Months had passed since I got separated from Elliot. Though I didn't want to think about what happened after those raiders grabbed me. It was nothing more than a blur of terror at this point. Now, I was alone in the middle of a forest, trying to make sense of the paper map. After all, phones were useless without people maintaining the networks, let alone power.

I crouched over a fallen log, squinting at the faded lines on the map. The paper was worn and creased from me folding it over and over. The forest that surrounded me was eerily silent, with occasional bird chatter.

"Man, I wish I paid more attention in geography class," I muttered to myself, trying to lighten the mood. Talking to myself had become a habit from being alone. It was either that or go crazy with loneliness. As I looked around, I saw the tall trees stretching up to the sky, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Peaceful.

After what felt like hours of walking in circles, I came across a cluster of cabins. They looked normal, untouched by the chaos that wrecked everything else. Maybe, just maybe, there'd be something useful for me inside, or zombies.

"Hello?" I began calling softly, knowing it was stupid to talk near structures. No answer. So, I crept inside, my eyes darting around, looking to see if I was alone. The living room was neat, like people hadn't raided it yet. Photos on the walls, a cozy couch, and a half-finished puzzle on the coffee table. It felt surreal.

My feet began moving towards the kitchen, and shoved every canned food I could into my backpack. The fridge, of course had no power, so everything was bad, other than some water bottles. But then I heard it-the unmistakable sound. My blood ran cold.

Zombies.

I pulled out my bow and arrow, my hands shaking from fear. I hated fighting them. It was easier to sneak around, avoid them altogether. But I was trapped in the kitchen; I didn't have a choice.

A few steps forward, and the zombie came into view-a kid, just like me. Or at least, it had been like me. Now it was crazy looking—broken bones, blank eyes, and hungry. I hesitated for a split second, but I couldn't afford to show mercy. Leaving it alive would only mean more death for others.

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"Sorry, kid," I whispered, drawing back the bowstring and letting the arrow fly. Luckily, I hit the zombie square in the head, causing it to crumble to the floor. I tried not to think about the life I just ended, as I pulled the arrow out of its head.

I moved through the house quickly, grabbing anything that looked useful. In one of the houses, I found a picture board pinned with notes and photographs. My eyes caught a piece of paper with the location of the house circled on it. Finally, something very useful.

I rushed to mark the location on my map, my hand steadying a bit. At least now I knew where I was. As I finished, I heard more noises, and panic flared in my chest. I had to move now, had to get out of here before more of them showed up.

The forest was a maze, but I had my location now. I pushed through the under brushes, my mind racing with thoughts. The world was dark, and I was just trying to survive. The shadows of the trees were like shelter for me, the silence, on the other hand, pressed down like a weight, a weight I didn't want.

I honestly wasn't sure where to go, but I had to keep moving. Perhaps I could find Elliot again. The thought of him kept me going, kept me from giving up.

As night fell, I found a spot to camp, hidden beneath the thick log of fallen trees. I walked around, ensuring that no one's hands could reach it, at least no zombie hands. "Augh, I need to start unpacking some of my supplies."

I grabbed a can of bread, the taste was bland but filling to my stomach. I slowly put it down to not make noise.

The forest around me was alive with sounds-creatures moving in the night, the winds whispering through their leaves. Yet I had to ignore all that. So I wrapped myself in my blanket, the cold seeping into my bones. The ground was hard and rocky, but I was used to it. It couldn't compare to the place the raiders tied me up to…

"Tomorrow's another day," I told myself, trying to lighten the darkness. "One step at a time. We'll figure it out. Right Elliot…"

I closed my eyes, clutching my arms together. The night dragged on, nothing could awaken me at that point.

As dawn broke, the light that filtered through the trees burned my forehead. It caused me to wake up, not like I wanted to. I much preferred sleeping than walking around. The blisters in my feet nodded with me. But a river was close by, and I knew I needed to at least shower, even if it was cold water.

"Alright, enough wasting time," I said, packing up my things and shouldering my backpack. "One more day and we are sure to reach the city."

The bird chirped, and the sunlight chased away the shadows as I walked. I kept moving, ensuring I wouldn't fall, falling here would be death. I mean, I could barely handle the brushes in my stomach, Imagine having to walk with a twisted ankle.

And so I walked into the unknown—I guess not unknown as I had the map. I need to reach the painting again…