Chapter 3

Ten minutes later I was in front of Modell's and I was extremely happy. They had all types of clothes there and anything that can be used as a weapon. I couldn't let my emotions get the best of me so I calm down and stay hidden. I made sure not one of these things was around and check every time I move to make sure I was alone. As I got closer to the stop I stop dead in my track. I hear teeth clicking. I quickly hid behind a car and kept a close eye out for my surroundings. Then I saw one. I thank the universe that it was only one. I observed it, taking out my notebook to write down what its movements were and to see if it was truly blind. I did something that could possibly get me killed. I picked up a rock and threw it towards a car window shattering it. It heard it and started running towards that car. It didn't see me throw the rock but it heard the window break. I take note of that and make my way around it.

I was now inside the store and grabbing some clothes and an extra bag. A Nike gym bag would be great for getting more clothes and shoes. I grab cargo pants, short sleeve shirts, some boxers, more sports bras, some hats, a pair of gloves, and an array of sweaters. After packing up the clothes, I made my way to the second floor and stopped again. I heard growling this time. This thing was slightly different from the one outside. It looks as if it was blind but couldn't hear as well. And yet again I did something dumb that could have killed me. I saw a small ball that was to my right and threw it at the thing. It reacted but it did not attack anything. So I threw another one and it hit something. It took notice of it and then attacks it, but it was slower.

The difference between this one and the one outside was that it had super poor eyesight and hearing. But it was still one of those things. I made my way around it and took a pair of running shoes and a pair of black converses with socks. Right next to the shelf where the baseball bats and other sports equipment were, I took a wooden bat since it was heavier than a metal one. I took two bats, so when one breaks I have another. I was looking around when I hit the wall with my bat. I silently cursed and the thing heard it. It came charging my way and I thought to myself if I should run or fight it. I decide to fight to learn about it. I quickly drop my stuff and took out the bat and when it was close I took a swing at it. I hit it in the gut and it struggled back. I swung again but this time I struck its head, I swung again and hit it harder this time and it fell to the ground motionless.

I couldn't believe I fought one and won! I put on some baseball gloves and start poking the thing. It was kind of a human still but its flesh was decaying and its eyes and ears are leaking this reddish-black blood sludge. I took out my notebook again and started taking notes on it and examine what I could of it.

After twenty minutes of studying this thing, I took the gloves off and got a new pair and some more things to pack up. I made my way out of the store with my gear and looked up to the sky noticing that the sun was super low in the sky. I check the time and it read five. It was going to be cold and dark soon. I quickly made my way back to my new home while hiding in the shadows. I had a hard time climbing back up the rope but I knew I had to do it. Ten minutes later and I was back inside where it was safe. I close and lock the window and drop to the floor in exhaustion. I was exhausted but I knew I did well today. I drank a whole bottle of water and had three bars. I knew I shouldn't eat that much but I was out all day.

I changed out of my clothes and took out my map and notebook. I wanted to go over everything but I couldn't keep my eyes open. Sleep was calling my name and I went to the big chair, curled up into a ball, and let sleep take over me. This time I dreamt of what I learned and how this could help people. All I needed now was a way to contact people and let them know what I found out. But that would be for another day, for now, I just wanted to sleep. So I let sleep take me away as my body relaxes. I thought about the day this all started and wonder how the dead come back.

I woke up a few minutes before my alarm went off. I got up out of the chair and looked outside again. Even if these things are running around and people are fighting to live, it was a peaceful sight before me. I just stand there looking outside thinking to myself, thinking how long I can hold this place and call it my own with no one finding it or finding me. I needed to think of more ways to keep this place safe from those things and from people who wanted to get in. I know that may be selfish of me but I was better at being alone than with anyone else. Maybe if I paint some windows black and added planks of wood to the outside it would help. I need a better way of getting out of here when I need to make a run or if somehow people can last long to set up a trading post. I also need to find a way to talk to others without leaving the small office space I could call home.

That was today's task but also moving all the hidden supplies from the historical society here as well. I had now two bags so it would be a bit easier moving things and besides it was just across the street. I almost forgot that there is a school as well. If I can get in there I can raid the nurse's office and the kitchen as well. After writing down and checking off what was done and needed to be done, I started day three of my new life. I got dressed in a new shirt but the same jeans I had on for the last two days. I didn't care I would wear them for a week then wash them somehow. I took out my map and found some tape to tape it to the wall. I found a black marker and a ruler. I drew four different zones and in those zones, I made sub-zones. I mark my home right between zone A and zone C and circle when the places got my supplies and other things off the map. So when I knew the places were still full and when they were not I would put an X through it.

After marking the places I went to, I made note of where the closest home depot was and other home improvement stores and other places where food would be at. I couldn't just live off fruits and granola bars, I needed some canned food and other shelf life foods. I also thought I should find medical supplies but I knew hospitals would be full of those things and other people, so I have to hold off on that for now. I also need to keep a small amount of power. I need to find some solar panels or a gas generator. It was now eight A.M and I turn my phone on. I had dozens of messages and missed calls from a lot of people. They wanted to know if I'm ok and if I made it out. I sent out some messages saying I'm ok and I found a place to stay safe and that I was okay. I didn't see any messages from my family. That didn't surprise me but I did get some from my uncle and aunt who care for me more than anyone. I decided to call them and let them know I was okay. My aunt picked up on the first ring. I told her I was safe but trapped in the city and she started crying. I told her I would call again in a few days if I could. The next call I made was to my uncle. Now he was a marine and he cried his eyes out when he heard my voice. I was happy that they were okay and they were both happy that I was safe as well. Then I turn off my phone again but before I did I just had to listen to Fire by PVRIS.

Turning off my phone after the song was over helped to calm me a bit. I took out my tablet to look at the notes I wrote down about the two things I encountered outside of Modell's a few days ago. It was fascinating. I mean here we have something that was created by the same type of virus yet it shows up in two different forms. I find that amazing but also very scary. That can lead up to mutations in the cell or whatever it was and create some more problems for something that is only a few days old. After thinking about it some more and writing down my hypothesis I close my notebook and left for the window. I open it just enough to slip through and climb down the makeshift rope. I made my way towards the school. The school looks well-built and pretty nice looking. Well, I was on the upper west side. On it, it read the Anderson School. I looked around to make sure I was alone. I have my Nike gym bag and my bat which I named Max. She was a light brown bat with a black leather grip and she was the bat I pick up first and killed my first living non-living thing. I wanted to name them but I wasn't going to call them walker for zombie.