Backpack over shoulders, the weight was normally effortless to carry, but not this time. A mere hour ago the boy had suffered a seizure and his weak-body was still recovering. Forest lingered behind the others as they ascended the stairs and gulped down his uncertainty, knowing very-well that hesitance was dangerous to have in a zombie apocalypse.

When their father swung open the vault, the soft light of the sun promptly spilled over them. Feeling the fresh air rush to his heated-self, Forest breathed it in and allowed a faint smile to take over his lips only to disappear immediately. They had a long trip ahead of them; he couldn’t let his guard down. After reaching the last step, the boy trailing behind the other three, a hand instinctively drifted upon his pistol. He was prepared to grab it from his holster if needed.

The family took a moment to observe the perimeter and when they found no danger to be in sight, Forest sighed. “Well, let’s get going.” His father nodded and they began forward.

"Two days, right?" Glancing at Winter, the boy found a frown over her face, and, looking at the others, they held a likewise expression. "Right?"

"Yeah, that's right." However, after making this statement, he shook his head. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it takes longer. We may not find the right medication at that pharmacy, and if that's the case, I know of another location."

"And it that place doesn't have it either?" Winter asked, eyebrows perked up.

"Trust me, okay? That place is in a heavily secluded area. I'm honestly surprised they even sold enough to stay in business because it's so hard to find." Saying this, the man continued. "Kids, just look around, okay? Follow after me and look out for any potential danger."

Their feet pulsed lightly against the dirted earth, its muddy terrain sticking carelessly to their worn shoes. For the next few minutes, those consistent pats were all to be heard, but, soon, the first walker appeared only to be stabbed by a thoughtless Winter. And then another came mere seconds later, it's dry groans overpowering their footsteps. This would continue, until, finally, Autumn spoke up.

“Dad?” she asked, hesitant, and when her father threw a questionable look, she shook her head. “This isn’t right.”

“What do you mean?”

“We are going the wrong direction, Dad. We need to turn back,” she insisted, and the pause dragged on, the four walking briefly in silence until the man stopped to a halt and his children did likewise. “Dad?”

Clearing his throat, the man rubbed his eyes. “Y-yeah, you’re right. Let’s go back, everyone, I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t get much sleep last night.” Listening, Forest heard him mutter something incoherent under his breath, and couldn’t help but ask what he had just said. “I didn’t actually sleep. I couldn’t, but we're not postponing this trip again, because this is getting ridiculous.”

His three children stared at him with concern only to be scoffed at by their father. “Come on, follow me,” he ordered, his words holding renewed energy, and he started forward once more. “And look out for walkers.”

This is getting ridiculous. That’s what his father had said. As much as Forest wanted to, the boy couldn’t deny it. The two-day walk was supposed to have been taken two weeks ago, but, after he had mistakenly shot the man, it was set-back. Internally smacking himself, he just huffed, a frown displaying over his distressed features. While he proceeded forward, a question whirled around in his head and he wouldn’t be surprised if his sibling were wondering the same thing. Was he even well enough to travel? But then he reminded himself that he had suffered a seizure but a few hours ago, and gave a laugh. A forced one. This was going to be a long trip.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"It's not safe. They're coming. Run while you still can." He studied his surroundings and, as the sun of the day slowly disappeared, the hours ticking by, he found it to be becoming strangely similar to his reoccurring dreams. The mud. The abnormal quiet. The darkness. The scene was only missing the girl, but, glancing at his family, he knew that he also wasn’t alone. They were with him.

He swallowed hard before shifting his focus onto something else; something present. Breathing heavily, he said, “Dad?” And he swiped at his sweat layered forehead. “I really need a break, and I can tell Winter and Autumn do too. It’s been two hours, Dad, and we have yet to eat anything.”

Turning in his direction, Hale squinted through the darkness and met his son’s persistent eyes, each holding the same shade of blue. He nodded, before saying, “Alright, might as well. It’s getting late so we might as well find a spot for the night while we can still see.”

“Good, my legs are killing me,” Winter grumbled, finding a spot to settle beside a sturdy tree, her twin following after her. She tossed her backpack against the still-moist soil, and, upon sitting down, groaned. “My pants will be filthy by morning, but at this point, I don’t care. As much as I hate the slush, my bones ache too much for me to care.”

“Muscles. Your muscles are aching; not your bones,” Autumn corrected and closed her eyes, the girl resting her head against the tree. When Winter gave her a hard nudge to the arm, she chuckled. “You really are tired. That was nothing.”

“Hey,” Hale warned the twins, giving them a brief glare, “behave. Winter, you and me. Help me find a good place to build a trench and help me dig. By the time night has come into full effect, we must be prepared. Autumn, you are after your sister.”

Reluctantly obeying her father, Winter stood to her throbbing legs and followed after him, but not without expressing a loud sigh.

“Watch out for walkers, and if you happen to see any, use your knife. We can’t be attracting any.” Walking off with Winter, he threw a skeptical look to his other children when no response was given. “Autumn, it’s not time. Keep your eyes open!”

The minutes, as quick as they were, came and went at a slow pace for Forest, the boy’s patience barely existent. His anxious eyes meeting his sisters’, he recognized her to be possessing the same amount of tolerance.

Shaking his head, he crossed his arms and stood. “My stomach - it’s been growling for the past hour. At this point, that worm over there looks pretty good.” Following his eyes, his sister smirked. “What? You don’t think I’m serious?”

“No, Forest. No, I don’t. Another few minutes and we’ll be allowed some high-quality chess-mix,” she said, and when she managed a small chuckle from her brother, she found her feet. “We are close to the road. Once we reach that, at least we won't have to put up with these silly trees any longer.”

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Forest?” Her tone was suddenly a soft and faint one.

“Yeah?”

“Wanna look inside her notebook?” His eyes widening, the boy only nodded.

He felt strange and guilty as he followed his sister to Winter’s backpack, and, still, the feeling stayed when she unzipped the bag.

“Read and read fast. She could appear at any moment,” Forest said with worry and looked out for Winter while she flipped through the pages. “Autumn?” What was supposed to only be a glance in her direction turned into a hard stare when he saw a hesitance fall over her face. “Autumn?”

“You need to see this.”