Chapter Four

Kayla's POV

I have been awake for God knows how long. The bright sun shone through the living room glass doors. During the night I had left to do something, before anyone got. I went on my own to see what I could find. I found a Pharmacy five miles from here, if you be walking. I took three of each medicine and some can food the store had, well I took all the can food. Thank god I had taken a backpack with me when I had left the house. There was also a store across the Pharmacy that had clothing. I went in and took as much cloths as that backpack and my hands could carry, which was a lot by the way. When I came back home it was five in the morning and if you're wondering if I met some Walker's. The answer is yes, but they didn't know I was walking by them. But I didn't stay home I still had to find a gas station and get some gas for the bus, because I don't think it has much. So by the time I found the gas station and filled a huge red little plastic thing (I forgot what it was called) with gas and walked back home it was six thirty-five in the morning.

Now I lay in the sofa bored out of my mind, when I heard a door open and close. I heard footsteps coming my way, but I didn't have to look to know who it was. I could tell by the body heat that it was Jasper. "Isn't a little too early to up, Jazz?" I asked him using a nickname for him. I could feel he was at the foot of the sofa, but he said nothing nor did he move closer. I got up and looked at him "Is something wrong?" I asked him. He was wearing the cloths Caleb I had given me to give to him, but they were too big for him. Good thing I took some kids cloths for him.

Jasper was looking around the mass of clothes I had dumped in the other sofa and the can food that I placed on top of the living room stable. "You left," he said sounding disappointed.

I nodded "Yeah, I had to get things for everyone even you, but I didn't want to wake up anyone. So, I just left alone," I told him and it was half true. I could tell everyone was tired from our trip from Homestead to here, but I also wanted to get some alone time and get things ready for those who woke up.

Jasper looked at me "Why didn't you wake me? I could have gone with you," he said and it finally clicked. He was disappointed that I didn't take him with me in my little suicide mission. I guess he has attached himself to me, since I saved him.

I patted the space next to me telling him to sit next to me and he did. "Jazz, you're a young boy. I don't want you to see what I do when Walker's attack, because I don't want to scare you," I told him and it was the truth no one as young as him should witness this hell, but apparently the Gods are going against us humans.

Jasper shook his head "I owe you my life," he told me. For a kid, his pretty matured, I thought.

I shuffled his hair "You don't owe me anything, little one," I told him. He reminded me of my older brother, when he was younger trying to be matured for his little sister. I could feel the tears I haven't shed coming at full force, but I fought to keep cool. I didn't want to break down now in front of him. I didn't want to worry him more than he already was.

"Why do you call the dead Walker's?" he asked me catching me off guard with his question.

I chuckled lightly and looked out the glass doors "Because they're not really dead, since they are walking. The words dead or zombies didn't sound right for us, so my best friend came up with that nickname for them and we liked it," I explained to him. He nodded and yawned deeply "Go to bed, Jazz. You're tired," I told him.

Jasper shook him head "Can't I stay here?" he asked me stubbornly. Serious, this kid, I thought.

I sighed "Fine, let me get you a blanket," I said standing up and walking to the mess of clothes on the other sofa. I found a red blanket in the pile and threw it at him "Now go to sleep," I commanded.

Jasper curled up in the sofa giving me enough space for me sit next to him. "Now I know why everyone follows you," he said softly closing his eyes. Poor kid was already falling asleep, but I was curious about what he meant by that.

I looked at him "Why'd you say that?" I asked him softly.

He snuggled towards me; his head resting on my lap, "Because you keep them alive and well. You keep order, when there is nothing but destruction," he told me his voice getting softer, until he finally feel asleep in my lap. I smiled at his sleeping form reminding me of my older brother, when he did the same thing.

I didn't I had fallen asleep, until I heard a lot of voices. I was too sleepy to figure out what they were saying. My eyes felt like they were glued and my right hand was placed on top of something soft. It took all my will power to open my eyes and look at what I was holding. Jasper's head was still in my lap and my right hand rested on is small figure. I looked around me and found that everyone was awake "What time is it?" I asked to everyone. They all stop and looked at my direction like they just noticed I was awake.

"It is one fifty in the afternoon," a teacher, Ms. Harper said. She was small for her age just five foot tall, young around her early thirties, athletic looking, red hair, ivory skin, and soft light brown eyes.

I gave her a smile "Thanks," I said, as Caleb stormed over to me.

"Why did you leave without me?" he yelled at me anger obviously in his voice.

I glared at him "You don't have to yell," I said through my teeth.

He was right in front of me looking down on me, since I was still sitting down with Jasper's head on my lap. "Why did you leave without me?" he asked me lowering his voice.

I shifted a little gently lifting Jasper head without waking him up and placing it where I was sitting once I got up. I looked at Caleb straight in the eyes "I left without you, because you and everyone else were tired. I left on my own, because I wanted everyone to rest and not have to worry about having to go outside looking for provisions, when there are Walker's around at night and we can't see them sometime," I explained to his pronouncing every word softly, but coldly and emotionlessly. He flinched at my cold emotionless voice. I stepped up to him right in his face "Do you have a problem with me letting every rest?" I asked him.

Caleb shook his head and walked away embarrassed. "Mm," I heard Jasper waking up. "Kay," he called me.

I looked at him "Right here," I said.

He looked up at me and smiled "Morning," he said, poor kid didn't know it was afternoon.

I smiled "Actually its afternoon. Why don't you go look for clothes in that pile and go take a shower," I told him. He nodded, getting up and heading towards the pile of clothes picking out a black shirt with a skull on it and a pair of dark blue jeans. I walked towards my backpack, which I had place next to the sofa I had laid on and took out a fresh toothbrush and toothpaste. "Jasper," I called his name. He turned around and I threw him the two items. He caught them easily and smiled at me when he was what they were, then walked back his room which he shared with Ciara.

"It's been a long time, since I've seen you smile like that," speak of the devil and he shall appear. I looked behind me and saw Ciara leaning against the door frame looking at me. I didn't even know I was smiling until she said something. "I like it. He's bringing out the old you from before all this started," she said.

I chuckled "Ciara, I have smiled. I guess he reminds me of my brother and me," I told her. I guess as sadness crossed her face of the mention of my brother. They used to date each other, until last year. I guess she still had feelings for him.

"Yeah," she said.

My smiled fell "Hopefully we'll find him or he'll find us," I whispered sadness sounding in my voice. My brother was only nine month older than me, but we still looked the same. He had the same brunette color of hair as me, same violets eyes; the only different was that he was guy.

She smiled weakly "Don't worry, Sky. His probably doing the same thing as you, since you guys is practically the same with almost the same attitude," she told me trying to make me feel better.

"What are you guys talking about?" I heard Sam walking out from behind Ciara and walking towards the sofa I was sitting on and sat with a plate on his hands.

"Nothing," Ciara and I said at the same time.

Sam snorted "Whatever," he said and started eating.

Jackie came from her cave "Their talking about Tyler, who may be dead," she said in her bitchy voice.

I groaned "Don't you ever have a life?" I asked her.

"I would have if hell hadn't broken loose in our school and I wouldn't be here with you, bitches," she snarled.

Ciara narrowed her eyes "Listen here bitch," she said but I put my hand up stopping her tantrum. The teachers were already listing and so were the other guys. Jasper being one of them

I looked at Jackie "If you hate it here the front door is in that direction and I hope you can defend yourself with the Walker's," I told her my voice was all business now. They could leave whenever they want.

Jackie glared "You won't let me leave," she yelled her voice a more high pitched.

I my face was expressionless "Of course you can leave no one is holding you back except yourself. This bitches you see here, like you can them, are here on their free will. They could leave whenever the hell they want and I won't stop them, because the choice was theirs not mine," I told her sternly. Everyone was silent around me even Sam didn't have a smart remark on this.

She looked taken aback "I don't believe you," she said her voice shaken.

I felt an evil smirk on my lips "Ask them than," I told her.

"She's right," Jasper said.

Jackie looked at him "You're just a kid," she said.

Sam stood up from the sofa "Fine, I'll say it instead. Kayla is right," he said. Sam may be rude and unfriendly, but he had his senses. Murmurs of agreements started with the people.

Jasper looked at me "See I told you so," he said to me.

I couldn't help smile at him "I guess you did, little one," I told him. He came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. I hugged him back. I never felt so protective of someone, but I guess it's just motherly instinct.

"Fine, I'll leave enjoy yourself," Jackie said storming towards the door.

I took out my pistol "Hey, Jackie," I called at her. She turned around and glared "Here, its load make every bullet count, but don't waste them in case you need them," I told her throwing the pistol at her.

She almost dropped it "Thanks," was all she said and walked out the house banging the door as she left.

I sighed "I knew this was going to happen," I said under my breath.

"I'm not surprised," Ms. Harper said "She was always my worse student."

Jasper looked up at me "It's not your fault," he told me. How did he know? He hasn't known me for long, but he already can tell what I'm thinking without me thinking of it.

I sigh "You're a smart, Jazzy, very smart," I told him. My heart beat for the kid he was just kid, but he was already growing up fast in this hell.

He let go of me and headed for the kitchen "I told you. They're here because you keep them alive and well," he said and went in the kitchen. I looked at the living room table and saw that all the canned food I had brought was gone, as if reading my mind Sam spoke up.

"Ciara moved the canned food to the kitchen," he said and sat back down with his plate in his hands again.

I walked to the kitchen to get something to eat. Jasper was already downing a can of fruit. "Dude, slow it down or you get choked," I told him shuffling his hair again.

He mumbled something about me shuffling his hair or something like that. I grabbed a can of peaches and sat on top of the counter with a fork on my hand. I opened the can of what I thought was peaches, but turned out to be apple sauce. I shrugged and just ate it with the fork. I lean my head against the top cabinet and thought about how many hours we had left from here to Colorado. It would be at least thirty hours without stopping and it would take one day with two drivers, but with just one it would take at least two day and also counting if we had any problems with the Walker's.

Plus we'll have to stop to get gas and see what other stores have of food, so it would take longer and the Walkers are everywhere. I sighed, this is going to be a little harder than I thought, I thought to myself. Then I looked at Jasper and heard the voices in the living room. But they are all worth it, I thought. I will try and keep them breathing in this hell and not let them down. They all trusted me and I'm just a normal seventeen year old with problem of my own, but not anymore.

I started to think about my family. Where they were? What are they doing? Where is Tyler? And the most important question: are they still alive and kicking? I thought about this over and over again. I missed them, as annoying as they were I missed them. You would never know how much they mean to you, until you lose them or think you did. I would give anything to have my family back.

"Kayla," Coach Martin voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I could feel hot tears running down my cheeks, "I come back to you later if you want," he said backing up towards the kitchen door.

I quickly wiped away the traitorous tears "No it's ok. What were you going to ask me?" I asked him. I notice Jasper wasn't in the kitchen with me any more probably left when I was in my own thoughts.

"When do you want us to leave?" he asked me. I looked around to kitchen looking for something that had the time. I found it on the wall across from me. It read five forty-seven PM.

"We'll leave tomorrow morning, I don't want us to be out in streets at night time. We won't be able to see the Walker's at night," I told him leaning back on the cabinet and closing my eyes.

"Ok, I'll tell the others," he told me.

I heard his retiring foot step "Thanks and don't tell the others about me crying or coming to me at the moment. I want to be alone right now, please," I told him still not looking at him.

"Ok," was all he said and walked out the kitchen to tell the others about my decision of staying here, until tomorrow morning; the moment he left the kitchen, I cried softly for all the things that were happening now and about the things everyone lost in the last seven months. Thank god my cries didn't echo, because I knew they would have heard me crying my eyes out and Ciara, Caleb or Jasper would be here with me at the moment.

Four hours later, my tears stopped and I composed myself. Everyone ate their share of food and later on they took their showers. I took mine in Ciara's and Jasper's room and went to the sofa in the living room. Minutes later everyone was in their own room sleeping. I, on the other hand, was laying on my back on the sofa staring at the ceiling bored the hell out of my mind. Five minutes later my eyes closed and I feel into a good dreamless sleep.