RudyGasparrini

People fear death for many reasons. For some, the fear of what comes after. The fear of being forgotten. A threat to the meaningfulness of life. Being forced to stop life projects.
This was what the world feared before. Now, what we fear is what we become 
After Death.

A suspenseful story told by different characters over the years of the zombie apocalypse. The group consists of high school kids and deals with troubling events in which not everyone survives. 

TW: This story contains graphic descriptive content, strong language, and disturbing descriptive images and is intended only for mature audiences.

AFtER DEAtH

Chapter 4: The Best Idea You've Ever Had

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We had stopped on the side of the abandoned road. We were out of gas and food in the middle of nowhere. As we looked around, the desolate landscape stretched out before us, with no signs of civilization in sight. We knew we had to come up with a plan to find help and get back on track.

"I'll go look. Khai sighed, and Dallen went with her. Rudi stayed in the car with Juna. There weren't many of the dead nearby, but we didn't want to take any chances. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the distant sound of wind rustling through the overgrown grass.

We were almost out of formula as well. I know Rudi was really worried about her; I was too. We all were. She was the future, and we had to keep that alive.

We've been on the road for too long. We should've just settled on a stupid little house that we saw in the countryside, but for some reason, just four walls and a roof weren't enough for me anymore. I craved something more.

Khai and Dallen came back with two gallons of gas and gas station food a day later. They brought one tin of baby formula, but that wouldn't be enough. They looked exhausted, and I couldn't blame them. But even though she was tired, Khai kept me company as I drove the van. I always offered to drive, but I'd take shifts with Aiden whenever I needed it.

The night sky was peaceful. It seemed like it was always nighttime now. The days went by too quickly. We had been on the road for what felt like an eternity, constantly searching for supplies and a safe place to settle. The constant movement was taking its toll on all of us, physically and emotionally.

"We should go to the coast—the west coast," she yawned. The thought of the cool ocean breeze and the sound of crashing waves brought me a sense of tranquility. The west coast seemed like a promising destination, offering a chance for us to find solace and maybe even rebuild our lives.

"That's far, Khai. And besides, we don't know what's out there." She understood my concerns about the unknown dangers that awaited us on the west coast. However, we both knew staying in our current situation was also not a viable option.

"We never do, but maybe an island would be good for us. An opportunity. A fresh start." I thought about it, and it didn't seem like a bad idea at the moment. And after all, what else were we going to do? We have nothing now.

"Okay, I'll talk to the others tomorrow." She smiled, but she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer and soon drifted off to sleep like the others.

Chapter 4 (The best idea you've ever had)