Chapter Zero

Prologue

Zach

The world was dark. Monsters were circling the sky as the voices got louder in the minds of the last souls to flee for safety. Too much for elders, and for children alike, too soon for the young mothers and soon to be fathers. I remember the school's blood bath, the screams of the teachers as they ran with the shadows -the shadows that were supposed to copy what the owner did, just like Peter Pan.

I also remember my own screams as I watched everyone be torn apart limb by limb; the gore and the smell unbearable, the sound of bones breaking and tissue being ripped apart. That very corner that all the children hid in for the intruder drill, covered in blood. What seemed like Creepy Pastas roamed the room searching for anything living as I watched, too terrified to move from my hiding spot in the cabinet. I don't know how long things such as these nightmares have existed -or do I ever want to know? Dying wasn't a thing days, hours, or years ago. This is how I realized the truth everyone dies, and this is how I'm going to go.

All I could think about right now was my younger sibling, just down the hall. 'Is she ok? Is she alive? Did she run and hide? -or did she stay put like the other stupid kids?' My thoughts were racing, and I really missed my sister. Calia was the best to cheer me up during my rough times. 'I know this is a bad thought, but maybe the school was playing a cruel joke on us? I mean, if I came out of the cabinet I'd be perfectly fine right? No blood, no scratches, just perfectly fine?' I was scared. The silence was unbearable and so incredibly quiet that you could hear a pin clatter to the floor. 'No movement, so no one is there. Right? Maybe I could just take a peek?' I thought curiously.

When I was just about to push the cabinet door open, I heard a scraping noise coming from down the hall.

"Hello?" I whispered, my voice weak and raspy from hours of crying to myself. "Is anyone there?" I was answered with silence, listening intently. Losing the last strand of hope I had, I curled up into a ball with my head in my knees. I wish Calia was here.

"Zach? Honey, is that you? Are you there?" I looked up slowly and whispered in a raspy voice:

"Mom?"