Introduction
Clark and I have always planned for the day. Sharing zombie fiction became a trend for us, as we exchanged novels whenever we finished another. Day after day we discussed strategies, safe spots, weapons, and the cost of preserving our own lives. We knew it was bound to happen eventually, with viruses always mutating and adapting. The problem is we didn’t think it would happen so soon. I figure I’ll imitate the survivors I’ve read about in past novels and keep a record of what’s currently happening. I’m hoping this will help me retain my sanity, and maybe someday it’ll end up in a history book or something like that…granted this shit gets situated. I’ll start with the events that occurred a few days ago.
Wednesday, April 14th – Around 12:00 in the Afternoon
It was seventh period, one of four free periods I have during the day. Clark and I made our way out to my car in the student parking lot for our daily cruise around the area. He asked me if I would be able to leave my family behind if I had to. I told him that if was life or death, I guess I’d have to. I wouldn’t leave them unprepared though; I would come up with something to make them better prepared to handle the outbreak, probably a quick guide. It may sound heartless, but there are just some things that have to be done. We were nearing the “turn-back to school” point when I heard a loud crash. I looked over at Clark who was matching my confused look with one of his own. We drove a quarter of a mile more and I heard Clark mumble “Damn…” When I turned my head, I saw an SUV that had veered off the road into a tree on one of the side streets at the next intersection. I pulled up and we both ran over to try and help. I told Clark to call 911 as I approached.
I stopped about a foot away from the driver’s side window and peered in. I spotted two figures: a man in the driver’s seat, and a woman on the passenger side. I called out to them asking if they were alright, no response, definitely unconscious. Clark walked up next to me with a grim look on his face. “They’re on their way” he said. The driver’s side airbag deployed, the passenger side didn’t. I could see blood dripping off the dashboard, where the woman’s head was resting. An ambulance, fire truck, and three police cars arrived moments later, sirens blaring up the street. We were being questioned by the police when the man made a grunting sound. Everyone looked over at the paramedics who had him on a stretcher. Everything seemed to happen so fast…it started when the man sprung off the stretcher at the medic on his right, the two tumbling to the ground. The medic began screaming, and the four officers on scene rushed at the pair to restrain his attacker. I caught a glimpse of the man’s face speckled with blood, eyes glazed over. He was snarling and snapping like an animal at the officers as he tried to break free from their grasps. One of the officers had called in backup while I tried to grasp the situation. Within minutes they were here: an armored truck from which men in white suits exited and five more police cruisers. They wheeled out a steel harness and forced the man inside, tying him tightly to it. He continued to struggle within his restraints as he was placed in the back of the van. We were spoken to by a man in military uniform and then escorted back to school where the situation was explained to the principals, leaving out the fact that the man tried to cannibalize one of the medics.
I went home to my parents who already knew about the accident thanks to the police. They expressed the fact that they were glad I chose the responsible course of action, but that they didn’t want me taking joyrides anymore because I would be “wasting gas and taking unnecessary risks.” I went up to my room and laid there on my bed, pulling out my netbook from a shelf and booting it up. I needed to find out if there had been any outbreaks in other states or even countries. Nothing, just your normal sites with crazies who think the murder next door is a sign of the apocalypse. Only, they no longer seem so crazy to me, heck they may even be right.
Later that night, I sat there staring at the ceiling. So soon, who could have ever expected this…? I knew I wouldn’t be catching much shut eye tonight so I texted Clark at around midnight. I hadn’t talked to him since we left the school. Sure enough, he was also awake. I asked him how his parents took it. He replied saying “Not important, we need to prepare. I’ll see you tomorrow, get some sleep.” I sent a text back saying to meet before school started in the library, and shut my eyes in an attempt to get some sleep.
Thursday, April 15th
I arrived at school and met up with Clark. We left after second period and went to a local park. I told him that we have to leave within the week, while we still can. He stared back at me, and I knew what he was thinking. “So what’s your plan for leaving them behind?” By them he meant our families, who we both knew wouldn’t understand. As soon as the new broke, they would panic, gather supplies and try and sit tight and hold onto whatever possessions that they could. If the government spoke, they would listen and become cannon fodder for any plan that was rolled out to preserve the existence of officials and other higher ups to rebuild society. I refuse to let that happen to me, and I’m sure Clark was thinking the same thing. “We leave them a list of supplies and a course of action to take if they wish to take it” I tell him. I pulled out my netbook and began to type up the aforementioned documents. Sometimes nightmares can become a cruel reality, and this is one of those times.
After I had finished, we returned to the school and printed two copies in one of the computer labs. Once that was done went to the bank and withdrew everything from our accounts. Next stop was a local hardware store from which we acquired four large containers for gas along with various other supplies including a box of nails, a few wooden boards, and a box of tools. We scoured the store until we found a small generator, and a few cheap solar panels. We then stopped by an outdoors shop picking up some supplies like a pair of camouflage outfits, two hatchets, a tent, along with a survival and first aid kit. I opened the trunk and put everything in, which barely fit. We stopped by a gas station and filled up the car, and then the four additional tanks we had.
Our next stop was a bit more daring. We knew of a friend whose father had a collection of rifles. It was a twenty minute drive until we made it to his house. His parents were most likely working, and we knew that he had baseball practice right after school. We stopped across the street from the home and scoped out the area, then we got out and went around back. After checking all the first floor windows and doors which were all locked, I climbed up to the second story using a ladder next to the garage. There was a balcony with a two door entrance to the den within. Sure enough, it wasn’t locked and I called down to Clark telling him to keep watch.
I made my way around the inside of the home. It was a modest two story with a survivalists dream in the basement. A newly finished room by the looks of it, the man cave in the basement contained all the weaponry and gear you would need to ride out a storm. I snapped back to reality remembering my purpose here. I walked up the rack of rifles mounted on the wall. I saw a few M16’s, an AK-47, a couple of AR-15, and various other rifles that I didn’t know the names of. I looked around the room and found a rifle bag, perfect. I grabbed three M16’s and a load of clips and stuffed them in. The bag was already getting heavy. Next to the rack of rifles was a desk, with a bunch of hunter’s magazines on top of it. I opened the middle drawer and was pleasantly surprised at the collection of pistols conveniently arranged and labeled. I grabbed two of the USP Tactical which had an attached laser sight, and a USP compact. I found two suppressors that corresponded to the tactical versions but none for the compact. I threw those in the bag along with five small boxes of 9mm ammunition. Before leaving the room I pulled grabbed two sheathed knives off of a wall that consisted of all kinds of hand to hand weapons, as well as two gun holsters. I ran upstairs and got back to the balcony then threw the bag over. I hear Clark say “Shit!”, and then he tumbled to the ground. He cursed at me a few more times while he got up. I climbed down and went over to my car, signaling Clark that he was clear to move. I concealed the bag under a bunch of sweatshirts and other random things lying in the back seat of my four-door compact. I dropped him off in the school parking lot so he could get his car and go home, then went home myself, parking the car in the garage knowing my parents wouldn’t check it.
Later that night at dinner, there was a report of a mass murder on the local news. It’s starting; the government will cover up the initial outbreak with false reports of mass murders and sudden deaths or freak accidents. I checked online again after dinner to find multiple reports across the nation as well as in other countries. Most notable was the president of Zimbabwe being killed in his sleep by his wife who cannibalized his body and attacked local authorities when they arrived. I figured it was time to get some rest, tomorrow would be a big day.
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