Surviving The Apocalypse

CH. 1

Trees... That's all I can see as I run. You would think I'm running from the freaks, but you'd be wrong. My life is a little more complicated than that. When I was eight years old I was taken from my home. It was this woman. She made me call her mom, at first she was nice. She changed after awhile. She started to scream and hit me, saying I did something wrong... I wonder how long it's been. I don't even know how old I am anymore. I don't know if my family ever gave up looking for me... I hope they didn't. I shake my head to clear away those thoughts. I need to focus on the task at hand, getting out of these woods while not getting found. I slow down to a stop not hearing her anymore. I look around to try and catch my bearings. It's the middle of the night and I can't see that well. I just knew this was gonna be my only chance to get away from her. I would rather die out here, trying to find my family, then continue to be with that woman. I have no supplies and no weapons. At least she taught me that, she taught me how to get rid of those things. Which again, doesn't help much when I have nothing to use. It's no use wandering around the dark like this. I find a stable branch and climb up a tree a bit. I'm not going to get any sleep but at least I'm safer up here for now.

Hours pass and as soon as the sun rises, I climb down and start walking. I wonder if I'm even still in the same state... I hear water flowing and walk towards the sound. I smile softly and squat next to it and start to drink from my hands. I stop and as I stand up I catch sight of my reflection. I look like a mess. My hair is in knots, my clothes are dirty and torn, and my cheek is bruised from her slapping me yesterday. Tears well up in my eyes but I just wipe them away. I keep walking for what feels like hours, sweating profusely in this heat. I see a clearing to reveal a lake. I walk towards it but stop when I notice vehicles parked at the top of the hill. Are there people? I sneak in the woods, staying close to the tree line to get a closer look. There is a small camp. They seem nice but you never know. I look around at them but I stop when my eyes meet a familiar face. Is that ... Shane? Shane is my dad's best friend and they worked together as policemen. Is my family here? My eyes scan the faces with hope. I don't notice that my foot steps forward and I freeze when there is a loud snap. I quickly hide behind a tree.

"What was that? Do you think it's a geek?" I hear a woman's voice speak with fear.

"I don't know let me go check it out. Dale, you come with me." I can hear them getting closer. I have to options. One is run and hope for the best or two is reveal myself. Shane is here though... this is my best shot and finding my family. I peak my head out seeing him and an older man with a fishing hat on. They both point their guns but slightly lower them seeing that I'm not infected, and just a child.

Shane steps forward, "Hi... little girl. Are you alone? How did you get out here? I know you were probably told not to trust strangers but..." He stops in midsentence when I step out fully. Recognition goes across his face, along with disbelief, "Annabelle? Is that really you?" I nod and walk forward hesitantly. He puts his hand on my shoulder but pulls it away when I flinch. "Why don't you follow me okay?"

When I speak my voice is small and quiet, "Okay." I walk behind him with my head down. People in the camp stare at me with looks of confusion and unease. Can't say I blame them. I'd probably be acting the same way if some random kid came out of the woods looking the way I do. We are walking when I see her. I stop walking and just stare. It's her... it's really her. Shane walks up to her and whispers something in her ear. She turns and looks my way, eyes widened. "Oh my god... my baby girl." She runs over and hugs me tightly. I flinch at first but ease into her arms. The reality of everything hits and I start sobbing. I latch onto her like my life depends on it. We slowly pull away and she rests her hand on my face, "I never thought I was going to get to see you again. How did you find us?" I don't respond and just shrug. She nods and stands up, "Let's get you cleaned up and in some clothes. I'll see if you can use some of Sophia's." I follow behind her as we approach a tent. She leads me in and has me sit on the cot, "Now stay here while I go get those clothes real quick." I nod and pull my knees into my chest as she goes out. I smile slightly as I rest my head against my legs. I found them. Mom at least. I just hope Carl and Dad are here as well. Mom comes back in with a small stack of clothes, "Alright these might be a little big on you but they are all we have for now." She reaches to help me but I scoot away,

"C-Can I do it myself, please?" I look down nervously.

She stares at me for a second before nodding, "Alright, well... I'll be right outside if you need anything."

She walks out and I can see her form standing outside the tent flap. I look at the clothes and grimace slightly. They are very bright and... and like the things I used to wear before I was taken. I change into the shirt and look at my bruised arms, oh well there is nothing I can really do about it. Luckily the bottoms are pants and now there is the problem of shoes. Mine are falling apart. They will have to do since there aren't any other choices. I sit back down on the cot and keep my eyes on the ground.

"I'm finished." She walks back in and she has a look of sadness for a second. I notice a tear fall down her face, but she wipes it quickly and sits down. "I'm going to try and brush out your hair. We might end up having to cut it. We will have to see." She gets the brush and starts working on my hair. She gets some of it but most of it's not going to come out. She sighs, "Looks like I'm going to have to cut it. Is it going to bother you with it short?" I shake my head and she smiles softly, "Alright well why don't we go outside so we don't get hair all over the tent." We get up and are heading towards the seats around the campfire when I hear a boy's voice, "Hey Shane, have you seen my mom?" Shane sees us coming and nods, "Yeah she's coming up but before you go I need to... " Carl turns to walk towards us but stops seeing me there. I quickly look to the ground nervously. What if he didn't miss me? I mean he might have enjoyed being an only child... He steps forward, "A-Anna?" He looks at mom, making sure this is real. She just smiles and nods. He comes over and hugs me tightly. I tense but hug back.

He smiles brightly, "I've really missed you. It was no fun playing by myself." I just nod and smile back weakly. Mom puts her hand on me and Carl's shoulder, "Alright I'm cutting your sister's hair. You can either come with us or go play with the other kids." He just shakes his head and runs over to the seats, "I'm gonna stay. Wanna catch up with Anna." We sit down and mom starts my haircut. I watch as long chunks of matted hair fall to the ground. Most girls would be upset about having to chop all their hair off, but I just look at it as a fresh start. Carl sits across from me, "So where have you been? I assumed you were abducted by aliens." I tense up immediately and Lori gives him a glance, "Carl! You don't ask things like that." He looks down apologetically, "I'm sorry..." I just shrug. We make small talk about stupid things while Mom finishes up. I end up with a pixie styled hair cut that doesn't look to bad.

Carl looks at it and smiles, "I like it. You look pretty with it." I nod, "Thanks..." I look around and look at the faces. Now the looming question hits me, "Where's dad? I haven't seen him...." Carl makes a face of sadness and rushes into the RV. I stare after him confused before looking at mom. She looks just as upset, "Listen, Annabelle... sweetie. There was an incident before all this stuff started happening. You're father... he didn't make it." I just nod and look to the ground as I walk to the other side of the RV. I sit on the ground and pull my knees into my chest as the tears start to fall. How is this fair? I get taken away by a crazy woman, find my family, and turns out Dad is... He died and I'll never get to see him again.