Apodidraskinda

Full Circle

I followed the crawling heap of decay, whose eyes had long since fallen out and decomposed, as it slowly navigated its way through the hall. It was unsightly. I think I saw a bone or two protrude from the rotting flesh, but honestly, I can't remember. The halls were just the same as before, only, they were slightly cleaner. I couldn't recall what was setting me off so much about this place until I saw it.

I gasped sharply and I immediately felt the effect of my throat closing in on itself. The same putrid smell as last time. Memories, once so foggy, became as clear as day.

I remembered the body of the undead parent; I remembered its desperate attempt to make it through the door. I remembered how its headless and legless body flailed as it used the last of its life force to try to retrieve its child. My body froze. I watched as the new zombie head straight for that door, trampling over the yet-to-decay corpse of the parent. I was surprised by the brutish strength of the zombie, who could slam the door open with ease. I watched as it paced toward the corpse of the baby.

My body began to shake. I watched the creature devour the baby, as it tore through flesh and crushed bone with its disgusting teeth. I carefully stepped over the corpse of the parent, paying close attention not to step on it. I shut the steel door to the room, doing my best to ensure the horror inside didn't get back out.

Then a strange thought occurred to me; what if I were that baby? What if the corpse that was trampled was my mother? Suddenly tears stung my eyes. I hadn't really taken the effect of stress until then, and suddenly the world was collapsing in on me yet again. I slid down the wall and sat next to the corpse, crying. The hall was silent aside from my sobs and the scratches at the metal door from the zombie, showing he had finished his meal and was yet to be satisfied. I scooted away from the steel framing of the door, still sobbing my eyes out until I heard a voice call out.

"Ivory?" The voice echoed weakly in the large empty hall.

Willow? She's already awake? Didn't the doctor give her sleeping medication? I stood up, making my way to the shriveled voice. I turn the corner, being met face-to-face with a zombie.