Emma

  Plus, it's still damn cold. I hate to bring that up at such a time and yes, I realize there are worse things outside of our front doors. But the outskirts of Detroit are very cold this time of year and we have no heat. Aside from a thick blanket brought with us from Genesis, we're freezing.

  My dad says we'll work on a way to exit the apartment building when the time is right. As for now, we're stuck here like rats in a box. An ice box at that.

  Entry 49

  That has a really weird ring to it.

  Entry 49. I never thought when I got this journal as a birthday gift, that I'd be sitting here forty-nine days later writing about the events of our apocalypse.

  Sometimes I even forget what it was like before all of this. Before the cold days of watching infected roam the streets outside. Before the rather warm nights when I'm huddled beneath a blanket with Adam and Sadie.

  I look back through the journal at times, just to relive moments that seem so distant. I cannot believe there was a time when I though cell phones were so important. My whole life wrapped up in a piece of plastic with a touch screen. Though I stick to my original assessment of clowns. They suck.

  There are moments I absolutely hate right now. The fact that living dead are staggering around aimlessly outside. The fact that it's so cold and we have very little food to go around. I also miss my own mother dearly, though it was a decision she made.

  I do have to admit, however, there are moments about the life around me that I enjoy. The small things, I guess. Hugs from a daddy who has always been there for me. Snuggle time with my new best friends, who I'm growing rather attached to. Plus, let's face it, I don't have to wake up for school. Right?

  Entry 50

  We're officially on the move. It felt like leaving a cave, to be honest, as the sunlight first hit my eyes. It's cold out, though not as windy as it has been. Manageable.

  We left right after sunup and my dad is leading the way – Emmitt behind us. Or, as he likes to call it, our flank. I've never understood the need for special mystery words in the military, but whatever. As long as he's back there with a gun, I'm happy. Call it whatever you want.

  Dad says it's dangerous to travel right now, but we've no other choice. The herd of infected seem to have planted themselves right into the neighborhood around us. So we're left with no choice. According to my dad and Emmitt.

  We're taking a short rest inside of an alleyway and then the plan is to take an SUV that's parked nearby. I brought up the fact that we have no keys and my daddy informs me it's just a matter of touching the correct two wires together. Really? So explain the decade-old vehicle we've been strapped with as a family.

  Dad says there is plenty of room inside of the SUV, as well as heat. We'll move away from this neighborhood and immediately begin looking for fuel. The plan sounds good, except for the part where my dad has to ease out into an open area and try to hot wire the vehicle as we sit idly by and watch.

  I worry for him. I think maybe he's taking on more than he can handle, just to keep me as safe as possible. I suppose that's what parents do, or what they're supposed to do at least.

  As I watch my dad ease out into a street which is lined with cars and infested with zombies, I can't help but to think about my mom. How could she stay back at the Genesis Ranch while watching us walk away? What kind of parent does that?

  We're going to be on the move so I'm laying this journal down for a while, but I'll eventually return to writing. It's not a matter of if, but when. I suppose I need a bit of time away from it to reflect on everything that's happened. So many lives lost. Our world has changed so drastically. Yet I feel that this is only the beginning of a very long story.

  -Emma

  About the Author

  John M. Davis has authored over 20 stories and is a best-selling author on the Amazon Kindle. Married to the love of his life for 15 years (and counting), John and his wife have two fantastic children and currently live in the mountains of Virginia. When he's not writing fiction, John is a sportswriter and covers the Legends Football League. He enjoys the sport of weightlifting, cigars and good music. Dalton James is currently kicking his ass in fan mail.

  Want NINE of my stories for free? Sign up for my newsletter and get the details:

  Other books by John M. Davis

  Terminus

  Terminus (Terminus, an Introduction)

  Gunship

  Gunship (Gunship, book 1)

  Glimmeria (Gunship, book 2)

  Reflections (Gunship, book 3)

  Gears and Spears (Gunship, book 4)

  Legendary (Gunship, book 5)

  Space Rebels (Gunship, book 6)

  Fleet

  The Fleet (Fleet, book 1)

  The Blood War (Fleet, book 2)

  Chaotic Worlds (Fleet, book 3)

  The Afterworlds (Fleet, book 4)

  The Run (Fleet, book 5)

  The Great War (Fleet, book 6)

  Vampire Hunters (Fleet, book 7)

  Heroes

  Heroes of Destiny (An Introduction)

  Heroes of Battle (Working Title)

  One Last Hero

  One Last Hero (One Last Hero, book 1)

  Guardian Angel

  Guardian Angel (Guardian Angel, book 1)

  The Berlin War (Guardian Angel, book 2)

  Days of Ruin (Guardian Angel, book 3)

  Singles

  Hammer (The Final War)

  Atlantis

  Rain of the Dead

  The Colony

  Table of Contents

  Entry 1

  Entry 2

  Entry 3

  Entry 4

  Entry 5

  Entry 6

  Entry 7

  Entry 8

  Entry 9

  Entry 10

  Entry 11

  Entry 12

  Entry 13

  Entry 14

  Entry 15

  Entry 16

  Entry 17

  Entry 18

  Entry 19

  Entry 20

  Entry 21

  Entry 22

  Entry 23

  Entry 24

  Entry 25

  Entry 26

  Entry 27

  Entry 28

  Entry 29

  Entry 30

  Entry 31

  Entry 32

  Entry 33

  Entry 34

  Entry 35

  Entry 36

  Entry 37

  Entry 38

  Entry 39

  Entry 40

  Entry 41

  Entry 42

  Entry 43

  Entry 44

  Entry 45

  Entry 46

  Entry 47

  Entry 48

  Entry 49

  Entry 50