driveway, I put the bags down next to the mailbox and rode back up to Anna's.

As I was riding back, I passed by the Willow's house. I had never been to that house, nor had I seen the people that lived there. It gave me the creeps. In comparison, every other house on the street looked like a family home, while the Willow's house looked like an abandoned building.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I got off the bike, went back in, and came back out with a few bags, all the while getting a feeling I was being watched.

Putting the bags in the basket, I took a glance around and then got on the bike.

Riding into my driveway, I looked over at Melanie who was standing with two glasses of water by the mailbox.

"Where's Anna?" I asked, taking a glass from her.

"Went inside. Hey, are we making my house a rescue center or something?" She asked in a sarcastic tone.

"Maybe we are, I mean, it's not our fault your house is the biggest on the street." I said gulping down the water and handing her back the glass.

"Second biggest." she corrected. "The Willow's house is bigger."

"Yeah, but there's also the fact that we know no one who lives there." I said leaning on the bushes and then straightening up again.

"Well, we'll still have to see if there's any kid or someone who lives there." Melanie said, striding back to her door. "Be right back."

I stood there and waited for a bit.

There was that incessant feeling of being watched again. I looked ahead down the street. No one could be seen. I could feel a prickling feeling on the back of my neck.

Melanie came back the next second with a sandwich in her hand. I put aside my thing and looked over at her.

"Here." she said and handed it over to me.

I stuffed it in my mouth and got on the bike.

"So, who's next?" She asked.

I took out the map from my pocket.

"Irene and Jason." I said, folded the paper, put it back in my pocket, and stuffed the rest of my sandwich into my mouth.

"Let's go."