Pain flooded my body before I could see, hear, or smell anything. It was everywhere, a burning sensation that made my entire being feel like shattered glass.
When I finally opened my eyes, my vision was blurred, and it took several minutes to adjust to the sunlight burning in my eyes. I was freezing and… floating. The sound of rushing water filled my ears, and the soft swaying of my body told me I was perched against something in the water.
As I started to process my surroundings, I tried to flip my body over, but moving my legs felt impossible. My hand plunged into the water, deeper than expected, causing me to lose my balance completely. The pain flared as I hit another rock, a small yelp escaping my lips from the collision.
I'd never broken a bone before, so the intensity of the pain left me in shock. I just wanted to reach the edge of the river, but I was too scared to move again. My breath hitched as I realized the seriousness of my situation. I was vulnerable, and the thought of screaming for help made me hesitate—who knew what could be lurking in the woods?
I glanced down at my leg. My left ankle was grotesquely swollen and twisted in the wrong direction, the sight making my stomach churn. My head felt hot, and anxiety surged, blurring my vision. For a moment, I considered giving up. The thought of a walker finding me, defenseless and floating, terrified me. But then the image of Glenn flashed in my mind, and I knew I couldn't let him down. I couldn't just give up.
Taking a deep breath, I bit my lip and dragged my body over the rock bed, using the slick surface to slide myself forward. Tears welled up as the pain intensified with every inch I moved. My torso felt like it was being crushed, and my head pounded as if it might explode. But I kept going, driven by the thought of Glenn finding me and somehow getting us both to safety.
Finally, I reached the dirt line and threw myself onto my back, writhing in agony as my vision blurred. My ankle throbbed, the burning sensation worsening now that it wasn't supported by the water. I knew I had to snap it back into place, but the thought made me nauseous. My hands shook as I touched the swollen skin, flinching at the pain. This was going to hurt.
"This is fine," I whispered to myself. "Just push it into place. It's not that hard." I braced myself, gripping my foot and ankle tightly. With one quick motion, I snapped it straight. The pain was so intense that my vision went black, and I lost consciousness.
When I awoke, it was dark, and a chill swept over me, making me shiver. My clothes and hair were still damp, adding to the cold seeping into my bones. I looked down at my ankle, still swollen and misshapen despite my efforts. But I couldn't waste any more time. I tore my shirt with my teeth, wrapping a strip tightly around the swelling to keep it aligned. I then crawled to the river's edge and retrieved a large branch, using it to pull myself to a stand. The throbbing in my muscles was relentless, but I forced myself to move.
I wasn't sure where I was headed, but I started stumbling forward, following the river's path. The sound of the water beside me was the only thing keeping me calm. It felt like hours before I reached a clearing where the water thinned and the path sloped uphill. Using the stick for leverage, I hobbled up the incline, pushing through the pain.
As I walked, the trees thinned out, and I felt a faint sense of hope. I refused to stop until I broke through the tree line, determined to find some sign of civilization. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the trees parted, revealing a large plot of grass. In the distance, I could see a farmhouse, a barn, and fences. Relief washed over me, but my body was nearly spent. I closed my eyes, picturing Glenn's smiling face and the warmth of his embrace. That thought alone gave me the strength to push forward.
When I reached the house, I collapsed onto the doorstep, biting my lip to suppress a scream as pain shot through my ankle. Tears streamed down my face as I reached for the back door, but it was locked. The disappointment crushed the last bit of energy I had, and I let myself fall asleep right there.
The sound of birds chirping woke me. I shielded my eyes from the sun, taking in the farm now that it was daylight. There was so much land, and no walkers in sight. I got up slowly, grabbing my makeshift crutch and limping around the farmhouse. It was a beautiful, blue building with a wrap-around veranda. The front door was slightly ajar.
"Hello?" I croaked, my voice weak. I waited, but there was no response. I stepped inside, calling out again. Still nothing. I wandered through the house, finding the kitchen first. The sink had running water—an absolute miracle. I rinsed my hands and drank until my throat no longer felt parched.
My stomach growled as I searched the cabinets, eventually finding a can of tuna, which I devoured with my hands. I found some stale cereal and ate that too, before drinking more water. The sight of running water made me eager for a shower, and I quickly found the bathroom. The water worked there too. I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the hot spray, moaning in relief as the warmth soothed my aching muscles. I scrubbed myself clean, staying under the water until my skin felt raw.
Once out, I dried off and limped through the house, finding a boy's room with clothes that fit me. I pulled on a large shirt and cargo pants, then sat on the bed to braid my hair. I wasn't so lucky with shoes; they were all too big, so I opted to stay barefoot.
As I wandered the house, I admired a family photo, noting how many kids and grandkids they seemed to have. The thought of what might have happened to them made my stomach turn. I knew I couldn't stay here. I had to find that highway again. I had to get back to Glenn.
I found a backpack in the boy's room and filled it with supplies: more cereal, cans, and water. In the master bedroom, I discovered a revolver and some bullets, which I added to my haul. I also grabbed a baseball bat, a hammer, and a crowbar from various rooms. Just when I thought I'd have to leave with my ankle still aching, I found a medical boot in a teenage girl's room. She must have broken her leg once, and now that boot was a godsend.
The boot hurt when I put it on, but it held my ankle in place. I ignored the pain, knowing I had to keep moving. I found a set of car keys in the kitchen and made my way outside, scanning the area for the vehicle they belonged to. A silver Chevy truck sat parked nearby. I hopped as fast as I could, swinging the door open and pulling myself inside. I turned the key, praying it would start. The engine sputtered but eventually roared to life, though the gas tank was nearly empty. No matter—I'd drive it as far as it would go.
I followed the dirt road leading out of the farm until it connected to a backroad surrounded by trees. The memories of the river and the dark woods made me shudder, but I pressed on, keeping to the straight path.
After a while, I reached a small southern town. The eerie silence sent chills down my spine as I drove past old-timey businesses and empty streets. Everything looked abandoned, like a ghost town from a different era. I slowed down, scanning for a gas station or any sign of life. But the town seemed deserted, the kind of place where people left quickly when the world fell apart.
Eventually, the truck sputtered to a stop, out of gas. I sighed, gathering my backpack and glancing around the neighborhood. I needed to find a map, something that could point me in the right direction. The thought of never seeing Glenn again gnawed at my insides, but I pushed it aside. I had to focus.
I chose a house at random, hobbling up the steps only to find the door locked. Frustrated, I moved to the next house, noticing an open window. It was pitch black inside, but I couldn't let that stop me. I dropped my bag and hoisted myself through the window, immediately hit by the stench of rot. I coughed, trying to steady myself, but the house creaked ominously.
I took cautious steps through the darkness, feeling my way along the walls. The smell grew stronger, choking the air. I was nearly to the back door when a guttural snarl erupted in front of me. A walker lunged from the shadows, its decayed hands clawing for me. I screamed, throwing myself backward, but it was on me in an instant, teeth snapping inches from my face.
I pushed against its rotting chest, desperate to keep it at bay, but it was strong. The table we collided with flipped, giving me a moment to crawl away, but the walker was relentless. I tried to stand, but my ankle buckled, and I fell back, watching in horror as the walker advanced. I backed into a brick wall, feeling trapped as it lunged again.
With no other options, I kicked it in the face, but it grabbed my foot, trying to bite through the slipper covering it. Panic surged, and I pulled back, slamming into the wall again. Something heavy fell off the wall beside me, and I only spared a moment to glance at it before the walker lunged again. I kicked at its face repeatedly, the slipper on my foot barely protecting me from its gnashing teeth. My heart pounded in my chest, the fear nearly overwhelming me as the walker clawed and snapped at me.
Just as it was about to grab my leg again, I felt my booted foot connect solidly with its face, momentarily distracting it. In that split second, I grabbed the object that had fallen—a wooden shelf bracket—and swung it with all my might into the side of the walker's head. The wood splintered, and the impact caused the walker to stumble, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
With a guttural growl, I swung again, this time harder, desperate to keep it away from me. The walker staggered back, dazed but still coming at me. That's when I spotted the fireplace poker lying nearby. Ignoring the searing pain in my ankle, I lunged for it, grabbing it just as the walker regained its balance and charged at me once more.
As the walker loomed over me, I gritted my teeth and thrust the poker upward, aiming for its head. The sharp tip punctured its eye socket, and I pushed with all the strength I had left, driving the metal deep into its brain. The walker let out a final, wet snarl before collapsing on top of me, lifeless at last.
I lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, my entire body trembling from the adrenaline. The weight of the walker pressed down on me, and with a groan, I shoved it off, wincing as pain shot through my injured ankle. I dragged myself away from the body, leaning against the wall as I struggled to catch my breath.
My hands were shaking as I undid my pants and checked my legs, terrified of finding a bite. But after a frantic inspection, I realized I was unharmed—no bites, no scratches. I let out a shuddering sigh of relief, tears pricking at my eyes as the enormity of what had just happened settled in.
My heart still pounded painfully in my chest, the fear and exertion taking their toll. I leaned my head back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. The adrenaline was fading, leaving behind the throbbing pain in my ankle and the sharp sting in my hand where the glass had cut me. But I was alive, and for now, that was all that mattered.
After a few minutes, I forced myself to get up, leaning heavily on the fireplace poker for support. My hand was still bleeding, and I wrapped it as best I could with a torn piece of my shirt. I needed to get out of this house and back to the truck, but first, I had to find something useful—anything that could help me survive long enough to find my way back to Glenn.
I limped through the rest of the house, searching every room as quickly as I could. The stench of death was stronger in some areas, and I had to cover my nose and mouth to keep from gagging. The house had been ransacked, probably long before I got here, but I managed to find a few cans of food in the pantry and a half-full bottle of water. It wasn't much, but it would have to do.
I stuffed the supplies into my backpack, taking one last look around the dark, decaying house. The thought of staying here even a minute longer made my skin crawl, so I forced myself to move, hobbling back to the window I had climbed through. The light outside was starting to fade, and I knew I needed to find somewhere safer to spend the night.
With great effort, I pulled myself out of the window, landing awkwardly on the ground outside. My ankle protested with a sharp jolt of pain, but I bit back a cry, determined not to draw any attention to myself. I grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and took a moment to catch my breath.
The truck was still parked where I had left it, the engine silent and useless without fuel. I cursed under my breath, frustrated by the situation but knowing I had no choice but to keep moving. I had to find a gas station or another vehicle—something that could get me closer to finding Glenn.
As I began limping down the street, the eerie silence of the town settled over me like a shroud. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows that made the empty streets feel even more desolate. Every creak and rustle of leaves put me on edge, but I couldn't afford to let fear paralyze me. Not now.
I passed by more houses, each one looking as abandoned as the last. Some had cars in the driveways, but I didn't stop to check if they were functional. I was too focused on finding something, anything, that could help me navigate this unfamiliar territory.
After what felt like hours of walking, I finally spotted a small gas station at the edge of town. Relief surged through me, and I quickened my pace, hoping against hope that there would be some fuel left. But as I got closer, my heart sank. The station had been picked clean—no cars, no cans of gas, nothing but empty pumps and broken windows.
Desperation gnawed at me, but I refused to give in to despair. I scanned the area, searching for any sign of life, but there was nothing. Just the empty town and the encroaching darkness.
With a heavy sigh, I decided to take shelter in the gas station for the night. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than being out in the open. I made my way inside, barricading the door with a few heavy crates I found behind the counter. The station was small, with dusty shelves and a few scattered items that had been left behind. I found a pack of matches and some old magazines, which I set aside in case I needed to start a fire.
As the night closed in around me, I sat down behind the counter, leaning against the wall as exhaustion finally caught up with me. My ankle throbbed, and my hand stung, but I tried to focus on the fact that I had survived another day. I closed my eyes, letting the thought of Glenn fill my mind once more.
I had to find him. No matter what it took, I would find him.