Back To School

Johnson led us around to where we heard Braxton's screaming, and my heart was racing.

Then the unexpected happened. We ran straight into Johnson's back as he unexpectedly put the brakes on us.

"Shh! Stay back!"

My brotherly instincts told me that he was close, but I did as I was instructed because I was hearing weird groaning noises nearby.

I risked another peek over Johnson's shoulder, but it was kind of hard to see due to us being low.

I could only make out a few walking bodies that looked somewhat limp.

Wait...those weren't what I think they are...right? No, that's impossible...

I didn't think they could be real.

Then Johnson cursed and suddenly opened fire, and screaming came from my mom and possibly Braxton. I prayed for the best.

It got deathly quiet all of a sudden.

"Is he okay?" I whispered, scared out of my mind.

"I-I think so..." Johnson mumbled.

We waited for what seemed like forever, until Johnson finally spoke up. "It's clear. Stay right behind me and don't make a single sound."

We did as we were told, but my patience was really beginning to wear thin.

Come on Braxton...

Then a miracle happened. We heard footsteps nearby, and Johnson's eyes lit up.

"It's the kid! Come over here quick!"

Braxton went flying into Mom's arms and they had their typical reunion, but of course it couldn't have lasted longer than it should've.

Johnson spoke while mom was checking Braxton for any scratches or wounds. He seemed fine surprisingly due to how long he was gone.

"We need to get out as soon as possible so we can reunite you with your family. Stay close to me and stay quiet."

We nodded and Johnson led the way with us close behind him.

Every now and then he'd shoot his hand up for us to stop, but nothing ever happened.

Finally, we made it back to the front after fifteen long and deadly minutes. Johnson led us out of the ruined park, and I noticed that there were a lot more emergency vehicles out near the gate. I noticed the amount of carts carrying people either unconscious or possibly dead.

Johnson let mom lead him to where she last remembered where dad and Olivia were parked.

We found them, and dad and Olivia held Braxton close to them while me and mom thanked Johnson for helping us.

"The thing is, we still have no idea what's actually going on. It's looking like a zombie apocalypse, but I didn't think that was possible." Johnson said.

I didn't either.

"Just stay safe and be careful on your way back home," he finished saying.

We hopped in the car and nobody said a word.

"You okay Brax?" Dad asked before starting up the engine.

"I think so," he mumbled quietly.

We left the ruined Disney World behind our backs as all of us tried to forget what just happened. Of course, that was almost impossible at first.

Dad turned on the radio to break the silence and it was only filled with news from the incident, but eventually he found a decent station that had music playing.

Then an interruption occurred during the song.

"Citizens of the United States of America, please excuse this important interruption. As some of you may have heard, the Disney World in Orlando, Florida has been struck with strange people that are acting like zombies. A terrifying incident occurred with a small child almost being killed by this. President Booker has announced that this is a Class One apocalypse. We will list the different classes so you can have a better understanding of this devastating issue."

He took a pause so we could wait. Everyone in the car was quiet except for Olivia's movements.

"Class One: This means that there isn't a huge outbreak, but it's noticed and we will try to stop it before it gets out of hand."

"Class Two: The zombies has traveled across state borders and the national guard will be activated across several surrounding states. Residents across a 100-150 mile radius will be evacuated."

"Class Three: The zombies have been unable to be contained and have begun to kill a huge amount of people. They have also traveled across several states. Bombs will be prepared to be used if Class Four is needed. Mandatory evacuations across the contiguous 48 states will be activated."

"Class Four: The majority of the nation has been infected. Bombs across major cities will be used."

"Class Five: The zombies have traveled across international borders and atomic bombs will be used."

Then it went on an unending loop, repeating the same thing over and over again. It reminded me of going back to school due to the "classes."

Bad joke.

It was getting late and nobody was in the mood to start a heart-warming conversation about how everything was going to be okay.

Because everybody new that it wasn't going to be okay.

At around one in the morning, we made it back to the Florida panhandle and back to our house.

We all went to our respected rooms and shut the doors, but I couldn't really bring myself to go to bed. I felt like I had to stay awake and watch the house to make sure that nobody will break inside the house.

"Jeremy, you should really be heading to bed now."

Dad was standing behind me with a concerned expression on his face.

I wouldn't admit it, but I was scared out of my mind.

"I'm not tired." I lied.

"You're scared aren't you?"

I didn't say anything back, because I knew that he was right.

"Yeah..." I mumbled.

"Well I am too. Being scared shouldn't be an emotion to hide Jeremy. It's a natural emotion that everyone has."

I nodded, and he pulled me into a hug that surprised me.

"You should go on to bed. It's late. I'll stay up to watch the house."

I followed his advice and went to bed, but I still couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being watched.

I pulled the covers up to my neck and tried to go to bed.

I could hear quiet scratching on the window, and I figured that it was just that tree in the front yard.

I opened my eyes and looked at the window, and I couldn't quite see what was out there.

Then I heard Olivia scream.
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