Something about the mall felt different. Maybe being alone I felt more vulnerable. Or maybe it was just the silence. This mall normally isn't quiet, and it just gave a a eerie feeling.

Once I was inside the store, I grabbed 6 phones, and about $1,000 worth of minutes for each phone. I hid behind the counter and loaded them up, trying to make as minimal sound as possible. I thought I was doing pretty good, but I guess I wasn't, because I heard footsteps coming towards me.

I dropped the phones and grabbed my gun. I waited until the person was right in front of the counter, when I jumped and almost shot the guy in the face.

"Whoah! Get that gun out of my face!" The man pushed the gun down and glared at me. "You almost shot me!" Now that I got a better look at him, he seemed a little older then me. He has brown hair, and a really old looking backpack. He was carrying a machete, and what looked like a desert eagle in his side pocket.

"Where did you get those weapons from?"

"That's not your business. Now what's your name? I'm James."

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because this is survival not some happy fairy tale!"

"I can tell." I finished putting minutes on the phones, and I turned to walk away. I opened the door, and I didn't notice the infected until it was right in my face.

Before I had time time to react, there was a bang, and the body hit the ground.

"I'm coming with you. It's obvious that you're not prepared!"

"Sorry, but I already have a group." I turned and walked out into the main mall section.

****

"What took you so long! I thought someone got you! And who's that!?" Brent started to freak out. Over protective much?

"Don't worry Mom I'm fine-wait what!?" I turned around, and there was James swinging his machete like it was no big deal.

"Hi there, I'm James."

"Uh hi, I'm Brent. Does Winter know you?"

"No. Winter," He put a emphasis on my name. "does not know me. We just met, and I've decided to join you guys."

"We're not a club that you can just join." Brent said irritatedly.

"Give me a couple reasons why. In fact give me 3, because it seems like the world is ending and you need all the help you can get."

"Here's three reason, 1 I barely know you,"

James smirked. "Yeah well you barely know her!"

"2, we already have enough people!"

"Oh come on!" James rolled his eyes. "There are 2 of you!"

"And 3..."

"What? Got nothing? That's what I thought. Now I'll ride in the back, and one of you can drive." James holstered his gun, then he climbed in the back of the truck with all of the supplies. "So what are you waiting for? Get in the car!"

I took a sigh, a but annoyed, only because he was bossing us around like he was in charge. It's like that guy doesn't take no for a answer.

"I'll drive." I tossed Brent the keys, then I climbed into the leather seats of the car. I checked the glove compartment for anything special, but all I found was bills, papers, and a ton of other useless junk. "The RV place is over by the lake right?"

I nodded. "Do you think the other guys are waiting for us?"

Brent chuckled. "Nope. They defiantly feel like the type of people who would leave us for their own survival."

"I couldn't agree more." The roads were quite. Well not car wise, but creature wise. I thought there would be more of the infected.

"I guess they're nocturnal."

"Wait you could here me?" I turned and looked towards the window. "I thought I was speaking in my head..."

"Well you weren't."

"Um I'm going to call my friends!" I pulled out one of the phones and dialed Nelly's number. The phone rang for a couple of seconds, but he did pick up.

"Who is this?" I heard a familiar voice on the other end.

"Rob its me Winter!"

"Claire! Oh my god I thought you were dead! I called your phone a bazillion times, but you never answered!"

"Sorry..." I slouched down into my seat. "My phone broke, and I just got a new one.."

"No no it's okay!" I could just picture the reassuring look on Rob's face. "So where are you?"

"Oh I'm in a car with...." I paused and though about how I address these people. "some friends..." Brent did a small laugh in the background.

"Who are these friends?" Geez why is he so worried?

"People you don't know."

"You don't know that! Now where are you heading?"

"Listen you don't tell me what to do or where to go! I can-"

"They get stronger everyday." Rob cut in. "Max has a lab, and he tested their DNA. They're not just zombie like people, but they're mutated!"

"Brent you here that?"

"Every word." Brent turned into the parking lot of the RV sales place. "Now tell your boyfriend that we have to go. We're there."

"Alright I have to go Rob. I'll try and meet up with you guys. Oh and sorry for how I acted. Something just got into me..."

"It's fine. We've all changed. Just promise me something."

"What?"

Rob took a pause before speaking again. "Come back safe."

"I will."

"Alright, talking is cool, but you need to hurry up and get our here!" James opened my door. "We got a horde on our hands!"