DISCLAIMER: ALL THE FEATURED CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER...

~~ Zombie Outbreak ~~

Summary: After Edward left, Bella decided to move to Phoenix. Two years later an epidemic spread out ranging outwards, leaving numerous of infected people suffering and then killing their own fellow humans. Only a few survivors were left in the dying state and were isolated from the rest of the world. Now Bella and the others are striving to endure and hope for their survival. Would Edward come to her rescue?

Chapter 1

I was already washed and dressed when I went down stairs for breakfast. I grabbed a bowl then poured some milk and cereal. I was enjoying my normal breakfast when Charlie entered the room. His face contorted with determination.

"Alright Bella, that's it." He banged his hands and the table, making the clattering sounds with the utensils. I looked up at him gradually, not even a bit startled with his sudden outburst, my eyes automatically scanned his purple face. "You're going home to your mom!" Charlie unexpectedly roared in one typical breakfast before. I stared at him for a moment, processing what he just shouted.

Then I sat erect, instantly defensive. "No I'm not," I answered indifferently, persuading Charlie with my steady eyes. He stared back, no question that he's stubbornly into it. Well, I'm his stubborn daughter. Two can play at this.

He stayed quiet for what seems like hours instead of minutes to me. When I opened my mouth and was about to say that I'm probably going to be late, that's the time he spoke. "Bella, he's not coming back." I cringed at the sentence.

I swallowed some air before I spoke, keeping my voice from trembling. "I know." And nobody can know that better than I do. I embraced my chest, before I fall apart in front of Charlie. I want to save him from my emotional agony as much as possible.

Then I noticed that he finally calmed down and sat on the vacant sit facing me. There was pity in his eyes and coming from their deepness, I know that he doesn't like seeing me like this. Did he see right through me? I sighed. I guess I'm not hiding my suffering good enough from him. "You're mom wanted you to go home," he informed me quietly.

I know that from the emails Renee was constantly sending me. "But I am home." I am home, I thought again and a sharp pain pound in my chest. Was I really? I didn't feel that way since—...since that day. I wonder if Charlie caught that lie...but if this is not my home...then where? It hurts to think that I don't belong anywhere.

It took all my attention to listen to Charlie. "She misses you, Bella, don't you miss her?" he asked, but he can't guilt me into it.

"I do," I answered truthfully. "But we email each other every once in awhile, so I don't miss her as much." That was nothing but the truth and he himself can see that. It took him a moment as he thought of a better argument.

I waited but my patience and self control can't take it any more so I stood up and gathered my slightly touched breakfast and run it with water. I was already leaving the room when Charlie placed a hand on my shoulder, instantly putting me to a stop. "But honey I can't stand to see you like this every time. I thought you were getting better at first but six months proved me that you're not." He stressed the last part too much. It's impossible to miss it.

I don't know if that were true but I can't find myself denying it even if it were. He was being honest coming from what he can see. But I'm trying...I know I can do this. But I don't want to go. If I leave all I ever believed in would be lost forever and...I couldn't live through that. So I retorted, "So you're sending me out because you're tired of seeing me?" and that was below the belt.

He was surprised at my sudden outburst that he scampered into denial. "No Bells, it's not that."

"What is it then, Dad?" my impatience is getting more pronounced at every minute. He can see that the time this conversation had taken consumes a great thirty minutes and I'm already running late.

"I want you to move on—"

"I am moving on." Or more like 'I am trying to move on.'

"Neglecting your friends and acting like you don't exist is not moving on. You'll be happier if you'll move in with your mom where there is sun. Maybe it's the weather that's keeping you from getting better." He suddenly mused.

That's it...that's what convinced me to board the plane as soon as I finished packing. I still can't believe I'm going back to my mom's. It's been a week since the talk with Charlie and it's still fresh in my memory. I know that he meant well but I'm still getting used to what happened. Maybe if he had given me more time...I would have moved on. But I myself is doubtful.

As I arrived at the airport, I craned my head and searched for a woman with a summer hat. Renee emailed me before that she'll wear that kind of hat so she'll be easily found. I rolled my eyes at the thought and realized how I indeed missed my mother. I missed her silliness and carefree nature. I think my stay here wouldn't be so bad.

"Bella!" my mother's familiar voice called as I turned to look at her. I didn't even have time to respond as she embraced me so tight that I can't even breathe. I weaved my arms around her and inhaled her familiar scent of summer oranges. I smiled as I pulled away. For once after so many months, the smile was genuine. "Oh, honey, I missed you so much! You don't talk me that much," she lightly scolded as tears pooled around her eyes.

I looked down as I replied. "Sorry mom, I was...busy," I lied. I know that she didn't believe me at all but ignored it otherwise.

"I know honey, don't worry, I'll be here," she tucked me under her chin as she hugged me without any intention of letting go. The only thing that made me aware that we weren't alone was a loud cough coming from behind me. Renee quickly pulled away and laughed lightly, "I'm sorry Phil, I guess we need to be going?" she turned to me. I nodded and followed them both out the doors.

Phil carried my baggage as he led us to his car parked outside. Renee was walking side by side him in front of me. I can see the smile on her face as he smiled down at her. I sighed and looked away as a shot of pain pounded on my chest. I crossed my arms around my chest and inhaled deeply, feeling my lungs with slight smoky air. I coughed lightly.

The parking lot was crowded and I had to weave between the crowds just to keep my pace or I'll be lost. The man on my right going to the same direction stopped suddenly and coughed hard on his handkerchief. I momentarily stopped and looked at him with concerned eyes. He continued coughing with his eyes closed as though he was in pain.

I stepped back from him, giving him space like the other people around him. He slowly straightened his stance and opened his eyes, which were fully black, and stared at me. His handkerchief was stained with dark congealed blood as he dropped it on the floor. He just continued staring at me and I instinctively steeped back. I heard the sirens blaring and the Airport EMTs came over quickly and convinced the man to lie down on the stretcher. He just complied without any resistance, which I found utterly weird.

They were already carrying the stretcher away when I heard my mom calling for me from a distance. I turned around and saw her relieved face. "Bella, honey! Come on, let's get out of here, before the crowd thickens," Renee called as she tugged on my arm. I followed closely behind her this time until we reached Phil's black car. We both got in and Phil started driving. Before we got out of the parking lot, I looked back and noticed that the Ambulance wasn't making any movements but the sirens blaring loudly.

We drove on the familiar streets and roads towards home, but as we did traffic seemed to be everywhere. As I looked outside my window, I saw a man being restrained by the Police. "Mom, do you know who's that?" I asked as I noticed Police cars and one ambulance parked in front of the houses with faded blue paint.

Familiarity crossed Renee's face and surprise visibly appeared on her face as she turned to Phil. "Oh, that's Dr. Filius Dawson, right Phil? He's the man we met when we came over to your sister's house, remember? You know the man who's working on a medicine that can cure cancer? You remember now?" my mom gushed and Phil just nodded and shook his head as he turned to our street.

Phil parked the car and went to the compartment to get my baggage. Renee and I went straight towards the house but as I opened the door a small blur of gold collided with me. "Bella!" a squeal followed after as a little girl, whose golden curls bounced as she looked up at me, smiling.

"Oh, hey Abby, what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise and confusion as she hugged my waist and pulled away smiling. She looked up at Renee, waiting for her to explain.

Renee dropped her bag on the couch and crossed her arms, smiling at her. "Abigail is staying with us for a year because her parents are going on a long business trip. She said she'll be a good girl, right Abby?" she knelt in front of her, making Abby giggle and run towards her. It was a change to watch a child act around my mother. It somehow reminded me of my childhood.

Abby replied by kissing my mother's cheeks before looking up at me, smiling. I knew she wanted to play with me like before and so I smiled in return. She skipped towards me and held my hand leading me towards up stairs, but we stopped when Renee called her name. "Abby, Auntie will talk to Bella first, okay? How about you play your dolls for a while?" Renee asked. Abby pouted but complied, leaving Renee and me in the living room.

Renee sighed and pushed some stray hairs back. I knew that look. "Bella, Phil has a game coming in three days in Florida and we promised his sister that we'll take care of Abby while they're gone. I know you just got here and you have a lot to deal with—"

"Okay, mom, I get it. I'll watch Abby while you two are gone," I assured her before she can even finish what she was saying.

Renee hugged me. "Thank you so much honey. Don't worry, we'll be home right after and I'll leave you two with money," she said in relief.

"Okay, mom, when are you two leaving?" I asked as I thanked Phil for carrying my bags. He went straight to the kitchen to give us some privacy.

Renee sighed and wiped the sweat forming on her forehead. "Actually, we need to leave tonight because they have practice tomorrow, but we'll let you unpack and settle first, before we go," she replied sadly and visibly tired. I wondered if she slept well last night. She seemed sad that she'll be away from me even if she just got here. I smiled sadly at the thought. At least I know that she loves me.

We all ate dinner after Renee and Abby helped my fix my stuffs in my room. Abby was going to sleep with me since she didn't want to sleep alone in the guest room. The dinner was jolly with Abby eating with us. The meatballs on her spoon kept on falling before she can even place it in her mouth so she just used her hand to eat it. Renee laughed but Phil scolded at her for behaving that way. She just smiled sweetly and innocently at her uncle, which made me smile.

After dinner and saying goodbye to mom and Phil, Abby and I went upstairs and prepared for the night. Abby slept soundly on my bed as I made myself comfortable on the rocking chair with my favorite book. All in all, the night was silent besides the faint scream of pain that can be barely heard from afar...

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A/N: This is somehow a year before the Prologue, I hope you guys like it :) I wasn't expecting to get many reviews from the first chapter, so it was a shock to me that I'd get 9 reviews. I wish it'll always be like that. Thank you so much for reading. Your reviews make me very happy :)