An Undead Invasion

Prologue

Penny Brighton stood in line at the airport with her mother, her eleven year-old brother, and her baby brother--17 years her junior and very unplanned for. Willard was snoozing peacefully in his walker despite the noise around them. Penny and her mother were currently politely ignoring a shouting woman a few spaces ahead, while Howie, her little brother, stared open mouthed. He had never heard anyone use the words this woman was using. Neither had Penny, but at least she showed more poise.

"I'm terribly sorry ma'am, but we can't give unauthorized civilians passes to travel at this time," said the guy behind the counter in his best calm voice.

"Bull shit!" the woman said for the umpteenth time. "I'm just as good as any one of those government fuckers!"

At this Willard let out a huge cry. Mrs. Brighton skillfully unhooked him and took him in her arms. She bounced him and did her best to shush him. She tried his binky, but he spat it out. Then she checked his diaper.

"Darn," she said. They'd been waiting here for a long time already. If she left now, they'd miss their chance, because she was sure they wouldn't wait for her to come back. There was no way they'd give the info about Mr. Brighton's flight to Penny or Howie. "Penny, can you take Will and change him please?" His crying was almost as loud as the shouting woman, as though they were having a competition. Mrs. Brighton had to raise her voice.

Penny sighed. "Aw, mom, come on."

"I know, I know, I wouldn't ask, but I really need you to now."

"Can't Howie take him. He is a boy, you know."

"There are no changing tables in the men's, Penelope."

"What?! That's silly. Dads change diapers, too!" Penny rolled her eyes. Babies were not her thing, but she took Will from her mother anyway.

"I gotta go, too," Howie said.

"Fine, go with them. When you get out, wait outside the ladies for your sister," Mrs. Brighton ordered.

***

"There you go fella," Penny said once she and Will were in the quiet restroom.

He had stopped crying the moment Penny started walking with him, and now he giggled as she made silly faces. They were alone in there, so she didn't feel like she'd be judged for indulging in some silliness. "Shew-wee," she said playfully, holding up his wet diaper between her finger and thumb, her face squished up--which he seemed to find hilarious.

A sudden loud noise made their breaths catch. It was a bloodcurdling scream. The kind one at the edge of death would release. Even a five month old such as Will could tell that noise was completely wrong. Or maybe he could tell from the way Penny's face went chalk-white.

Howie burst in the room in a panic. He didn't speak, he just ran behind Penny and covered his eyes. Screams started to fill the building outside the restroom. Growls and roars joined in. She knew what was making those other noises in an instant. She'd seen them on the news, and even saw some from the car on the way over. They had still been far away then...

Without thinking twice, Penny quickly locked the door.

"They're here. They've made it here," she said quietly. Her voice shook.

Her wide eyes were cemented to the thick wooden door. Mom is still on the other side! But the screams! And the growls! Oh, God, what should I do? Her thoughts were unclear.

Will's face twisted and he let out a howl. Penny snatched him up, wrapped him in the bundle of blankets, and did her best to shush him. She looked around the restroom for an escape and saw a window just big enough to set Will out, help Howie out, and then crawl out herself. With a pang of regret that she wouldn't be able to search for her mother, she took Will's diaper bag, Howie's jittery hand, and ran for their lives.