The chit chatter from a group of birds wakes me up from my sleep. Some people might consider it as a sweet melody of a song, but I dread everything that steals the comfort of my personal dreamland. I dawdle towards the balcony to chase the culprits away. As I slowly undo the lock of the sliding glass window and slide it away, a gentle breeze washes away all my anger. The flock of birds that was sitting on a branch nearby immediately flies away, perhaps startled by my presence.

I hear a voice from the bed behind me. “Sis?” I turned around to look at Miranda, my little sister. Her arm-length dark hair was in a mess, as she rubs her eyes and tucks her hair behind her ears.

“Sorry, did I wake you up?” I chuckle, as I watch over her walking dazedly towards me. She grabs my arm and buries her face in it.

“It’s okay. I think I’ve had enough sleep.” She lets out a sweet smile as if there’s not a care in the world. How I wish I could protect this smile of hers forever. “Are you sure? You had another nightmare yesterday.” I slide my fingers into her hair as I caress her cheek. She was eleven years old when the outbreak started and since then, nightmares haunt her every night making it impossible for her to sleep alone.

She nods and responds, “It’s all right, sis. I know you’re with me. I’m not scared since you’re always here.”

Silly girl, I truly wish that is true but nobody knows the future holds for us. I gave her a tight hug and reassure her. “Don’t worry, Miranda. Your sis will do whatever she could to keep you safe.”

Suddenly, loud footsteps echo throughout the corridor. The footstep stops and there is a huge knock on the bedroom door. “Hey! Are you guys up yet? We should go soon!”

I click my tongue. What a great morning to spoil.

Miranda makes a weird face as I muffle her ears with my hands. I begin to glare at the persistent knocking, or more precisely, the perpetrator who is ruining the serene morning.

“Shut up, Val! Why are you here so early?” I shout.

“H-huh? What do you mean why? We’re supposed to scavenge today, remember?” He sighs loudly and continues to talk with a sarcastic tone. “I guess your brain isn’t awake yet.”

Argh! this idiot keeps getting on my nerves.

My blood is just about to boil over as I yell on top of my lungs. “Just go take a jog or something! We’ll be out once we’re ready!”

“Wow, you’re so grumpy in the morning.” The sound of footstep steadily fades away from the door.

Another unnecessary remark from the rude monkey. I wish I could just avoid from dealing with him for one day.

I pick up an ornate brush from the cupboard and brush Miranda’s hair with the utmost care. The adorned brush must have been expensive. I guess that the previous owner of this house adores fancy stuff.

“Sis, I think you would look great with long hair. I could brush it for you, too!” Miranda’s cheerful voice warms my heart.

“It’s easier for me to fight with short hair so I don’t even need to tie it up.” Hearing my response, she seems to be in a slump from my rejection, but I believe this is for the best. I need not to look pretty or anything. It’s already the end of the world. There’s nobody around to judge me for what I am.

After a few minutes of preparation, I head downstairs. A spiky-haired young man comes into view, sitting at the corner of the room, holding a cup.

He notices me almost immediately. He slowly sips his drink and puts the cup down. “Oh, you’re finally here. Don’t mind me. I’m simply enjoying my half an hour well spent.”

I roll my eyes as I respond to his remarks. “Girls need time to prepare, you know.”

“Ah, great! Why don’t you roll your eyes harder? It would be a great discovery if you can find your brain back there.” He grins like an idiot.

I snap immediately after hearing such an unbelievable shit. I lose my ability to process information and yelp, “HEEEEEE--” I cut my anger short after hearing a familiar voice behind me.

“S-sis? What was that sound?”

I turn around to see a small figure, carrying an oversized backpack, as she puts her finger on her chin and tilts her head, innocently confused.

Val stands up and says, “G-good morning, Miranda! You look great today, too.”

I snicker and whisper to him, “Oh, I thought you said it was a waste of time for girls to prepare themselves?”

“I-it’s fine if Miranda does it. She’s not like you!” He says.

“What does that even mean?!”

Miranda approaches us and picks up a biscuit on the table. “Um… where are we going this time?”

Val opens a map from his backpack and presents it to us. There are many crossed out sections of stores that have been looted by us and the Society. He points to a building complex, located on top of a hill a few kilometres away from our base. “Do you guys know about the prison? I’ve asked around, and the Society said that there were militaries posted there. But they left in a hurry a few days ago.”

“I did hear something about a zombie horde on the northern front when Zack was tinkering with the radio station. Could it be related?” I question.

“Are you sure it’s safe to go there?”

I hug Miranda and pat her hair. “There’s no such thing as safe around here anymore, Miranda. But we’ve survived this long, haven’t we?“

“Don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll protect you!” Val flexes to show off his muscles.

I grimace in disgust as I try to ignore Val’s retarded flexing and proceed to the exit. I grab my axe by the door and lift it up to my shoulder. “Shall we leave?”