Chapter 3;

"Fuck, dial tone again." I slam my phone onto the desk in the staff break room, having been the third time I've tried to get through.

"Clara, the lines must be down." I hear as a locker door closes, frustration taking over me as I lean against the desk. Gripping the edge of the desk, my eyes close as I breath in and out deeply.

"I need to know he's okay Jasper." I say, gritting my teeth through the frustration.

This can't be happening.

"Well, let's go get him."

Swallowing away the fear of it being the end, I look over to Jasper just a few feet from me.

"Let's go." Without hesitation I grab my phone and step over to my locker, unlocking it to retrieve my belongs.

Closing it behind me, we walk out of the break room. Making our way back down the small hallway and into the open area of our store. The bodies of the customers and employees we once worked with still in their place on the floor. I want to look away but, everywhere I look there are bodies.

"Oh no, Eunice.." I say softly, running over to her limo body on the floor in front of the dessert display.

"No.. No.." Shaking my head, I close my eyes as I lay a hand on her shoulder. She still felt warm to the touch.

"Clara, we've got to go." I feel a hand on my shoulder, turning my head only slightly to see Jasper beside me.

"Yeah, okay." Nodding, I stand. "Have mercy on your souls." I whisper just above a breath, turning away from her body as we walk to the entrance of the store.

It fails to register as the tear slides down my cheek, my heart aching for so much to make sense.

"What's the plan?"

"We'll take my car. If you need to take yours to your house, I'll follow you." I say as I walk next to Jasper just outside the entrance doors, the sight of bodies and cars scattered throughout the small parking lot.

"Works for me. Put it somewhere safe." Jasper nods over to me as I retrieve my keys from my apron, our cars only spaces from one another. Glancing over, I see the ruins of the crashed plane on the street.

"Stay behind me. Don't stop for anything." He tells me as I open my door, giving him a light nod in return.

"Will do." Sliding the key into the ignition, my small Honda roars to life. His car doing the same as my doors closes. Within seconds we are pulling out of the small parking lot, taking the street opposite of the wreckage.

I take the moments alone to collect myself. The things I know as of now; Everyone is dead.

I can not get in contact with my son.

I'm going to lose my shit.

I can feel the tears beginning to well up as I drive behind Jasper, trying our best to avoid the trail of cars on the highway. The journey to his apartment from our work is only five miles, but like like fifty by the time we pull into the parking lot.

My headlights hitting the fallen bodies on the sidewalk as I drive to the far end of the complex, parking just behind Jasper as he parks. Turning off my car, I open the door and step out, keys in hand.

"I'm going to get a few things. You can come inside if you'd like." Jasper says as he walks over to me.

"Sure."

I follow Jasper to the sidewalk, avoiding the few bodies that lay in our way. Taking the stairs up the second floor, we take a left to a door labeled '27'. I watch as Jasper slides the key inside, turning the knob and pushing it open.

Flicking the light on, Jasper walks inside his apartment. I following behind and closing the door behind me.

"I'll only be a minute. Do you want something to drink or anything?"

Shaking my head, my hands slide inside my jacket pocket.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you though."

Jasper walks away, leaving me alone in his small living room. Pictures of his parents and himself lining the walls and on the counter tops. Oh, shit. His parents.

When Jasper returns with a duffel bag moments later, he smiles softly to me.

"I'm all set. Ready?"

I nod gently to him as he walks over to the door, opening it. Walking out, he closes it behind us.

We walk down the stairs again, trying my best to avoid the bodies as we walk by them once again. With my keys in hand we make it to my waiting car, opening the door and sliding inside the driver seat. I hear the backdoor opening, Jasper throwing his duffel bag in the back seat beside my son's buster seat. Closing the door he opens the passenger side and slides in.

"Ready?" I ask, looking over at him.

"Yep."

"I have to swing by my place too, if that's alright."

"Yeah, of course." I hear from beside me as I put it in drive, pressing the gas gently.

The journey to my small house was silent as Jasper tries to find any kind of reception on my radio. With no luck, I hear him sigh and lean back in the seat.

"Nothing huh?" I ask as I turn onto the small dirt road leading to my home.

"Nah. Just static or repeating broadcast."

"Someone will come on soon." I reassure him, pulling into the driveway. Putting it in park, I kill the engine and step out of the car.

"Come on in. It's warmer inside." I tell him before walking toward the front door. With my front porch light guiding my way, I find my house key. Sliding the key inside the slot, I turn the knob and push open the door.

"Make yourself at home." I tell him as I flip the light on, my living room now on display. A few toys still left out from earlier in the day before leaving for work.

"Please excuse the mess." I tell him as he closes the door behind us, picking up the remains toys on the floor. Putting them in the corner by the couch where his other toys rest, I examine the rest of the room.

"Nah, looks good to me." Jasper says with a smirk, his hands in his pockets as he walks over to the couch to sit down.

"I'll be quick." I say before I head off to the left, down the hallway to my room. The last door on the right is where I stop, turning the knob and pushing it open. The small lamp light still on from early in the day, my room just like I left it. As I enter, I un-tie my apron, throwing it on the edge of my bed.

Going to my closet, I find my camping bag stuffed in the far corner. Retrieving it, I bring it to my bed and gather some clothes for myself. Along with a few other items that I stuff in the pockets and free spaces. I throw it over my shoulder and head out the bedroom door. Closing it behind me before I take the step over to my son's room. His door still open and light on. As usual.

I let a soft chuckle pass my lips as I bend down and pick up a book that lay by itself on the floor near Lucas's bed. He must have forgotten to put it up before leaving. It was still open, an unfinished book is never a good one.

Swallowing away the lump in my throat, I put the book down on his bed. Lucas would need some things when I see him again. Going to his closet I find some clothes and a few toys, stuffing them into my bag and lastly the book he didn't finish.

"That should do." I tell myself before slinging it over my shoulder and turning the light out. Closing the door as I leave the room, I make my way back to the living room down the hall.

"I'm going to grab some food for us." Seeing Jasper sitting on my sofa as I sit down my back pack, he stands.

"That sounds good, I didn't think to get any."

I flip the light on, illuminating the small room as I walk over to the cabinet in the corner.

"We got chips, Vienna sausages, juices, waters. What would you like?" Asking Jasper over my shoulder as he stands at the in the doorway.

"Whatever you got." I hear him let out a soft chuckle as I shake my head, reaching for a water and placing it near my feet. Doing the same with a few more waters and chips and more, I stand to open the cabinet over my head. Reaching in, I pull out a small duffle bag to place the food in.

"I'll help you with that." Jasper says walking over to me and taking the bag from my hands.

"I got it." I tell him, reaching for the bag.

"Nah, I can do something." He pulls away, keeping the bag out of reach as he kneels down near the food.

"Fine." I say as my blue Cooper disc watch him place the items into the bag. "I'll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom before we leave. Help yourself to anything while we're here."

Receiving a slight nod and a wave before turning and heading off to the living room, I walk the short distance to my closed door at the end of the hallway. Turning the knob, I push the door open and walk over to my night stand. Hiding away inside my drawer I keep my gun and permit.

I retrieve it, placing it on my hip with its holster. Having a father whom grew up around guns it was only inevitable that I too take on the hobby, although my Taurus is only for my son and I's protection. Making sure it was snug in its place I close my drawer, walking to the restroom.

I return to the living room moments later, seeing the bags gone and Jasper standing next to the door.

"Ready?" He asks me, hands inside his pockets as he waits by the front door, my bag hanging from his shoulder.

"Uh, yeah. Why do you have my bag?" I ask, walking over to him.

"Thought you may need the help." Jasper says, looking to the floor as I open it. I shake my head as he walks out, following behind him with keys in hand.

"You've done enough. But thanks anyway." Locking the door behind us, we head back to my car parked only a few feet away from us. The yard I own no bigger than a small parking lot, surrounded by trees. The area stretching a good hundred or so feet. Lucas having enough room to run and play with his toys and tree house that my father built. Laying at the edge of our property in the far back, he has his own secluded place.

The more I think of him, the more my throat begins to close. Oh, how I miss him. Reaching the car Jasper opens the door behind the driver seat, sitting inside my bag. I open the driver side door and slide into the seat. I take the moment that it takes Jasper to walk around the collect myself.

Placing the key in the ignition I turn it slightly, my small car roaring to life.

"All set." I hear from beside me, offering him a soft smile as I slide Mt seat belt over my chest.

"Awesome. Let's go." With that, we close our doors and I put it in reverse. Pulling away from my home and onto the small dirt road, I look into the rear view mirror, a small glimpse of my home fades as I press onto the gas. The less miles between my son and I the better. This was not my home. Wherever my son was, was where my heart lies.

Driving down the long dirt road to the main road Jasper plays with the radio again. I can hear the frustration in his voice as static plays from the speakers. Nothing. Taking a left from the stop sign, I pull onto the main road. It was going to be a lengthy ride, but it was the only thing on my mind.

"This is ridiculous." I hear him say from beside her, a sigh leaving my lips as I grip the wheel.

"We'll get something soon." I tell him, watching the road as I drives down the surprisingly empty road.

"I'll keep trying." Jasper says, changing the station. Taking a quick glance at the clock on her dash, it reads 10:32 pm. A soft sigh leaves my lips as I move passed a car parked on their side of the road, the brake lights on and smoke rising from the hood.

I tap the break, putting it in park. "Jasper."  I turn toward the vehicle behind us.

"I know what you're thinking." He says, looking to me, an unsure look taking over his appearance.

"We have to see if anyone is alive." I say, clicking my seat belt off. It recedes to its designated spot as I open the door and step out, heading towards the crashed car in the ditch.

"Clara!" Hearing the passenger door close, feet run beside me. "Stop!"

"Jasper! They need our help." I don't hesitate as I walks towards the car, stopping at the driver side window. The door is ajar as they approach, my brow raising as I grab the handle. Opening the door slowly, I look though the foggy window.

"Hmm.."  Stepping into view of the driver seat, the view clear of anyone. I poke my head inside the car, the sign of no one present in the car.

"Well.." I sigh, turning to Jasper whom has the same look on his face.

"Let's go, Clara." Jasper tells me, stepping over me. and taking my hand. As he pulls me away, I shake my head. That scene not making sense in my head as I return to the driver seat. Sliding the seat belt on, I put it in drive. We need to get away from here, whatever it is, my gut was telling me something is not right.

With my head lights shinning on the road, I keep my attention directed on the road. I can hear the breathing of Jasper next to me, and the static of the radio through the speakers. The darkness felt as if it was consuming us, l taking us in with a warm welcome. Like we belong here.

Only driving a few yards I don't notice a figure walking in the middle of the road until it hits the side of my car, making it fall to the ground. Pressing on the break, I gasps loudly.

"Clara! Are you alright?" Jasper says, his hand on my shoulder. My heart beats heavily, almost pumping out of my chest as I put it in park.

"I-I-" I hesitate, trying to collect myself as I look in the rear view mirror. Within seconds I see the figure rise from the ground. My heart dropping in my chest as it begins to take off towards the car in a quick walking manner. It hits the back of the car, a loud moan emitting from the figure.

"Go!" Jasper yells at me, almost too entranced in the figure moving around the vehicle. Coming to my window, the lone figure comes into view.

"Oh my god.." Gasping, seeing blood drip from his mouth. His face scratched and bruised, and his eyes staring into my own.

"Clara, go!" I hear again as the man bangs on the one inch window that separates us. Finally coming to my senses, I put it in drive and hit the gas. Going anywhere but where we were at the moment. Breathing heavily, I keeps my gaze forward.

"What was that?" Jasper asks as I haul ass on the road, driving pass a few more vehicles as we go.

"I don't know.." I finally speak after a moment as trying to even my breath. The man looked, almost possessed. I didn't want to think of the soulless eyes that stared back at me as I kept my concentration on the road.

Almost grateful that Jasper cut the conversation short, I release another reluctant sigh. I need to clear my mind. As I even out my breathing, I look toward the road ahead. The less miles between Lucas and I, the better.

As I drive along, it is silent. A few miles down as we come to a stop sign. Taking a right, I hit the gas, kicking it into the fifties before you could count to five. Over powering the engine more than I knew I should, but didn't care. My mind was racing more than relaxing as I drove.

As I hit the gas and hit a bump, my car jerking to the left. Gripping the wheel, I keep it straight as best I can. Trying to keep the car on the road more than anything as I let go of the gas and finally press the brake. Angrily throwing it into park.

"Mother fucker!" I yell, hitting the steering wheel with my fist in frustration. Why?! Why can't I just get to MY child?!

"I'll check it out." I hear from beside me as I lay my head against the steering wheel, my eyes closing.

"Lucas.." I mumble my sons name under my breath. "I'll get to you, I promise." Shaking my head, I press the button to the seat belt. Feeling it retract, I open the door and step out. "What's the damage?" I ask as, closing the door as I walk over to the passenger side of the car were Jasper stands.

"Damn tire blew." He says, pointing at the front tire. I close my eyes as I squat down, defeat taking me over. "Do you have a spare?" I hear above me, only for my head to shake in return.

"Nope." Putting emphasis on the 'p' as I glance to my blown tire. With frustration over taking myself, I stand and kick the tire. "Fucker!"  Cursing at the vehicle, kicking it again. "Useless piece of shit!" I begin an assault on my car out of anger, my foot coming in contact again to the grey broken down Honda.

I have had enough of this.

"Clara, stop." Jasper says as he steps toward me, then takes a step back. Hearing his voice, I snap back to reality. Squatting once more as I hold my head in my hands. This was too much. "I'll grab the bags."

I stay in my position as Jasper walks to the back door and grabs both bags, placing mine on the ground next to me. As I sit there, Jasper allows me a moment to collect myself. Within that moment, there is a rustling noise coming from the edge of the wood line a good twenty feet from us. Raising my head from my hands, I watch as a figure emerges from the shadows.

"Hello?" Jasper says as I stand to my feet, watching the person move towards us slowly. Not saying a word as it crosses onto the pavement road, a man with a blood face coming into view. "Stop!" he yells, throwing an arm in front of me as the man continues to close the short distance between us.

I step back as it moves closer to us, The car now in between us. "Clara stay over there." Jasper demands as the crazed looking man makes his way around the back of the car, his dark soullessness eyes on us. They look the same as the man before. The same dark lifeless eyes that stared back at me. "Can we help you?" Jasper more yells to the man at this point, chills running down my spine as I continue to back away from this person. Nothing but a low growl emits from the man's lips.

"Jasper, he's not okay." I tell him, my hand rest on my gun that sits in its holster. God forbid. But as they man kept moving towards us with no words, I feel as if I have no choice. Pulling my loaded gun from it holster, I cock it. A loud shot rings out as the man falls to the ground, but not even a half second later he is trying to get on his feet again. I squeeze the trigger again as I aim for the head.

"Clara! What the hell was that?" Jasper yells as he turns to me.

"Not alive. That's for sure."