2 YEARS EARLIER...
The sun rose, people slowly woke up for their day, Ryan Fishman a teenage boy woke up to his alarm clock screaming for him to wake,. He let out an annoyed groan, he turned over to face the screaming machine, he slammed his fist onto it, when the alarm turned down its screaming, he grabbed it and tossed it. It hit the wall with a loud thump then it finally turned off.. "Fuckin' finally.." he groaned out his voice raspy from just waking up, then he heard someone yell for him.
"Ryan James Fishman get your ass up and get ready for school i aint driving you again. I have work soon!"
"Ugh, I'm up! I'm up!" he yelled back at her, he sat up and rubbed his eyes, his hair in his face he needed a haircut.. He sighed and threw the covers off his lower half, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, before he barely got up he saw his phone light up, Owen. He sighed and ignored it. The guy was nice but he was annoying. He glanced at the text and rolled his brown eyes, he got up and put a shirt on, he threw random pants on that was on the floor most likely dirty, he threw socks on and put cologne on.
He grabbed the phone and made his way to the staircase. He saw his mother at the end of the stairs, the older woman gave him an annoyed look before her expression turned soft, "about time kid, breakfast is on the table it's getting cold, go eat." She watched as the teen went to the kitchen she smiled a little,
As the hunter sat at the table he heard little feet running to him, "Bubby!!" his little brother Hunter yelled and grinned as he saw his older brother at the table finally, Ryan smiled a bit and patted the younger boys head, he saw his older sister who was in her 20's sitting across from him, Ryan didn't speak to her, he saw his mother walk in and gently told Hunter to sit down and eat..
"Have you heard from dad?' Ryan asked his mother, he noticed how she didn't respond right away.. She shook her head and sighed, "He'll get a hold of me soon bub, dont worry." with that she put a plate down for him. Ryan mumbled a thanks and began to eat..
Eventually everyone left, the house silent.. Ryan was walking beside hunter as the two walked, hunter was ranting to Ryan about some work he had to do with classmates, Hunter was basically skipping while Ryan slowly walked, when they got to hunters school hunter gave ryan a big hug and ran inside, with his little brother safe he sighed and made his way to the place he called hell. Or well.. School.
As he got closer to the high school he saw Juno, Mateo there both holding hands, the two were dating, he gave the two a half assed wave, the two greeted him back and as they did Owen came up behind them he saw Ryan there he grinned and waved, "Hey bud!!"
"Shut the fuck up." Ryan went into the building, Owen's grin disappeared, he sighed and looked at the other two, "whats his problem now??" he looked at the two Juno shrugged and started to walk in, Mateo looked at Owen and gave him a slight smile,
"Dont worry about what's wrong with him, that's just how he is." Mateo gently patted the male on his shoulder and led him into the building.
As they went their ways to class one followed after Ryan you see.. Owen thought Ryan was cool. He looked up to the guy. But ryan thought owen was annoying, once they got into class and waited for the teacher owen was just talking to ryan, ryan tried to ignore the blonde male, but owen just kept talking and being hyper, when the teacher walked into the room Owen shut up because she gave him a look.
As class went on Ryan was working on his paper, he heard Owen try to get his attention, "yo,, Psssttt.. Ryan.."
"Ryan.."
"Ryannn..!"
Ryan slammed his pencil down and looked at Owen, "What??" he whispered yelled at the blonde he was annoyed his eyebrows knitted together, the two didn't notice that Mrs. Smith stopped talking and looked at the two, she walked to their desk, "May i understand why you Mr. Fishman, and Mr. Sky what you both are speaking about? What is so important that you both have to speak to one another while I teach???"
Her arms were crossed an annoyed look on her face,
"Ma'am, I apologize but I- ugh.. With all respect Owen was the one who started to talk to me-" Ryan said and looked at her, she was too close, he could smell her breath, coffee, his nose scrunched up a little, *she needs a breath mint..* before Mrs. Smith could respond when the classroom door opened.
A middle aged man with salt and paper hair, wrinkles, had an angry look on his face, a short build, he was old and with a withered face, he motioned for Mrs. Smith to come out and talk. Once Mrs. Smith left the room and the students started to talk. They were wondering if she was getting fired for last year when she slapped a student who honestly deserved it. Or who knows what.
"I wonder what that was about.." Owen grumbled and looked at ryan, the black hair male shrugged and sighed he kept writing, Owen was gently talking to the taller male, his fingers sliding agent the table making a slight squealing noise, Ryan just sighed and listened to the man, the classroom door opened and she closed the door, Mrs. Smith made sure the door was locked, the window covered, Owan and a few others looked at the teacher, she went to her desk and started to make phone calls and started to make some kids put chairs or whatever they could hold in front of the door.
Ryan raised an eyebrow, "miss? What is going on?' Mrs. Smith didn't respond to him, she kept working and made sure the classroom was secure. The class could only hear the sounds of her nails hitting the keyboard.
"Heh.. imagine the zombie apocalypse is happening right now and that is what she is telling people." Owen mumbled to Ryan, Ryan rolled his eyes and kept his eyes trained on his paper..
SCREAMING...
.
.
.
RUNNING.
.
.
.
PANTING.
.
.
.
BLANK.
Ryan was running through the halls, owen, and Mateo on his trail, "WHAT THE FUCK." Mateo yelled at Owen and Ryan. Ryan didn't answer the curly head, Owens face was twisted into panic and confusion. Ryan had blood on his hands. He killed someone.. Oh god. They didn't even look real, they looked sick, they looked dead. That thing was human.. Sitting then the next puking and then attacking? What was going on?
"Do we need to get Juno!" Mateo yelled to the two men, Owen kept focusing on running, Ryan just sighed and he started to wipe his hands on his hoodie, "Don't worry about her she will get out on time! Just keep running!" Ryan yelled back at him, people ran past pushing and shoving trying to get out and trying to survive this chaotic moment.
"She's on the second floor. What if she gets hurt or!-" Mateo got cut off by a glare Ryan gave him, he knew his partner was strong but he was still worried for her.
Screaming. Loud. Blood gurgling from someone's throat, Ryan froze, Mateo and Owen ran into Ryan, all three stumbling.
A boy around 14. Ryan saw the blood pouring from his mouth, tears stained the young boy's face, blood dripping from his eyes, his skin was slowly rotting in from of the trio's eyes, mercury flooding down from his nose, the boy was puking up blood, the boy was crying in pain this body trembling, nails scraping his skin, clothes, his eyes going dull and trying to roll back, the boy tumbled to the ground, Ryan watched his eyes wide, fear. *what the fuck.* is all he could think.
Ryan felt his jaw clench and unclench, he looked right at Owen.. "Stop fucking foreshowdowing shit!" he yelled and then started to make his way past the boy on the ground, Mateo was running past but as he barely got past the boy he felt a hand latch onto his ankle he let out a yell, he looked and started to kick the boy anywhere he could, Ryan looked back and groaned in annoyance.
With Ryan with him, he got help when Ryan got Mateo out of the hold he socked the boy in the head with his foot, then the run continued. Owen was waiting by the front doors outside his eyes wide with fear, he heard the running of heavy steps he knew it was the two but... he could only stare outside.
People crying or screaming in pain, some running away from friends, blood started to flood the school ground, ryan grabbed owen by the shirt and started to run down the steep mateo followed after he kept looking behind him to see if juno was coming, people still ran out of the building screaming, teachers trying to get them to calm,, he saw a student attack one of the teachers..
Mateo was slowing down but Ryan saw and grabbed him as well, "We can't risk slowing down damnit! Keep running and worry about Juno later!" Mateo nodded a little and ran with it, but Juno was just now running out of the building shoving past people.
Ryan and the other two soon came to a stop, Ryan was trying to call his mother but the phone would just blare and scream no one would answer, the lines were down, people were still running past them. Mateo was trying to call Juno with the phone lines down he didn't know what to do Mateo kept looking at the gate of the school, Owen stared at the concrete he could see blood splatters on the ground.. owen 's eyes blurred together, his body trembling a little, he sighed a little and then just stood there with his head down.
Mateo and ryan were talking, owen was picking at the end of his jacket, mateo went out to find juno as mateo went out to find his partner, on the way back to the school he saw something he didn't hope to see anytime soon, he saw two people on the concrete, fighting, a corpse of what he thought was a girl her skin was rotting, a man on the bottom fighting trying to get her off so he could probably still live. Why was he watching this? He started to walk away and he saw the girl scratching at the man's face or whatever she could reach..
Mateo ran off to find his partner, luckily the girl only focused on the man she was trying to feast on,
"JUNO?!" Mateo yelled out for his love.
...
As Mateo was gone Ryan took Owen with him to find Hunter in the elementary school. As the boys walked there Owen was uncharacteristically quiet, Ryan didn't mean anything by it but he held Owen's hand with his pinky. Owen glanced at ryan, ryan looked annoyed but ignored the look he got from owen, ryan didnt like physical touch so when he put his pinky on owens, owen felt comfortable. A light dust of red went onto his cheeks in embarrassment, the two got closer to the school they could see little kids running, teachers trying to get the kids to safety, Ryan shoved past Owen followed..
When the two got into the building, blood was on the floor, some little kids were on the floor crying and bleeding, some on the floor not moving or breathing. Ryan swallowed a lump in his throat, he let Owens pinky go and started to walk ahead of him, as they got further into the building it was silent except the sounds of soft crying, Ryan knew that cry.. Hunter.
"Dude.." Owen mumbled out gently, his voice barely above a whisper. Owen followed after Ryan in attempt to catch up but the long haired male was after, he had to make sure his little brother was safe, Ryan followed the sound of the crying, they went down a hallway where his brother was, Ryan looked ahead at the empty hall, he saw his brother in his vision, he started to walk faster, the crying got louder and then stopped and turned into sniffles..
"Bubby..?" a small voice interrupted the silence, Ryan made owen stop he gently bumped owen to a stop, ryan took a few small steps, hunters little feet hit off the linoleum, his small body hit Ryan's bigger one, his arms wrapped around Ryan, his sniffles muffled in his big brother's hoodie. Ryan wrapped his bigger arms around him.
Ryan pushed Hunter's head back a bit, blood on his face dried tears and still tears falling, blood on his color, Owen had a worried look on his face.. "Ryan.." Rya ignored him, he gently wiped Hunter's face with the sleeve of his hoodie, he sighed and picked the younger up, tears rolled down his chubby cheeks, his bottom lip was shaking trying to hold back tears, he looked at his older brother, "I want mommy.. I'm scared.." Hunter started to ball and he then buried his face into Ryan's shoulder. Owen watched the two, his eyes going soft, he was worried.
"Ryan.. we need to get to the others.. We need to go." Owen said and looked at the taller man, the two men looked at each other for a moment.
"Let's go."
The two boys walked out of the building, Hunter held onto his brother. Hunter was trimpling, as the two older boys walked Owen was looking ahead, his eyes dull and focused he felt sick. He just wanted to go home and sit in his comfy bed and get a blunt rolled. But hey. He can't do shit at the moment. The two walked down the street, the concrete bloodied with a mix of mucus and tears. Hunter moved his head a bit, his eyes peaking over Ryan's shoulders, his little hands digging into Ryan's shoulders. His skin is pale. "Ryan.."
Ryan looked at his brother, seeing how pale he looked, a worried look in his eyes, his brother was sick and tired, he still felt his brother shaking in his arms, "What's wrong bud?" Ryan looked at his brother, Hunter hesitated with a shine of worry and curiosity in his eyes, "Do you think mommy and sissy are okay?" Hunter asked.
Ryan looked at him and nodded.. "Mom and Jesse are strong, they will be okay, plus.. We don't know if anything got to them y'know?" Ryan gave the curly haired boy a gentle smile which is rare. Hunter nodded and put his head back on his brother's shoulder. Hunter closed his eyes and yawned, "ima go to sleep now.." with that the young boy went silent.
As they walked, the two boys spotted a body, a body of a person who looked dead but alive barely breathing, their breath ragged and slow. Owen got a better look at the person, Owen got hit with a smell of rotting like the person has been dead for a few months.. His nose wrinkled up in disgust, the body jerked, Owen stepped back and grunted as his shoe almost tripped him. He sighed and looked at Ryan, "Dude.." Ryan just looked at him and then looked at the person he shook his head to, the body getting more violent with the jerks. Ryan said nothing and then motioned with his free hand, "Let's just go."
The two soon left the body, but the person started to rise but the body soon fell flat once more blood oozed out of their mouth.. Tears staining their face.
As the boys walked the soft snores of hunter could be heard, but soon they found Juno and Mateo both under a tree, Juno leaning her head on Mateo's shoulder, Juno's eyes were tired, blood stained her hands, clothes, face. Mateo had blood on his hands, his hair a mess.. Juno. She looked as if she had killed someone. Mateo looked as if he helped her.
The group made their way out of the area, Juno had a metal piece in her pocket, bloody. Some dry blood, some new blood, Mateo spoke up his voice above a whisper. "We need to get home to check on our family.. Why don't we split up and take someone with us to go home?" Mateo looked at the three, Ryan nodded, Juno held Mateo's hand.
Owen stayed close to Ryan, he already made the decision to stick close to Ryan, Juno and Mateo both started to walk off, Ryan called out to them, "Stay close to one another and meet back at the library off of main st. got it?" Mateo nodded and Juno just kept walking.
Owen looked at Ryan.. "Y..you think everyone will be okay? I mean.." Ryan walked ahead. Owen watched as he walked but he walked a bit behind, his shoulders slumped.
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
Mateo and Juno walked side by side, her nails digging into Mateo's palm slightly. "You think your brother is safe?" Mateo asked her, Juno shrugged and looked at the ground, her eyes following the cracks in the sidewalk.
"Who knows, I just want to get there and see if they are safe, they will figure out the rest from there." Juno stated bluntly.. "I just want my dog and that is it."
As she looked at the sidewalk, blood and mucus flooded the sidewalk, some wads of hair in the grass, the weeds growing through the sidewalk. Blood drips on the weeds.. She kept walking, crushing the weeds as she walked, "You think.. You think that someone will fix this? I mean.. Scientist or something?" she asked her lover, he gave her a small shrug.
"I'm sure someone will fix this love, I mean in the end something works I guess." Mateo looked at the sky; it wasn't its usual beautiful blue. It was more greenish mixed with red.. The air felt thick, he coughed a little, "I need to get my allergy meds." He grumbled and then looked at the walk ahead.
They turned down maple street, juno reached to the back of her pocket and gripped it, as they got close to the house it was silent, the street was silent a car tipped over, y'know. Normal apocalypse stuff. Juno looked at her home.. "Worried about your ma or pa?" Mateo said.
"Nah.. I'm just worried about Bear and my brother." Juno answered with a sigh, as they got closer crying or screaming? Could be heard in the house, juno clenched her jaw and grabbed the object and she then started her way up the stairs, Mateo walked after her, he glanced at the window but saw nothing, he heard the sound of a door opening, he looked at juno, she was already walking in.
He followed after her, "you need to tell me when your going in dont just go without me close Juno-" she cut him off by smacking his arm to be silent he went silent, He watched as juno went deeper into the house, she called out for her mother and father but got no answer.
Juno's eyes narrowed and she started to walk into the living room, she saw a pair of shoes, they looked like her fathers.. Maybe he was just passed out? She gripped onto the object and started to walk into the living room, Mateo walked with her seeing the shoes, he grumbled a bit, a smell hitting their noses. Juno covered her nose. Mateo stayed where he was, the smell of rotting, death.
Juno saw her fathers body.. Dead. He was dead, his body was bleeding, his eyes rolled back, blood rolling down his cheeks onto his shaved head, his jaw dislocated like he had fallen and hit something.. It was recent but how did he already smell? How was he rotting already? Some flies were surrounding his body slowly, Juno gagged at the sight, her eyes full of disgust, Mateo's eyes wide, he didn't know what to say or do. There was a loud crash in the kitchen.
Juno and Mateo both looked like Juno took the lead and started to march her way into the kitchen, the object raised her knuckles turning white at the force she was holding, when she got to the kitchen mateo was behind her. Juno saw her mother on the floor eating something, crunching noises could be heard, "Ma..?"
Her mother stopped eating, her head snapped around and looked at her, Juno looked at her mother, her face was full of blood, eyes blind and rotting, her body shaking, nails covered in flesh and blood, Juno's eyes were wide with fear, "oh god.." Her mother's body cracked and popped as she stood straight.. Juno was about to attack when something grabbed Mateo's leg. He let out a scream. Juno paused her attack and saw her father awake. Dead..? he let out a gurgling noise while Mateo dealt with her father, juno looked back she saw her little brother on the floor blood pouring from his body from his mouth, he was crying his little body twitching, gurgling noises could be heard from him if you listened, he was still alive. Her mother was attacking, Juno forced the metal object in her mothers mouth, prying the bar through the roof of her mouth.
Juno was fighting and Mateo was kicking at her father, while everything was going on..
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
Ryan and Owen both walked Hunter in front of them, Hunter was stumbling a little, Ryan kept an eye on his little brother, dogs barking and running around, people screaming and crying, gun shots, blood on the grass.. Some people are crawling with blood on their legs, in pain. People getting attacked. Ryan grabbed Hunter and held him close, Owen got closer to Ryan, he felt comfort in Ryan.
As they got close to the fishman house hold, Ryan gently pushed hunter to Owen, he walked up to the door, Owen held Hunter close to him, Ryan opened the front door, a hit of stench hit his nose, Ryan's nose scrunched up.. "The fuck..?" Ryan walked into the house, he looked back at the two.
"Owen. Bring Hunter, both of you to cover your nose." Ryan glanced back into the house, Owen covered his nose along with Hunter, the two walked up the stairs to the front door, Ryan walked in deeper into the house Owen and Hunter both followed after. "Mom? Jesse?" Ryan called out, the lights were out, Hunter held Ryan's hand, there was shuffling coming from somewhere in the house, Ryan grabbed a bat.. Weird, it had dried blood on it along with hair on it. The bat looked a bit bent, Ryan's eyebrows knitted together, his jaw clenching before unclenching.
"MOM! JESSE?!" Ryan yelled out one last time, he let hunters hand go and started to walk ahead of the two no one answered his call, as the boys walked through the house, hunter was peaking into rooms, he saw his mothers bedroom door opened just a bit, he scurried over and opened it more so he could poke his head in. the stench hit his nose even if he had it covered he gagged.. "Bubby!! I found mom, she looks hurt!"Hunter yelled in fear, his eyes wide, tears began to weld in his eyes, Mrs. Fishman.. Her head was bashed in, blood pouring from her head, the white carpet stained in crimson, she laid near the bed, her skin looking green and rotting, "Someone.." Hunter mumbled tears pouring from his eyes.
Ryan ran over as he saw his little brother staring he saw what his mother looked like he grunted and gently pushed Hunter to Owen who was away from the door, hunter let out a light yelp as he got pushed, Ryan walked into the room, he walked close to his mom, he looked at the bat in his hands, his hand tightened around the bat his knuckles turning white with the grip he had on the bat.. He got on one knee.. Then the other. He looked down at his mother, he put the bat down gently.
Ryan was just looking at her, shock written all over his face, tears began to fill his eyes, he studied her face, blinking back the tears his vision blurry, he noted the dried tears on her cheeks, he put a hand on her neck, her body still warm but slowly going cold, he clenched his jaw and held her head close he grabbed the necklace around her neck,, it was shrinking stained with blood, his father had gotten her that necklace before he left for the military. He yanked it off her neck, he shoved the golden pendant in his pocket, he slowly stood up he gently put her head down as he stood blood on his pants and hand.. He grabbed the bat and backed away from her body.. He looked around and grabbed a jacket of his fathers that was still there he put it on and grabbed a similar jacket his mother had when he walked out of the room he gave hunter the jacket, he looked at owen.
"Keep hunter safe stay here. Don't look in the room. Make sure he is with you. I'm going to look for my sister.. If you somehow lose my brother I will personally kill you. Got it?" Owen raised a hand.
"I may be a pot head and always thinking of weed.. But I know how to be smart and keep someone safe.. I promise." Owen grinned a little, his eyes glancing down at the hunter who put the other sized jacket on, he held it close as he could.. "Pot head..?" Hunter mumbled out his voice, cracking tears stained his chubby cheeks.
"Don't worry about it bud." Owen grinned at the younger boy..
As Ryan looked through the house for any signs of Jesse.. When he found none he sighed in frustration, he looked in her room blood on her carpet. Important things missing. His eyebrows knitted together..
He walked back downstairs when he reached the bottom he saw hunter talking about something animatedly, owen had a light smile on his face, hunter said something goofy and owen stuck his tongue out showing off his tongue piercing that he did himself. Hunter giggled a bit when he saw Ryan and ran to him.. "No sissy?.."
Ryan shook his head no and walked to the two..
— — — — — — — — — — — — —
With Mateo and Juno the two walking in silence, blood covering the two, Mateo gently held Juno's hand, Juno stared at the way ahead.. They saw some people running and fighting,, Juno grabbed onto Mateo's hand tighter, the two soon came close to Mateo's house, blood curdling screams and groans could be heard in the house both of them walked to the porch screaming could still be heard, his mother.. "Juno.. stay here, understand?" Juno nodded.
Mateo walked into the house, Juno leaned on the railing of the porch, she looked around the yard, seeing people running, limping, panicking..
Mateo walked through the house, "mom?" Mateo asked a figure facing away from him, the figure had curly long hair looking messy and bloody, the woman was shaking, groaning.. Mateo walked closer to her, "Momma..?" Mateo reached out for her..
*THUMP* Mateo got tackled by her, she wasn't human, the two dough on the floor mateo was grunting and trying to get her off. *Why was she so strong?* he thought to himself, as the two fought, she was trying to bite him, she was hungry, she scratched him. Blood pouring from the wound he let out a yelp he socked her in the face her head flinging back before letting out a blood gurgling scream she went to attack him her teeth barely grazing his hand, a figure came running, next thing he saw was blood and brain spraying out of her head, blood splattering on his face his eyes wide in fear, his hands shaking, her body going limp, he shoved her off, her body hitting the ground with a loud thump. Blood gushing on the floor.. Mateo looked at who saved him. "Dad-" He felt himself get pulled up and shoved away,
"You need to get out!- you shouldn't be here!" His father had blood on him, he looked older for his age, his hair a mess, his glasses broken, he had a bite mark on his hand, his shirt tore, his father was trying to get him to leave but Mateo refused to move. "I can't!- mom- she!-"
"I know.. I-i know.." his father made him leave, he shoved mateo out but before he did he gave mateo his watch, he knew he wouldn't be leaving this place soon. He never would, he would be dead soon or turned, when the door shut his father sighed out and looked at his once kind and loving wife laid on the floor, brains out; skull fragments on the wooden floor. He looked down at the bite on his hand.. He looked back at the door, he could hear muffled talking, his son and his girlfriend..
Mateo gently held Juno's hand, he was shaky, no luck. He couldn't get his father to come with.. He had blood on his face, the two started to make their way to the library.. The two were silent; it would be a long walk there. Juno stared at the ground, mateo was on high alert, everything was getting worse, people who looked alive but dead walking. Some started to walk to them but in a slow manner. Mateo grabbed Juno and lifted her up. She let out a surprised yelp, she was a big girl.. This scrawny tall man could lift her up. Her cheeks lit up with a light pink, he was strong.
Mateo walked to the library, it was a 10 minute walk. As they walked Mateo still kept looking out, Juno in his arms..
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Owen and Ryan both walked to their last stop. Owens home. As Owen took the lead he kept his eyes focused on the sidewalk, his hands picking at the strings on his hoodies, some loose thread he pulled out, he was focusing hoping if his mother and his baby sister was okay, he couldn't care about his father, that asshole could go to hell for all he cared. Owen felt dizzy. He needed to see if she was safe. His neighborhood looked okay? Not like the others, chaotic,, it was silent, some blood on the sidewalk, a person on the walk sitting there, Owen avoided them, Ryan followed.
As they got close to the street.. The area was normally loud, but peaceful, but now? It was silent and eerie. Why was this happening? Why? Everything was perfect this morning.
Owen sighed as they got closer to his house, the mold on the sides of the old rusty trailer, it looked more pronounced, Owen's house was slowly running down and falling apart. "..just.. Just stay out here, I'll be back." He looked back at Ryan. The tall male gave him a nod, then watched as the blonde walked into the house.. The door closes with a soft thud. Hunter and Ryan waited outside of the house.
As owen walked into the house he heard the tv on, blaring some f football game, he saw his father in his same old ruined rocking chair, the guy smelled of beer and disappointment, owen rolled his eyes he avoided stepping close to his dad, beer bottles on the floor that man never cleaned after himself, he was walking to the kitchen his mother would most likely be in there, she always stressed cooked. When he reached the kitchen he saw her sitting at the table, looking pale and sick, she looked fine this morning. "Momma?" He saw her look up, her eyes looking glossy, she looked as if she was done crying, tears stained the edges of her eyes, she gave him a small gentle smile. A plate of food in front of her.
"Why are you home so early?" She asked softly, her voice raspy, a hand resting on her belly, Owen gave her a shrug.. "Got bored ma.." Mrs. Sky gave him a look of worry, she started to stand, her vision going blurry as she stood.. She waited a moment and went to him, she put a hand on his forehead.. "Hm... you look sick, you're burning up.. What happened?" She asked him and started to sit him down to get him some food. She waddled to the stove to get some food but Owen got up and gently made her stop.
"Ma I'm fine but please just listen we got to go-" She raised an eyebrow, she gave a little sigh.
"What do you mean? Why?-" She tilted her head, Owen just looked at the wall.. He looked at the window, the sky was starting to look green. He looked worried, he looked at his mother and he ushered her to the doorway, "Owen!-" Owen ignored her, he had to get his mother and baby sister out of here. Safe. Mrs. Sky sighed and looked at him but she followed what he was doing, she waddled out of the kitchen, she looked to where her husband was, she reached out but Owen pulled her away, "He'll be fine." Owen hissed out in some inpatient he gently pushed her out of the house..
She had a hand over her belly walking out of the house, Owen followed after closing the door behind them, he heard some crying, he saw hunter in the ground in pain ryan beside him gently holding him close, he was shaking, no matter what ryan was doing hunter didn't feel better, "What's going on Ryan?" Ryan looked at Owen and shook his head. He looked back down at his brother.. Mrs. Sky started to walk down the stairs of the porch..
Her eyes are still glossy, "How long has he been like this?" She asked Ryan, Ryan shrugged, "When I got him from school he was looking sick." Mrs. Sky nodded and looked at Hunter as she got down on her knees, her lip piercing shining in the sun, "Owen.. go get those pain killers in my bathroom.." she mumbled out, his mother was a nurse, hunter was pale, his skin looking white with a shade of green, her eyebrows knitted together in worry, she looked at hunter.. She asked permission to hold Hunter, Ryan didn't move he hesitated but he moved and let her take control of the situation, Ryan stood up and went over to Owen, he said nothing, he and Owen both went into the house. Ryan walked in behind him, the two started to walk into the hallway, but Owen stopped him.
"Just stay here.. I'll be back in a minute, make sure my dad doesn't see you.. You know what happened last time heh." He gave Ryan a small grin and walked off into the hallway, Ryan heard the fade of Owen's footsteps. He watched the blonde walk down the hallway.
Owen went into the bathroom, he started to rummage through the drawers, cabinets.. "Where the fuck.." He groaned out and kept looking, he heard heavy footsteps. *Shit..* he kept looking, his father was up and about, that man was anything but good. Owen grabbed a drawer and forced it open, the drawer coming out with more force than necessary, things went everywhere. He heard the footsteps get closer and heavier. The doot opened his father there in the doorway, "The fuck are you doing dumbass?" his father asked.
Owen looked at his dad. "Uh.. just.. Just trying to get some pain killers." he told him, his father raised an eyebrow, his face contorted in a mix of a hangover and confusion, he crossed his arms and looked at the things on the ground, his face was turning into an annoyed expression, the man was pissed. He grabbed Owen by his hair, yanking him back. Owen let out a yelp, he thrashed clawing at his fathers hand..
Ryan waited. And waited. He got annoyed and then started to walk down the hallway, going to the bathroom, when he got close he heard muffled yelling and grunting, Ryan walked to the door, it was open wide he saw owens father yanking and forcing owen to clean the shit up, Ryan said nothing, he had a tight grip on the bat.. He got closer to the chaotic scene, he raised it then.. *THUMP* Ryan had brought the bat to his head Owen grabbed his beanie and put it on, he had a headache now. Ryan stared at the older man on the ground bleeding from his head. Knocked out. Ryan helped Owen up, with that Owen mumbled a thanks and Ryan helped him find the pain killers..
When they had the pills the two quickly made their way to the front, when the door opened Owen had forgotten the water.. He groaned and quickly went to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle, he then ran out to where Ryan and his mother along with hunter was, hunter was crying but it was calmed down, he had his head resting on her chest, he was shaking, she was softly talking to the young boy, when she saw owen he gave her the pills and water, the two older boys watched as she helped hunter take the pills.
As everyone got ready to go, Owen stayed close to his mother, he was helping her walk if she needed to take a break then he'd stop with her, Ryan was holding hunter close to him, the bat in the other hand, hunter was fast asleep his feet bouncing when ryan took steps, his hands gently holding onto his brother, owen was holding his moms hand, her free hand placed on her belly, they were walking to the library.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Juno sat in a chair in the corner of the library, mateo was cleaning the blood off of his clothes and face, Juno was looking out of the window. Looking out for the two boys. Mateo had his shirt off looking at the damage done to his shirt. He sighed and looked at Juno, "You okay hun?" He walked over to her and bent down. Juno glanced at him, she shook her head no. "Bullshit." He gently grabbed her jaw and made her look at him, she felt her heart skip a beat, she sighed and moved her head away she felt his fingers leave as she moved.
"Dont worry about it." She mumbled, Mateo sighed and stood back up, he looked back out of the window, He saw the people walking with guns or dead.. He was confused about what was going on, why this was happening, he gave a frustrated huff and walked off.
As Juno looked out the window she saw familiar figures, "Mateo. Their back!" she yelled to him he came walking over putting his shirt back on.. She glanced at his torso as the shirt was getting out back on, mateo told her to stay there he then walked out of the library. He watched as they walked up, Owen still walking with his mom, Juno came out, her eyes on Owen and his mother, Ryan noted the annoyed look in her eyes, he raised an eyebrow, he tilted his head a bit, Juno looked right at him, her face turning into anger.
Mateo looked at Juno, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Is your brother okay Ryan?" he asked the older one. Ryan didn't respond for a moment and shook his head. "He's sick." Ryan looked at his baby brother and held him tighter. Hunter was sleeping still, he was holding onto his brother tightly. Ryan glanced around the two of them, no one with them.. "I'm guessing..?" Mateo nodded and sighed, "My pa was alive but he stayed with my ma." Ryan nodded, he could see Juno silently fuming. He could practically see the smoke coming from her ears.. She was angry about something.
For a moment everything was silent, just the soft words of Owen speaking to his mother, "It's not fair.." Juno said. She looked right at Owen, Owen looked at her, the others looked at her as well. Mateo was about to speak but Juno made him stop a hand over his mouth. "Our family. Our parents! Dead. But you own it?? You're standing there like nothing is wrong! Not like anything is happening, everyone is dying! Getting sick, and you're here babying your mom??" She stepped closer to Owen, her hands clenched into fists, knuckles turning white, "We had families who cared for us. Yours don't. You know that. But here they are alive?? I mean i dont know if your dad is but you mother?? She is a crackhead with that baby in her?? It's most likely dead because she has to keep her damn face on the table! Why did she get to live!? My parents didn't have a chance! My baby brother is dead! Mateo's mom is dead! His father is dying! And ryan!-"
"ENOUGH." Ryan yelled, Hunter jumped awake, his head lifted up, Owen said nothing, he just stared at Juno. "We don't know how this weird shit is. Or how fast it spreads, so that is enough! It's not his fault." Ryan snapped right back at Juno..
"It's just not fair..!" Juno's face was red with anger, tears flooded down her chubby cheeks, Owen's jaw was clenched, Mateo pulled Juno back, making her stand by him. Ryan held Hunter tighter, his nails slightly digging into Hunter's back.. Hunter buried his face into Ryan's shoulders, Mrs. The sky just stood there, her eyes wide.. She put a hand on her stomach.
Owen just stared at her. Angry, he rarely was angry. "Your parents were pieces of shit too.. But you suddenly want them back?! I mean your father sold shit to get drugs! He cheated on your mother multiple times! Your mother went out to get fucked when she wanted and abused you! I don't get it! Why-" he got cut off by Ryan..
"Stop." Ryan said looking at Owen, the blonde looked at Ryan.. His eyes wide. "So.. so- UGH. really?! She gets to yell at me for no fuckign reason and I can't yell right back at her?! If she can't take it she doesn't have to say shit! My father was a piece of shit! My mother hadn't had a drink for years now! She's changed! I'm tired of people saying that my mother and my baby sister should be dead! It's not my fault that this stupid thing is going on damnit! When i stand up for myself i have to stop?! I have to stay silent and let that stupid bitch talk to me like that?! I mean it's stupid i!-"Juno suddenly leaped and slapped him across the face..
The slap ringing out like a gunshot, Owen's eyes went wide, his jaw clenching. He looked at Juno.. Trying not to slap her back, he knew not to hit a woman but right now? He really didn't care. Mateo looked at the two he grabbed juno and yanked her back, "Guys.. can we just-" he got cut off by muffled sobbing. Loud. Hunter was crying, he hated loud noises. He hated yelling, his ears hurt, he was scared. Ryan moved away from the group to calm Hunter down.. Mateo sighed, Juno had her hands clenched into fists.
Everyone just stayed silent and Owen rubbed his cheek. Still angry, his cheek stung, Ryan soon came back, Hunter walking beside him, rubbing his eye, Ryan glanced at everyone; tension in the air, the air thick enough to cut with a knife.. "Let's get moving. Can't stay here in one spot. Let's go." The others agreed Owen and his mother walked in the back, as the group wandered the chaotic streets, Juno was grumbling to Mateo, he had his hand resting on her hip, Ryan had picked Hunter back up so he didnt have to walk, Mrs. Sky lagged behind a bit Owen didn't notice he thought she was beside him, her stomach hunting, sick. She put a hand on her bell, her skin pale and greenish.
As the group turned a corner Ryan saw a group of four, two older, two younger.. Ryan came to a stop, the others bumped into Ryan, "Why are we stopping??" Juno grumbled but as she looked she saw an older man with a Remington Double Barrel..
"Who are you."
— — — — — — — — — — —