It was getting late and if I didn’t find somewhere to take cover or hurry back then, I would be doomed.

Before I drew near the house, I was shot at simultaneously. I jumped screaming and raised my hand. The deafening sound was real. I never imagined in my entire life that I would be shot at, ever.

“Don’t shoot. Don’t shoot” That’s the only thing that could come on my mind everything else was black.

‘What do you want here?” Asked an elderly woman whom I believe lived there for years.

“I am passing by. I am looking for my son. I found their van abandoned on the main road and I believe they must have passed by here. I don’t want any trouble.”  I said anxiously.

“Come in then.” Said the women

I walked to the compound and entered inside. I saw an elderly man sitting at a fire place holding a gun as well.

At the other end of the corner I saw someone I knew very well. The teacher on duty. She was the one that picked Javi in the morning. I was elated. At least I found my son.

“Finally I have found you. I saw the car and you guys were nowhere to be found.” I said as I rushed to where they were seated. There were several kids with the teacher around four. When I looked closely I could not see my kid.

“Where is Javi? Why can’t I see him? Javi. Javi”

“Calm down Mrs. Johnson” Said the teacher quietly

“He is not here”

“What do you mean he is not here? You guys were together. What happened? Where is he now?” I asked

“When we were driving toward the school in the morning, we were stuck in traffic which is unusual. The driver got out of the car to see what was happening a head and then come back rushing in panic.  He just told us to run. He opened the door and took the kids out. That’s when we saw a group of people attacking others and they were coming our way. In the process we run in different direction. I and the kids plus other people that were on the road run this way and the driver, your son and other 2 kids run the other direction. If I am not wrong they ran towards the Kibali warehouse.”

 “Some of the people we were together were bitten and they turned against us. We fought them until these couple found us and helped us kill them. From the look of it, they know more about them than we do. That’s why we are here”

“I have to find my son.” This can’t be happening. I said as I ran towards the door.

The elderly lady stopped me at the door.

“Even if you go right now, you are not sure where he is. Besides, it’s getting late. The infected are lurking outside more. From the gunshot earlier, they may be heading towards this direction”

“So what am I supposed to do now? Wait here and I don’t know what my son is facing right now?!” I panicked imagining what my son was facing. I just saw the effect and the strength they have. Will an 8 year old kid be able to deal with it? No.

“Let’s take cover tonight and tomorrow morning we will go together to look for your son. It’s also not safe here.”

Thinking about it for a while, I gave in. There is no harm in listening to the elderly. Besides where was I going to look for him?

Though I agreed to wait till morning, I could not get an ounce of sleep. We could not sleep at all. There were movements outside the house which grew disturbingly eerie at night. With snarling outside, who could sleep?

What was in my mind was if I am that scared what about the kids especially my son.

The kids were able to sleep. I was surprised on how composed the kids behaved despite being scared. Though some were asking for their mothers, they were able to understand the situation and not cause a scene.

I hoped my son got together with caring people that would take care of him.

 I only slept early in the morning due to tiredness.

The couple woke us up early in the morning to prepare for the journey.

From my point of view, I preferred to go with them. They know a lot than meet the eye. With the kids, we had to prepare well.

I came to know the couple name to be Mr. and Mrs. Kamiti They have lived in the piece of land for more than 30 years.

When it came to finding the best route out of the forest, they knew. Mr. Kamiti has an old car that they had been using to go groceries and other purchase in town. It was enough to fit 10 people.

We carried water, dry food and fruits with us. There were lots of fruits in the compound. Thanks to the beautiful environment that allowed them to grow well. If not for the virus, I would have loved to move and live around the area.  The fresh air was very attractive.

We each were given weapons to help with clearance of the infected. Which I believe become a norm.

I never believed in my life I would have to pierce my fellow human in the head hard to just to survive.

To me the rod I found at the road side was a perfect weapon I could ask for. It was light, sharp and easy to swing. I may have stayed home for last few years but I was still as fast and sharp as I had been back then being a ranger.

With everything set, the couple went ahead outside and help with clearing the infected in the area to make it easier to move.

Noise was like a magnet that attracted them. It was therefore decide not to use a gun unless no otherwise.

The way they were swinging the weapons made me wonder whether they had done it before. It had only been a day since the spread but they appeared to be pros on it

Seeing them to work on them made me want to practice on swinging. It may have sounded weird to kill one of your own but what will you do. It’s either them or you. That’s the only option that you are given

When you get close to them you notice they have no sight at all but follow your smell or odor. That’s what I noted.

I swung my rod and pierced one in the head. I can tell you it was not as easy as the elderly made it seem. I had to do it again. If they were any faster I would have been bitten

On my second victim it was a bit easier.  The elderly man said it would be easier if I pierced right above the ear almost near the eyes. It worked perfectly well. When the ones nearing us were cleared, the kids were ushered inside the pickup and left.

Following unused road we maneuvered through the forest and appeared on a rough road. The good thing with the vehicle is it did not make any noise.

We were heading toward the direction the school driver and the other three kids were seen last. It was not far from where we were that night but if I were to go on foot it would be far.

I was curious about the elderly couple and how they know so much about infected.

“Well, young lady. I know you are too curious but it’s a bit hidden from the public. The truth is the virus is not here for the first time. Early in 70s there was also the same thing. It affected lots of people and millions lost their life.” The world was swept clean and a few survivors were rescued and started to increase the world again.

Our great grandparents were among the survivors and had recorded so many things that had happened and how to survive. We thought it was a joke at first back then but recently we saw them roaming around with symptoms same tot the ones recorded. It’s a good thing we never stopped reading about the research”

“The government may say it started yesterday but it’s not true. Few days ago we saw them around but not that many. We know they will soon spread all other the city. The government will close the city soon and the survivors may have difficult time.”

The best thing at the moment is to get your son and husband and then go to the north and leave the city”