Zombie Hunter

Chapter 1

"Kenzie, Kel, get down here," their Dad yelled from the kitchen. Kenzie groaned because she did not want to get out of bed. It was too early, and it was summer, and she had just finished her last 48-hour shift at the hospital, for Christ's sake. But she rolled out of bed and made sure that Kel was awake. 

She walked into her little brother's room; he was just five years old and the love of her life. He was born when she was 20. Their parents got a divorce because her mom cheated on their Dad, and he went a little crazy and started sleeping around with women too young for him. Macklemore Daniel Bryne was born via C-section at 9 in the morning. He was 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and 19 inches long. Kenzie was immediately in love. His mom surrendered her rights before she even left the hospital. He came exactly a month before she turned 21; she's all he's ever had as a mother figure.

 It's why she chose to go to a local college. Her Dad has gotten up there in years, and honestly, he tries, but he's not the greatest. Kenzie bent down next to his sleeping face. "Kel, wakey, wakey. Dad needs us."

He shook his head no and it was so cute, she loved his bedhead and his smile with its missing teeth. "If you don't get up, I'll tickle you." He shot up; he hated being tickled; it's his one weakness. She picked him up, put him on her hip, and carried him to the kitchen. She didn't even acknowledge their Dad; she just set about making Kel breakfast. Don't get it wrong, she loves her Dad. He did a great job being involved in her life, but when it came to Kel, she just couldn't agree with his choices.

When she got Kel's breakfast ready and sat before him, she finally acknowledged the older man. "So you wanted to see us?"

"We are going on a trip; I need you to pack your and Kel's bags. We leave tomorrow early."

"What, where are we going?"

"Seoul, South Korea."

"Why in the ever-loving hell would we go there?"

Their Dad scratched his neck and actually had the decency to look ashamed: "I've met someone, and I want to go see her in person. She said I should bring you guys. She has a son that's a few years older than you."

"When did you meet someone? You never even leave the house unless it's for work."

He mumbled, "Online, I made an online dating profile."

"So let me get this straight: we are flying to South Korea to meet a woman you've never met before?"

"Don't be so cynical; she's a very nice woman. Now go pack."

She kissed Kel on the top of his head and went to pack her bags, as much as she was annoyed with him at least she gets to see a new country. Because she lives on the outskirts of London and she's been in the country her whole life. They are so close to so many unique countries that her father hasn't taken them to see any of them. She had opportunities to go with friends but didn't want to go without Kel. It didn't seem fair that she could see incredible things, and he was stuck at home with an emotionally distant father. She could have brought him along, but most of her friends aren't in the I like children phase of their lives. 

Kenzie packed their bags quickly and spent the rest of the day with Kel. She asked if he wanted to go to the Natural History Museum, and of course, he did. That kid was more intelligent than most adults. She was pretty sure he was genius-level smart, but he hardly talked, so most people thought he was dumb. Even if he wasn't a genius, not talking doesn't make you dumb; he just communicates in a different way.

He ran from exhibit to exhibit, and he didn't stop smiling the entire day. When it was time to eat, she asked if he wanted a hamburger or a hot dog. He held up one finger, which meant hamburger, but then he waved it back and forth, which meant that he wanted to change it up.