Chapter 7 (No Home)

Chapter 7: No Home

Ethan Warren

May 28th, 2022

9 days after outbreak

Minnesota

Season 1

------------

We had been driving for a few days. We would stop at abandoned supermarkets; they would usually already be emptied, but sometimes there was something. One time, we stumbled upon a small convenience store that had been overlooked by others. Inside, we found a few cans of beans and some bottled water, enough to sustain us for another day or two. As we continued our journey, the reality sank in that finding a permanent place to call home seemed like an impossible task in this post-apocalyptic world. We had seen a few people along the roads. They looked like they needed help; they were tired, hungry, and covered in blood. They looked like us, but we didn't help them. We couldn't risk it. We had already lost too much. Every encounter was a potential threat, and our survival instincts took over. It was a harsh reminder that in this new world, trust was a luxury we couldn't afford. As we pressed on, the weight of our decision weighed heavily on our hearts, knowing that we had become just as desperate and vulnerable as those we left behind.

None of us wanted to go and try to find our parents. Some of us had family issues, but most of us just didn't want to face them. They were probably dead already, and the thought of confirming their fate was too painful to bear. We had to prioritize our own survival and focus on building a new community, relying solely on each other for support.

We had been driving aimlessly for days, searching for any signs of civilization or a safe haven. The exhaustion and hunger were starting to take their toll on us, but we couldn't afford to dwell on our own discomfort. Our only option was to keep moving forward, hoping that eventually we would find the solace we desperately craved.

Today was Aiden's birthday. He and Dallen were now officially the only adults in the group. It didn't really mean anything anymore, though. Survival had become our sole focus, and birthdays were just a reminder of the world we had lost. Despite that, however, we clung to the hope that someday, somehow, we would rebuild and restore order to our shattered existence.

Rudolph's been counting the days since the outbreak happened. He carried around a small black notebook that he found in one of the stores. He asks me about my experiences and even lets me write about them sometimes.

He's changed, and we've all changed. But some of us adapt better to this world than others. The constant fear and violence have taken a toll on Amy, Aaron, and Dallen, leaving them emotionally drained and struggling to cope with the harsh reality of this post-apocalyptic world. Despite the fact that they are only fighting against lifeless creatures, the act of killing still haunts them.

We needed a break; we needed to be somewhere safe, but we can't have that. Not yet.

We set up a camp tonight. We found a place by a lake. There weren't any monsters; it was safe, and safe wasn't something you could find often.

"Hey Rudi," I said as I sat next to Rudolph on an old wooden dock. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with exhaustion and sadness. "Yeah?" he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. I could see the weight of the world on his shoulders and the toll that this never-ending battle had taken on him.

He smiled. He looked like he had been crying. We sat in silence for a few minutes, watching how the moon's reflection shone on the lake. It was peaceful, but I couldn't let myself get used to it.

"What happened at the school?" I knew he was talking about Calvin, and he had every reason to. I felt my throat in my stomach. I know I didn't deserve it, but I wanted to be the person the group could trust. If I told the truth, I wasn't sure if I would be able to have that.

"A lot happened at the school." I replied cautiously, trying to choose my words carefully.

"You know that's not what I meant," he said, staring at me with no expression on his face. I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. It was clear he wanted more details, but I wasn't ready to reveal everything just yet.

"You killed him. I get it, and I don't care. You did what you thought was right. You're trying to be the leader that we all need, no matter what it costs."

"I'm sorry, Rudi. I bet you probably think I'm insane. Everyone else probably does too. It's only been a few days, and I've already fucked it all up," I sighed, throwing my head into my hands. Rudi reached to the opposite side of him and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, offering me a drink. I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to accept or not. Taking a deep breath, I finally reached out and grabbed the bottle, realizing that maybe a sip of whiskey could help ease the weight of my mistakes for just a moment.

"I don't think you're insane. He was going to get himself killed anyway, or someone else. Don't blame yourself, Ethan. He deserved it," he smiled softly while putting his hand on my shoulder, "but don't get carried away. Don't hurt people unless you need to. That's not who you are; I know it isn't." I looked into his eyes, grateful for his reassurance. His words reminded me of the person I used to be before everything went wrong. Maybe he was right, and maybe I didn't have to let my mistakes define me. With a renewed sense of hope, I made a silent promise to myself to find a way to make amends without causing any more harm.