I was never really what you would call a poster child.

I got into fights. Lots of fights. For the littlest things.

I let my smart little sister do my homework for me because I couldn't be bothered to do it myself.

I drank, smoked and gambled the moment I turned thirteen.

Got my first tattoo at sixteen. Instead of using my gambling money for something productive...like helping my family buy food or something, I used my money for cigarettes, tattoos and alcohol.

Though at times I regret it, I've come to realize that while the gambling, drugs and alcohol was so stupid for me to do, the fighting did help me grow stronger. And strength is the reason I'm going to survive this so called apocalypse.

My name is Anthony Lopez and this is how the world ended.

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" Get your things packed right now. We're leaving in two hours." My father said as he tossed a rather heavy backpack at my face.

I caught the backpack easily and glared at my father from where I lay on my bed.

" Why? Where are we going?" I snapped, annoyed that my father was being so rude.

" Not that I need to tell you but we're going to your grandmother's. Haven't you seen the news? Florida, Chicago, Ohio, Virginia....they were all bombed. It released a probably deadly cloud of green smoke. It's heading this way. We need to leave." Dad said before storming out of my incredibly small room, slamming the door behind him which caused one of my pictures to fall off of the wall.

I rolled my eyes as I climbed out of bed, picking up the now shattered picture of my sister and I from when Penny was a newborn baby, laying easily in my arms. It was at the hospital, I was only thirteen.

Letting out a breath of annoyance, I took off the back of the frame, taking the photo out before I tossed the photo onto my bed.

With that out of the way, I began packing my stuff, making sure I put my picture into my backpack before I exited my room, smiling a bit at my sister Mallory who was asleep on the couch.

" Take yours and Mallory's bags to the car... Now!" My father shoved Mallory's pink duffle into my arms causing me to glare at her.

" Whatever." I murmured as I stomped outside with the bags, tossing them into the trunk which was completely full by now as I slammed the powder blue minivans trunk shut.

The streets seemed....empty as I gazed around silently. There was no cars passing by, no sound, no nothing. It was quiet.... Too quiet.

I shuddered and quickly hurried inside, not noticing the looming figure that stood a mere inches away from me.

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" That's it? You got everything to the car?" My father snapped, not even sparing me a glance.

" Yes, father." I spat out the word father as though it were a curse word which caused him to whip around and glare at me.

" Watch your tone, boy." Dad snapped but I only rolled my eyes which further enraged him.

" You need to learn respect. When I was your age..." Dad began to rant before I interrupted.

" I'll give you respect when you start deserving it. Now shut up and leave me alone!" I snapped which caused us both to freeze at my words.

The next moments seemed to move in slow motion, the sound, the sting, the silence that followed.

" Did you just slap me?" I asked in pure disbelief. Despite everything I've done, my father had never laid a hand on me. Never.

My words weren't even as bad as they could've been.... I didn't understand.

" I...." Dad trailed off as he grabbed me and shoved me to the side causing me to crash against the wall with a grunt.

At first it didn't register what he'd done until a scream ripped through the room.

A rather large balding male littered with tattoos crashed against my father, slamming him onto the ground right in front of the couch where my little sister Mallory slept.

My mother screamed as the male sank his teeth into dad's neck, causing him to release a gurgled scream.

" Run!" I yelled at my mom who quickly grabbed Penny, sobbing as she bolted from our apartment.

" Mallory! Get up, right now!" I shouted as I ran over to Mallory who was just starting to wake up, she was covered in dad's blood at this point but I didn't give her time to get a good glimpse of dad as I pulled her off of the couch and towards the door.

I knew it was too late for dad. His throat was torn out for God's sake, there's no fixing that!

" What the hell just happened?!" Mallory whispered when I finally got her outside and turned to make sure she was okay. She was terrified but unharmed for the most part, as far as I could tell.

" Earlier in the night, bombs were dropped all over America.... Mostly in Florida.... The bombs released a toxin that.... causes people to go insane. That's what the news said, anyway....we have to get out of here." I replied as I forced her to hold my gaze.

" What about dad...?" Mallory whispered, causing me to freeze up momentarily.

What about dad? Maybe I should go back and make sure he's okay.... No. I made up my mind earlier and I have to stick to that, he's dead. There's no coming back from having your throat ripped out.

Mallory was so innocent, too innocent. It's up to me now to make sure she survives this... I have to be cold. Teach her with tough love. There's no coddling her now.

" He's gone, Mal. His throat was torn out, for God's sake. You really think he's going to walk away from that?" I snapped, putting on the most annoyed expression that I could. But deep down, it killed me say this. I love....loved my dad, there was no changing that, no matter how many fights we got into.

" No. I know he's not. Where's Penny?" Mallory asked through her teeth. She was becoming tougher quickly. Good.

" With Mom. They were already running while Dad and I held the sick dude back.... You really are a heavy sleeper...." I trailed off as I released my tight grip on her shoulders, silently feeling bad for holding her so tightly. I couldn't help it though, I was terrified to say the least.

" Let's get out of here." I continued, not looking at her as I turned away from her scared gaze. But her next words made me falter.

" Anthony.... Are we going to die?" Mallory asked after a moment. I hesitated for a moment as I contemplated what to say.... No time for coddling.

" I'm not. But if you don't toughen up then you will." I replied without remorse, a pang making it's way through my heart but I kept my eyes staying ahead of us as I darted away, leaving her to watch as I disappeared from sight.

This was torture. Pure torture. But she needed to toughen up. I can't lose her too.

" Anthony....wait up!" Mallory called from behind me.

I inhaled deeply before exhaling, dawning an emotionless face as we walked towards our old car.

There's no way I was going to lose Mallory or Penny, mom could take care of herself but Mallory and Penny are weak. They need me, now more than ever.

We are going to survive this...no matter who I have to take out in the process.