I never thought I would survive this mess of a world until I found my people.
``Hi im Elijah im 16 years old and all i know is this bunker ive lived my whole life here as well as my sister Mia. She's 6 and she struggles a lot with her autism but I help her when I can because I normally help my parents with things around the bunker. And they only have one rule ``dont leave the bunker what so ever'' i dont really get that rule but i follow it anyway and anytime i try to get a look of what it looks like outside the bunker my parents freak out like the world was ending but i dont mind being in this bunker i mean its all i know i grew up here since i was born. Well let me tell you my story from the start'' i sat on top of my bunk bed braiding my sisters hair trying my best not to mess it up as mom couldn't braid her hair anymore because her hands were shaky and she couldn't focus on it for so long so i have to do it now. I don't really mind braiding my sister's hair. It kind of is calming to me. It helps me focus on something that's not leaving this bunker or having to help my parents with everything around the bunker. ``hey Eli come help me really quick with this!'' my father says with a different tone in his voice I've never heard before. ``one second dad im just finishing up on Mia's hair'' I say as I tie Mia's hair before I hand her a stuffed Rabbit that will keep her busy for awhile as I get up and walk over towards my dad. ``yes dad?'' I say looking at my dad as he grabs some carrots from the small garden we have. ``son you're going to be the man of the bunker soon and I love how you help your sister all the time but you need to know a few more things about me and your mother'' he says as he coughs into his elbow before clearing his throat and speaking.``son me and your mother are sick and it's not like the flu or anything minor it's bad Elijah'' I pause looking at my dad before glancing at my mom who is sitting in her armchair reading her book before I look back at my dad. ``Sick? I never thought about it before but you guys are going to stay forever right like be by me and Mia's side right?'' my dad sighs a little before placing a hand on my shoulder and looking into my eyes. ``Elijah listen me and your mother wont always be with you forever but we will always be with you in here'' he says moving his hand to my chest over my heart as i look at his hand before looking back up at him. ``how much longer do you have do you know?'' I ask , sounding a little desperate as I stare into his eyes watching his movement closely now. ``we dont know Eli we dont know'' i step back moving away from my dad a bit before speaking with tears starting in his eyes. ``It's not fair!'' I yell slightly as I run to my bunk bed and get on the top and lay down with the pillow in my face as I cry softly. ``Eli?'' Mia says as she moves a little and gets on the top bunk also and sits beside me as she puts a hand on my head kinda before putting her stuffed rabbit near my side. ``here big brother stuffy normally helps me when I'm upset'' she says as she lays down next to me and pushes her back against my side to try to comfort me the best she could. I move slightly closer as i wrap one arm around her gently as i sigh slightly having comfort with my sister at my side as i look up from my pillow to see my parents talking to each other in a whisper like tone as i try my best to listen but i could only hear a few sentences like ``he will understand'' or ``he's strong he will know what to do when the time comes'' i look at my sister Mia who has fallen asleep as pull her closer gently before pulling a blanket over the two of us. As I slowly sit up from the bed and look at my parents and I speak in a low tone of whisper. ``Ma? Dad?´´ I say as they both look over at me as my dad walks to my mom helping her get up before they both walk over to the bunk and look at me. ``yes kiddo´´ my mom asks as she puts her hand on the bar of the bunk to steady herself. ``what do I do when you guys leave? How will I take care of Mia when you leave?´´ I ask, my voice shaking as I speak but trying to keep it quiet for sleeping Mia beside me. ``son you will have to do whatever is necessary for you and your sister but you know our rules do not leave this bunker even after we pass and you have to always put your sister before your own´´ I nod slightly knowing that I have to protect my little sister. `` I know and I will protect my sister with my life if I have too´´ My father and mother would nod slightly as my mom would slowly move away from the bunk and to her chair and sit down as my father stayed as he looked at me and whispered. ``when it is time grab the case under my bed and you'll know what to do with it when you see it'' i would nod before i climb out of bed slowly to not wake Mia as i got down i looked at my father before i walk into our mini garden we have as i sat down on the floor take a few breaths not fully understanding what's going on with my parents but i will do anything to protect my sister Mia.
A few hours pass as I stand up and walk back into the living room only to see my mother on her knees coughing up blood as my father tries to help her stand up. I run over immediately and crouch down as I grab my mothers other arm and help her fully up. ``to the bathroom son'' my father said his tone straight forward and tight as i nod and force myself to walk with my mothers weight on me as we walk i feel my mother body tremble slightly as i tighten my grip slightly to hold her up as i open the bathroom door and help her to the toilet as my dad thanks me and pushes me out the bathroom and locks the door as i stood there all i heard was coughing and crying sounds. ``Eli?'' I snapped around hearing Mia's voice as she stood 6 feet away from me looking confused and scared. ``whats wrong with mommy i heard her crying'' Mia would say as her grip tightened on the small stuffed animal she held in her arms. ``Mia mom doesn't feel so good right now. It's best we leave her alone and make sure we help her extra around the bunker when she asks us to do something for her. No excuses okay?'' I tried my best to stay calm as I shoved my shaky hands into my pockets. ``okay Eli ill try'' Mia says as she turns around and walks to the bunk bed and sits on the bottom level and plays with her stuffed rabbit muttering words to it like it can hear what she is saying. ``ill clean up the blood i guess'' i say to myself as i go to the sink and fill a bucket up with warm soapy water and a sponge as i crouch down at the floor and start cleaning up the blood. As he finishes up the blood he stands up and pours the bloody water into the sink watching it drain away before he looks over at his sister Mia who is now up and sitting on moms chair with moms book she writes in. ``Mia you shouldn't have that put it back thats moms journal'' Mia looks up from the book before closing it and setting it back on the stand that was next to the chair. ``i cant read anyway so eh okay Eli'' Mia says as she shrugs and goes back to rocking back and forth in the chair. ``Thank you Mia'' I said.
I walked around the bunker waiting for mom and dad to get out of the bathroom as I paced back and forth. I couldn't help but think what case was Dad talking about? What was in it? My curiosity got the best of me as i walked to my parents bedroom and opened the door as i walk around before crouching down by the bed and looking under as i spotted a long black case i reached down to grab it as i slided it out from the bed as i looked at the case before opening the clasp of it and popping it open only to see a single shot rifle and a smaller hand gun. I gasped slightly as I covered my mouth now realizing what my dad meant by ``you'll know what to do when the time comes'' my heart raced as I realized I had to shoot my parents dead when the time comes. I quickly closed the case and slid it back under the bed before I heard the door opening as I shot up my head hitting under the bed as I held my head and looked over to see my father standing there. ``You saw them didn't you?'' he asks as he walks over and sits on the bed as i stand up. ``yes i did and i understand what you're asking me to do but i cant kill you guys your my parents and i need you both'' i plead as i look at him. ``Elijah son listen I'm going to come clean to you. Your mother and I were bitten by a thing called a zombie and we have only a few days until the venom takes over our bodies and we don't want you both to die from us. Your only hope is to make sure we don't hurt you or even your little sister. Now I understand your fear of having to kill us son but killing us is your only hope of survival in here.'' my father says as he looks at me even though im now looking at the ground my hands now shaking as i bite my quivering bottom lip to force myself to not cry as tears stung at my eyes. ``son please dont cry for us, you need to be a man and protect your sister and yourself from us. I'm sorry but it's the truth'' I look at him as I wipe my face with the sleeve of my shirt. ``its still not fair how am i suppose to kill my own parents?'' my father sighs as he places a hand on my shoulder. ``I understand what you're asking, son but you'll have to kill us. No matter who we are, we could kill you if you don't kill us kiddo will let you process this,'' he says as gets up and walks out of the room leaving me in the room empty and in thought.