Ten months after apocalypse

She stared at the sight before her. Her eyes were wide, and words tried to stumble out past her trembling lips. She didn't understand. The communities were built to keep them out. They were supposed to be a safe haven. So, why was it, when she came home, that the infected were feasting on the corpses of her parents?

She took in the picture in front of her. Her parents had a frozen look of terror on their faces as their hands were outstretched. The three of the infected gorged themselves on the kill, stomachs ripped open with innards spilling out. The thick, acrid smell was enough to make anyone throw up.

But, before she had the time to throw up or scream, she was pulled from the house. She came to her senses; the initial shock worn off. Tears streaked down her face. They fell hot and fast. Her face heated up with emotion as she thought back to her mom and dad's dead bodies. She wouldn't get to hear her dad make silly jokes or feel her mother's loving embrace. Loud sobs broke out of her throat; The first noise she had been able to make since she had arrived at her house. She was dragged to an ally in the sealed off town. Strong arms wrapped around her lower back and head, cradling her tightly to the person.

She didn't bother checking to see who it was. She gripped the person's shirt with both hands, burying her face into their chest. They stroked her hair, whispering sweet nothings and apologies as she wept. Seb...

"They're gone, Seb! My parents are gone..." she choked out thickly. Sebastian's grip on his girlfriend tightened as he tucked her head below his chin. He let out a shuddering breath. He couldn't get the scenes he saw out of his mind. Residents were tackled in the streets, distressed screams cutting off at death. He was so worried he was too late for her. His worry for her, added on to the shock from the disturbing sights withered away at his resolve. Yet, he had to keep it together for her. He leaned away from his fiancée, wiping the tears away with his thumb.

"I know you are upset about what has happened, but we need to get out of here. If we don't, we won't survive. We will die also." He brushed some stray hairs out of her face. He cupped her cheeks, running a thumb over her trembling bottom lip. "We will be okay. We can mourn once we are safe."

"What if we can't find any place safe? We are going to die anyways. There's nothing left for us in this world," she managed out, her eyes welling with fresh tears. Sebastian shook his head softly.

"There's still a life for us. A place. It isn't all death out there. It can't be," he reasoned with her. He walked a few steps, tugging on her hand gently. "Let's go, sweetheart. We will find someplace. We will survive. You can rely on me." She took a few hesitant steps towards him, glancing over her shoulder in the direction in the house she had been living in. "Please, just believe in me."