Finding Holly

No Turning Back

Holly crept along the edge of her neighbor's house, the air, once clear and filled with the chirping of birds as they started their day, now thick with the smell of burning trash and gasoline. Her heart was hammering in her chest as she moved from shadow to shadow, avoiding the occasional groan or shuffle that echoed down the street. It wasn't just the zombies she had to worry about now-her neighborhood was descending into chaos, with people running wild in the streets, shouting, desperate. Cars had been abandoned, still running with their doors open, their engines whining and sputtering in the eerie silence between the screams of her neighbors and the growls of the undead.

She reached the corner of the house and froze. A small group of her neighbors had clustered around a streetlight at the end of the block. One of them-a tall man she'd recognized from a few doors down-was gripping a crowbar. His clothes, pajamas, were torn, his face a mix of panic and confusion. "Get to the house! NOW!" he shouted at the group, his voice raw with fear.

Holly's eyes focused on the scene that was unfolding in front of her. The man had turned and began running toward his house, but didn't make it in time. Out of nowhere, one of the undead stumbled from between houses into view-a woman, a neighbor, from further down the street-and her face, half of it missing, twisted in hunger. She groaned and reached out, and lunged at the man. Her neighbor swung his crowbar wildly, without aim, so it did little to slow the creature's relentless advance. Holly's stomach churned as she watched the scene before her unfold with horror. The sounds of the attack-the screams and the gnashing of teeth-rang in her ears.

She couldn't wait any longer.

Holly dashed across the yard, her shoes making her slide on the grass as she neared her driveway. She glanced back for a moment, noting that several more zombies were spilling out from between houses. The streets were becoming a war-zone with neighbors fighting for their lives, some even turning on each other. People were struggling to get to their cars, cars now filled with terrified families trying to escape like she was.

As Holly neared her car, the soft chirp of the door unlocking cut through the chaos. Cursing under her breath, knowing that the sound would bring her more attention than she could handle. And it did.

Before she could even open her door to deposit the bags she was carrying, a woman, panic-stricken and covered in blood, charged at her from behind. Her eyes were wild, her face twisted with desperation. She was looking right at her, but Holly didn't stop to see if she was a victim or one of the zombies. With all the strength that she could muster, Holly swung her elbow back, catching the woman square in the jaw. The force sent her sprawling on the grass. But just as she thought she had a moment to breathe, a second figure emerged from the chaos-this one, obviously not human anymore.

"s**t!" Holly hissed, as she dove into the driver's seat of her car. The zombie, its face misshapen, reached for her, fingers scraping along her door until they found grip on the small opening of the car's window. The smell of rotten flesh and decay was overwhelming and seeped through the air. Her hands shook as she fumbled with her keys, leaning away from the window to keep as much distance as possible between the undead creature and herself.

As she finally started the engine, its sound was muffled by that of an alarm blaring. Her heart skipped a beat and, for a moment, she wondered if she'd be overrun by the approaching group of zombies. But as she slammed her foot on the gas, her tires screeched as she threw her car into reverse and sped out of her driveway.

Her car's wheels skidded against the pavement, throwing up gravel as she sped away from the chaos. She could still faintly hear the screams over her car's emergency broadcast channel as she began to make her way away from her neighborhood. Listening to the broadcast, she allowed her thoughts to drift to Hannah. The promise she'd made. The fear that gnawed at her stomach, urging her to drive faster. To get to the cabin before it was too late.

The streets seemed deserted now-empty except for abandoned cars, overturned trash cans, and a few bodies that were only distinguishable by the zombies and blood surrounding them. Holly's knuckles turned white as she gripped the steering wheel, her mind racing with fear and doubt.

She didn't know where to go. The roads that she normally would've taken were now blocked, and the detours would only lead her deeper into the city, and the chaos that undoubtedly lay waiting. Getting to the cabin was her goal now, that much she knew, but her stomach twisted with every mile that she passed. It was getting harder to see, fires had started among the chaos and the smoke was too thick to drive through with nightfall fast approaching. The world had gone dark and silent, save for the sirens that echoed in the distance behind her.

She rubbed her eyes and pushed on, telling herself it was the only way. There was nothing left for her there, nothing but destruction. And maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that she could make it. She had to believe that.

After several miles, Holly took a familiar right turn, heading toward the outskirts of town. This area was quieter-almost too quiet. It wasn't long before she found herself at the familiar small, seemingly forgotten gas station tucked just off the main highway. The flickering neon signs overhead cast a dull glow on the cracked sidewalks and pavement. Holly pulled into the station, making sure to park her car between cars to make it seem like it had been abandoned there as well. Turning off her engine, her heartbeat sounded in her ears, the silence around her now unnerving.

Holly sat there for a moment, staring inside the windows of the dark store. The world outside felt like it was slipping away, and she wasn't sure what to do next. She had no answers. No real plan except for the lake house. Only one thing was clear, she had to keep moving. Grabbing her bag, she stepped out of her car, glancing around the parking lot. The wind picked up, rustling the scattered debris and making her shiver. The only sounds she could hear was the occasional groan in the distance, signaling that more zombies were out there somewhere.

The gas station was a small, desolate building, one that had been in business since her parents were teens. Holly approached it cautiously, checking for any signs of movement. Everything seemed still. Stepping through the door, the small bell that hung over the door jingled, announcing her arrival to the empty store. Holly turned and locked the door behind her, insuring that nothing-or no one-could follow behind her.

As she walked deeper into the store she noticed that sparsely stocked shelves, some food and drinks still lined the aisles, a sense of abandonment hung in the air now. Holly walked to the back of the store, peering through the aisles, her senses on alert. Nothing-no zombies-no one.

Finding a corner near the back of the shop, where the counter separated the back room from the main shop floor, she slid down the wall, allowing the counter to shelter her from anyone, or anything that might pass by. The low hum of the lights was the only sound as she settled in. She knew it wasn't much, but it was a suitable shelter for the moment.

Her body suddenly felt heavy with exhaustion. She hadn't realized how tired she had been until now, the adrenaline slowing down and leaving her tired, aching. Her eyes felt heavy as she pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head against the counter. The air in the store was cool, and the quiet was almost soothing.

Holly knew that she should be alert, that she should keep watch and should be listening for unfamiliar noises. But the stillness was overpowering her, and her thoughts, though full of concern for her sister, began to dull as sleep took over. The flickering lights above her were almost hypnotic, and before she knew it her eyes had fluttered closed.

She woke to a strange stillness, the light of dawn creeping in through the windows. The world felt like it was suspended in time-everything and nothing all at once. Her body ached as she groggily began to get up from her resting spot on the concrete floor, wiping the sleep from her eyes. The gas station was still quiet. The world outside seemed like a different place now, the heavy unnatural silence only being broken by the groan of zombies that had drawn closer in the shelter of the night. Still, she forced herself to stand, her legs stiff from the uncomfortable position.

Stepping out from behind the counter, she walked towards the shelves, now mostly bare save for a few bottles of water and cans of food that hadn't been scavenged. She grabbed the water, not knowing how far she would have to go before finding another drink. Her fingers lingered over some chocolate-covered granola bars, Hannah's favorite. She smiled at the memory.

Taking a deep breath, Holly made her way outside, driving her car next to the open pumps. Knowing that she was running on fumes and no doubt in her mind it would grow harder and harder to find gas, she decided to take advantage and fill her tank. As she waited for the gas to finish pumping she decided to leave Hannah a note, should she follow her.

Hannah,

I'm going camping. Don't take any chances.

-Holly

With a trembling hand she slipped the note into the bottom of the granola bar box, covering it with some granola bars as well. Walking back into the shop, she placed the box where she had found it, her hand lingering on it. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, left the shop and walked back to her car.

Sliding into the driver's seat, she glanced one last time at the gas station, once again silent and still. The world felt even more alien as she began driving, the road empty, save for the now-abandoned cars. As Holly drove away from the town, the rising run cast long shadows over the desolate landscape.