They Walk

They Walk

A Novel

Copywrite 2012 By Amy Lunderman

Kindle Edition

Forward

It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth -- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up -- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.

- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Prologue

When I was little, I loved running in the rain. There was something almost freeing about it. The exhilaration of your blood pumping, the quick shallow breaths, and the way the wind brushes past your body. My most favorite part is how you push yourself to the point of feeling unstoppable.

Now?

Running is a way of life for me. It has been for a long time.

What’s the saying of only running if being chased?

Well, that says a lot these days.

It all began one night at a party. I know what you’re thinking. Don’t things usually go wrong at parties? Well yes, as a matter of fact they do. However, do your parties end with dead people trying to eat your face off? No. I didn’t think so. Since mine does, maybe I should explain.

My name is Maggie Cooper and I’m not your average seventeen year old.

I just happen to be the only one my age that can expertly wield an ax like my life depends on it. Basically it kind of does, depend on my life expectancy, but that’s just because of all the dead that try to eat my face off.

So here is my story. Remember to keep in mind that it’s not for the faint of heart. Lots of blood is spilt and most of it is mine. Hang on tight. It’s going to be a bumpy ride, especially the end.

You are now forewarned.

Chapter One

“
Come on Maggie, I swear it won’t completely suck.” Claire says.

Without turning to look at her I roll my eyes. How does someone respond to that comment anyway? I mean really. Here we are, two girls on a Friday night hanging out in my bedroom. School just got out yesterday for the summer, and already she’s trying to convince me to go to a party. We so rarely even attend parties, that I already made plans with my boyfriend Matt later. I suppose I should sympathize with her, since she’s single and all.

Though not for the lack of trying, that’s for sure.

For instance, one of mine and Matt’s favorite pass times is mocking all the guys she goes through. I call it payback for torturing us with double dates. It’s kind of turned into an inside joke for Matt and I. We pretty much made a game out of guessing the personality type he will have and how long it’ll take her to grow bored with him. Luckily, there are a plethora of single and sometimes not guys at our school for her to pick from.

Otherwise we’d be taking many road trips by now.

“
Come on, please Maggie.” She whines.

With a sigh, I turn away from my laptop at my desk. Facing Claire, I almost laugh. She’s currently lying on her back on my bed, with her feet resting up on my headboard. She’s flipping through one of her latest trashy gossip magazines. There is some celebrity or another on the cover. It’s enough to make me want to roll my eyes at her. It’s a struggle, what with the look on her face as she stares at me upside down. She’s
really
trying to look sad and convincing. But can a leggy, blue eyed, redhead, who usually get what she wants, pull off begging?

I think not, that’s why I see it as priceless, and maybe a little pathetic.

Oh boy, now she’s pouting her lips. I shake my head at her and try not to smile.

I’m already turning back around when a new voice says. “You should just give in now Mags. She’ll wear you down eventually, she always does.”

I swivel in my computer chair, to see my brother Daniel leaning against the doorway to my room.

I glare at him. “And just how long have you been eves dropping, oh brother of mine?”

He shrugs and walks over to the footboard of my bed and leans against it.

I watch him expectantly, like he’ll say something important or wise. That will never happen I know, but stranger things have happened. A smile blooms across his ever bright features as he watches me. He so knows what I’m thinking about him. It’s the curse of the twin gene. We’re too much alike that it’s scary.

“
Well…” He pauses for dramatic flair, which drives me crazy. “About as long as Claire’s been whining about Austin’s party tonight.”

At this Claire throws her magazine down on my bed and sits up giving me her best winning smile.

“
See!” Claire is practically glowing with excitement. That is so not good, for me anyways. “If Dan’s going, and he’s practically married, then we have to go to. Come on Maggie, please, I need this!”

I have to snicker at this, because it’s mostly true, on both accounts. My brother has been dating the same girl, Maria, for a lot longer than I have been with Matt. Since he and I are the same age, being twins and all, which says a lot in my opinion. Then of course there is my dear sweet Claire. I definitely believe that she needs this. It’s been a while since her last hookup.

She’s probably having withdrawals or something.

Dan watches the two of us with mock excited interest. I doubt he cares about Claire’s attempt to woo me over. He just lives to torture me. He calls it brotherly love, I call it seriously irritating.

“
Do I need to make a bet with Claire again on how long it’ll take you to be convinced?” He starts, drawing two sets of eyes to him. The smile on his face just begs for me to smack it right off. “Not that I mind taking your friends money, because I could use it.”

How he can pull of being arrogant, I’ll never know.

We look almost identical with dark hair and eyes and not on the tall side either. Where he can achieve confidence, I can barely swing being mousy. Much to my dismay of course.

With a heaving sigh, I swivel back to my laptop.

Already touching the keys I say, “Well, even if I were to go, I’d still have to convince Matt.”

Claire makes a high-pitched girly squeal, which dogs in the next county could hear, and falls back down on my bed. I can just feel the heat of one of her radiant smiles trying to mare a hole in the back of my head.

Dan laughs at something I can’t see.

My eyes roll against my protest.

“
You almost had me there for a while Maggie, seriously.” Claire sighs, like it my adversary was extremely hard on her or something. “Matt’s
always
the easiest to convince, you on the other hand make it a chore. I can’t wait to pick out what we’ll wear!”

I cringe away from the excitement in her voice.

Dan laughs again.

He straightens up and makes his way to the door. “Better make it fast Claire, Maria is already on her way. We leave in an hour.”

Is she now? Well then…

Calmly, I reach for the paperback I have resting beside my laptop. I don’t even bother turning around as I chuck it in the general direction of the door. With a smirk of satisfaction I hear it hit his person. That’ll teach him to assume I’d already go. Even if he and Claire were right about Matt, a girl has a right to her prerogative.

He grumbles about annoying little sisters that are so rude sometimes and makes his exit before I find another book that is
not
a paperback to toss his way.

Chapter Two

Ten minutes later finds me staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Claire is currently fussing in the depths of
my
closet searching for
her
perfect party outfit. One would think that since I’m so much shorter than her, nothing of mine would fit. Wrong. Well…it’s
kind
of true I guess, not that she cares. The tighter and shorter the better, she always says.

Which is why I’m wondering what the heck came over me, when I bought this skirt last summer. It’s both tight and short, and not something I usually wear. I’m more of a Capri and cardigan girl. Apparently I was thinking of her when I bought this little black mini. Narrowing my eye’s I turn back and forth, not liking how my legs look so scrawny.

Groaning, I stomp around to face the closet monster.

“
Claire.” I whine. “This isn’t going to work for me.”

Another skirt shoots out of the abyss at me with no reply from the monster within. I don’t bother with trying it on. There is no way my legs are going to be shown off tonight with any type of skirt no matter of the length of color.

Maybe if I was going to be alone with Matt,
then
it would be a distinct possibility.

Since that’s clearly
not
on the agenda for tonight, I make my way to my dresser on the other side of the room. Not being picky, I dig in the drawers for whatever happens to be on top.

“
Seriously Claire, you’ve already got me going tonight. Why do you have to dress me up to? Just pick something for yourself already.” I mumble halfheartedly.

Finding jean and a graphic tee, I turn around to make my way to the bathroom. I come to standstill and drop the clothes in my hands. A girly sounding yip slips past my parted lips, as I just about jump a foot off the ground, all before I can even move one step.

Claire stands before me with her hands on her hips. Obviously she has mastered the art of being a ninja.

“
For the love of mike woman!” I am literally gasping as I say this. Who knew she could be so stealthy. “What the freaking hell? Get a friggen bell will you!”

She has the nerve to glare at me, like I am the one that scared her or something.

“
Mags, come on. You have to look hot tonight. We are actually going out to a party, with people, people who will also probably look hot.” She literally stamps her foot at me. “Plus drinks will most likely be served.”

I shrug as I grab for the clothes at my feet.

“
Well…if there is alcohol…then why do I even have to look hot? No one will even remember who I am after an hour or so.” I say as I try to make a bee line around her.

Unfortunately she’s not convinced. Like the before mentioned ninja, she blocks my path. Her eyes go all beady as she narrows them at me. Dude, she is
so
going to make one terrifying mom one day.

I shudder at the thought.

“
That’s reason enough isn’t it?” She sparkles, the beadiness fading back into her scary innards. “You’ll have to try even harder to impress the inebriated. Besides, I know Matt will love it. For me, please?”

Dammit.

She is always doing this to me, playing the whole Matt card thing.

It totally sucks for me that it works every time. She is right too. I know he would love it if I tried to look a little sexy, even if he’ll only end up probably picking on me for it. I
always
look like I’m playing dress up in fancy none comfy clothes.