Afterworld: Dead Days - Volume 1

by Ribe_FireRain

What Truly Gets To Me

I could feel my head thumping loudly and painfully, something I haven't ever felt before. It was like my heartbeat; strongly thumping like a hammer to a nail, ramming into my ribcage like my brain into my skull. My head just hurt and I could feel myself hyperventilating. It soon subsided as I awoke on a worn couch. My vision was blurry and I felt dizzy. When my eyes refocused fully, I could see Fluttershy, gently dabbing my forehead with a damp cloth.

She backed off a little bit as she noticed I was awake. I could see blood on the cloth. Lots of it. At least it explains why my head is thumping like I have an alarm clock for a brain. I just looked at her, soon realizing that the rest of the ponies were watching me, worried and concerned expressions on their faces. When I tried to get back up to see where we was, Fluttershy gently placed her hooves to my chest, stopping me.

''No, stay still. You lost a fair amount of blood. You'll be dizzy for a while.'' Her tone was almost motherly.

''W-Where are we?'' My voice sounded dry and quiet.

''You blacked out so we stayed in an empty house for a while.'' Twilight explained, momentarily looking at the gash on my head before looking into my blue eyes. ''Come to think of it, why did you act the way you did? We just saw you running while being chased and then you're kicking the zombie in the chest repeatedly.''

I looked away. I mean, really? They wanna know about that and we barely know each other.

''Twilight...I can't. Not yet.'' I said softly, turning to her before I looked over to Rainbow whom looked right back at me. ''Rainbow. I...thank you. You saved me. I owe you one.'' She blushed as a response. I couldn't help but chuckle. Looking around the room, I could see that it was actually secure. The windows were sealed with wooden planks and the door was barred up with the same form of reinforcement. It was probably the safest place I've seen so far. I slowly got to my feet and Fluttershy wasn't kidding when she said I would feel dizziness. I felt like I was drunk! The walls moved side to side even though I knew I was looking straight. Same when I walked - I felt like I would collapse.

The living room in which I was in didn't have much in it apart from the couch, a non-working TV and a few framed pictures on the walls as well as a few decorations and a kitchen in the back. I couldn't help but look at some of the pictures, seeing the small family of three within them. A mother and father and a daughter of a young age, possibly eight or more. I felt a tear roll down my cheek at the sight of them hugging lovingly. I really hope the ponies didn't see that, either.

I held a hand to my thumping head as I checked the reinforcements to the house. They seemed to be intact and still holding strong, which was surprising. The lights didn't work, unfortunately, but I made my way upstairs anyway. There was only about three rooms, so that meant not much to look around for. The first room I entered was clearly the parent's room. What gave that one away was the pictures of the family all together scattered on the walls and the queen-sized bed in the centre of the room. In the corner of the room, I could see a soft red coloured electric guitar on its stand. I eyed it for a moment, soon looking away from it. As much as I wanted to play it, I had to resist against it.

I turned, leaving the room of memories and walking down the hall, my footsteps making the floorboards squeak softly as I approached a door with a name-plate stuck to it.

Ellie's Room

The name-plate was yellow and had pink butterflies on it. When I opened the door, I saw a different sight than I'd expect to see. On the floor was a massive pool of deep, slick red. A heavy smell of iron in the air causing me to gag. On the floor were three bodies. Two adults, one girl. I covered my nose and mouth with my shirt hoping to block out the smell, but it didn't do much good. Beside the corpse of the man was a revolver. A small, 32. revolver to be precise. Though stained in now black blood, I could tell it was a shiny silver colour.

I cautiously walked forwards, knowing that my pistol wasn't going to save me if they weren't truly 'dead'. When I got close enough, I reached down to the floor, taking the pistol and small handful of bullets that were next to it. I quickly moved back, taking one last look at the corpses. They looked so peaceful. The daughter was being cradled by her parents. I wonder what their last moments were like, although I guess the obvious answer would be horrible. Or heartbreaking, seeing suicide as a way out of the cruelty left in the world. Whatever it was like, I closed the door to the room and walked back into the parent's bedroom, taking the guitar in my hands as I brought it downstairs.

The ponies watched me as I sat on the couch with it, eyeing the shiny instrument. I caressed its body with my hand, feeling the smoothness of the plastic cover. Soon, I began to pluck the strings, slow at first to check the tuning and then began playing in a slow, sad tune.

Some point after I played the guitar, I must of fallen asleep because when I woke up, I noticed I had the guitar in my lap and Rainbow Dash had he warm cheek pressed into my side. I blushed softly and when I got up, being careful not to wake her, I placed my leather jacket over her, a noticeable smile appearing on her lips. I still had blood around my chin and it had gone through my shirt and onto my chest, so next I went upstairs to the bathroom. A quick clean later, I made my way back downstairs, but before I did, something stopped me.

The door to Ellie's room was open. I left it closed not too long ago.

''Hello?'' I called, hearing nothing in response but silence. I walked closer being as quiet as I could. When I peaked around the corner, my heart literally stopped. The body of Ellie was gone. I swear my body turned to ice. I quickly went downstairs, seeing that the ponies were all still asleep. I went into the kitchen, searching for a weapon. Any weapon! Pulling through draws feverishly, I took out a large carving knife. The noise of rattling silver ware must of awoken the ponies because they were all staring at me as if I was mad.

''What're you doing?'' Pinkie asked me, clearly confused. I planted a finger over my mouth.

''Shh. We're in trouble. Zombie upstairs somewhere. Stay here.''

Quietly but quickly, I went back upstairs. I checked each room as quick as I could, not finding her anywhere. Then I heard a groan behind me.

Shit. She's right there, isn't she?

Slowly turning around, I saw her. Her skin was dead and dry, her eyes lifeless and pale blue in colour. Her hair was blonde and her dress was a soft pink. She was just a kid! Eight or not, I really didn't want to kill her! She lunged at me, nearly biting my hand in the process. I dodged her, causing her to run into a wall and knock herself down. God, she looked so weak in her current state. When she ran at me again, I pointed the knife in her direction, closing my eyes. It wasn't long until I heard the sickening slash that was the blade piercing her flesh. I reopened my eyes, seeing that the knife had gone straight through her eye socket. I let go, letting her drop to the floor with the knife still in her socket.

I felt numb and cold. I had just killed a child! A CHILD! Guilt and remorse fills my mind as I limply go back first into the wall of the corridor, sliding down as I curl myself into a ball, hugging my knees with my hands and head, crying openly.

I could hear the ponies come upstairs, their hooves clanking softly on the wooden floor. I heard them gasp as they saw the dead girl with the knife in her eye. I felt a hoof be wrapped around me in an embrace and looking up, I could see Applejack looking back at me, sorrow in her emerald eyes. She and Rainbow helped me to my feet. I could of sworn I saw Pinkie's bouncy mane deflate a little at the sight of Ellie on the floor.

Downstairs, I found a seat on the couch, my leather jacket beside me. I planted a hand across my face as I felt tears come like a broken damn behind my eyes. Rainbow rubbed my back with a hoof, the soft and tender touch calming my aching heart. When they asked me earlier about why I acted the way I did to that zombie that chased me, it was a reason related to what I had just done to that little girl. I remember what my mother used to tell me when I was little:

''No one is born a monster, Matt. They become them. Some do, some don't. You're lucky if you don't become one of them.''

She was right. Monsters are made. I think that I'm partly a monster. After all I've witnessed, I barely feel like the Matt I used to be.

I'm slowly changing. Becoming one.

Comments

[Miss Delta]

Nice work can't wait to read more

[Switch Gears]

like to read more its a good story

[Blaxbone]

When I tried to get back up to see where we was

Pretty sure it is were.

Rainbow Dash had he warm cheek pressed into my side.

her?