Beneath the Dead Sky

01 Fireworks

A pharmaceutical scientist named Dr. Javier, who wanted humanity to experience a different kind of reality after his wife and daughter were murdered by unknown citizens in Florida. In his laboratory, he conducted numerous experiments until he finally created what he desired, a capsule that would transform humanity. This capsule would make a human crave for brains, blood, and human flesh, specifically turning them into zombie.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Communication is interrupted...

"This is the beginning of the end. Humans are more terrible than wild animals; they can murder innocent people without hesitation, slaughter animals for their needs, commit burglary, torture, and many other crimes that humanity lives with. So, I will give them the freedom to do whatever they want, but survival will be a must," Dr. Javier said, grinning.

"That's ridiculous! You don't know what you're saying. You're creating another mistake that humans will suffer for," Dr. Steven shouted.

"If this is another mistake, then humans deserve it. It will be the start of a new era, because we will be celebrating with lots of zombies!" Dr. Javier shouted back.

The lights flickered and went out.

"Dr. Steven, take this capsule!" Dr. Javier shouted.

"Not a chance! You deserve to die just like your wife and daughter," Dr. Steven shouted back, throwing a glass beaker at his face and immediately run.

"What's happening, Dr. Steven?" Dr. Addison asked in confusion.

"Dr. Javier is insane. Run as fast as you can," Dr. Steven said softly.

"Dr. Steven, where the hell are you?" Dr. Javier called out.

"He's coming. Let's get out of here!" Dr. Steven said, and they ran.

All the doors suddenly locked.

"No, he locked all the doors," Dr. Addison said worriedly.

"We're going to hide from him," Dr. Steven said.

"You can't escape my laboratory because I've locked all the doors. Dr. Steven, just take this capsule and we're done here," Dr. Javier shouted and laughed.

Dr. Steven and Dr. Addison hide in the stockroom.

"What are we going to do? He's really insane. What's in the capsule?" Dr. Addison asked softly.

"Maybe it's a disease, but a weird one. He said something about zombies earlier," Dr. Steven replied, unsure.

"It's a capsule that turns humans into zombies," Dr. Addison realized.

"Dr. Steven, you're making me mad! Get out here! We're not playing hide and seek," Dr. Javier said.

Dr. Javier is approaching to the stockroom.

"He's coming for me. Dr. Addison, promise me you'll stop Dr. Javier, no matter what he's working on. Take some capsules he made and study them. Escape immediately while I hold him off," Dr. Steven said softly, trembling.

Dr. Javier entered the stockroom. Suddenly, Dr. Steven hold him tightly, but Dr. Javier injected him with a sleeping pill and force him to swallow the capsule.

Dr. Steven turned into a zombie but did not attack Dr. Javier.

Dr. Javier's plan is getting stronger.

Florida, Year 2100

11:00 PM

Maggie's POV

Everyone is celebrating for the awaited new century, preparing delicate dishes, watching colorful fireworks, and enjoying the music.

"Sweetie! Get some fun out there, don't just lock yourself in your bedroom," Mom said to me while she was cooking.

"Okay, I'll go outside later," I responded.

Yup, it's going to be a new century soon, but I feel like there's nothing special about it. We typically have New Year's celebrations, but everyone seems so excited for the new century. What's going to happen, really? I thought to myself.

Anyway, I'm watching a zombie series on my computer, feeling at home not until when my younger brother came to bother me.

"Maggie, get out of your room. We're going to have some fun out there," Charlie, my younger brother, said. "Fireworks are so pretty, like you," he added, kidding. I got out of my room.

"Maggie, take care of your brother. Stick together and don't get too far. There are so many firecrackers and fireworks out there!" Dad said to me as I approached the door, hearing the sounds of fireworks and loud music.

"Look at that fireworks! Isn't it awesome, Maggie? I told you," Charlie said, amazed.

"Yup, it's cool, just like the fireworks last New Year," I said softly.

"Did you say something?" Charlie asked.

"Nope, Charlie. Let's go over there. It looks like our neighbor is about to set off some fireworks!" I said, and he ran toward our neighbor's house.

"3... 2... 1... Fire it!" our neighbor shouted, and the fireworks exploded.

"Awesome! Let's set off more!" Charlie said excitedly.

After some time...

"Charlie, let's go back. I'm hungry, and Mom and Dad are probably worried about us," I said softly.

"What did you say? I can't hear you because of the loud fireworks," he said.

I knew he was just pretending because he wanted to watch the fireworks more.

"Charlie, we're going back now! Midnight is coming," I said to Charlie. He made an annoying face, ran fast, and I chased him.

Midnight

As the clock struck midnight, a big explosion happened. I couldn't hear anything. Everyone seemed uncomfortable, running, shouting, crying, and dying.

I have a wound on my feet, it is bleeding, but I didn't pay attention to it. I saw Charlie with blood on his face. He passed out, and I carry him towards our house. Then, I heard the noise of a helicopter. I believed it would help us, but they started dropping zombies.

I reach our door and lay Charlie down. I'm gonna call my mom and dad, At first, I thought they were just kissing, but when they faced me, they were eating each other. Realizing they had turned into zombies, I didn't know what to feel. I felt like I'm losing my mind.

As I headed out of our house, I saw my neighbors turned into zombies, eating each other, with blood everywhere on the road.

As zombies approaching me, I immediately grabbed a sharp piece of metal and struck it in the face, killing it. That is the first time I killed someone-well, not really a person, but a zombie.

I can't process my mind right now. I have to kill my own parents, but I can't stop thinking it is just a nightmare. I slapped my face, and it is all real.

"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad, I have to do it."
I softly said with tears in my eyes. Then, I grab a knife and stab them over and over again until they die.

Minutes later, I saw a bag and get the supplies we needed. Then, I carry Charlie and walk to our backyard, escaping our city.