[center][img]https://urcdn.eu/forum/8bff4c47-2e89-4341-8896-19840ad5ebfa.png [/img][/center]

[hider='Fit][center][img]https://urcdn.eu/forum/6aadbba8-56e5-4fc0-a758-467d824d153a.png[/img][/center][/hider]

[hr]

Aran's day started out with his arm being nearly torn off by his best friend. 

The night before, he had hosted a sesh with his friends, introducing them to his home-grown cannabis. It wasn't the best, but everyone enjoyed themselves. That is, until Harris left to get everyone coffee this morning and came back a murderous freak with a lust for blood. Unfortunately, Harris had gotten everyone except Aran, who happened to wake up just in time before he got bitten. However, it was an unequal fight with four zombies against one. Not to mention Aran has minimum defense skills. Perhaps his three years of karate when he was a kid will come in handy now? He didn't know, but he jumped away, ripping his arm out of Harris' grasp. Looking around and feeling cornered, he took stock of the room and realize how painfully outnumbered he is.

[color=adb80e]"Hey, come on Harris... Penny... you don't have to do this!"[/color]

He received no response, only grunts from a few of the friends of friends that showed up last night. Picking up his backpack, Aran kicked Penny in the stomach, giving a small apology as he ran out of the apartment. He trotted down the stairs, hearing the echo of extra footsteps. He picked up the pace, jumping the last five steps. Pushing out the door, he slammed into another person, causing blood to splatter all over the glass. There was a groan, but Aran didn't stop to find out if it was human or murderous human noises. 

[color=adb80e]"Sorry!"[/color] was all he said as he ran away, sprinting for several blocks before hiding himself in an alley to catch his breath.

That's when he got a phone call from his mother. 

[color=adb80e]"Mom?"[/color] His voice sounded panicked and out of breath. He felt like a child again.

"Honey, I need you to go to the church on Fifth street and Durum. You remember Father McCarthy, right?" Moon's voice came out soft and sweet, even though there was distant screaming in the background. 

[color=adb80e]"Why? We aren't even Christian... Mom, where are you?"[/color]

"Florida, but that doesn't matter. We need you and your siblings to go there, okay? We are going to drive up from here. We'll be there in a few days, okay?" She was gentle, coaxing Aran through the conversation. 

[color=adb80e]"What? Why are you guys there? What's happening?"[/color]

"I don't know, but it's something Father McCarthy prepared for. We'll be there soon, honey. Just get to the church." 

Something about his mom's voice scared him, like she was telling a lie. It was the same voice she used to talk about Santa with. This realization forced Aran to digest his mom's wishes, and after a beat or two, he finally spoke.

[color=adb80e]"Okay. I will."[/color]

"Good, honey. I'm going to call your sister, now, so I have to go. She's supposed to be landing in Chicago today, so expect her soon. Okay? I love you."

[color=adb80e]"I love you too, Mom. Tell Dad I love him."[/color]

"He knew, honey. Okay, I got to go."

[color=adb80e]"Wait, Mom, what do you mean 'knew'? Mom-" [/color] That's when the phone clicked. Aran felt tears start to crawl into his eyes. He swallowed his words and his tears. He knew there wasn't time. 

Throwing off his backpack, he rifled through it until he found his pepper spray and a full can of Arizona. It was better than nothing, he supposed. Zipping the backpack back up, he started running towards his old house.