"-and over there is the break room." The lady said as she waved towards the little room in the corner.

I smiled, nodded in acknowledgement of her words. 

I quickly trailed behind her as we made our way down the hallway to the lab I would be working in. The first day is always nerve racking, but I was excited to start my career in science. Fresh out of college, ready to make my first paycheck as a working women.

She opened the door to the lab and ushered me through. There were four other people either working on a computer or on a bench pipetting some kind of substance. They all looked up from their work and greeted me. The lady that gave the tour, handed me a white lab coat.

"Here, you'll need to put this on for sanitation reasons and always wear gloves." The tour lady said.

I began putting my lab coat on, I suddenly paused, hearing a loud buzzing sound from the side pocket of my leggings.

"No phones in the lab!" the tour lady warned.

"I'm sorry! I'll turn it off." 

I fumbled around, struggling to get my phone out of my pants, almost dropping it in the process. Once securely in my clammy hands, I noticed that the screen was flashing red with big letters reading "Warning". I stopped fumbling with the phone and squinted at the screen as if I suddenly forgot how to read.

"Tessa, please, get rid of your phone." the lady pleaded this time.

"Hang on, somethings wrong." I said unsure as I turned the phone screen towards her.

"Is this some kind of joke?" The lady sounded angry now, tired of the time wasted on this.

"No, no I swear! I don't-" Is all I could get out before the five computers in the lab started flashing red with the word "Warning". But this time, there was a warning sound coming from all of the computers at once. Everyone in the lab froze as they turned to watch the screens.

A voice started talking through the computers. "This is the Emergency Broadcast System, a National Emergency has occurred. This is not a test. I repeat, this is not a test. Until further notice, stay indoors, barricade windows and doors." 

The broadcast continued to talk through the speakers, but our attention was drawn elsewhere. The staff ran to the windows, following the blood curling scream that had rang through the air. I quickly followed behind, looking down at the sidewalk from the second floor window. 

A women in workout clothes was being chased by a tall male covered in blood from head to toe.

"What is going on down there!" someone yelled.

"Is he bleeding from his eyes?" another asked.

I squinted hard as I pressed my forehead against the glass, trying to confirm what was really unraveling before our eyes.

We watched helplessly as the male caught up to the women with ease. He lunged at her, knocking her off her feet, ripping into her neck before she even hit the ground. The broken blood vessels spewed all over the once dry pavement, creating a large puddle of warm liquid. My jaw dropped in horror as my heart sank to my stomach. It was suddenly silent in the lab. No one said a word as we watched the women bleed out.  As it slowly began to sink in, a hint of excitement rose within me. It's happening. 

All of the zombie shows and video games I've played over the years has been training me for this exact moment. I felt a little more confident now than I did five seconds ago, but the speed that the guy had was still worrisome. Runners were always the ones I feared the most and hoped would never be in a real apocalypse, but it looks like their the ones running the show.

"Look!" someone exclaimed as a women exited our building with a raised umbrella.

She started hitting the man over the back of his head. The man whipped his head in her direction and let out a scream. He rose to his feet as he swiped at her with his hands, catching her arm in the process. He yanked her forward, sinking his teeth into her arm as she yelped in pain. The women took her other arm and hit the man with the umbrella as hard as she could knocking him back a couple of steps. She quickly retreated back to the door she once came from. 

"No, no, no." I whispered to myself realizing what that means for the rest of the people in this building. Soon that woman would turn and infect the whole first floor, trapping us up here.

The man that had bit her was close behind as she ran out of view. We couldn't see the door the women went too. She either got locked outside, entered back into the building alone or entered with her new friend.

"Is she moving? Look, I see her fingers moving, she's still alive." a women pointed to the lady that was once motionless in her own puddle of blood. 

"I don't think so." I quietly said to myself, hoping no one would hear me. I didn't want to explain what I thought was going on and spread even more panic. I'm not sure they would believe me if I told them a zombie apocalypse was unfolding before our eyes.

The once lifeless women was now scrambling to her feet making chilling noises in the process, like a dying animal crying in pain. We watched as she ran towards the door the other two may or may not have entered. Everyone in the lab was silent, motionless, shocked from what they had just witnessed. I could see it in their eyes, the wheels turning in their head, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed.

"Ok, we need to block our entry points. That's what the computer said." My tour guide announced, breaking the silence with a shaky voice.

Everyone nodded in some kind of agreeance and started moving furniture towards the doors.

"Hang on." I finally piped up. " I'm not staying here to get trapped by whatever those things were down there. We'll starve up here if no one comes to get us and these windows don't open so we have no escape route if things get worse."

"You can't leave, the government will handle it. It said to stay inside." one of the workers pleaded with me.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not putting my life in anyone's hands except my own. You guys are welcome to join me, but I don't think its a good idea to stay here." I warned once more.

The group exchanged glances and began weighing the options with each other.  While they were wasting precious time, I grabbed my backpack  and began sifting through what I needed and what could be left behind. All in all, I kept my wallet and two energy bars, everything else was in a pile on the floor. In the front pouch was my pocket knife, no matter what I always carried it with me just in case. I knew it was there, no point in bringing it out till I leave this room. I don't think a knife will help this current situation.  

"Ok, times up. Anyone coming with?" I asked once more as I slung my backpack over my shoulder. 

They all shook their heads "no". Well, I can't say I didn't at least try. Besides, I think they would have just slowed me down or get me killed.

"Ok, just open the door and QUIETLY close it behind me."  

I'm not sure if those runners made it upstairs or not, but I don't want to find out with one of these guys slamming the door.

One of the girls walked timidly up to the door and stood in front of it. "We can't let you go out there. You'll die, you have to stay here."

Their trapping me in this cage to die with them, I don't care what they choose, but I need to get out of here. I need to get home.

"I need to get home to my parents before its to late. I appreciate your concern, but this is my choice. We have no idea if those things got into the building or not. I'm not waiting around to find out" I tried to persuade gently.

"No, we need to stick together and stay here until further instructions. Leaving is a foolish idea. I'm sure this will blow over soon, so until then, we wait." the tour lady said firmly trying to end this debate.

"No, staying here is the foolish idea. What if this doesn't blow over? We need to think for ourselves in case this becomes too much to contain."

"You really think you could out run that sick guy? You are putting yourself in unnecessary danger by leaving.  You are overreacting."

"Has no one watched T.V. before? This is how it all starts. I know I sound crazy, but wouldn't you rather overreact and plan accordingly?" I asked

"That's what your going off of? Some T.V. shows that you have watched? Do you hear yourself right now?" The tour lady said as she crossed her arms getting the rest of the group to agree with her on my crazy status. They all were acting like a herd sheep. 

"I'm not asking anymore. Did you not just see what happened out there?" I grumbled, reaching my arm back to pull out my knife. I guess I'm going to have to show off my knife sooner than I thought.

"Come with me or get out of the way." I demanded this time holding the knife out in their direction. 

"You wouldn't." One challenged.

"Are you willing to take that bet? You barely know me." I countered in a low, calm voice.

They hesitated before shooting me dirty looks as they shuffling out of my way.

"Your crazy for going out there."

"Its your funeral." Another said.

As the door shut behind me, I immediately checked my phone...no signal. Would we really loose connection like that so fast? Maybe their trying to keep contact with others to a minimum to reduce panic. I tightened my grip on the handle of my knife, I really hope I don't have to use this. It's so little, I'm not sure how effective it will actually be, but it's better than nothing.

I quickly but quietly made my way down the hallway and around the corner to the stairwell. There were people from other labs looking through the windows of their doors. Their wide eyes full of panic, but no one opened their doors, they just watched me until I was out of site. I'm assuming they got to watch the horrific events that occurred outside our building as well.

I opened the door to the stairwell. The doors were so heavy and loud even with my best attempt at being silent, it still made a noise. My body cringed as it slammed shut.  I froze, listened for anything other than myself making noise. I could hear a faint whimper at the bottom of the stairs. Someone was there, crying. I could feel my pulse rising, palms beginning to sweet again. I shouldn't be surprised, did I really thing I would be able to get out of here without running into anything?

With my pocket knife raised and ready, I tip toed down the stairs trying to see who or what was down there. As I peered around the corner I saw her. The girl with the umbrella. She still appeared to be normal, still human. 

"No, stay back!" she yelled as she spotted me. She quickly scooted her butt backwards to the corner clutching her injured arm against her chest. The floor was covered in blood. How was she still alive?

Her sudden loud noise stirred up some activity that was waiting behind the first floor's door. The banging and moaning behind it sounded like way more than two runners. Seems like the worst case scenario came true. She let them in and they infected the whole first floor.

"It's ok, I'm not one of them." I said quietly trying to calm her down.

In any TV show you watch, getting bit is a death sentence. I have no idea if this is the case for whatever we are against here but I am not sticking around to find out. 

"They've all turned into monsters! I was only trying to help, now their eating each other." She sobbed.

"Shhh, you didn't know. It's not your fault." I tried to reassure her without getting to close. 

Her words " their eating each other" echoed in my mind for a moment making the situation sink in even deeper. It gave me flash backs to the jogger we had just watched be devoured. Shivers ran down my body as I tried to pull myself back to reality. 

"Where does this door go?" I asked, pointing to the door opposite of the one being pounded on.

"Outside." She choked out through the tears.

Perfect, the next step would be getting to the parking lot across the street. Assuming those creatures are trapped in here, getting to the parking lot shouldn't be to difficult... I think. Normally, anytime you see people get into their cars during an apocalypse nothing good happens but with home 15 miles away, I didn't have much of a choice unless I wanted to be walking in the dark.

I slowly made my way to the door keeping as much distance from the infected lady while trying not to slip on her blood.

"No, please don't leave me like this." she begged as she lunged forward plunging into her own pool of blood. As she hit the ground, the blood splashed onto her face. The sudden motion startled me, causing my body to flinch. I quickly lifted my feet over her grabbing hands. I could feel myself lose my balance and fell to my hands and knees.  I winced from the sudden shock of pain shooting through my body. This allowed her to grab my wrist, keeping me from escaping.

"Don't go." she pleaded, but this time it was more of a gurgling growl inches from my face. I looked up to meet her now blood shot eyes. She was starting to change, I could feel her grip getting tighter, cutting the circulation off from my hand.

"Your hurting me." I whispered with a slight quiver in my voice.

"Don't.....Leave." She gurgled as she started to choke on blood oozing out of her mouth.

"Don't worry, I'll get help. You just stay here and rest." I lied, patting her hand in an attempt to comfort her. Her time was limited now and so was mine if I didn't escape soon. 

"Promise?" She croaked. 

"Yes, I promise. Now let me go so I can get help." I tried to keep my voice steady this time, not giving away how scared I truly was.

"Hurry."  She gurgled once more with wide hungry eyes. They were becoming glossed over, like a corpse's eyes.

"I will." I kept eye contact as best I could, trying to make her believe me. I could see the veins in her face darkening, creeping up her cheeks . 

She slowly released her now cold hand from my wrist as if she was fighting herself internally.  Once I was released, I scrambled to my feet, slipping on the blood as I moved towards the door. I didn't even take the time to peak outside. There was no time, I could only hope that it was better out there than what was happening in the stairwell.

I quickly shut the door behind me. I sank to the ground, my back against the door, with a heavy sigh I let my lungs fill with the fresh air.  As I regained my wits, I realized how quite it was. There were no cars or people around. This made me nervous. Where is everyone? It hasn't even been more than an hour since the warning began on the computers.

I slowly rose to my feet, getting myself back into the stealth mentality. I could feel my wet, bloodied clothes sticking to my skin. I took the lab coat off, I was still wearing apparently and rolled in the near by grass. Hopefully this would help with the scent of fresh blood. I can only imagine what I look like now, probably like one of those crazed things. It must be a rage virus of some sort. I guess I'll just start calling them Ragers, sounds way more scarier than a Runner.

I crept around the side of the building, peering around the side to see the front doors smashed in. Great, so that horde could come running out if I make too much noise.

I began jogging lightly, looking both ways as I crossed the street. I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder half expecting one of those things to exit the building. As I turned back to jump over the curb, a figure rose from between the cars, slightly hunched to one side, groaning in agony. Without a second thought, I dropped to the ground behind one of the cars. Even though I was hidden from that monster I was very exposed to anything else that was lurking about. 

I stood up slightly to peer around the car. Whoever or whatever it was, seemed to be very content to just stand there... In front of my car of course. I crouched back down contemplating what my next move should be. I can't wait much longer, I'm not sure how much time I have before those things in the building decide to leave. I glanced back at the shattered entrance once more. The window above it cause my eye. The ladies that I left in the lab were now watching me attempt my escape, completely oblivious to what was lurking beneath them. I gave them a chance to escape, but they didn't take it. There isn't much I can do for them now, I have my own set of problems. 

Thinking back to all my video games, this seams like the perfect time to throw something. This would get the Rager to move out of the way of my car, but would most definitely alert the Ragers in the building. I'll have to be ready to run. I had my keys still in my pocket, pulling those out without making a sound will be a challenge. I'll wait till I get closer to my car.

Rock in hand, I took a slow, deep breath trying to calm my adrenalin filled body. My nerves were setting in as my mind began to take over with panic. 

There was no do overs or last minute saves like in a game. Its real life this time. That was the most scariest thought. Whatever happens, I have to live with it...or die.

I shook my head slightly trying to get out of my thoughts and stay focused on the task at hand. I slung my back pack to one shoulder, making it easier to throw into the car quicker. This was going to unravel very fast.

I took one more glance around at the once busy streets before shooting up from my crouch and chucked the rock as far as I could. It hit the windshield of a car in the opposite direction of mine. The rock hit the car with a thud, cracking the glass. Its lights began to flash as the alarm started going off. I can't believe I forgot about the car alarm!

The once statue like Rager began screaming as it ran towards the car. I could hear the loud rustling of feet and moaning coming from the building. My window of opportunity was closing. Without hesitation, I bolted across the parking lot. A loud shattering noise came from behind as the Ragers took down what was left of the doors, stomping and knocking each other over in a frenzy as they tried to frantically get to the noise. My heart skipped a beat as I froze for a moment. There were so many of them. I recognized some that I had met earlier in the day, just mere hours ago. 

A firm hand suddenly grabbed my arm, yanking me back to reality. I attempted to rip my arm from the the creatures grasp.

"Come on!" The man whispered.

The creature was human, a male I did not recognize. He couldn't have been more than a couple years older than me.

He was pulling us away from the parking lot.

"No! I need to get to my car." I hissed as I freed myself from his hold.

Before he could say or do anything, I took off towards my car again. The Ragers now almost on top of us. I could hear their terrifying cries as they grew near. As I came up to my car, I whipped out my car keys. I couldn't help but push the unlock button repeatedly until I reached the car door. I didn't waste a moment to brake and slammed full speed into the side of the car. It made a loud thud, but at this point making noise was the least of my worries.

As I slammed the door shut, I heard the passenger side shut as well. It was the man, he had followed me to my car. I wanted to protest but the horde was closing in. I quickly started the car, shifting the gear to reverse. One of the Ragers managed to leap onto the hood of my car. I couldn't help but let out a yelp as my body flinched.

"Floor it!" The man beside me yelled.

I did as he ordered, urgently pressing the peddle down until it hit the floor board. The car flew out of the parking lot, bounced over the curb and landed in the street. The Rager that was once on the hood flew off from the bouncy ride. I quickly shifted the gear to drive and sped off down the road, watching the horde attempt to catch us from the rear view mirror.

As the horde began to fade into the background, my attention turned towards the stranger sitting next to me.

"Are you crazy? Throwing a rock at a car!? Are you kidding me, we could have died!" The man began scolding me, throwing his arms up in the air in disbelief.

"'We'? There is no 'we', just me. Your just lucky I'm even letting you stay in my car right now." I warned.

"Wow, settle down with the sass. If it wasn't for me, you would have died.  You can't freeze like that."

"I didn't freeze, I-I was thinking." I said with all the sass I could muster.
I definitely froze... a little. I still can't believe this is really happening.

"Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that." The man huffed.

"Believe what you want, but I'm trying to get home to my family. So, I don't have time for you or where ever your trying to go."

"Well, my family is in another state. So I don't think going home is an option for me." His voice slowly became quieter as the realization of his words sank in.

I found myself suddenly feeling sorry for him. Was that his plan? Was this just some skeem to stay in the car or was he really being sincere? The apocalypse has only just begun, forming groups at this point is essential in the long run of things.

I sighed heavily.

"Fine, you can come with, if you want." I offered reluctantly.

"Good, I wasn't really gonna give you a choice anyway." He joked.

"Great." I whispered under my breathe, hoping I wouldn't regret this later.

We sat in silence for a couple minutes before the stranger piped up again.

"I'm Chase by the way."

"Tessa."

"Well, Tessa do you have any idea why we have no phone signal?" He asked as he shook his phone at me.

"Why would I know?"

He shrugged and began fidgeting with the radio. Nothing but static rang through the speakers. He flipped the radio off and turned to face the front of the car again.

"Oh my God." I muttered as the car rolled to a halt.
Traffic was already backed up for miles. There were people abandoning cars to walk, giving up on the belief that the traffic would ever move.

I could feel my anxiety starting to set in. If we walked, we would be outside in the dark. If we stayed here, we would surely be trapped in our car if ... when a Rager comes. I placed my face in the palms of my hands, frustrated with the situation, trying to contemplate what my next move should be. Both options sucked.

"Already flustered Tess?" Chase teased.

"Quiet." I hissed. I didn't need his two sense adding to the stress.

"Tess." Chase said again, but this time with a calming voice.

I looked up from my hands to meet his bright green eyes.

"What?"

"Just drive on the grass." He suggested, pointing to the uneven ground that surrounded the road.

"I don't think I can drive on that. I don't even think my car could handle that kind of terrain." I shook my head at the idea.

"Well, we can't stay here and walking isn't an option. I mean, you saw how fast they were. So, that leaves this idea. If you don't think you can handle it, let me drive."

"Oh, is that your plan? To jump in the drivers seat and push me out of the car?" I accused, getting ready to fight.

"Look, you either suck it up and drive on the grass or I will. I don't know what your problem is with me, but we don't have time for this." He said in a serious tone, forcing me to make a decision.

"Ok, ok, I will drive through it." I replied tentatively.

His sudden shift in tone caught me off guard. So far he hasn't done anything to hint at a betrayal. Maybe I am being too cautious about him. Right now, he is my only alley in this messed up world.

I turned the wheel of the car and began moving it towards the grass. I tried not to go to fast in fear of damaging or flipping the car, if that was possible. The ground was uneven, making for a very bouncy ride.

"Easy." Chase warned holding onto the handle above his head.

"I'm trying." I grumbled back.

We suddenly began to hear screaming up ahead. I could see the tops of people's heads running in between cars. This can't be good.

"Watch out!" Chase exclaimed as a man burst through the line of cars. 

I jerked the car to the side, trying to avoid the stranger. The sudden change in direction through the car off balance, tilting it to the side. The car began to barrel role down the hill. I couldn't help but let out a cry while Chase swore loudly. As the car rolled on it's side, the hard impact caused my body to flail towards the side window. I could feel the side of my head connect with the window, cracking it in the process. My vision blurred as darkness quickly crept in. I could no longer see but I could still feel the car rolling.

As I came too, I could feel the side of my head throbbing from the blow. I moaned in discomfort, touching the side of my head to feel for the cut. My head was wet with blood. The pressure from my head continued to increase, keeping my vision blurred. I didn't need to see to realize I was upside down, dangling from my seat belt.

I attempted to wipe the blood from my eyes in an effort to improve what little vision I had. I could see the windshield was missing, leaving me exposed to whatever wanted to crawl into the car with me.

I peered over to the passenger seat, half expecting a Rager to be next to me. The ringing in my ears was still really loud, making it hard to hear any groans it may have made.  I turned my head slowly trying not to get dizzy, squinting past the blood, the seat was empty. I glanced around the car and noticed my back pack was missing as well. He left me. I was right, I couldn't trust him. My eyes began to sting as tears started to form. The thought of being stuck and alone was sinking in quickly. 

My pocket began to vibrate. I thought there was no signal? I quickly pulled it out, Mom. I answered it without hesitation, feeling somewhat relieved and comforted.

"Tessa!? Oh Thank God I finally got through." My mother began.

"Hi, I'm glad your ok mom." I whispered as I realized there was a hunched figure in the distance. Was it chase? Did he turn?

"Are you ok? It's crazy over here, your Father went to go get your brother at his apartment. If your still at work you should leave and meet them there. It would be on your way home." She said frantically, trying to say what she needed before the signal was lost again.

" I'm fine," I lied. 

"I will leave work now and meet them at the apartment. No worries. I love you mom." I added before the call dropped.

 I took a deep breath, trying to subdue the lump in my throat that had formed. Stay strong, stay strong. You can do this.

 I returned my phone to my pocket, as I began contemplating on how to free myself without alerting the Rager.

A women's scream suddenly rang through the air. The Rager cried out before running towards the sound. Perfect, now's my chance. I felt bad for the women, knowing full well what was happening to her, but I needed a distraction. 

I placed one arm on the ceiling of the car to catch myself as I unclipped the seat buckle. I fell on my shoulder, shielding my head from another blow. I grunted quietly as my already aching body hit the car. I could hear the crunching of glass beneath my body. I crawled out from the front of the car slowly, trying to avoid the glass fragments while making as little noise as possible.

I attempted to get my feet under my body, everything around me began to spin as I straightend. I couldn't help but stumble and fall to one knee, my arm catching the rest of my body from falling to the grown. I grasped my aching head with my other hand, shutting my eyes, waiting for the world to stop moving. I let myself fall backwards onto my butt. I felt defeated, unable to move, knowing how close a Rager was to me. I thought I would have made it farther than this.

I could hear the women's screams fading, my time was running out. I tried to stand once more with no prevail.

"I got you Tess." A familiar voice whispered.

It was Chase. I couldn't help but feel a sigh of relief. He was alive and I was no longer alone, stumbling around in the open.

He scooped me up into his arms and briskly walked to a nearby abandoned car. He placed me in the back seat with the back pack.

"Lay down." He quietly ordered before shutting the door. 

I did as he said. I could see him turn around with an ax raised...MY ax. He swung as hard as he could, lodging the blade into the side of the creature that was once running right at him. Blood splashed on the window I was looking out of. I could see the creature fall. Chase ducked down out of sight, to retrieve the ax I assume.

He popped back up and got into the drivers side, turned the car on and turned it towards the grass for a second attempt.

I slowly made my way to the front trying not to spur on another dizzy session. I could see cuts and bruising on his face from the crash. I hope that's all he got from it.

"You're ok?" I asked.

He nodded reassuring me as he handed me a rag for my head. I could feel it dripping down my face now.

"Where were you?" I asked with a hint of worry.

"I-I'm sorry, I thought you were dead. There was so much blood and a horde had formed from the crowd. I managed to draw them away-"

"Draw them away? How, their so fast!" I interrupted.

"I ran track in high school and college, who knew it would come in handy." Chase explained with a chuckle.

"Great, if we have to make a run for it, I'll be the slower one they catch." I realized. I was a fast runner but against someone who ran as a sport, I don't think it would be much competition. 

"Anyway," Chase said, as he ignored my comment.

"After I drew away the horde, I came back to the car and found this ax in your car, not weird at all, and tried to find a car with keys. I heard the women screaming. I thought it was you." He trailed off with a dark look in his eyes I haven't seen before.

"Nope, but the scream did give me a chance to get out of the car undetected." 

"You didn't get very far though." He pointed out as if I didn't realize that already.

"Yeah, I know. Can I have my ax back?" 

I'd feel better if I was the one holding it, even though he would probably be more effective with it. Not having a larger weapon like that made me feel so vulnerable.

"Yeah, I'm gonna give it to the girl that can barely stand." He replied sarcastically. 

"Why do you have an ax in your car anyway?"

"My dad and I would always joke about being 'apocalypse ready'. I have another ax, a bow and a machete waiting at home as well."

"Hmmm, normally I'd poke fun at someone who was that prepared, but I don't think we would have made it out of there without it." He said with a serious tone.

The thought of my dad and I suddenly jogged my memory of the conversation with my mom.

"Something else happened in the car." I began.

"I got signal on my phone and my mom called. She said my dad went to my brothers apartment. We need to go there instead and get them. It's closer than my house."

"You got a signal? Are you sure?"

He was hinting at my head injury. Did I imagine it? It was so real, I swear it really happened. I pulled my phone out and checked the call list. There it was, the call my mom made to me. 

"Yeah, see!" I said showing him the call history.

"Damn." he whispered. "Wheres the apartment?"

"Its on 30th Grove Street, if you know where that is."

"Yeah, I'm familiar. What's the buildings name?"

"Rosie Apartment Complex."

"Ok. That's not to far from here."

I nodded as I leaned back, resting my head. I let my heavy eyes begin to shut. If he knew where it was, there was no need for me to be awake anymore. Almost immediately I could feel my mind slipping away into a nice deep slumber. 

Chase's hand suddenly grabbed my shoulder pushing me side to side.

"What are you doing!" He yelled with a panicked voice.

"What does it look like? I'm trying to sleep!" I yelled back, dazed and annoyed by the interruption. 

"You have a concussion, you can't go to sleep."

"That's not how it works. I can only sleep for two hours at a time." I corrected him.

"I don't think that's right. Google it... Oh wait you can't. So, your staying up just in case." His voice had a strange mix of sarcasm and authority. 

"Your not the boss of me." I huffed like a child.

"Fine, whoever is older will decide. Deal?" He asked.

I look way younger than I am, many have mistaken me for a young teen when in reality I am 22. I was willing to take the chance of my initial suspicions of his older age appearance. I really didn't have much to loose except some sleep, plus I was curios about his true age.

"Deal." I muttered.

"Ok, how old are you then?"

"No, you first. I have my drivers license in my back pack to prove my age and I don't want you changing yours."

He leaned to one side pulling out a wallet from his back pocket and tossing it in my lap.

"There."

I opened it up quickly locating his card. He was 24 years old.

"Damn it." I muttered.

"Ha" He said loudly knowing he beat me as he snatched his wallet from my hands.

"Whatever." I said as I crossed my arms in defeat.

That ended all conversation for a while. As we continued to drive past the line of cars, we would occasionally see people walking with supplies. Some were still in their cars waiting. It seemed like the monsters haven't touched this part yet. There may still be hope yet.