Lost Survival (Book 1): Only The Living

by David Tyne

  Serah left to check on the community centre’s survivors, and I approached the enigmatic man alone. His face didn't surprise me, as though I’d expected to see him here in this very place... at this time.

  He reached for me, but I calmly pushed him back. I knew exactly what he wanted from me, but after the week I'd had, it seemed almost impossible to work up the energy.

  I parted my lips, for a second rejecting the idea of what I wanted to tell him. Lost or not, I felt like I had to say it for myself at least.

  “Beth… Beth’s doing fine. She's had a rough day, but... She's a survivor. I'll die before anything happens to her.”

  The Lost man stopped for a moment, and I thought he maybe recognised the name. He’d followed her the whole way out here, after all.

  There may have been some divine reason for his presence, but my faith in that idea was shattered when he lunged for me once more. Nothing more than a husk of the man I'd met in the train station, the one who had given his life to show me the way to survive.

  I was glad that he attacked me just then, because it effectively erased any hope I had that the Lost could ever find their way again. Fixing my hands on either side of his head, I smiled peacefully for the first time since the world ended.

  It may have been the decomposing body releasing bodily fluids, but I could've sworn that a tear rolled down his rotten face. I wouldn't have any of that.

  “Thank you, Leo.”

  I smashed my forehead against his, letting his blood splatter on the pavement before turning swiftly back to face the community centre. No, I wouldn't have any Lost showing signs of crying, of weakness. I could never let them imply, in any way, that they were victims of their own emotions.

  Only the living have that right.

  ?? | Deadly Serious

  Harry sat there all day. Looking down on his first love's grave, covered in the blood of a murdered father. The Lost around him barely even noticed his presence; the stillness of the muscles in his body was not only paralysing, but loyal.

  If he could stay there for one hundred years, would his love find his way home? The darkness enveloped him, and he knew that tonight he would receive no answer. For all intents and purposes, he may as well have been Lost.

  A pitch-black figure approached the grieving boy. He’d watched silently for hours, and knowing the young man's heartache would be an open window, he was ready to pounce.

  "Oh, I didn't mean to disturb you." The shadow joined his side. "I was incredibly sorry to hear about your boyfriend. Yes, it's always such a shame when someone so full of life is taken from us."

  Harry identified the towering darkness as SP. Burkley, the corrupt and shameless policeman. "I'm in no mood, Burkley. They saw the real me... They freaked out. Ian, he killed himself... We had each other, and it still wasn't enough."

  Seeing the situation's gory details, Burkley knew that he had him. Only to approach it would require some delicate and careful cunning.

  "I heard from my acquaintance. The worst is yet to come, I’m afraid… and not everyone is suited to live in these darker times. Not ourselves, not Danny-boy, not even you."

  Harry turned his head, wiping the unrelenting tears from his dehydrated face. "W-What does that mean? Do you know something?"

  "I know a lot of things, kid. If only we’d been able to build our numbers back there, we might have stood a chance against the real enemy."

  Harry pondered to himself for a moment. "You really think it can get worse than this? Why should I believe you, anyway?"

  "I'd just like you to consider your options, that's all. You possess incredible strength, not to mention a special type of blood streaming through your veins. If you come with me, we can make full use of your abilities. If not, then I'm afraid Daniel, the little girl... All of them will suffer a similar fate."

  The dark figure was joined by Pastor Mitchell, just as the moon had reached its peak. His mangled face only served to cast grim shadows on top of Ian's grave as he spoke.

  "You’re safe in our hands, my child. We are superior... We are strong. We can change the world, maybe even create our own paradise atop the ruins of past sin. Soon, our kind will be all that’s left of the humanity you once knew."

  Burkley silenced the preacher, who was always entirely too theatrical. "Come with us, Harry. We accept who you are. Your loss will only strengthen you, as we exact justice for this terrible betrayal. How would you like to become a God among men?"

  Harry stared at his lost love's grave for a moment, then smiled upon it.

  "...What would you have me do?"

  Author’s Note

  First things first, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my debut novel!

  This apocalyptic series has been several years in the making, and we’re not finished with Daniel and the gang yet… Keep your eyes open for ‘Only The Saints’, which will be unleashed later this year!

  Can’t wait that long? Then click here to subscribe to Tyne Fiction’s newsletter! I have free stories and exclusive chapters released on the regular, so don’t miss out!

  If you wish to contact me directly, you can do so at tynefiction@gmail.com. Until next time, fellow Lost survivor!