00. wasteland, baby

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IT WAS AN EARLY night for ten-year-old Harlow Palmer, her energy drained from the soccer tournament. It was worth it, however, as she came home with the championship trophy and a gift card to McDonald's. Her mom promised they would go the next day. She went to sleep with a smile one her face.

She didn't know what time it was when her brother woke her up, only that it was dark.

"Harley, come on! Get up!" He was shaking her desperately, and the fear in his voice scared her.

As her senses began to return, she could hear the multitude of car alarms and screams coming from outside. She immediately began to tear up. "What's going on?" Her voice was small.

Lucas didn't answer. He tore the covers off of her and began to pull her to her feet. "Pack whatever you can. Mom is getting the car."

"Lucas, whats going on?" She asked him again, clad in her pink Hello Kitty pajamas.

He shoved her school bag into her arms. "Just do it!" He turned and left, Harlow assumed to go to his room. She stood frozen in the middle of her bedroom floor for a moment before rushing to her window. She pulled the curtains open and a gasp left her small mouth. Chaos was the only way to describe it.

She watched, transfixed. But when she saw a man tackle a screaming woman to the ground and bite into her neck, she backed away with a high-pitched scream. Her hands and backpack shook.

Lucas ran back in, his own bag on his back. "Harlow..." He sighed, and took charge. He took her bag and began rummaging through her dresser drawers, stuffing whatever he could fit into it. When he handed it back to her, zipped and full, he asked, "Is there anything else you need?"

Harlow looked over at her bed, eyes locking with the white stuffed bunny. She snatched it. "Lola!"

Lucas grabbed her hand and began dragging her down the stairs. He helped her with her shoes. Their mom rounded the corner from the kitchen, bags filled with what looked like cans. "Are you ready?" Her voice was panic-stricken.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah."

"Mommy, whats happening?" Harlow begged, tears running down her cheeks.

Her mom bend down to her level, letting go of a bag for a moment to wipe her daughter's tears. "There's no time to explain, sweet girl. But once we're out of the city, you'll know," She stood back up, grabbing the bag. "Hurry, kids. In the car."

As the three of them rushed out into the chaos of the night, no one bothered to lock the door. Lucas got into the back seat with his sister, buckling her in before himself. Their mom got behind the wheel, tossing the bags to the passenger seat, then locking the car. Harlow had no time to say goodbye to her only home as they sped away.

They drove through their city, watching as men and women literally tore apart families limb from limb. Harlow had barely seen a drop of blood in her life, but it seemed inescapable now. She found her brothers hand and didn't let go. Her small mind couldn't comprehend what was happening, it all felt like a bad dream.

But the dream didn't seem to end. Her mom kept driving until all that surrounded them were farms and fields. Though she was tired, Harlow stayed awake. She wanted the answer to her question. "Why?" She spoke up.

Her moms eyes flickered to her through the rear-view mirror, the fear still evident. "I don't why, darling. All we know is that the dead are alive and are hurting people. The government said we had to evacuate."

"Evacuate?" Harlow titled her head. "Are we gonna go back home?"

Her mom shook her head. "I don't think so, sweetie."

The young girl fell silent. She would never go to school again, play a game of soccer with her team, read in the library. The weight of it didn't hit her entirely, but eventually, it would. She squeezed her brothers hand and with her other, she brought Lola the Bunny into her arm to hug and dry her tears.

AUTHORS NOTE

HIII hahahaha welcome to 'THE TRUTH ABOUT MONSTERS'!!! I know this was kind of a short prologue, but I don't wanna give yall too much of Harlow's backstory right off the bat! Be patient please. I love this girl with all me heart even though she's a little crazy (hehehe).

What are your thoughts on this chapter? Lemme know!