Surviving - Chapter 11

Austin's P.O.V

We've been driving for hours, that's what my watch says. We haven't encountered any dead people yet but we're still on the look out. Jack says that we're running low on gas so the both of us parked the car in a safe area and we left the girls in the truck while we went searching for a new car.

It's awfully hot out here. "Can you believe it? Your brother survived for five months during this crazy virus thing, and three weeks before dying." Jack says and tears form in my eyes.

My brother, my flesh and blood. I had watch him kill and die. He wasn't the brightest person but he was a good kid. I know Lacey is still shaken up from her experience. I feel terrible for having her kill him. She's probably in a lot of stress. Isn't that bad for the baby? I can't have Lacey in stress. I can't have our baby born in this environment. It's not safe.

"Austin, look, over there." He pointed to a minivan straight ahead. I ran over to it with a crowbar in my right hand just in case. "She has gas. Do you want me to get the girls?" He asked.

Here's one of MY rules. Number one, always check the backseat.

I popped up the trunk and was attacked by a dog. It snapped and growled at me. It's teeth were bloody and it's face were just like my brother's when he were one of those dead people.

Jack wasn't around. Where are people when you need them? Rule number two, travel with three people.

The dog kept snapping and I managed to kick it. It whimpered and I stood up and once the dog ran after me and bashed it with my crowbar. Once the dog stopped moving I let go of the crowbar and sat on my knees.

Animals have the virus as well? This is all insane. Just thinking about animals make me sad. I felt a hand tough my shoulder and I looked up. Lacey smiled at me and I smiled back. I stood back up and hugged her. "We should get going." She tells me and I nod my head. I wonder if she had seen the dog. Lacey must be in shock of something.

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We drove for an hour and we still haven't found a safe place yet. Regan and Alma were asleep. I was humming a lullaby to the unborn baby. "Do you really think it's safe to have a teenager drive?" Lacey asked me.

"He drove the truck."

"This minivan isn't safe enough. What if they-"

"No more questions, Lace. Just relax. Get some sleep."

"You should get some sleep as well." She tells me. She should know I can't sleep. I want to make sure she is safe. "Austin, are you okay?" She asked. Then she lifted up both of my sleeves and sighed. "I was scared for a moment." She says and I kissed her forehead.

"You won't lose me." I whispered in her ear and she fell asleep. I hopped in the passengers seat and I took a look at the map. "This map is like fifty years old!" I say and folded it back up.

Jack drove a few more miles and then I took over so he could get some sleep. It was foggy out. I have bad luck. I kept driving into the mist and then the road got bumpy. It's just rocks. Jack woke up and so did Regan. Jack told Regan that everything is fine so, she went back to sleep. I stopped the car after five minutes of driving.

Jack handed me a flashlight. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, the girls need to be watched after." I say and he shut the door and I walked straight and fell onto the ground. I panicked, looking for the flashlight. I found it and one of those dead things started groaning. I have nothing on me. Crap.

The dead thing moaned and then there was a gunshot.

Am I dead?

I touched my torso. I'm still alive. "You should be more careful- holy shit! Austin, look!" Jack shrieked and I looked ahead. There were piles of dead bodies, I think, on the road. I don't know where it ends but I'm afraid to find out.

"Let's take another route." I say and we walked back to the car.

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I've been driving for a few hours now. The radio isn't working so it's quiet except for the silent snores of the other passengers.

I'm still searching for a safe house. My sister hasn't called yet. I hope she's safe. Her and Lacey would be that I have left. Maybe there's still hope to get to the boat house.

I drove past a nice little house. I drove into the drive way and Jack followed me into the house carrying a gun. "This place is nice." He says admiring the outside. I nod on agreement.

Jack knocked on the door and nothing happened so he tried the knob. It opened. Jack went in first and I followed behind. This place was huge. I'm guessing rich people lived here. I walked into the kitchen first. It was like they left in a hurry. I opened the refrigerator and flies flied out. I shut the refrigerator and walked into the basement. Jack popped out and I jumped. He laughed at me and said the coast was clear. We walked upstairs and check every single room. Under the beds, closets, bathrooms, curtains, dressers.

I went back to the car and woke up the girls. I brought Lacey into the main room and tucked her in. Regan ran around the house while Jack tried to settle her down. Alma sat in the living room. She hasn't said a single word at all since we left.

"Alma, are you okay?"

"Yes dear, I'm alright." She assured me and I left her in her own world.

I looked out in the backyard and realized that they had a pool! "Hey Regan, there's a pool." I tell her and her and Jack raced into the pool. I went into the kitchen to look for some good food. The cabinets were filled with candy and bread and other canned goods. Thank god the electricity works.

After making grilled cheese I went upstairs to check on Lacey. She was sitting up on the bed. "Hey Lace, I brought you some food." I tell her and she grabbed the plate and ate.

"How long will we be here?" She asked.

"A while. It's a nice place if you ask me." I tell her and she nods.

After she was done eating, we both walked downstairs and outside to the backyard. "What are we going to do about safety?" Jack asked.

"You and I are heading out to home depot." I tell him and he nods. "Lacey, when we leave please take the girls upstairs and lock the doors and windows." I say and she nods.

"Let's go." I say grabbing the keys.