It turns out north is a long way away. We drove for about six hours that first day and it felt like we got nowhere. Endless highways that all looked the same. There were barely any other cars on the road. I think we saw two that were actually moving, both going in the opposite direction. That made me feel uneasy about our decision, but we pressed on regardless.

There were quite a few cars abandoned by the side of the road. Even a couple in the middle of the road. I wondered what had happened to the people inside them. What had made them decide to abandon their cars and risk the outside world? Or maybe they hadn't decided at all.

After about three hours of me driving Kurt insisted he take over. Max agreed with him, 'Yeah, Blaine. Don't want you falling into one of those micro sleeps and killing us all.'

I made Max get in the back, while I took the passenger seat. Max decided since he was in the back he would ignore us and listen to his iPod. I had no objections to this. I passed the time by questioning Kurt about his life. I had the irritable urge to know everything about him.

'So you said you had a step-brother?' I asked, carefully. I wanted to leave him the option to not answer, a zombified brother may not be the most pleasant topic of conversation.

'Uh, yeah. Our parents got married about a year ago. Carole was so good for my dad. It was nice to seem him so happy again. Max reminds me of him, actually.'

'Then how come you keep looking shocked every time we fight.'

'Because we never fought. We got on really well actually. Its a little strange to see you guys be like that toward each other, its the exact opposite to Finn and me, you know, once we got our shit together.'

'Oh,' I wasn't exactly sure how to respond. I had always assumed Max's and my relationship was relatively normal. We may fight, but it is generally in good nature. We actually got on pretty well when it came down to it.

'So what about your mum?'

He grimaced, staring at the road ahead. 'She died when I was eight. It was a long time ago, but I still miss her everyday.' I could tell by the expression on his face that this was not a line of conversation I should pursue, so I let the topic drop. I felt stupid for asking in the first place. I had always been kind of oblivious like that.

'So have you always lived in this dingy little suburb?' A quick change of subject.

'Yes, I have always dreamed of leaving, too. I was going to move to New York. I was going to be on broadway.' I could see a spark in his eye when he spoke, as though he was imagining himself on the stage. As soon as it appeared it was gone and I could tell he had just been hit with the reality stick. Right now we had to focus on surviving, there wasn't room for dreams of performing.

'Wow. I hope you get there.'

I hated my path, my future, I won't lie to you I was jealous of Kurt. He had dreams, I just did whatever would please my parents the most. I wished I was as brave and confident as him. It was a stupid thing to think, given the world was ending around us, but humans are shallow beings and I was, am, only human. And at that moment very glad for it.

'Okay, Mr Anderson, what about yourself? You don't get to keep asking all these questions without answering a few yourself.'

I raised an eyebrow, 'Okay. Hit me.'

'Favorite musical?' This earned him another raised eyebrow.

'How do you know I'm a favorite musical type of guy?'

He smiled, once again my heart did a little flutter. This was starting to get out of hand. 'Well can't argue with that. I would have to say Wicked. Or West Side Story.'

He nodded appreciatively. 'Ah the modern classics. Interesting choices.'

This shocked me. My choices weren't exactly unheard of, but it was very rarely I discussed my musical theatre preferences with other guys. Then again he had told me his dream was to be on Broadway not ten minutes ago, 'So we know our musicals do we?'

'We do a little, more than a little actually,' He laughed, high and musical. I could have listened to that laugh for hours. And that is embarrassing considering I had only known the guy for a few hours. It scared me a little just how much we had in common. It was dangerous to become attached to anyone in the current climate. Who knows how long we could be together for before he decides to go off on his own? Or worse.

At then end of our fifth hour on the road we decided we had to find somewhere to stop for the night. While it was fine for Max and I to sleep in the car, there was no way three of us could manage it. Kurt and I decided a motel would be our best option. Kurt emphasizing his need for running water and a proper mirror to do his hair, I thought it looked perfect but I figured it would be fruitless to argue. If possible, we needed one without humans, as we were a little short on cash.

About forty-five minutes down the highway we spotted a two story building in the distance. As we approach I began to feel hopeful. The place was run down, not exactly your luxury hotel, but it was exactly what we were looking for.

The car park had three other cars and one zombie. It was nearing sunset and cooling down. This was the first one we had seen in hours, and it was moving quite quickly towards us. I rolled down my window and aimed, missing by that much. The second shot sent it to the ground.

'Close enough,' Kurt shrugged. If it had been Max he would have made a rude comment about my aim. I decided I much preferred Kurt as a travel companion.

I reached over into the backseat to poke Max awake before climbing out of the car. Kurt and I made our way towards the front office of the motel, Max bringing up the rear. Paint was peeling off the yellow walls and weeds were growing in the cracks of the pavement. It was clear this place wasn't very popular, even in the good times before the dead began walking.

The office was empty on first sight, save for a strange, very unpleasant smell. Kurt scoped the place, gun held high, as I leant over the counter, stretching on my toes to see. On the floor, next to an office chair was the body of a middle-aged man who had been dead for a few days at least. I couldn't help but think how the movies left out these kinds of details. The ones left behind, the smell left when they have been forgotten for a few days.

I grimaced and turned away from the counter. 'Come on. We don't have to worry about paying,' I grabbed Kurt's forearm and lead him from the office. This was the first physical contact we had actually had. I noticed just how defined his muscle was under my fingertips, his skin warm under the soft cotton of his t-shirt.

Max was standing by the door with another one of the creatures lying prone on the ground in front of him. I hadn't even heard the gunshot and that concerned me. It had become such a part of my life in these two short days that it had become background noise.

We tried five doors before we found one that was unlocked. The room smelled not of dead body but of dirty motel. It was empty no creatures or humans. There were two double bed pressed against the wall, covered in that universal motel patterned covers. A small table separated them with a single lamp. Opposite the beds was a small TV in a wall unit. The TV looked at least fifteen years old.

Max, being fourteen and male immediately grabbed the remote and flicked the TV on. He was greeted with nothing but snow and static on all stations. I had hoped as he flicked through every single channel at least one would be up and running, providing survivors with information. But were there enough survivors left? How many of us were still roaming around? How quickly had this thing spread? I shuddered at the thought, unwilling to know the answer.

I sat on the end of the closest bed staring off into the distance, consumed in my own thoughts. Kurt sat at the plastic table opposite me, on one of the two chairs provided.

'So, um,' He scratched the back of his neck, clearly nervous, unsure whether he should take charge, or leave me to my thoughts, 'I think, maybe, one of us should stay guard while the other two sleep. It kinda works out perfectly considering there are two beds.' He trailed off and Max grunted in agreement. I looked up at him, unsure what to do with this beautiful boy in front of me.

'Uh, yeah, sure.'

He nodded slowly. 'Okay then. Well I don't mind taking the first shift. Say we do two hour shifts? I think we should get out of here as soon as possible. Staying in one place makes me nervous.' Again I was amazed at just how similar we were.

It was my turn to nod. 'Thanks. I'm, er, just going to have a shower. Max, sleep. I don't want you falling asleep during your shift like you did last time.'

Max yawned, 'Coolio, bro. Night dude.' And with that he took off his shirt and shorts and crawled into bed, completely unbothered by the fact that he just stripped down to his underwear in front of his brother and a boy we had met mere hours before.

I had to wonder what went on in that boy's head at times. He had been so cool during the past forty-eight hours, as though this was a regular Wednesday. Maybe it was the fact he played so many video games and as such was mentally prepared for anything. So much for all that violence doing damage to the young psyche.

I shook my head as snores started coming from the lump under the mattress and picked up the sports bag said lump had packed. After I had changed out of my pajamas fifteen minutes into the first car ride I had been in the same clothes since. I couldn't help but feel a little self conscious, I'm sure I stunk.

I took the bag into the bathroom and turned on the shower. All the way out here, pretty much the only motel on the entire highway, I was sure there would back up generator. You know, that and the fact that the TV and lights had turned on. This meant hot water. Five minutes later steam began to fill the room and I undressed and stepped into the heat.

As I let the hot water fall over me I began to cry. As I said before, I'm not brave. I've been working on it, but it is nowhere near perfection. As the water from the shower mixed with my tears I cried for my mum, I cried for my old life, I cried for civilization. I cried for my brother and my future. I cried for how perfect Kurt was and how perfect we would be together if we had met on a normal week day, instead of running from the undead.

I probably spent twenty minutes in the shower, the hot water started running out as I turned it off. I felt strangely refreshed. Have you ever noticed crying does that? Sometimes it is just better to let it out. Not that I would have told anyone I had just spent twenty minutes crying in the shower. I'm almost eighteen after all; I'm too old for crying.

I put on a fresh set of clothes and inspected myself in the mirror, wishing I had remembered to bring a razor as I rubbed my hand over the dark shadow on my jaw before I made my way out into the main room, there was no way I was doing a Max and going out in my underwear. Kurt looked away from the window and gave me a nod.

'Night,' He whispered.

'Night.' I offered before crawling under the covers.

I'm surprised I actually slept. I wasn't expecting to. I suppose after nearly forty-eight hours on the run you've got to get a little tired. I must have been out for four hours, because we had agreed on two-hour shifts, but it felt like a lot longer before I was being poked in the cheek by Max.

'Come on bro, I wanna sleep. Get your ass out of bed.'

I grumbled and smacked his hand away. I sat up in bed and stretched my arms above m head. I felt surprisingly well rested. Max poked me in the cheek again.

'Geez take your time about it, I wanna sleep dammit.'

'Fuck, okay.' My legs swung over the side of the bed and I made my way to the hard plastic chair next to the window; the designated look out spot.

I watched Max climb into the bed I had just vacated. He was asleep within minutes.

My eyes slid over to the other bed. Kurt too, was asleep. His forehead was creased with worry, eyebrows knitted together. His hands were gripping the sheet tight under his chin. I wanted nothing more than to go over there and smooth my hand through his hair, kiss his forehead and tell him everything would be all right. But that would be incredibly inappropriate. I mean, I didn't even know the guy's middle name.

I turned back to the window, feeling a little bit creepy watching the two boys sleep. I could see movement out there, but nothing too close. It would seem none of them were aware of our existence otherwise I'm sure they would not be keeping their distance. I let the creatures roam in peace, no point in disturbing them as long as they left us alone in return.

As I sat by myself in the dark I couldn't help but think. It's a natural progression when one is on their own. And despite common belief, I am not quite as empty up there as Max makes out. What I really wanted to know was where this thing had come from. Was it natural? Like some kind of monkey virus. Maybe one had escaped from the zoo. Maybe it was like rabies or AIDS or something. Or was it man made, like some government experiments gone wrong, or the cure for a disease that had created another one instead? I had a feeling about my last answer. There were always news stories about medical breakthroughs here and there, surely they can't all go right? Maybe the human race had finally pushed the boundary too far. Maybe you can only fuck with nature so much. We weren't supposed to live for this long and now the world was getting its revenge.

I shivered at the thought. It sounded too much like a bible horror story to me. Like some sick kind of plague. I had never been the religious sort and I decided now was not the time to convert. Maybe the Mayans were right, just a little early. Someone forgot to carry the one. Who knew?

I continued to go around in circles in my brain, making plans, imagining horrific deaths. I needed to get it all out of my system. I searched the room with my eyes and came across a complimentary note pad and pen sitting next to the TV. I picked the two up and took them over to my post at the window. I started to make a list.

Information : Where, when, why?

Place to go- see information.

Supplies: food, water, clothes, ammo.

More information: others?

My list didn't really make sense and I was sure there were more things I was forgetting but for some reason seeing all my thoughts on paper solidified them for me. This was becoming real, things were happening, plans were being made. No, this wasn't a movie, this was real life and we had to start treating it that way.

There was a sudden movement outside the window and I froze. I could see a possum run off in the distance. I swear it was missing some of its fur and I hoped to god that this infection or whatever it was didn't spread to animals. We were having enough trouble keeping track of the human ones as it was.

I continued to pass the rest of my shift doodling and adding to my list. I could see a grey light on the horizon, quickly followed by reds and oranges. It always amazes me just how quickly the sun rises, how soon the new day appears, washing away the one before it.


I just want to thank you all for reading. I know this is not everyone's cup of tea (but how great is tea?), so anyone out there who is giving this a go, it means a lot. Thanks. Let me know what you think. Love.