World War Zombie

1

The streets were unusally quiet we arrived home from basketball 'bootcamp' (aka. hours of strenous fitness exercises) as our team filed out of the big bus, thankful to be out of the uncomfortable seats and that we finally can have our phones back again after being stuck in the middle of nowhere for 2 weeks, keen to get back up to speed with the latest gossip.

"I'm not getting any reception?" Penelope, a tall dark skinned girl from our team turned to her clingy friend Lily, confused.

"Me either." Lily replied, twirling her mousy brown, slightly greasy hair around her finger, and I think trying to give a seductive look to the boys in the team that turned out more like the look of a constipated pig.

"Same." Matt, the small but ridiculously fast funner stated, holding his phone to the sky, squinting against the sun.

A series of "Me neither" and "same" rung around the 30 kids standing at the bus stop on the deserted street, their voices almost echoing against the silence.

I decide to check my phone, maybe it's just their carriers.

Hmm. No reception for me either. 

"Maybe there is a line fallen down or something?" I half ask and half confirm, waiting for someone to come up with a different explanation.

"Eh. This is creepy as hell. Let's just get home." My best friend Joey interruped, bouncing a basketball into my hands and picking up her bag.

Lucy, my other best friend followed her down the road- waving goodbye to everyone, leaving me to follow suit behind, dragging my bag behind me.

As we walked down the main street, the only sounds you could hear was the occasional whir of a helicopter or blaze of sirens in the distance, and the sound of our feet on the concrete pavement. Usually this street was crowded at this time of the day, everyone coming home from work, taking their dogs and kids out to the crowded playground before dark.

"Lets go to Cones!" Joey said, pointing to the shop across the road from where we were standing. Cones is owned by an old guy names Christos, who we've known forever- he's always open for us to come in after basketball for an icecream and a chat. 

We crossed the street and I went to push the colourful door open, but it wouldn't budge.

"Not open." I stated. But this place was ALWAYS open, especially at 4:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. 

"The open sign is even still..." Lucy started, "Wait, whats this?"

Lucy un wedged a handwritten note from under the door. 

"girls, too.. da.. wait." Lucy put the paper up close to her short sighted eyes. "What does this say? I can't read the writing." 

I snatched it out of her hands and continued to read.

 "Girls- too dangerous. Save yourselves. Keep Safe." What the hell is that supposed to mean? I saw  dark figures move from the back of the shop. Most be Christos bloody idiot of a son Luca. Not a funny joke.

"ha. ha. ha." I called. "Very funny mate!" I called through the shop, knocking on the windows. "You got us!" No one came to the door, no one started laughing. 

"C'mon... lets just go." Joey said, turning away from the deserted shops.

"But I swear I saw something move!" I protested. I know I did. They must be in there.

"We can skip it today..." She mumbled. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

We walked past the playground, no screams or chatter of kids could be heard, only the slight creak of the swingset blowing in the breeze. This playground was usually packed with kids, dogs and mums at this kind of day, but today no one but a small dark figure in the far corner of the park sitting on the the swing set, not appearing to be swinging herself, just sitting there as the swings around her swung in the wind.  Lucy reached out for my hand, I've never really been one for the whole huggy touchy feely kinda thing but even I was pretty unnerved by this whole situation.

"What the hell is with this, Daisy?" Lucy said, looking at me. 

"Is there a festival on today or something?" Joey asked no one in particular.

"On a Wednesday afternoon? I highly doubt it." I replied, looking over at the parculiar girl on the swings. Suddenly, it's head snapped up to face me. I couldn't see what they looked like, but it appeared to have dark skin, with almost slightly greying hair even though she didn't look all that old. She stood up, her small eyes locked on mine from across the park. Maybe she's just an old woman needing help? Maybe she could give us some answers.

"Should we help her? Maybe she could help us." Lucy spoke my mind. She's always been so caring. You couldn't really get a more different trio of friends. I, Daisy DiPalma- have wavy blonde hair that goes about half way down my back and weird blue-green eyes. I'm taller than average, which I am always complimented on but i really hate- and I'm pretty much a tomboy. Skirts and dresses really aren't my thing. I like to be in charge and tend to shut people out because I hate people getting involved in my problems- I can deal with them myself and there's no point in people being sad for me, they have their own problems.

Then there's Lucy Dixon, she's very smart- pretty nerdy actually- and has been my best friend since we were born. She has long straight red-brown hair that goes down to her bum and the most amazing green eyes you've ever seen but that are usually covered up by her thick glasses. She tends to have loads of guys with her at parties, and although she is smart at acedemic things- shes pretty stupid around guys. She doesn't realise they don't just want to be 'friends' as she always tells me.

Joey, or Joanne Martinsan, has short shoulder length curly hair and dark brown eyes- she is really athletic and talented at pretty much everything. She could talk for ever and ever about nothing in particular which is what I love about her because she makes up for my usual lack of speech.

Lucy started making her way over to the stumbling old lady, her hair looking red in the light. Joanna and I jogged to catch up to her. 

Thats when I saw it. 

 The "old lady"'s eyes were dark black holes in her head, her skin a dark grey brown. The limited hair she had was white and wispy- her teeth brown and rotting. 

What.

"LUCY RUN! GET OUT OF HERE!" I turned and sprinted. I don't know whats happening, but I know it can't be good.

I could see the two girls running after me, the monster running behind her. "SPRINT GIRLS! HIDE HIDE HIDE!" I screamed behind me, not letting my legs give up.