BETTER SAFE THAN ZOMBIE

OZTS 19.5| Kathryn

When the end of the world came, it unmasked everyone.

The "nice" people became selfish and cruel. The "couple in love" didn't hesitate to let go of each other's hand. The "bestfriends forever" terminated eternity for one more day of living.

All the trivialities of the world were whisked away, like a magician revealing what horrible creature was exactly dwelling under his tall, black hat. Humanity threw away it's "rationality" and became mere animals stampeding each other out of the slaughterhouse, all afraid of death.

Years and years spent on beautifying and polishing their outer shells, but when humanity oozed out--

They turned out to spineless and soft creatures, cowardly and simple.

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[ 175 HOURS AFTER PATIENT ZERO ]

-

"James Brady says he's inclined to stay at No. 4 with the Dallas Cowboys going into the NFL draft with their highest pick in 25 years--"

I woke up to sounds of monitored beeping and sports news, the overhead fluorescent lights blinding me.

I blinked and the spots in my vision were gone, replaced by an eager face with dark shadows underneath his eyes.

"Ryn, you're awake!"

I was suddenly engulfed by a warm hug, the arms hugging me tightly. I could smell the sweat and about three day's worth of stink on my brother's shirt, including the slight aroma of cheeseburger in his breath.

Then he was gone, replaced by a harried-looking doctor, who checked my eyes with a penlight.

"Can you move your fingers and toes for me, Kathryn?" she asked.

I did, and next she asked if I'm feeling any pain, dizziness, loss of vision or asphyxia--

"I'm fine," I croaked. "Just a little thirsty."

A nurse immediately repositioned my bed so that I could sit properly, and a glass water with a straw was brought to my lips.

After I drank I noticed that all the nurses and the doctors were still there, staring at me worriedly. There were even five Secret Service agents in their not-so-secret black suit and tie, all having their standard radio earpiece and probably relaying the message to the world that Kathryn Reynolds was still alive.

Hallelujah.

"Can you please all leave the room?" I asked. "I want to talk to my brother alone."

The nurses and the doctors immediately left, but the SS agents were still there, unmoving.

Mitch sighed. "You can all guard us from outside. Ryn and I just need to talk."

One of them nodded, and the rest followed, filing out of the room in a neat line. Mitch closed the door after them and sat back down beside me.

"You have no idea," he began, giving me his best suffering look, "What I've been through. No idea at all."

"Where's Mom and Dad?" I asked, ignoring his theatrics. There were a bunch of flowers by the wall, along with baskets of fruits and big Get Well cards.

"Dad's on a business trip in China, and Mom's in a television interview," replied Mitch. "But seriously, Ryn. I almost wished I was unconscious like you. Mom and Dad scolded me so hard it would probably become my worst childhood trauma."