Zompocalypse

Introduction

The relentless moans of the undead jolted me awake, my hand instinctively gripping my makeshift weapon. I looked around, trying to get my bearings, and took a sharp inhale of the cold morning air, my nose filling with the smell of mildew and death.

The moonlight barely penetrated the tattered curtains, casting eerie shadows in the small, bare room. The paint was yellowing, and there was no furniture, just our supplies neatly piled in the corner, looking out of place. My eyes traced the room until they fell on Ivy. She looked so peaceful and innocent as she slept, soft snores escaping her lips. I forget she's 15 now. The hardness of the apocalypse hasn't changed her over the past six years. I silently studied her face, reminding myself that I have to protect her for them. Jason, Bree, and Lola all sacrificed themselves for her. I can't let their deaths be in vain.

"Marcus," Ivy called my name in the darkness. "I can't sleep."

"Zombies?" I replied, slightly startled back to reality.

"Yeah."

I took the old pocket watch out of my jacket. 5:00 AM. "We have an hour or so before sunrise. Want to eat and clean up a bit?"

She rose from the floor and went to the backpacks in the corner. I sat up as she rummaged for something to eat. The moonlight was the only illumination, casting eerie shadows. She came back with a can of peaches and a half-bottle of water.

"This is the last of our water," she said, handing me a spoon and the can opener.

"Great," I retorted. "Just what we needed."

I could feel her cold stare as I opened the can. "What?" I asked as the lid popped off.

"You don't have to be so sarcastic," she said, leaning over to take a spoonful of peaches.

"Yeah, well, I get fucking tired of being on the brink of death. We can fight off zombies all day, but if we don't have food or water, we're shark bait."

"No," she smirked, "zombie bait."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You know, we could get you into one of those camps." I took a bite with a smack. "They have plenty of food, water, and clothing."

"What about you?" She looked at me, her eyes glassing over.

"What about me?" I quizzed. "The only thing I give a shit about is keeping you safe, remember?"

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as the sun started to peek through the curtains. "But..." She shook her head, making the tears fall, streaking her dirty face. "I'm not going anywhere without you."

"Ya know, I won't be here forever. I'm going to die one way or another, just like the rest of 'em. I'd rather know you're safe in a camp than fending for yourself."

"And what if I die first?" she asked, looking at me with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"Then I won't have any reason to be here."

"You're stupid," she murmured, taking the last bite of peaches.

I shrugged and got up, going over to the backpacks. I picked through until I found an old rag to clean ourselves up with. I poured the last of our water onto it and went over to Ivy, wiping her tear-streaked face gently. Her skin was soft under my calloused hands.

"I can do it myself," she jerked away, taking the rag from my hand.

I stayed silent and opened the window to see what we were up against today. The stench of decay hit me first, followed by the sight of the undead shuffling aimlessly. Another day in paradise.