Survive: The Walking Apocalypse - Pt. 5

The sun has set. Getting to my uncle's home has taken longer than I expected. I've had to go out of my way to take long detours around the large groups blocking my path. Running along the roofs of vehicles, climbing over walls and garden fences and at one point, I even had to climb a tree, all just to avoid a struggle with the monsters roaming around.

There's also a strange calm in the air. It's almost like the chaos and all the crazed bedlam set with the sun tonight. Yet, I find that far from comforting.

Lucy on the other hand finds it to be just that. Still clinging to my neck, she lays fast asleep. It's a precious sight that warms my heart each time I look down at her. This is then quickly shattered every time I look up straight into the eyes of a crazed psychopath trying to eat my flesh. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with too many of those. Only a few. I've found that I'm rather good at avoiding them, but that's only when I can actually see them, of course. With the setting of the sun, I am truly on edge. The lampposts light the street in an eerie, amber glow, but that's not enough. Many of the undead linger just out of sight, stumbling in the shadows.

With every step I take, the more terrified I become. I was fine earlier, when everything was still in chaos. Back then, I was fuelled on adrenaline. It helped to keep the fear at bay. That has now dwindled away into nothingness and is slowly being replaced by an ominous feeling of dread.

I walk slowly down the sidewalk. There are a lot of them around, but none in my immediate path. They're vicious and unrelenting once they've sniffed you out, but also very stupid. I can easily sidestep around them, mere inches away, as long as they don't hear me. Yes, hear. They're all blind. That's something I picked up on quite quickly when I nearly fell on top of one. I managed to stop myself from colliding with him just in time and he simply stood there, staring right past me. It made me think of my father and his blank, lifeless stare after he had turned. At least he didn't have to watch as his own son caved his skull in. That's a disturbing, yet comforting thought I suppose.

When Lucy finally fell asleep, it made everything so much easier. I know she's upset by everything and I really can't blame her. This is something a young girl - or anyone for that matter - should never have to go through. I'm barely holding it together myself. Yet, now that she's asleep, it's just so much easier to sneak by. No more crying, no more noise. Earlier today, it was an utter nightmare trying to pass by unnoticed. I didn't even bother, I just ran through the crowds and dodged everything I could; Lucy screaming her head off all the while. Obviously not well enough though, if you take a quick glance at the blood-stained aluminium bat I'm holding. Yes, I could have a done a much better job at slipping past them. It would have been fewer deaths for Lucy to see. It would have helped keep her innocence intact. There's not much I can do about that though, is there? This is a new, savage world we are in now. I don't see it getting any better. Best to just get used to it.

The lampposts keep flickering on and off. I cast a nervous glance at each one I pass under. If they quit working, we're doomed. I need the lights to guide us through.

A crowd of undead are shambling around ahead and many aren't even moving, they just stand, frozen in place. I guess with no one left to hunt, they don't have much left to do. Good. I hope they rot.

Just as this thought enters my mind, one comes walking from the shadows and into the light, straight at me. I curse under my breath and raise the bat, ready to strike at a moments notice.

I don't attack. Instead, I slowly back away from the drooling carcass, making as little sound as possible. Maybe if I can get far enough away without making any noise, he'll lose track of me.

My heel comes down on an empty soda can. I flinch at the crunch it makes as it crumples under the weight of my foot. The sound travels out into the silent night and every head in the area turns to me.

Then darkness descends as the lights go out.