The World We Once Knew Read online

  The World We Once Knew

  Copyright 2017

  Chapter 1

  Six months.

  It has been six months since the devastation from the outbreak took the lives of many people. Loved ones, family, friends, all of them lost. Left behind were the ones who constantly struggled in the dangerous after effects that claimed the world. There were many questions that did not have answers and many theories that could offer little to no solace. Islands around the world had been lost completely. The inland countries were set up in sparing self-efficient settlements that were protected with large concrete and steel reinforced walls.

  Each settlement had varied differences in how their people lived. Some were worse than ghettos, others were able to sustain a sense of normalcy within their own protective bubble. Most succumbed. Not one sanctuary forgot what happened, not one survivor could even comprehend how the legendary “zombie” apocalypse came to reality. Of course, there were stragglers, ones that had yet to find their mark in this new-found world, and every day they put their lives at risk outside of the government officiated walls day in and out.

  Dane wore an opened sweater and jeans which were splattered and faded in blood; new and old. He had gathered some decent clothes, a bag, and necessary supplies that he and his sister, Adelaide, lived off of. To get by, they tried to find safety each night and only ventured when the sun was out. Which in itself was brutal in the Florida heat. The streets were littered with abandoned cars and trash lined along the cracked pavement. Any inclination of the fallen were little to none now, they had already rotted away or became one of those things that preyed on the weak or stupid.

  Dane’s bat was wielded and out for the ready while the other clasped with his sister's hand. Addie was pretty, petite, with chocolate, brown hair, and bright blue eyes just like her taller counterpart that protected her with his life. She had no weapon of her own since she was still rather young, seventeen to be exact, and extremely sheltered even when they lived with their parents back in Colorado.

  It was just past mid-day and the sun blazed down on Dane’s soaked shoulders under the thick fabric of his jacket. His stomach was tight with hunger which only drew concern in him about how Addie felt. They had been living in their own version of a safe house and braved through the night. After weeks of picking the nearby homes clean, it was now painfully apparent that they had to leave to find another place to call their temporary home. Resources were becoming scarce and he was trying to stave off their last can of food until it was a necessity.

  They had walked a good hour towards a convenience store that Dane knew was posted as the closest safe area. He had passed by the little shop before when he had to go out of his way to find the supplies that Addie and he needed. He noticed that the shelves were still relatively stocked and he hoped they still were. The decision they had made and their survival to possibly stay in this vicinity depended on it.

  Dane could see the shop just around the corner of the final street. He paused in the shadows as his gaze met with a cluster of zombies ahead. They stood in an odd formation. The area that surrounded them was clear which proved that it was quite apparent that a noise had drawn them out of the shadows.

  Dane hushed Addie who had already crept back to lose herself in the background. She could never watch her brother attack them because she always worried that it'd be the last time she'd see him alive. Dane's muscles grew tense as his fingers gripped along the handle of his nailed bat. He lifted his weapon and released Addie's hand before he took a step closer towards the group only to pause.

  Something was different.

  The zombies he knew had two speeds; Slow as hell and fast as hell.

  They tended to mindlessly wander with their faces turned upwards and their eyes wide open. This in turn would burn their decaying retinas and drooping faces before returning to a place out of sight. These had started to sway and stumble.

  In the center of them all stood a figure which did not rock from side to side but stood still in the blindingly bright sun. She had a rather favorable face, which was covered in dirt, blood, and sweat but still unblemished. Her brown featured were framed by messy and worn out twists. She had bright brown eyes that were hollowed and dead like the ones that staggered and fell by her feet. No wonder the once “alive” infected hadn't noticed her and displayed a clear disregard for her because she had already cut them down. Dane felt baffled and concerned to say the least but not necessarily for the odd display in front of him. Rather, he didn't know what to expect. Clearly, she was alive with the grip on her machete as proof.

  His bat slowly lowered as he watched her lift her head and glance around. She seemed to be in a lost daze. She was beaten and worn out and yet the look on her face was neither the kindest nor the happiest. This hadn't been her week and what little sanity she had left was literally ripped from her fingers. The hold on life, on her life, had also lost its light in this shit hole of a world. She flicked the majority of the matter off of her blade while she released a deep, deep sigh. She was in need to get out of the heat and sit down which pushed her to continue on her way.

  Dane tossed his glance back at Addie and lowered his hand to silently command her to crouch. He then waved her closer with the intent to follow. His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

  He took a firm grip onto the nape of Addie's neck and shoulder before he pulled her along and past the wall they were hidden behind. Addie seethed out but followed anyway because he and she were both well aware that she was notorious to freak out and stray away when frightened. He kept the strange woman in his sights while they rounded the corner and trailed behind her.

  The woman almost passed by the store that Dane had his sights on but the flickered sound from the “Open” sign had caused her to stop. She didn’t seem to know what to do next. Her knuckles stung and she just read that simple word over and over again without movement.

  Usually Dane would have never approached another survivor without being fully reassured that they were not hostile, but he couldn't help but feel pulled in this woman's direction. There was something broken about her, not cold nor warm but she seemed as though she searched for an answer that she couldn't find and so he approached. He lowered his bat to his side completely and even went further to pass the woman.

  He opened the door for Addie to allow her inside as he spoke to his sister in a whispered hush, “I'll be a minute.”

  Addie's eyes widened as he shut the door behind him. A knot in her stomach formed because she did not know what to expect from this quiet woman. She couldn’t help to feel as though they had stumbled upon a ghost who lived in her own little world.

  Even though she'd usually be the main one to tell whomever she had come across to keep it moving, the woman honestly now didn't have the energy or care. She did not know if these people were going to kill her or try and save her. Neither mattered. Watching Dane approach, her nostrils flared slightly as he stopped roughly a foot in front of her. His shadow towered over her five feet, four-inch frame and simply stared down in her direction from beneath his bangs. He waited for her to respond or notice him and yet she only stared past him and at Addie inside.

  Doing what would seem entirely reckless and pointless, Dane took a hold of her wrist and lifted her hand. Blowing out nervously, he took the knife and simply slid it into her back holster. He took into account how bruised and roughed up her knuckles were. He tried to keep his expression calm since he felt that it mattered not to come off as a threat.

  The woman released a deflated sigh as she flicked those brown eyes up at him. Slowly, she pulled her hand from his grasp. She had a stone-faced expression on her weary features and without a word, she tu
rned her back to him, and attempted to walk away. She did not want a scuffle, she did not want problems, and so she decided to leave him and the girl the store to have for themselves.

  Fatigue, that is all she felt with a mix of starvation and dehydration. All of these ailments were piled high on her shoulders and by the time she had taken her fourth step, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and her body fell to the ground like dead weight. Items from her satchel were knocked out and it was quite apparent that she stocked on medicines, food, and even drinks. She had disregarded all of them because of what she inevitably wanted.

  Death.

  Dane's eyes widened as he watched her body slump over and fall to the ground with a dull thud. He was stunned and just stared for a brief moment. The bell from the door brought him back to his senses. Addie raced out after she saw the whole thing and knelt by the woman's side. He took the bag from the woman’s shoulders and felt how hot her head was with a concerned frown. Addie went ahead to gather her things and place them back into the satchel before she lifted it onto her own shoulder. Addie watched Dane carefully lift the stranger up in his arms while she held the door open for them. Once inside the “chilled” air, Addie proceeded to push things off of the counter top before he laid the woman out. Her thick twists fanned out across the Plexiglas surface and her arm hung over the side of the counter.

  With shaken hands, Addie passed Dane a bottle of water from a nearby fridge. He pulled a rag from his bag and wet it before he placed across the woman’s forehead. With his arm propped underneath her neck, he lifted her head before he carefully poured a little water in her mouth at a time. He rubbed across her throat between intervals and though he didn't know much when it came to first aid, he did what he felt was rational to help her swallow while unconscious. He glanced up at Addie who stood there and stared right back at them before he nudged his head down at their patient.

  “Check her body for bites.” He muttered.

  Addie went ahead to checked her arms, hands, legs, and feet before she made eye contact with Dane as though she was finished.

  Once more than half of the bottle was gone, he set it down and left her to rest before he caught sight of Addie's face, “What?” he asked.

  Addie then pointed down to the woman's abdomen to which Dane narrowed his eyebrows at her, “Check it.”

  “Why the hell should I do that? Aren't you a girl?” He asked back.

  Addie crossed her arms, “Yeah well I don't want to offend her if she happens to wake up.” She responded.

  “So, you'd rather I offend her?” Dane questioned.

  “Exactly.” She cut back at him.

  With a sigh, Dane began to lift up the woman’s shirt, “How does this work?” He muttered to himself.

  He inspected her stomach before he rolled her onto her side and checked her back. He honestly didn't see anything and hidden places were unlikely bitten. Of course, he wouldn't dare venture any further to find out. With his luck she would wake up with his hands down her pants and then what would happen? A machete to the face, how pleasant.

  He pulled her shirt down to its proper place before he nodded to his sister, “Keep holding her up.”

  Addie weakly did as she was told but in today's day in time she was still surprised by how heavy the human body really was. Dane then left them there and disappeared down the aisles of this small building. He found a little alcove of pain killers, nausea pills, antiseptic, and vitamins.

  Jackpot.

  He gladly took all of the spoils and rolled the vitamin supplement bottle in his palm before he popped one in his mouth. Chewy and fruit flavored; nice.

  Returning back to his sister, Dane placed the supplies into their bag before he glanced down at the darker woman's face, “You can put her down now I don't think she will choke.” He muttered.

  Addie gently rested the other female’s head, “Where do you think she came from?” she asked.

  “I don't know...” he responded

  Dane stretched his long arms high in the air before they fell by his sides, “Do you think she's going to make it?” Addie questioned in a tone laced with worry.

  Pausing, Dane stared down at his sister as he truly did not know how to answer. She was extremely sensitive as of late and seemed to feel for every single person they had come across.

  “I don't know Addie. I'm going to start up.” He said to her before he pulled away.

  “Okay...” She replied before she turned her attention back to the girl. She then sighed before she too left to set up with her brother, “Please be okay...” she whispered after she took one last glance back.

  Scrubbing, that's what she was doing in her mind over and over in feverish movements. Her breaths were rapid and all she saw was the little bit of soap she had continuously rubbing her knuckles raw. Silent tears dripped from her eyes, sprawled down her nose, and over the reddened flesh. She just couldn't seem to get her brother's blood off her fingers. In a sudden motion, a hand shot out and grabbed onto her wrist to stop her.

  “Quinta...” the voice whispered.

  Quinta lifted her eyes up to see her mirror image, the most beautiful sight of a woman she held nearest to her heart. Then it was black. The picture of her twin sister faded away and all that was left was darkness. The very thing she had shrouded herself into. Everything was in Jah's hands now and she was ready. Ready to be with her family again, ready to see that fabled bright, white light at the end of the tunnel. But it never came.

  Instead the first thing that returned was sound. She could hear warbled voices, their movements, their hands as they rummaged through the space; all of which was a delayed response. The touch. Her body was being fondled? No, handled. It felt like several sets of hands pressed all over her body at one time, and her mouth was wet. Her face was wet and cold. All of these sensations were then followed by sleep, a long-needed sleep on a hard surface that she hadn't the strength to move from.

  In the passing hours, Dane and Addie managed to find the things they wanted and condensed them to fit their carry load. It became clearer that they would camp there until the girl at least woke up. Dane still had a heart it seemed. Quinta had yet to regain consciousness and Addie pushed another soaked cloth against Quinta's head before she went on the hunt for food. At least for food that hadn't rotted. To her surprise this place was still in “working” order. There was quite a bit of old leftovers still on the shelves to be picked. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed the box of her desires and rushed back over to her brother.

  Holding up a pack of pre-made brownies to him she practically gushed, “Look what IIIIII found! Little Debbie's!” She exclaimed in an excited whisper while she stamped her feet.

  Dane, after he finished the barricade on both the front and back entrances, he tested them for himself before he came to the determination that they were snug for the night. Hearing Addie exclaim about the tasty treats she'd found, now she'd have to share. He wrestled with her but thanks to his height he managed to shove his hand inside of the box and snag one. With a broad grin on his features, for his small victory, Addie hit him over the arm and chest before she threatened to kick his ass the next time.

  It was then that a sharp, painful hiss filled the room which in turn caused Dane to cringe. A searing pain shot through Quinta's head, down her eye into her neck as her eyes clenched shut. She placed a hand over half of her face before she slowly sat up. Feeling a bit woozy and wobbly, her hand fell from while she opened her eyes and took a look at her surroundings. The doors had been barricaded and by the looks from the lack of light through the windows, it was nighttime, and she was still alive.

  Huffing out, she wondered how she got there but the pain that nagged in her head caused a look of distress to appear over her face. With lethargic movements, she searched around for her satchel before her booted feet hit the ground. This was not a good idea, this death that she had hoped only made her feel worse. Opening the bag, she didn't know of the other two that were still around but to be hon
est right now she didn't care. She was in search of her the old water bottle she'd refill when possible and her own set of pain-killers. Something that she collected on her last raid with her twin sister, Queenie. With another huff, she placed half of a pill in her mouth, capped the bottle, and drank; a lot.

  Dane watched Quinta shuffle around the space and he could only imagine how she felt. The way she nursed herself with her head tilted away from them was enough to tell that she was disoriented. All of it showed on her face and he didn't blame her one bit. He passed a glance to his sister as she stared at their guest.

  Quinta released a gasp after she had quenched her thirst. She placed the back of her arm to her mouth and rubbed the remnants off before she stopped and took notice to Dane and Addie across from her. Addie munched on another brownie with wide eyes. She had been fascinated by Quinta, so much so that she had deemed her “Sleeping Beauty” for a while now.

  Addie was quick to be bright and welcoming, “Good morning star shine!” She expressed.

  Quinta's eyes narrowed curiously at the way Addie greeted her as she rubbed her thumb across her bottom lip. Quinta didn’t say a word and instead studied them. They were nice at least; much different than the last couple she'd run across with her sister. The duo that was the reason why she was alone in the first place and led to this fate. It was obvious that these two were siblings which caused the hole in her chest to weaken. Unintentionally envious and yet that couldn't be helped now. Dane pushed himself from the floor and proceeded to take a few steps towards her.

  He tipped the bottle of vitamins over in his hand and held them out to her, “Welcome back.” He said before he placed a package of brownies by her knees.

  Quinta’s shoulders fell slack as this massively tall individual handed her the vitamins. She stared at them in his palm. Cautiously, she reached over and grabbed a hold of them as Dane then wandered off in the store again to leave Addie to socialize.

  He knew she was dying to because it had been so long that she had the chance to talk to someone. Especially a girl. The light in her eyes had told it all.