Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
A/N Hello!!! I’ve got a new story here. Well okay so I’m going to try something new and I’m going to try and write two stories at once and also try to stick to a schedule. So we’ll see how this goes if I can't handle two at once then I’ll just choose one and focus on that until it's done, then go back to the other. Anyways I hope you enjoy this story I’ll have the first chapter of the other story up by tonight it’ll be called lost at sea. Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes that I missed, enjoy!!
Jonathan’s eyes fluttered open, the sun was shining on his face through the blinds on the window. Jonathan rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He was still tired from his late-night recording session with his friends Luke and Ryan. They played rainbow 6 together in till about 2 in the morning. Now it was 12 in the afternoon and he had another recording session at a quarter past 1 with Evan and Tyler. Jonathan slowly sat up, he let his feet hang off the side of the bed before finally pushing himself off the bed.
He walked over to his dressers and pulled out a pair of clean clothes. Jonathan changed into his favorite blue hoodie and into a pair of jeans he then shuffled his way into the kitchen and pulled open the fridge. He let out a disappointed sigh at the emptiness of his fridge. He hadn’t been to the store in ages, in fact, he hadn’t been outside his house in a long time too. Jonathan sighed and pulled out his phone and called the local pizza place down the road. “I call this place way too much” Jonathan mumbled to himself before someone answered his call. Jonathan quickly placed his order and after being told that his pizza would be there in about 20 minutes he proceeded to hang up. Jonathan made his way to his couch near the front door. He pulled his phone back out and began to play a game to pass the time.
After playing his phone for what felt like forever Jonathan finally glanced at the time, It was now almost 1 o’clock and his pizza still wasn’t here. “Wow, this guy is late, I’ve never had a problem before, he must be new.” Jonathan stood and walked down the hallway and into a room just outside of his bedroom. Within the room was a desk with a nice PC unit and dual monitors. Jonathan sat down and did his routine check to make sure his Mic and recording software was up and running. Jonathan plugged in his headphone, turned on discord and hopped on to the voice chat. Evan was already online trying to set up a Gmod prop-hunt server they can all play on.
”Hi, Jonathan how are things going, you ready to play some prop-hunt,” Evan asked cheerfully.
“All systems are a go, the only thing I’m missing is my lunch,” Jonathan said with a chuckle.
“What, do you mean?” Evan asked.
“I ordered pizza and it is about 50 minutes late now!” Jonathan replied
“wait, really!” Evan laughed out.
“Yes, really,” Jonathan said.
“Oh man than fucking suck, I hope they don’t make you pay for it,” Evan said still chuckling.
“If it ever comes that is” Jonathan mumbled.
“What’s up bitches!” Tyler yelled as he entered the call.
“Hey!” Evan replied, “also could you keep it down I think you're starting to echo because I can hear you from across the hall.”
Tyler let out a laugh” no promises Evan”
“Oh, yea that right you're staying at Tyler’s for a bit right“ Jonathan asked.
“Yea I want to see what Indiana was like and then I’ll go visit my parents before heading back up to Canada” Evan replied.
“Okay, we don’t got all day here are you ready to play some prop hunt!” Tyler cut in.
“Are you ready to get your ass kicked!” Jonathan shot back.
“Fuck you, just you wait bitch, I am going to kick your ass so hard you won’t be able to sit for weeks.” Tyler snared back.
“Okay guys I’ve got the map running you can join now,” Evan said.
“Ya! Let's do this!” Tyler screamed in excitement. Jonathan joined the server and entered the lobby.
“Okay, since it’s only the three of us someone will have to be alone” Evan stated.
“I’ll go alone because I want the honor of kick both your asses” Tyler declared.
“Good luck with that!” Jonathan sneered back.
“Let the games began!” Evan cried out.
Evan and Jonathan joined the props and Tyler joined the hunters. Evan and Jonathan scramble around the map trying to find a decent hiding spot before the time ran out and Tyler was released. They both ran into the only house on the map and found their spots. Evan changed into a jug of bleach and ran into the closet, while Jonathan changed into a red soda can and hid under the staircase.
“All right bitches ready or not here I come.” Tyler marched his through the map and stormed into the house Evan and Jonathan were hiding in.
“Oh here comes the piggy!” Jonathan teased as Tyler’s character walked in to view.
“Hey, Fuck you.” Tyler shot back. Evan being bored of just sitting in a closet opened the door and ran out right passed Tyler. “Hey, I saw that, get back here!” Tyler screamed as he started shooting at Evan.
“Run Evan Run!” Jonathan called out in support of his teammate.
“No!” Evan cried in disappointment as Tyler shot him.
“Aw! No! Evan!” Jonathan wined at the loss of his friend.
“Alright, Jonathan where are you hiding at,” Tyler said as he scoured the rest of the building.
“Come on Jonathan you’ve only got a minute left,” Evan said as he spectated Jonathan in his spot under the stairs.
”Where the Fuck are you!” Tyler screamed. Tyler continued to search and made his way to the stairs where Jonathan was hiding. Tyler stopped and stood there for a bit, everything was silent.
“ So uhh… do you want to come out of there or what,” Tyler said pointing his gun directly at Jonathan.
“Shit!” Jonathan screeched and made a break for it. Tyler shot his frag grenade directly on top of Jonathan and Jonathan let out a scream of panic thinking he was going to die but the grenade had no effect.
“What!” Tyler screamed in shock as he started to chase the invincible can, known as Jonathan around the house. Tyler rattled Jonathan with bullets but nothing happened. Jonathan continued to laugh his head off at his friend's distress. “What the fuck, how are you not dead! There’s blood everywhere!’” Tyler shouted as he furiously chased Jonathan. Jonathan was getting to the point where he could no longer breath he was laughing so hard.
“10 more seconds” Evan proclaimed through his laughs at the ridiculousness of the scene playing out before him.
”Come on you bitch, Die!” Tyler was about to blow a fuse.
“5…4…3…2…1.. Props win” Evan shouted in excitement.
“Fuck you, you bitch” Tyler shouted pure rage filling his voice.
“I shot you so many times, this game is so broken, fuck Gmod!” Tyler slammed his fists down on his desks. Causing Evan to laugh even harder than before. “Shut up Evan, the only reason you won was because Jonathan chose a broken ass prop.” Tyler ranted.
Jonathan was laughing so hard he started to wheeze “ I can’t breath” he choked out in between laughs.
“Fuck you now it’s my turn, try and find me” Tyler growled out as the round ended and the teams switched. The rest of the recording session continued on like normal with an occasional outburst from Tyler here and there.
“Come on Evan you can do it only 20 seconds” Jonathan cheered, as Evan ran from Tyler trying to dodge the shower of bullets.
“No…” Evan wined as Tyler finally shot him.
”Ya! gotcha!” Tyler said in excitement.
Bang, Bang, Bang a pounding sounded erupted throughout the call.
“Whoa, Evan you all right” Tyler asked in confusion, Evan never rages like that.
“What that wasn’t me” Evan corrected. “Jonathan was that you?” Evan asked in a curious tone.
”It was my door, scared the shit out of me!” Jonathan stated.
Bang…Bang…Bang
Jonathan’s door could be heard throughout the call but this time it was even louder. “Hang on guys I’ll be right back, maybe the pizza gut finally showed up.” Evan laughed at the comment but Tyler was completely confused about why it was so funny, so Jonathan ended up leaving Evan to explain the joke to Tyler as he took off his headsets and went to go answer the door.
Bang…Bang…Bang the knocking continued “hang on I am coming” Jonathan called out as he walked to the door and unlocked it. Just as Jonathan was about to turn the door nob, the door swung open slamming right into his face. Jonathan stumbled back gripping his nose in pain as the person on the other side made his way into the apartment, slammed the door closed and locked it. He then slowly leaned against the door.
”What the hell man, get out of my house,” Jonathan yelled fear flooding his mind as he looked at this strange man. Jonathan’s eyes focusing on the blood spots splattered across his shirt. The man pushed himself off the door and slowly made his way towards Jonathan.
“Oh my God this guy is going to kill me,” Jonathan thought as the man continued to walk towards him, but the man stopped.
“You’ve got to help me” the man crocked out gripping his shoulder. Jonathan quickly noticed the amount of blood gushing between his fingers ”you’ve got to help me” the man repeated, ”call an ambulance” the man took another step towards Jonathan before collapsing to the floor.
“Shit,” Jonathan said rushing to the fallen man. He ran to the bleeding man on the floor and knelt down beside him. He inspected the wound that the man had received. He had a few minor scratches here and there, but the wound that worry Jonathan the most was a single bite wound located just above the shoulder, barely missing his neck. The man coughed and let out a gown of pain when Jonathan moved his shoulder to get a better look at his wound.
”Dame that’s bad, we to clean it.” The man watched Jonathan run out of the room and come back with a box. Jonathan knelt down beside the injured man. He opened the box and started to clean the wound as best as he could. The man flinched and let out a hiss when Jonathan began to wipe down the wound. “Sorry” Jonathan mumbled. Jonathan put down a blood-soaked rag and started to wrap the wound. The man took a deep breath, the pain growing as Jonathan tighten the bandages around the wound.
“Thank you for helping me” The man let out another cough. The sudden movement aggravated the newly bandaged wound. Jonathan winced and looked at the bandages. They were brand new and yet they were already halfway soaked with blood. “No problem” Jonathan mutter a reply as he pulled out his phone from his jeans pocket. “We need to call you that ambulance now,” Jonathan said and the man nodded in agreement. Jonathan typed in 9-1-1 into his phone and lifted it to his ear. Jonathan paced around the room waiting for his call to be answered…nothing.
“Busy” Jonathan groaned. He tried again but got the same results. “Come on!” Jonathan shouted in frustration, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and glanced over at the man on the floor the bandages where soaked and where beginning to drip on the carpet, but Jonathan didn’t care right now, he needed to get this man to the hospital. Jonathan walked over to the man “What even happened to you?” Jonathan asked. “Some guy that I’ve never met before just walked up and attacked me,” the man said letting out a nasty cough. Jonathan rested his hand against the man’s head.
“You’re burning up. We need to get you to the hospital now!” “Name’s Jonathan by the way,” he said extending his hand to the man on the floor. He took it and Jonathan helped him to his feet.
”Tim” the man replied. “Come on then I’ll have to take you myself.” Jonathan grabbed his keys and made his way to the door.
“Wait!” Tim said. “What if he’s still out there.” Jonathan stopped in his tracks. He hadn’t thought about that.
“Well…I guess we should arm our selves in some way” Jonathan looked around his apartment. He didn’t own any guns, he didn’t think he’d ever need one. He walked into the kitchen and pulled out a few kitchen knives. ”That’s it!” Tim said in disappointment when Jonathan came back and hand him a knife.
“No guns?” He asked. ”No sorry, that’s all I have” Tim let out a groan of pain. His shoulder was killing him and his bandages were completely soaked with blood, he was starting to feel weak.
“We have to go now, you’re losing too much blood.” Jonathan let out a sigh. “Let's just hope he isn’t there anymore” Jonathan slowly opened the door. He peaked his head out into the hallway and looked around… No one. “ let's take the back way to the parking lot, just act natural don’t want to draw unwanted attention to ourselves selves” Jonathan said stepping out into the hallway stuffing the kitchen knife into his jacket pocket.
“ Yes, because my blood-soaked shoulder doesn’t stand out at all...” Tim said sarcastically as he followed Jonathan out the door closing it behind him. Jonathan rolled his eye at Tim’s comment.
“We’re not far, the parking lot it's just down this flight of stairs, follow me and stay close” Jonathan instructed. Tim nodded and kept close to Jonathan as they made their way down the stairs. Jonathan pushed open the door at the bottom of the stairwell and they entered into the parking lot. “There’s my car,” Jonathan said pointing to a blue average looking car across the parking lot.
“The blue one right?” Tim asked his eyes started to go crossed and he was having a hard time focusing his eyes on what Jonathan was pointing at.
“Yes, That’s it. Let’s get going” Tim nodded and started to follow Jonathan to his car gripping his bloody shoulder as he walked. Jonathan walked ahead of Tim as they weaved their way through the rows of cars. Just a few more rows away from his car Jonathan hear a small moan. “Are you okay, Tim” Jonathan asked turning around to check on Tim. Tim shook his head.
“That wasn’t me.” Tim pointed to a gap between the cars just on the other side of the row. “Sound like it came from over there.” Jonathan gave Tim a puzzled look.
“Let's keep going” Jonathan began to walk again when hearing another moan. Jonathan shot a look back at Tim.
“It’s not m... Ahhh!” Tim let out a scream and stumbled back. Jonathan spun around to see what was the matter. Behind him stood a man separating him from Tim. The man reached for Tim growling and snarling as he stepped towards Tim. The Man lunged and Tim stumbled back pulling out his knife.
“Stay back!” Tim said his hands shaking as he pointed the knife at his attacker. The psychotic man was unfazed by Tim’s threats and charged at Time once again. Tim panicked and swung the knife.
“Tim! No!” Jonathan screamed. The knife plunged into the man’s chest. Tim shoved the man back and his body slammed into the cars beside them. Jonathan stood there mouth agape at what just happened.
“What did you do!” Jonathan took a couple of steps back.
“Oh my God…I am going to be sick” Tim clenched his stomach and looked away. “ I just killed someone!” Tim said still in shock. He gripped his shoulder in pain all the sudden movements really aggravated the wound and it was now bleeding even worse than before. “What are we going to do!” Tim turned to Jonathan. “What are we going to do!” Tim repeated to himself.
“I don’t know?!” Jonathan said running his hands through his hair. “Are you sure he’s dead”
“I don’t know” Tim stated as he slowly paced back and forth” ”I mean I just stabbed him through the heart, so I am pretty sure he’s dead!” Tim finally said.
“Then why is he moving,” Jonathan said pointing at the man fear filling his eyes. Tim turned to the corpse of the man he stabbed and to his surprise the man was slowly starting to rise to his feet, the knife still buried in his chest.
“What the Fuck…” Tim said slowly in aw. The dead man walking shot out at the pair growling and snarling. Jonathan grabbed Tim and pulled him back out of the way.
“Run!” Jonathan Screamed. They broke into a full sprint towards the car. Jonathan having to pull Tim to help him keep up. They finally made it to the car and Jonathan threw open the door to the drive’s seat and dove in. Tim threw himself into the backseat. Jonathan frantically pressed the lock button, lock all the doors to the car. Jonathan let out a sigh and sunk in his seat trying to catch his breath.
“Are you okay?” Jonathan asked turning to Tim who lay sprawled against the back seats struggling to catch his breath. Tim just nodded and continued working on his breathing.
Slam! The car shook a little from the force of something hit the side. Jonathan snapped his head to the window. The man that had been chasing the slammed right it the side of the car. The man pressed his face to the glass and started slamming his fist into the window. Jonathan watched the man repeatedly slam his fists into the door. Tim shouted for Jonathan to dive but he was frozen in fear he couldn’t stop staring at the man’s eyes.
“Wha…What’s wrong with his eyes?!” Jonathan stuttered they were lifeless, clouded, and cold. Like a fish’s eye after its been dead for a while.
“Goddammit, Jonathan drive!” Tim shouted slamming his foot into the back of Jonathan’s chair breaking him from his trance. Jonathan slammed his keys into the ignition and started the car. Jonathan threw his car into reverse. The tires screeched as they flew back, Jonathan changed gears and floored it, they skidded out of the parking lot and drove down the road.
Tim sat up and rested his head on the window. Jonathan made a sharp left throwing Tim across the seats. A sharp pain erupted from his wound. Tim grown and sat back and scooted back over to his seat, he strapped on his seatbelt and let his head fall back onto the headrest of his seat. Tim looked down at his wound, the bandages were doing nothing now and a large bloodstain now stretched down the side of his shirt. Tim’s eye started to droop, his head felt heavy, he could barely hold its weight. Tim slowly let his eyes fall. “Just for a bit,” Tim thought to himself “I’ll just rest them for a bit” the lasting he saw was Jonathan’s blue eye looking at him through the rear mirror and he heard Jonathan’s panicked voice “you’ll be all right man just hold out for a little longer”
Tim let out a small nodded before letting his head drop to the side. Jonathan’s eyes widened
“No, No, No!” Jonathan repeated himself as pulled over to the side of the road. Jonathan climb into the back. “Come on Tim, don’t die on me” Jonathan was panicking Tim’s shirt was drenched in blood and he wasn’t breathing. Jonathan felt his heart sink “Tim…Tim” Jonathan shook him but Tim was unresponsive.
Jonathan leaned back against the other door and let his head hit the window. He let out a sigh as he held back the tears. “Goddamit… Now, what am I suppose to do Tim...” He looked up at Tim hoping for him to respond. Tim’s hand twitched and his head slowly started to move.
“Oh my god Tim, your alive!” Jonathan crawled over to him. “ I need you to hold out a little long for me, can you do that… Tim?” Tim let out a small moan. “ I know it hurts, but I can’t do anything about that right now,” Jonathan said trying to comfort poor Tim.
Tim raised his head and looked at Jonathan. Jonathan felt his heart stopped “Tim…” Jonathan’s voice was full of concern. Tim’s eyes were cloudy and cold just like the man who had attacked them earlier. Tim growled and lunged at Jonathan, Jonathan pushed himself as far back as he could against the car door The seat belt around Tim synched and locked because of the sudden movement.
“Tim! What’s wrong with you stop!” Jonathan screamed his hands fumbling around trying to pull up the lock and kick back Tim. Jonathan wrapped his fingers around the lock a pulled up. He pulled the door handle and fell back out of the car and onto the pavement. Jonathan could hear Tim growing and moaning his fingers clawing at the car seat in a desperate attempt to reach him.
Jonathan stood up and slammed the car door shut. Jonathan panted and let out a shaky breath. Jonathan looked up and scanned the street. It was a mess... cars where abandon in the middle of the street, trash was everywhere, but it was silent dead silent. Jonathan could feel his legs start to shake in fear. A few screams and pleads for help off in the distant finally cause his knees to buckle.
“What the hell is happening,” Jonathan said to himself, “No! This can't be happening! I must be dreaming!” Jonathan shook his head, he pinched himself and look at the car, Tim was still in there reaching for the door.
Jonathan slapped himself. “Wake up damn-it”. Jonathan squeezed his eyes shut ”there's no place like home, there's no place like home.” Jonathan opened his eyes instead of seeing the roof of his apartment and feeling the warmth of his bed like he had hoped he saw the same street, same car, same man, and feeling the despair building up inside himself.
Jonathan's headshot up he could hear the shuffling of a pair of feet, he crouched down and moved to the front of the car. He looked over the hood of the car and saw a woman slowly walking towards him. Jonathan changed his position accordingly to keep out of the lady’s sight. He could hear her growls and knew he mustn’t be seen by her. He had nothing, no weapons besides a flimsy kitchen knife, and no car, he was stranded.
“Calm down Jonathan, maybe this will all just blow over, until then you just have to find somewhere safe” Jonathan looked back over the hood of the car and watched the woman stop and turn his way. He felt his heart skip a beat and he dropped down to keep out of sight.
“Please, don’t see me…” He whispered.
Jonathan slipped his hand into his jacket’s pocket and pulled out his knife clutching it close to his chest. He could feel his heartbeat quicking as she shuffled closer and closer. Jonathan pushed himself harder against the car hoping it would be enough to hide him. He could see the top of her head slowly appearing over the car’s hood, his grip tightened, his heart began to pump even harder and his breath quickened. His hands began to shake as he prepared himself for a fight. Suddenly loud but distant gunshots echoed in the silences causing Jonathan’s heart to jump to his mouth and the lady stopped. Silents once again fell and Jonathan clasped his hand around his mouth trying to muffle his harsh breathing.
Jonathan could hear the shuffling of feet but this time they were heading the other way. He slowly lifted his head above the hood of the car, his knife at the ready. The lady had changed her direction and started walking towards where he thought he heard the gunshots. Jonathan continued to watch her as she walked down the road, occasionally looking over his shoulders to make sure no one was sneaking up on him. Once the lady was a good distance down the road Jonathan let his nerves relax. He let out a sigh his hands still shaking from the adrenal rush.
“ That was close… too close” he muttered.
He slowly rose to his feet, using the car hood as support to help him stand. His legs felt like jello, and his body felt like he had just run a marathon. Jonathan tried to compose himself but his heart would not stop racing. At least his legs felt a little better. Jonathan pushed himself off the car and began walking down the street. His ears strained to catch any sort of sounds other than his own heart thumping in his ears. He needed to get off the streets, he was too open. Jonathan crossed over to the sidewalk and entered a convenience store. A bell chimed as he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
“Hello” Jonathan cautiously called out as he stepped deeper into the store. He glanced towards the counter and saw it unattended.
“Hello” Jonathan once again called out but the lack of response put him on edge. His inner thoughts screaming at him to leave. He slowly stuck his head around the shelf’s stocked with snacks, and he instantly regretted not listening to his instincts sooner. The row beyond was a grisly sight, blood dripped off the selves pooling into a puddle on the floor, chunks of a pink flesh scattered across the floor, and a trail of blood spawning from the puddle leading down towards the back of the store. Jonathan's stomach twisted and turned because of the horrid smell and not wanting to encounter what made the mess before him, turned and sped out of the store. Jonathan stood outside of the store away from the door. He pushed himself against the wall and gripped his face. He tried to wrap his head around what was happening. Questions flood his mind.
"Why did Tim attack me like that… no scratch that why did Tim’s eyes look like that man from before. Why wasn’t that man dead, Tim stabbed him right in the chest, even by some miracle that wound didn’t kill him the pain would be unbearable! There would be no chance that he could charge at us like that.”
Jonathan wasn’t an Idiot, he knew what was happening, he’d played enough video games with these creatures in it, but he couldn’t bring himself to admit it. He thought it was just a crazy coincidence that Tim had said he was bitten when he was attacked. There was no way it could be true, those were video games, this was real life.
“There’s no way zombies are real” Jonathan whispered to himself. A small breeze blew by, Jonathan looked down the street, he could see two people slowly stumbling towards his direction. Jonathan narrowed his eyes he could tell that they were one of the infected the way they limped and swayed in the wind. Noone normal walked like that. Jonathan turned and began walking in the opposite direction. He needed to get back to his apartment, he had to warn all his friends, if they didn’t know by now. He also needed to get a bunch of supplies. Jonathan began to pick up his pace. He wasn’t incredibly far from his apartment but it was late and the sun was getting the lower and lower on the horizon. He was unsure if he would make it back in time and he definitely didn’t want to be out in the open when night fell. Jonathan began to jog, the thought of being in the dark with those things driving him to go faster.
Jonathan finally arrived at his apartment complex with minutes of sunlight to spare. He had few encounters with the undead along the way, he only had one close call when jogging passed an abandoned car in the middle of the road. A zombie had been lying on the other side and when Jonathan jogged by it reached out and grabbed him by the ankle causing Jonathan to trip and fall. It was a very close call the zombie was inches for bitting him before Jonathan managed to kick it back before making a break for it.
Jonathan cautiously approached his apartment building. He could see one of the lower rooms doors open with a trail of blood leading into it, or out Jonathan really couldn’t tell, but all he needed to know was that some of the undead lurked in this area.
Jonathan held his breath as he approached the building. he entered through the back stairwell that he and Tim had left the building from. He quilty climb the stairs and he soon noticed a trail of blood leading down the hallway. Jonathan cautiously drew out his knife and found himself following the trail. The trail led directly to his door, Jonathan gulp and hope those footprints had been Tim’s.
Jonathan slowly pushed open his door and remained outside as the door swung open lightly tapping against the wall. He didn’t hear anything stir inside so he proceeded to enter his apartment and close the door behind him. Jonathan let out a sigh of relief because the trail of bloody footprints stopped in the middle of the living room where there was a small pool of blood next to an open medical box. Though that didn’t stop Jonathan from search every room in his apartment. Once he deemed his apartment undead free he plopped down on his bed excused from all the running. This was definitely the most running he’s done in a while, and his body was feeling the effects of his lack of exercise.
Jonathan felt a familiar vibration in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He had completely forgotten he had this on him, Thank God he kept it on vibrate, had it went off when then that lady was inches away or when he was at the store he would have been absolutely screwed. Jonathan turned on the screen and was surprised about all the missed messages and calls he had, most of them had been from Evan, with a few from Tyler. Jonathan started reading the messages left for him by his friends.
“Dude, how long does it take to get a pizza?” Evan’s first message read. Jonathan continued to scroll pass the messages of annoyance left by Evan and Tyler urging him to hurry up and come back to the recording. It was the last couple of messages that caught Jonathan's attention and caused him to start worrying.
“Oh my God, dude turn on the TV! I can’t believe this is happening, this is a joke right! Whatever you do don’t go outside!” Evan’s text message read.
“Shit, this is not happening… Jonathan, please respond.” Was Evan's last message before he left a voicemail.
“Jonathan! Come on man pick up...” The sounds of Tyler cursing and glass breaking filled the background.
“Shit!” Evan yelled. “Jonathan I swear to God I better not find your dead ass wander the streets, stay safe Jonathan use all your rainbow six skill and survive. Maybe we’ll meet again one day” Evan was interrupted as Tyler shouted into the phone
“Tell him if he’s dead I’ll kill him!” more glass shattered in the background.
“Shit we need to go now!” Growls and pounding could be heard and the message suddenly stopped.
Tears threaten to spill from Jonathan’s eyes. He sniffed and blinked them back. Jonathan cared about his friend more than life itself, and the thought they could be dead scared him. Jonathan found himself texting Evan back, unsure if he would even get it.
"I don’t know if you’ll ever get this but I’m still kicking for now. I’ve had a few close calls but I am okay… I’m not dead yet and I hope you aren’t either. Maybe one day I’ll see you and Tyler again, I just hope it’s not in the street with you trying to eat me or vice versa. Stay safe…” Jonathan pressed send hoping his friend was alive and well.
He let out a sigh and sent out a quick warning to everybody else he knew. He then stuffed his phone back into his pocket and stood up. He ran into his closet in the corner of his room and pulled out two large backpacks. He ran to his kitchen and began to dump the content of his cabinets into one of the bags. His bag now contained a box of jello, condensed milk, some soup, a loaf of bread, and a few bottles of water. He also threw in the sharpest kitchen knives he had.
In the other bag, he packed a bunch of extra clothes and pillows. He also threw in his teddy bear. Jonathan placed the bags by the door. He made his way to the center of his living room and collected his medkit. He checked its contents and found he had mostly used up all of his cloth bandages on Tim. Jonathan shuttered at the thought of Tim and that Evan, Tyler and all his other friends could be just like him. Jonathan pushed those thoughts aside and packed the medkit in where the food was. He then sat down on the couch and flip on the Tv and change the channel to the news making sure to keep the volume muted, and that all the curtains were closed.
Jonathan could deny it no longer, this was really happening. Jonathan watched in horror as the tv showed crude images of people being attacked and eaten. The downtown cities were in utter chaos, buildings were on fire and the military was mowing down the infected and people alike in great numbers, but it wasn’t enough they were being overrun little by little.
Jonathan shut off the tv not being able to watch any more. He was lucky he lived in a relatively small town, he hadn’t even noticed what was happening. If Tim hadn’t pounded on his door there was a good chance that he still wouldn’t have known about the apocalypse happening just out his door. Jonathan wondered how long it would have taken for him to figure it out. His friend would have probably have tried to warn him but he would have thought they were just pulling his leg. Jonathan began to think about his friends and the thought that they could be hurt or dead crept back into his mind.
Jonathan shot off the couch and ran to his room. He started pulling books off of his selves, “Come on… I know I’ve got a book of maps around here.”
He continued to pull book after book off the shelves until he found the one he was looking for. Jonathan quickly flipped open the book and pulled out a map of the east coast.
“I don’t know why I have this but I’m not complaining now.” Jonathan smiled to himself glad that he had a map, now he might actually have a change pulling this off. He spread the map across his bed, he then pulled out his phone and opened up google maps. He typed in his address in North Carolina, then proceeded to type in tyler’s address in Indianapolis.
“ 8 days, Fuck!” Jonathan swore. He continued to stare at the route google maps laid out for him. His chances of making it all the way to Tyler's house were slim but what choice did he have, not like he was doing anything else anyway. He was a hundred percent willing to risk his life to make sure his friends would make it through this alive, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t scared of meeting a cruel and gruesome demise.
Jonathan carful traced out his route on to the map marking any areas of interest or of potential danger. The riskiest part of this journey besides the distance was that he would be pretty close to some of the major cities. And based on what he saw on the tv he did not want to be there right now, especially since the only weapons he had were a bunch of kitchen knives. Jonathan hoped that he could find some better weapons and even a mode of transportation, he’ll definitely keep his eye out for anything he could find to help increase his survival chances.
Jonathan wrapped up the map and grabbed the book. He shoved it into his backpack and took a quick glance at the clock. It was only 8:30 and under any normal circumstances, he would never go to bed this early but right now was anything but normal and he was going to need all the rest he could get before his big journey tomorrow. The distance between where he lived and the next town was great and he needs to get there before dark, so that he could have some time to find some shelter for the night.
He’d definitely have to leave here early so he set an alarm on his phone for 5 in the morning. Hopefully, this would leave Jonathan just enough time to find shelter before it got dark. Jonathan did one more check around his apartment just to be sure nothing would attack him while he slept. He made sure his door was lock and all the lights where off.
Jonathan slowly poked his head through his curtains and glance out the window. He could see shadows moving in the streets below. Jonathan backed away from the window letting the curtains fall back into place. He then retreated to his bedroom, once inside he locked the door.
“One could never be too safe” he muttered to himself before he climbed into his bed. Jonathan was surprised how quickly he started to fall asleep given the circumstances but he was exhausted from all the running and planning he had done. Jonathan soon found himself drifting off into a dreamless sleep.