I woke up pissed. I hated having that dream but I guess I understand why I had it. It's my own way of telling myself to keep kicking and don't give up. We were about four or five days into the hell of a place and it going to be hard to live for here on out. I wouldn't stop living until one of those things gets me. I woke up a few minutes before my alarm again because of the damn dream I had, I got ready and ate a light breakfast and half a bottle of water. I turn to the wall see my map and dry erase board. Since I was located in between zones A and C I want to explore more of zone A today. So, that meant making my way towards Harlem. It was cold when I open the window to check the temperature. I put on my long sleeve shirt and jacket with my hat and gloves and my backpack. I had my knife and my bat Max with me. I wanted to explore and to find some way to talk to people without having to go out all the time and to find a solar panel or a small generator.

I took one last glance at my map to memorize the route I map out to nowhere in particular. I tied my rope off and drop the rest outside and began to make my way down carefully. As soon I touch the ground and I try to hide my rope so no one can't see it. I look around to make sure I am alone which I am and I stealthily make my way to Harlem also known as zone A. I wanted to explore and take took what how our four-day post-apocalyptic city looked like and what was going on outside my new home. I needed to know, to stay safe and avoid places that are overcrowded and observe these things and maybe hear a name that someone has created for them or come up with one myself.

Making my way towards Harlem I see some people gather around a trash can fire. I make my way towards them. One of the notices me and waves me over. When I was near then I heard one of then ask me who I was. I told them my name was Jackie and that I was looking from some food. They one that wave me over smile and told me his name was Zac and the two other people are introduced themselves at Jimmy and Erin. These boys were brothers and about a year or two older than me. I didn't smile back at them I just nodded at them. I didn't feel anything off from them so I stay with them and heard them talk. I told them of a place with gates and is fenced off it was the school I went to and clear out but I didn't tell them that.

They look extremely happy about finding a big place to call their own. I was glad I came out because I help some people out and I also got a share of the food we were going to go get. But let me tell you that these boys did not know what they were doing. They were all out in the open and didn't have weapons to defend himself if those things attack. So, I had to teach them and tell them what I know about the things because I killed one and studied it. They looked at me like I was lying. The laugh at the thought of me a 5 foot 3 girl with glasses and kind of small built took down one. Well with their laughing they attracted one of those things. The boys froze in place. I rolled my eyes and slowly made my way to what look like a teenage girl. She wasn't clicking her teeth so she was a type one of those things.

The boys watch me as I made my way to the thing. When I was close enough I took a wing at her. First, I hit her in the gut so she can blend over then I swung again and hit her hard in the hard. I hit her till she stopped moving. I was breathing a bit hard but I took her down. It was easy because there was only one. They look at me like the never seen a girl beat something so it wouldn't kill anyone to death even if it was already dead. I just shrug my shoulders as the boys started to take me seriously. The pay attention to what I was doing. They were fast learners. We made our way into Harlem leaving behind zone C in search of food. We were at west 110th street off of central park west. I didn't know the area that well but I was glad that I memorize the route I planned. The route we were going to follow would take us to west 116th street off of Malcolm X Blvd to a CVS that was there. CVS has canned foods and some medical supplies. I hoped it wasn't looted too badly where our trip was going to be in vain. However, I did meet some nice boys and help them find a place that was warm to sleep in at night.

As we made our way to 116th street it was now two in the afternoon. We were about a block away from the store where I see more than one of those things. They were growling which I hoped for. It thinks the ones that could hear are a bit more dangerous. So, I told the boys to stay close and to not make anything noise. They nodded in understanding. We made our way to the closest one and I let Max handle it. This was another teenager, it was a small boy maybe just about 13 years old and I was taller than them. So, I just swung as hard as I could and I saw his face cave in. I didn't let my emotion take over because I knew these were people anymore. So far, I only ran into five of these things beside the first two at the start of it all. The second one wasn't near us so we left it alone.

After slowly making our way into CVS I didn't relax at all. I stayed tense because I didn't know what was in the store besides me and the boys. Even though I just met them I wouldn't want one of them to get hurt. These brothers needed to stay together in order to live another day. I told them to stay close and to not make any noise. They again nodded in understanding. I was glad they were listening to me. I wanted to make sure that the store was clear and safe to explore. Slowly walking through the store from aisle to aisle making sure it was safe to gather things and then head home and to part way with the boys. After checking all the other aisle, I told them it was safe but to stay close and in sight of each other.

I took off to the medical aisle to see if they had Midol and different kind of painkillers. The next aisle over had pads and tampons, I knew I was going to need some soon so I took about four boxes of tampons and some pads. I told so bug spray as well and made my way towards to food aisles. I knew that the store was looted and there was barely anything left. So, I let the boys have it while taking four cans of my favorite soup and two other cans of soup. After getting everything we could carry. It was now four and the sun was setting. The boys and I made our way back to central park west and everything was going well till I heard it. I heard those weird teeth clicking sound and stopped. The boys notice this and paled a bit. I couldn't see where the type 2 thing was but I decided to keep moving but slower. It was about ten steps and that's when type two stepped out right in front of me.

I quickly stop and prepare myself to swing Max. It looked right at me. It was truly blind. I held my breath and with all my might I swung Max, hard and contacted its head, I watched as it fell to the ground lifeless. To make sure I killed it I hit it again. I let out my breath and continue walking back home with the boys right behind me. We were close to my home and to the school that was near me as well. I walked them to the school and they thank me for helping them. I told them it wasn't a problem. Before I left Jimmy the younger of the two give me a walkie-talkie. I look at him then the idea hit me. "We could use to find other people and share news," I said excitingly. Jimmy smile as if he had the same thought, I thank him and said goodnight to the boy while they made sure their new home was safe. I hit channel one and my talkie came to life. I pressed the talk button. "Boys you are coming with me tomorrow so we can find weapons and clothes for you ok" I release the button and wait for a response. "Alright Jackie we will, see you tomorrow," said Zac.