I start to feel the panic in my chest at first as another shadow blocks out the little stream of sunlight. The small figure moves closer and closer and I ready myself for attack. I'm not going down easily. Even if it's the last thing I do, I'm going to fight. I started this life fighting into existence, I'm leaving it kicking, screaming with adrenaline pumping through my veins. I have to try. For Tim's sake. Closing my eyes for a moment I imagine him stood behind me, needing me to defend him. I open them again just as the 'kid' crawls into my makeshift shelter.

He's 16 easily and I suddenly doubt my abilities to fight this boy. His arms are huge and he towers over me in my crouched position. I stand up slowly, my eyes never leaving his. He carries a gun in one hand and his other looks big enough to crush my neck in a single squeeze. I wait for him to take me but he simply whispers.

"Play along." I nod. Then he throws me to the ground. I don't feel any of the blow but the sound is immense. I scream and he smiles. Then he falls back himself, throwing up dust everywhere. He signals for me to stand back. "Scream when I fire then fall okay?" I nod. Then he does. I shriek automatically as the sound echoes of the concrete. I then fall to my knees. He puts a thumbs up and I remain absolutely frozen as he makes his way back out.

"Well, where is she?" The harsh voice barks outside.

"Shot herself sir."

"You sure about that boy?" He hisses.

"Yes sir." The boy says, his tone unchanging. The man lets out a booming fake laugh.

"Really? Well you better get back in there."

"Why sir?"

"BECAUSE THIS BITCH CAN'T D-" His words are cut off by a shot which is then followed by hundreds more. I cover my ears and squeeze my eyes shut.

"Run Abbey!" I shoot up. The ghostly figure of Tim sits just inches away. "I'm still out there. GO!" I get up and use the chaos to make my escape, dodging the bullets that graze my skin. I feel one hit my leg but it simply bounces off, leaving a numb ache like a bruise. I laugh giddily at my new power and speed up, hearing the dry wind howl in my ears.

I keep running until the gunshots are only distant echoes. The dead don't notice me as I sprint past them. I slow as the temperature changes. Thankfully I've ended up near the coast. I walk down to the shoreline and look across the glinting blue sea.

Nothing.

No boats or ships. I feel any hope I had plummet to the ground. No one's coming for us. I collapse to the ground, more sobs forming in my throat. But I don't let them escape. Instead I stand up and jog back towards the town. I have to keep going.

I make a plan as I walk through the empty streets. First step is getting somewhere to hide. Then get hold of a weapon. Then survive long enough to find Tim. Providing he's still alive. That doesn't help the hopelessness I feel as I slide down the hole in the roof of my new home. I could be searching for nothing. He's probably dead. No, most likely dead. Almost certainly dead. So why am I still bothering?

The thought swims around my mind for hours as I wait for nightfall. Why am I still doing this? What's the point? But I don't get any answers, just more questions and thoughts. But what if he's still alive? Where would he be? Where do I look? Where do I start? I groan and collapse onto the thin mattress I found on the floor in exhaustion. I'm a teenage girl, not a superhero.

But I have to try. I promise myself as the sky goes dark and I venture out into the night.

A weapon. That's all I need. I remind myself as I slide in between the zombies that start to gather in the moonlight. I suddenly expect them to break out into the 'Thriller' dance but shake away the thought as one looks at me with it's dead eyes. No, these aren't funky zombies. These are the real ones and will bite your head off. I keep moving, not too quickly, and look in cars and shops for anything I could use to fight off the living. I go into a white building with smashed in windows. The large meat hooks and the blood splattered on the walls makes me shudder. I've found the butcher. I go into the back and fight the urge to gag as the smell of rotting meat forces itself into my nostrils. I look on the metal table and see a relatively thick knife on the floor next to it. As I pick it up I find it's dripping with blood and for some reason I don't think it's the blood of the pig carcass that lies half eaten on the floor. I wipe the blade and handle on a rag and then slide it into the belt loops of my torn jeans. It isn't the best weapon but it'll do for now. I walk out again, thankful to get away from the smell.

I feel slightly safer with the blade but I'm still on edge. I'm about to make my way back to my little home when I hear a cry.

"HELP!" I go towards the voice.

"Where are you?!" I call back.

"Here!" I turn to my left to find a small face peering out from the drain. "Help me please." She's young, ten or eleven. I go over to her and see her panic a little as she sees my appearance.

"It's okay. I'm not one of them." I assure her. I kneel down and see that the only way to get her out is to lift the grate off. At first I don't think I'm strong enough but once I start to lift the thick metal cover I pick it up with ease, throwing it back down as quietly as possible. I help her out and then drop it back into place.

"Wow, you're strong." She's Australian with long blonde hair that reaches down to her waist.

"I had no idea I could do that." I smile at her. "Do you have anywhere to go?" She shakes her head.

"I was staying at the hotel when everything happened and there was a group of kids like me who'd lost their family. We were all grouped together by a receptionist but then the things got in and we all got separated." I take her shoulders and she jumps a little

"Was there a little boy? He looks like me but a lot younger?" She pauses for a moment.

"Did he have a problem with his breathing or something?" I grin and nod. Tim. He was alive, he made it. "Yeah I think so. He ran off with the receptionist. I dunno what happened to them though." I suddenly feel so much lighter. Tim had to be out there somewhere.

"Do you want to stay with me?" She nods and I take her hand and we walk back to my home.