It's Us Against The World

2. Please Tell Me That's Not Your Blood

The following morning rose to an eerie silence. I could hear my heartbeat throbbing in my ears as I sat up in bed. Looking out the window, I saw deserted streets with nothing but a plastic bag tumbling by in the breeze. I crept out of my apartment and down the rusty stairs to the lobby. When I made it outside, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. 

Ominous moans put a pep in my step as I hurried down the crumbling sidewalk. I pulled a Glock 18C from its holster on my thigh instinctively. God, I love waking up to zombies hunting for flesh, don't you? I whipped around on my heel and fired a headshot at an oncoming zombie. I was halfway down the block as it hit the ground. 

I turned the corner and froze at the sound of a familiar voice. "Hey, hey, let's just be civil about this, shall we? Oh, what am I saying?  You're zombies," Kieth moaned worriedly. 

Creeping across the street, I saw him running from five flesh-eating freaks as fast as he could.  Kieth gave me a bewildered look as I pushed him behind me and blasted each head to bits. 

"Jesus," he said breathlessly. 

"You okay?" I shoved the handgun back into my holster. He nodded and pushed his bangs from his eyes. "Where'd they even come from?"

"Two blocks down," he pointed. "I was trying to get to the rations warehouse because I'm out of water." 

I nodded. "I was looking for the same place, actually."

He bit his lip. "I could show you the way if you want." 

"Lead on, Kieth." 

Kieth smiled before trekking toward the west side of the city. I followed suit, keeping myself close in case we came across any other zombies. As we walked, he told me that he's lived in the city for ten years and used to be a waiter. "I grew up here," I recalled. "My dad, my brother, and me. My brother, his name was Roman, we were inseparable."

"Were inseparable?" 

I nodded, and Kieth got the message. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said sadly.

"It still hurts a bit, but I've gotten better about it over time," I avoided Kieth's gaze and shrugged my flannel off my right shoulder. "He gave me this. Roses were his favorite flower." 

"Wow," his eyes widened to the size of golfballs. "That's a beautiful tattoo." I nodded again. 

We continued to chat, and I felt myself smiling again. I couldn't remember the last time I smiled. It felt good, and a chuckle escaped my lips. Kieth looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. "Did I say something funny?"

I gazed at Kieth. "Hm? Oh, no, I was just thinking of something." 

"Are you gonna share with the class?" He smiled. 

Another chuckle escaped me. "I can't remember the last time I smiled. It feels nice." 

Kieth's cheeks flushed, and he laughed nervously. "I, uh, I'm glad I could help with that." He rubbed the back of his neck. 

We shared a content silence as dust kicked up around our feet. I watched our reflections on the stained glass wander by before my eye caught something. I stopped, and Kieth gave me a confused look again. He tried to speak, but I placed a finger to my lips and grabbed my gun once again. 

I heard the familiar dragging footsteps and low groans approaching. I crept around the corner and was nose to nose with a zombie. "Holy shi-Jesus!" I seethed as my butt hit the sidewalk and dropping my gun in the process. 

Kieth shouted for me, and I looked in his direction. Big mistake.  I whipped my head back to see the zombie about to climb on top of me. Reaching into my boot, I grabbed a knife and stabbed its chest. The monster stumbled back as a groan of confusion directed toward me. I scrambled to my feet and shoved my hair out of my eyes.