The annoying hum of the plane's engines, the taste of peanuts, feeling sluggish and even bored as I flew in the plane to Atlanta, Georgia. It seems so surreal thinking of being bored of all things. My plane ride to Atlanta was where I had my last moments of true peace.
The voice on the plane's speakers spoke, "We are beginning our descent into Atlanta, Georgia. Please put on your seatbelts and remain seated until we have landed. Thank you." The speakers turned off, and there were murmurs as everyone shuffled, woke up, or buckled their seatbelts. I followed suit, buckling up as well and grabbing my carry-on. I stuffed my bag of peanuts into my green backpack and watched out the window as we landed, excited to see Dad again since he moved here.
"We have safely landed in Atlanta, Georgia. Please calmly get your belongings, and head to the airport. Thank you for choosing Delta Airlines," the voice spoke and the bustling of people started. I only had my carry-on with me, so I got up, and slowly got in line to go to the airport.
As we walked into the airport, all that you could see was chaos. Screaming filled my ears as I was pushed out of line into the crowd of frantic people. I was tossed like a rag-doll in the crowd. I pushed through the mass of people who were pushing to get into the planes.
"Dad!," I tried yelling over the crowd, hoping maybe I'd be able to find him somewhere in this frenzy. "Daddy!" Tears streamed down my face as I was fighting the crowd and screaming for my dad to save me from this situation. I pushed out of the crowd, and out of the airport entirely, into the city.
The streets were just as chaotic as the airport. Cars were rushing around, as well as people, and there was blood everywhere. I turned to my right to see a pile of guts coming out of a man who was barely moving. He stared straight at me and reached out his hand as he let out a raspy growl.
I was speechless and in complete shock at what I was seeing. I stepped back and began running.I didn't even know where I was going, all I knew was I couldn't stop. I kept running until I turned into an alley where two of those things were. I went into the first door I saw, and slammed it shut, locking it behind me. I slid down the wall by the door listening to the light banging and growling outside the door. My brain couldn't even process what happened within the last 20 minutes. I couldn't believe what was happening.
My breath quickened, tears stained my cheeks, and my chest racked with sobs as I buried my head into my knees. I hugged my knees and let out all my emotions at that moment. My mind raced, wondering what I was going to do? How am I going to survive the world outside?
I don't know how much time I wasted crying, but it was long enough that the banging and growling had moved away from the door. I took a deep breath and slowly got up from where I was sitting. I wiped away my tears, as I walked around the small building. It looked like an apartment building of sorts.
I made my way up the stairs and explored. I turned the corner to see a door marked A1. I decided to knock, just to check if there was someone home who could help me. I knocked lightly, getting no reply. I then knocked on the next and the next, trying to find anyone to help me. After I reached the third floor, I gave up on knocking on the doors and went back downstairs. I peeked out the window by the front door to see that there was still a lot of chaos outside. I sighed and stared outside as bodies littered the streets. I felt absolutely exhausted, not only from the flight, and the running, but I was also drained emotionally. I left the window and went back up the stairs.
I remember my grandparents always had a key under their welcome mats. I searched for a door with a welcome mat, and it didn't take long to find one. I checked under the mat, and low and behold, there it was. I picked up the key and unlocked the door. I locked the door behind me and pushed a chair up against the door. I went to the couch, and curled up into the fetal position, feeling heavy from the events of that day. I closed my eyes and fell asleep unaware of how hard surviving this world would truly be.