Elle McBriar

August 5th, 5 months and 25 days since the first zombie report

Alex and I made it to the parking lot. Collapsing on the ground in the front of the cars. I can hear Riley wailing, his cries evident.

Alex goes to get him out of the car while I lay on my back. I haven't got my breath back yet.

"Shh it's okay!" I hear Alex say. He sounds like he's crying. I sit up, coughing up blood onto the concrete beside me.

Alex kneels down, but I push him away, "No. Stay with Riley."

But Alex begins to shake. His arm goes limp and my eyes widen. I grab Riley from him, as Alex falls to the floor.

Riley begins to cry even harder. "Riley it's okay. I'm here, shh." I'm trying to comfort Riley. But Alex's seizing figure on the ground makes me panic.

What do I do? I'm not a doctor.

I put Riley on the ground, praying he doesn't crawl away.

"Alex? Alex?" I scream. Okay, put him on his side. I gently push him onto his side so he doesn't choke. He begins to calm down but he's still violently shaking.

I hugged his back, "It's okay Alex. You can do this." I whispered in his ear. Riley was crying beside me as he crawled over to his brother. Alex stopped shaking but completely passed out.

"Alex?" I said, I slapped his cheek and he's still breathing thank God. I left him there, I can't do this. What the hell is going on?

I felt light headed as I took a seat again. I have to keep an eye on him so he doesn't have another seizure.

I clip Riley into his car seat again.

I'm so anxious. I haven't seen or heard from Gage or Paxton yet. I hope they're okay. They better not be in the fire.

I looked over at Alex again. His eyes were closed. He looks peaceful. I brush his hair with my fingers, checking his heart with my fingers on his wrist.

You can learn a lot from Greys Anatomy.

The car door was open as Riley stopped crying. He looked around and kicked his feet. At least he's calm for now.

I grabbed some water from the back and tried to give it to him, he didn't take it.

"Shit Alex come on, please!" I cried, feeling moisture in my eyes. I wiped it away, the black soot on my hands now like wet chalk.

"ELLE." I heard faintly. I look over to the direction of the building and see Gage, "ELLE!" His voice is panicked.

I can't leave Alex.

"ELLE ITS PAXTON!" Fuck!

Why is everything bad happening right now? I stand up, feeling myself sway slightly. "WHATS WRONG?"

He motions for me to come to where he is so I run, "What is it Gage?" "Paxton is- y-you need to help me. I can't life him on my own!"

Paxton is stuck? "Where?"

Gage and I run into the burning building. Fire is all I see in my mind as I cover my mouth and nose.

Smoke is all I inhale as I push my way through the fire. Panels, wood and bits of wall are falling all over the place.

"We were trapped and he tried to set us free. It worked but then he got stuck. He told me to run and get help but-"

"Just shut up Gage and help me find him!" I screamed. We ran into the building that Gage and Alex were in originally.

I almost cried as I saw Paxton, barely alive as he lay on the floor, "PAXTON!" I scream.

His eyes open and they're wide, "I said Alex, not Elle!" Paxton growled, coughing vigorously, "Suck it up Paxton. I'm all you got." I yelled.

The fire was burning my body as it got closer to where we were. It began costing the walls, melting the paint as it started on the hardwood floor.

Alex shoved the heavy desk out of the way as I picked up Paxton under my arm. He was limp, in and out of consciousness.

"Wake up Paxton!" I cried, Gage went under his other arm as we dragged his body through the fire. My body ached and felt broken as the fire burnt my retinas.

He didn't wake up. I felt helpless as a wooden panel from the ceiling crashed in front of us. I screamed as Gage pulled me the other way.

A broken window with fire soaring through it was open and spreading. Gage nodded at me. It's our only option.

Paxton went first. He could barely move as he climbed out the window, collapsing on the ground in front of the building.

"Elle go!" Gage insisted, screaming over the fire. "No Gage. I can't lift him!" I screamed. He shook his head, "GO!"

He gave in as he climbed out, picking up Paxton. I went to climb out next, putting my hands on the window paine.

Suddenly, hot glass ripped through my skin, tearing it and making it bleed. I screamed, yanking my hand away as blood gushed from my hands. Fuck!

The window caved in. I heard Gage screaming my name very faintly.

My eyes were wide as I walked backwards.

I'm trapped.

Fire burned before my eyes, the crackle and pop from the sizzling wood and sparking wires. I'm going to die in the fire.

I pushed against the window again, feeling nothing move. I kicked it, I elbowed it. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Heading to the entrance again. My only way out is through and under the wood. The columns were smashed and halfway burned.

You know what they say about fire. Stay low. I got onto my hands and knees, my eyes burning as I began crawling on the floor. Ignoring every burning and aching sensation on my body.

I coughed til my throat hurt. I coughed so much the taste of blood coated my mouth.

If I make it out, it'll be a fucking miracle.

I can see the wide open doors, starting to cave in. All I heard was hissing and crashing. Move Elle! Move!

I got up off my knees, falling over again as the fire got to my head. I can barely see or breathe. How am I going to do this.

I closed my eyes, feeling myself fade away, please God, take care of my boys.

"ELLE!" I heard. My eyes flicked opened, I saw Gage! He was standing at the entrance, Paxton under his arm still passed out.

I rolled onto my stomach, army crawling under the panels. I felt it burn my back, my skin on literal fire.

A breath fresh air aided my lungs as I saw the bright sun and white clouds. Who knew a beautiful day could be ruined by fire.

Gage ran over to me as I struggled to get on my feet. He grabbed my hand, gripping his hand around mine. I was so grateful when I fell onto my knees. Stones engraved in my skin.

It felt so good to breath.

I heard the crash and bang of the building falling over. Every brick, wood and stone piece caught in the ruble.

The Great California University Fire.

Deaths: 0

Injuries: 4 and fatal

We didn't have time to waste.

I picked myself up off the ground, cowering under Paxton's shoulder as I tried my hardest with the little strength I have to get him to safety.

He was in that fire longer than any of us, he's obtained the most fatal of the injuries.

"He's not waking up Elle." Gage said. His face contorted from panic to fear to a face I couldn't decipher.

"Okay um- g-get him in the car. I- I have to check on Alex."

Gage did as I said. I saw Alex still laying there. He's breathing and everything seems stable and normal - for now.

I pressed my ear to his chest, hearing a wheeze every time his chest rose and fell.

"What happened to him?" Gage asked, "He had a seizure. But he's fine for now. We need to find somewhere to stay - now. We- there's not time." I drove to car with Paxton, Riley and Alex in the car and Gage in the van. I trailed behind Gage. The only noise was the silence of the vehicle.

The fire had submerged everything. The sprinkles doing little to no effort at all.

As I bent down to pick up the radio, I heard a crash and looked up. The van was crashed into a power pole.

Freaking out, I got out of the car, running to the drivers side door. Gage was having a seizure, just like Alex.

What the fuck?

I began to breath heavily as I pulled Gage out of the car, rolling him onto his side on the road. I felt my head go light as I continued to do my job.

What the hell is happening? I can't do this by myself. I saw a gun strapped to the side of Gage's pants and the thought tempted me. But I was focusing on Gage.

I can't do this without you boys.

* * *

hi :(

this was a sad one to write