Survive: The Walking Apocalypse - Part 6

Have you ever experienced that emotion of sheer panic when you are dropped into sudden darkness? That feeling of fear which seeps into your soul as you stumble blindly?

I have. When I was little, my father would sometimes turn off the lights as I was taking a bath or a shower. I would always yell with surprise and scream for him to turn the lights back on. Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't. On the occasions where he chose not to, he'd simply walk away, leaving me alone in the dark and laughing as he did so. It was all innocent fun and games to him, but I don't think he ever realised how truly scared I was. From the moment he left, I would freeze up. I'd sit alone in the bathtub and contemplate on whether or not I should get out and turn the lights back on. That would be the sensible thing. What held me back, however, was the darkness itself. I would always imagine that there was some kind of monster lurking in the dark. A demon of some kind, just waiting for me to make a run for the light. I thought that the water bathing me would protect me somehow, much like hiding under the covers while in bed. So, instead of turning on that light, I would simply sit. I would not scream, I would not call for help and I would not move. After a while, someone would come knocking, asking if I was still in the bathroom, to which I'd answer and then they'd turn the light back on.

My father never really knew the fear that darkness instilled upon me. I don't think anyone did. It was something I was too ashamed of to share. A weakness I wish I never had. Sadly, from those experiences, that fear only grew.

Now, I find myself descended into darkness once again. The demons are truly out there this time and closing in. I hear them even now, feet shuffling onto the lightless street. At this point, I should be screaming with fear or freezing up as my mind panics from within. Except this time I am not alone. Lucy still sleeps in my arms. Fear remains, but the panic does not. When the power died I froze up at first, that I admit. Yet now, I think with a clear head. The safety of myself and more importantly my little sister is at stake. I can't freeze. I can't allow fear to rule me, not while I still have Lucy. I have to make a move.

The can that gave me away is still trapped under my shoe. An idea springs to mind. I raise my foot and send the can flying into the distance. It rattles into the silent night as it hits off a wall and clatters to the ground. I hear the man who first spotted us stop. He is only a few centimetres away. Soft groans and the sound of rasping breaths escape his throat as he hesitates. Then, his footsteps can be heard heading in the direction of the can.

It worked. Shuffling feet slowly shift past me and towards the decoy instead. This means they are not only blind, but rely heavily on hearing and are easily tricked or distracted. That should become very helpful in the future.

I make my way slowly off the road and towards one of the houses. The best way to survive this is to get somewhere safe for the night and wait for sunrise. Without any light source, there is no way I would last very long out here.

I can very faintly see the outline of the house ahead, but nothing more. I can only hope that there aren't any people in my way.

The progress to the front door is slow, but steady. I'm shaking almost violently, terrified of making a noise.

Nearly there.

I reach the front porch and freeze. Lucy is awake.

"Ryan? Ryan! I can't see! Ryan!"

I try to hush her, but it's too late.

They're coming.

I reach for the door. My fingers wrap around the handle and I pull.

A demon grabs my arm. I yell with shock and Lucy screams as I nearly drop her. It yanks on my arm, desperately trying to bite me. I pull free from its grasp and shove it away. I hear it tumble to the ground, but I can't see it. I had hoped my eyes would adjust by now yet it doesn't seem to be happening.

It's almost like my fears have come to life. Panic ensues as I frantically reach for the door once more, only to be pulled from behind by another demon. I feel its rancid breath on my exposed neck as its fingers wrap around my head and pull it back. Lucy wails my name, screams for her parents and cries into my shirt. With all my strength, I force the handle of the baseball bat I still hold into the stomach of my attacker, causing it to stumble away from me. I reach for the door a final time, open it at long last and without the slightest hesitation, slam it shut behind me.

I am greeted by silence. I lean my back against the closed door and slide to the ground, releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding. Lucy whimpers quietly and asks if I'm alright. I smile, even though she can't see it.

"Yeah, Lucy. Don't you worry, I'm okay."

"Did they bite you?"

"No, your big bro' is too fast for them, little sis'," I laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

I feel all her tension leave as I answer. Her whimpers turn to heart wrenching sobs as she finally lets go.

"I-I, I miss Mummy and Daddy, Ryan."

With those simple words, my hardened shell, the shield I had built up, all the feelings I had blocked out, finally broke free. The shakes returned as hot tears began their fall.

"A-Are you okay, Ryan?"

I reach down and kiss the crown of her head. "Yeah," I whisper, wiping away tears, "Yeah, I'm fine. We're fine. We're going to be just fine..."

I stroke her hair and we cry into the night, cradled in each other's arms, until we at last fall asleep.