Together [Book1 of Plague 17]

Chapter 1

[Leeana]
Mitch lock the door! Lock the door goddamn it!
*Mitch hurriedly locks the door as the sound of guns ring through the air *
That was close, a little to close for comfort. A second longer and we would have all been dead.

Sometimes I think it would be easier if we just died, but I couldn't let them win. I wouldn't let them win.

I promised them, I promised them I wouldn't quit. I wouldn't go down without a fight. I wouldn't let those punks win, but I also would never become one of them.

It had only been 6 years since the disease had spread, and changed our world. I was 13 when it began. My younger sister, Lena, was only 8.

I can't imagine what was going through her head at the time. It's so unfair, it's unfair that she had to sit back and watch. Watch them all die. There was no way she could comprehend why, why everyone she loved was dying.

[FLASHBACK]
*Police and ambulance siren sounds in the background*
*Leeana and Lena are sitting on the couch watching the news with their Dad, their Mom is in the bed sick*
"Daddy will mommy be okay?" Said Lena.
"Well honey, unfortunately I'm not so sure. According to the news most mommies don't really recover. I'm so sorry pumpkin" Dad said trying to fight back his tears, but also answer honestly.
Lena looked very confused but I could see the sadness in her eyes.
[END of FLASHBACK]

*The sound of guns firing are in the background*
*Mitch yells to "get down! Get on the ground!"*
I did as Mitch said. I lowered myself to the ground.
It's hard to believe this is my life now. I spend all my time surviving, not living but surviving.
I shoot a gun at least 15 times a day. I hit the ground approximately 25 times a day. I negotiate at least once a day, usually for our lives. Sometimes for food and water.
I am the cook. I am the peacemaker. I am the stock-keeper.
I do the laundry. I reload the guns. I lock-down the fort.
I nurse the wounds, scars, and scrapes.
I make sure we are clean.
I give out blankets, and pillows when its time to rest.
I am a leader. I am the leader of this little "democracy".

*Mitch tries to snap Leeana out of her daze by shaking her, to get her off the ground. * *The guns firing stopped*
I finally give.

Unfortunately, for Mitch, I was startled. I slapped him so hard, you could see the spit fly from his mouth.

I felt terrible. I didn't mean to slap him.

He knew that. I hope he knew that.
I would never intentionally hurt a member of my "family".
My new family, that is.

Especially Mitch.
Mitch was my right-hand man. He was definitely like a brother to me. I had known him since we were younger. We went to elementary school together. He was always the weird kid who know one liked.

Hell to tell the truth, I didn't even like him. He was always such a know-it-all teachers pet. Plus he use to be such a tattle tale. Ugh! I hated him so much.

It's funny though, because now he's my best friend. I couldn't imagine how much harder my life would be without him.

* Mitch took Leeana's hand and held his, now red, cheek with his other hand. He dragged Leeana out the back entrance of the fort to where his brother had the truck revved up and ready to go. Mitch opened the back door and rushed Leeana into the truck. He quickly jumped into the front passenger seat by his brother. His brother started the car and quickly they were off, to gather supplies.*