Unholy Nightmare

"Mylo, you and Violet come...What's going on?"

"Dad, this was her home." Mylo answered.

"Her home? Were you the one who buried this man?"

"Yes. He...he was that man who took me in and taught me everything I needed to know." I said feeling the grass that now covered the grave.

"I'm so sorry Violet...I didn't know."

"It's alright. Somehow I always knew that I would be back one day," I said getting to my feet. I grabbed my weapon and bag before following Mylo and Cujo into the house.

"I'll talk to you guys once I get my things put away." I said and went through the house looking around but everything was still the same. My soul seemed to be comforted as soon as I walked into my old room. I took my clothes from my back pack and placed them neatly into the dresser. I went over to the closet and to my surprise the tripod for my sniper rifle was left untouched.

I brought it out and set it up in front of the window. It helped to steady my aim when I need to take a clean shot. I placed the rifle on it and made sure it was at good range and it was. I sat down on the bed ad let out a sigh of content. It did feel great being back in this house but with the journey I have to make I don't know long I'm going to stay.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A soft knock followed by the door opening pulsed through my ears. I looked up and seen Zacky in the doorway.

"Violet are you hungry? I've got some food cooked and maybe you can join in on our crazy conversations."

"I'm a little hungry. I'll be there after I get myself a shower." I said smiling.

"Alright I'll see you in the kitchen." I nodded and Zacky closed the door as he left. I grabbed some fresh clothes from the dresser and went into the bathroom. I stripped off the dirty clothes and got into the hot shower. It felt so good to have hot water touching my skin again. It had been so long since I was able to even get in a shower and I didn't want to get out but I knew that Zacky was expecting me for dinner.

I got finished washing off the filth I had gathered over the weeks of not being able to find a shower before stepping out and getting dressed. I looked through the drawers and found a brush and I brushed out my hair. When my hair was free of tangles I left the bathroom with my dirty clothes. I would need to wash them soon. I grabbed my back pack on the way out of my room and the smell of deer filled my senses. Oh how I loved me some deer steaks. Otis used to make them so delicious and it would keep your mouth watering for days. I miss his cooking. I entered into the kitchen where everyone except Zacky was seated and eating their dinner.

"Do I smell deer?" I asked as I took a seat next to Mylo.

"Yeah. I hope you like deer."

"I love deer and your smells fantastic." I said as he placed a plate full of food down in front of me.

"You might want to taste it before you start complimenting it."

"Fuck off Short Shit." Zacky said which earned the shorter gentleman a slap to the back of his head. Short Shit is a weird name for someone to be called.

"Oh Violet. This idiot who made the comment about my cooking is Johnny but we call him Short Shit for uh...obvious reasons and the man next to Matt is Brian."

"It's a pleasure to meet you two." I said smiling.

"Nice to meet you as well."

"Zacky mentioned that you've been on your own since you were 9. How in the hell did you accomplish that?" Brian asked as we ate.

"I don't think that's a conversation that should be spoken over dinner."

"Graphic?" he asked and I nodded.

"Violet, would you mind helping Mylo with the dishes after we're done?"

"I don't mind." I said cutting a piece of my steak off and chowing down. It was so tender and juicy. It's been a while since I've taste something this good. The rest of our dinner went by with a little bit of conversation but I was too busy eating to even pay attention. I helped Mylo gather up the dishes and in no time we had them washed, dried, and put away.

I grabbed my bag from under the table and went into the living room where everyone was relaxing and letting the meal settle. Mylo jumped up on Zacky's lap and sat down. I pulled out a cigarette and lit it up.

"So you used to live here?"

"Yeah I did. The man who's buried right out there saved my life on more than one occasion after my parents were killed." I said letting the smoke flow from my mouth.

"I'm sorry about your parents. Almost everyone here in this room has lost someone so we know how you feel."

"Thank you. My parents were the best in the world. I mean for the short time that I knew them. When they were killed by those flesh eating fucks...I went up to the bathroom and locked myself in. Even at such a young age as 7, I was thinking about going out there and letting them take me so I could be with my parents again but...but something inside me told me not to leave that bathroom. To this day, I can't understand or even explain the feeling that came to me." I explained as if my life had become some kind of sick and twisted horror novel or movie. Oh wait it has.

"What happened while you were stuck in the bathroom?"

"While I was sheltered in that bathroom I listened to the groans and distant screams until all the screams were stopped and there was nothing but groaning from the dead. Every time one of them would bump up against the door, it took all I had not to scream but I knew I had to be quiet. I kept track of the time by looking into the neighbors house from the bathroom window. They had a Grandfather Clock perfectly situated to where I could see it. Anyways, by the time dusk came around gunshots could be heard inside my house. I didn't want to come out because I thought whoever was shooting would be a robber or something.

When the shot were over the groaning had stopped. For the first time in hours it was quiet but that was until the heavy steps came up the stairs. I stayed quiet and more shots rang out. I was scared...no more like fucking terrified. The steps went by the door and stopped for a couple of minutes before going back towards the stairs. I was torn between yelling for the person or just staying quiet. I didn't know which one to do but I also didn't want to be alone anymore. I yelled for the person and I unlocked he bathroom door. That's when I met Otis. At first glance, he looked like some guy who would be on the cover of Muscle and Fitness but deep down he was just a kind hearted man with a heavy southern accent just trying to save as many people as he could.

When he got me to come out of that bathroom I was hit with a huge dose of how the world had become. Otis told me that my parents didn't make the attack and then told me something more disturbing."

"What was that?" Mylo asked curiously.

"He told that in the end we all would turn."

"What? I don't think I understand." Matt said looking confused.

"What I mean is that it doesn't matter whether you've been bitten or scratched by one of those undead flesh addicts for you to turn. You could die of natural causes and come back in the form of them."

"You're kidding right?" Brian asked unbelieving.

"No I'm not. I've seen it happen first hand. Anyways, Otis had told me not to be sad because they were in a better place than this one and he would protect me even if that meant putting his life on the line to save mine. For two years, he taught me what I needed to know to live in this fucked up world. He taught me how to shoot, disarm other people, cook, sew, and most importantly how to survive on my own. When Otis got bit by one of them...I kept telling myself over and over again that he was going to be fine but I knew I had to follow through with the promise we made to each other."

"What promise?" Mylo said interrupting me.

"We promised that if one of us was to be bitten that...that we would end it all for whoever was bitten so there would be no suffering."

"What happened next?" Mylo asked again.

"Otis was bitten when we were in town getting supplies from one of the stores. I had gotten him into the back of the wagon we used to transport our supplies and I quickly got him back home. I helped him into his bedroom and he continuously begged me to end his life so he wouldn't turn but I didn't think I was strong enough to do it. For hours, I listened to his moans of pain until I went into the room. I sat down beside him and he looked up at me with pleading eyes and begged me once more to end his life. I drew my weapon...and looked away. I told him I was sorry before placing the barrel to his skull and pulling the trigger.

I wrapped his body into the sheets he laid on to make a sort of body bag and I used some duct tape to keep it from coming undone. With all the strength I had in my body I dragged him out to the grave. As I was covering him with dirt I tried to think of something to say to him. I couldn't think of anything so I just thanked him for saving me the countless times and teaching me his ways." I finished explained and they all had the look of sympathy on their faces. I don't want their sympathy.

"That's so heartbreaking."

"Yeah it is but I can mourn and everything when this fight is over." I said nodding.

"Have you went though his things to see if there's anything useful?"

"I did and it was pretty interesting." I said nodding once more.

"How interesting?"

"First I found this while going through his dresser." I said taking the small box from my bag.

"What's in it?"

"Pictures of Otis' wedding and the rings they wore. He never mentioned he was ever married." I said as I opened the box and showed them the contents.

"Wow...she was a very pretty woman."

"I know but I wish I could have met her." I aid picking up her picture and smiling. I placed the photo back into the box and slipped it into my back pack.

"What else did you find?"

"When I was going through the nightstand, I found this letter addressed to me. Zacky, would you read this out loud." I said and I handed him the letter.

"Well it says:

Violet,

You've learned so much in such little time and I've finally figured out a great nickname for you. You've been through a lot and I know you have built up anger inside of you that one day will turn into violence so that's your nickname. Violence...it suits you well. Use what I've taught you wisely but now there's one thing you must do. On the back of my filing cabinet in the basement, you will find a map. Use that map to get to the destination that's circle. You'll understand why I'm sending you there once you arrive. As a final request, please don't let the anger you have inside unleash on the living.

-Otis 'Nightmare' Lowe."

"Can I see the map?" Matt asked and I dug through my bag and then handed him the map.

"What else did you find?"

"I found another letter and the map plus a set of keys. In the letter he told me that the keys go to the destination and to also go to the other sd of the room and get everything out of the cabinet. He had tons of bullets for each weapon plus two hunting knives that I've used several times. He also had mde me a special outfit and tto wear and that's the one you all seen when you first met me." I explained.

"Have you been to this location?"

"No why?" I asked curiously.

"the place that's circled is in Nevada. Its an old prison or something."

"How in the hell do you know that Matt?" Jimmy questioned as he raised his eyebrow.

"Oh come on guys! We passed that place several times when we toured."

"Oh yeah! I remember It's been abandoned for years." Johnny said nodding.

"Why would Otis want you to take people there?"

"I won't know the answer to that until I get there." I said honestly.

"You mean when we get there. I think we should take the chance. If we don't find anything we can always come back here."

"You guys really don't have to go all that way with me.." I said sincerely.

"You can't go by yourself Violet. Besides you've become a part of this group which means you're a part of this family and families stick together through everything."

"If youall really want to travel all that way with me then when do you all want to head out?" I asked.

"How about in a week?"

"Sounds goo to me. That way we can stock up on supplies and then be ready to head out. Jimmy suggested.

"I guess it's settle then. Tomorrow Brian and I will go into town and start collecting some things."

"Yeah and if there's anything that needs to be washed Johnny, Jimmy, and Zacky can help Mylo and I do that. I mean if that's alright with you guys." I said looking at them and they nodded.

"Alright guy let's get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow along with the other days to follow before we leave." We all left the living room and went to our rooms. Mylo was sharing a room with me

"What do you think is at that place?"

"I have no idea Mylo. Get some rest I'm going to stay up for a while and keep watch." I said tucking her into the bed.

"I hope whatever is there is something good."

"I do too Mylo." I said nodding. I just hope that for whatever reason Otis wants me to go there for isn't just some wild goose chase.

Notes

Comments? So tell me...what do you all think they will find at this unknown place?