Chapter 10: No Home

Ethan Warren

May 28th 2022

9 days after outbreak

Minnesota

Season 1

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We had been driving for a few days. We would stop at abandoned super markets, they would usually already be emptied but sometimes there was something. We had seen a few people along the roads. They looked like they needed help, they were tired and hungry, covered in blood. We didn't help them though. We couldn't risk it. We had already lost too much.

None of us wanted to go and try to find our parents. Some of us had family issues but most of us just didn't want to face seeing them. They were probably dead and still walking.

We had no destination, no where to go. We were longing for a soft bed to sleep on and a hot meal in our stomachs.

Today was Aiden's birthday. He was now officially the only adult in the group. It didn't really mean anything anymore though. There was no law, no rules to follow.

Rudolph's been counting the days since the outbreak happened. He carried around a small black notebook that he found in one of the stores. He asks me about my experiences and even lets me write in it sometimes.

He's changed, we've all changed. But some of us adapt better to this world then others. Amy was struggling. Ashton and Dallen were too. Some people just can't get used to the killing, even if it's only killing things that are already dead.

We needed a break, we needed to be somewhere safe but we can't have that. Not yet.

We set up a camp tonight. We found a place by a lake. There weren't any monsters, it was safe and safe wasn't something you could find often.

"Hay Rudi," I said as a sat next to Rudolph on an old wooden dock.

"Hello," he smiled. He looked like he had been crying. We just sat there for a few minutes, watching how the moon's reflection shined on the lake. It was peaceful but I couldn't let myself get used to this.

"What happened at the school?" I knew he was talking about Calvin and he had every reason to.

"A lot happened at the school. We all lost out lives to madness."

"You know that's not what I meant," he said, staring at me with no expression on his face.

"Yeah, sorry, I guess you do deserve an explanation," I hesitated.

"You killed him. I get it, and I don't care. You did what you thought was right.You're trying to be the leader that we all need, no matter what it costs."

"I'm sorry, Rudi. I bet you probably think I'm insane. Everyone else probably does too. It's only been a few days and I've already fucked it all up," I sighed, throwing my head into my hands.

"I don't think you're insane. He was gonna get himself killed anyways, or someone. Don't blame yourself, Ethan. He deserved it," he smiled softly while putting his hand on my shoulder, "but don't get carried away. Don't hurt people unless you need to. That's not who you are, I know it isn't."