Go Outside

“C’mon.” I said, pulling his arm towards the back door, “We have to get out of here.”

“But—” Carl started to complain, yet I didn’t listen. We had to survive, and hiding in a room that couldn’t withstand the undead pounding on it was a bad idea.

“I have to make sure you’re safe.” I stated my reasoning.

We clambered out into the backyard. The stables that lined up near the woods blocked the way for walkers to get through. However, scanning the perimeter, I realized that the fence that had been protecting the land was dented on one side; they must’ve found a way through.

“This way...” I pulled myself away from the sight and snuck around the house, looking for a way out.

We finally came to the gate that led out to the front yard without drawing any unwanted attention. As we looked past the house and into the yard, we saw where the real disaster was. Walkers everywhere, more than I had expected.

Carl and I stood there in plain shock, not being able to move, or talk, or even blink. I had to snap back into my senses when I heard a loud growl behind us. I turned around and found two walkers that had finally discovered Carl and I.

I panicked and shot them both in the head. That was a bad idea. It drew almost all the attention over to us.

“RUN!!!!” I screamed at Carl. I noticed a blue truck only a few feet from us and exclaimed, “To the truck!”

We both booked it as fast as we could towards the truck, dodging walkers’ open arms and maneuvering in between groups of 'em. It was definitely a dangerous move, but we both managed to lock ourselves inside.

I frantically searched the truck for the keys as walkers pounded on the hood and doors. Carl was hysterical, shouting for me to hurry and get out of there. The rear window smashed through the second I found the keys in the visor.

“Shit!” I cried, starting up the truck and flipping on the headlights. It lit up the night showing us the dozens of walkers crowded around the hood. I put the truck in forward then stepped on the gas, running the suckers over. There were too many grouped together though, so I had to back up and turn around.

“But, what about mom and dad?” Carl’s voice shook.

“They’ll come looking for you, don’t worry.” I said, keeping my eyes on the dirt road I’d found.

“How will they know where we are?”

“If they’re smart, which they are, they’ll know that I had to keep you safe. So when they see the truck missing, they’ll know we took it and they’ll come looking for us. I’ve got it figured out, dude, don’t worry.” I finally glanced at him. His face was pale and his eyes were red; he looked as if he was going to pass out.

“Why don’t you lie down? I’ve got it under control; we’re safe.” I half-smiled at him.

He nodded and laid his head against the window. For all I knew he fell asleep in an instant.

As I drove in silence, pin-pointing our location in my mind, I wondered what went on in Carl’s head. Every time he made a crazy decision to leave the house and “try to help” somebody. Was it a boy thing? Or did he want to prove himself to someone? I didn’t slow down at all, the gas tank was a little less than half-way down, but I knew that our destination was close.

We finally arrived at the highway where it had all begun. Where I had first met the group and had decided to join them. Where I had spend my last moments with my dad. Where I had run into Shane after thinking he was dead, along with Carl, Rick and Lori. Yes, I had known them before the world had gone to shit. It had only been a matter of time before our group had also gone in the same direction.

Click for The End