Undead Defenders

Chapter: 2 Market Madness

A woman lay tireless on her bed after a long day of work. Her ever-blonde stature covered her face, with the slightest movement. Wakening as her hair brushes past her face. She wants to remain asleep, as she nearly falls into a deep slumber. Her alarm rings, giving her full attention. Turning off the alarm on her mobile device she groans, and washes herself while waiting for her coffee to be made. Finished with her self-care she turns off the coffee maker, sipping carefully to not burn her lips. As she slowly lowers the cup back onto the table, the caffeine slowly awakens her dazed eyes. Slam* The woman jumped out of fear. "Woah Catherine, easy there it's just me." Glaring at the man, she replied. "R-Ron what the hell, you scared me for a second. "Ron stops what he's doing and goes to Catherine, "Honey you watched the news?" Catherine had no idea shrugging, Ron explained to her. "There appears to be something about an illness. We were told to stay indoors and keep some social distancing. They say it's very contagious." Not again Catherine thought to herself. They already dealt with Co-Vid. "Well, if there's a lockdown then shouldn't we stock some food and water to last us a few weeks?" Catherine retorted. "Let me call my work, I need to let them know I won't be coming in. "Handing Catherine a face mask "Way ahead of you. I called them already it will be fine. Let's get going before it's packed." 

Driving off to the nearest market there were a lot of people already there. "Damn, I should have woken you up earlier." Ron seemed a little annoyed. "What? Why? When did the news broadcast?" She forgot to ask him. "Not too long ago, about four hours before you woke up." Getting out of the car, "Uhh, just find a parking. I'll grab what I can. Grab water and wait in line when you get in?" Giving a thumbs up he drives off. Going in she saw a huge line of people waiting for their massive groceries to be scanned. Grabbing a car she went to the isles for meats, but only a 30 oz steak was left. Not wanting to lose time, she grabs it anyway. Looking back at the price she understood that the high price was why nobody nabbed it. Going for canned goods she grabbed canned fruits, Tomato soup, Chicken soup, and soup paste. Grabbing dried food like spaghetti and pasta. Rice and whatever she could find. Fruits and vegetables. And some snacks. Seeing her husband in line she approaches him. "Hey." Ron turns to meet Catherine's gaze. "Great! I already grabbed a few packs of water bottles. Should last us for a week or two." After their items got scanned and paid for, Ron packed into the car while Catherine sat down. Hearing a loud thud, she thought it was Ron who finished packing but it was a kid in his twenties. Looking from a distance she saw how packed full his car was. Filled to the very brim of the windows, she was even able to see that he bought large amounts of toilet paper, too. "..Oh god," murmuring, just like COVID-19 when everyone was crazy about toilet paper... Catherine thought to herself. After he closed the trunk his hoodie fell back, revealing it to be Zairo. Catherine recalled Zairo leaving the apartments. She did not know anything about him but knew that he was recklessly spending his life away with his student loans. On the accounts of buying wood, and a lot of empty jugs. He always made a huge ruckus every night. Driving off into the night, only to return a few hours later. "Hey!" Ron called out to her. Turning her head towards Ron "Oh sorry, I..." Ron cuts her off "Don't worry about him, he's a good kid. Quiet but earnest. "Yeah..." she exhaled. As Ron started the car, she noticed that Zairo did not head in the same direction as them. Although not her business, she wondered why he was heading a different path than them. Forgetting about Zairo, Catherine called her work just in case. After many attempts, she yelled, "damn it!" Ron assured her,  "You worry too much honey. I'm sure they realized their predicament also." He said. She could only hope she doesn't lose her bonus this year.

 Zairo was driving onto the freeway, heading towards the warehouse immediately. At this point, those who inhaled the toxic fumes for too long outside. Would have their lungs filled with pollutants, it's also the start of the dead rising from the dead. As long as you wear a mask it will prevent the minuscule molecules from affecting their breathing. A lot of people succumbed to lack of oxygen and they died on the spot. Eventually, they would need to wear gas masks occasionally when going outside. Even just taking in a single breath could slowly kill you in small dosages shortly over time. However, the toxic fume is temporary it will only last for a few years. Noticing a roadblock Zairo decided to take a detour. He knew that they would block the roads eventually but he didn't think it was going to be set up this soon. As soon as he got his opening he went off road. Making his way to the warehouse, he set up his traps to prevent anything from going in. The traps set up by Zairo were just simple wooden spikes on boards. After doing so, he began unpacking and storing the perishable foods in a cooler. He then grabbed some hammers and drills. Slowly he boarded the wide entrance of the warehouse. Covering each side with no faulty breaches. Doing what he can to make the boards last. He reinforced the boards by placing a beam against the center, while the other end was being held by the ground. Placed snugged tight to the ground it seems sturdy enough. He continued to do so for an entire week. Taking rests when needed. After a while, he was able to fortify a decent barricade. Taking out his mobile phone he looked at social media. Scrounging for any significant information, that will determine his next action. In his past life cooped up in his apartment complex, there was a live video of hooligans who were one of the few who turned. They were messing with an elderly homeless man, mocking his groans due to difficulty breathing. Once succumbing to death, he immediately turned and then bit one of them. When the phone was dropped, it is presumed that the cameraman was turned as well. 

The only reason why Zairo stumbled upon the live video was because someone was able to record it and mass spread it on each online platform. Before the clip ended, one of the delinquents rose, as if the missing chunk of meat from his neck wasn't affecting him. You could hear a slight moan as he made the same groans as the old man. When people saw this there was a similar massive spread of people going cannibalistic. People showed videos of the same events, while some filmed safely from their apartments. So far Zairo had not found the said footage. Assuming it has not happened as of yet. Grabbing a baseball bat a Crossbow and five bolts. He headed out to begin his next task. Finding some fellow defenders. Driving into the sunset he heads off back to the apartment. At first, he did not want to go back. The beginning of the outbreak was a mysterious event for him. Nobody knew why it happened how it happened, or who had caused it. Since he had time he wanted to have a starting point. It also gave him an excuse to take a shower, since working water was still operating. Especially packing some clothes to wear. However, eventually, Zairo had to ditch his car. As the roads are now blocked off from entering or leaving. Covering his car with a tarp he continued on foot.

End