The Zombie Chronicles

Part II: Butterflys

There was no work for the next couple days. Everyone just sat in shock. This was the first time in a while there had been an attack and we weren't used to the sudden losses. "The Incident" as it was soon called was perhaps the greatest game changers there was however. Work stopped while the boys upstairs worked on a new plan and system to work the school. It was during one of these days of unindustriousness when I finally got the chance to talk to her: Jenny. I was walking through the stairwell on the way to a meeting about a new rule Connor wanted to implement when I ran into her. Literally. She was opening the door as I walked right into it knocking me down.

"Oh my gosh are you ok?" she said just barley stifling a laugh.

"Yeah." I said using the railing to pull myself to my feet. "Hey," she said suddenly recognizing me, "you were out on the parking lot weren't you?"

I nodded my words suddenly failing me.

"That was really brave," she said brushing some hair out from in front of her eyes, "killing those fuckers."

I cracked a smile

"That's what you call them?" I asked "Those fuckers."

"Seems as good a name as any." she said smiling. "Well I gotta go." she said gesturing downstairs.

"Yeah, yeah" I said stepping aside so she could pass.

She brushed past me as she walked inciting a feeling of amazing feelings inside of me. I sighed slightly, 'She probably has a boyfriend.' I told myself and turned to open the door when a sudden panic hit me. I was going to die. I visualized my face on those kids who were slaughtered, yes slaughtered, their eyes my own, my face being torn off by some brain dead creature, my blood spilling onto the sidewalk and soaking into the grass. My arms being torn off, the hunting knife thrust into my chest, my intestines getting ripped out by a hand in the dark. The world was burning, fire was in the sky.

"Hey," I called after her. She turned "I was thinking maybe you would like to I don't know," my mind drew a blank on what exactly we could do together at the end of the world "eat some food with me maybe sometime?"

She smiled looking me right in the eyes

"I would love that." she said and skipped/jumped down the stairs. My stomach did a triple spin back flip as I realized I had just officially asked a girl out.

"Who doesn't exist now?" I said smugly to myself.

I entered the room by pushing both doors open and walking tall. Everyone looked at me and I realized how stupid I probably just looked. I passed it off with wave and quickly took a seat beside Josh.

"WTF was that?" he asked looking around as if embarrassed that I was sitting with him.

"Dude no one gives a fuck." I said gesturing to the room everyone already going back to their conversations.

"I know." he said sill not looking at me.

I followed his eyes and saw he was looking a Mandy who was chatting with a friend across the room.

"Dude just say sorry already." I said "Life is short."

He turned to me.

"Like it’s my fault." he said “No way and- wait you think it’s my fault we broke up?"

"I didn't say anything." I replied putting my hands behind my head and leaning back in the chair.

He squinted at me.

"What are you so smug about."

I leaned forward again

"Guess who is maybe possibly going to eat some food with Jenny at an undisclosed time in the future."

"Dude really?" he asked "Nice!" he shook his head looking towards the center of the room where it seemed Connor was getting ready for his presentation.

"What?" I asked looking at him.

"Nothing." he said a light smile on his face.

"You thought I was gay didn't you."

“Well you never had a girlfriend-"

"Just because I never had a girlfriend doesn't mean I'm gay." I laughed knowing he was messing with me.

We chuckled as Conner began his presentation.

"First off I just want to thank everyone for coming and stuff." he looked down at his note cards. He was probably following some guide line 'How to Address Large Crowds for Dummies'. He looked up, "Because of recent events me, and several of our council members," he gestured towards the only adults in the room who were on the council.

Being over twenty automatically got too assigned to the council. Very few adults stayed... or survived.

"-have initiated a new protocol that we hope will keep us safer and sow some loyalty." He looked his note cards over he hands shaking.

"I didn't know he had stage fright." Josh whispered to me.

"Me neither" I replied.

He stood for a moment fumbling with them until an adult stood up.

"I'll take it from here." he said putting his hand on Connors shoulder pushing him lightly towards one of the empty seats. Connor sat down flustered and both relived and embarrassed.

"For those of  you don't know me, I am Dr. Smith I teach, taught, AP History." He grimaced when he realized teach was now taught.

"We want to create a sort of hierarchy, or group of classes."

"We know what hierarchy means." Josh mumbled next to me.

Dr. Smith didn't hear and continued "We are designating each floor for a class: freshmen second, sophomores third, juniors fourth, and seniors fifth.”

 A few people started whispering their disagreements with it.

"And each class will have three representatives on the council to make decisions for their class." He went on to talk about how new programs would be introduced and new ration levels but my mind was already wandering. It ended up resting on Jenny and her perfect hair and that smile, I smiled myself just thinking about it.