ZME1

Tumultuous silence

The world was in chaos. There was a faint booming sound in the distance, like a drum being beaten. As we got closer to the van, the noise became increasingly louder, louder, and louder, until all that could be heard was the deafening noise. People from nearby houses ran out in their night gowns onto the street and huddled together to watch a raging fire destroy the home of a nearby family. Without the knowledge that the world was about to end, right at that moment, one by one they were bitten and turned into one of them.

As I take a step closer to the van, the man turns around and extends his hand, drawing me in as I grip his arm. His forearm muscles are very firm and defined. I shake my head a little to get the thought out of my head. For God's sake, Kevin, you're on the verge of death! I quickly let go, not looking at him, and sat down on the opposite side of the car.

Once everyone is in, the guy speaks up.

"I'm taking you guys to my house. It's safe there"

"No way man! Our friends are waiting for us." Nash panicked

"Yeah, well they're probably dead." confidently said the mystery guy

"Who the hell are you?" Pouted Mike as he turn his head to the girl staring directly right into his eyes, sparkling. He back away, startled and creeped out.

"Right. I'm Nico. And that beautiful girl behind you is Ana. Next to her is our 7-year-old brother, Dash."

The red-haired girl waved and gave me a slight smile through the rearview mirror. "Alright," she sighed, "enough with the introduction." She sat up straight as if she was electrocuted and put on a tough face with one of her eyebrows raised, "where do y'all live? Are you sure if we go there it's safe?"

"It should be. It's a private area, but we can't be too sure that those..." Nash paused

"Zombies?" high pitched Dash asked

Clearing his throat, Nash continued, "those zombies... didn't try to get in."

"When we left, the area was clear. Not sure if still is, but our friends are there," I paused and immediately turned around facing Mike and Nash. Our eyes widened as if we understood and read each other's minds. "Partying..." we synchronically responded.

"WHAT?!" Nico exclaimed as I try to avoid eye contact with him.

"Hold up," Ana giggled with a smirk on her face, "you live in the section close to where the president lives?"

"Yeah bro," Nash replied as he catches a glimpse of Ana smiling at him. "What?" he asks in a quiet tone.

"Alright. We are going there then. Just make sure we can get in." Nico smirked.

I sat daringly in the front seat of the car as we sped up to the road leading to the massive gate, sandwiched between two massive walls. When I pressed the remote button, the metal gate swang open with a gentle clink. We drove through the gate, and I quickly pressed the close button. Mike shifted in his seat, glancing back and forth to ensure there were no zombies trying to get in before the gate closed.

"Are we here?" Ana asked

"Yeah bro." Nash nodding his head with a smirk on his face.

"Sweet!" excited Ana exclaimed.

Shivers ran down my spine as we exited the van. Even though there was a sense of relief, the feeling of distress prevailed. As we approached the mansion, I took the lead. The sky was beginning to lighten, and from what I know, we were supposed to party until early in the morning.  The mansion, on the other hand, was deafeningly quiet and eerie.

We knocked on the door for the billionth time and received no response. We stood under a light with a red bloody sky tint, waiting for an answer on the other side of the door.