The Very End

Running was the only thing anyone could do now. There was no escaping the tragedy that had happened and took over the earth. The worst thing that could happen was letting yourself become vulnerable. The whole world had turned to shit, lives had been ruined and families broke apart. But what would you do if all of a sudden, everyone who has ever died was infected? Infected with a disease, which had the symptoms of immortality. Sounds great, doesn't it? But this is not what you imagine when you hear that non-harmful word.

The lifeless bodies transition back into the living, but in reality they’re still dead. Greenish tinged skin, yellow, bloodshot eyes, rotting skin flaking off their body. They’re an inhumane, bloodthirsty monster. They would kill with no mercy, with no moral limit. Their brain was alive but only barley, with no recollection of who they were and who they once knew or loved.

Of course these had a name to the people who still walked the earth, barely surviving. The Undead.

Dan was terrified, his heart almost beating out of his chest as he ran through crowds of them, moving as quickly as possible from the infectious bite of the monsters. Dan could out run one easy, they are slow and paced. But when Dan is surrounded by them, some hard to spot because of the surrounding trees, he was definitely in huge danger.

But his long legs helped, he sprinted and jumped onto the wooden planks that were nailed into his favourite tree. He climbed them, leaving a pool of the living dead right at the bottom, clawing away at the bark. They were brain dead, literally, so they would give up in a few minutes. Especially now Dan was in his safe space, in his sanctuary, in his tree house.

This whole situation, the end of the world, happened so fast for Dan. It was an emotionally scarring day, and he tried to forget it. Every time he took his dark leather jacket off, it relieved the half buttoned up shirt. He's worn that ever since that day. Ever since his brother's wedding.

Dan stood at the front of the altar, his brother, Adam, nervously hopping from each foot waiting for the song. The pair wore matching suits, Adam's having a tight waist coat, just to add the small contrast from the groom and the best man.

That's when it happened, the traditional song started to play and the guests rose. Adam shot Dan a nervous glance, but Dan was encouraging, throwing back his thumbs. Egging him on, to do it. To marry the love of his life.

Ooo's and ahh's filled the room as Dan's soon to be sister in law walked down the aisle. Her sparkling white dress trailing behind her. In one hand she held a bright red bunch of flowers. And the other hand held tightly on to her father.

But he looked dazed, everyone else was smiling, glowing. But he was looking slow and sluggish. Dan's eyebrows knitted together as the old man stopped, making the whole room look at him cluelessly.

With a sharp intake of breath he fell to the floor. The Bride gasped out a squeak and fell to her knees next to her Dad. Adam was quick to catch her, making sure his bride fell down safely to lean over his father in law. The guests crowded round, but Dan stayed put.

That wasn't clear why he did that, maybe he was too shocked to move. But he is glad that he didn't. The father in law began to stir, and everyone let out a huge gasp of relief. But in that situation, relief was ironic.

Screams erupted from the crowd after a huge growl came from the old man's mouth. His body picked itself up from the floor. But this time he had changed, transformed suddenly. His green skin and disturbing eyes startled Dan the most.

That was until he reached out to the bride and bit down on her neck, splattering blood everywhere. Dan watched his brother try to help but the monster's hand reached right inside him and squeezed a tight grasp around him.

That was enough to snap Dan out of his daze and of course, Dan tried to help the rest of his family, but it was so confusing. People were running and screaming. He couldn't get to them in time.

All he could do now was assume the people who escaped were dead. And he chose to repress all memory of that life changing day.

He shuffled into the small hut that was hidden way up inside the trees and locked the small hatch to make sure he was safe. He wasn't scared of the walkers one bit right now, they couldn't climb over a hill without difficulty, nevermind a ladder. It was people, living breathing people. The world has come to such struggles and deprivation it's forced people to steal, hurt and even kill.

Dan looked at his supply of food, a few cans of tinned peaches. That wouldn't last long at all. He would have to start scouting, or hunting. That thought made Dan look at his shotgun that was leaned against the wooden corner. The noise would attract so much unwanted attention. Hunting was a last resort.

Dan wasn't doing well with water either, he had three clean bottles left. Maybe if he was careful, that would last a week. The deprivation was extreme, it came to dramatic rations that left people on the minimal needs.

Dan sighed, kicking off his boots and climbed into his dirty sleeping bag. For three months he's been staying here, two miles from his family home. That sounds comforting. Paying a visit to the house could mean more food, unless it has already been raided.

But Dan didn't spend too much time thinking about it. With a knife gripped tight in one hand, he closed his eyes to try and sleep. This is how he lived now, this is what the world had pushed people to do.