Chapter 13

After my dangerous mission for getting the samples for the seven, I decided to stay the night and after that one night, I left. I just wanted to wander around New York City, my city a bit more before finding people. If I find any people on the way to the school I'd send them that way or have them follow me to the BMCC campus then turn that into a settlement just like the school but not be the leader of that one, just to help other people survive. I mean these people turned 3 Staten Island ferries into floating homes. Then I turned a regular school into a base of operations and into a home. Turning this campus can help more people but I'll have it under a different leadership because I can barely handle my own without feeling the pressure. Just for right now, I needed to find people who didn't have anywhere to go to have a place to call their own but I do need to find someone to be their leader. I need to find someone that was trustworthy and to be my equal. I need to know that I can count on them when I'm in trouble and that they can count on me when they're in trouble as well. It's a back-and-forth kind of thing, that's what we need, we just don't need selfishness and people wanting and willing to survive this even if tomorrow may never come and even if we never make it out of the city. All I know is that this city was our home before this all happen and we will make it our home still even ifs it's in hell.

With the undead running around and gang bangers causing mischief and mayhem from the short but deadly encounter I had with them. We needed to step it up and not only fight the dead but also the living. We need to unify and I think I know a way on how to do that. But first I need to set up BMCC then contact the ferries and the school that is my home. So I needed to come up with a plan to get people to settle there and make contact with the school and the ferries. I needed to find people who weren't scared or gone crazy from this.

It was early this morning and it wasn't that cold for the first day of March. I wasn't anywhere near the seven or the school. I was near the village and I was just thinking about the last time I was here. I was hanging out with some of my gay and Trans identified friends and we stole a bottle of wine and played "never have I ever". I swear my friends, well, those who I called friends, were all slutty and I was just drinking and laughing. It was a summer day that all this happened. I wish I could go back to that.

As I was thinking about my past I saw something that looked out of place in my city. As I got closer I saw that it look to be people trying to settle down. I made my way closer and saw what looked like guards. I made my way to them and ask what's going on. "This here is our home," he said. I just look at him. I told him there was a much safer place that has floors and gates. He just looks at me and told me to shut up. I laugh and show him my tattoo and told him was the leader of the school. He looks at me and told the other guard beside him who I was. The other guy nodded and told me to follow him. I did what I was told and followed him. He went down this long block on Fulton Street, I saw people who looked ok. I mean they look kind of cold and a little bit hungry but they were doing okay. They were building shelters out of the store to accommodate more people but this was only one secure block but it wasn't. There wasn't a gate or any kind of watch system. It looked to be just getting started but if a horde comes, they wouldn't stand a chance.

As we continue to walk I noticed everything trying to come together in one place. They were trying to build itself up out of nothing and I think the person in charge may be doing a really good job but I see flaws in this. The flaws, I see there's no protection, there are no watchtowers or walls blocking anything. This is only just one New York City block, there are only so big and it looks like they don't have any supplies, I can help feed these people that want to stay here. I think it makes a good outpost for trading and meeting people but living in department stores in small shops isn't really a good thing. I wonder if I'm going to see the leader or the person who wants to be the leader I just hope it isn't some middle-aged jarhead who thinks he knows everything. I hate people like that, they think they know everything when they don't. I mean, I started this trying to save someone's life and now I'm the leader and I've saved many people but I've also taken lives. I wish I could forget them but I can't, Claire was right, you can't move on from it, you just got to live with it and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to stop running away but I have to come to peace with everything in this world now. This isn't my world but I'm going to make the best damn thing out of it.

The guard stopped at the center of the block and told me to wait while he went inside a hole in the wall. There was a door that led to what looks like an upstairs apartment. A few minutes later he came out the door and mentions me to come inside. I followed the guard up the stairs to the second floor and down the hall to the single door. He opened it for me and told me to go inside and I did. This apartment wasn't so big; however, the walls were covered with paper. This place is small, but the paper on the wall was a map of the city, there were a handgun and some bottles of water and a small amount of food enough for one person. Then she walked out of the adjoined bathroom and walked right to me. She stopped just a foot before me and introduces herself. "I'm Lucy and I kind of helped save all of these people from whatever those things are outside and from themselves," she said. I looked her up and down and judged. I didn't really find anything wrong with what she gave out, I mean, she seems to be a genuinely kind person trying her best and I understand that. "Hey my name is Jackie and I'm going to leave to The School, I have people there who can help train you or whatever and here's a walkie talkie, channel is number 2 if you want anyone to talk to". She looked at me and I point to my neck with giant TS on it that was forever tattooed on to me.

"Look I know what it's like to be a leader and find a place for your people to live but I think what you got going here it's better for an outpost and not for people to live," I told her. "Well do you got a better idea," she said. "Yes, I do and it's a few blocks to the west maybe a few blocks north and it's called BMCC campus". She looked at me to see if I was actually telling her about moving everyone with the look she was giving me. "Look I know it's a long shot but that place has seven floors, a cafeteria and gates and you can build watchtowers and have people safe, all we need to do is clear and check it out and then we send people there, few at a time when you have the time." She was giving me a look that told me she was thinking about what I was saying. "I mean you might have to clear out some of the crap that's in there but it's a lot better than just living on this one block and when you can't accommodate much more, things will get a bit crazy," I told her. She looked at me her eyes are giving her away I can see the indecisiveness, but I can also see her ready to trust me. "You don't have to listen to me but even before I was a leader I still helped people even though I didn't know what I was doing, I still helped and learned from everything I was doing and I am still learning now".

She looks at me again but this time with a hint of something that I couldn't quite get a read on. While she was thinking about what I told her, I walked up to the map that was pinned on the wall. I took a marker that was next to it and I drew the four zones of A, B, C, and D. I made it identical to the one back at the school. I identify where the school was, I drew the outline walls around the city and the general area where the Staten Island Ferries were. She came up next to me and asked me what I was doing, I just told her it's easier to categorize things and to mark where too many of the undead where. I was telling her about how I was marking the areas and the black outline zones were too many of the undead were. "Hey, why do you keep calling those things that?". "Well that's what they are, I've seen a woman die, and I tried to save her but then the next thing I know she was biting at someone." I've been here for a few hours now and I told her about where I was when this all went down until the point of me meeting the brothers.

After my talk, I give her a walkie talkie and told her what channel to turn it to. To prove that someone would answer I spoke into it. "Hey guys it's me, Jackie, I uh am with a new person and I am going to help her out a bit, "I said. Jimmy's voice came through yelling at me. "Jackie I swear to god when I see you I am going to skin you alive! I have been worried sick and yes we got into contact with the people you call the seven and the ferries". Then I heard Sally's voice, she was speaking calmly and that scared me. "Jackie when I see you, you already know what I'll do" was all she said. Lucy looked at me and I could tell by the look on her face that she was scared for me. I was beyond scared not because of Jimmy but because of Sally. I turned to Lucy "Yeah so those are my people and they are crazy but mean well". "No they are insane and all types of crazy," she said. I just laugh, it was true but they were where my home was.

It was getting late and I wanted to explore this area a bit more. I told Lucy this and she said it was a good idea and to show her how to do it one day. I ask "Do what?" and she replies "Being a good leader" and walked out the door. I wonder where she was going but then what she did and said hit me. She wanted me to show her what it is like to be a leader. Following her outside the small room we made our way outside. I was telling her what I thought was important and what Claire has taught me about securing the area. After we did the sweep, she told me she had something important to show me. I nodded and followed her. We walked to the other end of the block and into a small store. "Okay before you freak out this is something I don't know how to handle or deal with," she said. I just looked at her asking the question with my eyes. She looks away and walks into the store. I follow behind and we walked to the back of the store. There were some people in there looking for a place to sleep; we made our way past them into the back. There was a door that was locked from the outside and we went inside. Sitting there was a man. He was slimly built and have light brown skin and copper color hair. He was good looking but not my type.

He looked up at us and smile at Lucy. "Hey there boss, what's up?" he said. Lucy sighs and just shakes her head. "This is Jackie I want you to show her," she said. I wonder what she meant by that. He just looked at me and started taking off the wrap on his arm. I look at his arm and was taken aback. He had a bite mark that looked fresh as day but he wasn't showing any of the symptoms of being bitten. I quickly took out my radio and call the seven and told them what I just saw and still seeing. Stacy answer, "Take a sample Jackie" she shouted through the walkie. I laugh at her and did what I was told. "Hey uh I have to take a sample there are some people who are trying to find a cure and you look like you are," I told this man. "No problem just as long as I get a kiss," he said. "Not going to happen, you're not my type," I said. "But I'm everyone's type," he said cockily. "Yeah you don't have what I like, I'm a raging lesbian," I told him. He just laughs and said okay. I took two samples and told Lucy that I will be back tomorrow. "By the way my name is Allen," he said. "Nice to meet you see you soon," I said. I left Lucy and Allen in the back and made my way to the front of the store to leave the block.

Making my way outside, I notice the sun was setting. This was going to be a fast trip uptown. I needed to get these samples to the seven before they aren't usable anymore. I was halfway there when I hear ticking noise. Damnit I thought, tickers are here and why is there more than one. This was going to be hard but I needed to get them these samples. I needed to find a way around and go see them. After a minute of thinking I find my route around them. I couldn't go around because there were growlers everywhere. So I needed to go through it as quietly as possible and as quickly as well. This was scary as shit and I needed to do this. If I wasn't then no one would. I was making my way when something grabs me from behind. I didn't yell and I tried to stay calm. I need to be calm or all of this was pointless. The thing that grabs me wasn't dead but alive. It was a kid. He wasn't crying but I can see the fear in his eyes.

I did the motion to stay quiet and to climb on my back. He did what he was told and I made my way out of that zone. We were halfway out of the zone when I hear a noise. I cursed to myself and looked behind us. There wasn't something there but I couldn't tell what it was, for all I know it could've been an animal but I didn't want to stay and find out. I started moving a bit faster until we made it out of that nesting area. I needed to radio everyone and tell them about this area so they can avoid it. Once we were clear and far enough away I put the kid down and check him for any bite marks and pull out my walkie to tell everyone about this area. "Kid what's your name," I ask him. "It's Benny," he said. "Well Benny, what in the hell were you doing there, you could have gotten hurt or worst," I said. He didn't answer instead he let out his fear and cried. He cried and I was afraid he was going to attract tickers so I just picked him back up and walked to where the seven were staying. We were almost there but I stop at the school to drop off Benny. I told Luke, who was on a watchtower, that I would be back. He nodded and took Benny from my arms. I made my way to the campus and climb through the window that they left open for me to use. I went up the fifth floor and I saw all of them waiting to test the new samples I brought. I handed them to Iris and told them my encounter with the man who shows no signs of changing. They look happy and wanted to meet him. I told them I would only take two of them because I didn't want to endanger them all. They needed to decide who would go and they would come with me back to the school and in the morning we would head out to meet Allen. Tori and Tony were speaking to each other in Spanish, what I could understand from them is that one of them should go but they didn't want the other to get hurt. While they were talking, Stacy said she was going to come with me because of what she studied. All I needed was one more and finally, the twins said that Tori was going because she was a faster runner than Tony.

After they gather their things we made our way downstairs and out the window. I told them where the school was located and that we will stay the night. "By the way, if you hear yelling, it's fine, it's just me getting yelled at by a lot of people," I said. They didn't ask the question so I told them. "I kind of had a breakdown and ran away but I am all good now, I saved a little kid tonight and I also met you guys and other people." I just hope Sally didn't get ahold of me or I'll really be dead. As we got closer to the school, I was explaining what it was like to live and to fight tickers and growlers. I told them how to survive when you can't do nothing else but to live for today and leave yesterday in the past. We made it to the school and Luke let us in. He was wearing a white bandana around his neck. I wonder why he was doing that then I remember that I said for everyone to wear one if you didn't have a tattoo on your neck. I told the girls what it meant and they just nodded their heads.

We make our way inside the school and I show them a room they can stay in and where the food was. After making sure they were alright I went to test my fate against Sally and Jimmy, but before I could enter the office I was tackled by Tabi. Not only was I hugged but I was also hit by her. She was yelling at me for leaving the way I did and not talking to them, then she starts to cry again and I hug her telling her I was sorry and that it won't happen again. I let her go and I went into the office. I face a very calm and very scary Sally and her wife Claire. Claire came up to me and said "I'm glad you're back but you may be just dead because of my wife" I just nodded at her because I couldn't use my words in fear of her wife. "Jackie," Sally said in a calm voice. "Yes Sally," I said. She didn't say anything but then I felt a sharp pain in my gut. She hit me with her fist and I know I deserve it. Next came Jimmy and his brother, Jimmy was yelling at me and very pissed while Zac seems to understand why I left and Erin was just as he always was, quite. He did give me a look that said if I ever left again like that he will end me.

After leaving the office I was tackled to the ground by my best friend Jade. She was crying and wiggling her tail hard. It has almost been a month since I left and I miss her deeply. She wouldn't get off of me but I knew if I was her I would do the same thing. She licked my face and tried to get closer to me. I just hug her back tightly. A few minutes later I got up and she followed me to the room where Tabi was waiting on the cot we'd share before I left. Tabi cuddle into my side and Jade lay beside the cot on her bed. It was getting late and I needed to sleep. I mean I still have problems sleeping but I can get a few hours of sleep. Sometimes I still see his dark blue eyes and him falling to the ground and sometimes I don't. Soon I welcome sleep and dreamt of nothing.

I woke up around six and left the cot and Jade. I wanted to use the bathroom and wash up then find some food and maybe make breakfast for everyone. I enter the lunchroom and Jade and Tabi came running in. I stop what I was doing and she just looked at me as if she was going to cry again. I didn't make a move but she did. She was mad at for leaving without waking her up and I try to tell her I wasn't going anyway and that I was just going to make some food for everyone. She didn't believe me and it seems that Jade didn't as well so they both stay with me. Tabi helped me make food and Jade was sitting there watching us, making sure I wouldn't leave without her. Everyone that was awake or coming back from their night shift came and I just gave out the food. When Stacy and Tori walked in I handed them food and told them where we were going. I explain to the boys what and where I was going and I told them I would help them set up BMCC and I'll check in all the time. I promise them I wouldn't leave again and I won't unless I died.

After packing up for today I told Tabi that I would be back and that I would check in more. She didn't believe me so I gave her a walkie talkie and set it to the right channel to reach me. I told her I will call her once I am at BMCC and helping a new leader out. Jade came running towards me crying and pulling on my pants for me not to go. I give her a hug and told her I would be back for her no matter what and that she is my best friend. I just didn't want to put her in harm's way. Tori and Stacy got their things and followed me outside of the building to the wall. I saw Benny and the other kids playing in the front. It amazing to see them play even if our world has turn upside down. I also saw Hallie, Sara, and Raven training with Claire and Abby making her way up to the watchtower. We didn't have many weapons here so only people who were on the towers can use them. I called out to Claire and told her about the weapons situation and told her to work on it. She nodded and radios the boys to tell them.

We left the school and started to walk to where Lucy's block was. It was downtown and I decided to walk along the water to show the girls the wall that was built on the Jersey side. A few minutes later Victor and Jimmy were with us. "What are you guys doing here?" I ask. "We are here to help you and the girls and to meet this new person helping people, after all, I am you second," he said with a smile on his face. I could tell he was also here to keep an eye on me if I don't come back. Two hours later we made it to where Lucy was and I told her guards that I would be seeing her and bring my friends with me. Lucy meets us outside and told us that some people are already moving to BMCC. I smile at that and I told her my second in charge was with me and he would help her. They introduce him and left in order to help people move. They look to be sending groups of five to six people at a time and soon this place would be clear. There were about twenty people here so they would be done in no time. After they left I took the girls and Victor to see Allen. Just down the street and in the back of the small store I open the door and they saw Allen with a book in his hands. "Hey, dude I brought some people who want to study you if you don't mind," I said. "It's not people for these beautiful ladies," he said smiling like a goof. After a few minutes of asking him questions and how he got bitten, they took some more samples and we left him to read. I told Victor to get these girls back to the science building and I was going to stay and help people move to BMCC. He nodded and I radio Jimmy and the other brothers about what I was going to do.

I radio Tabi and told her I was going to be late but home. She spoke back and told me not to be too late and to bring her a book to read. I just laugh and told her maybe and got to work helping people pack. I walked to the first person I saw and told them I was here to help, they thanked me and I help them pack what they own and some more. It was like that for an hour or so before it went to hell.

I looked up and saw Allen running around like he was mad. I ran towards him and told everyone to stay away from him. "Allen, what the fuck are you doing?" I yelled at him. He looks at me and fell to his knees. I ran to him and ask him what was wrong but he still wasn't answering me. Then he just throws up, it didn't look good. It looks to be like that stuff that oozes from growlers and tickers. Oh no, he was turning! But how, he did not show any of the signs of turning for a month. While he was throwing up I was yelling at people to leave and calling Lucy and everyone on the walkie and telling them what was going one, then Allen just stops throwing up, he stood up and something was off. I looked at him and he looked back without really seeing me. "Allen what's wrong, you're freaking everyone out," I ask him. He didn't say anything then all of a sudden his eyes began to bleed and his body began to change. I step back and look at what was happening before me. Allen the flirty guy I knew for only a day was gone and something else was taking his place. I back up some more and his body began to shake and bend out of place. His skin started to fall off in place and stretch in places. His body began to grow bigger and his muscles were misshapen and fell out where the missing skin uses to be. I stood there in bewilderment. I never saw anything like this, this is something new altogether. I stumble back when I saw his arms change in length and size and his legs as well going through the change. His clothes ripped and some bones were protruding out of his once beautiful skin. "Holy shit this isn't happening, "I told myself.

There're still some people struggling to leave so I ran to them got their shit in a bag and sent them running towards BMCC. I radio everyone and told them not to come this way and that I will handle this. I don't know what I was thinking but I turn off my walkie so I wouldn't hear people yelling at me to run. However, the last voice I heard was Tabi begging me to run, but I couldn't, this thing this freak that used to be Allen could destroy a lot of things and hurt a lot of people. There were two people left. It looks like a father and his daughter. It was hard trying to focus on them and Allen. I knew I should take away his name but I can't. I know him and I now have to kill him. He isn't a person anymore he is this thing, this freak but a part of me will always see him as Allen. They made their way towards me and I tell them to go but not to make any noise because I wasn't sure what this freak would do. Then he moved. And I yelled at them to run! "Fucking run and don't look back!" I yelled and they did it. I yell out his name but no response, so I take out my Beretta M9, line up my shot, and fire at his head. But nothing happens. He didn't fall, he is still moving but this time moving towards me. I got him off of those people so they can run to safety but now he is after me. Fuck this shit I said to myself. I needed to put him down.

I didn't know what to do. I never faced something like this. I barely faced the end of my world just two months ago and now I have to face this. I can do this, I can put down someone who could have been a friend. I need to be quick and light on my feet. I didn't bother taking out my bat it wasn't going to help me in taking down this tank of a thing. As it ran it swing its arms out and I got hit and it threw me back. That fucking hurt but I got back up and started running around it. Taking short stops to fire my M9 at its head. My side was hurting but I ignore the pain. I needed to take this freak down. It came at me again swinging its arms and misses the first time but connected on the second time and sends me flying and hitting the ground hard. I was in pain but I couldn't let that take over me. I landed next to a machete that was left by someone. I grab it and got up and starting running again and firing my M9. I was hitting its body and head but it still wasn't slowing down. Damnit, what is this thing made of? It started swinging its arms again and this time I use the blade to defend myself with, I was still hurt but it was also bleeding that black stuff now. It howls in pain and I saw growlers make their way here. Fuck, I didn't think it could make a loud cry like that. This was getting worse by the second.

I was in pain but I couldn't let that stop me. I needed to take down this freak and run like hell away from here. I couldn't take on all these growlers and a freak at once. It came at me again and this time I cut the other arm and held onto it. Once again it howls out in pain but I didn't let that stop me. I took the blade back and brought it down hard on his arm till I saw that bone. I was thrown off of it and a growler came at me. I move fast and shot it in the head. It fell limp on the ground and I focus on the bigger fish than the small fry. I was bleeding, I was cut above my eye but that didn't stop me. I held my M9 and point it at these things head. I fire nonstop while moving. Some shots landed in his chest and arms and some in the head. It was starting to slow down but my body wasn't keeping up with the way I was moving. It came at me again and it hit me on my left side into a car. I didn't yell out in pain but I did take my blade and aim for the head area. I cut it neck and it grabs me and flinging me to the other side of the street. I was in so much pain but I needed to take it down. This is my one-track mind right now. I needed to take it down and live. I got back up and looked into its eyes. I didn't see Allen anymore; I just saw that freak that came out of him. A growler came too close to me and I shot it at point-blank range. I was still looking at it; it was like I was having a staredown with it.

I made the first move by aiming at it and firing. He came running towards me and I run from it. Trying to keep my distance from it. I wasn't fast enough and I was hit by its arm again and thrown into a car again. It was close for me to shot at so I loaded a chip into it and stabbed at it. But before I could hit its head, it throws its head down towards me and my first reaction is to block. That was my mistake. It took a bite out of my right forearm and in my left hand was the machete that I plunge into its skull. It finally stopped moving, but I wasn't done just yet. I was going to kill all the growlers that freak attracted and tell Lucy and the boys it was done.

I didn't feel anything. I didn't want to feel. I knew my time was up but this was something I could do. I could kill these damn things and make this area safe again. That is what I did. I kill them all. I let out my rage that I had held in for so long. I held in the pain I felt when this all first started. I just let it all out. When I was done I was covered in that blackish-red substance. I didn't care, then something happens. The sky grew dark and it began to rain. I laugh at that, it was like the world knew how I felt. I left that area, I didn't want to be there if anyone decides to come and check on me. I left and the rain came down harder. I didn't care.

I was about seven blocks away when I hear a noise. It sounded like a whimper of pain. I couldn't let that person get hurt just because I wasn't going to be human anymore. So I run to that sound and found three guys standing over a girl holding her side on the floor. My blood began to boil with rage and I took it out on them. I didn't kill them but I left them in no shape to fight for their life. I pick the girl and carry her to someplace safe and out of the rain. I didn't know what I was doing but something in me told me to protect her even if I have little time left. I guess I broke my promise to Tabi after all. I broke it to everyone. I didn't mean to but I guess this was the last person I was going to save. It has been two months since my world ending and I last until now. I was going to take this nameless girl someplace safe and then I was going to end my life as a human and not a growler or ticker.

I went into one of the apartment buildings in the area and set her down in a room and look at all the doors and windows. The rain was coming down harder and it felt relaxing and calming. I walk to the sliding glass door and went outside. I always love the rain. I took out my M9 that Claire gave me. I look it over and told my goodbye to this world. I place the gun next to my right temple, close my eyes, and pull the trigger but nothing happens. I pulled it again and still, nothing happens. I check to make sure it was loaded and have around in the firing chamber and it did. I couldn't understand what was happening and then I just fire the gun towards the sky and it went off. I cursed and ask no one what the hell was going on but I didn't turn the gun to myself. I just sat outside wondering what the hell was going on and that's when I realize that the bite mark was not bleeding. That it stopped bleeding. I just look at my arm. I look at it in confusion until I realize everything was different from this day.