--Surviving Against All Odds- Harris Family -

Posted on Mon Jul 15th, 2024 @ 9:04am by Carmen Harris & Myles Harris & Jack Harris

655 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Winter is Coming
Location: Outskirts of Bangor Maine
Timeline: September 6th - Afternoon.

The cold wind swept through the deserted streets of Bangor, Maine, carrying with it the scent of decay and the faint echoes of what once was. Jack Harris, a high school senior with dreams of studying Chemistry at NYU, tightened his grip on the steering wheel of his grandmother's old station wagon. Beside him, his younger siblings, Carmen and Myles, sat silently, their faces pale with fear and determination.

Daisy, their loyal two-year-old Golden Retriever, lay in the back, her head resting on a pile of blankets. She whined softly, sensing the tension in the air.

"Are we almost there, Jack?" Carmen asked, her voice trembling. The thirteen-year-old had always been the confident one, dreaming of becoming an actor in L.A., but the world had changed, and so had she. She clung to her younger brother, Myles, who stared out the window, clutching a comic book tightly in his hands. He knew his sister’s planning skills had distracted her up until now. Her lists had gotten them everything into the car. But now, she was starting to take stock and it scared her.

"Almost," Jack replied, trying to sound reassuring. "We just need to find a safe place to set up camp for the night."

The station wagon was packed with everything they could scavenge—food, clothes, blankets, and a sturdy four-man tent. It was their lifeline in this new world, where survival was uncertain, and danger lurked around every corner.

Their parents, Michael and Julie Harris, had gone missing weeks ago, presumed dead. Jack had taken on the responsibility of protecting his siblings, guiding them through the chaos that had overtaken their hometown. The government had declared Bangor a cleansing zone, and the Harris siblings had no choice but to flee.

As they drove through the abandoned streets, they passed familiar landmarks now empty except for the debris flight and ... the firebombing had brought.

The soccer fields where Jack and Carmen had played countless games were now empty and blackened. Memories of happier times flooded their minds, but they couldn't afford to dwell on the past. They had lived on the outskirts

"Look!" Myles suddenly exclaimed, pointing ahead. "There's a park up there. We can camp there for the night."

Jack followed his brother's gaze and saw a small park, partially hidden by trees. It seemed secluded enough to offer some protection. He nodded and turned the station wagon towards it, navigating the cracked and debris-strewn roads.

They arrived at the park and quickly set up their camp, pitching the tent and arranging their supplies. Jack made sure to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings, knowing that they couldn't afford to let their guard down. He made sure that they kept the majority of their things in the car and it was facing the road so they could just toss things in and go.

As the sun set, casting long shadows over the park, the siblings huddled together inside the tent. Daisy lay at their feet, providing a comforting presence.

"We'll be okay," Jack whispered, more to himself than to his siblings. "We'll find a way to survive."

Carmen nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "We have each other. That's what matters."

Myles looked up from his comic book, his expression serious. "And Daisy. Don't forget Daisy."

Jack smiled, ruffling his brother's hair. "And Daisy."

The night was long and filled with the sounds of the undead, but the Harris siblings knew they had to stay strong. They were a family, bound by love and determination, and they would face whatever challenges came their way together.

As his two younger siblings slept, Jack and Daisy kept watch. Jack was very glad that their dog was perfectly trained and obedient. The last thing they would need, was Daisy barking at the zombies, which would, of course attract more of them.

After about an hour of relative silence, Jack slowly fell asleep.

==OFF==

 

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