Elle McBriar

July 20th, 4 months and 8 days after the first zombie report

I woke up with my head on someones shoulder. I woke up the humming of a motor and the darkness surrounding me. It seriously feels like I'm being kidnapped.

I massaged my neck, looking around to see I was in a van. And I was leaning on Gage's shoulder. Gage also looked half asleep. The seatbelt clipped into his side as his eyes were half open and shut, his arms holding baby Riley.

"I can take the baby, if you want." I whispered, seeing Gage nod. I took Riley from him, cradling the baby close to me, feeling him stir in his sleep. Then I looked over and surely enough, Gage was asleep, head bouncing up and down on the window as he slept.

"What time is it?" I ask softly, "Uh around 1am. We're about 20 minutes away from our destination." Alex said, looking at my in the rear-view mirror. But we left at like 4pm, it's only an hour to New York. "We ran into some complications, aka, car pile up, zombies and we had to get food for Riley." My confusion turned to realization and I nodded.

For the rest of the drive, we were silent. Paxton driving, Alex in the passenger, Gage asleep beside me and baby Riley in my arms. It seemed peaceful. Even though we're the only people left on Earth.

The van stopped after a bit and I looked through the tinted windows, it was dark. Really dark. No lights, fires or even a torch to see. But the moon and stars were casting a glow on he ruble. I gasped.

The big apple. Beautiful times square. It's gone. Cars upon cars, taxis, buses and bikes were molded together. Leaning against a collapsed building. Telephone wires, metal rods and sharp object stuck out of the ground. Broken glass and trash was littered everywhere.

It's a ghost town.

I got out, crunching over the weeds that grew around my feet. I followed the boys around, not wanting to be left alone.

"Where are we going?" I ask, looking around.

"No where for now, we're securing the perimeter." I nodded, safety is always first.

We headed back to the van, seeing Gage emptying the drivers seat as we approached him.

"Sad isn't it. New York is.. gone." Gage said sadly, looking up at the once beautiful buildings that were now a pile on the ground, "It's good for us though. Because tomorrow we build. We scavenge, hunt and steal anything we can." Paxton said firmly, looking at me.

"We've got a list sorted out. Who's doing what. I'm on weapons-" Paxton said, looking rather proud of himself, "Gage is on house hunting, including beds, furniture and anything else useful like that." Gage nodded, crossing his arms over his chest, "Alex. You're on safety, traps. You know the drill. Telescope in the highest place, bullets in the magazines, you know what you're doing."

Then Paxton turned to me, "Elle. You're on food. Grab a cart, a basket, anything big enough to store food. You find as many things as you can, double up on shit okay? Water, medicine, medical supplies, baby food. You got it?" I nodded. At least I'm useful for today.

"Who's taking Riley tomorrow?" Alex asked, the boys didn't say anything, I smiled, "I can take him. There's no harm in a little grocery shopping right." I said, looking down at Riley who was still asleep, "Alright then, it's settled. Gage, you set up beds for tonight, I'll set up watch station."

I sat on the concrete, baby Riley snuggled in my arms. He was wearing a starfish onesie and was wrapped in a thin blanket. Do babies get cold? Do they feel temperature?

The van was bigger enough for all of us, surprisingly. We put the weapons bin, bags and other things in the front, sitting on the dash and passenger seat. Then blankets are settled on the floor.

I smile as I think of 3 large boys all cuddling in one van. How cute.

"Who's willing to take first watch?" Paxton groans, coming down off the roof.

He yawns, indicating that he's tired. "I slept in the van, I can do it if you want." I volunteered. Alex gave me a sympathetic smile, "You don't have too-" "Please, I insist. You saved me life, it's the least I can do."

Alex nodded, Gage and Paxton entered the van, closing the door.

"Do you need a hand getting up?" Alex said, offering my his hand, I gave him baby Riley, gripping onto the side of the van as I used all my upper body strength to pull myself up. Dusting off my hands, "I think I can handle it. Now go, get some sleep trooper."

* * *

Hours had passed and I was still sitting on the roof. The boys talked before they went to sleep, I could hear their mumbles. A gun was locked and loaded in my lap as I glanced around, doing a 360 with my head.

Nothing had happened, not a single dead thing had emerged. No tumbleweed, wind, or sound had been made. I got bored and grabbed my journal from the front seat, writing an entry.

It's like 5am right now. I've been sitting on the roof of this van for hours now. Nothing's happened. I'm bored. I want to sleep. But I owe these boys my life, they saved me from dying after I miraculously got shot. I still don't know who did it.

But I'm glad they accepted me. It's been a long time, years in fact since I've had friends or someone who had my back. It's nice also, having someone other than myself to talk too.

But I almost died yesterday. A huge wave of zombies hit me like a tonne of bricks. I was on the highway, heading to nowhere when they emerged from the bushes. So many zombies just coming straight towards me.

It's almost like they're being processed. I know that's not true because to breed more zombies, the zombies have to eat the humans. And there are no more humans left for the zombies to kill.

Anyway. One good thing is coming out of this whole zombie thing. There's a baby. Riley. Alex mentioned he was born a few weeks before the zombie outbreak. And he's the sweetest thing. And.. I also thing Paxton is warming up to me. I mean, he also did save my life yesterday.

I just hope we don't die anytime soon.

With the sun rising over the hills, I closed the notebook, sliding down the side of the van as I slipped it into my bag in the front seat. What do I do now? I don't want to wake them up.

I got the fright of my life when the van door slid open and all three boys hopped out. I almost also had a heart attack when they came out shirtless.

Thank you, God!

I tried not to stare, especially when Alex smiled at me, "Morning McBriar, how was lookout?" He asked, I shrugged, "Boring. Nothing happened. Not one single thing." "That's what we want. Let's hope it stays that way." Gage sighed.

Packing up the blankets, and shoving it under the seat, we moved everything back to the back.

I glanced over and saw Riley still asleep in the baby carrier sitting on the chair. Lets try not to wake him up.

But that was short lived when a pan clattered on the ground, Gage winced, squeezing his eyes shut. We all held our breath, waiting for Riley to cry. But he never did. "You're a clutz, Sitter." Paxton hushed, smacking Gage in the chest.

I stretched my back, stiffling a yawn as I went to see what Alex was doing. "What are you up to?" I ask, "Getting stuff ready for food. We have a limited supply today so as soon as this is done, you have to move." I nodded, "Well, if you gather some wood, or a small deep or hollow container, we can make a fire and cook some of these cans on it." I said, holding up the beans and random food in the container.

Alex nodded, "I'll get Gage to come find some wood."

I pulled out the cans. I can work with this. Beans, like, 3 eggs, a few random, opened packets of pasta and some veges. At least it's healthy food. If this was me, I'd be living off chocolate and chips.

"Paxton, how do I open these cans?" I ask, he looks at me, "Shoot them. I don't know. Just smack the top of it until it opens." I roll my eyes at his stupid idea. I grab a knife, slicing around the edges for ages until it pops open, "Thank you YouTube tutorials."

I saw Alex and Gage in the distance, holding wood in their arms.

"Okay, make a small pile and collect some ruble or rocks. Make a circle and put the wood inside it. I'll make a stand to put the pot on and then light the wood. Hopefully it'll start a fire so we can cook food." Alex mumbled, throwing the sticks onto the ground.

I did what he said, helping Gage make the circle while Alex made a stand. Paxton was by the weapons, sharpening the knives and loading the guns. He seemed quiet.

Baby Riley finally woke up was greeted by Alex, who brought him out in the baby carrier. Gage and Paxton have such a soft spot for Riley, it's adorable. Like, Paxton actually smiles. I continue mixing all the random ingredients, "Okay I think this is going to be more of a pasta than a breakfast. But hey, we can have breakfast soup, right?" Gage chuckled, "Whatever it is, it smells good."

After it bubbled, I took the pot off, soaking it in a bowl of water as I served it up, "It's pasta with vege bean sauce. No flavor, obviously but hopefully I can get some today."

I handed out the bowls, Alex and Gage thanked me.

Paxton was still by the van with his weapons. I know he's not fond of me, but he still needs to eat. And I don't have a problem with him. Grabbing a bowl and pouring some in, I stab a fork in the middle. Placing that, and a canteen of water beside him.

I leave without saying a word. But I'm satisfied later on when I see him come over and eat with us.

Today's a big day, we need all the strength we can get.

* * *

hiii

hope this was okay :))

things will be going downnnnnn soon, stay tuned

happy reading!