The alley behind their house smelled like garbage and rain. Emily's sneakers splashed through puddles as she half-dragged Sophie along. The six-year-old's bunny backpack bounced with every step.
Somewhere nearby, a man shouted, followed by a sharp, chilling scream. Emily froze at the corner, pressing her back against the brick wall. She peeked out.
Two men were wrestling in the street—except one wasn't fighting like a man. He lunged with jerky movements, teeth snapping. His face was a mask of blood. The other man's terrified yells turned into gurgles as the creature tore into his neck.
Emily pulled back quickly, holding Sophie's head to her chest so she wouldn't see. Her own heart hammered so hard it made her feel sick "We… we can't go that way," she whispered. They ducked into another alley. The streets here were quieter, but not empty. A dog barked somewhere, then yelped suddenly. The wind carried the faint smell of smoke. "Emily," Sophie whimpered. "I'm tired. Emily knelt, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I know, bug. But we can't stop yet. We have to get somewhere safe. Remember the park? The one with the red slide?" Sophie nodded weakly. "That's where we're going. Just a little farther." They kept moving until the neighborhood houses thinned out and the chain-link fence of the park came into view. The playground was empty—just a few leaves skittering across the sand. They crawled inside the little plastic playhouse near the swings. It wasn't much, but it was hidden enough to rest for a few minutes. Emily gave Sophie the last granola bar from her hoodie pocket. As Sophie chewed, her eyes drifted to Emily's bat.
"Will you protect me?" she asked. Emily's throat tightened. "Always." They sat in silence for a while, until a new sound reached them—low and steady, like an engine. Emily's ears perked. She crawled out of the playhouse and saw a pickup truck rolling slowly down the street. A man sat behind the wheel, scanning both sides of the road. His face was rough and tired, but his eyes were sharp. The truck slowed near the park. Emily didn't know whether to wave him down or hide. In this new world, she realized, not all people would be safe. Then she heard Sophie whisper from behind her:
"Emily… look." From the opposite street, three figures were staggering toward the truck. Their skin was pale, their movements wrong. And they were getting faster.