3 Years Later

I dont remember when reality finally caught up to me. In between moving my shit back to the elevator and sorting that massive pile, the realization came like a freight train.

How empty the streets was. How many more Zs appeared every few weeks. The sounds of distant gunshots. Fear grew on me as I wondered just how close I was to them. How close they were to me.

I gulped dryly, the pain in my c.h.e.s.t growing unbearable until I found myself throwing the sheets off me. It was some stained, dirty thing that was brought over during the haul. The sight of the yellowish white fabric made my stomach churn until I needed to get up. The need to get moving, the need to do something productive, called to me. Which led me here, stumbling against the wall as heaving left my lips. I don't know where I was going. Where I was planning on heading to. I suppose any location is better than the room I was rotting in.

I didn't even hear footsteps until I saw a pair of shoes stop in front of me. Just in my line of vision. I shut my eyes to gather time for my thoughts as a pair of hands grabbed my shoulders.

"The f.u.c.k are you up for?" The rough voice of nick hissed out as he shifted my weight onto his.

"Couldn't handle... being-" "Stationary?"

I peaked an eye up at him as he sighed. His eyes scanning me over before he shook his head. I wasnt sure if it was the lighting or my wooziness but I was sure he had a look of pity. It went so far as to be borderline sorrowful. He moved passed me before I could get the chance to. His burly figure bumping into mine as he made way towards the main room.

A frown pressed on my own face as I tried to shake his look away from my mind. Instead head back down to Jake's room, hoping some sort of company will clear my ease.

Then I heard the yelling. Deranged and accusatory as John's figure came barreling through the door. Yelling obscenities to his old friend who looked equally as pressed.

"F.u.c.k off you shit!"

"Go eat an Egg before I shove your jaw down your throat!"

John growled as he turned to see me, just around the corner. His eyes first shocked then quickly turned to glowering. Lips pulled back into a snarl. He acted much like a guard dog as he shoved passed me. Hands in the pockets of his vest as a stream of curses followed his trail. I stared down the hall, watch him dip away around the corner, before I finally turned to Jake.

His whole sense of being was heaving. Whatever argument they must've had in there was explosive for sure. Those green eyes watering up until he noticed me there. With a quick turn, he hid his emotions underneath his arm. Waving his hand slightly as he coughed, perhaps trying to get ready to talk.

"Hey man, it's okay." I offered, stepping closer and placing a hand on his shoulder. He allowed me to guide him into his room. Or rather, he guided me to the couch and made sure to help me walk along. My slight limp made it a bit hard to walk at a normal pace.

Sitting there, no words were exchanged for a long time. The clock ticked away in the room and I was willing to bet that both of us were being consumed by our own thoughts. To be fair, there wasn't much to do in this situation. Sure, it felt hopeless but what are we to do?

"I tried to talk to John. Ask him where all the junk came from." Jake finally said, tentatively and low as if he was afraid of someone listening in. I stayed quiet and allowed him to continue spewing whatever was trapped in his head as he continued to scratch at his beard. The scraping sound growing louder the longer the went on.

"He uh... He didn't act like he used to do. He go defensive and I knew something was up. He called me a nosy f.u.c.k. And well... My anger got the best of me. I don't know where the conversation went but I tried to get him to see how s.... How scared me-we were. I just... I don't understand anything anymore..."

"Welcome to my world..." I mumbled back with a snort. My nails settling back into scratching the bumps on the sides of my head, close to the temples, as I tried to assess the situation. "I think we need to get out of here soon... But I don't know how..."

"We can leave in the middle of the night? Pick another place to stay at after we get the shit from your place?"

I shook my head, feeling my eyebrows furrow and my teeth gnawing on my bottom lip. It was foolish but paranoia was building on me. The idea of 4 bodies chasing after us with guns a-blazing. We could only go so far with them hunting us.

"They'd never let us leave..."

Jake thought for a bit before sighing defeated. His hands scratching as the mangy hair of his as a huff of frustration left him.

"F.u.c.k... You're right. There's always one of them on duty during watch. We'd have to stay here for god knows how long before they'd allow us in that position..."

"I doubt we'd even make it that long. I think we're both running out of rope now..."

Silence befell us again as we ruminate on what we could do. Throwing random ideas at one another but each one was dropped as soon as they were said. The possibility of safety was too low for each scenario we gave that it wasn't a valid option.

I forgot how long it was when I decided on heading back to my room. Jake waving me off from the door way as I gave him a hug back.

"Great, you're making this seem like it's the last time I'll see you." He sighed which caused me to chuckle and roll my eyes.

"Oh shut up, as if I'd go out like this."

He snickered as I slowly began to away, about to turn to head back to my area, when a body barely paused to avoid collision. My breath hitched as I held my hands out in front of me in case of a crash only have Nick there. Just inches away from me.

I craned my head up to stare at him. Him doing the same to me. Both of us staring at each other with a tight lipped frown until he moved to the side. Mockingly gesturing down the hall for me to go first. With a quick look, I was given a reassuring smile from Jake and it was all I needed to get going.

My mind melting away as I walked back to my corner. I found myself slipping my hands into the pockets of the pants I was given when I felt the familiar crunch of paper. Confusion causing me to pause mid-step to check what it was.

Written on tiny slip of newspaper was 6 simple words written in very scratchy, messy writing. Each letter was capitalized and was deeply scrawled in. The bright red ink smeared from how recent it was which made my stomach do more flips. What was on there made fear shoot through my system.

'GO TO THE MAIL ROOM NOW.'