Z Day is Here

by Rob Fox

  I have some hard decisions to make now. If I stay here, Spook will eventually get out of the closet and the zombies will eventually get in here. If I leave, I may never see the others again. I just want to be home. I want to be sitting on my couch at my house, flipping through my TV’s channels, complaining about nothing being on.

  The world has changed. Nothing will ever be the same again. I am stuck in a small town somewhere far away from where I need to be, surrounded by the living dead. I can't help but laugh.

  And cry.

  Day 44

  Not too sure where to go or what to do. All I have heard all night is Spook banging and crashing around in the back room. He moans just like the rest of them. I don't know what to do with him. I guess I could just leave him in there until he starves to death, if that would ever happen. What if Paula does come back? What then? I just don't know if I can take that chance. I have decided to leave tomorrow, with or without anyone. I am going to write on the walls, just in case they do come back, so they will know where I went and to not open the storage room door.

  I have been watching the zombies as they walk down the road searching for food. I am sure they are getting faster. Maybe they are just getting hungrier. The human population has to be dwindling down by now. I wonder how many of us are left. I am sure there has to be quite a few others. Maybe they got to some safety before all hell broke loose. There is an Air Force base just down the road from my house. I wonder how many people made it into the nuclear fall-out shelter. God, if even one of them were infected, the whole shelter would be dead by now. At any rate, I am going to have to be more careful when I pack up and leave. I believe the best route will be finding a truck or some other vehicle. I can outrun them, but since they don't breathe, they won’t get tired. I wonder how fast they will get. Right now, they are moving at about a normal walking speed. I have no idea what I will do if they begin to run.

  I am going to attempt to catch a very quick nap. I am going to lock myself in a closet down the hall for a little bit. If I am going to do this alone again, I need my rest. Good night.

  Day 45

  A Reunion.

  Well, sometimes, good things can happen at the worst of times. Early this morning, I was sleeping (longer than I had anticipated) in the closet, when I was awoken by a noise. I heard things crashing around in the room just beyond the door. I jumped up, grabbed a metal curtain rod I’d found in the closet, and slowly opened the door. I had decided to just come out swinging, but when I opened the door, I saw Tonya standing directly in front of me, her hand reaching out to the doorknob. We both jumped back just a little. When we finally realized who the other was, we hugged. I glanced around to see who all had made it. I saw Cole and Ken but no Paula. I guess I was thinking she had seen Spook and freaked out or something, but I could not see her. Tonya must have read my face, because she began to cry. It took a minute to figure out what had upset her so badly. Paula wasn't there, because Paula had not survived the attack that sent them running.

  Apparently, while Spook and I were gone, the others were hanging around, watching for any sign of our return. Paula was standing upstairs looking out the window when she came running down the stairs, happy we had returned. She flung the door open to meet us with open arms. What she found on the other side, though, was two zombies looking for their evening meal. Tonya said it was very sudden. Paula flung the door open and, within seconds, the two zombies were on her. The first bit into her throat, ripping veins and arteries out with every bite. The second went for her arm. Cole said Paula hit the ground, probably died immediately. He said when the zombies realized there were others in the room, they moved quickly towards them. Tonya said they hit one of the zombies in the head with a chair, and they hit the other one with anything they could find. Tonya said Cole helped Ken out the door while Tonya quickly wrote a note on the wall to let me know what had happened. She said they all made it out just as the zombies were getting back up. She told me how they ran about two blocks until they could not run any longer. Cole said they found a firehouse and ducked inside there, where they have been since. Inside the firehouse, they found a little medicine that they used on Ken’s wounds.

  Ken looked a little better than he had the last time I had seen him. He was able to stand up on his own and could even walk around a little. His wound, however, looked really bad. The area directly around it had turned a dark red color, and a visible red line ran down his leg from the wound. I could tell he was in some pretty bad pain, because he didn't talk much, and when he did, it took quick shallow breaths. I gave him some pain pills Spook and I had found at the hospital, and he was all too eager to take them. I know he is dying—he knows he is dying—but we all try to hold on as long as we can.

  I told the others about our trip and about what had happened to Spook. Though they didn't agree with me keeping him in the storage room, they said they understood. One thing we all agreed on, though, was we had to get out of there and get on the road. Sitting around in one place for too long would lead to all of our deaths. We decided that tonight we would head back to the fire station and take one of the smaller fire trucks that was still in the house. From there, we would make our way back to the city. No one wanted to plan any further than that, because no one knew if we would even make it that far. We decided that, like an alcoholic, we would take it day by day.

  Although it has been a somewhat happy day, all the bad things going on around us has overshadowed our happiness. Spook is locked in the storage room directly behind us, Paula is dead and her body missing, and Ken is going to die, no matter what we do. We have a long struggle ahead of us. Death is surrounding us, begging for us to join it. Death is taking everyone away. The future is not looking too bright right now. But for now, at least we have each other, if only for a little while longer.

  Day 46

  We made it to the firehouse without any issues. We went really slowly the whole way there, mainly for Ken, who could barely walk. When we got to the firehouse, everything was prepared and ready to go. The others had packed everything we might need for a long trip while they were hiding out there. We wasted no time getting on the road; a lot of bad things had happened in this town, and we were all very ready to leave it long behind us. No one had any idea where we were or how to get to the city, so we pulled out of the firehouse and turned the way we thought it should be. I suggested we find a gas station and grab a map as soon as possible. While driving down the road through the little town, we saw zombies everywhere. They were wandering down the street in no particular direction. They would hear us coming and start walking towards our truck. We began looking like the Pied Piper. Now if only we could find a cliff.

  We’d made one last turn to head out of town when we saw Paula—or I guess I should saw zombie Paula. She turned just as the others had, staring at us with no comprehension of who we were. Her eyes had turned that all-too-familiar dead white. Her neck had been ripped open to the point of near decapitation, and her arm from the elbow down to the wrist was nothing but bone. She turned and began coming towards the truck. She did not care who we were; she just wanted us for food.

  I slowed the truck down, waiting for her to get a little closer to us. Maybe it wasn't a smart thing to do, because it only allowed the zombies to get closer to us. Tonya was screaming at me to drive. Cole was yelling something about how close they were getting to us, while Ken just stared out the window, the spark of life quickly draining from his eyes. I didn't care what they were saying. I could not allow Paula to go on like this. I felt a thud as a few zombies banged on the back of the truck, desperately looking for a way in. I waited just a few more seconds. I could see the zombies converging on the back of the truck. In front was a group of about twenty or more, heading our way. Tonya, now hysterically screaming, tried to get into the driver’s seat to take over. I just shoved her away from me. I was in control of things. I knew what I was doing.

  Paula had made her way to the driver’s side of the truck now. She was about twenty fee
t away when I quickly rolled down the window about half way. I grabbed one of the guns I had laying in the seat next to me and pointed it directly at her head. "Goodbye, Paula!" I yelled out to her as I pulled the trigger. Nothing happened. I pulled it again. Still nothing happened. Oh, shit! I think I said that out loud, because now Tonya and Cole were screaming about them being all over the truck; even Ken was looking scared. Without thinking, I slammed on the gas, running over four or five of the undead and scattering a dozen more out of the way. I looked in the rearview mirror as I drove away, watching Paula get smaller and smaller.

  I am not sure where we are headed, but at least we aren't stuck here anymore. Goodbye, Paula and Spook. It was a pleasure knowing you.

  Day 47

  Just when things look like they are getting good, life has a way of coming and beating you down just a little to let you know who is really in charge.

  Shortly after we left town, we found an old abandoned gas station. Cole ran inside to get a map while Tonya and I doctored up Ken as best we could. After waiting for what seemed like an hour, I heard Cole running back to us. He had a map in one hand and a machete in the other. He had found it behind the counter in the store. He ran over to show it to us, but when he got right up on us, he slipped and fell forward. The map slid across the ground away from us, but the machete came straight towards Tonya's face. Instinctively, I flung my hand out to try to stop the blade from slicing her face in two. Unfortunately, the blade sunk deep into the palm of my hand. Blood immediately burst all over us. I grabbed a medical dressing from the back of the fire truck and some antibacterial spray. It was deep, very deep; I could see bone and meat. Once I stopped the bleeding, Tonya stitched me up. My hand has been hurting all day, but luckily I think it should heal without any problems. I am sure I need a Tetanus shot, but none are available, so I will have to hope for the best.

  We have decided to camp here for the night. I found some pain pills that I plan on loading up on this evening. I am not going to be able to write much more today because of the pain. Hopefully I can get a good night’s sleep and be prepared for what life throws at us tomorrow.

  Day 48

  The hand is feeling a little better today. You never realize how important it is until it is out of commission. I will never take my hand for granted again!

  Tonya is driving us now. Cole is in the back as a watch, both for zombies and watching over Ken, who is not doing very well at all. The wound on his leg is turning black and has a very bad odor. He has been sick for a few hours now and has been complaining that his leg is beginning to itch. We are trying to keep him drugged up as much as we can; it is all we can do for him right now.

  Moving has been slow. Based on the map, we should be in the city within the next few days. Once in the city, as long as things go right for us, we should be at my house within a week! That makes me very happy. It seems the closer we get, the more cars are blocking the road. I guess when the first wave of undead began, people panicked and tried to get away, anywhere they could. For some, it was to get out of the city; for others, it was going into the city. Earlier, we passed by a brand new Lamborghini Murcielago. Cole was half joking around about getting in the car and following us. We all had a good laugh, but I know every one of us would gladly do the same. I bet some really rich guy had the car on order for months. The dealership probably called to tell him it arrived. I bet that rich bastard called all his equally rich friends to brag about his latest purchase; he was probably even throwing himself a party for buying the car. I bet he picked up the car while the first major attack began. I am sure he thought he could outrun any zombie in that rocket. I guess he never thought about traffic. I can see him now, sitting all smug in his car, honking for the other less fortunate scum of the Earth people to the hell out of his way. He lays on the horn, rolls down his window to scream at the others to move, when he is pulled out of the car by his head. All his money couldn't keep him safe or alive. But damn, I bet driving that thing would be worth dying for.

  We have stopped at a hotel in a small town that appears to be abandoned. The beds are really big but hard as a rock. We have decided to all stay in the same room for safety. We also got a room on the second floor and barricaded the stairs for extra protection.

  I need to get a little more sleep.

  Tomorrow, I get closer to being home!

  Day 49

  Where do I begin today? I guess, as they say, at the beginning.

  We all woke up at the same time. It was as if we all knew something bad was going to happen. Almost instantly, we all realized that Ken was gone. Not dead, but gone. His stuff was still right where he left it, but he was nowhere to be found. Where the hell could he have gone? When we got to the hotel, he was barely able to walk up the stairs by himself.

  We didn't know what to do. Ken was our friend, but we knew he would be dead within a few days anyway. Maybe he wanted to leave us, like a dog that wanders away from his owner’s house right before he dies.

  Tonya made the decision for us. Before we could say anything, she stormed out the door, running as fast as she could towards the stairway. By the time Cole and I got to the stairs, Tonya had already made her way over the barricade. She was calling out for Ken the whole time she was running. Cole reached her before I did (I'm old; cut me some slack). He grabbed her by the arm, causing her to fall backwards. When I caught up with them, she had calmed down just a little. She was still frantic to find him, but she was a little more relaxed and ready to form a plan as opposed to running into the battlefield yelling for the enemy to come get her.

  Before we could even start to form a plan, we see Ken driving the same Lamborghini we had passed yesterday! He pulled up right next to us, the smile on his face shining brighter than the shadow of death hanging over him. Tonya didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or drag Ken out of the car and beat his ass. None of us did. Ken coughed a little in between laughing. He had tears in his eyes as he told us how and why he got the car.

  Ken woke up early in the morning long before the rest of us. He knew he was never going to get a chance to drive his dream car unless he took control and went for it. He made his way over the barricades and down to the parking lot. Once he got that far, he began going car to car until he found some keys still in the ignition. He hopped in the car and headed towards his dream. Once he got there, he rammed the other cars out of the way. He didn't care how much noise he made; he just wanted that car. Once there was a big enough path, he walked up to the side of the car. He put his hands on the door, rubbing the paint and daydreaming about a nice long country road trip in the twisty mountain roads. He slowly opened the car door and slid behind the wheel. The car instantly roared to life. Ken drove for miles and miles listening to a Code Atom CD the previous owner had left in the radio. He was living his dream. He decided to drive the car back to us so we could all have a chance to enjoy it. He wanted us to feel the happiness he felt.

  After a brief scolding from me, I helped Ken out of the car and slid into it myself. I drove the car for about ten minutes and then brought it back for Tonya to drive. She jumped behind the wheel, burning the rubber off both back tires as she slid sideways out of the parking lot. I could just barely hear her squealing with delight as she turned the corner. After about twenty minutes, she returned with the same grin I had just seen on Ken’s face half an hour ago. Cole talked us into letting him take it for a spin. No one was happy about it, but we all decided he should be allowed to enjoy the better things in life as well. Ken said he wanted to ride with him just in case. The two of them got in the car and, after a brief lesson, Cole mirrored Tonya's exit out of the parking lot.

  After about twenty minutes, we heard the unmistakable sound of metal on metal, or in this case, carbon fiber on metal. Tonya and I ran as fast as we could towards the sound. As we turned the corner, we could see the front of the car firmly planted in the side of an old Toyota. We were still pretty far away from the wreck but not too far away to see someone walk from a nearby building.
The person walked directly to the passenger side. As we got closer, to our horror, we could see it was a zombie. He had already begun chewing on Ken’s shoulder before we could get to them. Cole sat in the driver’s seat, unable to get out of the car thanks to a jammed door. I could hear him screaming and banging on the door, desperately trying to get away. As we approached the car, the zombie looked up and directly at us, Ken’s fresh blood flowing from his mouth. He ignored us and continued to rip flesh and meat off of Ken's bones. The sound of Ken screeching in pain only lasted for a couple seconds as his spirit released him from the horror.

  Tonya grabbed a metal construction zone sign that was lying on the ground. She walked directly up to the back of the feasting zombie and slammed the sign down directly on his back. The zombie barely flinched as he turned to grab her. Before he could even raise his hand toward her, she used the sign as an ax, swinging it by the corner; she nearly decapitated the undead monster. His lifeless body hit the ground, spewing blood like a fountain. Tony reached in to help Cole out of the driver’s seat. Just as Cole's foot crossed over Ken’s lap, a newly animated hand reached up, grabbing his shoe, causing him to fall face first to the ground. Tonya desperately pulled on Cole's arms, trying to pry him away from this new monster. Cole was kicking Ken in the face, also trying anything he could to get away. I ran to the driver’s side of the car, pulled out a pistol from my belt, and pointed the gun at Ken’s head. Without saying any witty remark, or a cool catch phrase like what you see in the movies, I pulled the trigger. Ken’s grip instantly released Cole's foot, as chunks of his scalp sprayed the interior of the car.