A month later, the girls found their own way to survival. Even though they were quite responsible, they didn’t know how long they would last. The resources would end up not existing anymore, as humanity would begin to fade away.  From time to time, zombies would cross their paths, and they’d defeat them every single time. Yet their army was increasing day by day, as soon, the only humans they would meet would be all green and monstruous. 

The deaths were increasing as well, as seeing dead bodies on the road would be common for them. Where were they heading? They didn’t have a clue. They had to go outside more often, as it would be harder to find some closer to them. Soon, they would be in lack of resources, becoming hungrier and seeking water as well as cloth. What are we doing? Lucia kept on wondering, her thoughts running around like a hamster in a cage. Yet Isabel simply said that they’d figure it out, but she didn’t know either. 

The young girl tried to play the role of a mature and responsible oldest sister in the context that both of her parents were dead-well, their mom, at least-, but it was growing harder. At sixteen years old, her world was falling apart in te hands of green-skinned monsters grunting and begging for help, those condemned humans that used to be their friends. 

Shoot the target, break them down, dial for help, but nobody’s going to help you. When it isn’t going your way, you must find another way. It wasn’t how she wanted her wish to grow, but she had to live with it. Every time she’d shot another victim, she felt her heart aching, knowing very well those people were innocent beings. Lucia began becoming clingier, making puppy dog eyes as she’d pout, her black ponytail finding its way in her face as she curled up in a ball. Although Lucia was the one to take care of Isabel at first, she was now the weak one. 

She’s younger. More vulnerable. I must protect her; it’s my duty. The big question was: how? She protected her youngest sister for a few weeks now, but who knows? She was responsible, indeed, but it couldn’t last forever, and she needed help as well. Isabel felt all small and fragile, without her parents. 

Why was she this way? No questions asked. She was, it was a fact. The teenager wouldn’t be questioning it. What mattered was her survival and Lucia’s, not psychological thoughts! Protecting her sister and making sure she was alive was the number one priority. First, she would hate herself for letting Lucia die, and second of all, she adored her sister and would hate to be alone in such a hard world. 

You can’t take care of everybody and carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, Isabel. It’s not good for you. Lucia scolded her with an expression of worry as she brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. The eldest knew it very well but hated to admit it. 

“You’ve got something on your mind...” Lucia warned as Isabel was humming to herself, her eyes wandering all over the place as they walked through the streets. 

“No, I don’t. What makes you think I do?” The girl questioned sheepishly, kicking a rock as she kept her gun close to her cheekbone. 

Isabel pretended like she was doing fine, even though she wasn’t. The reason was obvious; she didn’t want to make Lucia worry about her. She felt like she had to be the perfect oldest sister, as always. Yet Lucia wasn’t dumb and saw right through her little games.  

“Ha, don’t try and fool me. You’re humming to yourself, your jaw is clenched, and your eyes wander elsewhere, and I bet your thoughts do too. I know you very well, Isa, and it’s hard for you not to keep your problems to yourself. So, tell me, what’s the issue--” 

Lucia brutally stopped talking, raising her dagger from her pocket as she stared at the same place, keeping her weapon next to her, cautious. Her breathing became shaky as her eyes fluttered, and soon, the grip she had on her dagger was tight. It took Isabel a moment to understand what was happening. She shifted to see what the subject of her sister’s attention was, keeping her distance.  

A zombie. What a surprise! It certainly isn’t the first time I’ve seen one in the last months...The teenager thought as she stepped back, closing an eye as she focused on her weapon’s viewfinder. Just one shot, and we’re going to be safe again. Although the world was filled with those nasty creatures often, she didn’t see some often, and sometimes, it made her jolt in surprise. 

Without hesitation, Isabel pulled the trigger, the bullet hitting the creature’s right shoulder. It grunted and stumbled a bit, before quickening its pace and rushing towards them. The eldest shot a few bullets at the zombie, stepping back as she kept on missing the target. Slowly, Lucia would go forward courageously, noticing how her sister needed help. 

“I must practice my aim...” Isabel muttered to herself quietly as she shot its ear. 

Then, Lucia ran and plunged her knife through the man’s heart, before coming back to Isabel. In shock, the girl babbled, staring at the dead body in fear and confusion. She glanced at her sister, admiring her courage. She tried to catch her breath, avoiding the sight of the bloody body assailed by Lucia... 

“T-thank you...” She gasped with difficulty, her heart still racing. 

“No problem. And I agree with you, you should really try to ameliorate your aim...You were less bad than the last time, though...” The youngest spoke as she patted Isabel’s back. 

The sisters remained silent for a long while, then they heard someone applauding. Startled, they kept their weapons tightly in their hands, back-to-back, searching for the noice. Isabel was the first one to find its source. A man. Standing at about 6’2, he had soft black eyes with disheveled brows, as he wore a purple satin hat with a black tuxedo. Truly, the odd stranger seemed to come from another world. 

“Impressive!” He commented, his voice low and husky, and yet joyful 

The girls didn’t lower their weapons, suspicious. Who knew what he could be hiding? Although he was a human, everyone was against them in such a situation, and they couldn’t trust anyone. Yet there was something within this man, a reassuring aura that made them want to make their weapons fall. Isabel didn’t fall under the pressure, and neither did Lucia. 

“What do you want?” Lucia inquired, glaring at the man with a look of impatience, still not dropping her dagger. 

“What I want? The stranger said rhetorically, not leaving them some time to speak. His voice was all happy, as if nothing bothered him in the whole situation, “Starting off blunt, that’s for sure...What do I want? I don’t know, maybe a little company?” 

“Who are you?” Isabel narrowed her eyes, ignoring the effect he was having on her and her sister. 

“I’m Jalikee, Lazarus Jalikee, but everyone calls me Laz.” 

“Laz, huh? Well, why are you here?” Lucia replied as she stilted her head, her curiosity increasing. Visibly, this Laz was an incredibly special person, as he seemed to magically appear in their view, dressed properly, not even having a single scar on his body. 

“See, Lucia, Isabel, I hold a camp. A camp of what, you might ask, well a survival camp. I recruit young adults that aren’t zombies, as well as trained adults. It’s located in southern New Hampshire, deep in the forest. We train you guys to become stronger and to be able to beat zombies. We build a community, as those who get children have their own secured living space.” 

The girls listened to him, surprised. This man held a “survival camp...” And it was at about two hours from the Massachusetts. Isabel’s heart fluttered in her chest; she’d finally have some peace of mind and have a minimum of happiness, accompanied by other people. 

And she wouldn’t have to worry. She’d be trained to become a better fighter. And yet...Technically, they trained citadians to kill condemned citadians, on the pretext that they were in danger. Her heart ached at the thought, but she knew it was the way it would be, from now on. 

“And why are you mentioning this to us? Most of all, how do you know my name?” Isabel retorted, arching a brow in suspicion. “This whole camp idea could be a lie, and you could be trying to trick us in some way...Why should we trust you?” 

“Oh, but you don’t have to trust me, of course, but it would be preferable if you did.” Mister Jalikee shrugged, barely even flinching. “It’s your option to choose whether you give me your trust or not and I’m telling you that I’ll make sure to cherish it. I won't betray your trust, it’s not the kind of thing that I’d do.  

And to respond to your question, I’m mentioning this because I have the feeling that you girls will be an asset for us. Now, how do I do your names? This one is justified, considering that a man came to you dressed in a tuxedo and calling your names. Well, let’s just say I made my research, and I’ve heard of you.” 

“How?” Lucia asked, dubious. 

“I have my men all around the United States. We’ve planned that this situation could’ve happened...” The man spoke as he glanced at Isabel subtly, making the concerned one’s brows furrow. 

How did he plan all of this? Most of all, why did he look at her? The girl froze, shaking with fear. What if whether she made that wish or not, humanity would be this way? Isabel shook her head. The thought reassured her, but why did he throw her a glance? Did he know about the wish she made on that hill that night? No, Isabel, you must stop freaking out. It was probably just a coincidence that he glanced my way, and I’m completely paranoiac. Yes, that must be it. 

“Here, I’ll be giving you girls this letter.” Lazarus said, tilting his head as he gave them a white envelope that seemed to shine with the sunlight, “All you must do is to sign this, and we’ll know when you guys do. Don’t worry, you won’t have to go to us directly. We understand how hard and stressful it can be for teenagers to find their way to another state in an apocalyptic situation, so we’ll send someone to get you-if you accept, naturally. If you don’t, we’ll simply find other fighters, but please remember you girls would be an asset, and most of all, you’d be safe with us. There isn’t a due date, but we’ll search for you the day after you sign it...Well, once again, if you do sign it.” 

Lucia opened her mouth to speak, but the words simply didn’t come out. She stood there, and as she finally found her words, she looked around and saw that the man wasn’t there anymore. Weird. Lucia shifted to her oldest sister and frowned, trying to smile. 

“We don’t have a due date, so can we please chill for a little while? We’re always so stressed out; we should take time for ourselves...” The girl commented as she began walking, Isabel following her. 

“Well, maybe if we accept, since we’ll have protection, we’ll end up relaxing. But as you probably already know now, you can never “Netflix and chill” if the world is on its end. What matters is our safety, so I say we sign this shit so that a car comes to search up tomorrow to get outta here.” 

“I don’t trust this guy...” Lucia pouted as she opened the door. 

“Why not? I mean, he does guarantee safety for teenagers, along with a personalizer treatment. The fact he thought about us means he’s a good guy and that he wants to help everyone!” Isabel indicated as she stepped inside, closing the door behind her. 

“Exactly! Don’t you think it’s a bit suspicious that a man from New Hampshire knows about two sisters from the Massachusetts? Whether that dude has an organization or not, I doubt it’s for the right reasons...I mean, he did come in a tuxedo and invited us, just like a man suggesting candies to kids and bringing them in his car. It’s the same situation. Well, not the same, but it looks too good to be true! You know, Isabel, sometimes---” 

“Sometimes what, Lucia? You’re not always right. The world isn’t revolving around you. Yes, I must admit this is quite troubling, and suspicious, but what do we have better to do? We can’t keep on living like this, in all this pity, having four-month depressions every time the thought of our parents crosses our minds!” 

Lucia stopped talking and scowled. Instead, she walked upstairs and stopped halfway, shifting to look in her sister’s eyes with pride, that one expression she had when she knew Isabel was right. She balled her fists in front of her and lifted her middle fingers, rolling her eyes. 

“Keep telling yourself that. If you’re so smart and so wise, just pick the best option for our survival. You know what you must do. I can’t argue, and I won't even try to. You know I love you and that I’ll follow you to the end of the world, but it doesn’t mean I agree with it. So, go ahead. Try to be smart, and if I die, I’ll blame you.” 

Isabel watched Lucia get up the stairs completely and enter her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She felt her lips creep into a smirk. She knew exactly what she had to do, and she knew Lucia wouldn’t like it. Too bad. The girl already told her the choice was yours, so she took advantage of it. She spun the pen between her fingers, clacking her tongue, before opening the envelope and taking out the letter, signing her name on the last line. 

Done. Now, all she had to do was to wait until next morning.