Chapter 3

(Eliza's POV)

Clary was extremely kind. Although she was as scared as I was, she was taking me in and promising to protect me. I didn't have long to relax before we had to get ready to leave

"Eliza" You know we can't stay here, right? How about we go to one of the evacuation camps? If we go there, the military could keep us safe.
"Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea Clary. I need to go back to my house, though. I-I-I need clothes and some food and stuff."
"I don't think that's a good idea, sweetie. You know, after what happened.
"I'll be fine Clary!" Lie. "My parents... My parents are in their room! They can't get to me!" Another lie. Geez, El you're on a role.
"Alright, girlie. Just stay safe, alright? I can't have you getting hurt on my watch." A subtle wink was sent in my direction and then I was gone.

Being in my house so soon after 'the incident', was difficult. I knew it was necessary but my parents had just died! Of course, I'd be scared and upset. Hearing the growling of my dad was terrifying. I don't know why, but I couldn't just leave them there in the hallway. Maybe.. Maybe the picture off of the wall? Well, El. This is how you're gonna get yourself killed. Just cause you're being weak, as always, and can't leave your parents alone. They're dead. Why are my thoughts so mean to me? No matter what my brain was telling me, it had to be done. Acting quickly, I took the large painting off of the wall in our living room. I lugged it upstairs silently, hoping my dad wouldn't notice until I needed him too. As quietly as possible, I opened their bedroom door, not daring to look in. I knew that inside, I'd only be met with the grizzly sight of my mother, dead and bloody. Finally, it was time to get my dad's attention. I whistled, low but loud. Enough to draw his attention away from my bedroom door. When my father- no. Not your father. That's not him anymore. This.. thing. It's a monster now. No longer the person I once loved. When the thing turned it's head away from my door, it took everything I had to stop myself from screaming. The flesh was falling off its face in chunks. I could see the bones in its jaw and nose. Its skin was grey and dry, so different than it was just hours ago. Its eyes, opaque and white, stared at me, emotionless. Suddenly, the thing lunged for me. I had seconds to raise the picture frame up. It didn't take long for to realise I had underestimated the strength of this thing. When it hit the picture I almost toppled over, close to being crushed by the picture. Everything seemed to go black and in a flash, the thing was in its room and the door was closed. My breaths came fast and laboured, adrenaline pumping through my veins still. Well, you didn't die today El. That's a win. I sat on the floor for a while, processing what had just happened. My mind had gone quiet. With robot-like movements, I rose from the floor and headed towards my room. It was the exact same way I left it, aside from the deep, bloody gouges on the outside from the things nails. My backpack was lying near my bed so that was what I would pack my clothes in.

Huh. Well, now there's no more school at least. El, what the Hell? It's the apocalypse and you're thinking about school? Well, yeah. I mean I don't have to go anymore. No more Hannah. No more teachers. No more homework. Yeah well, that's still better than the end of the world. Just shut up.

If you haven't noticed yet, I talk to myself. Usually just in my head but on occasion, I say it out loud too. People at school usually thought it was weird...

I packed an extra pair of jeans, three t-shirts, two pairs of socks, and extra underwear. Not really wanting to stay any longer, I rushed downstairs to grab some food. We had cans of the pantry, beans and fruit and such, and I also grabbed some sodas and extra water bottles my mother had liked to keep in the fridge. Just before I left my house, a thought came to mind. I should have a weapon. I mean, I probably won't need to face any of these things but better safe than sorry. Leaving my bag at the door, I walked back up to my room. Hidden in a secret compartment in my desk I had hidden a hunting knife, shiny and unused. My grandpa had made it for me shortly before he passed away. Memories of going to my grandparents suddenly flashed through my mind and I had to keep myself from crying. That was all over now. They were dead just like my parents. I needed to get over it. Attaching the knife to my belt loop and wiping away a couple of stray tears, I noticed that my computer was still on. Open on the screen was a little message notification.

(Underlined is Lily)

*One new message from StarDestoyer1999*

Hey! Are you alright?
Please answer me!
Come on I know something is wrong!
Hey, it's ok. I'm here but I can't stay. Listen, my parents are dead...
Oh, my god. I'm so sorry.
I know.. I'm leaving with my neighbour soon. We're going to an evacuation camp in Nashville.
Alright. I think my mum and I are leaving with her friend soon. Atlanta is what they said.
Is your dad ok?
I'm not sure. I think they're leaving him at the hospital so that the doctors can take care of him. The military will be in soon so I'm sure he'll be fine.
Well.. ok. I need to go. Maybe one day we'll speak again. Goodbye, and stay safe!
Yea you too! Goodbye..

*NebulaGirl911 is offline*

Well. That was it. I'd probably never talk to my best, and only, friend ever again. Seeing as it had already been 15 minutes, I ran downstairs, grabbed my bag, and went bag over to Clary's house.

"It's about time Missy! We need to go. It's getting dark soon and I don't want to be driving at night with these things around."

And so we left. Goodbye little old Wake Forest, NC. Hello, hopefully, Nashville Tennessee.

Not much was said on our journey. There were still a few radio stations up so that was what we would listen too. About 20 minutes out of the city, we saw one. One of those...monsters. It was tall and pale with eyes glazed over. The skin was falling off and you could clearly see a huge bite mark on its neck. The sight was revolting, with it's torn clothing and shredded skin. I could faintly hear Clary telling me not to look but it was like a car crash. You just couldn't seem to look away. We quickly passed it and had barely been driving 5 minutes when we heard the panicked new radio broadcast.

"Nashville is down! I repeat, Nashville is gone! Don't go into the city! It's overrun! Everyone is dead! Do not come into the city! It's too dangero-" The man had been yelling when his sentence was cut off by, presumably, his own scream. Growls and screams were heard through the radio before Clary quickly turned it off. I turned to look at her, fear and concern evident on my face. No. No no. Why? Because the world's ending Eliza! Yeah, but why isn't the military doing anything? Maybe because they're all dead? Although I was freaking out, only one question really stood out.

"So.. What happens now?"

Looking back, I believe I got the pushing-parents-with-painting idea from Walkerinme so check her out!