July 27th, Year Unknown, 1200 hours

Slowly, I open my eyes, greeted to an unsettled room. The windows are disturbed, vines and brush creeping in. The light violates my pupils, it was too bright. I've been sleeping for who knows how many weeks. I could just barely see out of the corner of my eye, my room had been greatly disturbed. I tilted my head to get a good look at things, only a sensation filled my chest, going up through my throat. I quickly began to gag on the now very noticeable tubes in my throat. I don't recall being intubated. My eyes widened as the tubes became more and more noticable, their presence in my chest very real. I carefully, yet quickly pulled the tubes from inside of me. My throat stung, the tubes scraped at it as they came up. I rolled off the bed heaving, this feeling of breathing was new to me. Sure, I know how, but I'm taken aback knowing I'm actually capable. After regulating my breathing, I take in the uncollated place that once was my room. I rolled over onto my back as the air filled my lungs, the sensation still unfamiliar.

I move to sit completely up, aching in pain. Something feels different, I ache as I move, my bones cracking from the lack of movement. The idea and feeling of movement is unfamiliar. I scratch my head; how long have I been out? Why does everything look and feel different? Nothing in this room, nothing proved familiar. I know it is my room, but it doesn't tell me anything about myself. I sadly just don't remember.

I groan as I begin to stand, my body aching, a few bones naturally cracking as I move. I follow through with cracking the rest, huffing in relief. It's so quiet, not like a silent one either, more like a natural quiet. I laugh to myself, in everything that supposedly happened, nature still thrives.

Nature still thrives and I look like a mental hospital escapee. I run a hand through my surprisingly out-grown hair, as I look down at the gown I have been wearing for weeks now. If my family left, they had good reason, and I should gather up what I can before I do.

I moved in the direction of my door, my arm being pulled on lightly. I glanced over and stared at the IV taped into my arm. My gaze traced over the tubing and followed it up to some metal rod, with a half full IV bag. Had someone been caring for me recently? Had I not absorbed the nutrients I was given? What has happened here? After yanking out the needle, I made my way around the house, looking for signs of why everyone left. The curtains in the living room are blocking the light out of the house, which means whatever happened, it occurred overnight. I move through the kitchen into the den and notice the sliding glass doors are wide open. I run over and shut them, unsure if I'm still safe or not. I follow with locking the doors and head back to the living room to open the curtains.

There are people outside, pacing in the street. It seems to me like they are unaware of their surroundings. They could need help though, so I dare myself to go outside. There are three of them, and they could be my neighbors. I move to the hallway and stand at the front door, hesitant to go out. My gut told me not to go out, but I placed my hands on the lock and knob, undoing both, I slowly opened the door. It created an uneasy sound, which caused a neighbor to twitch his head towards my direction. Startled I crouched down behind the secondary door and peeked after a few moments. The air was engulfed in pain filled groaning, making me believe someone was hurt.

I step out of the house, warily looking in front of me. The cold cement under my bare feet was unfamiliar as I walked toward the man who began pacing into my driveway.

"Excuse me?" I spoke under my breath. "Are you okay?" I reached out to him.

The rate at which he twitched and groaned quickened. He then snapped his head towards me releasing a yell of fright. His face...his eyes...What's wrong with him? He doesn't even look like a person. I start stepping back up the stairs as he came towards me. His eyes were luminescent and there was some...some strange substance protruding through his his skin. I tripped up the stairs, scraping my back I groan and stand back up. I could feel I was bleeding and the thing at the bottom of the stairs as well as the others in the street could smell it. They darted towards me causing me to run in a panic back towards the house. The two in the street were running clumsily up the hill falling forward. The male one that was chasing me from the stairs was fast. Too fast to be human, Properly human anyways. He got ahold of my gown and I let out a shriek. I turned to get him to let go and he did, only to grab at my arms as I shoved on him.

"Get. Off. Of. Me. Creep." I had the wind knocked out of me as he made me fall onto the steps leading up to the front door.

He began snapping his mouth open and shut; his breath reeked, his teeth were nearly gone, rotten and worn down. I tried pushing him off but he was like a dead weight, using only his arms and head. I got an arm free from underneath him and swung a punch. The guy was completely unfazed, still trying to bite me. I throw another punch and the rabid man got closer, only to sink his teeth into my shoulder. I scream out in pain and throw another punch, shoving him off I run back into my house. They lingered outside without bothering to chase me...like they've done their job. I looked to the blood dripping down my body and shut the door behind me, sliding down against it I don't bother locking it. I figured there was no need, they didn't chase me, nor was there any intelligence to open the door.

I began stumbling towards the bathroom, blood dripping onto the floor. I tore off the gown and starred in the mirror, the bite was bleeding too much. I wiped at it with a hand and stared at the blood. The color wasn't right, too dark...and luminescent sediment mixed in. What is going on? I stared at my hand, noticing that I was trembling. It has to be from shock, I got to clean off and treat the bite. I'll...I'll just shower.

I pulled the rest of the gown off and balled it up. I don't need it anymore, there's no more pneumonia, no more sickness. I turn on the shower, putting it so the water is just the right temperature. I step in and close the curtain, I tense up as the water cleanses the cuts on my back. Even my feet were stinging, could have cut them up without realizing.

I closed my eyes and thought, allowing the water to run down my body. What ever the people were outside, they had to of been sick. Sick with who know's what. Whatever has gone around, it has taken over and turned them into what they are now. I don't know, and plan not to find out. Wait, if it's a sickness...is it transferred through contact? Blood contact? My eyes shoot open and a wave of worry sets in. I frantically grab for the body wash and pour it over the bite. I don't care that it burns, I just need to clean it thoroughly.

Getting out of the shower I dry off and stare in the mirror. Attempting to see the bite at all angles, it was real, and very much so not going to go away. I opened the medical cabinet and took out the gauze, quickly wrapping it over my wound. Now, to get out of the house. To find temporary civilization. I mean there's bound to be areas for research and strongholds.

I stepped into my room and rummaged through my closet for the simplest clothing and a bag. Light clothing will have to suffice, I still need to fit other necessities in the back pack. I find my phone and ear buds on my dresser. I picked it up, it was so unfamiliar. I hit the power button and it surprisingly turned on. I watched it start up and went through my phone.

"No service." I laughed. "No shock there." I look through my contacts, the names not sparking anything for me to remember. Not even the last messages that I've sent or received tells me anything. Sure, I can assume who a few are, but I don't remember anything.

I huff and look at the ridiculous amount of music I have saved on the device. I deleted all of the unnecessary apps and games I no longer needed. Music is a reminder, a beacon, and an aid. I can use this to my advantage. I grab the charger and put the phone in my back pocket with the ear buds attached. I string them through my tank top so the wire was concealed and doesn't catch. I clip the ear buds to my bra strap and look through the rest of my room, I have some sort of weapons in here. I look through all of the containers atop my dresser and find a vaguely familiar ceramic box. I pick it up, opening it to find my knives all inside. My two double blade switches, six kunai, my pocket knife, all will come with me. I slip my pocket knife into the waistband of my jeans, using the clip so it sat there. The kunai and double blades are going into my bag. I search my room further and find a wooden bat. I chuckle, it's a Louisville slugger, this MLB bat will do damage.

Deciding that I will need food I go into the kitchen, first looking at the medical cabinet I go into it, taking out aspirin, gauze, bandages, matches, anything I may need. I start rummaging through the nearby cabinets, a majority of nonperishable items are coming with me. I huff, I've never prepared for something like this in my life. Maybe, just maybe I'll survive. My attention turns to the mess on the kitchen table, cans and packages all emptied and left out. Had my family been trying to survive here, then left me after I hadn't came out of my coma?

Who were my family...

My eyes widened, there was one thing I remembered about my father, I slung the bag onto my shoulders and darted upstairs. I threw the bag on the bed and dart to the safe in the closet wall. I put in the first numbers that come to mind and the safe beeped, denying the code. I need to find the key-code for my father's safe. I begin searching the room, moving through piles of papers and as I'm rustling around I heard quick footsteps, they seemed random almost, so I stopped and quieted down...hearing a weird noise that followed...almost a recognizable croakking or clicking...closer and closer to the door of my parents bedroom it came...I didn't know what to expect.

This thing appeared at the door with a face that was completely skewed and scarred by fungus. That wasn't human at all. It moved into the room continuing to click, moving frantically about, checking the nooks and crannies of the room. I moved onto the bed as quietly as possible, but the springs in the mattress squeaked. The monster shrieked as it flailed it arms and moved quicker around the room. It knocked things around like it was stupid. It stopped right in front of the safe. Almost like it gave up on searching for whatever it wanted. It began clicking again. I relaxed as it turned to face in my direction, it had no eyes. It was seemingly maneuvering with an echolocation. It could easily hear, but can't see. So, I'm safe. I reached into my bag and removed the bat that was partially protruding. I have to kill this thing, smashing it's head in is the only way I can think of. I step off the bed and the springs release a second squeak. The...the clicker, moved quickly in front of me. It shrieked in my face, clicking more. It knew I was there, yet it didn't try to attack me. It immediately confused me.

Gripping the bat tightly, I raised it slowly, the clicking got faster and the thing had its arms and hands flinching. I began to swing the bat and it shrieked coming towards be before the bat connected with its deformed skull. It stumbled to the side and I retracted my arms to swing again. The bat broke the fungus plate off of the Clicker's face and it fell to the ground still clicking. I stood on the monster and repeatedly slammed the head of the bat into its skull, until it seemed dead. Upon further inspection of the Clicker's body, I noticed it had female characteristics. So these things...they were human to start. Whatever has gone around has done this... okay... so the things outside...they're runners. They chase you like they're starved of food. The thing in here...a clicker... makes a distinctive clicking noise, like they're hunting. Okay...so classifying these mutated things will make surviving easier. I pray there are no other kinds.

I glanced on the floor, a paper pad with numbers lay open, I picked it up and noticed it was dated and marked. One of these is the safe code. I move to the safe sitting down as I flipped through the pad. The most recent entry was October 21st. The date is splayed across my mind, giving me a sense of meaning and familiarity. I shrugged it off, still unable to comprehend anything linked to my life. I began entering the 10 numeral code and the safe beeped once before I heard the locking mechanism adjust. I pulled at the safe door greeted by papers and a few firearms. A simple colt 1911 and a matte black M9, my father's old holsters sat untouched. Even the ammo boxes weren't moved. There was the old hunting rifle propped up against the side of safe as well. The runners, they are attracted to noise and can see. I have to use the guns and ammo sparingly. Which means a lot of stealth and close quarters combat. I huff and pull the guns, holsters and ammo out of the safe. I pushed the papers around and found a military lock pick kit and rechargeable flashlight. "Never know it could come in handy." I speak to myself, shrugging as I place them in my backpack. I pick up the holsters and strung the belt through the loops on my jeans. I slid the holsters on either hip and clipped it to the belt. Then I sat back on the floor to fill the magazines of all three guns, pulling the slides back, assuring there was one bullet in all of their chambers. I put the sleeve on the stock of the rifle and slipped bullets into each of the pockets. Then I strung the leather shoulder strap through the clips at the bottom of the rifle. I adjusting it accordingly to my height and tried it on. It fit perfectly. I put the leftover ammo in my bag and zipped it up.

There was a distinctive whimper coming from another room, I brought the bat with me and listened closely. I walked out of the bedroom quietly and heard another whimper, it came from the bathroom. I cautiously stepping into the bathroom, with the bat raised. I huffed, nothing was there. I went to the mirror and looked at myself. I pushed the right of my jacket off of my shoulder and stared at the dark red tinted gauze. I pulled at it, casually unwrapping it. It was a sight for sore eyes. The mark starting burning as it had contact with the air. I took a good look at it...

"What the hell?" I was put in a state of shock, it was already healing, a very thin odd looking layer of skin covered the bite. There was a luminescent sediment underneath it. The same sediment on the Clicker's face, the same sediment on the Runners' bodies...Is this how I die?

I pull the jacket back on, it covered the wound completely. I looked back at myself and stepped back from the mirror. My eyes are different, sure it's a small difference, but a difference none the less. I lean closer towards the mirror to get a better look. The same orange luminescent sediment was hidden in my irises. They made my eyes look more hazel rather than dark brown. This unsettling anger filled me, this is really how I'm going to die, turning into those things out there. I slam my fist into the mirror, it cracked in a web-like manner.

"I am not dying like this." I stare back at myself, welcoming the change in me.

There was another whimper and it drew me to crane my neck towards the shower, the curtain closed...Something was lurking behind it. I put a hand to the edge of the curtain and raise the bat. I fling the curtain to the side, nothing, until I looked down.

There was a black and white dog curled up, thumping its tail as it looked at me.

"You got into the house through the open door didn't you?" My look softened. If dogs can survive out here, there's bound to be more life out there. I stared at the dog, "You could be a good companion you know. As long as you are loyal and listen." It responded by standing up and hopping out of the shower, sitting in front of me. I crouched down to its level and inspected him. "You're going to need a name." I pet him and noticed he was bulkier than most dogs, but that's because he's a pit bull. Naturally muscular dogs. I shrugged, "How about Pib? It's a simple name." He stood up and barked. I smiled in approval. "Let's go check out the rest of the house and go. "No more barking though, you got to keep quiet." I pat his head and stood up making my way back to the bedroom, grabbing the two pistols to put in their holsters. I loosened the shoulder strap for the rifle so it fit over my backpack. I put the bag on and the rifle on my shoulder after. Everything was lighter than I thought.

"Come on Pib." I smiled and walked down the stairs. He followed closely behind.

I stopped to think, there could be more food in the basement pantry. I went to the door in the kitchen and opened it quietly. "Pib, stay here." I spoke softly and went down a few steps. The basement door was wide open, and so was the garage. I could see a few shuffling feet in the garage, but the basement itself was dark, there could more of those infected things. My eyes widened and I began to smirk as a plan crossed my mind. I retraced my steps back up the stairs. I shut and locked the door and tapped my leg for Pib to follow. I moved to the front door opening it once again, seeing the infected man that hit me. He heard the door open and swung his head in my direction but didn't acknowledge me. I took a breath, stepping out. "Pib, when we get out there, go hide in the bushes." He responded with what I'll assume is a disagreeing growl.

I shook my head and began walking towards the man that bit me, I raised my bat ready for him to do something. He bumped into me, rolling off to walk away.

I was completely confused, was I invisible? Did his infection get to me and make me unimportant? What is going on here? I then smirked, realizing I could use this as an advantage. The only way they are dangerous is if I provoke them.

"Hey bitch!" The man shrieked with fright and turned towards me. I swung the bat as hard as I could, listening as the bat broke his skull inward. He was already decomposed enough to where killing him is easy. The body dropped like a rock and I let the bag and rifle slide off my shoulders. Making my way into the street, I whistled at the other two who chased me earlier. They spun around groaning, darting towards me. I smashed the bat into one's face and kicked the other in the knee. It followed up by clumsily falling to the ground, flailing its arm around to get me. I let out a maniacal laugh and huffed, not done. I walked over to the grounded one and kicked its sides. It let out a scream of pain...

"I damn well hope you feel this." I used my two feet as I jumped onto it's head. The screams came to a halt. I tossed the bat up the hill near my stuff and pulled the Beretta out of my right holster. I moved into the driveway and faced the garage staring at the two imbeciles pacing around inside. I pushed the safety into the off position and pointed it at the two. I fired one bullet each into their skulls, they both dropped to the cement with a thud. There was a clicking that filled the air after the gunfire ceased. Able to kill and survive this easy is quite satisfying. The clicker darted out of the basement towards me. I holstered the gun and pulled one of my kunai out of my jacket readying myself. It rapidly flailed its arms, knocking me down. I kipped back up and stabbed it in the neck. It started flailing around trying to knock the knife free. It was shrieking, spinning around. It's balance was compromised, so I kicked the clumsy thing over. It started snapping it mouth at me, grabbing for my legs. I stood over the ugly fucker and repetitively stomped its head in.

Feeling satisfied after a few moments, I pulled the knife out and made my way back to Pib and my things. I sat on the hill laying back. I got to figure out where I'm headed. Maybe start my search in New York, it's only a few hours away if I find a working vehicle. There's bound to be a civilian zone somewhere. Even a military zone. Someone out there can help me. All I know, is I have no identity, no memory, a canine companion, survival things and a goal. All I ever knew is gone forever. I don't know where I'm headed but I will know what happened before I die. I wiped the bloody knife on my jacket before putting back in my pocket. I looked to Pib, his tail thumping away. "You ready for a road trip boy?" He barked and pulled on my backpack.

"Alright, Alright we can go. Try not to bark so much though." I smiled and got up grabbing my things. "Let's go find a car." I walked down the hill and he bounded after.

This is where my story begins. Will it end before I find my answers? I shrugged to myself and continued walking down the street.