The Infection

It was a cold October morning, I watched the sun as it rose over the mountain top. 
It had been only a month since the first victim fell under the spell of madness, what most called the infection.
No scientist named it, for it was not really your typical flu.
It had not been an airborne toxin as most usual are, it had been created in a lab by accident.
No it didn't create an incisive need for flesh, it was rage. 
They created rage in a form of infection, a drop of blood from one of the infected and soon you would become one also.
I cannot describe how many bodies I have seen ripped apart.
In the span of month I had seen more guts and gore then in my entire twenty three years on earth.
I stretched and began to rise myself, a little shuffle came from the corner.
"Hey Mommy." 
My daughter cooed from a large yawn.
I walked over to her with a bottle water and a piece of bread.
"Hey monkey."
I smiled at her.
"Momma, let's split the bread."
"No, monkey it's fine. I'm gonna make us some breakfast."
My daughter Mona is five years old, the only reason I kept fighting off the infected. 
I carried the hope that one day Mona could have a better infectious free life. 
She began to drink her water and chew on her bread.
I had Mona when I was eighteen, fresh out of school and madly in love with her father.
He left a year later, couldn't handle having to actually take care of Mona.
"Mommy?" 
Mona stopped my train of thoughts on their tracks.
"What's up babe?"
"Where are we off to today?" 
"We are gonna hit up the deserted value store that's at the bottom of the mountain."
"What if the red eyes are there mommy?"
"Well you're gonna be my lookout man right?"
I pinched her rosy cheeks.
"No. Your lookout girl!" 
She pumped her tiny fist in the air.
"You're right!" 
I slapped my palm against my head. "Lookout girl, of course you are, monkey!
I kissed her forehead and handed her a plate of eggs.
Mona called them the "red eyes". 
One night in September her and I  were huddled up in an abandoned car. 
The infected began to run past the car, but one stopped dead in it's tracks and turned to look in the car. The cars windows were blacked out so I knew he couldn't see my gun centered straight between his vibrant red eyes. 
Had he been able too, we might not be here today. 
The breath from it's lips framed a circle around the window.
If it attacked I would shoot it, I had long forgotten remorse.
Mona began to stir, and before she could scream I placed my hands on her tiny mouth.
The creature began to leave with the rest of his pack.
Mona began to cry, all I could do was hold her.
I couldn't tell her it was just a dream, or not to be scared.
I couldn't guarantee her safety in a home, all I could give her was constant movement.
If they came, I would kill.
My child is not safe in this world, nor are many others.
But I would fight for the possibility of one day finding a safe haven.
"Mona, throw your bag in the back of the car." 
I began to pack up our sleeping bags and kitchen gear. 
I mean it was a little grill, a pan and a pot. That's all we had and it was good for us.
"Mommy!" she screamed.
I began to hurdle towards the car thinking some infected beast may have been in there.
Gun at ready I ripped opened the car door.
"Look! I found that gum-ball from a week ago!"
I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Mona you can not scream like that okay."
She looked down like I had punished her. 
"Sorry momma."
"Monkey, I'm not mad. I thought it was a red eye."
"Momma, if it was a red eyes I would kick him and then punch him and then give 'em one in the wooza!"
She jumped on the chair kicking and punching the air.
"Okay, Jackie chan." 
I shook my head piling the last of the stuff in the car.
"Who's Jackie Chan?" 
She tilted her head to the side with confusion crossing her face.
"I'll show you one day, monkey."
She jumped back down into her seat. She slapped a seatbelt on her favorite plush monkey, and then one on herself.
I turned the ignition and down the mountain we began. 
Mona began to sing her favorite Disney songs, and I had to fill in the blanks of whichever she didn't know.
Her choice today, A Whole New World.
"A whole new worldddd!  A new fantastic point of view!"
She continued bobbing her head and singing.
 "A whole new world, that's where will beeeee!"
I began to join her.
"A thrilling chase, a wondrous place." 
We placed our noses together.
"For you and me." 
"Mommy you sing so pretty." 
"Thank you monkey, you sing pretty too." 
"Mommy I'm basically Mariah Carey."
I laughed, my kid had no shame in speaking her mind. 
We reached the store in three disney tunes and a whistling song.
Mona and I stepped out the car, my weapons in close reach.
"Stay close Mona."
"Always momma."
I could leave her in the car.
Just tell her to hop in the back, but I would never have peace of mind.
So, we walked into the grocery store hand in hand.
I hoisted Mona up to highest point in the store, which was just the top of a shelf.
"Mommy, get a cereal if you can."
I kissed her forehead and handed her a bb gun.
It wouldn't kill the infected but it would wound them.
I walked around the desolate store, food, toys, and supplies strewn across the aluminum floor.
I reached the can goods and threw whatever was on the shelf into my bag.
I continued to stroll across the store where my steps echoed of the walls. 
Let me tell you, this was one of perks of desolate living.
What sounded like a stir came from one of the isles, I ran towards it as the clattering became louder.
I turned the corner pulling my gun out of my back.
It was cocked and ready as I faced the noise.
Big brown eyes stared down into my barrel.
"Oh my god!" 
The child exclaimed, a smile spread across his small face.
"Dad never let's me get this close to the gun!" 
I wiped the cold sweat of my forehead.
"Your dad's a smart guy."
"Well thanks." 
A smooth voice came from behind me.
He leaned up against the aisle shelf, his blue eyes gleamed even under these awful yellow lights.
He wore a basic red shirt that clung to his biceps for dear life and denim jeans.
"Oh, it's you.."
I paused for a lack of better words.
"Nice to see you too Eliza."