The "Phase"

• Brayden Fraser, Grade 10
• Short Story
• 2014

I put my ear-buds in. I listened to the nice rhythm of the music, I walked down the street, cars crashed on the side, lawns were turned to dust, the houses boarded up. Everyone had gone crazy. It was called a “phase”. It came from radios, phones, at once. Whoever was listening to those at the same time the “phase” happened, were turned into crazies. Crazies were indeed crazy; they thrashed around, and killed anything closer in a five mile radius: lethal.
Bow and arrows ready, my bow, nice and cold, a brilliant combination of Oak wood. I went to a car. The houses had trees along the front. The sky was turning red. The road was empty. I put my bow on the car hood. I put my hair down then put it into a pony-tail. The heat was getting to me.
I was wearing a white top, black small leather jacket, a black cap, black jeans, I also had boots on. In case any crazies came, I would be ready. I had a pack on, small. Orange, black, I had to cover the orange with mud in case it got reflective. Inside held stale bread, two cans of tuna, a bottle of water and a hip flask holding alcohol. It was good if I got sick, I had to take a sip to help my stomach cope with the disease the waters held now.
My family, friends, gone, and a new formation was rising in the west. I was headed east. It was safer to be on my own, I could do less damage if I turned. I got my bow back in my hands, I had it loaded. My knife on my belt also making me feel safe. I had found no one since the “phase” happened. I was stuck, I was alone.
I heard a crack, I whispered “crap” softly, but I had myself ready. Standing away from me was a deer. It was small, maybe a great meal. I fired once, penetrating its leg. I was stunned, I always hit the eye. I checked myself, all around was clear and went in to finish the pain.
I stabbed it and let it bleed out. The scent was going to drift towards the crazies; they didn't have much food now: cans and wildlife. My plan was finding someone and maybe raise a civilization together.
‘Disgusting,’ I heard as I pivot with my foot and turned. I saw a girl. She had the same green eyes I did, blonde long curly hair; she was wearing basically the same as me. Finger less gloves covered her palms. ‘Hey, who are you?’ the girl asked.
‘Chelsea, who are you?’ I asked. She could blow my cover, why is she here? Could she be a spy for someone from the west, or maybe she was doing the same as I was. Can I trust her?
I heard a twig snap, she yelled, ‘duck.’ I did in time, she threw a small knife, landing on the monsters eye. I was really surprised by her performance: precisely done. No hesitation. I could use her for my team maybe, I thought. I needed a few allies to get me east. She was perfect.
I turned, I saw them. There was a whole marching band holding a few hundred? I was shocked. They were all disfigured, broken bones, scars, bloody clothes, torn and ragged as they were, I was stunned to see one at the front. She was my little sister.
I gasped, having no idea how I was going to get out alive, I grabbed my arrows and charged forwards.