Elle McBriar

July 19th, 4 months and 7 days after the first zombie report

I got shot. But I met people. ALIVE PEOPLE. They're not zombies.

I had a hot shower, ate a sandwich and held a baby. It's great.

I know it's dumb, but I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Like I no longer want to be dead.

There's three boys, Alex Murphy, Gage Sitter and Paxton Price. And the baby, Riley Murphy (Alex's baby brother). It's great, they're so nice. Except Paxton. He's a bit of a dick, but he seems chill.

I finished my journal entry, stuffing it into the front pocket of my pack. Alex was kind enough to bring it into the room I was staying in. I couldn't say thank you enough. They're so kind!

I hear commotion in the kitchen as I get up, wincing as I remember I have a literal hole in my side.

"You're awake, good." Gage smiles, shoving a cup of water in my hand.

I look around, seeing Paxton eating eggs and Alex trying to eat his eggs while also trying to feed Riley. I smile, sitting on the lone chair in the corner, the cup sitting on my bare legs.

"You sleep okay? I didn't hear a word from you all night." Gage asked, "I slept amazing. The best sleep I've had in years." I smiled, sipping the water slowly.

Paxton got up without saying a word and left. I sighed, he doesn't want me here. Which is understandable, I'm some random girl who got shot and they saved me.

"Why don't I feed Riley, you go do what you need to do." I said, offering to Alex, he looked at me, "You sure?" I nodded, "Seriously, go do what boys do."

He gratefully took my offer and left the kitchen, Gage not far behind them.

I sat down in front of Alex, his smiling face looking at me, "Hi baby Riley." I cooed, hearing him giggle. I love babies.

I fed him his mushed vegetables, getting spit on a few times. But once that was done, I cleaned his little plastic table, his hand wrapping around my finger. I know I shouldn't get attached but I am. I've only known these boys half a day.

I lifted Riley onto my good side, holding him under my arm. I folded his highchair, tucking it away in the corner as I cleared the table. I dropped a fork and it clattered, making Riley laugh, "You like that huh? I never understand why babies got such enjoyment from loud noises." I said to myself, hearing Riley laugh again.

* * *

After doing the dishes and putting everything away, I placed Riley in his crib in Alex's room, closing the door silently as I tip toed to the spare room.

The clouds were a little darker today, a not so nice summer day. The wind was blowing a little bit so I decided on decent clothes to wear today.

Pulling on black jeans, I paired my camouflage coat over my plain black shirt, strapping my gun and two knives in place. I packed everything away neatly and placed it by the door, going down the stairs.

I wanted to thank them for letting me stay, and saving my life after they shot me.

As I reached the storage room, I heard them say my name.

"I'm not saying she's part of the team, but she's useful."

"We don't know anything about her."

"Who cares. She can shoot, take care of the baby and she hasn't given us any reason not to trust her."

"I don't care. She's not staying."

I grabbed my pack, interrupting their conversation, "It's cool. I get it. I'm a stranger. But I wanted to thank you for letting me stay. And for saving my life."

I walked past them to the jeep outside, hearing the howling winds get stronger. "You're still injured Elle." I shrugged, "I'll live. Seriously, Paxton doesn't want me here. But it was nice of you guys to give me a room. Riley's upstairs asleep. Hopefully I'll see you round."

Closing and locking the jeep door and I drove off, feeling suddenly nervous and I drove to nowhere in particular.

I kept driving until I felt the need to stop. Or until I got bored and needed to stretch my legs. But I'm stupid and didn't look around before I stepped out.

I closed the jeep door, shoving the keys into my pocket. I stretched my legs, rolling my ankles as my converse-clad feet felt relief. The only thing about driving, it aches, everywhere!

I turned around, seeing a zombie behind me. Reaching for my gun, I shot it twice, seeing it drop dead. But as I turned to go to the car, I almost cried.

I said there was a swarm of them as a joke, I didn't actually mean it. But I have two guns with approximately 8 bullets in each. And there were about 12 dead zombies heading straight towards me.

A sand storm was brewing, the dust getting into my eyes as I raised my gun, aiming it at the ugly creatures. They dropped like flies, but kept coming. I couldn't hold them off. This is where I die.

The last stragglers who came hurling towards me were shot twice by me. But I felt something tug me and I kicked it, hearing it stumble backwards. There were more behind me.

"You've got to be kidding me. Zombieland did not prepare me for this!" I screamed.

I shot the closest one, getting ready to shoot again. But I was horrified when I realised both guns were out of ammo. The bullets were in the trunk, and I had four zombies coming from each direction. What the hell is happening.

"I am no dying today, no sir." I yanked out my knives, waiting for them to come to me. I always hated feeling the dead zombie flesh wrap around the knife. I had to stab them at least 4 times before they died. Twice in the head but once in the heart.

I stabbed one, the zombie perishing at my feet, "Suck on that you ugly fucker." I yelled.

I bit back the nerves that constricted my chest and kept going. They were coming from all different directions, each one bigger than the last. Thankfully, I could get to the boot. I opened it, grabbing the rounds and closing the boot, climbing on top of it.

Holy shit. They were everywhere.

It was like the start of the outbreak.

I had about 12 rounds until I was out completely. And then I'm dumb.

I kept shooting, aiming and shooting. I don't know how many I killed but I know that every time I shot one, another one appeared.

I was shooting below me, my elbow starting to ache at the close force of the bullet. The sand was in my eyes, I could barely see. I feel a slimy hand wrap around my ankle as I try to kick them off. I scream, shooting in front of me, "Get off me. You could have AIDS for all I know."

I managed to shove them off. And I headed for the front door, fumbling with my keys.

"ELLE, TAKE COVER, NOW!"

I think it was God talking to me because I don't know if I'm dead or alive. But I dove under the jeep, hearing a million bullets fly a second. I blocked my ears, ignoring the piercing sound and the nose-hair burning smell of gun powder.

I didn't open my eyes til it was over. Even then, the sand storm whipped past me, pushing me backwards.

I saw a van, a big black van. Alex had his head out the window.

"What are you doing?" I scream over the wind, "Get your stuff and run."

I didn't question it. I just did. I grabbed my bag and the duffel, whilst managing two cans of fuel. Who knows, we might need them.

"Goodbye beautiful Jeep, you'll be missed."

I climbed inside the van, throwing my shit down and collapsing onto the floor, "Holy fuck that was intense." I whispered, sitting up and feeling light headed.

I looked around the van, all the window were tinted black and there was one seat leaning against the wall, "Are you hurt? Did you get bit?" Gage asked, looking over my concerned, I shook my head, "No. I'm fine." I run my hands over my body, feeling no excessive damage aside from a few scrapes and bruises.

"Why'd you guys come for me?" I ask.

"We bullied Paxton into letting you stay and we were already coming to get you, but then we saw those fucking creatures appear out of the bushes and we packed up everything."

Everything?

"By the time the food and necessities from the shop were gone, the zombies were paroling the highway."

"So, where are we going?" I asked, taking a seat next to Gage on the seat.

"New York."

* * *

hiii

i'm so excited for this book holy moly