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

We let the sun set over us while we were still inside the walls. I wasn't used to being able to sit down without having to worry about the dead. There were babies here, children, and elders. They were weak, but at least they were happy. The sound of laughter filled the air, a stark contrast to the constant fear and despair we had become accustomed to.

I saw Edin, Rudi, Aaron, and Khai talking to some of the kids. They were laughing. I knew I wouldn't be able to bring myself to take this away from them.

This would be a good place for Juna to grow up. It would be a good place for all of us to grow up.

Catherine let me read what my family said during the interviews. It made me confident in what most of them said. But Leah's worried me. I know she isn't exactly my biggest fan, but her attitude could get us kicked out. I couldn't afford that. We couldn't.

"Leah," I said as I sat down at the table she was sitting at. She started to stand up, but I held her shoulder gently, and she carefully rested back in her seat. She probably didn't want me to touch her, but this was important. We hadn't talked since before Amy died, but it's not like we talked much before that either.

"I read what you said." She didn't respond, and I didn't expect her to. "I know why you feel that way, and I am genuinely sorry that you do."

"You're sorry?" She looked angry now. "How can you be sorry? My sister is dead because of you! You couldn't keep us safe, and I'm apparently the only one who can see that you never will. All of those other people would get themselves killed for you, and they have. How many people have to die for you to open your fucking eyes? Do you know that Camila wants to leave because she's afraid of you? I bet you didn't, because all you care about is yourself. This group is falling apart, and it's all because of you."

I didn't know what to say, but her words made me mad. Amy's death wasn't my fault. I knew it wasn't. I felt bad for Camila, but it's not like she ever told me anything. She doesn't talk. I tried my best to be there for everyone, but it's unfair to put all the blame on me.

"Amy isn't dead because of me, Leah. She's dead because safety doesn't exist. We're never safe. Not even behind these walls. I'm not trying to be the leader, and you can leave whenever you want; after all, you've got nothing tying you down anymore."

"Go to hell, Ethan," she said as she walked away. I was glad she chose to leave; I had nothing more to say, and I feared that if I did, it would just be something I'd regret.

Chapter 12 (I don't wanna be here)