Love poem

Love

What is love?

Is it real?

Can it be found?

What is love?

A feeling?

A thought?

A reaction?

What is love?

Care?

Admiration?

Liking?

Is there really love?

Or is it fake?

I may never know.

Titleless Zombie story

                It had all started that day in January of 2017. That was the day the world was brought to its knees. But the world hadn’t ended, and it won’t as long as we live. We are the thin line between life and extinction. We are what remains of humanity.

                “Come on move it get that loaded now!” ”Oh come on man it’s not like their still following us.” A tall brown haired man holding a box muttered aloud. We had just finished clearing out the small town of Elwitch of zombies only to be chased of by a large band of looters. “Everyone listen up, tomorrow we’re heading to a town called Hope ok so be ready and alert” I call out silencing the banters. This was followed by a bunch of groans some sarcastic some not. “Ok stop that last anyone heard was that some survivors had holed up in the high school’s gym” a woman in blue said coming up next to me reading off a report. “But their last radio report said that they were surrounded by hundreds of zombies” I say taking the report and reading the rest of it. “Why would anyone just stay there and call for help it just makes no sense why not make a run for it” The brown haired man called out. “Who knows anyway everyone you know where to go its getting dark out.”

Early the next morning

“Okay everyone you know the drill get your weapons ready, we’re almost there” The brown haired man called out slapping a handgun into his holster. “Ok Mr. Myles but can you tell me what to expect this time?” A blonde haired man with a bat on his shoulder replied with a snide grin. “Well not to much just some strange woman who’ll reward you for saving her life with a kiss” Myles said with a bit of annoyance in his voice. “Hey why don’t we all just shut up and concentrate on what we’re about to do” The man in the seat next to me shouted. Louis was his name I thought to myself. “Ok we’re here!” The drive yelled over all the conversations. With that there was a sudden lurch and a Hispanic man opened the back door of the armored truck. As he hopped out a second man closed the door behind him. It was about a minute before there was a double knock on the door. The second man opened the door and we all began to hop out. “Just skeletons out here poor guys didn’t even turn musta been shot early on” the Hispanic man said. We soon knew that the area was clear and approached the doors. “Ok I’ll go on but don’t let anyone in until I come back got it?” I say and it was quickly answered by nods. Two men opened the door and held it open for men. As soon as I was in the doors quietly closed behind me. The first thing that hit me was the smell it was the awful stench of rot, death, and decay. Then I looked down and was welcomed by the sight of teens missing limbs and other body parts covered in mold and maggots. I barely managed to hold my stomach in even after seeing so much death it was still hard for me to look at it. I walked down the hallway passing a pair bathrooms which were splattered in blood and had a large pile of bodies at the doors. I reached another pair of glass doors riddled with bullet holes and blood. At this door I stopped to listen but was only welcomed by the sound of my own breathing. Pleased with this I hurried back to the entrance and knocked immediately the doors flung open and other men rushed in in pairs. They quickly moved around me and down to the blood splattered doors. The first pair flung open these doors then hopped back letting the second pair through. Once beyond my sight I rushed after the last pair of men quickly catching them. There was no sound as each of the rooms was cleared out. We had nearly made it to the gym when the moans began. My heart began beating even faster and faster as the moans rose in volume. They began to sound closer and closer until gunshots erupted at the end of the hallway in front of me. The zombies turned the corner not in a mob but in a pile pushing each other and walking over each other to get to the men first. The rest of the men began walking back shooting at the group most bothering not to aim. Shots tore into the zombies to pieces tearing whole limbs off but still they persisted. I turned and held a door we had just passed through open for some of the men to run through so they could cover others. I quickly followed the last two in as the zombies got less than 15 feet away. A few of the men paused to tie zip-ties around the doors before running down the hallway after the rest of us. We had nearly rounded down the hallway that led to the exit when more zombies appeared out of an adjourning hallway. They pounced on one of the first men who fell screaming at the top of his lungs. They quickly fell on him and tore him to shreds with flesh and blood splashing the floor where he had fallen. This mad me run faster as my adrenaline began to drive me harder. I quickly took the lead but as I rounded the last corner I heard another scream. I didn’t turn but lowered my shoulder and rammed the entrance way doors. Outside I turned and braced to shoot at anything coming out the doors.

. Quickly men and women rushed out the door without turning back a few stopped and turned to do the same as me. But most continued on to the trucks without even noticing me and the few others. For a moment I just stood there motionless as nothing came from the door which had closed. Suddenly the doors then opened and I tensed up as the moaning from within grew loud. I pulled the trigger and felt it begin kicking my shoulder repeatedly as it shot bullet after bullet at the oncoming zombies. Again they were shot to shreds but continued to coming without any regard to themselves. Only a zombie could come to death with that mindless caring. I held the trigger until there was no more kicking with this I dropped the gun and let it hang on the strap. In the same motion I grabbed my side arm and began to shot the zombies again taking out the ones in the front first. Soon that ran out of bullets and I was forced to re-holster it. I glanced around and was shocked to see all but one other man had fled back to the trucks. I caught him looking over at me and nodded my head back towards the trucks. He quickly gave me a thumbs up and began to walk back still shooting. I nearly fell forward in surprise when I bumped into one of the trucks. It hadn’t been the one I came in but it would have to do. I knocked on the door as hard and fast as I could. It almost immediately opened and I was pulled in. Before the door shut I motioned towards the man outside who was still fighting. “He’s as good as gone there’s no chance he’s going to come back its how he wanted to go with a big bang” one of the men seated said. Almost as in a reply the man fell and soon an explosion went off we he had fallen. The door quickly slammed and the truck was in motion joining the convoy as it swept back to one of the roads. “Well reports coming from the other trucks are putting us at a loss of 5 men” reported the man near the trucks radio. “So we came out here and got whipped for nothing at all” one of the men cried out. “Pretty much man” one of the men across the truck replied. With all this I couldn’t stop thinking of the man who had blown himself up in the face of death. I somehow found myself a seat and was listening to the murmurs all around me. I soon found myself asleep relaxed as the murmurs had grown into conversations. It seemed as if hearing people talk was a miracle that was comforting to all.

                I don’t know how long I had slept but I awoke to the whining of the engine. I could hear cursing all around me some in anger some in fear. “What is it?” I asked the man who was quietly talking to himself more likely he was praying. “The engine it’s done, no good, fried we’re stuck out here the convoy’s gone man they left us to die” He replied back in a vaguely Hispanic accent. Suddenly there came a slam on the back door and silence fell upon the cabin.  Not even a minute had passed before another slam was heard followed by what seemed to be a hurried barrage of hits. I jumped from my seat and hurried to the front where the only windows were. Oddly even as the Zoms hammered at the back there were none at the front nor could any moaning be heard. Suddenly I realized that’s because those aren’t zoms their humans trying to get help. As I looked to the back men were cocking guns, sharpening knives, and even unsheathing swords in some cases. “Stop those aren’t zoms those’re other people!” “Oh yeah and how do you know that eh?” One of the men closest to the door replied. “Because there’s no moaning and we’re not surrounded” I replied cooling my emotions. With that there came silence with the exception of breathing. “Well you may be right but just because their human don’t mean they don’t want to kill us” the man replied again this time almost in a tone of respect. “That’s true but it doesn’t mean you have to go out guns a blazing and all” I replied as if on command some of the men lowered weapons or put them away. “Okay since we understand each other you can go on out I’ll catch up” I say with a tinge of nervousness rising up through my body. The door opened but no zoms came pouring in and no shots were fired. Instead a crowd of people stood there with just a few weapons among them. Well crowd was a gross exaggeration it was more like seven or eight. They all looked ragged and tired and most wore simple clothes that could be scavenged anywhere. The closest armed man spoke first “We saw y’all break down and would like to know if we could help you” “Well not really” the driver and co-driver both said simultaneously walking from the front. “Engines done no way you can fix it we’re gonna have to hoof it from here. Well least we happened to find locals who may know the area. “So since you offered help are any of y’all locals or know the area?” I asked.

“Well umm we’re all from somewhere ‘round here” One of the armed men spoke up. “Well can any of y’all get us to Norwich on foot?” the guy that had opened the door asked. “Norwich yeah that’s one of the biggest places ‘round here” the first man replied. “Good well it’s starting to get late so unless you all have somewhere close by your welcome to stay with us in the truck it’s big enough” I replied back. “You sure there’s enough room for all of us?” another man near the back asked anxiously. “Plenty enough we’ll get started in the morning at first light” I replied feeling a grin. It was mere minutes before everyone had their spots, but hours before everyone settled to actually sleep. Most just talk some played cards in the fading daylight others sharpened blades but few slept. Once it was completely dark though everyone began to drift off to sleep even me. My sleep was not easy though I continually woke up from nightmares sweating scaring some of the guys then and again. These nightmares mostly consisted of being eaten alive ripped to shreds but still breathing. But one was of my wife who’d died in the first days. She kept calling for me when I finally went everyone I had known was dead and my wife was dying it was like an unending dread that she was going to die because I hadn’t been fast enough. It was my fault a whisper had said in my ear. I turned to see my own parents who quickly murmured something sounding like ‘he’s turned kill him’ before I was swiftly hit over the head with a shovel which woke me up.

                After it finally became morning I was covered in sweat. I looked around and I was not the only one that had a rough night. I found my kit with my battle gear in it and grabbed it before heading outside. By the time I got there many of the people were already out there in various states of getting ready. I opened my kit again and pulled out my Kevlar vest and the rest of my armor. It wasn’t long before I was ready but I also had the lightest set of armor. Some of the guys helped each other into what looked like a knight’s armor.  Others were putting on shark suits. It was all kind of funny to look at. All the random armored figures most looking completely different. But it was all necessary in these days death was only a touch away. It was about half an hour or so I figured before everyone would be ready. So I used this time to clean my gun and blade. I looked my gun over it was an M-14 with a wooden stock. To me it was an artwork to a lot of other guys it was a status symbol. Then there was my blade I was proud of it I had made it myself it was more of a sword though at three feet. It was the last thing id made by myself before the end. I had always kept it cared for it was one of my most prized possessions my only link to my old self. I was admiring the blade when one of the men who’d come yesterday came over. “I take it you’re the man in charge here?” he asked sitting down next to me. “Not really I don’t know any of the guys here except Monroe” I replied pointing at one of the ‘nights’ with my blade. “Oh well they all listen to you so im going to pin you for chief.” “Well that’s because I outrank them” I say indicating the crossed guns which had come to symbol the rank of lieutenant. “Oh well me and my buddies want to get moving soon with or without y’all.  With that I simply stood up and loudly announced “We’re leaving in five get your stuff or leave it your in charge of your own supplies so take that into consideration.” Men quickly jumped to their feet and jogged to the truck carrying rucksacks and other types of bags. Some came out quickly with looks of relief others took longer coming out with a less than satisfied expression. It was soon that everyone was ready so I turned to the man that had come over “We need to get to Elwitch its where our forward base is.” He quickly turned and waved one of his group up “you’re from there you’re going to lead us that way ok Mary?” She nodded and began walking down the highway what I assumed was northeastward. All she said was “follow me” and waved her arm for us to come. I jogged and quickly caught up. “You sure you know the way” I asked catching my breath. “Yes” was all she said. We walked for hours and I felt my energy draining away like water drying under the sun. It was about noon before we finally paused for a break. Many men including myself were tired and needed it. I gulped down most of my water before my mind got the better of me to save it. I also ate one of my daily rations to get some calories so I could keep going at our grueling pace. Many men around me were doing similar. It was about twenty minutes before we got ready to go. There were many complaints but everyone eventually came the thought of being alone caused that. It was a dangerous world to be alone in and being alone could lead to craziness. What a cruel world we live in I thought to myself. Why do we chose to fight it to live on I ask myself. Its because we're human we cant just die another part of me answered. In my inner arguing one of the 'knights' walked up to me. It was Monroe. "Hey you ok man you look well exhausted" he says shrugging. "Yeah I'm ok I'm just I don't really know tired, worried, at a loss you know what I mean?" I ask looking him in the eye. He shrugs adding a yeah before walking ahead.

More Of Vicyims of Circumstance

I could feel many face turn and begin to stare at me even as I got over the initial shock. I started walking towards the stage staring down at the ground to avoid the threatening stares. As I reached the steps I glance up to see the principal waiting on the stage grinning. I start up the steps I nearly trip on the second step but manage to catch myself but not without my face getting even redder if that was possible. I manage to make it to the top of the steps without any more trouble. I look out at the crowd with a grin only to see a few smiles from those I knew but even more threatening faces from those I didn’t know. “Well Maren congratulations on becoming this year’s queen now what do you have to say?” the principal says shoving the microphone into my face surprising me even more. “Ummm I uhhh t-thank you everyb-body it’s an honor to be queen thank you I-I just don’t know what to say” I say feeling my face and whole body tense as everyone started clapping out of politeness.“ She then took the microphone back. “Ok sorry we must get on you must be anxious to learn who your prom king is ok here we are” the principal said flourishing the white envelope. She then torn it slowly to making me worry about who it would be.  She pulled it out and smiled as she announced “This year’s prom king is” she says pausing again to allow for suspense. “Come on up Aaron (LAST NAME)” again the crowd was hushed. Very slowly one of the guys in the crowd began to move towards the stage and the sweeping gazes all locked on him.

AARON’S POV->

            As I made it onto the stage I grew even more nervous the more my gaze caught the crowd. But that wasn’t what made me the most nervous. That was the girl standing there in a beautiful blue dress watching me walk across the stage. She was beautiful and not only that she was the girl id meet a few weeks ago and had been oddly attracted to. Even as nervous as I was I found myself grinning at her. Before I could get close to her the principal rushed to me holding the mic to my face like a reporter. She pulled back the microphone back for a few seconds to quickly speak in a few words “Aaron what’re you thinking now that you’ve won this award?” “I uhh I’m shocked, amazed, and excited about this” I say with a renewed confidence. “That’s great Aaron so now you two you know what’s next the customary dance.” She added with a smile. “Oh wait what am I doing were forgetting the crowns” she practically yelled before quickly rushing off the stage. She reappeared within a minute holding two crowns. “One for our dear queen and then the other for our king” she said placing the crowns on us in turn.                    

Introduction to Powerless

It just figures. You take water away and we'll find more. You take food away we'll make our own. you take shelter away from us and we build our own. But you take power and we lose control. So naturally someone did just that, and brought the world crashing down. The only flaw in their plan was they couldn't turn the power back on. Though around the same time someone messed with chemicals and caused guns to fail to. No one could explain why or how. It just seemed to happen...

Victims of Circumstance?

Beginnings of a story:
 

                From the moment I laid eyes on her I knew she was different. For a while we kept passing each other sneaking smiles. Every time I caught her smile I felt a tingle in my spine and my checks grow warm. There was just something about her was it her eyes. No maybe it was the way she was acting. Whatever it was I found myself going out of my way just to get another glance at her.

            It was near the end of the day when I finally caught her by the door with her hands full of bags. “Hi my names Aaron and I was wondering if you needed help carrying all that” I say with a nod at all the bags in her hands. “Oh that would be nice thank you” she says handing me a few of the bags. With that our hands briefly touched but I felt my heart jump and my face get hot. With that she quickly turned and started to walk through the ***** parking lot. It wasn’t long before she stopped by a small red car and started to fumble for the keys in her pocket. It wasn’t long before the car was unlocked. With the car now unlocked she tossed in the few bags she had been carrying. She then turned to me with a smile as I held the bags out for her to take. Once she had finished loading those she turned back to me “Thank you Aaron wasn’t it? Anyway oh I’m sorry I never introduced myself I’m Maren.” She said before turning to get in the car. She started off giving me a wave before disappearing even after I couldn’t see her I found that I was staring. Wondering in my head what it was about her that made her different.

            Within days I had forgotten about Maren because of all that was happening the school, work, and just everything else going on. But tonight she was probably the last thing that would come to my mind. This was due to the fact that tonight was the prom. My mind was on more pressing matters how I look, the ride, and of course my date. I soon found myself waiting outside my house in the driveway for my friends to show up with our ride to prom. We had all thrown in some money to rent a limo for tonight so we were all going to share it. It was only minutes before the limo pulled up to the curb near me. The door near the back opened and a gravelly voice with a fake accent called out “come comrade we have much to discuss and drink!” With that I hopped in to the chorus of laughter inside. Once my eyes adjusted I saw my friends Nick, Andrew, and Phil which meant that John was driving. With that I felt a pang of pity for John since he was the only one who hadn’t gotten a date. But that pang was soon forgotten when Nick and Andrew opened up the ceiling window and started yelling out of it. For a few minutes I couldn’t stop laughing at them. But they stepped down and offered me and Phil a chance at it. I gladly took it and as I looked out I was welcomed by the sight of the city and wind as John sped down the highway. I turned to face the wind forgetting any concern for how I looked as the wind went through my hair messing it up. I stepped down and caught a look at myself with wind-swept hair off of the glass the Nick was now drinking from. It was after a few minutes of drinking some sparkling cider someone had brought that we arrived at Andrew’s date’s house. He popped his head out the roof window and called out “hey baby come on in!” It was seconds before a girl opened the door giggling. She quickly went and sat with him he then introduced us pointing at us in turn “guys this is Taylor, Taylor this is Nick, Phil, Aaron, and Johns driving for us.” Taylor gave us all a small smile and nod as everyone was introduced to her. I was too busy listening to Andrew to notice that we had stopped until Nick hopped up and got out. He stood there and held the door for his date who went and sat by Taylor. Nick quickly shut the door and sat by her. He then introduced us in turn and introduced us his date her name was Marisa but I already knew that I met her a couple of weeks ago when our classes changed. We all talked and I yet again was oblivious that we had stopped until Phil’s date opened the door making me jump. Everyone laughed at that as I felt my face grow hot. The girl immediately went and sat with Phil who introduced her as Julia. It was at that point with a sense of nervous excitement that I realized my date was next. Her name was Sophia but we weren’t really a couple we were just friends going together so we wouldn’t have to deal with anybody but we were a couple as far as everyone else was concerned. But even then I had to admit Sophia was pretty to say the least. She had blonde hair that shone beautifully when the light caught it she also had a great smile. But to top it off she had amazing hazel eyes. The driving felt like mere seconds before we arrived. As soon as the limo stopped I quickly hopped out of the car only to be stopped by the sight of Sophia. She was wearing an immaculate pink dress that complemented her skin and perfected her already beautiful form. I quickly tried to recover but she smiled and I felt my face get hotter as I held the door for her. But before she was in she glanced at me smiling and I stiffened in nervousness. But I immediately noticed the make-up that helped bring out her eyes and made her lips stand out even more.   Once we were both back into the limo and settled in I introduced Sophia to everybody. As soon as everyone else became focused on other things I turned to Sophia “y-you look stunning S-Sophie.” “Awh thanks Aaron*” she replied back with a blush and a smile. She looked away and I soon found myself staring at her and shook my head and turned away. How could I not see this before, I mean she’s gorgeous and only now I’m seeing it. It was then that I noticed the perfume she was hearing and it washed over me with the familiar comforting aroma. I looked over at her again as she listened to Taylor and Andrew bickering. She was smiling as though she didn’t have a care in the world. She caught me looking and said “oh Aaron stop being so stiff and nervous.” ”Ok I’ll try to” I reply faking a smile as I take her hand in mine. She sat up straighter at my touch and turned away hiding her face. I also glanced away only to see Nick shaking his head. ‘What?’ I mouth at him. ‘Nothing you’re just so blind’ he mouthed back before looking back to his date. I find myself thinking what is he talking about? But to change the subject I turn to the front and shout out “So what’re you gonna do since your dateless?” “Oh just be lonely and anti-social” he replied with a burst of laughter. “Hey if one of you guys gets king I’m gonna lead the dump of water on you” John yelled once he could stop laughing. “Ha if anyone’s getting prom king it’s gonna be me!” Phil yelled in reply. This was probably true because he was not only a football jock but also class president. “Yeah the jockey president” Nick said roaring with laughter. Nick and every guy in the car were also fellow jocks which is how we met. “While you all argue over who’s going to be king I’ll be talking to the queen” Andrew said with a mischievous grin. “Oh and who will that be?” I reply already knowing his answer. “Why my dear little Taylor of course” He said turning and giving her a hug then kissing her on the cheek. She immediately turned fire-engine red but was grinning widely. “Awh come on man you need to stop lying it’s gonna be my sweet Marisa” Nick said elbowing Andrew playfully in the ribs. With that the limo stopped and immediately Phil jumped out and started hollering loudly that he’d arrived. He was quickly followed by Andrew and they both (with their dates in tow) made a B-line for the crowd waving for them. Soon only Sophia and I were left in the back. We both very slowly got up she was the first to get out and waited for me to close the door. As I looked up I tensed without realizing it as I saw the large crowds. As if on cue Sophia reached down and grabbed my hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. Then I felt her warm breath on my neck seconds before hearing “your fine Aaron I’m right here with you.” At this I relaxed a little bit. It was comforting to know that Sophia remembered my deep fear of crowds.

            It wasn’t long before I’d forgotten about meeting Aaron. Seeing as I was too busy stressing about prom. I was overwhelmed with thoughts of what to wear and my date. His name was Joseph and he hadn’t been my first choice but he’d have to do. I’d actually hoped for one of the football players to take me. My only problem I didn’t know his name and I’d never seen him helmetless. But from what I knew of him he sounded amazing. But I only knew him as number 21. Oh well you can’t change the past you have to concentrate on the present. Thinking of the present prom was approaching with a growing sense of dread. But thankfully my mom had been helping me the whole way. Like earlier today shed taken me to the salon before picking my dress up from the seamstress. Then came the make-up and everything else leading to where I now stand on the dance floor. I was dancing with some guy id never met since my date had left me as soon as we’d arrived so he could be with ‘the guys’. Loser I found myself thinking at the thought of him. I turned my attention back to dancing only to realize the music had stopped and everyone was turning to the stage. I glanced over and saw the principal picking up a microphone “ladies and gentlemen the votes for prom king and queen will be closing in five minutes.” With that I turned and started to head in the direction of the polls. I quickly scribbled my name for queen and wrote ‘football player 21’ for prom king. Hopefully if he made king id at least know who he was. The next few minutes flew by quickly as if the world had been put on fast forward. It was a few minutes after the polls had been closed before the principal appeared on the stage again holding two envelopes. She approached the microphone opening one of the envelopes. “Ladies your new queen for 2016 is” she paused allowing some suspense before saying “Maren Williams!” I could feel many face turn and begin to stare at me even as I got over the initial shock.