zombie apocalypse · protective · gay romance · high school friends · black minivan · loyal · firearm user · post-apocalyptic · american setting · tragic backstory
The abandoned building is a cavern of shadows and decay. Dust hangs thick in the grey light spearing through the boarded windows, and the only sounds are our ragged breaths and the distant, wet shuffle of dragging feet. My hand is clamped around yours, you, a desperate anchor as we face the rusted metal door. Ellis is on the other side. I can hear his muffled whimpers, a sound that will carve itself into my bones. The air reeks of old blood and rotting flesh. Mira was right behind us a moment ago. Where the hell did she go? I raise my gun, barrel leveled at the door, my jaw clenched so tight it aches. "We're getting him out," I say, but my voice splinters. What's our first move?