My Zombie Sister's Diary, Part 3

Nov 6
5 min read

Ready for part 3 of this crazy thing I call My Zombie Sister's Diary? Why that name? Great questions. All will be revealed soon.

But truthfully, I came up with the name before I wrote the story. Writing it was actually an adventure of, "What should happen in the story today?" as it was spread out over 35 Instagram posts, each posted a different day.

Today, you get entries 21 through 30. I wonder what will happen...

My Zombie Sister's Diary, Part 3

Entry 21

The company dad went to get supplies with came back today. Dad wasn't with them.

I didn't want to know why, but I had to know why. Asher asked.

One of the guys took us aside and told us the infected got him. He was attacked inside a grocery store. He went into a back room and met 6 infected. There was nothing they could do, the man said. Nothing. I get it. I still think about what happened to mom.

So I guess it's just me and Asher now.

For the first time since mom died, I want to cry. I feel the tears. They sting the back of my eyes. But then I look at Asher and I know I can't. I have to stay strong for him.

Entry 22

Early this morning I dropped Asher off at the kitchens and went with Jonathon to the training. It was mostly boring, a lot of talk about gun safety and where to shoot the infected. They also talked about fear. If we're going to carry a gun, we can't be afraid to use it when needed.

In the afternoon we did some target practice. I caught on pretty quick. Kendel, who has been training for about a week, is still missing the mark, a lot. Jonathon does okay.

I feel powerful with a gun, like I can protect Asher and myself.

Entry 23

More training today.

And more bickering between Kendel and Jonathon. I thought they were getting along. Guys...

Asher got in trouble in the kitchens today. Berta kicked him out. Now I have to find a safe place for Asher to spend his days while I do the training. He wants to go with me, but they don't allow kids under 10. I'm not sure why. I think everyone, young and old, needs to learn to defend themselves. Maybe I'll find a way to teach him myself.

Entry 24

Training was AMAZING today! The military trainers found paintball guns for us to practice. They had us get into teams of infected and not-infected. The infected were to attack the not-infected by grabbing and holding on to them. The not-infected were to shoot at the infected, targeting their heads. (The infected wore helmets with face shields so they didn't get hurt.)

Kendel and Jonathon were both infected. I was a not-infected.

I shot both of them! At first I only got Jonathon in the shoulder, but my second shot was on target.

I also shot 5 other infected!

The trainers were very impressed.

I can't describe how great I feel right now. Asher and I will be okay. I'll make sure of it.

Entry 25

We had another attack today. Luckily no infected got in.

A bunch of infected attacked the south wall. There were maybe 50 infected slamming their bodies against the wall. The military did a good job taking them out with their guns. A few people actually got down with the infected with axes and machetes.

They let me watch from the top of a nearby wall. They gave me a gun and told me not to fire unless infected broke through.

Watching the soldiers among the infected made me realize I need more than a gun. What if I don't have ammunition? I need to learn to fight with more than a gun.

Entry 26

At the training today I talked to a guy about learning to fight with a machete. He looked annoyed when I asked, but I talked him into it. I got two hours in today. In the end, the guy seemed like he was having fun teaching me.

At dinner, I sat with Jonathon. Kendel sat with us too. I was worried he and Jonathon would start bickering again, but Kendel seemed really quiet. Some time after dinner, I found him again and asked him what was going on. He said his dad went out with the supply company earlier this week. They got back today. His dad didn't make it.

He cried. I let him lean on my shoulder.

I wanted to cry too but I saw Asher playing with some friends close by so I held it in.

The infected are taking everyone. Kendel's dad was a really good shot. If he can be taken, how can the rest of us survive?

Entry 27

We're packing up. The soldiers say there is a giant herd on the way, over 1000, maybe more. And the herd is collecting more every day. They don't think the wall will hold up against them. So we have to head out and find another place.

I'm not the only one thinking it: How will we outrun the herd? They'll catch up to us eventually. They don't stop. They don't sleep. We have to stop. We have to rest. We are weak compared to them.

The soldiers assure us we'll be safe. We just need to stick together.

Asher and I both have packs with our tent, sleeping bags, personal essentials, and a little bit of food. I can tell Asher is scared, but he doesn't say anything. He's become very quiet.

Entry 28

We left late last night and we walked all day. My feet hurt. I'm so tired. I just want to lay down and go to sleep. But we're only stopping for a bit. We have to keep moving.

Jonathon has stayed close by all day.

I didn't realize it but Jonathon doesn't have any family. It's just him. I asked him about it today. He says his dad died when he was a little kid and his mom and sister died soon after the infected broke out.

Kendel stayed with his family most of the day, but he found me every few hours to check on me. He seemed overly protective and tried to hold my hand. I'm so confused. I thought we broke up. I thought I was too clingy for him--that's what he said to me before. I cried. And now, I don't want him to hold my hand.

I want Jonathon to hold my hand.

Asher is still very quiet. He hasn't said anything all day.

Entry 29

We walked all of last night and most of this morning. We made it to a small town. A clock in the middle of Main Street said it was 10 a.m. It's maybe been an hour since.

We found a school. The soldiers checked it out first. They found a few infected and shot them. Other than that, the place is empty. So we came inside the gym. Everyone spread out and now we're resting.

I think there are maybe 200 of us--adults, kids, and soldiers.

I wonder about the soldiers' families. They seem alone.

Entry 30

They're here. We can hear them outside.

There are no windows in here, luckily.

The only way to get in is through the two doors in the hall, two doors to the dressing rooms, and one door to the outside. All doors are blockaded with desks and lockers. Soldiers guard the entrances. So far, we're okay.

We're quiet, all of us listening. I don't think anyone will sleep tonight.