Okay, here is the first chapter of Shadow Land!
I hope you guys enjoy. And to all of those who fav'd this, I thank you too!
CHAPTER 1: Bacon, Eggs, and Ammo
I awoke to the sound of distant sizzling and the smell of bacon.
"Ugh…" I mumbled while rubbing my forehead with my palm and clenching my eyes shut. What a dream…
There was a quiet murmur of voices in another room. I was thinking I can't believe I overslept. Mom must be done with breakfast by now…
The room I was in was definitely not my room. I was in random pajamas too…
"Uh," I quietly mumbled, swinging my legs over the side of my bed and rubbing my face. I was clad in pajama shorts, mid-thigh and black, with a matching camisole.
I walked into the other room, seeing four unfamiliar faces. I was a bit frightened.
"Sorry if we woke you," the girl said, tending to sizzling bacon.
Two men were seated at the table, and another was off on the opposite side of the kitchen. "My name's Rochelle," she said, smiling warmly.
"Name's Ellis," the one guy in the white and blue hat said. He had stubble and grayish-blue eyes. He grinned.
"My name's Coach," the big black man said, nodding once.
The man on the other side of the room - white jacket, blue shirt and khaki slacks - glanced up at me. He looked tired. "Nick."
I nodded; they all seemed to be waiting silently for my introduction. "My name's Holly." I straightened up, brushing my shirt off. "Holly Lancaster."
They all smiled gently, all but Nick. I took a seat - hesitantly, at that - at the kitchen table. It was old and wooden, with a bunch of nicks and gashes in them. Some of the gashes were names, like Beth or Chuck. Some of the gashes were messages or warnings: No life here! Get out! or Zombies everywhere! I couldn't find you, Jenny! Head North plz.
I was snapped out of my reading trance when Rochelle set a plate of eggs and bacon down in front of me. I grabbed a fork that was on a dirty napkin to my right, and stabbed a piece of egg. They were bland without any cheese or pepper.
"So," Coach started. "What were you doing out there alone?"
It was then I knew this wasn't a dream.
I scratched the corner of my mouth then said, "Out there?"
They all stared at me like some crazy person. But in a more… nice way. Is there even a nice way to look at someone who seems crazy?
Ellis nodded then took a bite of bacon.
I took a forkful of egg then spoke. "I was on my way to the swamp on the outskirts of town. Had some family that was there, they got hold of me through my cell. Last thing I heard from them was that they got my dad…"
I felt teary-eyed. At this point I knew my dad was dead, or worse – one of them.
"I'm sorry," Rochelle said gently.
I shook my head. "Don't be. You aren't one of those things." the word 'things' felt dry and bitter in my mouth. Zombies. I've only dreamt of those nightmarish creatures. It was… what my mom would say "Very unrealistic, Holly."
I sighed jaggedly, propping my elbow on the table and resting my head in my hand, staring out through the barred windows. It was like some prison cell in here.
"How did you guys get me out alive?" I asked.
Rochelle smirked. "It took us a few arms and legs, but we prevailed."
I smiled lightly, wondering if I drained their stocks, wondering if I ruined their plans, their food rations.
"Sure glad we found ya, that's for sure." Ellis said. He had a Southern twang in his voice. I liked that.
"Yeah," Coach said, finishing his plate. "Sure glad!"
I wiped my mouth with my hands (the dirty napkin not so promising), then excused myself, walking back into the other room and sitting down on the bed. It looked as if I hadn't been the only one sharing it.
Rochelle walked in, running a hand through her dark hair. "I dressed you, don't worry. None of the boys got a free show."
I laughed halfheartedly, running a hand over the sheets.
"We share beds, since there are only two beds per suite and we need the warmth." she said. "None of us have bedbugs."
It looked as if she and Nick shared a bed, and that means either Coach or Ellis shared a bed with me…
"You and I shared a bed." Rochelle said, almost as if reading my thoughts. I felt somewhat relieved.
My lips formed a taught line as I raised my eyebrows, nodding.
"Your clothes have been washed, they're right there," she pointed to the side of my bed. "We don't usually stay in one place for very long, since we're trying to get out of this city."
I nodded, stripping down and changing into my jeans and T-shirt. Light-wash jeans, skinny cut with a forest green long sleeve button-up and a black wife beater. I had plain white slip on Vans that had since been stained and caked with blood and dirt.
I slung my holster over my shoulder and put it on like a backpack, the straps of black leather and metal. I then slipped on my hip holster and strapped my two pistols in, then my shotgun. I felt complete, but I was clean out of ammo.
"Uh… ammo?" I inquired, turning towards the girl.
Rochelle nodded then led me into another room, where there were first aid packs and a big mound of ammunition. It was as if I had some hunger or lust in my eyes when I saw the pile of ammo for my guns.
I quickly walked towards the mound, squatted down then started loading. I had quickly filled my two pistols, then my shotgun, stuffing extra rounds into my pockets.
"Ready," I said. Rochelle nodded and ran out of the room. There were big bangs and moans from the other side of a big steel door, complete with a turning wheel.
I ran out of the room, too, unsure if I was ready to face these things again.
As I turned the corner, I ran into Ellis. And when I say ran into, I mean I almost knocked the poor guy over. "Easy, there!" He yelped.
"Sorry," I apologized, hunting for something to say.
I quickly shuffled out of his way, accidentally inhaling the scent of him as he passed. It was a mix of cologne, musk, and diesel. Normally I'd hold my breath when someone walked by me.
Rochelle sent me a look; a look that said, "It'd be best if you didn't meddle in a time like this."
If there was even a look for something like that. But I knew what she was thinking.
