It’s Junior year, and it’s been almost half a year since the accident. No more excuses for anything really. I haven’t been feeling so numb either. Registration passed, and it’s now the first day of school. My hair is long dark brown and straight with bangs. My big brown eyes aren’t as dull anymore, and my full lips are mostly healed. The only thing left from the accident is my habit of biting my lip, and me. Milani and I had spent a lot of time together during the summer towards the end. I had really needed a friend to talk to and get my mind of things. I had Isaiah, but after I moved in with him and his mom, we kinda grew apart because I didn’t like staying inside, and he enjoyed playing games inside. I had signed up for boxing over the summer as well. Milani said she would like to join with me but it wasn’t her thing, but I have a feeling she didn’t join because she knew I needed something to do on my own. To get out my emotions in the only way I thought I could.

I wore a large gray shirt that I had cut up, and a black crop top tank top that clung to me snugly, with black jeans and all black converse. They were one of two pairs of shoes Alice had gotten me. The other were black and white converse. Shoes were expensive, so I didn’t ask for more. Once I had realized how emo the clothes I had gotten months before looked, I did all that I could to make them at least more creative than dark. Over time I had also bought a couple things on my own with a job I’d gotten. Alice had done the school shopping on her own and thought she’d surprise me with a backpack but it was bright pastel purple. Not that it wasn’t appealing to me or anything but it was nothing like my style. Of course I never told her that. I said it was really nice of her and she was so happy, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Now I’m standing in front of the high school with pastel headphones Alice has also gotten me. They were odd too but she said I souldn’t waste money on cheap dollar ones once a week from the liquor store so she bought them for me. Pastel purple with black netting print on the top. The wire was black too. Again, I didn’t complain. Besides, I wasn’t picky or anything. They sounded great. Sound cancelation as well. I walked up the steps in the front and into the school. Kids were everywhere. Most were even twice my size, which was kinda sad considering I’m a Junior and there are two grades below me that are younger and only one grade that is older. I think I’m stuck at the height of five two. 

My breath was knocked out of me as I felt someone bump into me with a loud “Surprise!” I turned to see Milani and I swear I felt my dignity drop a level. Milani was taller that me by about and inch and a half. I had spent most of the end of summer with her, but I hadn’t seen her for the past two weeks because her aunt had taken her to the mountains to go camping then to go traveling for a week-- they had won the lottery. She had said she may not have been able to show up the first week of school because it takes a while to get back but I guess things changed. I smiled a little as I looked at her. “Wow someone became one of the giants.” I said with a small chuckle. She laughed and nodded. “Yeah I guess so. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll grow eventually.” She said to tease me and the both of us laughed.

“So how was the last month of summer without me?” She said smiling. “Horrible? Gruesome? A nightmare?” She said with a mischievous smirk now. I rolled my eyes, “Nope. It was so peaceful and I got to fit in some more practice and a couple more hours at work. More doe.” I said with an evil smirk. She rolled her eyes this time and elbowed me in the side. “Whatever! With your boxing and what was it? Babysitting?” She said teasingly. “No! I quit that job remember? I’m working at Walgreen's now.” I said proudly. “How much do you have saved up? Wasn’t it almost eight hundred last I saw you?” Milani asked. I shook my head. “It was nine, and now I have almost ten hundred.” I said quietly so no one would hear. Milani looked at me impressed. “Nice work. Congrats. What are you spending it on?” She asked me as we were walking. “I told you already, I don’t kno-” I cut myself off abruptly when I saw them.

They hadn’t changed much. Jake now had dark purple hair. Connor was still..Connor. With his tanned skin, and ripped jeans and those stupid brown eyes that looked almost violet. Amy lost her glow of joy and the serious one, Raith I had learned, was still serious with his dark black hair. Then there was Blake who was- Staring at me. Shoot! I snapped my eyes away and looked to Milani. She was looking at me expectantly. “Sorry, what?” I said, thinking she said something I didn’t hear. “I said, should I go kick her ass?” She said then punched her fist into the palm of her other hand. I smiled and shook my head. “No. Definitely not.” I said. “You sure? Because she’s coming over here right now, I think she wants me to.” She said pleadingly. My eyes widened slightly and I looked back. She was right. And it wasn’t just her coming over. It was all of them. Uh-oh! “Uh.. let’s go. We need to get to class.” I said, and almost on cue, the bell rang for kids to get to class. Milani and I walked off quickly. “Hey my class is in the next building so I’ll see you later 'kay?” Milani said.

I nodded before turning on my heal to get to class. Sadly, a hand swooped around my waist and lifted me up. “H-hey! What the heck?!” I shouted as I kicked my legs. “Stop squirming.” Connor said and I tensed. “What are you doing? Put me down, we’re going to be late for class.” I said irritated. “I left you alone all summer, and then some. It’s time we had a talk.” He said in a serious tone. I didn’t argue. Never have I ever known Connor to have a serious tone often. Not even when he dumped me was he in a serious mood. Only when he was actually mad was he serious.

When he set me down, we were outside in the school’s back parking lot. “Are you okay?” He asked looking down at me. “What?”

* * *

~ Connor POV ~

The day of the accident

“Amy hurry it up! They’re getting away!” I barked out as the vehicle ahead sped up. “I’m trying! Wait, look!” Amy said, pointing to the semi the vehicle had left from. It’s swerving?! Wait isn’t this where- I looked further down the street and saw her. It was Enic. “Go around and drop me off!” I said to Amy while I stood in the back of her jeep. She did as told without complaint or protest and I jumped out of the vehicle, “Get the others and see if you can find anything on-” I was saying till I heard a loud crash. I turned around and saw Enic about to run. I looked at the houses that were destroyed, and saw a male near the end of her house that seemed too near to be unscathed from the semi. He’s with them! It’s a trap!

I ran forward to Enic and took her down to the ground, covering her body with mine. Only a couple seconds later, it blew up, and glass and wood went flying. A few shards cutting me. “I’m sorry Enic. I’m so sorry!” I said, but she started screaming. A pain struck in my chest as I held her tightly while she tried pushing me away. I don’t know why but I gave in and let her push me away. It was only fair seeing as I did the same to her months ago, for reasons she still doesn’t know.

I stood in the road as she ran ahead then stopped and looked at me. She was crying. Looking back, she dropped to her knees. Isaiah came into my sight and watched as he ran to her, hugging her instantly. And she didn’t push him away. What am I going to do… I thought to myself as a hand touched my shoulder. I turned around seeing Amy. “Come on Cole. I think we should let them be.” she said in a sincere voice. I nodded and turned away from the scene, jogging with her to the jeep. When we drove off, I swore to myself I’d let her be. That I wouldn’t go anywhere near her. When we got to the others, I told them to do the same. I didn’t want her to have anything to do with us.

To bad things don’t always go as we plan though. I couldn’t help myself. I walked with her and Isaiah once in spirit form. When I did, I saw them following her too. They really were targeting her. Why? I didn’t know. And I hated not knowing. But they weren’t the only ones after her. For some reason, the zombies seemed to be attracted to her as well. So now, not only was I watching the them, but I was also getting rid of the zombies that followed Enic and therefore, Isaiah.

~ Enic POV ~

Present

“What?” I asked, confused. “I said are you okay?” Connor repeated himself. “Yeah I heard what you said. I meant, what do you mean?” I said. “The accident. How have you been dealing?” He said, and my heart ached. I swallowed a sudden lump that seemed to grow within an instant from his words. “It’s been more than half a year and now you’re asking me if I’m okay?” I said with a menacing tone. “Pathetic.” I hissed turning around to walk away, but he stopped me, holding my wrist. “You told me to go away. I thought that’s what you wanted.” He said confused. “So then why didn’t you stay away?” I yelled looking back at him. He stayed silent for a long moment then finally spoke. “Have you been seeing anything unusual? Has anything happened since…” His voice trailed off. “The accident”, my mind finished for him.

If it weren’t for my curiosity, I’d probably yell at him more for being so inconsiderate, but I wasn’t dropping my anger. “Depends on what you mean by unusual.” I said rolling my eyes, crossing my arms and looking away. “Don’t do that, Enic. Be honest and tell me.” He said with annoyance. “Fine. I feel cold chills, and I see black...stuff on my things sometimes, and I hear feet walking or dragging behind me on my way home. That it?” I said, letting it all out. This wasn’t the first time I told someone about that. I told Milani, and she said it was probably nothing, but that just in case, I should be careful. The subject was dismissed shortly after a little convincing. I figured he would do the same. The reaction he gave me, showed that was definitely not going to happen.

His face showed a mix of shock, confusion, and-- fear..? But why fear? Not just any type of fear, but he was looking at me like as though I just suggested to skin a his dog-- not that he has one; he doesn’t. “What? What is it?” I asked, starting to feel worried and a little freaked out. When he didn’t say anything, I felt a little awkward. “Connor what is-” “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.” He said turning around and starting to walk off. It reminded me of the day he dumped me.

* * *

“Hey!” I had shouted with a large smile as I jumped into Connor’s arms. I remember it like it were only a week ago it had happened. “Hey.” He said awkwardly. “We need to talk.” He said in a low, and quiet voice. I knew instantly that it wasn’t good. Everyone knows that line. “Oh. Okay.” I said as he pulled me off to the side. His friends were watching. At the time, I remember now, why I never knew his friends. The ones he hung out with at school- at the time- were different people. But I remember seeing him catch a ride with them. His friends that were there watching us weren’t Amy, Blake, Jake, or Raith. “What is it?” I asked him after we were a few feet away from them. “We need to break up.” He said with his hands in his hands to his sides. “What? Why? Did something happen?” I asked. I didn’t understand. Just the other day, we had gone out for lunch. We ended up late for class, but we didn’t care. We were too happy. Or so I had thought. “Because. This isn’t going to work out. I don’t feel the same anymore.” He said sliding his hands into his pockets. He was lying.

In that moment, I wanted to know why. And I knew that if I wanted to know, I’d have to find out myself, because I knew he wouldn’t tell me. So I accepted it. When he walked away, he didn’t go to his friends that were watching nearby. He walked across the street to the friends I know now. When he did, Blake had stepped out and hugged him. I didn’t know what to think at the time. And I didn’t want to. But later on I had always wished I had asked him all the questions I had spiraling in my mind. That was my regret for that day. Probably the only reason I can remember it… so vividly.

* * *

A feeling of anger washed over me and I stepped forward towards Connor. “No! You don’t get to do this again. You don’t get to leave me here with a million questions. Especially if whatever it was that I said got you so scared. Especially if it has to do with me. So tell me now!” I shouted at him as he looked down at me. “I can’t tell you Enic! It’s to dangerous.” He said sternly. I didn’t except. “Tell me Connor or so help me, I will walk out of your life without a word! And when I do, I’ll make sure that-” He pulled me close to him and turned me around, covering my mouth. I tried to yell at him to let me go but he shushed me. “Don’t. Move.” He said under his breath.

That’s when I felt it. The icy cold chill. Even in Connor’s large arms, I still felt it roll up my spine, in my bones, so cold it hurt. I moved back to move closer to Connor’s warmth cringing, then flinched as a stick cracked. “Shit.” Connor murmured, and instantly, I heard a growl that seemed to come from behind the cars. Then I saw him. No. It. It looked like a man but it’s gray skin looked like it was falling apart, black gunk I found on so many things outside the house now dripped off every opening on the creature. Hair was hanging off his head in chucks, and it’s eyes were glazed over with white that was so light it almost looked blue. Teeth chomped out at us with black and gray on them. I couldn’t feel Connor anymore, but I did feel the cold still. I felt fear as well. I couldn’t move. Not until my teacher’s words rung in my head.

“In fear or panic of losing, you make mistakes. In a relaxed state, you think more clearly, and things are easier to make out.” That was it. I needed to relax other wise I’d be useless. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. “Enic look out!” I heard Connor shout. He seemed distant though. And quiet, like as if a blanket was over him. The more cold I felt, the closer I new the creature was. When I felt it coldest near my collarbone, I opened my eyes seeing it was near to biting me in that very spot. “Enic no!” I stepped to the side and instantly regretted it. The feeling of being cold before, was nowhere near in comparison to the cold now. My skin felt like ice, but what shocked me most was seeing myself right in front of me. Am i dead?