The darkness is what wakens me, I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep. When I wake the chili bowl I'd put at the edge of my bed was gone, and the stinging feeling from the IV in my arm had disappeared. I was free from the wires, but still in this uncomfortable portable cot. A familiar tune echoes around the room. It starts out soft with the sounds of a piano. I close my eyes as my heart pounds in my chest, and I can hear my pulse in my ears. A male voice starts singing as chills radiate up and down my spine. A knot forms in my throat and I feel like I might cry. I try my hardest not to as one song flows into the other.

I'm distracted by the sounds of a door shutting somewhere in the house. I jump up throwing the white sheets off of me and hop out of bed. The music continues as I exit the room. Out in the hallway I can hear footsteps moving around. I look up realizing I'm downstairs. Straight ahead are some stairs and I head for them. I quietly tip toe up hoping none of the boards under my feet creak. There's a door at the top step, but before I go further I have to stop when I hear footsteps pass by. Pressing my ear to the door I wait and listen. Another door closes so I press forward. I place my hand on the cold door knob and twist it open. The door squeals like it's in pain, thing could use some WD40. I peak my head around to see if anyone is there and the coast is clear.

I step out into the main room and shut the door quietly. The stairs to the basement are under the ones for upstairs. I shut the door trying not to make a sound. I hear the sound of a trunk closing outside. I race upstairs as quickly as I can. When I reach the top step I hear the front door open. I fly up the second set of stairs and into the attic room I was given.

There's a closet in the corner of the room that I hadn't noticed before. I walk over and open the dark brown louver doors. Inside are clothes that look to be my size, I'm sure this was Annmarie's doing. I notice that the clothes I left on the floor and my jacket are missing. I dig deeper and find that she left me a puffy white jacket that looks like a big marshmallow. I grab it out of the closet and grab the boots I'd left at the door. I'm curious to see who is planning on leaving, and if it's Derek maybe I can sneak out to help him, or just sneak out to get out of here.

At the end of the hallway there is a huge window I head over to it to and look outside. This is one of the only windows not painted over in black paint. The wall stretches around the whole property including the front, which is the view from this window. I notice a black truck sitting in the driveway, puffs of smoke coming out the back. I don't see anyone inside it, but it's hard to tell from up here plus the sun isn't up yet. It's at the point in the early morning when the sky turns that hint of dark blue instead of black.

I hurry down the stairs careful not to make much noise. When I reach the bottom I hear one of the doors upstairs close and quickly retreat out the door. No one steps out of the car as I race towards it. I pull on the door handles and luckily the back opens. Inside there are two rows of gray seats with enough space for me to climb into the trunk. I dive back just as someone opens the driver's side door. I only hear one person get in, peaking over the top of the seats I see a dark figure. It's Derek, he's shorter than Sam by a lot unless it's Tanya I think her name is. I pray it's not.

I duck just as he turns back to look behind him. He backs out and I hear him talk to someone at the gate. The voices are mumbled, but I do hear him say thanks to whoever is there. We seem to be heading east towards the sunrise. It's still dark in the car and I'm lying on two hard boxes. About ten minutes into the drive I hear him playing with the radio, it's all static. One station comes in and it's some kind of recorded broadcast, but cuts out only less than a minute in. Derek sighs loudly and puts on some music. Another familiar song fills the car this one a lot more upbeat than the one I'd woken up to. I'm almost one hundred percent sure it was him with the music at the house. I hear him singing along and my head starts bobbing with the music. The chorus kicks in and I hear him banging the wheel and singing even louder. I feel my mouth start to move and now I'm singing along.

We've been driving for what seems like an hour, and the sun is finally slowly coming up. The dark blue now a light one with a bit of pink in the distance. My neck hurts and I'm starting to feel really cramped back here.

"Shit," I hear him curse under his breath.

The whole car makes an awful noise as he steps on the break, the wheels squealing under us. He comes to a stop and I'm jolted forward into the back of the seat in front of me. I grunt as I hit with the side of my body.

"Who's in here? Tanya is that you?"

Well shit, I guess I had to come clean eventually. I peak my head up over the seat, the minute he sees me his face drops. One look from him says it all. He sighs and reaches under the passenger seat. He pulls out a gun and looks at me as I climb over the seat. I rub the back of my neck while staring at the gun. I look back up at him and he holds it out to me.

"A gun?" I question.

"You know how to use it," he tells me.

I look at him like he's crazy. I feel my eyebrows squeeze together in confusion. How did he know that? I feel slight pressure at my temples and rub at them.

"What do you mean I know how to use it?? I question him.

He shoves it towards me forcing me to take it. I adjust myself in the seat and reach for it. It's a small thing, but has some weight to it. He pulls out an identical one and demonstrates what to do. I watch him taking it all in hoping something will click in my head to remember. I look ahead as two or three zombie's growl at the car.

"Is it okay to make so much noise? I mean won't the gun attract more of them?" I ask.

He nods, "That's why we only use it if absolutely necessary. When not using it we'll be using these," he says pulling out a knife.

"You know how to use one of these?" he questions sarcastically.

"I'm not even going to answer that," I say taking it from him.

"See that store over there, might have some meds and other supplies we might need," he says.

I look up past the creepy zombies to a small square building with a parking lot enough to fit only a few cars. It looks like a small convenience store almost like a 7-11, but it's called Pines Pantry. He's staring at me waiting for an answer, I just nod.

"Okay. So remember only use it if we really need it," he says.

"Yes sir," I say rolling my eyes.

He opens the door and the minute he does they come straight for the truck. I can hear the growling just like yesterday in the city. Here, wherever we are isn't as overpopulated as the city. For miles there is just flat land with grass and a line of woods in the distance. Derek goes after the older looking one, while I head for one that looks young. I wonder if he got bit or actually took the drug. It hits me that his is what I should be, but for some reason I'm not.

I take the knife and stab it right into it's head like I'd done several times yesterday. Derek looks unimpressed and heads right for the store. I follow him looking all around waiting for another to pop out. There's a small wooded area where the car is stopped, and I have a feeling one could come out at any minute.

The door to the convenience store is open, Derek holds up a finger to tell me to wait. I look around again making sure the coast is clear, luckily we are okay for now. He bangs on the door like I've seen done in movies and on TV, probably to get their attention. I hear a grunt from behind me and as I turn one is strolling out of the woods like he's on his morning walk. He's kind of just minding his own business staring at the sky when he notices me.

"Clear," I hear Derek call.

"One sec!" I yell back.

I walk over to the man walking over and stab him. I'm still not really okay about this killing thing, I mean I get it they're not really alive but its so weird. It makes me feel like somehow karma will come and kick my ass for killing. I run across the street and into the convenience store. It's a complete mess and I'm stepping over things just to walk through. Shelves are knocked over product all over the floor, and Derek sitting on the counter eating funyuns.

"Should I get you a joint to go with that?" I question.

"Funny," he says holding it out for me.

I look at him like he's crazy, another thing I definitely know for sure is that I don't like funyuns. He takes another bite the smell of onions wafting near me as I pass him by. I decide to be useful, and end up finding one of those reusable grocery bags on a small rack of them near the counter. I walk up and down the isles grabbing a couple of snacks for myself, and some things like batteries and I even find some maxi pads. I have a feeling as time goes on they will become hard to find.

"Check the medicine isle," he says with a mouthful of funyuns.

"And you're just going to sit there and pig out while I do all the work?" I ask.

"Hey I didn't tell you to hide in the back of my truck now did I?" he questions annoyance clear in his voice.

"Whatever," I say filling up another bag.

I walk over to what was the medicine isle, looks pretty cleared out. This town seems like it doesn't have a whole lot of people, but I'm sure this store was ransacked early on. I'm finding a lot of pain meds and gas meds, not much here. In the next isle over Derek is finally looking for things and filling another two bags.

I'm not sure how long we've been here, but we now have several bags lined up on the counter. My breakfast ended up being potato chips and warm soda, I ate and shopped. It's weird stealing things because just like killing someone it was never something I'd contemplated.

I hear Derek cursing under his breath and hop off the counter heading towards his voice. It sounds like he's in the backroom. I sneak in without him noticing and he's wiping his face with his jacket sleeve. I don't want to interrupt so I start to back out, but knock into a stack of light boxes that tumble. Derek jumps.

"Sorry," I whisper.

"Whatever," he says sniffling.

I start to turn to leave when I hear him clear his throat. He punches the wall in front of him hard, and I'm surprised there's no blood.

"Derek look I'm sorry..."

"I hate when you call me that..."

"What? Derek isn't that your name?" I question.

I look over at him and his sad eyes meet mine. I'm not sure whether he's crying over losing his mother, or something having to do with our past. Apparently the one we have is true, and I'm really the Alice they all say I am. I can feel it deep down, and it's a strange feeling.

"It is now, it's just... never mind," he says. "Fuck!" I hear him curse again.

"Who's Max?" I question.

"You remember Max?" he whispers.

I watch him carefully as he sits down on the floor. He's eyes shift towards the mess of papers in the corner as he rolls a pencil from off the floor between his palms. I nod, but I know he doesn't see me.

"I think so," my voice barely audible. "Annmarie gave me some books to read while I was hooked up to the IV. There was a book..."

"A Light in the Attic," he says.

"Yeah that's the one. Well it had this poem in the back..."

"Max is yellow, Max can bark..." he rattles off.

"He's my best friend. We like to read books. We like to read together. He's my best friend," I repeat the words. "Did we write those?" I question.

He doesn't say anything just nods. I look down and kick some papers around with my feet, I'm not sure what to say.

"I'm sorry," I say.

"For what?" his voice is edgy.

"About your mom, I know you blame..."

"I don't," he snaps. I look at him for a quick second. "Blame you," he says.

"I don't believe that," I say.

He opens his mouth to say something when growling just outside the door startles us. He stands quickly and rushes by almost knocking me over. I follow him out and can't believe what I'm seeing outside. This can't be happening right now. His truck has vanished and all that's left in it's wake is several zombie's walking around snarling looking for their next meal. It doesn't take them long to notice us.

"Quick move that in front of the door," he yells pointing to a wooden magazine rack.

I run towards it and start to push it towards the door, I'm not quite sure it will hold but it will buy us some time.

"I saw an exit in the back," he says.

"Grab only two bags, we are going to have to make a run for it. You think you can handle the gun if needed?" he questions. I nod.

"Where are we going to go?" I question.

"I'm not sure," he whispers.

I swallow hard and can feel my heart doing those flutters again. I take a deep breath trying to keep from passing out. I'm sure he'd leave me for dead if I did. I'm taken back by him putting his hands on my shoulder. I'm looking straight at his chest and not at his eyes as my heart continues to defy me.

"Alice Mackenzie Cunningham look at me," he says.

I suck in a breath as another part of my memory returns, my full name. A second name comes to mind, Ali Mac it was a nickname I used to go by. I remember it as clear as day. Relief washes over me that I've been able to recall little pieces of my life.

"Ali Mac," he says. "Listen to me, I need you to take a few deep breaths," his eyes are on me, but I still can't look up at him. I try to listen to him, I'll do anything to not pass out again. Deep breathe in, and back out. Deep breathe in, and out. I repeat this three or four times and it allows my heart to slow a bit.

"Look at me Alice," he says.

I want to fight it, but I know we need to move and quickly. His eyes study me as my gaze meets his. His hands move from my shoulder to my face and the world around me stills for a moment.

"Carter?" I whisper.

He looks as if he's about to cry, but he holds it back.

"I need you to be strong, okay?" I nod. "We are going to go out the back, the McAlister farm is just a few miles from here. They have some tractors or best case scenario we can use one of their cars. Their daughter is away at school and has a truck in the shed. I need you to fight with me though," he says. "If you at any point feel like you are going to pass out you need to tell me. Then I need you to breathe just like you did a few minutes ago. It might not be a cure, but it will help, it always did," he whispers the last sentence.

"Okay," I say.

"Okay," he repeats.

The door bursts open as a heard pushes their way through. These zombies are all fresh, their clothes barely ripped and their faces pale but not bloodied. They are starving and awaiting their first meal. Derek pushes me towards the counter and we both grab two bags throwing them over our shoulders. We bolt for the backroom. I shut the door behind us hoping it can buy us some time. He struggles with the door for a second, but finally gets it open.

Out behind the store I can see some zombies walking around in the distance, but close by we are in the clear. The door closes just as they burst through the first door. Derek looks around and waves me on. We start heading around to the left side of the building. I'm feeling faint but keep my breathing going as we head for the farm, gun in one hand knife in the other.

Derek stops short as a few stragglers notice us. He starts to turn back to run and there are more coming from the other direction, only two more. It's not a lot but we are surrounded, and with all of the noise they are making I fear they are calling their new friends over for dinner. Derek and I twist our heads in every direction. I rush for the ones behind us while he rushes forward. I slash the two to get them down. One reaches out and grabs me pinning me to the ground. I want to shout for him, but I don't want to draw more attention. I can feel the stuff dropping out of the bags. My head jerks as I realize I know how to fight. I kick hard hoping this guy still has his manhood intact. He grunts, but it doesn't do much just causes him to stumble back slightly. I'm thankful for that stumble because I'm able to get up and stab him in the head.

I turn and see Derek facing the opposite direction. I notice one of them eyeing him and making a beeline straight in his direction. I want to call his name, but again I don't need to call any more attention to us. I drop the bags at my feet and the knife and pull the gun up. Holding it in my hands makes me feel powerful and the sudden urge to pull the trigger is strong. There's only one problem, if I shift the wrong way Derek gets a bullet in his head.

I close my eyes for a split second and when I open them back I pull the trigger. My focus is on the zombie and not Derek. I jump back not used to the power behind it and watch as the bullet penetrates the zombie's neck. Derek turns in shock and notices the zombie going down. He lifts his knife and stabs it. He's breathing so hard I think he might be the one who's going to pass out. All of the blood drains from his face.

He starts to jog over to me, I'm sure he's about to say thank you when he stops in front of me.

"We need to go now," is all he says.

He's right all of the ones from the front have made their way around heading right for us. He holds out his hand and I look down at it. Another deep breath and my hand finds his. It's familiar and warm, but I don't have much time to think before he tugs me onward. We run quickly into the field without looking back.