Chapter 4

*One year before the infection*

No more running, I was through playing games. I was sick and tired of being the weakest link, the one who was always picked on in school, I was going to change my ways. I signed up for self defense classes and was proud of the results, I used them all too well too. Danielle Foster approached me one day during school, obviously she was going to kick my ass lik she did once a week, but not today. She went to attack me while I wasn't looking but I turned and grabbed her fist, threw her to the ground, and kicked the shit out of her.
The trip to the principals office was rather... Entertaining to say the least, my parents and Danielles mom were going at it and there was much shouting, I did nothing but sat back and enjoyed the very thing that I created.

*Present*

This wasn't Danielle, and I was clearly outmatched in this fight. A giant, pink, fleshy, muscular rage zombie came barreling at me, roaring at the top of its lungs, "RUN!" I shouted and turned around.

At that moment everything seemed to move in slow motion, I ran past the others and they followed right after. The big ass zombie picked up a rock,

"Watch out!" Ellis said as the zombie threw the rock. We all ducked to the ground as the rock flew overhead and crashed a few feet away from us, I pulled out my shotgun, got up, and started unloading on the zombie. The others did the same thing, the zombie was slowing down, but still charged at us,

"What the hell is that thing?!" I asked,

"It's one big ass zombie." Nick said, shooting his shot gun at it. While we were running Ellis tripped over a traffic cone, the zombie only a few feet away,

"Ellis!" I ran over to him and helped him up. The zombie brought back his giant arm and swung, I pushed Ellis out of the way just in time to get punched to the side. I hit the wall with so much force that I felt the wind being knocked out of me and something crunched, I don't know what it was, but my whole body burned with pain. The others kept shooting at the giant zombie, I looked at them, black was outlining my vision. Then the last thing I remembered was seeing Ellis and Nick with worried expressions on their faces, and then the lights went out.

I was zoning in and out from time to time,

"Do you think she likes combat rifles?" Ellis asked,

"I've got his cola, let's go!" Coach said,

"Don't worry, she'll be okay." Rochelles voice said reassuringly. I balanced between consciousness and unconsciousness, hearing the voices but not really knowing what was going on, if i would die or not.

Pain seared through my body, I groaned, "Sophie?" Ellis' voice said, he was close to me,

"Ellis give her some space." Nick scolded, I heard footsteps shuffle away from me. I felt like I was in a bed, like I was home again, and it made me feel like the whole thing was a nightmare. Only it wasn't, I was still with the same four people, struggling for survival and for freedom from this apocalyptic nightmare, that feeling was short lived. I slowly opened my eyes, everything was blurry, I slowly opened my eyes, everything was blurry, a mixture of brown and white was all I could see, "Guys she's awake." Nick said,

"Oh my god..." I groaned and blinked a few times to restore my eyesight. The first thing I saw was Nick hovering above me, I looked around then saw that I was lying on his lap, "WAH!" I quickly sat up then groaned in pain,

"Calm down, calm down, I didn't like the idea anymore than you do." Nick mumbled,

"Where are we?" I asked,

"The mall... Well actually the entrance of the mall." Ellis said. We were situated in a saferoom and everyone carried new weapons, Ellis noticed me looking at the new weapons, "Don't worry, we got you a combat rifle a the gun store."

"Lovely." I said standing up and instantly stumbling backwards,

"Maybe we should rest a while." Coach said.

We ended up camping for the evening, "We'll take shifts." Coach said,

"I'll be happy to go first." Ellis said,

"Sounds good to me." Rochelle agreed and sat down.

Minutes later everyone was asleep except me and Ellis, "Maybe you should get some rest." He said,

"I don't think I can." I said looking down. Truth be told, I couldn't sleep because I had too much on my mind,

"Ah it's alright, just try the best u can." He said cheerfully,

"Okay, I can't argue with that optimism." I laughed and sat my backpack down to grab the blanket that I packed,

"You really planned didn't you." Ellis said,

"Well, winter falls hard when it comes, so you never know." I wrapped myself up,

"Goodnight Sophie." He smiled,

"Night Ellis." I said and closed my eyes.