"No, you can have what Grandpa and Grandma give you. Not what you want." I tell my five year old son Lucas who is jumping up and down on his little feet, his excitement clearly visible on the little boys face. The soft tugging at the corner of his lips as he smiles up at me and his grandparents. He stands at my waist as it was, his height not belonging to me. Only being five feet five inches, I myself can only imagine his future years. 

"Please, do not let him have ice cream again before dinner. He stayed up til midnight with you guys last time." I tell my parents as my attention is halfway on them, and the tugging on my work apron. "Remember his birthday is next week. So, no cake til then." His patience visually showing as I bend down to his level, taking out a small sucker from my apron. 

"Here. Enjoy it. I love you Lucas." I say, kissing the top of his head before standing and reaching down and zipping up his jacket. It was already sun down, and I knew it was going to get nippy outside. "Be safe, and please call me as soon as you guys make it there." 

The disadvantage of having my parents live over four hours away always made my hairs stand on end when he was away. Not because of who he was with, but because of the distance. They decided for their retirement it was best to buy my grandfathers farm and begin their retirement secluded from society, living alone. Yes, he was just a phone call away, and I know I will see him after my work shift is over for the weekend. The only thing making it easier for me. I still don't like the thought of him away. I offer a small wave and an air kiss as he walks away hand in hand with his grandparents. Lucas is a shy centered child, keeping to himself for the most part, but allowing himself the social interaction when it's needed. 

With Lexington Grove being on the outer skirts of the nearest city, my grandfather's plantation was almost close to the state line. The ride was always lengthy, but the destination always made up for it. The plantation lays on thirty acres, fenced in with horses and all kinda of animals and hiding spots for children. 

With a collective sigh I turn around and head down the isle, toward the staff room at the back of the store. Lucas is almost a spitting image of myself. His blonde hair and green eyes almost identical to my blonde long wavy hair and blue eyes. I was on the clock for the next eight hours, already knowing how my night was going to go as they usually did. 

Taking on an extra shift just to put Lucas into school was exhausting to say the least, but worth it in the end. Our store closing at ten, but with inventory and stocking the hours stretch on. With his vocabulary growing and his social awareness broadening, it was inevitable that he is top of his small fifteen person class. 

Before I knew it, my phone was vibrating inside my apron pocket and the name Dad displays on the screen. Answering it quickly, I can already hear the soft familiar voice on the other end of the line. 

"Hi mommy. We made it to grandpa's." The little voice tells me as I place another item on the shelf, restocking it as I take this call. "We're about to go eat pizza, then feed the horses. I'll call you before bedtime. Love you!"

Before I could even get out an 'I love you' back there was a click on the other end of the line. All I could do was laugh at what had just taken place. I shake my head before my phone is back inside my pocket, and the rest of the items are stocked and straightened on the shelf. 

I take it upon myself to take the brown box that carried the items into the back docking area of the retail store; where the trash cans are kept. The walk from the there includes going out the back door, and cross a small parking area. The door slams close behind me, locking me out as I make my escape. Oh, great. With the light breeze nipping at my skin, I hit the door once, a soft voice coming from the other side. 

"Woah, Supergirl! Don't break the door, what ever you do." Comes from Jasper; my co-worker and long time friend of the past six years. His parents were born in New York, moving him around after he was born from place to place only ever staying in one place for graduation, which happened to be in Lexington Grove. Being a good friend and colleague, I didn't mind the sarcasm that he expressed. His skin tone was a bit more caramelized than my own, considering his father is Italian. His hair almost a jet black when hit with the right lighting, and his eyes a milky brown. 

I express a soft smile for my gratitude as I walk back inside the warm store, rubbing my cold arms. Hearing the door close behind me, I thank Jasper properly now that we have escaped the cold. 

"Thank you. God only knows how long I would have been out there." I receive a chuckle from him and a nod of his head.

"The way the other people work here, you would have been out there all night." It was true. The lack of common sense from these people baffles me, but yet I'm still here. Not much of my choice, the pay is great. The company that it provides isn't too bad either. 

"Hey, my break is in like thirty minutes. Wanna get a bite and smoke?" I hear Jasper as we begin to move from the small hallway and past the vending machines. 

"Yeah. My break falls right around in there. Meet you on the roof?" I ask, our usual spot to get away from the chaos of adult life; for the time being. 

"Sounds good. See ya, there." And, with that we went our separate ways. I going to my designated section of the store, he to his own duties. Walking over to a shelf I straighten up a fallen item, the sound of the t.v overhead diverting me away from my task. 

"That's right Kevin, for the past hour alone people from all over the East Coast has been arriving at hospital's here complaining of the same illness. If you are having any symptoms, drowsiness, vomiting, light headed-ness, cramping; please travel to your nearest hospital. The CDC are saying they are trying their hardest as of right now to make a vaccine to help fight whatever this is. Back to you Kevin."

This was not how I wanted my shift to be going. Shaking my head, I walk away from the television as 'Kevin' continues speaking. My stomach beginning to growl as I walk over to the deli section of the store. 

"Hey Eunice. Can I get a few slices of pizza?" I ask her, a sweet older lady who's  red curls always stuck out of her cap,  and such a doll to Lucas everytime she sees him. 

"Of course. We just had a few pop out of the oven, you're in luck." She tells me with a soft smile as she walks to the front of the kitchen area. 

"Thank you so much. It's my break and I'm starving. Since Lucas is having pizza with his grandparents I thought, why not have some too?" We both chuckle softly at my comment.

"Here you go, and give this to Lucas when you see him. Have fun. Take your coat!" I hear her over my shoulder after I pick up my to-go box of pizzas and the sucker she had given for me to give to Lucas. 

"Thank you! I'll be by before I leave to go home in a few hours."

With my break time rounding the corner I decide to grab a Powerade from the cooler before meeting Jasper on the roof of our work. As I walk to the staff room to sign out for break, I pass my manager; Sherry. 

"After your break I'll need you to help me with inventory." She tells me, not even stopping as she passes by me. Hardly a glance. Working here, I've gotten use to the snobbiness of the upper management. 

"Okay, Ms. Sherry! See you in an hour." All I say. All she deserves to hear. If she didn't like me, why did she hire me? The disgust is clearly shown on her face every time I come into work. I let it pass, the pay was too good to let one person ruin it for my little family. 

Pushing the door open to the staff room I see my other co-worker Harper. Considering I've known Harper all my life, she and I were like any other group of girl friends. One day we hated each other, the next we had something important for the other person to known of. The usual girl thing. 

"Hey Clara. What's up?" I hear Harper say as soon as her eyes were on me. 

"About to go have this pizza for break. Maybe a little smoke. Wanna join Jasper and me?" I ask, sitting the small pizza box down on the counter so I could sign myself out. 

"I wish I could. It sounds tempting, but I gotta meet John at his work in twenty minutes. I'm already running late as it is." I can hear a bit of frustration in her voice. Harper and John's relationship was strained, but who's isn't after three years of being together?

"Oh, okay. Well, what are you doing tomorrow after our shift? We could go for a drink. God knows we need it." A hesitant chuckle escapes Harper's lips as she unlocks her locker to retrieve her things. Besides Harper and Jasper, I rarely spoke to anyone else here. Except for Eunice. Her cooking is amazing, so it was inevitable that we became sociable with one another.

"I'll have to give you a call then. John is suppose to be working, so I'm sure I can make it." 

A soft smile plays on her lips as she closes her locker, her purse on her shoulder as she walks over to me. "I'll call you later Clara." Nodding lightly she kisses my cheek, doing the same before she leaves the room without another word. 

I feel for her. 

Signing name on the line for my break, I pick up my small box of pizzas and retrieve my jacket from my locker. I slide it onto my arms and zip it up before heading out of the staff room, and down the hall to the back door. With pizza box in hand, along with my Powerade I push the door open. A light breeze nipping instantly at my exposed cheeks, while my hair blows over my shoulder slightly. 

Night time, is the best time.

Making my way over to the ladder, I whistle up to signal Jasper; a head popping over the side, with a voice that follows. "Hey! 'Bout time!" I hear as I put one foot on the bottom step of the ladder.

"Send down the bucket! I got pizza!" We conducted a system, with the managers permission of course. With the help of Jasper's carpenter skills, and hard work from the both of us; we were able to build a levering system to bring up food, drink or whatever else we were in the mood for while on our break. 

"On the way!" Within a moment, the bucket was being sent down by the rope that is connected to a lever. The first few attempts we were oblivious to the rain problems and much more. Soon, Jasper and I created a full on place to where we could come and relax on the roof of our work. With the luck of there already being a picnic table and a few chairs, there wasn't much that was really needed for their place to become roomie while they were up there. 

I place the pizza box inside the bucket and the Powerade along with it, tapping it to let him know. "Alright!"

The bucket moves beside the ladder as I travel up, my shoes clanking on the metal as I go. It was fairly high, maybe two or three stories. The climb isn't that much of a problem; now. With the fear of heights stuffed into the back of my mind, I make it to the top; a hand stretches out to help me climb over the side. 

"Thank you." Letting out a small huff and a puff as my feet connect with the concrete roof, I smile softly. "I am starving! Thank God for Eunice." 

Taking my Powerade from the bucket along with the box, we move to the chairs and table to eat. With the discovery of realizing the rain was more of a problem, we set up a tarp all along the tops with wood and cement keeping it up. Time was spent on this, but more worth it for the both of us. Since most of our time is here. Other employees come up as well, promising to keep it clean as we had dome all the work to make it the way it was. 

The pizza box makes a thud as I place it down on the table, warming my hand from the heat of it. Opening it, I take out a slice quickly and take a bite. The cheese and sauce flavors combining in my mouth as I chew, swallowing away the remains. 

"When do you get off?" I asks as I sit down on the picnic bench, taking another bite of the hot pizza. 

"In three hours." Jasper calls out again, "Henry called out so I took his shift." He says in between bites and taking sips from his own drink. 

"Per usual." I comment, finishing off my slice quicker than I had it in my hand. My stomach now relaxing from its hunger.

"I can say the same with Kaylin, then?" I hear Jasper say. Taking on this shift, someone did have to call out. 

"That girl stays home more than she's at work." I shake my head as I reach for another slice, never understanding the lack of motivation from others. "Oh well, more money for Lucas and I." My shoulders rise and fall as I shrug. Her loss was my gain. 

Taking a bite of my fresh piece, I hear Jasper flicker on the small radio on the table. It is like our own hangout spot to get away from the chaos of our everyday lives. Everything we could need was up here, thanks to ourselves. We have a picnic table and chairs, protection from the rain when it wanted to keep us away. The rest we would bring up with us when it was needed. You never want things laying around for someone to take.

That's an invitation to trouble.

A short news broadcast can be heard from the small radio, almost like the one I heard earlier. 

"No, Kevin. I don't believe there has been any reports here per say, but they are popping up further west and south of New York now. It's like it's sweeping through the night." 

The reporter was speaking with a hesitation, almost as if she didn't want to be there doing her job. How bad could this sickness be?

"Damn. Have you been hearing this Clara?" Jasper speaks over the noise emitting from the radio, my distraction elsewhere at the moment.

"Oh yeah." Shaking my head, I swallow away the rest of the pizza in my mouth. "I'm going to call Lucas." 

Standing from my seat I wipe my hands on my apron, taking my phone from my pocket. I just needed to hear his voice. I tell myself as I go to my recent contacts and press on my fathers name, the dial tone instantly playing. For the next passing seconds feel like minutes before that familiar soft voice is on the end of the line. 

"Hi mommy!! I was about to call you!" I hear Lucas say, excitement in his voice as he speaks to me. That's it. 

"Hey sweetie. Mommy just wanted to call and talk to you real quick. I miss you." A soft smile now playing on my lips as I can hear him running with the phone. 

"I miss you, mommy. It's almost bedtime, so I'll call you then, okay?" 

"Okay, but can I speak to grandpa first?" I asks quickly, knowing he would hang up if not. 

"Okay. Hang on mommy." 

I wait. 

And wait. 

"Hello dear. Sorry about that. How's work going?" My father asks. 

"Okay. Just wanted to call and check on you guys. Have you and mom been watching the news?" 

I can hear a sigh from the other end.

"Yes. Lucas is fine as of now. If he feels any different, we'll call." 

"Thank you. I love y'all."

"We love you too."

Click.

...Well, Lucas is fine. I'm fine.....

Having Lucas at a young age wasn't what I had planned for my life, not in the slightest. Having him at eighteen just right before I was meant to go to university, was not what I had planned. Falling in love with a seven pound, ten ounce baby boy was not what I had planned. 

Life is not planned.

No matter how much you try, life has its way of throwing curve balls at you. Most of the time those curve balls can be caught, but sometimes life itself spits one out when your back is turned; knocking you down and taking the air from your lungs. 

It isn't a pleasant hit to the back, the fall not long enough to catch yourself before you smack yourself into the concrete below. Hell no. The impact of it all is too consuming, even before you collide with the ground beneath you know the pain it'll cause. So, you prepare yourself.

That still doesn't work, does it? 

You crash. 

Hard.

You know there will be pain, but you still don't know how much.

Life.

Sitting there with Jasper as we finish our pizzas and the radio playing softly beside us, the chill in the night air just right for us. I lose my mind to the light noise from the woods behind the store .

"Clara?" I hear from beside me, looking over to see Jasper handing me a rolled blunt. "Wanna smoke?" 

This is why he is my best friend.

Taking it from his hand I put the right end in my mouth, letting him reach over and light it for me. 

Drown me out.

I take a long drag from it as he takes away his lighter, letting the smoke fill my lungs. 

Finally.

"Thank you. I left mine at home because I had Lucas with me." I say as I breathe the smoke out.

"That's what friends are for. I just expect you to have me next time."

With a slight nod I glance over to him, seeing himself lighting up another for himself. With the cannabis chaos going around, we were on edge at first for our use of it. But, with it being now medically legalized, people are more open to it then you would think.  Considering it has many properties within the plant for medicine, it will be soon that is used everywhere. 

Until then, the federal government believes it doesn't hold these properties, more on the pharmaceutical companies sides. I on the other hand, can contribute to thousands of others who it has helped. 

After Lucas's birth I was in grave pain, the pain pills the doctors have given me not hitting any kind of spot. I tried cannabis for the first time two weeks after his birth. Five years later, here I am; sitting with Jasper on a roof smoking. 

With the time passing and the blunts now almost gone, I decide it's time to call Lucas one more time. I hear the dial tone as I press the phone to my ear. 

"Hello, mommy?" 

"Lucas, baby. Hey." I say softly. "I just want to call and say goodnight. Mommy is thinking of you during her break. I'll see you Sunday, okay sweetie?" 

"Okay mommy. I love you and will see you in sleepy town." 

Click.

A soft sigh leaves my lips as I end the call, a sense of pride washing over me. With the sound of his voice, I knew all would be okay. 

I take another long drag of my blunt, seeing there were only a few inches left of my own. 

"How is he?" I hear from beside me, smoke blowing my way from the light wind. 

"Good. It's bedtime, so he's off to sleep now." I nod lightly, taking a hit from my partially gone blunt. Getting out the rest of the high I can before returning to the chaos below. 

"He's not feeling sick. My father would have told me." I say, letting out the smoke from my lungs.

"Good." Jasper places his roach inside the small ash tray we have on the small table between us, I doing the same. 

Jasper's concern for Lucas has always been present, ever since we became friends during senior year. I was only a few months pregnant when we graduated from Lexington Grove, Harper and Jasper the only friends I really had at that moment in life. Without those two, Lucas and I wouldn't be who we were; we wouldn't be so happy. 

With the few minutes remaining of our break I reach over and flicker on the portable radio, a small broadcast running. 

" -symptoms include vomiting, fever, headaches. We advice you, please seek the nearest hospital for treatment. Cases are now coming in from around the state. Be cautious."

Looking to Jasper, I see the worry on his face. 

"Reports of deaths are now coming in. I advise you, please -" the signal cutting out. Static noise now replacing what was once the female voice of a news reporter. 

"Jasper-" My voice cracking as the connection is lost, noise below diverting our attention. The sound of metal on metal, horns screeching to the point we had to cover our ears. "What the hell?"

We stand from our spots, running to the edge of the roof. The sight of crashed vehicles and bodies on the ground, smoke rising from vehicles that were once running. 

"Clara-" I hear from beside me, but all too distracted by the destructive sight below. Cars still moving as they run over bodies laying on the ground, crashing into whatever is in its path. A loud roaring sound can be heard in the distant night sky, Jasper and I turn to the direction of the loud noise above. Seeing lights blinking from whatever air craft it may be, it was getting lower and lower as it went. 

"Clara?" I hear again, to distraught to look over to him as we watch the plane go down just a few hundred feet from us. An explosion louder than I've ever heard, fire, smoke, everything happening so fast. I couldn't process it all until Jasper and I were crouched down, him covering me. 

"Are you alright?!" He ask me, the words going in one ear and coming out the other. 

"What?" I ask, my eyes finally settling on his face just a few inches above my own. 

"Are you alright Clara? We need to go." His voice more panicked than I've ever heard from him, he was truly scared. 

"Yes, I'm okay." I finally manage to make out the words, as he takes my hand pulling me to the ladder. Jasper helps steady me as I climb over the edge, my feet connecting with the metal ladder. Making my way down, I hear Jasper coming down right above me. 

My feet hit the ground with a thud, glancing up at Jasper seeing him a few feet above on the ladder. Waiting at the bottom as he makes his way to the ground. 

Without a word more we head to the back door, seeing a box in the door way keeping it particularly open. Before I could move Jasper opens the door, the body of one of the truck men laying in the hallway face down. 

"What the hell?" 

"Stay here." He tells me as he holds the door open with his foot, keeping it from closing. 

"What? Hell no!" I say pushing the door open with my hand as I move past him. There was no time for games, not now. 

"Clara! Hang on." Jasper says after I hear him sigh, closing the short distance that I put between us. 

"Just be careful, okay. Stay behind me." With this, I'll agree with him. I move behind him as he steps in front of me, putting distance between whatever may happen. 

"Shh." I hear from Jasper as we move to the end of the hallway, the clear space of the furniture section open. "Come on. This way." I follow, mouth closed as Jasper leads us. 

Stepping quietly through the store, we see bodies in the isles and buggies crashed into displays. Everywhere you stepped, there was a body of an older person, or a child. 

They look like they are sleeping. 

"Jasper.." I speak gently, still not sure of what was taking place. 

"Yeah?" He turns to glance at me, but only for a moment as he moves down an Isle. 

"Where are we going?" 

"To find someone who can help us."

To the looks of it, there was no one left. 

"Jasper, I don't see or hear anyone." I tell him as we step over the bodies that lay on the floor, a knot building in the pit of my stomach. The sight was almost too much for me. 

Scratch that. It is. 

With the feeling of the vile rising in my throat, so does everything else. Leaning over, I vomit on the floor. Pain consuming my abdomen as I let out what I had eaten that day. 

"Clara?!" I can hear Jasper rushing over, his hands pulling back my vomit ridden hair as I continue. 

"Oh my god. Are you okay?" He asks after a moment of me trying to catch my breath. A simple nod is all I can manage. 

"Water.." I say breathlessly, the vile pain still revolting inside me as Jasper returns with a water bottle. 

"Here drink this." He tries to hand it to me, my attention elsewhere as I begin to vomit again. 

"Shit..Clara.." I can hear Jasper from beside me, trying to hold my hair back as I continue to look like a drunken college girl the morning after a huge frat party. It felt like anything but a hangover. 

After a moment of dry heaving my stomach relaxes, the nausea subsiding. I slid down the wall behind me, breathing heavily as Jasper places the bottle of water into my hand. 

"Drink, now." 

And I do. All of it. Well, more of drinking some then spitting it out again. But, it did make me feel a lot better. The pain was now subsiding, and my throat aching like I had just swallowed a quarter. 

"Thank you, Jasper." 

"No problem. You okay?" 

"Yeah, I think so." Nodding gently, I take the last sip from my water bottle. Praying this one would stay in. 

"Do you think you can move?"

"Yeah, I think so." I place the bottle beside me as I go to stand, an arm sliding around my waist to help. 

"Thank you." My breaths are ridged and slow as I stand, trying to not upset my stomach more than it is. 

"No problem. Now, think you can make it to the boss's office?" Looking up to him, my brow raises.

"Why Ms. Sherry's office?" 

"Because, there's a radio in there."

Oh. 

"If she is alive, or anyone for that matter, we can try to find out what the hell happened."

What did happen? 

One moment things were okay, now there are no words for the sight that we had to endure. All the bodies of the women, men, the elderly, even children. With Ms. Sherry's office in sight, I try to move the thoughts aside. Jasper reaches down and turns the knob of the door, pushing it open. 

"Well, Ms. Sherry won't be any help." 

"Not that she was anyways.." The words spew out of my mouth before I realized they were being said. 

"I didn't mean that.." I say as Jasper slides his arm out from around my waist, walking over to the desk where Ms. Sherry sat. She was sitting in her chair, slumped over with her eyes closed. 

"Nah, she even knows she wasn't the best boss." He says as he makes his way around the desk to where Ms. Sherry was sitting, rolling her a few feet away from the radio. 

Sitting down in the chair on the other side of the desk, I try to relax my body as Jasper fiddles with the radio, a static noise coming through. 

"I'm trying to pick up any kind of station, someone, doesn't matter." I hear him say as he concentrates on the radio in front of him. 

"If there is anyone feeling these symptoms please -" 

"Damn.. It's repeating the previous podcast." Jasper says in frustration as he looks over to me. 

"Why would they be playing a recording?" 

My shoulders shrug as he stands straight up, glancing to Ms. Sherry then me. 

"Got any ideas?" 

"Yeah, ask the sick one what to do." I try to smile, even if was weak. From my tone of voice you wouldn't have known if I was joking, but Jasper lets out a chuckles.

"Well, any idea counts."

"****, dial tone again." I slam my phone onto the desk in the staff break room, having been the third time I've tried to get through.

"Clara, the lines must be down." I hear as a locker door closes, frustration taking over me as I lean against the desk. Gripping the edge of the desk, my eyes close as I breath in and out deeply.

"I need to know he's okay Jasper." I say, gritting my teeth through the frustration.

This can't be happening.

"Well, let's go get him."

Swallowing away the fear of it being the end, I look over to Jasper just a few feet from me.

"Let's go." Without hesitation I grab my phone and step over to my locker, unlocking it to retrieve my belongs.

Closing it behind me, we walk out of the break room. Making our way back down the small hallway and into the open area of our store. The bodies of the customers and employees we once worked with still in their place on the floor. I want to look away but, everywhere I look there are bodies.

"Oh no, Eunice.." I say softly, running over to her limp body on the floor in front of the dessert display.

"No.. No.." Shaking my head, I close my eyes as I lay a hand on her shoulder. She still felt warm to the touch.

"Clara, we've got to go." I feel a hand on my shoulder, turning my head only slightly to see Jasper beside me.

"Yeah, okay." Nodding, I stand. "Have mercy on your soul." I whisper just above a breath, turning away from her body as we walk to the entrance of the store.

It fails to register as the tear slides down my cheek, my heart aching for so much to make sense.

"What's the plan?"

"We'll take my car. If you need to take yours to your house, I'll follow you." I say as I walk next to Jasper just outside the entrance doors, the sight of bodies and cars scattered throughout the small parking lot.

"Works for me. Put it somewhere safe." Jasper nods over to me as I retrieve my keys from my apron, our cars only spaces from one another. Glancing over, I see the ruins of the crashed plane on the street.

"Stay behind me. Don't stop for anything." He tells me as I open my door, giving him a light nod in return.

"Will do." Sliding the key into the ignition, my small Honda roars to life. His car doing the same as my doors closes. Within seconds we are pulling out of the small parking lot, taking the street opposite of the wreckage.

I take the moments alone to collect myself. The things I know as of now; Everyone is dead.

I can not get in contact with my son.

I'm going to lose my shit.

I can feel the tears beginning to well up as I drive behind Jasper, trying our best to avoid the trail of cars on the highway. The journey to his apartment from our work is only five miles, but felt like fifty by the time we pull into the parking lot.

My headlights hitting the fallen bodies on the sidewalk as I drive to the far end of the complex, parking just behind Jasper as he parks. Turning off my car, I open the door and step out, keys in hand.

"I'm going to get a few things. You can come inside if you'd like." Jasper says as he walks over to me.

"Sure."

I follow Jasper to the sidewalk, avoiding the few bodies that lay in our way. Taking the stairs up the second floor, we take a left to a door labeled '27'. I watch as Jasper slides the key inside, turning the knob and pushing it open.

Flicking the light on, Jasper walks inside his apartment. I following behind and closing the door behind me.

"I'll only be a minute. Do you want something to drink or anything?"

Shaking my head, my hands slide inside my jacket pocket.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though."

Jasper walks away, leaving me alone in his small living room. Pictures of his parents and himself lining the walls and on the counter tops. Oh, shit. His parents.

When Jasper returns with a duffel bag moments later, he smiles softly to me.

"I'm all set. Ready?"

I nod gently to him as he walks over to the door, opening it. Walking out, he closes it behind us.

We walk down the stairs again, trying my best to avoid the bodies as we walk by them once again. With my keys in hand we make it to my waiting car, opening the door and sliding inside the driver seat. I hear the backdoor opening, Jasper throwing his duffel bag in the back seat beside my son's buster seat. Closing the door he opens the passenger side and slides in.

"Ready?" I ask, looking over at him.

"Yep."

"I have to swing by my place too, if that's alright."

"Yeah, of course." I hear from beside me as I put it in drive, pressing the gas gently.

The journey to my small house was silent as Jasper tries to find any kind of reception on my radio. With no luck, I hear him sigh and lean back in the seat.

"Nothing huh?" I ask as I turn onto the small dirt road leading to my home.

"Nah. Just static or repeating broadcast."

"Someone will come on soon." I reassure him, pulling into the driveway. Putting it in park, I kill the engine and step out of the car.

"Come on in. It's warmer inside." I tell him before walking toward the front door. With my front porch light guiding my way, I find my house key. Sliding the key inside the slot, I turn the knob and push open the door.

"Make yourself at home." I tell him as I flip the light on, my living room now on display. A few toys still left out from earlier in the day before leaving for work.

"Please excuse the mess." I tell him as he closes the door behind us, picking up the remains toys on the floor. Putting them in the corner by the couch where his other toys rest, I examine the rest of the room.

"Nah, looks good to me." Jasper says with a smirk, his hands in his pockets as he walks over to the couch to sit down.

"I'll be quick." I say before I head off to the left, down the hallway to my room. The last door on the right is where I stop, turning the knob and pushing it open. The small lamp light still on from early in the day, my room just like I left it. As I enter, I un-tie my apron, throwing it on the edge of my bed.

Going to my closet, I find my camping bag stuffed in the far corner. Retrieving it, I bring it to my bed and gather some clothes for myself. Along with a few other items that I stuff in the pockets and free spaces. I throw it over my shoulder and head out the bedroom door. Closing it behind me before I take the step over to my son's room. His door still open and light on. As usual.

I let a soft chuckle pass my lips as I bend down and pick up a book that lay by itself on the floor near Lucas's bed. He must have forgotten to put it up before leaving. It was still open, an unfinished book is never a good one.

Swallowing away the lump in my throat, I put the book down on his bed. Lucas would need some things when I see him again. Going to his closet I find some clothes and a few toys, stuffing them into my bag and lastly the book he didn't finish.

"That should do." I tell myself before slinging it over my shoulder and turning the light out. Closing the door as I leave the room, I make my way back to the living room down the hall.

"I'm going to grab some food for us." Seeing Jasper sitting on my sofa as I sit down my back pack, he stands.

"That sounds good, I didn't think to get any."

I flip the light on, illuminating the small room as I walk over to the cabinet in the corner.

"We got chips, Vienna sausages, juices, waters. What would you like?" Asking Jasper over my shoulder as he stands at the in the doorway.

"Whatever you got." I hear him let out a soft chuckle as I shake my head, reaching for a water and placing it near my feet. Doing the same with a few more waters and chips and more, I stand to open the cabinet over my head. Reaching in, I pull out a small duffle bag to place the food in.

"I'll help you with that." Jasper says walking over to me and taking the bag from my hands.

"I got it." I tell him, reaching for the bag.

"Nah, I can do something." He pulls away, keeping the bag out of reach as he kneels down near the food.

"Fine." I say as my blue Cooper disc watch him place the items into the bag. "I'll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom before we leave. Help yourself to anything while we're here."

Receiving a slight nod and a wave before turning and heading off to the living room, I walk the short distance to my closed door at the end of the hallway. Turning the knob, I push the door open and walk over to my night stand. Hiding away inside my drawer I keep my gun and permit.

I retrieve it, placing it on my hip with its holster. Having a father whom grew up around guns it was only inevitable that I too take on the hobby, although my Taurus is only for my son and I's protection. Making sure it was snug in its place I close my drawer, walking to the restroom.

I return to the living room moments later, seeing the bags gone and Jasper standing next to the door.

"Ready?" He asks me, hands inside his pockets as he waits by the front door, my bag hanging from his shoulder.

"Uh, yeah. Why do you have my bag?" I ask, walking over to him.

"Thought you may need the help." Jasper says, looking to the floor as I open it. I shake my head as he walks out, following behind him with keys in hand.

"You've done enough. But thanks anyway." Locking the door behind us, we head back to my car parked only a few feet away from us. The yard I own no bigger than a small parking lot, surrounded by trees. The area stretching a good hundred or so feet. Lucas having enough room to run and play with his toys and tree house that my father built. Laying at the edge of our property in the far back, he has his own secluded place.

The more I think of him, the more my throat begins to close. Oh, how I miss him. Reaching the car Jasper opens the door behind the driver seat, sitting inside my bag. I open the driver side door and slide into the seat. I take the moment that it takes Jasper to walk around the collect myself.

Placing the key in the ignition I turn it slightly, my small car roaring to life.

"All set." I hear from beside me, offering him a soft smile as I slide my seat belt over my chest.

"Awesome. Let's go." With that, we close our doors and I put it in reverse. Pulling away from my home and onto the small dirt road, I look into the rear view mirror, a small glimpse of my home fades as I press onto the gas. The less miles between my son and I the better. This was not my home. Wherever my son was, was where my heart lies.

Driving down the long dirt road to the main road Jasper plays with the radio again. I can hear the frustration in his voice as static plays from the speakers. Nothing. Taking a left from the stop sign, I pull onto the main road. It was going to be a lengthy ride, but it was the only thing on my mind.

"This is ridiculous." I hear him say from beside her, a sigh leaving my lips as I grip the wheel.

"We'll get something soon." I tell him, watching the road as I drives down the surprisingly empty road.

"I'll keep trying." Jasper says, changing the station. Taking a quick glance at the clock on her dash, it reads 10:32 pm. A soft sigh leaves my lips as I move passed a car parked on their side of the road, the brake lights on and smoke rising from the hood.

I tap the break, putting it in park. "Jasper." I turn toward the vehicle behind us.

"I know what you're thinking." He says, looking to me, an unsure look taking over his appearance.

"We have to see if anyone is alive." I say, clicking my seat belt off. It recedes to its designated spot as I open the door and step out, heading towards the crashed car in the ditch.

"Clara!" Hearing the passenger door close, feet run beside me. "Stop!"

"Jasper! They need our help." I don't hesitate as I walks towards the car, stopping at the driver side window. The door is ajar as they approach, my brow raising as I grab the handle. Opening the door slowly, I look though the foggy window.

"Hmm.." Stepping into view of the driver seat, the view clear of anyone. I poke my head inside the car, the sign of no one present in the car.

"Well.." I sigh, turning to Jasper whom has the same look on his face.

"Let's go, Clara." Jasper tells me, stepping over me. and taking my hand. As he pulls me away, I shake my head. That scene not making sense in my head as I return to the driver seat. Sliding the seat belt on, I put it in drive. We need to get away from here, whatever it is, my gut was telling me something is not right.

With my head lights shinning on the road, I keep my attention directed on the road. I can hear the breathing of Jasper next to me, and the static of the radio through the speakers. The darkness felt as if it was consuming us, l taking us in with a warm welcome. Like we belong here.

Only driving a few yards I don't notice a figure walking in the middle of the road until it hits the side of my car, making it fall to the ground. Pressing on the break, I gasps loudly.

"Clara! Are you alright?" Jasper says, his hand on my shoulder. My heart beats heavily, almost pumping out of my chest as I put it in park.

"I-I-" I hesitate, trying to collect myself as I look in the rear view mirror. Within seconds I see the figure rise from the ground. My heart dropping in my chest as it begins to take off towards the car in a quick walking manner. It hits the back of the car, a loud moan emitting from the figure.

"Go!" Jasper yells at me, almost too entranced in the figure moving around the vehicle. Coming to my window, the lone figure comes into view.

"Oh my god.." Gasping, seeing blood drip from his mouth. His face scratched and bruised, and his eyes staring into my own.

"Clara, go!" I hear again as the man bangs on the one inch window that separates us. Finally coming to my senses, I put it in drive and hit the gas. Going anywhere but where we were at the moment. Breathing heavily, I keeps my gaze forward.

"What was that?" Jasper asks as I haul *** on the road, driving pass a few more vehicles as we go.

"I don't know.." I finally speak after a moment as trying to even my breath. The man looked, almost possessed. I didn't want to think of the soulless eyes that stared back at me as I kept my concentration on the road.

Almost grateful that Jasper cut the conversation short, I release another reluctant sigh. I need to clear my mind. As I even out my breathing, I look toward the road ahead. The less miles between Lucas and I, the better.

As I drive along, it is silent. A few miles down as we come to a stop sign. Taking a right, I hit the gas, kicking it into the fifties before you could count to five. Over powering the engine more than I knew I should, but didn't care. My mind was racing more than relaxing as I drove.

As I hit the gas and hit a bump, my car jerking to the left. Gripping the wheel, I keep it straight as best I can. Trying to keep the car on the road more than anything as I let go of the gas and finally press the brake. Angrily throwing it into park.

"Mother fucker!" I yell, hitting the steering wheel with my fist in frustration. Why?! Why can't I just get to MY child?!

"I'll check it out." I hear from beside me as I lay my head against the steering wheel, my eyes closing.

"Lucas.." I mumble my sons name under my breath. "I'll get to you, I promise." Shaking my head, I press the button to the seat belt. Feeling it retract, I open the door and step out. "What's the damage?" I ask as, closing the door as I walk over to the passenger side of the car were Jasper stands.

"Damn tire blew." He says, pointing at the front tire. I close my eyes as I squat down, defeat taking me over. "Do you have a spare?" I hear above me, only for my head to shake in return.

"Nope." Putting emphasis on the 'p' as I glance to my blown tire. With frustration over taking myself, I stand and kick the tire. "Fucker!" Cursing at the vehicle, kicking it again. "Useless piece of shit!" I begin an assault on my car out of anger, my foot coming in contact again to the grey broken down Honda.

I have had enough of this.

"Clara, stop." Jasper says as he steps toward me, then takes a step back. Hearing his voice, I snap back to reality. Squatting once more as I hold my head in my hands. This was too much. "I'll grab the bags."

I stay in my position as Jasper walks to the back door and grabs both bags, placing mine on the ground next to me. As I sit there, Jasper allows me a moment to collect myself. Within that moment, there is a rustling noise coming from the edge of the wood line a good twenty feet from us. Raising my head from my hands, I watch as a figure emerges from the shadows.

"Hello?" Jasper says as I stand to my feet, watching the person move towards us slowly. Not saying a word as it crosses onto the pavement road, a man with a blood face coming into view. "Stop!" he yells, throwing an arm in front of me as the man continues to close the short distance between us.

I step back as it moves closer to us, The car now in between us. "Clara stay over there." Jasper demands as the crazed looking man makes his way around the back of the car, his dark soullessness eyes on us. They look the same as the man before. The same dark lifeless eyes that stared back at me. "Can we help you?" Jasper more yells to the man at this point, chills running down my spine as I continue to back away from this person. Nothing but a low growl emits from the man's lips.

"Jasper, he's not okay." I tell him, my hand rest on my gun that sits in its holster. God forbid. But as the man kept moving towards us with no words, I feel as if I have no choice. Pulling my loaded gun from its holster, I cock it. A loud shot rings out as the man falls to the ground, but not even a half second later he is trying to get on his feet again. I squeeze the trigger again as I aim for the head.

"Clara!! What the hell was that?" Jasper yells as he turns to me.

"Not alive. That's for sure."