15 Days Later

May 19, 2069

1200 CDT

South Olympia, Kansas

Rachel Cooper's Point of View

“So, what do you think ‘bout it, Billy?” I ask.

Olympia! Our new home is so spectacular! I hope he likes it as much as I do, but I don’t understand how he sees anythin’ out of that massive brown bowl cut of his. Vision is the most essential sense for survival; therefore, I will always wear my colorful headband to cover my bangs wherever I go! You shouldn’t be so unkind ‘bout his hair, meanie. Not only is it rude, but you also have long and messy brown hair that’s never, ever been cut. Hmm. Now that I think ‘bout it, our brown hair and brown colored eyes are probably the only things we have in common, except my hair has been mixed in with a bit of blonde from Ma. Regardless he’s a boy, so my hair is automatically much more spectacular than his.

“I’m not sure. It seems awful,” he replies cautiously. “Hey Rachel, do you think we stand out?”

He might be on to something! City life is so strange, and people seem so tense. Everyone is dressed differently too. Nobody is wearin’ gray overhauls with olive-green shirts like us!

“No way, Billy. I don’t think we’re the weird ones ‘ere. If anything, I think they’re the odd ones. They need to learn how to chillax.”

Residents aside, Olympia is beautiful! Sunny skies, perfect weather, horse traffic in this busy street, merchants sellin’ clothes, tall buildings, and plenty of police patrollin’. Oh, but I feel so homesick already! I wanna go home! The uglies ruin everything!

“Draft Day is a scary thing,” Billy unexpectedly blurts out. “I mean, what kind of evil bein’ could come up with such a thing? I don’t think they’ll pick us to become apprentices. They’ll probably appoint someone better like the Hoovers. Sigh. I miss home already, sis.”

“I miss home too, Billy, but I’m sure we’ll be able to return in no time! Besides, I would love to join the fight against the uglies if it means we’ll be able to help Olympus again.”

“What?” he asks, with what I imagine is a raised eyebrow. “Why do you always call the zombies ‘uglies’? You’re uncool.”

“You said ‘spectacular’ wrong. I call them uglies because they’re pretty ugly, duh.”

“Pretty ugly and scary, so I reckon you’re not wrong. And I reckon I’m spectacular as well because I’ll be helpin’ you out,” he responds with a chuckle.

So brave!

“That’s fine, Billy, but as the little brother, you’ll have to settle for bein’ just a bit less spectacular than I.”

“You’re surprisingly confident today, Rachel.”

“I’m shocked that you can see that. You’ll never attract “chicks” with horrid hair like that. Allow me to help.”

There, a quick pat on the hand!

“Voila! I’ve passed on some of my spectacularness to you! Gasp! Stop talking!”

“But I didn’t sa-..”

“Down the alleyway! Kids our age are approaching, and they look like they’re ready to welcome us to Olympia!”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Yay! One of them is a girl, and she looks to be twelve years old like me! Time to make my first friend!

“So, it’s true, Nia,” the boy says to the girl next to him.

He’s very muscular lookin’ and pretty freakin’ tall! Hispanic, wearin’ a brown football jersey with the number twelve on it and blue jeans. I don’t think he realizes that his jersey is too small, though! I can see his belly button! I have a feelin’ that he could knock someone out with ease, but I am absolutely positive that Billy could take him! Not like it’ll ever come to that, Rachel, but boys will be boys. It’s just another reason why girls are superior.

“I can’t believe this shit, Rico,” Nia responds in disgust.

She’s a Black girl, a bit shorter than Rico, and has long hair just like me! She’s wearin’ an identical jersey, but it doesn’t match her pink sweatpants and sandals. Her shirt looks more like a dress since it goes all the way down to her knees! She appears to be irritated. Gasp! I know the perfect conversation starter!

“Greetings!” I say.

Darn it, brain!

“Uh, I mean, howdy. I think you’re irritated ‘bout somethin’, and I can relate to that because my brothers irritate me. This means we have somethin’ in common, which is why we must become friends!”

Now for the handshake. No! Stop, Rachel! You’re too sweaty! Did she notice?! Of course, she did! She crossed her arms, which means you’ve been rejected again! Where did I go wrong?!

“I think you lead on too strong, Rachel,” Billy answers. “Also, you’re the irritatin’ one just so you know.”

Duh!

“I forgot ‘bout the introductions. My name is Rachel Cooper, and this is my younger twin brother, Billy Cooper. We are new residents of Olympia, originatin’ aaaaaaall the way from Bracketeville, Tex-.”

“Shut the hell up,” Nia rudely interrupts.

What? I’m so bamboozled! What did I do this time?!

“We don’t fucking care who you are. We want to know what you’re doing here,” Rico asks in a curious tone.

They don’t know?

“Um, the Black Scorpions raided our ranch, and then we got attacked by uglies,” I say. “However, the heroic Olympian army saved us, and now we live ‘ere, currently searchin’ for friends.”

“Wow. You hear this shit, Rico?” Nia asks in confusion as she puts a hand on her hip.

Hmm. That gaze is quite unfriendly.

“I hear it, but I don’t believe it,” Rico scoffs.

“Shit’s ridiculous,” Nia states with an eye roll.

I thought I explained it correctly.

“I don’t think they get it. They must be stupid,” Billy whispers into my ear.

“It’s rude, but it may be true.”

“The rumors of the capital’s poor education system are true!” Billy suggests.

“What are you hicks whispering about?” Nia asks with that intimidating gaze.

Hicks? That’s offensive. I’ll have to let her know how hurtful it is in case she’s unaware.

“So, here’s what I got from your sob story,” Rico begins to say as he cracks his knuckles. “You think you can just waltz into Olympia uninvited and eat up all our food because you were too weak to defend your home.”

Why is he so upset? We’re all Olympians, ain’t we?

“I’m sorry, but that’s wrong. It’s not that we wanted to leave; however, we were left with no choice. Brackettville ain’t the only ranch in the kingdom, so there’ll still be plenty of food available for everyone,” Billy clarifies as he approaches Rico.

“Ridiculous,” Nia declares with a head shake.

“Very,” Rico agrees.

Rico is getting… a bit, too close in my brother’s face.

“My older brother was killed by zombies, defending your fucking home! I can’t fucking believe that he died for stupid, ungrateful hicks!” Rico shouts in anger.

He needs to stop backin’ Billy into the wall.

He pushed my brother! What’s wrong with him?!

“Billy!” I shout.

Ow! My hair!

“Let go, Nia!” I shout.

“Stop!” Billy cries out.

Get up, Billy! Fight!

Rico stomped on my brother! Billy!

“An Olympian? You’re as fucking delusional as you look. Pussies like you won’t survive long enough for Draft Day,” Rico insults in a sharp tone.

Ew, Rico spit right in Billy’s face! He needs to stop steppin’ on my brother’s chest!

“What’s wrong with y’all?! Please stop!” I shout.

This is evil! Is no one gonna stop this?! They notice us, but they’re not helping! Ow! Why Nia?! Why?! We could’ve been friends!

“Nobody’s gonna bother with trash. Outsiders don’t fucking belong here. You have just as much value as what’s on the bottom of our shoes,” Nia rudely explains.

Just stop pullin’ my hair, Nia!

“Case in point,” she continues while pointing at Rico’s shoe.

“Y’all ain’t friendly at all!” I shout.

Tears?! You’re the oldest sibling, yet you’re such a big baby who can’t even protect your brother! My worth is equivalent to what’s on the soles of their shoes!

Ow! Nia pushed me! My elbow! The ground ain’t soft at all!

“The cops won’t help your asses either. They don’t give a shit what happens in South Olympia as long as nobody is killing anyone,” Nia clarifies with a malicious look in her eyes.

She kneed me in my stomach! Get off me!

“Welcome to Olympia,” Nia chuckles.

No! Not a fist! I’m sorry, Billy, but your sister sucks! This is gonna hurt!

“Leave them alone!!!” a girl’s voice booms with fury.