The Rocking Dead (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 1: Reunions

Tom's POV: How long have I been out here? I have no clue anymore. God, I just need a little food and maybe somewhere else to take shelter. That god damn convenience store is starting to attract walkers and I don't want to be their next meal.

Let me back up a bit here. I'm stuck in a fucking zombie apocalypse. It started a long time ago, I can't tell you how long ago since I've lost track of time. All I know is it's probably still the 80s and there's walkers, or as you call them zombies, walking around.

I remember the day the outburst hit. I was onstage with Cinderella, performing as usual, when suddenly, our backup singer Christine dropped dead. That sight alone was horrifying and scaring, but then she came back as a walker, and bit our other backing vocalist Trisha before biting Fred. Jeff and I managed to escape and survive for a while, not knowing what happened to Eric. But one day Jeff went out to scavenge, and he still hasn't returned. I've been alone since then. At least it feels that way.

Supplies are scarce nowadays, and when you find something it's either moldy and expired, something you hate, or the very rare and elusive still good stuff you like. I swear, its easier to find water and weapons than it is food. That's why I've taken shelter in a convenience store, it's stocked.

A rustling in the bushes snapped me out of my thoughts. I grabbed my gun and held it out, aiming in the direction of the noise. I was fully expecting a walker to pop out and come after me, so needless to say seeing him jump out of a bush aiming a gun at me was surprising.

"Blackie?" I asked, unsure if what I was seeing was real or not. We both lowered our guns.

"Holy shit man. I never thought I'd say I'm glad to see you." Blackie said, walking up to me, "How the fuck did you survive?"

"I'm kinda wondering the same about you." I said.

"Two words: weapons stash." He said, "As well as stockpiles of raw meat from the shows. Start a fire and bam, steak dinner. My water supply is low though." I handed him two bottles.

"I've got a bunch, sparing two is no big deal." I said.

"Thanks Tom." Blackie said as he opened one bottle and drank. "Now back to how you survived."

"I took refuge in a convenience store so I'm stockpiled on everything." I said.

"Lucky bastard." Blackie replied, drinking more water.

"Hands in the air and we won't hurt you." Someone called. Blackie and I quickly held our hands up and turned around, only to be met by Vince Neil and Sebastian Bach.

"Holy shit. I thought we were the only rockstars that survived." Sebastian said, lowering his gun. Blackie and I put our hands down.

"So did we." I said.

"Well, it's good to have some old friends in this horrific world." Vince said.

"Who said we were friends?" Blackie said. Vince flipped him the bird, and I quietly chuckled.

"Fuck, I thought I was the only rockstar." Someone else called out. We all turned to see Paul Stanley approaching us.

"Geez, did only the frontmen survive this thing?" Blackie asked.

Someone cleared their throat, loudly and seemingly offended. We all jumped and yipped at the surprise.

"Jesus Christ!" Blackie exclaimed when he jumped. We all turned to see Mick Mars standing there, arms crossed, and foot tapping. "You spooky fucking midget." Blackie said, trying to catch his breath from the surprise.

"Where'd you come from you fucking silent bastard?" Vince said as he hugged his band mate.

"You guys got any sanctuary or something? We've been stuck out here for what feels like an eternity since ours burned down." Sebastian said.

"Well Tom just told me he's at a convenience store." Blackie said.

"Yes but the place is starting to get overrun so I'm gathering as much as I can from the place and looking for somewhere else." I said.

"Fuck." Sebastian said, "Paul, Mick?" Mick shook his head.

"Nope." Paul said.

"Well, we'll find something. We just gotta stick together." I said.

"Sounds like a plan." Paul agreed. The six of us started walking...