The Last One: Prologue

I still remember the day it all happened. The day the disease was finally spreading around the entire world. Scientists were already crazy with the disease. I don't know how... Or why it got out of those walls. But, somehow, it did. I remember the news interupting the cartoon I was watching with my father. I didn't have a clue what was going on, but my father was cursing and muttering profanities under his breath.

I was only six at the time, not having any idea what was happening as my father put a small backpack over my shoulders and lifted me in his arms."Where are we going, Pa?" I remember asking as he packed big bags of canned food, soda, crackers. Stuff he had never dared to let me eat before. Junk.

He kissed my head, and set me down, walking across the room, and opening a large cabinet filled with all sorts of weapons,"Somewhere safe, Maleni," He smiled and took of my backpack quickly, putting my big, heavy winter coat over my small shoulders. He then placed the backpack back over my shoulders and picked me back up, carrying the weapons and bags in his other arm.

I frowned as he buckled me into the backseat of our SUV, leaving the bags of food in back with me. He buckled himself in the driver's seat, and placed the weapons next to him."Why is it not safe, Pa?" I asked curiously, swinging my legs.

My father dodged my question, shaking his head,"You need to be a big girl now, alright? I need you to learn how to use these," He pointed at the bag of various guns, ammo, and knives ranging from a simple axe, to stuff I had never knew existed. I scrunched up my face.

"Pa! Those are bad!" I scolded, and glared at him through the front mirror, and he smiled and shook his head.

"You're a good girl, Maleni. But I need you to listen to me. It's okay now. To use them." He assured me and nodded, running a quick and steady hand through his brown hair.

"What? Why now?" I asked and leaned forward again.

It wasn't until years later I finally understood his answer.
"Survival of the fittest," I repeated outloud, nibbling on a cracker, looking around the small danky abandoned pharmacy I was currently hiding out in. If there was one thing my father had taught me before his death, it was that you can never stay in one place for too long. The longer you stay, the higher your chance of death was. That was the most important thing he could've ever taught me.

I sighed and looked down at my combat boots, glaring at them."Some 18th birthday," I ran a hand through my knotted brown hair and stood up. Never stay in one place too long.

"Survival of the fittest," I said again quietly as I packed my stuff.