Moving out is supposed to be fun, right? Ready to go to college, ready to buy a cat for the first time because you couldn't all your life because your dad and mom were allergic. First time for everything right?

Yeah, right.

Until a Zombie Apocalypse fucks it all up.

Until you meet four people that change your life.

Especially when you're not at all a very violent person.

Not on the outside, anyway.

The apartment I moved into was...quiet. There was one room, one bathroom, one closet.

One.

Such a lonely number.

I decided to do college online so I wouldn't have to pay that much for a dorm or text books and stuff.

Even more lonely.

I had just moved out the day those god damn zombies came. Sure, the "green flu" had been around for months, but no one ever thought Zombies would be the outcome.

I just came out of the shower, blow drying my golden blonde hair. I walked over to my laptop, glancing at the clock as I did so. It was about 9:30, which ment my next class online was about to start in ten minutes.

Not rushing at the slightest, I walked to my laptop and opened it slowly. I pressed and held the power button until the screen went blue and the power up noise sounded. I smiled softly as my backround appeared to be me, my mom, and my little sister Beth. My little sister looks just like me, it makes me giggle sometimes.

I clicked on the blue e on my desktop, but a screen appeared that said,

"Internet cannot display this web page."

Confused, I refreshed, but still no internet.

I tried to re connect to the internet at least 100 times, but it didn't work.

The clock read 9:37, which means I have to be on the website in three minutes or I'll miss the class. I refreshed again, but it took me to a website called "Government HQ"

Not only do I not have internet, but I also have a virus that takes me to fake government websites.

Wait...wouldn't I have to have internet to get on this website in the first place?

"Citizens of the United States, The outbreak of the flu is too severe for safe living. CEDA has issued a evac station at the Vannah Mall. Everyone who is not infected please make your way to the mall immedietly. Further details will be sought there. The internet, phone lines, cable television, and electricty will be shut down at 10:00 AM in your area. Please make contact with your loved ones as soon as possible."

I blinked. There was a whole page full of words, but my eyes were fogging up. Did I mention I probably have the worst anexity out of anyone I have ever known?

I rushed for my cell phone, pressed the number 2, then the call button. Thank god for speed dial.

"Mom?" I croaked out. I was close to tears, and my heart was beating fast.

"Valerie? Sweetheart?" My mom sounded unaware of the terrors that were about to unfold.

I gulped. "Mom, are you and Beth at the hotel?"

"Yes, hunny. Me and Beth are- Beth stop, Valerie will talk to you in a minute- Me and Beth are setting up for the party."She sounded overly cheerful. Why? "Nikki can't come because she's sick, but Lizzy and Alexis are coming, So is Sarah. I couldn't find chocolate and strawberry cake, so I got-"

Sometimes, My mom talked way too much.

"Mom. They said they're cutting off all ways of contact and transportation because of how bad the flu is getting. I'm packing up and going over there, okay?"

There was silence on the end of the line. There was a sigh. "Valerie, just come here if you're scared. I have some xanix for you so you can-"

"Mommy." I said softly, on the verge of sobbing. "This isn't a laughing matter. We're going to die, okay?"

My mom just snorted. "Well get over here if you're too scared to be by yourself. I love you, alright?"

"Love you too." I snarled. I shoved my phone in my pocket and stormed out the door.

The streets were not empty, but there was few people on it. Some were scrambling with their cell phones, some were tugging luggage. I started to pick up the pace to the hotel. After all, my family could be dead right now. I wouldn't mind if my dad was though.

I made my way up the front steps of the hotel. When I got inside, the lobby was empty. It was quiet though, too quiet.

My phone broke the silence, vibrating so loudly in my pocket it made me jump. It was my mom.

"Hello?" I answered soflty.

"Valerie hunny, I'm so sorry for doubting you about this. It's crazy here." My mom sounded distressed, yelling at Beth to keep up.

"Where are you?" I asked catiously.

"Walking to the Mall. Meet me there, okay? I love you, and so does Beth. The evac station at the hotel is-" The line went dead before I could say I love you too, or before she could finish her sentence. I checked the time on the clock, and it was excactly 10.

I went to turn out the door until I heard a low bellowing gurgle. I raised my eyebrow and turned on my heel to the left. I blinked a couple of times and walked slowly towards the hall. I shouldn't have, but I did.

The gurgiling got louder and louder. It sounded like my dad when he drank.

All of a sudden, a large, green looking man with large boils came storming out of the corner. He was deformed and he was gurgiling as he ran. My eyes widened and I did what my instinct told me to do.

Scream, and run.

It probably wasn't a good idea, because the thumps of the giant man got louder. It was probably right behind me.

Until reality kicked in and I ran into someone, or something, and fell flat on my ass.

I screamed and covered my face. A hand wrapped around my wrist and I screamed even louder until another hand covered my mouth.

"Shush, hunny, open your eyes, it's alright sweetie."

It was a strong, womans voice. I blinked open my eyes to see a black women, young looking, staring straight down at me. I gasped, surprised that it wasn't that fat thing.

She moved out of the way to reveal three other men. Two of which I've seen before. Coach, yeah. He was the Coach of the High School Football team. I saw him alot, since we practiced for Vollyball inside while they were outside. Coach was a little heavyset, and he was also a African American.

The other man I knew, I just couldn't put my finger on it. I think he fixed my car once down at the garage on 6th street. He wore greasy overalls and a yellow Bull shifters shirt. A yellow hat to top it off. All I knew is that he was nice, cute, and a grade A hick.

The third guy I have never seen in my life before, but he looked old and scary. He snarled at me when I glanced at him. He had black greased hair and a horrible look on his face. He was wearing a white suit and held a pistol in his hand.

A pistol? I gulped.

The black women was beautiful. Her hair was tied back and she had a Depeche Mod shirt on and jeans. She smiled at me. "Need some help there sweetheart?"

I nodded, trying my best to smile softly. She gripped my hand and helped me up. "Thank you." I said gently.

"There's a evac station up those stairs." Coach said, reading a sign by the door. "It's on...the roof."

"This 'ere hotel is huge." The hick said, confused. "'ow many flights up them here stairs do yew think we'll be havin to go up?"

"I don't know," The scary man replied, "But your accent is gonna kill me before the Zombies do."

The black women struck the man with a hard look, but I understood. I didn't say anything, so they probably thought I didn't hear the man.

They probably think I'm 13 or something. I do have a baby face, and I have long golden hair. I may be skinny and short, but I am 18.

The hick opened the door to the stairs and we ran like hell. "My mom is at the mall." I stated, out of breath. "But there's a evac station up here too."

We were only on the 4th floor and I was already out of breath. I didn't exercise much, it's funny how skinny I am but I eat like a pig everyday.

"Hey white suit wearin' guy." The hick exclaimed, coming up behind the scary man and touching his shoulder. "Whataya mean back there by 'Zombies'? I don't think them sorts of the things exsist. I mean, I used to think them unicorn things was real, until i realized my momma just tricked me and she caught it on video too. Man my momma is a crazy woman. One time she-"

I pursed my lips. This guy talks more then my mom does.

"Hey kid. Shut up." The scary man said.

We were on the 20th floor when Coach couldn't take anymore. He buckled over, holding his chest. "Coach." I whispered gently. He looked up at me with big eyes.

"How do ya know my name?" He asked.

I backed up a little, remembering that we didn't even exchange names. "Oh...I'm sorry. You teach football at my high school."

"You still go to high school?" The black women asked, scooting a little closer to me.

I opened my mouth to talk, but the old scary man interupted me.

"Hey! Let's go guys! I'm going to kick all your asses!"

Not objecting, I helped Coach to his feet and we ran faster. I was just hoping that every time I turned the corner to run up the other flight of stairs, it would be the last one. But that didn't happen until we got to the 40th floor.

We busted open the door and ran onto the roof.

To see the helicopters flying away.

Not even turning around to get us!

"Come back!" The black women screamed. "Dear Jesus come back!"

The men waved and screamed at the helicopter. I stood there, breathless and speechless. I thought I was going to die right then and there. This stress is killing me.

"Honey?" I heard a voice say. I turned to the black women. "Are you alright? We can go to the evac station at the mall, don't worry about it." She smiled sweetly at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.

I heard a clank behind me and I jumped. It was a fire axe laying right at my feet. I picked it up and looked at the scary man standing in front of me.

"Look, I could really care less how old you are. Ten, Twenty, Thirty, honestly I could give a rats ass. There are some really sick people out there, and some say mutation could happen. Which means zombies of some sort. You need to learn how to use this weapon." He picked the axe up and handed it to me. I can't breathe. "Just remember, it isn't murder, kid. It's more like, ridding the world of the sick."

My jaw quavered. "Oh."

The black women rolled her eyes and opened a door. There was a flight of stairs and then another door, probably leds to the hotel.

"Down here." She stated, running down the stairs.

Nothing could prepare us for the things we saw when she busted open the door.

Ellis' POV

The door busted open, and then all hell broke loose.

These things were somethin different that I ain't never seen before.

Some were pukin' up blood and groanin', some where lookin' at us all crazy like, and one was eatin' somethin that looked like a arm.

The pretty young girl screamed and covered her eyes. The mean old guy sighed and took his pistol and shot at those people...I mean Zombies.

The young girl was freakin' out as we ran through the hotel. I had to basiclly carry her the whole way to the elevator cuz she was freakin' and cryin'.

I didn't mind though. It was like carryin' a pillow or somethin'. I was afraid I was gonna break her or somethin'.

We shoved ourseleves into the elevator and pressed the button to the bottom floor.

"We should probably introduce ourseleves, learn our names." The pretty african girl said. "My name is Rochelle."

"My friends and students just call me Coach, y'all should so the same." The heavy black guy said.

"The names Nick. Don't learn it, cuz I ain't stickin around to long." The scary man said.

"Name's Ellis." I stated proudly. Everyone turned to the little blonde girl and stared at her. She was huddled in the corner with her knees against her chest.

She blinked her pretty blue eyes at us. "Valerie." She mananged to say, bringing her knees closer to her chest.

Rochelle smiled real nice like. She's such a good lady, I'm gonna like her. Not as much as I'm startin to like Valerie.

"How old are you sweetheart?" Rochelle asked, bending down to face her.

Valerie swallowed and let out a quiet sigh. "I'm 18."

Oh thank god she's legal. I was startin' to think she was ten or somethin'.

"You don't look 18, little girl." Nick spat, giving her a cold stare.

"Hey now leave her alone yah hear?" I said, straightning my shoulders. "This young girl has been through hell in the past half hour or so. Let her get over it."

Nick scoffed, shaking his head. "My ass. You just wanna get it in."

I could feel my cheeks gettin' red. I was bout to say somethin till Coach stepped in.

"I don't know you that well, but I already don't like yah." Coach said, putting one hand on his hip. "Yah better learn some manners and respect."

I nodded my head triumphetly. All of a sudden, the elevator started to fill up with smoke. Valerie's head popped up like some sort of gopher or somethin. Her eyes went wild, poor thing is scared out of her young mind.

"What's going on?" She whimpered.

The elevator doors had to be pryed open, and right when we opened them, smoke poured into the elevator. Fire was burning the first floor of the hotel, making it horrible to see.

There's gonna be a problem.

Valerie's POV

I didn't mention I had a severe fear of fire, did I?

I also hate elevators.

I pretty much hate everything.

Espacially this fucking zombie apocolypse.

And this Nick guy.

Ellis pulled me up to my feet and stuck with me throughout the whole time of trying to get out of the hotel. We had no idea where we were going, but we tried to see as much as we could.

Then there was this...low growl. Not like the fat man with boils I saw before, but it was some sort of growl like a dog or someting.

We all heard it too, so we stopped in a circle and looked around. I was the only one without a gun, because I have no idea how to work them and I didn't want to embarass myself.

Ellis and me locked eyes, then I shyly turned away. I don't like Ellis, but it was...weird. I wonder how old he is.

There was a loud screech and growl, and then something pounced on Ellis.

"Ellis!" I screeched, swinging my axe at whatever jumped on him. The thing fell over limp, dead.

"What in the hell was that?" Ellis screamed, holding his chest.

"Are you bleeding?" Rochelle asked, concerned. Ellis took his hand off of his chest and looked at his deep red palm. "I reckon I am."

"That thing just...hunted you." I whispered, still in shock.

"So there are more mutated ones then the regulor zombies." Nick said, running his fingers through his hair. "Great. There's probably huge ones that can kill you faster then you can scream and run away."

"So let's name them." I suggested. "So we can call out to each other."

They all looked at me, surprised. Rochelle nodded slowly. "That's not...a bad idea. At all."

Coach nodded too. "This youngin' ain't too bad, is she Nicky?"

Nick snarled. "What the fuck ever. Let's go to the saferoom before one of those Hunters get to us."

I smiled, trying to be a little bitchy. "See, you named one. Wasn't that hard, was it, Nicky?"

Ellis' POV

I think I'm gonna like this girl.

We ran to the safe room faster then a jackrabbit on crack. We heard some crazy high pitched laugh or somethin, and we deicded we didn't want to take any chances.

We closed and barred up the safe room door. Valerie fell to the floor and buried her head in her knees. I think she was cryin or somethin. I sure hope not.

"We have to take turns staying up." Rochelle stated, trying to take over. "I'll stay up with Nick, then Ellis and Val, then Coach can be on his own."

I glanced at Valerie and smiled. She just smiled a little then turned away. She probably doesn't like me.

"Mind staying up first?" Rochelle asked nicely. Me and Val just shrugged. I hope she doesn't notice that I stare at her alot.