Unholy Nightmare

Matt and I have been out in these woods calling out for my daughter for days and now I'm starting to think that Brian was right. My little girl is probably one of those undead beings. I've lost my wife and now...now my precious child. A being of innocence taken away by some evil force. Can my life get any fucking worse?

"Matt, let's pack up and go home." I said sadly as I started gathering my things.

"You're giving up?"

"We've been out here for days calling out her name and she's never once appeared. I'm starting to believe what Brian had said. Maybe she really is dead." I said hanging my head.

"Come on Zacky. Let's look for a little bit longer and if we don't find her by dusk then I'll call Jimmy and have him come and get us."

"Okay just for a little while longer." I said zipping up my back pack. I helped Matt get his things together and we left the campsite. We walked and walked calling for her but just like the days passed, she never once answered. Why did Brian have to be right all the time? I think dealing with the death of my only child is going to be the worst experience and pain I've ever felt. I looked up into the sky and the sun was starting to slowly descend over the horizon. I let out a sigh of disappointment and Matt patted my back.

"I'm sorry Zacky."

"It's alright. I'm responsible for all of this. I should have been making sure she was inside the house before even firing a shot at those flesh addicts." I said as we took a break from walking.

"Zack don't beat yourself up. Those things come out of no where and it was happening so fast the only way you had time to react was to try and kill them."

"Let's just get to the nearest town and get Jimmy to pick us up." I said walking away from Matt and ignoring his statement. How could I just leave my daughter unprotected?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Violet's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes to the bright sunlight that shown through the windows of the store. My body ached with the wear and tear of our journey to find Mylo's father and uncles but I wasn't going to stop until I found them for her. No on should be alone especially in this harsh reality. Hm...that phrase seems to be coming up a lot lately. I looked down as Mylo moved around still soundly sleeping. I'll let her sleep for one more hour and then we must be on our way. I took Cujo's bowl from my bag and filled it with some dog food. Cujo perked up and came over and started eating his breakfast. I stood by the door with my weapon keeping watch for any of those flesh eaters. It was pretty much quiet but the silence can turn into a scream fest in seconds.

"Violet?"

"Yes?" I said tearing my eyes from the window. Cujo was still snoozing next to a now awake Mylo.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing just keeping watch. Are you hungry?" I asked and she shook her head no. At the mere mention of food, Cujo raised his head and wagged his tail happily.

"Don't even start Cujo. You've already had your breakfast." I said and he laid his head down on his paws with a huff. Mylo laughed at his disappointment. At least she's laughing and smiling.

"When are we going to continue searching for my dad?"

"As soon as we get our things packed away and gather some more supplies." I said and she jumped up and immediately started packing. When she finished and I had gotten my shit together, we walked around the store. I placed a few food items in mine and her bag before leaving the store. We walked down the street in the direction Mylo had shown me yesterday and hopefully we'll find her father either tomorrow or the next day. Cujo growled lowly as we past one of the stores which made me stop dead in my tracks and raise my weapon. I looked over and seen that one of the stores doors was cracked open but it hadn't been that way yesterday.

"Stay here with Cujo, Mylo." I said and I pushed open the door. My weapon was aimed and ready to shoot as I went inside to look around. I turned the corner and seen a man bent down but I couldn't tell from behind if he was a flesh eater.

"Stand up slowly." I ordered and the man slightly jumped at the sound of my voice. He slowly stood upright.

"Now turn around." I said and he did as I ordered. He was pretty tall with jet black hair that almost covered one of his emerald green eyes. His lips were adorn with snakebite piercings and his arms held dozens of colorful tattoos.

"Who are you?"

"We should ask you the same thing." A voice said from behind me. I slowly turned my head to see the barrel of this man's gun was right in my face. I quickly brought my hand up and disarmed him and pointed his own weapon at him. This man had his hair buzzed off and hazel eyes. He too had tattoos covering his arms but he only had on side of his bottom lip pierced.

"I asked first." I said with the weapons pointed at both men.

"Violet no! Don't shoot! Please put the weapon down."

"What are you talking about? I'm not doing that. They could be dangerous." I said glancing at her in confusion.

"They're not dangerous."

"How do you know that?" I asked making sure the two men don't move.

"This is my dad and uncle Matt!" she ran to the green eyed man and clung to his side for dear life. I slowly returned my gun to its holster and handed hazel eyes his gun.

"Oh honey, I didn't think I was ever going to find you." the green eyed man said as he lifted Mylo into his arms.

"I didn't think we'd ever find you either."

"Thank you for finding my little girl." he said extending his hand.

"It's not a problem."

"I'm Zacky Baker and this Matt Sanders." he said introducing me.

"It's nice to meet you two. I'm Violet Carmike but everyone calls me Violence. I'm sorry about pointing my weapon on you and taking yours away."

"No worries. At least you didn't shoot one of us." Matt said chuckling nervously.

"Dad I'm sorry I ran off." Mylo said looking down and messing with one of the buttons on Zacky's shirt.

"It's alright baby girl. The important thing is that you're safe and unharmed thanks to your new friend."

"Yes. Thanks for looking after her." Matt said smiling as he ruffled Mylo's hair.

"Like I said it's not a problem. I was just doing what any normal person would do." I said waving it off. Matt looked me up and down for a minute before speaking.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 15." I said going behind the counter and grabbing a few packs of Marlboro Special Blend Black 100's. It would last me quite a while since I only smoke in times of stress. God if Otis was to catch me doing this he would make me run and smoke until all the packs were gone.

"Is there anyone else with you?"

"Nope just me and my dog. I hadn't seen a sound until I found Mylo." I said and Cujo's heavy paw steps came into the store and right over to my side. I kind of feel like I'm being interrogated.

"She's been alone since she was 9."

"You've been on your own for a long time. How did you manage to survive for 6 years?" Matt asked astonished.

"A man I once knew taught me everything I needed to know."

"Even that quick way you disarmed me?" he asked and I nodded. He nodded his and I could tell he was impressed.

"Violet, what would you say to joining us? I mean no one should be alone especially in this day and age." See? There's that phrase again.

"Sure why not. I mean I have grown somewhat fond of Mylo." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"There's just one thing I have to ask."

"Fire away." I said taking one of my Marlboro's from the pack and lighting it up.

"Is your dog friendly around other dogs? Before the world went to hell in a hand basket I'd always hear about Pits attacking someone."

"I guess so but he's trained to follow my orders so there won't beany problem between Cujo and your dogs." I said petting his head. I think they might need a demonstration.

"He's trained that well?"

"Yeah. Cujo growl at that man." I ordered and he stood all bristled up and showing off his sharp white teeth. Both Matt and Zacky started backing away slowly.

"Okay that's enough. Tell him you're sorry." Cujo's tail went between his legs and he slowly walked over to Matt and looked up at him with the sweetest puppy dog look he could produce.

"You're forgiven Cujo." Matt said petting him when he bent down. Cujo's ears and tail sprung up and he attacked Matt with kisses all over his face.

"Down Cujo." I said laughing and he trotted back over to me and sat down. They are pretty cool guys but I just hope nothing happens. I mean I'm used to being alone but when I spent all those days with Mylo, I was beginning to remember what it felt like to have someone around. I don't want that to go away again so I'm going to do whatever I can to keep them safe.

Notes

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