ZOMB-POCALYPSE

Chapter Two

"My parents aren't here." The thought occurs to me at the same time I speak it aloud to Abby. They are in New York this weekend and have left me home alone because I am responsible, and nothing bad ever happens in our quiet neighborhood.

Abby doesn't have a chance to say anything because her Mother takes the phone.

"Jane, sweetheart, are you okay?"

I manage to get out a shaky yes in between my chattering teeth.

"That's good." Her voice is very soothing, like the way someone might talk reassuringly to a wild animal. "We are almost packed up, and then we are coming to get you. We should be there in 20 minutes. Stay inside, stay away from the windows, don't open the door until you see us." Her voice is shaking now, and that makes me more scared than anything else. "Pack a bag, only things that you will really need: fresh clothes and food. Keep it light because you'll have to carry it. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mrs. Washington." I squeeze my eyes shut tight and grip the phone like it's a lifeline.

"You're a good girl, Janie. Stay safe, we are on our way."

"You too." I manage to mumble before the line goes dead. I feel myself about to fall apart. I want to so badly, but there isn't time.

My hands are shaking so hard that I almost drop the phone. With fingers that don't want to cooperate, I quickly dial my Mom's cell and hold my breath. It rings and rings. Each ring making me feel worse and worse until the voicemail picks up. I hear my Mom's cheerful voice instructing me to leave a message at the beep.

My voice cracks, and I revert back to a much younger version of myself. "Momma," my voice trembles. "I really hope you're okay. There's bad things outside here...," For a minute I don't know what to say. Saying that zombies are murdering people sounds too crazy. "Abby's parents are coming to pick me up. Please call me back, and let me know you and Dad are okay. I love you guys." I hang up before I can completely break down and freak my Mom out worse. I remind myself that help is on the way and stuff my emotions down. I grab my school backpack and dump everything out in a messy pile on the floor.

My entire body is shaking, but I manage to stuff some spare clothes into the backpack and get myself dressed. I pull a hoodie on over my shirt. It isn't cold out, but not a lot of clothes are going to fit into my bag. I toss in my phone charger and my hairbrush. I walk past the bathroom, and then I go back to throw in some deodorant and my toothbrush, my mom would have insisted. My stomach tightens when I think about my parents. Is this madness happening everywhere or just here in Blairsville? I don't let myself think about it right now, my parents are going to be okay. They have to be.

I stand at the top of the stairs and stare down into the room below. My heart is pounding and my ears are straining to hear anything out of the ordinary. I don't hear any out of place noise, but I'm so scared that I can't stop shaking. I run into my parent's bedroom. I pause as a lump rises up in my throat when I glance at their bed. Where are they right now? Are they alive? Did this mess reach as far as New York? A tear trickles down my cheek, and I angrily wipe it away. I can't let myself think about this right now or I will completely shut down. I run to their walk-in closet. For a minute my hand hovers over the knob in terror.

"Why would a zombie be in the closet?" I verbally slap myself before pulling the door open. Thankfully, the closet is zombie free. I grab a nine iron out of my dad's golf bag.

It doesn't make me feel much better, but at least it's something. I take up my post, staring down the stairs, this time with a golf club gripped in my hands like a baseball bat.

I take the first step and the stairs creak under my feet, and I feel my heart take the deep plunge down into my stomach. My throat burns bitter with acid, but I force myself to keep going. The Washington's are going to be here soon, and I have to be ready. I don't want to be left behind.