Chapter 4: The Cure Slowly Kills

Christian: 


I walked down the cold, slippery lab stairs slowly, not wanting to see my father. 

Ever since news of the zombies had broke out, he'd been working hard to find a cure. Usually when people say "working hard" it's a considerable about of hard work. My father however, has been awake for almost 3 weeks, working 24/7. How is that possible? He's a freaking genius when it comes to science, and invented a super pill to let him stay awake for about 30 days at a time. Being his son, he tries to teach me everything he knows. He acts like he's going to die soon, but I can't let myself think like tha-


"Christian!", He said as soon as my feet hit the bottom step of the basement/lab. "You're a little late son."


"I-I know dad there were a couple of uh.. people out there. I had to defend myself.", I lied smoothly. 

I wasn't comfortable with saying zombies. It was offensive, they were still people! 


He nodded. "I called you down here because I've had another breakthrough in the cure. Come.", He said only motioning with a finger while putting test tubes in their holder. I walked over to where he was standing and looked into the microscope. There were these huge black beads, eating all of the blood cells. 
"I mixed some of my blood with some of our zombie's blood. This is so facinating Christian, I've started working on cures immediately. One of them... well. Just look!", He switched out the slides. You could see the test cure making the black beads go small, almost gone. Then they would just get big again, after they'd fought the cure off. I pulled my eye away from the microscope, standing straight again.


"We're running low on food Dad. You need to take a break from this. We have to take care of ourselves.", Dad laughed. 
"Nonsense! Remember my super growth formula? You just toss something through this, and it does this!", He said throwing some cherries through some sort of hoop. A cylinder behind him threw the cherries out and they started growing.
"Dad, you should really sleep.", I frowned, annoyed by his magical food growth. "You haven't slept in forever."

"I won't sleep until the people in this world are cured.", He said with determination. I sighed and ran out of the barn and to the house, not being able to stand seeing my father like this. He was tired, and he was pale looking, never mind sleep, he hadn't even eaten! He was slowly killing himself! I slammed the front door of the mansion and ran to Dad's library.

This place was always relaxing when I was upset, there was an old book in particular I read. It was about some sort of "Hidden Spring" hidden in this town, that could cure anything, even leave people eternally young. 

That would be amazing if it was real... maybe it could cure the infection. But it's not like it was real. No hope was to come. I flipped to the next page of the book, and something fell into my lap. I picked it up, and unfolded what looked like an ancient map. 


"A map.", I said to myself and laughed. "I'm a pirate now.", I looked down at the huge X on it. It was beside a fountain. A very special fountain... one that would cure everything. "and there's the treasure." I would find this fountain, and fix the world.

Chapter 3: Saphira

Chapter 3: Saphira








Hayden:




So... zombies eh? I did what any other girl would do during a zombie apocalypse. I bought a gun (illegally), and as much ammo as I could carry. I shoved everything back into my pack and went home. I walked in to the huge mansion I was forced to call home. My parents were filthy rich, and hardly noticed anything I did, as long as I didn't embarrass them in front of their "friends". I walked right past them, eavesdropping on their conversation.


"Oh honey.. look at their clothes, that is just awful!!", I heard my mother say to my father while watching the news about the zombies.


"I know darling, and they think those splashes of red on their shirts, and blue skin are tasteful.", My dad said not even looking up from his newspaper. "Society these days.", He said.

I couldn't believe them. There were freaking zombies out there! All they could think about was how horrible people's clothes were?! I silently walked to my room. The mansion would be safe for now, but when disaster struck, people would be coming here for food and shelter. I packed up a suitcase, ready to go off on my own when I heard a window break behind me. 
I turned around just in time to see a zombie attacking my mother. I didn't have time to load my gun and save her, but maybe I could save my father who was trying to pry the guy off of mom. The zombie pushed mom to the ground and turned to face dad. 


I pulled the gun out and loaded a couple of bullets into the revolver. Just as the zombie was about to bite him, I shot the zombie straight in its head. Okay, so maybe I'd taken a couple of shooting classes (and others) to pass time when I skipped school. 
My dad was safe, I quite literally dragged him to my room which was the only exit close enough to get out of. My dad wasn't in very good heath, he had to use a cane to walk- never mind running. In my room, I saw my window being opened by who other than Steven.


Steven. 
He's been my best friend since I was newborn, he is two years older than me, and madly in love with me. 
"Hey Hay.", He said, grinning like an idiot.
"Shut up and help me before more of them get in!", I yelled, not in the mood for his idiocy. He picked up my dad and went out the window, setting him down. 


Just then, a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders from behind. Steven turned around and leaped through the window, knocking into whatever had grabbed me. 


"Hayden get out of here!!", Steven yelled. I couldn't leave him, he was my bestfriend! I loaded my gun in record speed, and faced the zombie he was battling. There was hardly any space, but if I shot perfectly I could get a clear shot. I closed my eyes and shot, hearing a scream from Steven. 

Had he been bit? I thought to myself before opening my eyes. 


I'd missed, and shot Steven in the hand.
"Hayden!!", He yelled again. "GET OUT OF HERE NOW!", He screamed this time. I shot again, not missing this time. The thing fell to the floor and I grabbed Steven's shirt, dragging him out. When we got out, my dad was no where to be seen. 


"Dad?!", I yelled, desparate to find him. Maybe he'd just gone around the corner, I thought. 


I inched along the wall and peeked around the corner, just to become face-to-face with the thing that looked like, but was no longer my father.

 Steven knew I couldn't do it- kill my own father. He quickly ran up and took the hand I had on the gun, making my finger pull the trigger. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have given him the gun.
 I went into shock, shaking and unable to stand. Steven picked me up and slung me over his shoulder, running off. My parents wouldn't get a funeral. None of these people would.


 A whole world of death waiting to happen.




Grayson:


Me and my brother got separated after he decided to go to the beach. I decided he must be dead, and I'd have to fend for myself and my baby sister. She looked up at me with sparkling eyes that couldn't understand what was going on. 

"It's going to be okay Amanda.", I whispered and picked her up. "We're going to be okay. I'll protect you.", I said, smoothing her hair out and kissing her forehead. If I lost my sister too... I don't know what I'd do.


I began walking, I'd wrapped cloth around my shoes so they made no noise when I walked. Amanda was quiet which was another plus, and we crept along the road, hiding behind trees whenever there was a zombie. I needed a gun, the small knife I had was not going to be enough to protect us against a horde. Up ahead I saw two figures walking slowly. Great. Zombies are just what I needed. 


As I got closer, I noticed one of them was limping, the other helping the disabled one walk.  After a couple more steps, I could see it was a man and a woman. The woman was limping, it looked like her ankle was sprained. They had caught sight of me and froze. They must think i'm a zombie. I held my free hand up, showing them I wasn't a zombie. I walked over to them slowly.


"Hello... i'm Grayson, this is Amanda.", I said and nodded to Amanda while looking between them. I figured it would be better to go straight to the introduction. The girl looked horrible, like something terrifying had just happened. The guy seemed strong and level headed at the moment, watching after her obviously.


"I'm Steven, this is Hayden.", Steven said. Hayden seemed to be looking at me, seeing if she could trust me.

"Do you guys think that I could team up with you?", I asked, hopeful. Maybe they could protect Amanda, I mean.. the guy had a gun. Steven shook his head no.


"We want to keep our group small.", He said. 


"Oh shut up Steven. You can tag along.", Hayden said, rolling her eyes and speaking finally; crossing her arms. "Where'd you get the little one?", She asked and nodded to Amanda.


"My little sister.", I said, thankful she was going to have protection. Her expression softened; she seemed to be studying me again. Minutes later, she put her guard up and her face was expressionless. She nodded and started walking again.


"Know how to fight?", Hayden asked me, motioning for Steven to follow us. Steven was quiet, obviously angry she'd taken control.


"Kinda. I make do with what I have.", I said truthfully. There had been times when I had to get.. crafty to protect my family. 


She nodded again, and was silent for the rest of the trip. Whatever happened, I was going to keep my sister alive. No matter what it took.






Noah:


Yeah... zombies... whatever. 


I hadn't run into any, they hadn't run into me, for all I know, it was some rumor going around. I walked around the deserted town, eating some icecream; taking a break from having my headphones on all day. 

I don't know what everyone was freaking out about, there weren't any "zombies" out here. I finished my icecream and threw the left over trash on the ground. I watched my feet while I walked, not paying attention to my surroundings. 


I stopped when I heard something... no, somethings, growling at me. I frowned and looked up, figuring it was a dog or something. I jumped and fell to the ground, there were five people standing before me. They all smelled terrible and surrounded me. They were covered in blood and other things that looked repulsive. They were closing in on me, and I tried to fight them, but they were strong. Really strong. This is it, I'm going to die. 


All of a sudden, everyone of the zombies dropped to the ground, not moving. 
There was a figure standing there, obviously female. Her eyes glowing red.

"Who.... who are you?", I asked in wonder.


The mysterious woman disappeared, but before she did, I heard one word be whispered. "Saphira." 


Who was she?

Chapter Two: The Gang Gets Together

Blaire walked around, looking for the business she had a job interview with. She walked in, looking around the small office for the man she was supposed to meet. 
"Hello?", She called. The office seemed to be dead. There was a feint knocking coming from a storage closet in the back. 

As she went to go open the door, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Blaire spun around quickly and jumped back. 

When she saw the man's face she screamed, slowly taking the gun she always carried off of her side. She could tell something was wrong when the man ran up to her and snarled, trying to bite her. She kept backing up.

"Come any closer and i'll shoot!", She yelled, but the man kept coming. She shut her eyes and fired. She opened one eye and looked down, the man was dead. 

Blaire slowly walked to the closet and opened it, seeing another man inside, who'd been hiding there for protection.

"Oh thank goodness!", He said and rushed out, screaming when he saw the zombie. "You killed it!", he said and turned towards her. 
Blaire nodded slowly, still in shock. "It tried to hurt me." The guy gasped. 
"I heard news reports... but.. I-I didn't believe them.", He said looking completely afraid. Blaire frowned.
"Believe them about what?", She said.
"The zombies of course! Do you live under a rock?!", He asked.
 Blaire ignored him and searched the cabinets, looking for more guns. She found a second pistol and took it. She started heading out the door, but the guy stepped in front of her. 

"Can I tag along with you?", He asked and pushed his glasses up. Blaire rolled her eyes, she didn't need another person slowing her down, but maybe he could help.
"Fine.", She said and pushed past him out of the door. Blaire walked around, looking for shelter. She stopped when she found an abandoned house.  It was too risky, she wasn't going in there. The guy however, ran right inside. Blaire would wait five minutes, and if he didn't come back out, she was leaving.




Tim rushed in, hoping to find her. The woman he'd been in love with since highschool. Sure her house was only half a house, but he had hope. He walked around calling her name. Tim ran upstairs, looking around and trying to find her.  
"Alex?", He called. "Alexandria! Where are you?", Little did he know, she was right behind him.

She attacked him before he had time to scream. He fell back and hit his head on a table, knocking himself out. 

Alex finished him off, ready for more.




Blaire frowned. He hadn't come back so she started walking again. She passed by the beach, even though it was risky, and saw someone. He didn't seem to be a zombie, so she slowly walked over and tapped his shoulder. The guy spun around, he'd been looking in a mirror.
"Oh hello! I'm James.", He said grinning. "You don't look like one of them! That means you're human!" 

Blaire put her hand over his mouth.
"Hush!", She whispered. "You don't know how many are probably here! We need to go now.", She frowned and started tugging him. Something fell out of his pocket that she stepped on, and he burst into tears.
"You stepped on my baby!!", He said and picked up the thing.  Blaire realized it was a mirror. "Now I can't see if my hair looks okay!!", He said crying. Blaire stared at him.
"Would you rather be dead, or have bad hair?", She asked. He sighed after much debate, and walked after her, throwing the mirror into the sand.
"You know.. you never told me your name..", He said. 
"Blaire.", She said not even glancing back at him as she walked. James was jogging to keep up with her. It was dark outside and they needed to find shelter, fast.
"You know, if I weren't so darn sexy, I might think you were cute.", He said grinning again. Blaire was about to say something, but she came to a halt infront of one place.

"What?", James said curiously looking at her. 
"Someone's covered something here. help me out.", She said and pushed some branches aside. There was a small door which she opened, and took out one of her guns. "Let's go.", She said and decended down into the dark basement. James didn't want to go, but after seeing another zombie in the street, he followed after her. James bumped straight into Blaire, who was looking for a light switch.
"Ow! You idiot!", She whisper shouted. She'd knocked something over, but coudn't tell what it was. 


Meanwhile, across the room, Derrick had heard them assuming a zombie had gotten in. He got up off of the couch and slowly grabbed a gun, coming towards them. He lit a candle on the wall, and backed up quickly. 

Blaire was about to say something, but James beat her to it.
"Another human!!", He said excitedly. Derrick frowned. 
"How did you find this place?", Derrick asked.
"Well, when there's a cluster of bushes it's pretty suspicious... to humans anyway.", Blaire said. "So can we crash here?"
Derrick nodded slowly. "None of you have been bitten right?", He asked. Both Blaire and James shook their heads. "Good. I'm Derrick and over there is Jessica.", He said and pointed to Jessica who was asleep on a tiny bed in the corner.

Blaire nodded. "I'm Blaire, and this is-"
"Do you happen to have any mirrors?", James asked.
Derrick nodded. "There's one in the bathroom." James ran into the bathroom, checking himself out.

Blaire blinked. "Well then", she said. "This should be fun."

Chapter One: Jessica and Derrick

Derrick:

Derrick knew the zombies were coming, he worked at the lab, cleaning while the doctors ran experiments on some little girl, who's mother had claimed this disease was eating her alive. While one doctor was injecting a test cure into her neck, Derrick watched as she turned her head and bit him. They put the doctor into one quarantine room, and the girl in another. A couple days later, the doctor was taken over by the disease. The infection seemed to get stronger everytime it was passed on. The walls were concrete, but the infected doctor easily broke out of them. Not one person could find him. 


Weeks later, almost everyone in the town was infected. Derrick knew the instant that little girl came in, he needed to prepare. Before the outbreak, he quit his job and moved into an under ground home. He covered the entrance with bushes and other plants so no zombies could ever find him.

Meanwhile...


 Jessica was trying to find a brand new, high priced clothing shop she'd heard of. Little did she know, she wrote the wrong address down. She stopped at where it was supposed to be and looked around. "Where's the shoooooop..", She whined, tired of walking. She turned around in a circle, maybe she'd missed it, or it would magically appear. 

Jessica heard some sort of growling behind her and turned around. Some girl was covered in blood, running towards her. Jessica screamed. 
"Red is completely out of season!!", Jessica said, unaware this thing was a zombie. 
Suddenly, she was pushed out of the way by a stranger with a gun. She stared at him with wide eyes. 
"Don't shoot me!!", Jessica begged. The stranger wasn't aiming at her, but at the horribly dressed girl.

The stranger fired at the girl, and kept firing until the bullets entered the girl's head.

 Jessica screamed, afraid he'd ruin her pink outfit, nevermind killing her. 

"Come on!", He yelled at her and started running.
"But... where are we going?", Jessica said quickly walking after him in her heels. The stranger rolled his eyes. 
"Away from those... things.", He said and pushed some branches aside, revealing a hidden staircase. He looked back at Jessica. "Well come on.. unless you wanna be one.", He said. Jessica frowned. 
"I don't even know your name! And be one what?", She said turning her head to the side. The stranger sighed and held out his hand, quickly taking hers and shaking it. 
"I'm Derrick, those are zombies, and if you down get your butt down here we'll both be dead.", He said and ran down the stairs. Jessica followed after him. 

"Zombies?! You mean the people with the horrible clothes and makeup?", She asked. Derrick was irritated.
"Yes! Them!", He facepalmed. This was not going to be fun.
"You know.. you shouldn't hit yourself.", Jessica said and giggled. "They say it kills brain cells." 
"From what I can tell, you don't have many.", Derrick laughed.