More and more screeching ricochets around the school. "The power's gone the power's gone what are we supposed to do now?" One of the girls in our room screeches.

Sighing, I wait as my eyes adjust to the darkness, the figures of people gradually becoming clearer until silhouettes are visible. "Stay calm there's nothing we can do, may as well go to sleep and deal with the issue tomorrow after the teachers have time to think," I say, already settled on my spot on the mat.

The girls start to argue, but once they realize that my voice is coming from the ground, they stop and decide to follow suit. Jen and Kaitlyn lie down beside me, finding comfort before drifting off to sleep.

The gym is abuzz with activity; not quite an uproar, as no one is screaming, but there's more chatter than usual as people check their phones for any remaining battery life. At the back of the gym, the teachers converse while eating their breakfast of apples and bananas, along with other foods that don't require refrigeration.

Mr. Jones rises to his feet, clapping loudly. The gymnasium falls silent, all heads turning in his direction. "We have decided that it is time to leave the school." As he speaks, people shout; some kids slump in their seats. "Please, everyone, calm down. We understand that you're frightened; we are as well. However, remaining here isn't an option. Our food is running low, and without power, we won't last beyond today. Leaving is our best chance to find a safer place with ample food and water." The gym goes silent.

He's right the school wasn't that secure and with it being in the city zombies are constantly walking around with the human scent lingering on the building. Everyone's faces fall their eyes flickering to the doors that get banged on constantly throughout the day.

Mr. Jones sighs "I dislike the idea as much as you do, but if we don't take action, we're at greater risk of dying from starvation or dehydration." He waits a moment letting his words sink in. "We have already arranged the transportation. Please pack what you need swiftly; we will tidy up and depart as soon as the parking lot is empty."

Following his departure, the gym clears out swiftly, and the color drains from many faces once more. Jen, Kaitlyn, and I are among the first to re-enter the gym after packing our backpacks. Mr. Jones meets us at the door, hands us the keys to a car, and informs us that another person will be joining us. Fortunately, it's just one other individual, a classmate named Liam. Since our car is largely loaded with medical supplies, it's not overcrowded with people.

We assist the staff in transferring the medical supplies into bags and then carry them over to where we sit and wait. A tall boy with his hands nonchalantly tucked in his pockets enters the gym. His hazel eyes glance our way, giving a nod as Mr. Jones gestures towards us in the corner.

"Hey, I guess I'll be riding with you three," He waves, taking a seat on the floor in front of the bags filled with medical supplies, his hands trembling.

I nod and extend my hand for a handshake. "Yep, how are you feeling?"

He grips my hand, giving it two shakes before releasing. "Okay, I guess. I tried to reach my family on the first day, but the call was cut off."

Jen pats his shoulder. "I'm sorry."

He dismisses it with a wave of his hand. "It's okay, you've done nothing wrong. It's the same for most people here, all unknowns. There's nothing we can do to fix it; all we can do is keep moving forward, right?" His grin deepens the lines on his face. "So, who's driving?"

I raise my hand "That'll be me, do you know how to drive?"

He shakes his head "Not really, I know how but have never actually driven before."

"Me too, same with Kaitlyn. Who would want the responsibility of driving for the first time in a zombie apocalypse." Jen laughs pointing at me "This crazy one here wants that responsibility."

Smacking Jen lightly on the head I shake my head "This isn't my first time driving Jen."

She grins "Yeah you told us that before, but have you ever driven through zombies?"

"No, and I plan to go around them by the way."

She sticks her tongue at me dodging my incoming smack. 

"Fine then I'll go through them instead," I say humphing. We laugh conversing back and forth as we wait.

An hour later, the gym is bustling again. Knees bounce and a cold sweat covers the faces and backs of all the living in the gym. I sit as calmly as possible, my heart feeling like a dead weight in my chest. My hands yearn for the feel of a cold blade, fingers twirling in the empty air.

Mr. Jones reviews the plan he and the staff devised to evacuate everyone from the school safely. They intend to throw meat from the fridges and phones with alarms sounding out of the upper windows into the field to distract the zombies to the back, allowing us to exit from the front.

I'm not sure if this plan will work, but I keep silent. There's a simpler method, but it would require more fresh blood than anyone would prefer.

I pat my pocket, and the keys jingle reassuringly. Mr. Jones concludes with, "Do not separate from your group. Once in the cars, follow each other closely. Stay safe."

We all stand with trembling legs as each person clutches their bags. Liam, his dirty blonde hair tied into a messy ponytail that just grazes the back of his neck, shakes as he picks up two of the four small bags at our feet. Our group is among the first to reach the front, awaiting Mr. Jones' signal. "Do you want to be more in the middle?" I whisper to Liam.

He gazes back at me, his face glistening and his body quivering. "No, I'll be fine, just nervous," he replies.

I nod and edge forward, positioning myself in front of him and the others. The sound of multiple ringers echoes from upstairs before fading into the distance. The thumping of a hundred hearts reverberates in my ears as we wait. Muffled pants and sobs are concealed by hands as we all strive for silence. "GO," Mr. Jones yells, dashing out of the classroom with the other teachers trailing behind him.

Clutching two medical bags firmly, I lead the way as the first student to leave the school. Blood is smeared across the walls, windows, doors, and floor. The bodies that I carried out lie on the ground, presenting a ghastly sight as they begin to decompose.

I look behind me making sure Jen, Kaitlyn, and Liam are still there. I scan the parking lot my hand clicking the car keys in my pocket. Spotting the lights of a car flashing along the sidewalk I rush over. Checking behind me once again, ashen faces are scattered all along the parking lot and road as people rush into cars.

Suddenly, the air, heavy with tension, erupts with screams as zombies burst forth from behind the school building. People get grabbed their shoulders, neck, and arms get bitten, some people get dragged to the ground helplessly trying to crawl away. The makeshift spears are helpless in killing the zombies only being used to keep them an arm's distance away. The stench of fresh blood wafts into the air as people scream red seeping out of their clothes. 

I continue rushing towards the car rapidly unlocking the doors and throwing the bags into the back seats. "Come on hurry,"I hold the back door open, shouting as I usher Jen and Kaitlyn inside. Liam slips into the passenger seat, securing the door behind him; the bags in his grasp tumble to his feet as he catches his breath.

As I dash to the driver's seat and pull the door open, Jen grasps my arm, her eyes pleading. "Help them, Kain, please," she begs. I part my lips to object, but she murmurs "Please," her eyes brimming with tears.

Seething I toss the keys to Liam slamming the door shut "Fuck, don't open the doors for any reason stay in there." I yell at them rushing over to the chaos of the parking lot. Damn, Jen and her good heart.

Rushing in I pick up a dropped broom handle from the ground rushing in front of a group of grade 9's. Brandishing the stick I force the zombie's back "GO," I shout pushing the broomstick into the zombie's chest my hands throbbing. The grade 9 quickly climbs to their feet into their car. I repeat this action till the parking lot is empty of humans.

Refocusing on my car, I see red as two zombies pound on the windows, rocking the vehicle. I hurry over, careful not to draw attention, and jab the sharpened end of the broom into the zombies' necks, pushing them against the wooden fence behind us. With a final heave, the broom breaks, and as I kick the fence, the zombies tumble through. I quickly repair the fence, ensuring all the cars are on their way.

Then, I slip into the driver's seat, shift into drive, and follow the convoy. A sigh escapes me, my tension easing as the school vanishes behind a building while I merge onto the main road. It's only after we've exited the city that I truly unwind. The roads are littered with abandoned vehicles, and zombies wander freely, thumping on the windows as we weave through the deserted cars.

Once out of the city I turn my head taking a quick look at the others in the car "You all good?"

"Yeah Kain thanks for that," Jen says holding her bag in her arms.

Kaitlyn nods reclining in her seat and sighing.

My gaze shifts to Liam and I come to a halt. His eyes, wide and darting, move between Jen, Kaitlyn, and myself. Shit, I forgot he was in the car when I locked those zombies behind the fence. Guiding my shadow to seize the reins in my steed, I lean towards Liam and our eyes lock. A hint of red seeps into my pupil, transforming my dark brown eyes into a swirling mix of red and brown.

Seeing this Jen holds up her hands "Kain nonononono stop, what are you doing?"

Turning my eyes to her for a second "Making gin forget," I state matter of factly refocus my attention on Liam.

Before I can open my mouth again to compel Liam, Jen holds her hands in front of my face. "Why can't we just tell him if he can't take it then we can make him forget if not then won't it be easier to keep the secret if there is one less person to hide it from?" Sometimes I hate smart Jen.

Sighing I lean back retaking the wheel. "Fine but if this backfires it's your fault," I glare warningly at her in the mirror the red receding from my eyes once again. She feigns crossing her heart grinning widely. Shaking my head I focus on the road for a few minutes before speaking "Simply stating I am a vampire-"

Jen cuts in "Half-vampire you're a hybrid remember."

"How could I forget that detail." I say sarcastically sighing once again "Yes, I'm a hybrid of an ancient species called casters, been for around a year now."

I wait for Liam to take that in "How did you die?" He asks softly.

"Drunk driver, hit me when I was walking home from my cousin's house. Not my luckiest day." I sigh going back to that memory. Walking home from my cousin's house was nothing new to me they lived not even a mile down the road, practically neighbours where we lived just outside of the city, farmers' fields across the road from our house. One second I was walking on the side of the road ready to go into the ditch if needed when I went flying.

The car struck me squarely in the back, propelling me into the middle of the road several feet away. It swerved into the ditch, speeding at 100 km/h on a 60 km/h road, oblivious to the loose gravel. Whether I had moved or not, I would have been hit; in a sense, I was fortunate to be thrown clear. The alternative—being trapped under the car in the ditch—would have meant certain death before help arrived.

Man did that hurt, the pain came after I coughed up my first mouth full of blood shocking my nervous system into a frenzy. My whole body felt like it was on fire my legs broken in two different spots, an arm underneath me and one popped out of its socket. After a severe blow, it was surprising I remained conscious with my head split open; it seemed as if red paint had been spilled over me. Lying there, it felt eternal, my body ablaze, as I watched the night sky gradually darken until two luminous red eyes appeared above me.

A warm metallic liquid got forced down my throat. The man's mouth moved, yet all was silent; the crickets that emerged at this hour were inaudible, as was the gentle rustling of leaves stirred by the nocturnal breeze. The only sound audible was the gradual slowing of my heartbeat as time ticked by. My body was aflame with sensation; as the blood coursed through me, my veins pulsed with such heat I imagined they were glowing as if a fire had been kindled within them.

I can't recall if I screamed, cried, or remained silent. All I remember is the bright full moon shining behind the silhouette of the man looming over me, his eyes a striking shade of blood-red, and then darkness. It was then that I heard the last beat of my heart, thump...thump...thump....nothing, nothing and silence, silence and blackness, I was dead.

I released a shaky sigh, my mind coming back to the present. "So you died when you were 16?" Liam's question shocks me my hands tightening on the wheel.

Two sets of small blue eyes flicker briefly before I forced them to retreat. "Yes...no I wasn't 16 then my birthday was a few weeks later end of July, the 28."

"Ohh," He falls silent after speaking. He asks questions similar to those asked by Jen and Kaitlyn. In short order, he becomes completely informed of all that Jen and Kaitlyn are aware of. The pair in the back subtly engage in the conversation, carefully avoiding any mention that their families are alright, not wishing to raise his hopes or perhaps feeling guilty that their loved ones are safe while his may not be.

An hour and a half into our journey, the city has faded into the distance. A line of cars speeds along the highway, each headed to its own destination. Breaking the prolonged silence, Kaitlyn is the first to speak. "Kaindra where do you think we're going?"

I shrug "My best guess is we're just trying to get away from the city."

"They'll have to be careful to watch their gas most of the cars will only last driving for around a day before they run out. Plus food, water, and sleep." Kaitlyn says jotting down in a notebook.

The car falls silent as I nod. Once Liam was up to date on everything, he promised to keep it a secret, and the tension mostly dissipated. Yet, until he proves his word, I can't help but be hesitant. As we chat about various topics and get to know each other, Liam appears to have become a comfortable part of our group, easing into the passenger seat next to me.

The sun graces the horizon, ready to rest in our corner of the world until it rises anew tomorrow. My favoured time emerges as the crescent moon trades places with the radiant sun. The pair in the back fell asleep an hour ago, finding comfort on each other's shoulders, their light and dark tresses blending in slumber. A smile crosses my face as I look at them in the rearview mirror, reminiscent of yin and yang, two contrasting forces in harmonious balance.

Liam and I sit in silence both just enjoying the other's company. "Kaindra we can switch if you get tired?" He whispers watching the other cars in front of us move along the road.

I shake my head "It's okay I'm not tired you should get some sleep I don't know when we'll be stopping."

He sighs "I don't know if I could sleep right now not till we find a safer place." I nod silently as I drive. "Kaindra what's your favorite time of day?" He asks.

"Why the sudden question?" I ask the corner of my mouth twitching up slightly.

He shrugs "No reason, just conversation I guess."

I nod "I would say my favorite time of day is night."

"Why?"

I shrug "I don't know why, but the night always feels the calmest to me. Maybe it's because I'm a vampire and night is our time," I muse, sighing as I watch the sky gradually brighten with thousands of stars. "Even before I was turned, I loved the night; it's so... peaceful. It's as if the earth is whispering to me, making everything clearer, and I become more connected and conscious of my surroundings." I pause taking a deep breath eyes closed for a second as I imagine myself up in the sky on a crisp clear night when the moon is full.

"It brings me peace, gives me a sense of power. I could gaze at the sky all night, the wind caressing my face, sweeping away all my concerns." As I conclude, I turn to look at him.

He smiles gently resting his head on the window "That sounds wonderful."

"What about you?" I ask gently.

He thinks for a second eyes watching the sky. "I like the early morning," he says.

"Why?"

"I suppose I'm fond of the idea that the world awakens to light after the night's darkest hour... It's as if the sun gently cleanses any blemishes that may exist, bathing the earth in a golden glow that's both bright and comforting, reassuring you that you're not alone; others are here as well—you just need to cast light to find them," he concludes in a gentle tone.

My mouth twitches into a small smile. So Liam has a soft side who would have known? "Sleep Liam I will wake you when we stop," I say softly.

He nods letting out the yawn he has been holding in "Okay, wake me when we get there or if you want to switch out."

I nod "I will get some rest now," I whisper. Soon the car is completely silent as the three people sleep soundlessly all exhausted from the day's excitement.

After talking with Liam I relax a little more. He's a good guy, if both Kaitlyn and Jen feel like they can trust him I don't see why I can't. I trust those two with all my unbeating heart so I'll trust Liam too, who knows maybe one day I'll trust Liam as much as I do Jen and Kaitlyn.

I drive silently at the back of the line of cars late into the night. The people driving must be getting tired, Glancing at my watch, I sigh – it's midnight, the beginning of a new day. We've been on the road for the better part of the day without any breaks. Everyone is likely to be tired and hungry. Eyeing the gas gauge, I mutter under my breath "less than half a tank remains."

We pass through one of the larger towns. A few zombies roam, most likely having wandered off days ago in search of living flesh. A large complex of stores appears ahead. The cars in front begin to slow down, turning into the parking lot of one of the stores. I follow, steering with one hand while gently waking Liam beside me.

He wakes up blinking blearily as he yawns. I point behind me and he wakes up the other two. "Where are we?" Kaitlyn asks looking out the front window.

I stare at the big sign of the store. Ikea, by the looks of it, looks like it was just about to open as the parking lot is empty other than the line of cars that just pulled in. "Looks like this is where we're going to be staying the night," I say, opening my senses and already scanning the area around us.

Jen leans over resting her elbows on the front console "Is it safe?" She asks.

I tap the wheel before turning off the car and pocketing the keys "We'll see," I say already stepping out of the car my bag in hand.

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