The World Around Us

On the Move

Thanks to those who have commented :) please keep them coming! I really appreciate it!

To the right is how I imagine Lila.

Creak! With every movement, the floor creaked. Violet could hear the rustling downstairs, where the mutants were eagerly waiting for an innocent human to walk in. She decided the best way to escape was to climb down the window. The window she used to stare out of on long summer nights. The stars almost spoke to her, calling her name in their sweet voices. She would sing back to them, humming her favorite tune. As she took one last look outside, the stars seemed to mock her now. They were a distant memory, a ghost of the past.

"Here, tie these together." Violet istructed Lila as she handed her every shirt from her closet. Before the Accident, Lila was a girl scout. Violet now regretted making fun of how many knots Lila made before her survival test last year. As Lila tied, Violet put supplies in her backpack. Seven months ago, this backpack was used for schoolwork, now it was being used to stay alive. Sealed food, water bottles, a flashlight, matches, a pocket knife, blankets. 

"Done!" Lila exclaimed, breathing heavily as if she just ran a mile in four minutes. Violet ignored her as she opened a locked cabinet in the hallway. She could hear the horrifying sounds the mutants made. Desperate to make the noises stop, she covered her ears and sent a tear their way. Though she hated the mutants for wanting to kill all humans, she knew deep down that they still had feelings. They were people, or once were. 

Opening the cabinet door, Violet found a note.

Dear Violet,

If you are reading this, the worst has happened. We've turned into one of them. Remember, don't waste the bullets, there are only so many. Keep your sister and yourself safe. We're so sorry we can't be there to protect you. We love you so much!

We know you can accomplish great things Violet. 

Love, Mom and Daddy.

Burning tears flooded her eyes. She missed her mother and father more than anything. Violet constantly wondered where they were? Had they killed anyone? Are they dead? The nagging questions were endless.

Beside the note laid a shotgun with 30 bullets. Violet had learned to shoot with accuracy the week after the Accident happened. Her dad had taken her to a shooting range and she had great skills, but could she kill a living thing? The question was left unanswered. 

 Walking slowly back into her old bedroom, Violet sighed. How had the world ended up like this? Lila stared at her with concered eyes. 

"Violet? Are you okay?" Lila asked with patience. 

"Yeah, let's head out." Violet answered and held the makeshift rope of shirts as Lila expertly tied them to the window. They held hands as they made their way down to the sandy exterior of the house. With one final glance, Violet and Lila made their way past the house, away from the creatures that lived downstairs. It was their house now.