Chapter 1

Ellis walked along the edge of the swampy marsh following his teammates, Coach, Rochelle, and Nick. He was lost in thought; occasionally kicking a rock or two. That day….when everything changed, he never knew what happened to his good friend Keith, or more importantly, his mama. He had been travelling with his group for quite a few months now.

"They ain't dead. I know they'int." Ellis whispered under his breath.

"Ellis, if this is another story…" Nick grumbled without looking at him.

"Jis' shut up Nick." Ellis snapped back. Nick shrugged and kept walking behind Coach. Ellis wanted desperately to go and look for them, but truth be told he was attached to his group of survivors. They had been through so much together… Ellis had gone to his mechanic shop just outside of Savannah… He hadn't talked to or seen Keith that day as they had different shifts.

"Ellis? Ellis, hey I'm sorry man." Nick apologized. Ellis abruptly looked up at everyone staring at him and shook his head, clearing the thoughts. "Something bothering you?" he asked.

"Nah, I'm fine, let's go." Ellis shrugged off their concerns.

"Boy, you're lookin' mighty melancholy for somethin' not to be wrong." Coach said as he crossed his arms and raised a brow.

"Did I ever tell you guys I never knew what happened to my mom or Keith the day this shit started? I wanted to go look for them, but I panicked and people were running like crazy in the streets…CEDA wasn't tellin' people what was goin' on, just pushing 'em away trying to get them under control for 'vacuation. The phone lines weren't workin' so I couldn't call 'em…" Ellis sighed.

"I'm sure they got out okay, Ellis." Rochelle said, trying to cheer him up. She gave him a one-armed hug.

"Thanks Ro'. I just want to be sure. 'Been thinkin' 'bout goin' after 'em for a while now, to be honest…" he confessed, looking up at them hoping they would understand.

"Ellis, are you crazy? You can't go off on your own just like that…you could get hurt or worse…" Nick said, trying to prevent his friend from making another stupid mistake.

"Nick, I know you probably don't understand…but damn it, I gotta do this. If I find 'em, I'll bring 'em back and they can help us fight this damn zombie apocalypse…" Ellis said defensively. Nick was a little hurt by that, he did understand, and he cared for his friend.

"And if you don't find them?" Nick replied. Ellis slumped his shoulders.

"I gotta try. They're ma' family, Nick."

"So are we, Ellis." Rochelle added. Although Nick didn't like to admit it, the group was all he had left, they had grown on him. Nick handed Ellis some pills and his medkit.

"Well, you're gonna need these."

"Aww man, thanks Nick!" Ellis said as he gave Nick a hug. Nick let him for about three seconds…

"Alright, alright, don't get all sappy on me. You're lucky you know so much about firearms." He said trying to change the subject.

"Good luck, Ellis. We'll be here for you when you get back." Coach said smiling and handing him a pipe bomb.

"We'll miss ya sweetie. We will be here for you and we believe in you. I just know you're gonna find your mama and Keith." Rochelle said with a wink. They approached the next safe house and shut the door behind them. A loud zombie howl echoed from outside.

"I'm comin' for ya Keith….you too mama." Ellis whispered as he picked up supplies and ammo. After he had finished reloading his gun, he headed back for the entrance door of the safe house. He took a long look into the dark sky outside and mindless reanimated corpses wandering aimlessly in the distance. He looked back one last time at his friends, smiled, and popped the metal bar holding the door locked.