Ever since my friend Jesse was killed by the Quarantine Zone soldiers, I have been hidden away from the in order to keep out of trouble. The two of us were just having fun while we still could. Running around the abandoned store like a couple of wolves. Couldn't have asked for a better time to spend with him. He had filled the hole that has been punched through my gut after I had been isolated from my childhood friend, Ellie. We were really close. We played together whenever we could as kids and even get into trouble every now and then. Everything was okay at this time. We didn't have to worry about the infected and the many perils that were on the other side of the cracked wall that was supposed to keep us protected. However when I was 9 and she was 10, we were sundered for a reason that I don't remember.
But I do recall the time we'd have to deal with being in Sergeant Dickhead's office a bunch. Most times she'd take the heat for me and receive the given punishment afterwards. Having her as my friend was amazing. When I turned 13, that's when I had lost Jesse. But, there was an advantage to that happening. I would be reunited with my old childhood friend that I consider a sister. My name is Harper Johnson, an orphan born into this unforgiving epidemic. This is our journey of hectic survival and the strengthening of our bonds guided by one man whose name is Joel.