"No... No you all are fucking insane".

"George please take this into consideration" Tom began. "It's.. for the best."

The older man sneered at his friend. Feeling a sense of rage boiling up, "What's for the best? Putting down Carrie like a damn animal? That's sick."

"No we are going to put Carrie into quarantine-"

"Hey! Tom that ain't what you promised. And hell George I'm surprised that you let Miriam with her."

That snapped a nerve in George.

"Excuse me? Are you seriously questioning me of how I raise my daughter Rainey." It wasn't a question. It was pure anger now.

"Rainey I thought you didn't like bloodshed. Remember?" Tom asked. Regarding Rainey's words from weeks ago. He shifted his head back to George, "It's your call George.."

George swallowed hard, his gaze turned dark, "I'm glad your considering my choice and all but Tom.. " He pinched the bridge of his nose and pressed his eyes shut before continuing ."It makes me disappointed that half of the council is on the path to shoot Carrie, end her life quickly. Then there's the other half.. " The older man nodded towards Tom, Jess, and Maria. "who are willing to put Carrie in quarantine".

His expression became grave as he slowly walked across the room, "Overall it will make her feel trapped. No, no I'm not going to choose any of your choices. What has you all thinking to decide Carrie's fate anyway? She's done much for this community. Made sure the younger generation felt well, helped wives through childbirth, hell she's even helped people with practically anything. It's sick.. to know that you either want to put her down since she's infected or put her in quarantine.. this is bullshit".

As of that George slammed the door on his way out. Not sneaking one final glance to the council of his community. He had to get his family out of here.

"Tanner!" He caught up with his eldest who was currently tending to the horses, "Miriam? Carrie? Where they hell are they?".

His son responded with a startled look, "They're on a supply ru-"

"Dammit I know that Tanner! Which town". George said panicked, gripping his son's shoulder's not to tight.

"Downtown district, Carrie was told to go somewhat beyond that." Even to the teenager he thought it was quite strange that Carrie was sent so far from Millerton. Especially since the day was almost over. She's never been assigned on a night run.

"Christ.." George's eyes became horrified as he tugged Tanner away, "Listen to me real carefully, take whatever is important from our house and pack it into the truck. Small things, food, and clothes, water canteens. Manage to get stuff from the armory. Right now."

"Wait-why?"

"Do as I say. Drive to the downtown district. I'll be there with Miriam and Carrie." Before Tanner had the chance to reply George already hitched on a nearby horse and rode off.

Amongst other things Carrie and Miriam were unaware of what was to occur. The young girl wrapped her arms tightly around Carrie as they rode towards the downtown district. Something seemed off..

"Why would Jess send you down here?"

"She didn't.. hell she would never let us go this far." The woman furrowed her eyebrows. "But when I got back to Millerton Tom told me to travel here. Saying there would be more supplies".

Miriam shifted her blue eyes around the district. It gave her an uneasy feeling. She heaved a long sigh as she twisted her head to one of the buildings. Maybe this was a good time to talk.

"Carrie.. are you.. uh-um.." The young girl tried to get out more words. But her throat tightened from fear.

"Miri?" Carrie pulled on the reins of her horse and slid off. Lifting an eyebrow at Miriam who had her gaze glued to the street. "What's wrong sweetie? You can tell me anything." She gave a warm smile towards Miriam. Tucking a piece of Miriam's hair behind her ear as a lock veiled the young girls face.

"I.. " Miriam bit her lip and shivered. She didn't know if it was from the sudden cold, or the fear she felt. The young girl studied Carrie's face. She was beautiful. Even if she may look worn down and sick. Her grey eyes were tired, barely any life. Carrie was still beautiful overall.

"Would you ever keep a secret from me?"

Carrie was taken back from the sudden question. Her jaw clenched nervously before replying, "It.. depends Miriam. Sometimes people may keep a secret to protect you or they're afraid to even admit to anything". This caused a piercing stab of guilt into Carrie. She regrets not telling anyone of being infected.

"What if, someone already knows that secret, but they're too afraid to confront that person about it?"

'Where's Miriam going with this? Does she know?' A million thoughts rushed through Carrie's head. She couldn't dismiss this topic so easily. Especially with someone like Miriam.

"That's.. somewhat different I suppose. People do need to know the truth sometimes, even if it may get them killed." Carrie was referring to herself. If anyone did know back in Millerton a bullet would be put through her head.

"I know, but Carrie it's fine. You can trust me." The young girl gave Carrie a bright smile that made her heart melt. Damn it why did she have to get infected? She'll be dead in a matter of a few days now, and miss out on the rest of Miriam's life.

Carrie trusts Miriam and Miriam trusts her. That's how things have worked between them. Miriam was like the daughter that Carrie never had the chance to have.

"Of course I trust you Miriam, family is all" Carrie said, reciting Jess' words as she placed her hand on Miriam's cheek lovingly. Much like the daughter she never got the chance to have.. but in her case.. to never see that child live.

"Family is all," Miriam repeated, but her words wavered as a few shadowed figures caught her eyes. Making her throat dry and suddenly become tense.

"Miriam wha-" A string of gunshots ran out as Carrie rushed to grab Miriam. Her horse earning the wounds and falling to the ground with a whine. The bullet holes oozed with blood before Carrie had the chance to blink. Need to get somewhere safe, need to get somewhere safe.

Carrie's chest tightened as she saw the few figures rush back inside of a building. Not apes, but human. A faint symbol made Carrie stop in her tracks. An Alpha-Omega symbol painted on the bricked wall. She heard a whimper that made her snap out of gaze and focused back to Miriam. The young girl was petrified.

Taking cover behind a fallen piece of debris, Carrie loaded her rifle. Coughing in the process as blood specks covered her gloved hand. Unaware of the fresh blood that now was slowly dripping from her nose. Miriam stared at Carrie in horror. She was right but that didn't matter now.

"Who the are they Carrie?" She couldn't help but ask. Carrie was stiff in her movements as she tightly clutched Miriam's hand.

"They're.. they're bad people Miriam. Try to kill people like me, but are willing to kill those who are not infected too." Her voice trailed off at the faint figures who were across the street. Guns in hand and ready to shoot if necessary. She wondered briefly if they knew of Millerton. Hell this group traveled a long way from California. But then again the Alpha-Omega group did have many followers from all around the country shortly after the Outbreak. One of the leaders brutally killed the scientist who created the virus. Will Rodman, but it's unknown if his family survived. Most likely all dead.

"One.. two.. three." Carrie counted those who were in the same distance from her and Miriam. Three, three people. Okay she could do this. Only three people to kill and run off right away. The hell with getting supplies. Miriam's life mattered more at the moment.

"Miriam, listen to me, I want you to hide inside of here." Carrie ordered quietly, cautious enough to open the door of an old auto garage, "Do not come out unless it's me. I'll knock three times, you understand?".\

The young girl gave a subtle nod as she was ushered inside. To her relief Carrie heard the faint lock on the door and faced back to the group who opened fire first. She mentally cursed at herself for only having a few bullets left. She will have to approach one of them.. or perhaps lure them away from here.

Carrie sighed to herself. This was going to be insane.

Finally stepping out from her safe haven, Carrie raised her rifle upward and shot a few times to the heavily clouded sky. So dark and unwelcoming. The slight patter of rain began to pour down upon Carrie's form. The blood from her nose continued to dribble down to her lips. She was greeted with the surprised men who shielded themselves to take cover.

"Come and get me you son of a bitches..."

She's killed people before, and even apes. Both were the same in her eyes. Caused destruction and madness. Crippling this world even more. Carrie won't die without putting up a fight. Miriam is the one who needs to survive, not her. The young girl still had her entire life ahead. Even if the world was now harsh and bitter. Barely any life left and Miriam deserved to live of what's upon it.

Carrie ran. Hearing the distant shouts of the three men who chased after her. She coughed up more blood and felt herself already getting weaker. Whatever plan she had was damned now. That was until Carrie crouched low behind a fallen sign. Hopefully this will split up some of the men so that she could hunt them down one by one.

The woman pressed her hand to her mouth to block out any coughs she had. The rain that was already pouring down helped somewhat as she was now drenched from head to toe. Carrie's hair clung to her face, becoming stained with blood that imprinted her nose and lips. Her breath hitched at the sight of the men.

"Is this really necessary? She had a kid with her guys."One of the men said, at least he had some sense.

"A kid whose most likely infected as well."

Carrie took a long, shuddering breath as they continued talking. Praying that they will separate and she'll have the upper hand to kill them. To her dismay they didn't. Just stood there talking..

A risk is going to have to be taken. Carrie crawled on her stomach and supported herself with her shoulders in the crook of the fallen sign that was luckily leaned against the brick wall. Mud coated the front view of her body now. The woman raised her gun, placing her finger on the trigger. A wise choice had to be made. She faced the tallest man who clutched his own weapon. Her plan might work if she chose to shoot him first.

Carrie pulled the trigger.

One.

The rain filled silence was shattered away from the gunshot of the rifle. The man fell limp to the ground right away. Carrie shot him in the head.

Blood splattered around the man's head, but quickly rinsed away as the rain continued to pour from the darkened sky.

The woman forced herself to get away and run off. Her legs screamed at her to stop as more gunshots fired behind her. Carrie's knees buckled as she hit the ground. In her condition the world felt as if it was spinning. All she felt was the metallic taste of blood that stained her lips. Have to keep moving, stay alive.

Carrie hoped that she could make it out of this. Her legs wobbled as she hid behind the wall. She slid her back down slowly and sat on the ground. Hearing a few footsteps made her trigger happy.

Two.

The second man was dead. Shot him clear through his abdomen from the position she was in. His wound oozed thickly, soaking his jacket before slamming hard to the ground. Reminding Carrie of an ape she recently killed a few months ago that died the same way.

Where was the third man?

That sudden revelation got Carrie up and moving. Trying to keep aware of her surroundings and focus on getting back to Miriam. This felt like a hopeless battle honestly. Carrie couldn't even print her mind on the task ahead as she would continue to cough endlessly. For what seemed like forever Carrie didn't find him. For her sake he might as well ran off. She laughed, coated with hysteria.

"I killed your buddies! Don't even try to fucking come out!"

She roughly rubbed her sleeve over her nose. Seeing fresh blood but didn't pay attention to it as her hand faintly knocked on the garage door. Three times.. it was supposed to mean she killed the three men. Took care of the problem. But no.. two out of three.

To her relief Miriam unlocked the door right away. Tears flowing down her cheeks and was shaking to death. She was okay.

Carrie fell to her knees as she embraced Miriam. Shushing her quietly and stroking her dark hair.

"You were gone to.. too long" Miriam whimpered. Carrie laughed slightly, "Was I? I wasn't paying attention." Somehow that earned a smile from Miriam as she embraced the woman tighter, "Are they gone?"

"Two dead, but the third.." Carrie paused. He was still out there "I think he ran off. So don't worry Miri." She reassured, cupping Miriam's face. One last moment..

That's when she hears another gunshot. Miriam's eyes struck with fear as Carrie's body fell limp in her arms. The young girl struggled as she reached for the door. Locking it right away as if it was the only closure she had to protect herself and Carrie.

"Carrie! Carrie! Carrie!" Her screams were piercing and mixed with the wails she let out. Crimson soaking her small hands as she helped to get Carrie standing. The woman let out a pained cry and clutched her stomach. The sickening scent of blood filled Miriam's nostrils as Carrie slipped to the floor. The wound was messy, the bullet shattered into many pieces as Miriam could tell.

She started hyperventilating.

"I can help, I can help, I can help" Miriam repeated with her shuddering breaths. The tears in her blue eyes made everything blurry. Except for noticing the blood that marked Carrie's stomach. Miriam shrugged off her jacket and pressed it to the wound. Hard enough to apply enough pressure. Blood was everywhere.. so much blood.

"C-Carrie you have to tell me what to do please!" Miriam screamed. Earning a weak shake of the head from the woman. Carrie's hand shook as she reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a pistol. Everything was slowly drifting away. She was suffering.

"No.." Miriam began, she kept her hand in a tight fist. But Carrie crept the weapon in her trembling hand.

"I won't make it.. " This isn't what Carrie wanted. Either way she got shot. Now she would die from a gunshot instead of drifting away from town in a small and quiet area, "Please Miri.."

More tears broke from Miriam's eyes. Followed with endless sobs as she instead hugged Carrie tightly. She wanted to vomit, this was too much. Carrie was like a mother to her. All she felt was.. so much pain in her heart.

It saddened Carrie greatly as she pressed her lips to Miriam's forehead. Her breathing was shallow and silent compared to Miriam's choking sobs and torrent of tears.

"Miri.. hope to stay alive, and pray that you.. you will make it.. everyday." Carrie managed to speak out, but she gurgled on the blood that came from her mouth. Miriam didn't care, she held onto Carrie tighter. She listened to Carrie's words. A friend and a mother. She wanted revenge.

An odd thing for a girl as young as Miriam to think. But she needed to do it, hunt down the man. Minutes passed and every minute was Carrie's death count to her final breath.

"I'll soon be free.." Carrie quietly began, singing softly as she coughed on the blood. Hoping that this will distract Miriam.

"From.. From this world.." Miriam responded, unknowingly aware that Carrie closed her fingers around the pistol. Slowly raising it to her forehead.

"It will be my fate.. to move on."

"Walk along the lake to the slain."

"This.. this world is bleak."

"No longer a desire."

Carrie felt numb. Most likely the bullet hit a nerve, A gruesome death but she lived her life. Her finger's hovered slightly over Miriam's on the trigger. Giving the young girl one last smile before closing her eyes.

"I love you Miriam and remember.. that humans, apes, and the virus.. don't let any of that be your obstacle." She whispered quietly, pressing her finger on Miriam's. Causing the young girl to become paralyzed with horror. The gunshot sounded off echoing the silent garage. The rain was silent against Miriam's ears.

She began screaming.

August 6th, 2026, San Francisco, California.

I woke up to my own scream of fright. Studying the darkness of the room and my surroundings. I was coated with cool sweat as moisture trailed down my face. I was crying. Shit.. not again. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. God why that dream? well.. nightmare.

It was morning by now as I noticed the faint light from outside, but heard the loud thunder of rain. I needed to get out of here. Just for awhile to clear my head.

Ever since that day I regret what I did afterwards. Preying on the last few people in the district. Including Carrie.. they were my first victims..

To kill.

I can still see their blood on my hands. Hopefully no more bloodshed will be made as long as I live. Ape or human.

If Tanner or my father knew the truth.. god knows what they would think.