Rise of the Undead Part Five: Five Stories

CHAPTER FOUR-TWO DEAD MEN

    "So, do you like it here?" Lauren asked Emma as the hand washed clothes. "Yeah, it's nice." Emma said smiling. "You guys need some help?" Hailey asked. "Oh sure, but it's not like we have tons of clothes!" Emma said laughing. "Don't you all miss the malls and all the clothing stores?" Lauren asked laughing. "Of course we do!" Hailey said. "I don't know about you all, but I was a black friday shopper." Lauren said laughing. "So I'm guessing you didn't mind the crowds? I've always hated the crowds, they're just so damn annoying!" Hailey said. "Well it was never a crowded town where we lived, and most people were spending time with their families, but Kaitlynn was in the hospital and always sleeping...and Austin was overseas. So I didn't really have anyone to spend time with..." Lauren said. "You all are from Arizona, right? We're all from Texas." Hailey said. "Oh that's cool! My grandparents lived in Texas. I loved visiting the area." Lauren said. "Yeah, it sure was pretty. I doubt we'll ever go back though." Emma said. "As soon as we run out of food in this place, we're gonna head north. There will be less risers and that means a greater chance to make it in this world." Lauren said.

    "That makes sense. The winters will be harsher, but it'll be safer, much safer." Hailey said smiling. "You wouldn't mind...if maybe we'd join you, right?" Emma said. "Well we thought you all were part of the group!" Lauren said smiling and laughing. "Woah! Really, I thought it would've taken you at least a few days to decide if you can trust us or not." Emma said. "No, you all seem like very nice people. I'm sure we'll all get along fine. And Jack's happy to have Luke around, it's nice for him to actually talk to someone his age. Friendship means everything to him, stick around long enough and I'm sure he'll tell you why." Lauren said smiling. "I can't thank you guys enough! It's so sweet for you all to let us stay with you. We must have just looked like some freaks walking through the desert and you all trusted us." Hailey said.

    "I don't know why, but I've always been thinking. There's gotta be some neighborhood's out there that have built walls, and survived as a community." Austin said to me and John. "Well mine sure as hell wasn't." I said laughing. "I never thought to even check my neighborhood, we just fled the hospital and ran out into the desert. Then we found Bill, and he took us here. Bill found the place as soon as this shit started." Austin said. "How old is Bill? I could have sworn to death that he was yours or Lauren's dad." John said laughing. "Bill...eh he's around 50 I'd say. He never really told us, but I won't keep my age a lie, I'm thirty! Getting old!" Austin said laughing. "I'm thirty also!" John said laughing a little. "I beat you all, I'm thrity---two, almost thirty three!" I said laughing. "Woah...your son is thirteen, right?" Austin said raising his eyebrows and laughing. "So what! We were married!" I said laughing a little as I thought of Charlotte. "At nineteen, gosh and I thought twenty two was young to have my first." Austin said laughing. I shook my head and laughed. "Hey! I'm thirty and I haven't had a single kid!" John said laughing.

    "Would you want a kid?" I said. "I'm not sure, I'd like being a dad. But it's all up to Becky, she'd be the one carrying the darn thing!" John said laughing. "Hey guys!" Joe said as he walked outside. "Hey Joe, how'd you sleep last night?" I asked him. "Great, you?" Joe asked. "Good...okay." I said laughing a little.

     "So do you like it so far?" Jack asked. "Yeah, so far I like it. This place has good food. You guys are lucky you got to take shelter in a store, we started off in FBI department with a bag of chips." Luke said laughing a little. "So why did you guys leave the place?" Jack asked. "Oh...well it's a long story. We were attacked by some group who was also in the area, they wanted the FBI department. So we won, but we kinda messed the place up, so we moved to a funeral home in the same area. Them the funeral home got attacked...and that's when my mom died." Luke said. "How long has this been going on? I really lost count a while ago." Luke said changing the topic. "It's been about six months, I think, I mean if I'm right." Jack said.

     "Hey guys, what are you doing? I'm bored." Kaitlynn said as she sat down on the floor. "I'm bored too, there's just nothing to do here." Jack said. "Have you guys ever left the store?" Luke asked. "Um no, only for shooting practice and Bill just takes us to the back of the store for that." Jack said. "Well you guys can't just stay in here for the rest of your lives, you gotta get out and get supplies." Luke said. "I think my dad and Bill are going out on one of those supply runs, you think they'd let us come?" Kaitlynn asked. "Why not try." Luke said. "I'm sure my group is going to come with them, the more people you have to more chances you have of being able to find good shit." Luke said laughing a little. Jack and Kaitlynn looked up st Luke like he was crazy. "You cuss?!" Jack asked. "Yeah, as long as my dad or any adults aren't around it's fine!" Luke said laughing.

     "My family cussed a lot." Jack said. "My dad says he has a sailor mouth, I'm assuming it means you say words a lot. Words like shit and damn." Kaitlynn said. "Kaitlynn! Don't say such words!" Lauren said as she walked into the room. "Oh sorry mom, I didn't see you there. I just assumed that it was ok if there wasn't any adults around." Kaitlynn said looking up at Luke.