Godead

XIX

The next morning, Michelle got up bright and early, heading downstairs as she started preparing breakfast. As she moved around the kitchen, Claude slowly awoke, getting up from a recliner before heading to the kitchen. As he took a seat at the counter, Michelle eyed him, smiling as she started making some eggs.

"...Good morning, ma'am," Claude said.

"Good morning," Michelle replied.

"I'm really sorry about all this. We'll leave as soon as we can."

"Don't be silly. You're all better behaved than I thought you'd be. And besides, where would you go?" Michelle asked. Claude paused.

"...Well. I don't know, but... I feel bad for us staying here with you. Especially since we showed up out of the blue," Claude said. Michelle slowly smiled at him.

"...You're cute, kid. I saw you getting on well with my daughter last night."

"...Oh, yeah. Charlene. She's cool."

"I'm pleased to see the two of you getting along so well. She's already fifteen, yet has always been awkward around boys. She has little trouble opening up to you, though," Michelle said.

Just then, Blair entered the room, greeting Claude and Michelle as the rest of the house started to stir, soon convening around the dining room table.

"Sure is a purdy house you got here, missus," Travis said.

"Why thank you, Travis. It certainly is, isn't it?" Michelle replied.

"It belonged to grandpa. And his grandpa, and his grandpa before that," Stacy said.

"Yes. It's been in our family for generations," Charlene said. Just then, Abby smirked.

"...Well it ain't gonna be around much longer!" she exclaimed. The table suddenly turned to her.

"Abby!" Blair said.

"It's true! Everyone's gone psycho, and this house is so close to the road. It's only a matter of time before zombies come by and wreck the place!" Abby replied.

"...Yeah. That or a buncha them there weirdos who up and killed Jonny," Travis said.

"That's enough, you two!" Blair scolded. As the two fell silent, Claude frowned.

"...I hate to say it, Blair, but they could be right. To be honest, I'm actually surprised to find this place as untouched as it is, even though this... outbreak or whatever began only recently," Claude said.

"...Could it really happen, mommy? Could the monsters really come and tear the house down...?" Stacy asked worriedly.

"...That won't happen," Michelle said.

"...How can you be so certain?" Charlene asked.

"Because it just won't," Michelle replied firmly. As the room fell silent, Abby smirked.

"Well don't you worry none, lady. We won't let anything happen to you, so long as you let us crash here with ya!" she said with a smile.

"That's right. As long as we're here, we won't let anything happen to the three of you," Blair said, looking to Michelle and her daughters.

"...Thank you," Michelle replied. Just then, she eyed Travis from across the table. "...Hmm... your eyes," she said, noticing the thin black circles around the boy's eyes. "They're the same as Debra's."

"...Debra?" Claude asked.

"Yes. The daughter of our neighbors Al and Beverly. The back of our property brushes up against theirs. Their house is about a quarter mile behind ours," Michelle explained.

"Debra is eleven years old, and was Stacy's best friend. Until she started acting all weird, anyway...," Charlene explained.

"Yeah. She got those circles around her eyes, and kept grinning all creepy and stuff from the backyard. I wanted to play with her, but mommy told me to get inside, and we haven't seen Debra since," Stacy said.

"Yes. Her or her parents...," Michelle said worriedly.

"...Now that you mention it, it's been awhile since we've heard from any of them. I wonder if they're alright?" Charlene asked.

"Who knows. It's far too dangerous to be going out there to check on them, though," Michelle replied.

"...I'll go," Blair said from the opposite end of the table. "If it's really been awhile since you've seen your neighbors, they could be in danger."

"I'll come with you. You certainly shouldn't go alone," Claude replied.

"I'm comin', too," Travis said.

"Same here! I bet there's blood and guts everywhere in that house!" Abby said with a grin.

"I wanna go!" Misty said.

"No, Misty. You stay here with Michelle and the others. You'll be safest here," Blair said.

"But—!"

"No buts, Misty. Blair's right. But don't worry, we'll be back before you know it," Claude said with a smile.

"Very well. Watch your backs out there," Michelle said.

"We will. Just let me grab a shower, first. I've been dying to take one for ages, now," Blair said.

"Go ahead. The bathroom's down the hall," Michelle replied.

"Thanks," Blair said, leaving the table as the others continued talking.

Upon reaching the bathroom, Blair closed the door, flicking on the light before propping her M16 against the wall. She then turned around, looking herself over in the mirror. Her police uniform had seen better days, but was still holding up fairly well. She then disrobed, getting naked as she removed the black hair tie from her ponytail, releasing her wavy brown hair down to her shoulders.

She then moved to the shower, turning on the water as it started pouring out. As the water turned hot, Blair stepped inside, soon relaxing as she felt the warm shower engulf her senses. She closed her eyes, minutes ticking by as tension melted from her body. She didn't realize how tense she'd become through the stress of recent days, and the warmth of the shower came as a welcome release from the chaos.

Her respite was short lived, however. As she quietly basked in the shower, a shrill scream broke through the house. Blair's eyes shot open, heart sinking as she suddenly froze in place.