The Morning The World Broke

ri

rk six days back. I have not heard a single word from him. The mess I saw at the school has only grown worse and spre

ide her. I push a stran

sy. Worry sits heavy in my chest. We are almost out of food and will have to leave soon.

stretches her ar

I out?" Her

n she does not smile back, my face goes flat. I let out a breath. "We have to leave soon. No

that?" Nora pulls he

y. I

"My parents are gone. Your fiancé is gone. Why are you still pretending?" I clear my throat hard and walk to the window. Outs

he first thing that shows. A loud buz

follow to avoid contact with infected persons and to contain the virus. Symptoms of the virus include fever, nausea, heat flashes, excessive sweating, hallucinations, loss of coordination, confusion, and aggressive behavior. It is strongly advised to avoid any persons who possess any of these symptoms. The Virginia National Guard has forme

out my backpack, and star

and fill it with whatever

t-aid kit. I grab Ethan's watch that he left on the dresser and the picture frame of us standing in front of the mountains. He asked me to marry him that day. I hold t

We head for the countryside. Kentucky. Maybe West Virginia. My parents have a small farm in Kentucky with my dad's fol

us stuck in the middle of that mess," I say, zipping my bag. I grab a clean empt

sit here any longer. The city gets wilder as night come

block I take the biggest, sharpest kitchen knife. I also grab an ice pick that was left here when I moved in a

de it under your sleeve for now. I do not want anyone thinking the wrong thing about us. Stay close. Stay where

Nora gives me a strange look I say quiet, "Could be tear gas." We walk along

the Coliseum? It's only t

mper. Horns blast through the air. If it is this bad in a mid-size city I cannot imagine a place like New York. A car alarm screams. So

. "There is an elementary school about eight minutes by car down the road. It sits near Byrd Park on the edge of the city. We might be safer there." I run to

wilder. A woman who just finished looting starts screaming when one of the sick ones grabs her. I glance ove