DAY 0 - 295
From Cleveland, Ohio to Washington DC
Cleveland, Ohio - Day 0
The alarm sounded before he knew it, he groaned and hit the snooze before pulling his wife closer. She chuckled and enjoyed the moment before telling him to go get ready for work. Javier worked night shifts mostly and he was expected to be there, no exceptions. “I’m the boss,” was his only reply before closing his eyes to sleep a little longer. He hit the snooze twice more before he was able to pull himself from his bed and shuffle into the shower. It was going to be a long night and Javier wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed with his wife and hold her while she slept. Drying off he walking into the bedroom to find his clothes out for him, Maria sitting on bed with a smile as she read her book. “You’re dressing me now?”
“I’ve been dressing you for years, Mr. Lopez.” She was right, he could never pick out a decent tie. With a final kiss to his wife he headed to Santana’s room and smiled, “G’night Santana, do not stay on the phone with Brittany all night.” Before walking down the stairs, passing his old son’s room. It had been years since he heard from him, they could barely stand to be in the same room.
Slipping on his coat, he grabbing an apple on the counter, his briefcase and keys before slipping out of the door and to his car. Turning on the radio he tuned into the rock station and traveled down the road, passing what looked to be a fight on the side of the street. If normally would have stopped to help but he would be late for work. However, he did have time to stop for a coffee before driving the rest of the way to work. It was already so busy when he arrived, “You think its was a full moon tonight, Barbra what is going on?” She mentioned the had a lot of fever cases tonight, “Bite marks?” She explained how they already had six deaths tonight and the count was climbing. “Jesus,” he rushed to his office and put all this things way, finishing off his coffee before getting into the thick of things. “Marcella, we need to get these temperatures down now.”
Within the hour screams could be heard from down the hallway, and Javier made his way quickly. His heart stopped at the sight before him, a human man was on the ground and six people hovered over him chewing away at him. Growls and groans as they tore him open with jagged nails and teeth. Javier felt his stomach churn and he quickly turned away from the sight, his eyes catching the fire axe behind the glass near the exit door. He moved Quickly and broke the glass to free it, taking it in his hand he moved back into the corridor and whistled for their attention.
“Hey, over here!” He yelled, one breaking free and coming right for him. They were fast but he swung the axe and brought the thing down before taking another swing at his head.
Javier’s moved down the hall’s, taking out anyone trying to make him a meal. He needed to get out of there, he needed to get home to his family. He held onto his axe and ran for his office, grabbed his things and picked up the phone. “Come on, pick up the phone.” he cursed when it went right to the answering machine. He tried Maria’s phone and it went right to voicemail. “Why do you turn off your phone, Maria, why tonight of all nights? Listen, if you get this you need to stay in the house and make sure Santana doesn’t leave.”
Hanging up the phone, he stripped off his doctor's coat and headed out into the hall. It was empty, only the sound of groaning and chewing could be heard. He passed the bodies of many coworkers, he couldn’t believe they were dead. As he neared the exit he saw ten dead in his path, this was the only way out, at least the quickest. He gripped the axe firmly in his hand and smirked, “You picked the wrong guy to mess with tonight, let’s go!” By the time he reached the door his face had been scratched at, blood seeped from fingernail marks- he would have to clean them right away. At first he didn’t want to believe it, but this was real. These bodies had been reanimated, they were zombies and this wasn’t some video game.
The chaos of the streets had Javier on edge, he needed to get weapons and make sure he was ready for anything. Javier had long given up his army life, but it was still fresh in his mind. He knew strategy, he knew weapons and he knew how to stay alive. Parking his car he took out his keys and put them in his back pocket, not wanting his car to be taken by another survivor while he gathered supplies. Javier knew that he wouldn't be able to grab much, but this was for now – just to get him home to find Maria. He would head for the school once he got Maria to safety and hope that Santana was still there.
The streets were in chaos as he moved about, with his axe in hand as he moved to the gun shop door. Growling caught his attention as a zombie game into view to his left, he turned quickly with his axe and aimed right for his neck. The sicken crunch had the thing on the ground before he brought his axe up once more and down onto it face. Javier had everything mapped out in his head, take out everything in his way, grab gun, go home, save Maria and take her to the high school to regroup. He hoped Maria was smart enough to get his shotgun under the bed before doing anything stupid. Movement to the right had him up, axe ready to swing but stopped as he saw a scared old man. “Go,” Javier watched him scramble before moving back towards the door. Right now he had no time to help strangers, especially old men who couldn't protect themselves. It would slow him down and possibly get him killed, all he could think about was his family.
The door was locked but he used his strength to kick in the door, patrons screaming as he broke in. “Not here to hurt you, just to get weapons.” The shop owners eyes were wide and moved away quickly in horror. The sounds of scraping feet behind Javier had him move fast, he swung around, his axe hitting flesh and bone. The zombie dropped and he finished it off quickly before opening his duffel and grabbing a few shotguns, ammo and some machetes. This was just for now, most of the things had been picked clean, “Jasper, where are the good weapons?” The shop keeper was horrified, Javier was on his last nerve and growled. “Jasper, my family is out there. Where the fuck are the good weapons!” He screamed and slammed Jasper into the wall. The man stammered out back room before fainting. Javier hid Jasper in the back room and sighed as he opened a cabinet and smiled. “I knew you were selling gun illegally, crazy old fool.” Grabbing the colt .45 from the crate he stuffed it in his duffel before grabbing some ammo for it. The other military grade weapons had no ammo, which meant Jasper was just getting his shipment opened and sorted. Javier didn't have time to sit here and search the crates, he'd come back.
Javier loaded all the gun he took before putting stuffing them into duffel. Slinging it over his shoulder, he held his axe in hand and headed out the back room. He close the door and slid something in front, not wanting Jasper to meet death while sleeping. Javier moved back on the street, it was still chaotic. People screaming, being ripped apart and gorged on. Javier did his best not to show his disgust as he swung his axe at each dead man, woman and child that got in his way. Once in his car he would be safe until he got to his home, until he got to his family. “I'm coming, Maria.” Javier was splattered in blood, guts and whatever else stuck to him as he move. Tossing everything into his car he got in and allowed himself one breath before getting his keys and starting his engine. Which got every single dead thing looking his way. “Vete a la mierda gilipollas!” Hitting the gas pedal he drove right through, knocking the dead away as he went. Crushing dead bodies living and dead under his tires.
When he reached his neighborhood it was eerie quiet and Javier wondered if the dead had spread this far out yet? Taking a breath he parked his car and knew he was about to scare the hell out of Maria. Grabbing his bag and axe he ran towards the house and peered inside, Maria was sitting on the couch reading. “Maria.” He opened the door and dropped the bag on the floor, “We have to go.”
“Javier what on earth, what's going on?” Maria was at his side in seconds and looking scared out of her mind.
“Where is Santana?”
“Cheerleading practice?”
“We have to go pick her up right now. Something bad is happening out there. You’re going to think i’m crazy but I’m telling you the truth, zombies.” and there was that look he knew was coming. “I’m not joking Maria, we are not on some TV show. Now don’t say anything else and go pack a bag, clothes, food and grab my shotgun.” Maria was looking at him like some crazy person, “Maria, I’m covered in blood, guts and slightly angered by the dead people who attacked me. Now, please just do as I say so i can get us to safety.” When she went upstairs he peered out to see the streets clear, sighing. He followed after her and saw that she was packing rather slowly, “I'm not crazy I promise, I’m going to take a quick shower. Watch through the window for anything strange, if you see something- come and get me.”
“You're really not kidding?” Javier could see the fear in her eyes, and moved over to her quickly. “Javier, I’m scared but you are covered in-” she motioned to him and he smirked. “Go before something bad happens.” Javier smiled and moved to the bathroom, he'd wash just enough to get the blood and guts off. Once clean he walked into the bedroom to see Maria by the window, hand clenched on the drapes. He dressed quickly and peered out, the dead had finally made it to the street. “I thought you'd snapped, but this is really happening.”
“I need you to finish packing, we need to find Santana and I need you to call Ramon. I'm going to head for the school.” Maria couldn’t get a hold of Ramon, so she left him a voicemail. When they finally had everything together, he turned to Maria and smiled. “You still remember how to shoot?” She nodded, “You can do this, Maria. Please I need you to keep this together,” She nodded her head and leaned forward to kiss him, they kissed for a long moment before he broke apart. “Ready?” she nodded and accepted the gun and the knife, “Stay close to me and aim for the head. I'm going to clear the car and I want you to get to the closest door, backseat.” She nodded again and followed Javier outside and screamed as the dead came towards them. “Maria don't scream get to the car.” She ran as fast as her legs could carrier her, but she didn't make it in time. “Maria!” Javier jumped off the porch and moved quickly, knocking the zombie back. “Knife, use it.” She nodded again and took a breath, watching as Javier knocked a few more back. He was so distracted with the six in front, he didn't see the three coming from behind him.
Maria grabbed her knife and moved swiftly in front of them, “Javier,” She took a breath before stabbing the first one right in the forehead, but she wasn't quick enough and seconds later the other two sunk their teeth in her arms. She heard Javier's gun and seconds later she collapsed beside them. The dead were gone and now it was just them, he knelt beside her on the lawn and pulled her close to him. “I'm sorry,”
“Maria no,” Tears fell down his face, his hand went to her cheek and stroked it. Her hand moving up to do the same, “Why did you do that, why didn't you get in the car?”
“You always save me, now it’s my turn. Javier, I don't want to be one of those things.” He carried her out to the backyard and held her under their tree; his arms around her protectively. “You have to find our babies, you have to keep them safe. Don’t let me turn into one of those things, i’m asking you to do this last thing for me. If you love me, you won’t keep me like this.” Javier left her under the tree and walked into the house, grabbing the bottle of sleeping pills and some water. He handed them to her and she took them as Javier held her. “I love you Javier Lopez, protect our family keep them safe.”
“Go to sleep, I’ll hold you until you fall asleep.” They kissed one last time and Javier held Maria until the pills took hold. He laid her down on the bench and grabbed his gun, because he knew he wouldn't be able to take her blood on his hand. He could not feel the warmth of it, he refused. Grabbing the shovel from her garden beside the tree, he dug a quick plot before walking over to her and aiming it. He put the round in the chamber, his hand faltering a few times as tears rolled down his face. He couldn't do this, he couldn't bring himself to do this. He saw that her breath had stopped, she was gone but when she woke again she would be dead, he had no other option. “Duerme mi amor, mi todo.” He pulled the trigger and it was done. He lifted her, wrapped her up in their finest sheets, before laying her to rest in her garden. Covering her with dirt he knelt down beside her and place some flowers beside her. “I couldn't protect you but I will protect our family.” He grabbed his things and took one last look over his shoulder before walking to the car.
Javier drove emotionless towards the school, hands covered in dirty and dried blood. "No Mercy." Javier put his bag on the ground and pulled out his weapons. He watched the dead shuffled around the school grounds and prepared himself. Two Machetes as he let out another whistle, his sorrow and anger taking him over. “Come on,” The adrenaline pumped through him as the dead converged, he swung his Machete and buried it into one's neck. The second chop from the other took its head off half way, he made a mental note to sharpen them before the next encounter. Pulling the machete free from the severed neck, he turned on the next one and did the same. The third was kicked backward as the fourth lost his hand and the machete pierce his left eyes and hit his brain. Javier wasn't sure how many he killed, but his shirt, hands and arms were covered in blood and their bodies lay at his feet.
The dead started to surround him and if he didn't get out of there now, he'd be joining Maria. Growling he moved towards the school football field, “Santana!” he growled and sliced another zombie as it neared. He moved quickly, sprinting down the field and towards the lockers room doors. Breaking them open he looked around and saw no one, nothing but a few dead bodies. He stabbed them in the face, making sure to hit the brain before moving on.
When he was on the field he didn't care what heard him, but now he was inside and could easily be surrounded with little room to move. He checked the rest of the locker room before moving on, pausing when he saw some football guys chewing on a former teacher. Sighing he cracked his neck side to side, “I'm getting too old for this.” Javier whistled and smirked as they turned to him, growling as they ran forward. “Okay Lopez, they have their gear on. Time to improvise,” Javier waited until they were close before running towards them and slipping under one of their legs. “Ha!” Getting on his feet he took the machete and caught one in the neck before running up the hall.
Javier checked the entire school and found no trace of Santana. Javier decided to take a breather in the teacher lounge. He sat on one of the chairs and started to sharpened his machetes. Javier was certain they'd do the job in one stroke now, “I'll find them Maria, I swear.” He kissed Maria's wedding ring and moved towards the door. Moving to the main doors he kicked it open and sighed when he saw his car surrounded. “Great.” cracking his fingers he readied his machete's and made his way into the crowd. “Get the fuck out of my way.” One swing and the head was severed, he chuckled. “Perfect.” Then his face went serious again, this was no time to enjoy himself. Moving his way through the dead, he sliced as he went. He didn't care if he got their heads, he just wanted to get to his car. He sliced limbs as he went, blood coating the pavement below his feet.
Reaching his car he got inside and started the engine, backing up he drove on and kept a lookout. He needed to find somewhere safe for now, the school was the best bet for the future- but now it was crawling with dead.
Cleveland, Ohio. Day five.Javier had found Santana, she was with her usual friends. When the attack happened they had taken a friends car and drove to the safety of her house. She had tried to call but said she couldn’t get through, he was just so glad to have found her. She took the news of her mother hard but she didn’t have time to mourn, they were soon on the move and heading towards safety. The military had come in and they were being evacuated, so they thought.
Javier barely got his group of survivors to safety before they started to open fire. Javier, Santana, her two friends and a few others who were able to keep up. They had broke free and dove to cover, they headed back into the city, they needed to find another day out.
Highway I-90, Day Ten.The cars littered the highway, the dead shambling about and it took everything for Javier to get them to safety. Two people had already died but Santana and her friends still stayed close, they were survivors….
Wood’s I-90, Day Fifteen.One of Santana’s little friends was bitten, she wanted to be helpful so Javier let her come along. She was distracted the walkers until Javier and the girls could get to safety.
Somewhere in West Virginia, Day Twenty.“Santana we have to go,” He could hear Brittany screaming from behind the door. They had to keep going, “Santana!”
“I can’t leave her, please papi!”
“Nothing we can do for her now, I’m sorry, we have to go!”
Somewhere in West Virginia, Day Twenty three.Since the loss of Brittany, Santana had barely slept and that worried Javier. She was starting to breakdown and he needed her focused. “I know you’re hurting but we have to move on, we can’t focus on what we lost. We can’t focus on them right now, I need you to focus on helping me and keeping each other safe. We can mourn once we are safe somewhere, okay?”
“Okay,” but he could tell she was still having trouble and it was going to get her killed.
