I woke up by hearing the alarm that has been ringing several times but still have not turned it off. “Maia it's time to wake up” I hear my mom shouting from downstairs. I get out of bed and put on my clothes and pack my things. when I was ready to go downstairs, I realized that my headphones are not where they should be. "Mom, have you seen my headphones?" I ask as I go downstairs. "No, unfortunately not," she replied. I sighed as I said, "but they are not there, that's why I’m asking". "Cannot you please be without music one day" "whatever" I replied? While I open the front door. "No breakfast?" she asked, and I did not answer and slammed the door behind me.

Time goes by so slowly without music, everything feels boring and meaningless. I do not understand how people can do without music. for example, my mother can go out without listening to music. I see an empty seat and sit on the seat. Glad I made it to the train on time. A woman comes in and sits down opposite me. You could hear the song she was listening to from the headphones. After the train drives into the tunnel, everything becomes dark and quiet. all you could hear was how the train was running on the railway. It took a few minutes before the light came back on. When I looked at the woman sitting in front of me, I saw that she was staring somewhere. I looked in the direction she was staring but saw nothing. Then I noticed that everyone on the train was staring somewhere. None of them blinked, they stared for so long that you could see that their eyes began to tear. suddenly I felt the train shake. I lost my balance and fell off the chair, but everyone else was still staring and they were not moving. The train started to make a lot of noise and suddenly stopped; the train did not move anymore. Everything was quiet, I looked out of the window, and I only saw the forest and the blue sea, nothing else.

I looked back and I noticed all those who were staring somewhere, were behind me, and all they were staring at me. They began to behave strangely; they shook their heads quite a bit and their pupil's eyes began to disappear. I backed off a bit, then all of them closed their eyes together. I backed off a little more, then suddenly they opened their eyes and screamed together. I also screamed and started running, I tried to run out of the train, but the doors were locked. I saw how they came towards me, I started banging on the window door, in case anyone can help me.

Suddenly I saw a guy standing outside the window saying, "Back off, I'm going to break the window." I did as he said, and I saw him take out a hammer. And threw it against the window and I saw how the window cracked but it did not break, therefore he kicked the window and suddenly the window broke down.  somehow, I realized that I was already off the train. "Hey, Darien is my name," said the guy who helped me. "Maia" I answered briefly. then another guy came and introduced himself. the guy's name was Alex and was Darien's best friend. I was still shocked by what had happened. suddenly I see a girl running towards us. It looked like she was trying to escape from something or someone. She ran towards us and shouted, run, run. Then we saw a herd of people running after her. But when I looked closer, they were not humans but they were what are called Zombies. I no longer thought about what was happening what I did was just start running. As I ran, I heard Darien say we need to hide somewhere. I saw how the herd started to increase more with Zombies. While we ran by the railway and tried to find some places we could hide. Suddenly I heard Alex say follow me and we all did as he said. But zombies were still behind us and suddenly I felt something wet and sticky touch my hand. When I look back, I see a bloody hand that takes me by my hand and when I check what it was, I see a bloody face and white eyes as white as the first snow that comes in the winter. I could no longer run it felt like my legs were stuck on the ground. And it felt like I could not hear or scream. It just felt like I was dreaming. and that my mother would come and wake me soon from this nightmare and that I would hug her and say sorry if I shout at you and all the worst I have done and that I have not been a good daughter to her. Suddenly I notice that it is no dream when I hear Alex and Darien's voices screaming for my name.

But it was already too late because I was besieged by hungry zombies. It feels like I must accept my fate and die early. I close my eyes and wait for my fate. But then I feel two hands taking me by the clothes and pulling me back. When I open my eyes, I see that Darien is holding me tight and in his other hand, he is holding a hammer I see how he beats zombies who are trying to get close to us. And then I see Alex coming and helping. Then he shouts to Darien that zombies have only one weak spot: The brain. You must attack the brain. There is no other way to bring them down. While having a zombie's head in the middle with an ax. I saw how the blood flowed out of the zombies' heads and how Alex's white t-shirt turns red from all the blood. After we escaped from the zombies, we found somewhere that we could hide. "What's going on here?" Alex asked. "It must be a disease." replied the girl who warned us from the beginning. "By the way What is your name?" Darien asked. “Kali” she replied, after that, we introduced each other. As I understood it, Kali is 20 years old, Alex is 19 years old, and Darien is as old as me, he is 18 years old. "Darien, can I talk to you in private?" Alex asked as they went to a corner, and they started talking to each other. "Are you together?" kali asked me. "Do you mean Dari" I was about to say but I interrupted and said, "No, he just helped me"? "Darien was close to death, but he chose to help you." She said as she tilted her head. "I think he's just too kind." "Would you do the same?" She asked, looking deep into my eyes. I looked down and replied, "I might do it, but you never know what to do in situations like that". "I do not think you would do that; people are just born to be cowards." "People can be cowards, but if they really care about someone, they have to throw themselves into the fire to save that person," I replied and smiled a little.

Darien's pov: I cannot believe that I ran there to save Maia. I did not think of anything, all I thought was to run there and help her. She has something that makes me feel good. just like when spring comes and the trees turn green and the birds come back when the flowers start to bloom. And like the first spring rain. she made me happy and made me feel better. I already knew her; we go to the same high school and the same class. But she does not remember me. I have always liked her, but I did not know that liking someone can be so dangerous. When Alex said we should talk in private, I knew exactly what he wanted to talk about. "How can you run there, to save a girl, is your own life so useless? That you want to give it away by saving a girl who does not even know you are in the same class as her?" Alex asked while using hand gestures. I looked down and looked at Maia. "Even now when I try to talk to you, you just look in her direction. You never listen to me, Darien. Girls like her will never like guys like us. Just like our parents who never really cared about us" I looked back at Alex, and he continued "Darien you are the only one I have in this world. You are my best friend and my brother; you are better than my own family. I do not want to lose you just for a girl who does not mean anything to me. Darien remembers we only have each other in this world I do anything to make you feel good, even if it means I must give up my own life. Family means everything and you are the whole families I have Darien so please do nothing dangerous.” Alex, I understand exactly what you mean but I cannot help myself and like her. Sometimes it can be difficult to control certain things. For example, falling for someone who is not the right one for me. But I know you are the only person who really knows me and cares about me. It does not matter if Maia does not know who I am. It is just important that you understand and know me better than myself. oh, I wish I could say all this, but I know you. You still would not believe me. Therefore, I kept quiet and all I could do was hug you and tell you that I will always be here. As always, you look at me and smile a little and hit me on the back and we laughed together.

Maia’s pov: Darien and Alex came back and sat down opposite me and Kali. "How long do we need to be here?" Asked Kali "We need to find some way that can get us out of here and find a better place so we can have access to all the facilities." Darien replied, "But how?" I asked as I looked at Darien. "We need to go to the weapons store and get weapons that we can kill these zombies with," Alex replied. "If we go out from this place. we will not need weapons anymore. because we will join their zombie gang." Said kali sarcastically and smiled. Alex looks irritated at Kali and Darien said, "Do you have a better idea, Kali?" kali looked at Darien without saying anything and then he said, "Just like I thought." "I have read somewhere that zombies have poor eyesight and at night they see nothing. But on the contrary, they have a strong hearing. Therefore, we can wait until the night before we can get out." Alex replied. "But then we need to be extra careful not to make any noises." Add Darien to it. Time passed quickly and it was already dark outside. And we were ready to leave our hiding place. Darien looks at us all and we nod while he pushes the door gently. We had to take off our shoes so as not to make any noise and be as quiet as possible. We followed Alex and everything went smoothly. When I suddenly heard a woman screaming while she was bitten by zombies. And I saw her little child crying for help. We looked at each other and did not know if we should go and help the kid or not.

 To go to the child would only great risk of danger. Suddenly I saw how zombies attack that little kid. And Alex nodded that we must continue. I am still shocked by what I have seen and did not know what to say or do. After we arrived at the gun shop. We went in and tried to find weapons we could protect ourselves with. I look around and suddenly I see Alex aiming a gun at me and suddenly shouts. I take my head down and it beeps in my ear. Because the sound of the gun was too loud. Then I look up and see a Zombie lying dead next to me. He saved me. "Alex, what if you happen to shoot her," Darien said as he helped me up off the floor. "Maybe she should be more careful next time." He replied. It feels like Alex does not like me. Which makes me feel awkward. "Guys check this out". We look in Kali’s direction and see that Zombies are coming towards the store and that they are hitting the window and hitting the door hard. they tried to open the door, but they did not really know how to open it. "They must have heard the sound of the gun, that's why they came here." said Darien "wondering whose fault it was," Alex replied and looked at me. "Alex no one knew the owner was in the store, it's not my fault." "Sure" he answered briefly and went to a chair and sat down and put his arms crossed. I went to him and said, "What have I done that makes you hate me?" I asked, looking at him. "I just do not like girls like you with an easy life and who think they live a princess life. And think they are perfect and everything." "Girls like me. What do you even know about me? You only know my name but not the story behind my life. How can you judge me so easily”? "Can you guys please stop with what you're doing," Darien said as he pulled me away from Alex? "I apologize he is just upset about what has happened," Darien said as he smiled softly. "I just do not understand how he can blame everything on me, he sure thinks it was me who made it a zombie apocalypse. Suddenly he laughed and I looked at him annoyed. “I've known Alex since we were 10 years old. He has a hard character, but the truth is he is quite kind and soft-hearted”. "So do not take everything seriously. When Alex says something. We just have each other, and he got a little worried when I helped you. He thought I was going to die. But he will get over it, so do not be so worried." "We need to find something we can eat". Alex said as he looked in our direction. It has been two days since we hid here in the gun shop. We cannot go out because we are besieged by zombies. But soon we run out of food and need to get out. All that exists is blocked by Zombies who are behind them and waiting for us. "I can't handle this anymore, I'm hungry. Kali said as she took out her cellphone and suddenly got up and went to the toilet. After a few minutes she came out and says, "we need to figure out how we can go out the door without being attacked by Zombies". "The only way is to open the door and get all the Zombies in and kill them one by one while we run out," Alex replied

"No, we need to find a better plan," I replied. "How else are we going to get out. If we cannot use the exits?" Kali answered. Then I picked up a piece of paper and a pencil. I started drawing where we were and the two exits that were blocked by Zombies. Then I said, "We have to find exist three, to be able to escape." "There are zombies waiting for us out there," Alex replied. I looked at him and said, "we need two of us to open the doors to existing one and exist two so zombies come in here and two of us hold up the door to exit three so that the two who are left in the room can run out as fast as possible, I mean we need to lock the zombies in here."

"Do you think we're filming and you're the movie star? You draw a plan as if you are the heroin and must help all of us." Alex said as he looked at me as if he felt sorry for me. "ALEX STOP WITH WHAT YOU'RE DOING" Darien shouted and looked at him angrily. "Alex you are wrong; all I want is to get us out of here and get me home to my mother. Which I do not even know if she is alive or not." "You're right, you have a mother you have to go back to. But what do Darien and I have to go back to? That is exactly the girl I mean you are. You have someone who cares about you. But we have no one. We only have each other and I will not let you hurt Darien with your stupid plan. Which is not sure if we will survive or not? "Alex, stop with what you're doing right now." "Darien, are you taking her side?" Alex asked as he came and stood in front of Darien. "Darien, I was there by your side when your mother died, and I was there when your dad started drinking and became the worst dad ever." *Slap* I see Alex's cheek turn as red as tomatoes after Darien slapped him hard in the face. And I saw how Alex was shocked by what had happened and did not move. He just stood there looking at Darien.

Darien’s pov I could believe I slapped Alex in the face for the first time. I looked at my right hand, I could still feel the warmth of his face on my hand. I looked up at him and I saw how he looked at me as if I had done the most unfair things in the world. I just got angry because he was talking about my private life in front of Maia. I did not want her to think I was weak or that I was not perfect. I stood there while I watched Alex disappear from my sight. I went and sat down somewhere. I see Maia coming toward me and then ask, "How are you, Darien?" I was still shocked, but I nodded and smiled a little at her. "I met Alex when we were 10 years old. Alex has never met his real family. He got to live with different people. And one day he moved to our neighborhood with his foster family and that was when I met him. I remember he used to have scars all over his body. Then I understood that his foster family beat him and abused him. Then I became his safety, his family, and healing of his wounds and scars. We grew up together and when I was 16 years old my mother died of cancer That's when everything started to change, my dad started drinking more and became more aggressive and lost control quickly. But he was there for me, and he became my safety and my healer to my wounds and scars. But today I betrayed him just like his foster family and just as my father betrayed me. I am no longer a healer for his wounds except I am the reason he gets a new wound and scar. Maia, we are not good people. we abused people for our own relief. We wanted to get people to know that we feel mentally ill by beating them or doing things that may be difficult for them to understand.” I looked up at Maia and saw how her tears ran down from her eyes down to her cheek. "I wish I could meet you sooner," she said and looked at me. "How do you know we have not met before?" I replied.

Maia’s pov I could not control and do not cry. I did not cry because I felt sorry for him on the contrary I cried because he and Alex were strong and could find their own path together. "I wish I could meet you sooner," I said as I wiped away the tears. "How do you know we have not met before?" exactly When I was about to ask him what he means. Alex comes in and says, "I found exit three." and smiles big.

"Come and I'll show you". We Follow him and we come down to the basement. "We were here already but found nothing". Kali said and looked at him with disappointment. "But you guys have not seen this" He goes to a wooden cupboard full of guns and opens the door to it. and then he touches a gun and when he takes it out, a hidden gate opens. "Wow," we all said at the same time as we looked at each other. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a plan to execute," said Alex as he looked at me and smiled. It was the first time I saw him smile. We were ready to carry out our plan. I and Darien opened the doors to exit one and exit two. So that we get in all the Zombies that are outside the Exits and blocked the exit. And that Alex and Kali would keep the hidden gate open. "Is everyone ready?" Darien asked as he looked at all of us and nodded. And we nodded back. "Everyone get in your position," I said as I watched Darien and Alex. Alex and Kali went down to the basement. I went and stood at the door which is Exit two and Darien to exit one. We gave each other signs that we should open the doors in 123. And then they come in. With their scary face and scary eyes. "Maia runs to the door to the basement and opens it," Darien shouted. I was just about to open the door when I suddenly feel someone take me by the neck and when I turn around, I see how some zombies are behind me and wanted to attack me. When they were just close and doing it, Darien shot them. He throws a gun at me and says, "Are you ready to kill some zombies with me?" I nodded and started shooting some. We tried to open the door to the basement. But it did not work. It has been a few minutes since we started firing, and we still have not been able to open the door to the basement. "Try and shoot the handle, maybe it works," Darien shouted. I went to the door and when I shot at the handle it broke. "Come it worked", I shouted back. when I was about to open the door, I feel that it is not possible to push. It feels like something is holding the door. "Why do you not open it?" Darien asked "it's blocked" I replied. Darien also pushes but I cannot open it. I tried to help but it did not work. "Do you think they forgot us?" I asked. No Alex would never leave me here.

Alex’s pov: Kali and I went down to the basement together. And I told her she should wait until the others came. And while she waits to keep up the hidden gate doors open; I go and get a car that can take us to our destination. But a few minutes have passed and none of them have come out yet. I am getting worried. Therefore, I decide and check if they are still in the store. Therefore, I take a shortcut. I go to the first entrance then I see them from far away Darien and Maia shooting at zombies. I run back to the basement and see that the gate is still open, but Kali is not there. I go up the stairs and see that there are benches, chairs, and other things that have blocked the door. I move on to everything "Darien I’m coming, wait for me".

Darien’s pov: Suddenly the door to the basement opens and it was him, Alex. He comes in and starts firing. Everyone's attention goes to him, and I see how the zombies run towards him while he starts firing.” Darien, I have parked a car outside the hidden gate. Go there and wait for me." Alex shouted at me. I nodded and I took Maia's hand and walked down the stairs. We waited and waited but Alex still has not come to us. "I'm going in again," I told Maia, when I was ready to go, I saw Alex coming to us. "I ran to him and hugged him." He patted my back and pulled away from my arms. "Darien, I have two things I want to give you." I checked worriedly and he reached out his phone. "I've recorded something that I wish you could listen to." "Alex, you scare me," I said as I received his cell phone.

"Darien, do you remember you said you would do anything if I asked you?" I nodded "And that you would be with me my whole life?" He added it while giving me a gun "Thank you Darien, but I think it's best if we part apart here. Not because I hate you or anything. I think it better if I die, Darien. I started laughing and said, "Okay funny joke get in the car before other zombies kill us." "I'm not kidding Darien, please do as I say." He said as he began to cry "Alex do you understand what you're asking about?" I asked as I looked at him. "Darien I was bitten by one of them, soon I will be one of them. But I do not want it. So please end the suffering I cannot handle it anymore. Thank you, Darien, for everything" Suddenly I feel tears coming down my eyes. "We cannot give up so early there must be a way. Sit in the car and we will find the solution together." I said as I pulled him to the car. "RELEASE me, please Darien. Please let me die as a human for once and let me forget what a monster I have been. Okay?" "Please, if you really love me." I do as he says I pick up the gun and aim at him. I close my eyes and when I open my eyes he is lying there. in a puddle full of blood. "Darien, we have to go, zombies are coming towards us." I hear Maia say as she tries to get me in the car. "DON'T TOUCH ME" I shouted at her. I carried Alex into the car and drove off. "Where are we going?" Maia asked. I did not answer. But she once again asked "Darien Answer me". "I'm taking Alex home." She asked no more until we came to a place where there were trees and an ocean. I stopped the car and carried Alex out and started digging. "Alex loves the sound of the waves in the ocean. That's why I think this is the best place for him to be buried." I said while digging a grave for him. When I was done, I approached his helpless body lying on the grass. I started crying as I held his cold body against my hot body. "Alex I never got to say that I’m sorry because I slapped you. And Alex, I should say that I’m thankful for everything and say how much I love you." then I dragged him to his grave and buried him. after I finished, I sat down at his grave and started crying. I felt two warm hands hugging me from behind and saying that everything will be fine. It was Maia who said it. Suddenly I exploded and started screaming while she held me tight.

10 years later: “Hey Alex, sorry if you had to wait a long time to see me. I am here with my daughter Aimi. I would like to tell you about everything that happened during these years. Everything went back to how it was before, and we found out that the government had sent out signals to those who had headphones, which caused people to turn into zombies. And do you remember Jimmy? Yes, exactly the guy we bullied, he killed himself 11 years ago. We also met his sister, but at that time we did not know that the woman we met was his sister. Kali is Jimmy's sister. She was the one who blocked the door so that Maia and I could not take us into the basement, she was trying to take revenge. And now I am married to Maia, and I became a father of little Aimi, we adopted her. Do you see that little girl playing among the flowers? That's her, Aimi." "Aimi it's time to go back," I said as I touched Alex's gravestone "see you again brother." "Come here Aimi" "but dad I love the flowers and the ocean, can I stay more?" "We'll come another day" "okay”.

Alex’s recorded voice: I read somewhere that people can sense when they are going to die. I think that may be true, because that is how I feel, Darien. I know you will blame everything on yourself, but I want you to know that you mean quite a lot to me and that I am glad I got to meet you. You were the only reason that I lived so far, and you made me happy and made me feel important. thanks for everything Darien. and I want you to know that I am happy about what is going to happen, I am tired of everything. so, I think for once I can rest, thank you again, and I will always love you. Your brother Alex.