The Rolling Stones: ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Part Six - Here Comes The Night

Things were calm now. Everyone was back together and glad, even though it had only been a few hours. Of course they were more worried about each other because of the zombies, but that was something they would have to get used to. And as the evening wore on, everyone savored each other's company.
***
Dinner had long since finished, and the boys were now doing their own things, separated. The clock read 9:30. Ronnie noticed and yawned. "You tired, babe?" Keith asked as he kissed Ronnie's neck. His arms began to wrap around Ronnie, kissing him harder. Ronnie smiled it off. "Yeah, can we go to bed?" "Sure." Keith said after a moment.  He reluctantly let go of Ronnie, turning out the lights. Flick
"Goodnight darling." Keith said, kissing Ronnie once more. "Goodnight." The cold misty wind blew hard outside. Nature was restless, and so were the zombies. Desperate for human flesh. Out in the cold zombies staggered in the darkness, stalking the manor. Looking for a way to get in, a way to eat. As the zombies moaned the wind blew harder, as if encouraging their noises.
"Goodness, that's some loud wind." Mick T commented on the constant whistle of wind cutting through the manor. "Yeah, I'm getting cold." Mick said. "Can you warm me up please?" Mick asked, putting on his puppy eyes and looking up at Mick T. "Come on, you have the blankets." Mick T replied. "They don't work. Pleaseeee?" Mick pleaded, his puppy eyes somehow getting wider. Mick T hesitated for a moment, then gave in. "Alright fine." Mick T wrapped his arms around Mick, cradling him under the blankets. They fell asleep intertwined and warm.
Sometime later something thumped against the balcony window, causing Bill to wake up alert. He glanced over at the window, fully expecting a zombie to be standing there, looking at him. But no, it was a tree branch, tapping the glass. Bill sighed in relief and lay back down, soon drifting off again.

3:38 am
Zombies crawled around outside, drenched in the mist, their hunger increasing as the night wore on. A loud crack echoed through the forest as a tree blew over in the wind. The stars cowered behind the clouds, afraid to shine on the menacingly dark landscape. The moon cast a faint glow on the rolling hills through the clouds, lighting up the landscape just slightly to give it a blueish gray tint.
Ronnie couldn't sleep. His thoughts filled him with adrenaline that he was unable to brush off. He tossed and turned, at war with his thoughts. Keith took notice. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked drowsily. "I can't sleep, that's all." "You thinking?" "Yeah." Keith turned Ronnie towards him. Looking at him he said, "Are you worried about zombies?" Ronnie waited a moment. "Yes. It's just, they're really close. I've been hearing them moan all night. I fell asleep earlier, but as the wind picked up, the zombies started getting louder, and I got scared." "Oh, don't worry honey. They can't get in now that the vines are cut." Keith said as he held Ronnie in his arms. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Ronnie said. Keith held Ronnie some more, running his fingers through his spiky dark hair. He continued this until Ronnie fell asleep. He did shortly thereafter.
——
2 days until departure.

The sun slid through a crack in the curtains, lighting up the Micks's room. They didn't notice, still lost in their dreams.
The zombies outside had long since stopped moaning and crept into the shadows, and the morning sun evaporated the dew that lay on the ground.
Ronnie opened his eyes, slowly adjusting to the light. 8:30, the clock read. He tried to move, but found Keith's arms wrapped around him, enclosing him under the covers. Keith stirred when he felt Ronnie squirm in his grasp. "Good Morning." Keith whispered in Ronnie's ear. "Morning." Ronnie replied. Keith continued to hold Ronnie, kissing him lightly. "Sorry honey, but I have to get up." Ronnie said. "Aww man." Keith said sadly. After a moment, Keith let go.
Meanwhile, Bill and Charlie were already up, and had been for a while. Breakfast was already sitting on the table (courtesy of Bill) in a self-serve fashion. Charlie and Bill were planning the trip in the study, with jazz playing in the background.
Keith and Ronnie came downstairs to see the already set breakfast table. "Bill? Charlie?" Ronnie called, waiting for a response. "We're in the study!" Bill replied. "Breakfast is ready, by the way. Self serve." Bill added. "Okay, thanks!" Ronnie said as Keith stocked his plate with sausages and scones. After the two filled their plates, they went to sit in the living room, turning on the tv. The morning sun rose higher, bringing a cheery yellow light into the house. "Hey Ronnie?" Bill said. "Yeah?" Ronnie replied. "Could you wake the Micks for me? Charlie wants to have a meeting with everyone soon." "Sure!" Ronnie said cheerfully as he made his way upstairs.
Ronnie gently tapped on the door before entering the Micks's room. He came in to see Mick T holding Mick, kissing him intensely. Ronnie cleared his throat. "Hey- sorry to interrupt anything," he said, looking at them, "but Charlie wants you two downstairs. He wants to have a meeting of sorts, with everyone." "Okay, we'll be down in a minute. Thanks." Mick T replied politely as he continued to kiss Mick, running his hands up Mick's body. Ronnie rolled his eyes at their romance as he left the room.
Bill spotted Ronnie coming downstairs. "What'd they say?" "They're coming soon." Ronnie answered, returning to the living room. The Micks came downstairs, holding hands. "Good morning." Ronnie said to the Micks. "Morning!" Mick said cheerfully. "Hello. Why don't you two grab some breakfast and come in the living room? We have some things to go over with you." Bill said. They nodded and got their breakfast, heading into the living room where the other Stones were gathered. "How'd everyone sleep?" Charlie asked the band. "Very well." Mick said as he and Mick T exchanged cheeky smiles. "Oh, you two." Ronnie said, chuckling. Bill and Charlie rolled their eyes in unison. "I didn't sleep so great because of the zombies outside, but I was alright." Ronnie said. "Yikes, that sucks." Bill said sympathetically. "I didn't even hear them!" Charlie remarked. "We'll anyways, what are we here for?" Keith asked. "I have some more information about the trip." Charlie answered. Everyone turned to him. He explained a few things he had gotten sorted out, e.g. the car their taking, what they can pack, what days will be all day drives and what days will be sightseeing. "Oh and-" "What is the bathroom situation in the car for all day drives?" Keith interrupted. "That's what I was about to go over. For all day drives, you're gonna have to pee into bottles. We won't be able to afford to stop on those days. And we'll have an array of snacky things you we can put together for lunch, in the car." Keith nodded in understanding, followed by the rest of the Stones.
"Alright, this meeting is over! But I'll need you guys to start packing. Might as well get they majority of the work done today." Charlie announced. Everyone began to clear out of the living room. "How much are we allowed to pack?" Mick asked. Everyone turned around, ready to hear Charlie's answer. "Per couple, two suitcases. Clothes and items have to fit in that. Sorry, but you'll have to leave a lot behind because we're filling up a lot of the car with gas and food supplies." "Could we squeeze two record players in there?" Keith asked, though it was more begging. "Probably." Charlie replied, putting Keith at ease.
The Stones cleared from the living room to pack. From every room, different music emerged. The sun burned all the clouds away, and the zombies found their shady recesses becoming lighter and less safe.

"Honey!" Mick T called, almost singing to Mick. "Yes darling?" Mick singed back. "Do you know where my straw hat, the one with the purple ribbon, is?" "I think it's under my bathrobe." Mick answered. "Thanks!" "Of course!" Mick T walked over and grabbed his hat, putting it on. He went to the mirror and adjusted it."You look lovely, darling." Mick said he came into the room, putting his hands on Mick T's shoulders, giving them an affectionate rub. "Thank you," Mick T said, blushing. "Hi! Have you seen my blue and white striped shirt?" Bill asked, walking into the Micks's room. "Hmm, I don't think so." Mick replied. "Okay, I'm gonna ask Ronnie and Keith then." "Okay! Bye."
noon
The Stones gathered around the dining room table, talking about what they packed as they ate their lunch. The midday sun was bright, and all traces of dew had long since vanished. "So, we've pretty much filled up our suitcases. How about you guys?" Mick said, waiting for a response. "We're about halfway done." Ronnie replied as Keith scarfed his food, unable to answer. "Great! I'd say we're about 60% done." Charlie added onto Mick's question.
Everyone ate their lunch fast, eager to finish packing. Charlie and Bill cleared the table as the others went upstairs to finish packing.
"Okay Keith, I think we can fit three more records in here. Choose wisely." Ronnie said to Keith. "Ahh, no. This is gonna be tough." Keith replied, flustered.
Eventually, he settled on three Chuck Berry records. "Okay, are you finished?" Keith asked, referring to Ronnie's neatly packed suitcase. "I think so!" Ronnie replied, satisfied. "Alright then, I'm going on the balcony. I've been dying for a smoke!" "Okay, I'll come too." Ronnie said, following Keith outside.

By dinner, everyone had finished packing their personal items. All that remained were the boxes they had gotten from the general store. Nothing was in the car, however. "Okay, slight change in plans," Charlie said, "But I think we're going to be leaving tomorrow since everyone is pretty much ready." "Okay, but what time will we leave?" Mick asked. "I believe at 7 tomorrow morning, which means everyone will have to get up at 5, though me and Bill are getting up at 4." Bill looked at Charlie confused as a chorus of groans from the Stones came. "Okay." Mick said annoyed. "It might be a long drive too." Charlie said. Everyone was visibly annoyed, so Charlie changed the subject. "This food is great!" Everyone nodded in agreement. After eating, everyone went into the living room to chill for a bit. The night came, and everyone went to bed, eager for the next day.