A Zombie Story

Tension

The days passed slowly for Evan and his family. After three days, the electricity went out. With no back up generator, the family lived in darkness. The only light was provided by random rays of sun through cracks in the boards over the windows and various candles and flashlights scavenged around the house.

After a week, the phone lines were dead and cell phone signals were gone. THey tried not to panic. Deborah and George, Evan's mom and dad, sorted through all the food in the fridge, cabinets, and pantries. Making sure to go through the perishable foods first to make their supply last as long as possible. Even with their careful consumption, food was dwindling fast.

Even sat at the lookout point at the front of the house. Their house sat at an ideal point on the inner corner in the middleof their street. This gave the family the advantage of being able to see up both sides f the street. Even so, they still suffered from Zoms passing by, banging on the windows and door. Evan knew that he would need to go scavenge for food and supplies soon. The heat no longer worked bt thank goodness the water did. George had insisted on boiling all the water before it was consumed or used, to avoid contamination.

"Any zoms out today?"

Evan turned to his younger brother Richard, only three years apart in age but before the outbreak it had seemed like decades. Now, he couldn't imagine any stronger ally or friend....friend. He thought about Jeremy everyday. Although they had been bestfriends, they had never taken the time to really get to know each other. Evan knew Jeremy's parents had probably already figured him for dead but he wanted to find them and tell them what happened first hand.

"A few stragglers but it seems like they've mostly moved on to more populated areas." Evan turned back to the lookout which was really just the largest crack they had to look through at the front window of their house. Stil it was better then not seeing anything at all. They had to completely board up the upstairs windows to protect against the oncoming cold. With no heat they had to keep as much warmth in their home as possible. Evan felt richard still standing behind him.

"You know I'm going to have to go scavenge soon."

"What do you mean?"

Evan stood up from the post and stretched. He turned to his brother with a look of determination.

"We need food, we need more wood to fortify this place, we need first aid supplies, more clothes, batteries, blankets, everything....we need more everything."

"Well let's go."

"No, you see the condition Dad is in. If anything happens to me...if I don't come back...then you have to protect them."

"Shut up man, Dad is fine. And you said it yourself, the zoms are moved on. What are you so worried about? You can use the help carrying supplies, plus I can handle my own."

Again, the night of Jeremy's death flashed before Evan's eyes. Richard could handle his own. He had proved it that night. But that didn't mean Evan had to allow his brother to risk his life just for some canned soup.

"Watch the street." Evan left the lookout and went into the kitchen. He went to the table and looked over the remaining food. Even with how sparingly the family was eating, there was still only enough food to last a few more days and then what would they do?

He stared hard at the food before slamming his fists down on the table. Fear and anger consumed him. Anger at how the world had turned. Fear at the thought of his family suffering or dying or getting hurt at all.

"Evan? Are you okay sweety?"

"I'm fine Mom," he said quickly trying to regain composure, "How's Dad?"

Turning to face her, he saw how her lips tightened into a thin line the way they do when she's worried.

"Oh, he's just fine honey. Just a little worn out from everything that's happened. We're all a little worn out."

"Where is he?"

"In the family room, playing chess with Edward."

Evan walked past her, down the hall, into the cozy family room where he found Edward and his Dad playing chess by candlelight. The determination slipped out of his step. He stopped in the doorway, watching his Dad and youngest brother sitting close together, almost touching heads. They were concentrating so closely on the game like it was all that mattered. He admired how they could drown out the world, how they could act like there was even a world to drown out.

"Hey Dad, I'm heading out tonight."

George stared at the chess board. Edward glanced nervously back and forth between his oldest brother and his dad. The tension built in the room. Evan stared hard at his dad until finally George picked up the knight and knocked over one of Edward's rookies.

"Checkmate." He looked up at Evan slowly. "You are not leaving this house."

"Ummm, I'm gonna help mom in the kitchen." Edward jumped up from the floor and pressed himself flatly against the wall as he passed Evan on the way to the kitchen.

"We need food." Evan huffed.

"We have food."

"WE'RE ALMOST OUT!" His fists tightened at his sides. It was maddening how ignorant his dad could be. As he thought this his father stood, stretched and walked past Evan.

"If you're planning on leaving you'll need to say your goodbyes to the family."

His teeth clenched, his hands balled into tight fists, Evan stood there breathing hard. He tried to calm his pacing heart before he lost control and stormed out of the door. He would need to prepare. He would need to be ready for anything.