Edgewood

     Six months ago, things began to fall apart. No one knows how it happened, or even why it happened. All we know is that the dead have risen and seem to crave the taste of flesh. The end of civilization is upon us. At least, that’s what all of the religious freaks and doomsday fanatics are calling it. Most would call it a living nightmare. Some are even calling it the Zombie Apocalypse.

     For Danna, the nightmare was about to become a harsh reality. She was sitting before her make shift altar and praying, just as she had for the last two years since her mother lost her long, bitter battle with lung cancer. Without her mother, Danna’s zeal for life was slowly fading away like the early morning fog on a brisk, autumn morning. Two white candles were lit on either side of an early family photo in a brown frame that sat in the center of the coffee table, which was covered with a single white sheet. Her prayers were simple, and often the same. She prayed for her father to get sober, since he often found himself at the bottom of the bottle after losing his wife. She prayed for the strength to continue with her own life. Most of all, she prayed that she would not be left all alone in this forsaken world. Two nights ago, her prayers were answered in an unexpected way, just not the way she wanted.

     The first night started off like any other night. Craig, Danna’s father, was in his normal state of inebriation, hibernating in his office. Jessica, her sister, was on another of her usual supply runs, looking for any food, weapons, ammunition, and alcohol for her father. By now, there were two other people held up in the house with them. Matt and Frank were neighbors that had managed to survive and make their way to the Lazy S Ranch. Danna was sitting in her usual, rug worn spot in front of her altar, repeating her nightly prayer, when suddenly, the front door flew open and Jessica burst in. Naturally, this startled Danna and she ran to the furthest corner in the room.

     “Get ready, we’re about to have company!” Jessica said as she was gasping for air.

     “Let me guess, you left the damn gate open, again!” Craig said, slurring every word as he leaped from his desk chair, grabbing his gun and running to the door. He was not at all happy.

     “Would somebody shut her the hell up!” Matt exclaimed, pointing toward Danna, who was crying and screaming uncontrollably.

     Frank, having a crush on Danna since they were young school children, immediately jumped to the chance to comfort her by wrapping his arms around her. Even though her feelings were not mutual for him, she welcomed his embrace. The rollercoaster of emotions was beginning to take its toll on her. The highs, the lows, the in-betweens, they were all breaking her into pieces, but unlike Humpty Dumpty, she would not be put back together so easily. She did not want to end up alone, and for this reason, she fell deeper into Frank’s arms and felt a sense of relief, even if it was to be temporary. Matt made his way over to the front door where Craig was using it to prop himself up.

     “This wouldn’t keep happening if you would just let me go for the supplies. I’ve been training for this my whole life.” Matt scolded.

     “This is my house! We go by my rules! Now, just take your training and go check on the ammunition in the barn!” snapped Craig.

     Matt was boiling over with anger as he stormed off to the barn. It was pitch black inside the barn. Even with a flashlight, Matt could barely see three feet in front of him. He checked one room after the other, not finding any of the creatures that had plagued the Earth for the last six months. As he was checking for them in the last room, an arm suddenly grabbed him from behind. Matt turned around quickly and began struggling with one of the now animated corpses.

     Inside the house, Craig could see several of the creatures approaching the house. Suddenly, gunfire could be heard coming from the barn. Craig jerked the front door open and ran out onto the front porch, opening fire on the vile creatures that threatened him and what was left of his family. Jessica, grabbing her pistol, immediately followed him and opened fire as well.