Elle McBriar

August 1st, 4 months and 20 days after the first zombie report

I debated knocking on his door, because he'd probably be asleep.

Riley was dead asleep in my arms and I hope he stayed that way. I would've brought his baby carrier with me but it's too chunky and I didn't want him sleeping on the floor.

I was about to turn back but the hallway was dark so I stood grounded in my place.

Is it silly of me to be lurking outside his door? I can't sleep, and I sleep so well with him next to me. But I don't want to wake him up. Nor do I want him to be grumpy with me.

What if he tells me to go back to my own room? I'm so stupid, why did I even do this.

But I was still conflicted. I put my hand to his doorknob, twisting the circular metal knob and slowly pushing it open. Thankfully, it didn't squeak and was fully silent.

I closed the door and crept over to his bed. I could make out the outline of his body. The sheet pooled around his hips as he lay flat on his back. One arm under his head as the other hung off the bed. How does someone look so graceful sleeping.

Nonetheless, I sat on the edge of his bed, slowly lowering myself next to him.

He stirred in his sleep as I was afraid he was going to wake up. I put Riley next to me, in the middle of us, his little head laying flat on the mattress.

At least both of them are getting good sleep. That's all that mattered.

Although, I felt calmer now. Knowing that Tyler and Jared can't get to me. My heart rate went down.

"Elle? What are you doing in here?" Paxton's groggy voice said, "I-I couldn't sleep. I got scared and I-"

"It's okay. Just go to sleep." He whispered. He stretched his arm over my waist, pulling me closer, "You brought the baby?" He groaned, "I couldn't leave him in there by himself." I exclaimed, "Whatever. Just sleep, you need it."

He's right, I did need it. And I slept really well.

* * *

But by the time the sun was up, I was already out and dressed.

I left a note for the boys,

morning,

i took the van, hope you don't mind.

i'm heading into brickwood to grab supplies. solar panels, food, baby stuff etc,

breakfast is under a towel on the table. i'll be back in the afternoon.

yes, i have my radio. yes, i have a gun and extra bullets.

elle

The sun wasn't as hot today, which I was grateful for. I dressed in a zip-up hoodie, tank top and black leggings. Even in Summer, the wind can still get you.

I was excited, a day where I didn't have to sit inside all day doing nothing. I know the boys will be mad but I can deal with them. Speak of the devil, as soon as I turned on to the highway into Brickwood, my radio crackled.

"Hello?" I said, steering with one hand, "Why the hell are you out there alone? We told you to always have one of us with you at all times, Elle." Paxton said angrily, "Relax Paxton, I'm in Brickwood now. I just needed time to myself you know."

I heard him sigh, "Look, you're breaking up. And I can't call and drive, it's against the law."

I pressed the 'end call' button and passed the 'Welcome to Brickwood' sign. I always hated that sign. It's ugly and old and reminds people that they're entering the most boring town on the planet.

I passed the old cemetery, school, playground, park, grocery store, everything that little Brickwood had to offer.

But stopping outside the hardware store, I parked the van and climbed out, locking the door and shoving the keys into my pocket.

Thankfully, this store didn't seem to be raided. The glass was broken and it was a bit messy, but it seemed accessible enough. Climbing over the shards of broken glass, hearing it crunch under my feet, I got a weird feeling in my gut.

That's never a good feeling.

Turning around, seeing nothing behind me, I relaxed. I kept walking to the back of the store where they kept the solar panels. I picked up as many strips as I could carry and headed back through the store, picking up a little pamphlet on my way there.

The panels were as big as me, but light. So it was easy. I loaded them in the back and headed back, grabbing more. Gage said we needed at least 8, so I grabbed 9. Just in case.

Who knows if this will even work, but we can try. I also looked for a satellite but that was nowhere to be found. I'll just take one off someones roof and attach it to our own roof.

Getting back in the car, I went in search of a grocery store. Hopefully a cake should suffice for all the shitty birthdays there are to come.

"Does Alex prefer vanilla or chocolate?" I said over the radio, hoping they can hear me from this far away, it was very static like but I managed to make out the 'chocolate'. Easy enough.

The weird gut feeling came back - it actually never left. But I ignored it. I probably shouldn't, but I did. Shuffling into the grocery store, this one seemed to be more raided and I didn't know if I'd have any luck. If I can't find an 'already made' chocolate cake, I'll just have to make one.

I looked around everywhere, the bakery section, snacks and treats section as well as the fridge section but nothing. I guess I'll have to make it myself.

I began to pick up flour and sugar, stuffing them under my arm as I went in search of cocoa powder. But I dropped everything when I heard a groaning sound. Spinning around, I saw two zombies heading straight towards me.

You ain't slick, zombros.

Whipping out my gun, I aimed it right at them. Shooting not once, but 4 times to get them down. And it worked. But then it began to smell like rotting flesh and it wasn't very pleasant.

Time to get out of there.

* * *

After searching 3 stores. I was finally on my decent home.

I had everything I needed. Cake mix, baby food, breakfast cereal, solar panels and tampons. But a liquor store on the side of the road caught my attention. I slowed down, although something told me I shouldn't.

But I did. I could mix vodka with the cake.

Besides, there's no adults to tell us what to do. And you're only 20 once. It'll make up for the shitty birthdays yet to come.

I stopped, parked and locked the door, holstering my gun as I headed inside. Frankly, the alarming thing was that the automatic doors still opened and a bell sounded above it.

Shit, that'll attract me some zombies.

It was kind of weird, walking into a liquor store alone. I was always with my Mom or older cousins when we bought alcohol. My Mom doesn't know that on Christmas day, me and my cousins stole bottles of wine from the wine cooler and guzzled it in our tree house.

We got so drunk, my Aunt had to sneak us back inside. I miss those days. Of being young, free and careless. I wish I could go back to that.

Grabbing boxes upon boxes on KGB's and a few cold bottles of my favorite, Vodka. I loaded it and went back. Shot glasses are a party favorite. Since it's Alex's birthday soon and many more birthdays to come after that, I thought, it could be a nice touch.

As I picked up a pack of 6, the shattering of glass startled me. I turned around slowly, seeing nothing. I stopped in my tracks, leaning against the plain wall. I was shielded by shelves. But I couldn't see anything.

Grabbing my gun, I turned off the safety, holding it in front of me. My gut told me not to come in here but did I listen? No I did not. I wouldn't usually be nervous but something tells me this is a little different.

I took cautious steps, one foot in front of the other as I checked down every aisle. Maybe it's nothing. It could be wind, or a ghost. Or anything. I hope it's just wind.

But it wasn't.

I felt myself fall to the ground, knees first as I was being hit in the back of the hit with a hard, heavy blunt object.

My vision was blurry.

Why can't I just die already?

* * *

hii

uh oh. A L W A Y S listen to your gut guys. ALWAYS. it's very important and way more independent than your heart.

happy reading!