Chapter 8: Reunited
as michael begins coming to, with a tremendous headache he glances over, excited to see samantha driving the car. However, where is alyssa? Samantha notices michael has awoken from his brief slumber. Michael asks samantha, “how long have i been asleep”? Samantha replies, not long 15, 20 minutes at the most. Michael asks, “what happened to alyssa”? “why is she not with you”? Samantha begins recalling and telling michael what had happened while they were apart. “after you dropped us off we ran into the house, i went into my bedroom and sent alyssa to her room, to play with her toys, until i gathered everything we needed. I then grabbed a large nap sack, and ran to the closet, and begin loading it with some guns and ammunition. I shoved one of the guns in my waist not sure, that i would need it, or not. I also loaded the bag with a change of clothes, i then ran down to alyssa’s room, where i found her playing as if nothing ever happened, i grabbed her a few outfits and threw them in the bag. I rushed downstairs to the kitchen, leaving alyssa upstairs alone; i then rummaged through the cupboards, and refrigerator, grabbing some canned foods, and bottles of water. As i finished filling the bag i heard, thump, thump, and footsteps on the stairs. I rushed out of the kitchen and to the stairs, leaving the loaded bag lying on the floor in the kitchen, now holding the gun in my hand, i turned the corner hoping to see alyssa, but there was no one there. I turned toward the front door and saw it wide open, with a bloody handprint on the middle of the door, and blood smeared on the knob. I started heading up the stairs, following a trail of blood that was soaked into the carpet. I rushed into alyssa’s room, but there was no trace of alyssa, or anybody else. I turned back and headed to my bedroom, and continued following the trail of blood, i reached the doorway, to find a large blood soaked man, dressed in civilian clothes, just staring out the window immediately next to my bed. I asked him, “what have you done with my daughter”? “you bastard!” he did not answer; he just remained standing and blankly staring, out the window. I asked him again, this time he slowly turned his head, and let out a loud shriek, he began charging towards me, very quickly. I then unloaded the gun into the man; he fell to the ground at the base of the bed, spilling blood all over the floor. I then heard the sound of little feet come running up behind me. I turned to see alyssa, come running up behind me, and she then jumped into my arms, still holding her doll. I asked her, “where were you honey”? Alyssa said, “i was playing hide and seek mommy”, “i was hiding under my bed mommy” “, what happened mommy”? I replied, “nothing honey”, not letting her see the body lying on the floor, i rushed down the stairs, grabbed the bag in the kitchen, and headed into the garage, throwing the bag in the trunk of the car. I then started the car, and we began making our way to the military base, driving through a few neighborhoods that i noticed had, obviously been over run by infected civilians, with cars on fire wrecked, and the streets just littered, with unimaginable numbers of infected people. We reached the military base, far on the outskirts of the city, and there were lines of cars, waiting to get into the secured facility, and with armed guards standing around everywhere. The atmosphere around was almost to relaxed for what was going on, almost as if they had no idea of what exactly, was happening in the city. Sitting there in line, it was taking way too long. Therefore, i left the vehicle running. I jumped from the car, grabbed alyssa, and approached one of the guards heading into the base. The guard then stopped me, asking, “miss” “, miss,” “are you on the list”? “i have to check my list”. I tell him my name, the guard then scans through his list and says, “you and your family are on the list”. He asks, “and where’s your husband ma’am”. Visibly shaken and upset, i began telling him about our night, and exactly what is going on in the city, and i began asking the guard if he had any idea of the nightmare, that was over taking the city. As i was telling the guard the story, i slowly began seeing his expression beginning to change. Shocked and looking terrified, the guard tells me, that was not; what was, supposed to happen here. That the military on the base had no idea of what was happening, and that they have been trying to contact the prison and the asylum, for hours now with no response. The guard then tells me, “with us not being able to reach anyone” ”, it seems as if we are cut off from the rest of the world.” then he informs me, that they sent a few teams out, but they never came back. The guard then got on his walkie-talkie, and contacted someone, within a few minutes, we heard a loud siren going off on the base, and the line of vehicles began moving faster. Thinking of you michael, i began telling the guard about your story and everything you have been through. Pleading too the guard to allow you onto the base. With everything you have been through, the guard let me know, that if he was at the gate, he would surely let you in. And for me that was good enough. With this being the safest place in town, i then asked the guard, if i could leave alyssa here with him, and if he would look after her, while i came and got you. The guard then told me, “sure mrs.” “i will keep her safe” ”, and make sure nothing happens to her”. With that, i asked the guard his name; he tells me, “my name is private james long” “, ma'am” ”, but everybody calls me jimmy”. I convince alyssa that she will be safe here, that mommy will be ok, and that i will be right back, and to have fun with jimmy. Alyssa began to cry, as i handed her to jimmy. I told her, “i love her” ”, and that everything will be fine.” i ran back to the car and begin pulling away, as i watched jimmy hand alyssa over to another guard, safely inside the fence of the base, then i started to make my way, to save you”. By the time samantha finishes the story, michael and samantha were just pulling up to the base, but it was a very different scene from what samantha had just got done describing and it wasn’t looking very safe and secure anymore, all michael could think to himself was; i sure hope alyssa is ok!