Chapter 3 The Rude Awakening

Long moans and rattling of bones filled the air as the sun rose, peeking through the dense canopy surrounding the small house. More undead shambled out of the forest, gathering near the back of the house.

Unaware of the gathering crowd, Elysia snoozed away, belly up, tangled in her sheets.

A loud pounding on her window drew her from her deep slumber. Still half asleep, Elysia mumbled, “leave me alone Sereia, it’s too early.”

Elysia flopped on her stomach, using her pillow to drown out the noise as she drifted back to sleep. Just as dreamland beckoned, her window shattered, spraying the tan carpet with glass. No longer muffled by the window, a chorus of moans and pounding filled the room.

The familiar sound of zombies snapped her awake, springing upright. Her terrified amethyst eyes zeroed in on a zombie dressed in a tattered black suit crawling through her shattered window.

In a flash, she shot out of her bed, dashing toward her bedroom door, yanking it open and slamming it shut. She grabbed a dining room table chair, propping it under her doorknob before bowling through the door to her right. “Sereia, we need to get out of here now!” Elysia screamed, only to find the room empty.

She flashed back to the empty buildings the previous night, prompting her to sprint to the door at the end of the hall, yanking it open, finding it empty. With increased dread, she sprinted through the house but found it deserted.

Elysia stood in the living room at a loss when the sound of splintering wood sparked her into action. She dashed toward the kitchen, snatching up the truck keys before shooting out the front door, ignoring the fact she was still naked.

With shuffling and moans hot on her heels, she dove into the red pickup truck, firing it up and fishtailing it down the driveway. The truck smashed into the wall of zombies, denting the brush guard and caking her windshield with zombie guts, but she held the accelerator to the floor.

The tires spun in the mud for a moment before gaining traction, propelling her forward. She cranked the windshield wipers all the way, clearing the windshield as she flew down the dirt driveway.

Elysia power slid onto the dirt road, missing the tree infested ditch by centimeters before regaining control. She glanced at the rearview mirror, nearly swerving into the ditch when a rotten hand smashed through the rear window. Her foot smashed the brakes, skidding to an abrupt stop before mashing the accelerator again. The engine roared as she shot forward, propelling the lone zombie out of the truck bed as she flew down the road.

She white knuckled the steering wheel, redlining the truck at a hundred sixty kilometers per hour. Over the next minute, she checked her mirror every couple of seconds before shooting out of the dark forest onto a paved road entering the town.

Sun shined down on the putrid truck as she slowed down, rolling into town. Afraid to stop, she drove past the pharmacy from last night, still devoid of people like the rest of town. She took a right on Main Street before slamming the brakes, stopping in front of a massive oak growing out of the street. She shifted the truck into reverse only for it to sputter and die, unable to take in air through its zombie gut covered intake.

“Thank you for making it this far.” Said Elysia before hopping out of the truck. Dad is going to kill me when he finds out about his truck, but to be fair, I had little choice. Now if only I could find him or my wayward sister. At this point, I’ll settle for anyone that isn’t undead.

Elysia caught her reflection in a storefront, turning her face bright red. Scratch that. How about I find clothes before I find people. She glanced at the clothing store named Lacey’s apparel before sighing. I guess I’ll have to commit my second act of petty theft in less than 24 hours. If only those damn zombies didn’t chase me out of my own house!

She squeezed past two Douglas fir trees sprouted near the door before entering. Her face turned a deeper shade of scarlet upon spotting a security camera near the door, but with no other choice, she continued on.

Embarrassed to stay longer than necessary, she grabbed a black pair of shorts and a blue T-shirt before jogging to the bathroom. Once inside, she scrubbed away the dried-on mud from her body with the sink, only to freeze when she caught her reflection in the mirror. Well crap, I really have purple eyes and white hair. An appearance change is the least of my worries, with zombies breathing down my neck, but it is weird. Does that mean the status menu was real?

Elysia shook her head as she slipped on the shorts and T-shirt before exiting the bathroom. As she wandered toward the exit, her stomach made its presence known, causing her to sigh. I guess it’s time for petty theft number three. If civilization ever returns to normal, hopefully they don’t throw me in jail. If only I could get my wallet from my zombie infested house.

She paused with her hand on the metal door handle before glancing down at her mummified feet. Her face reddened yet again as she turned to the shoe section of the store. After a quick scan of the shelves, she grabbed a pack of socks and running shoes before sitting on the bench.

After a moment to prepare herself for the pain, she unwrapped her right foot. Next, she peeled away the pad, only for no pain to come. She stared down at her unblemished foot in bewilderment for several seconds before quickly unwrapping her left foot, finding another healthy foot.

While releasing a sigh of both relief and exhaustion, she threw the bandages into the garbage before slipping on a pair of black socks, then laced up the running shoes. Can I please return to my mundane life? First zombies now magically healing feet. At least I have decent shoes now. I would rather avoid shredding my feet again, even if they magically heal.

She trotted toward the exit, this time leaving. Once outside, she stood in the overgrown street, surveying her choices. I probably should avoid anything that needs refrigeration, though there seems to be power. I don’t know how the power lines survived.

Elysia crossed the street, entering a bagel shop, but found a tree grown through the display, ruining the bagels. She released a sigh as she exited the shop to go next door to a sandwich shop.

She waved her hand over the refrigerated ingredients stand to find it still cold. I guess I’ll make myself a sandwich. Though I’m not sure I want to trust the ingredients. They probably sat out all night.

Again, she gave the security camera an apologetic smile as she grabbed a sub bun before filling it with chicken slices, lettuce, tomatoes, and American cheese. Sereia always teased me about my boring sandwich choices. Maybe they are boring, but it’s what I like.

Elysia plopped down on a booth near the window, staring out at the overgrown street as she took a bite of her sub. What should I do now? I can’t exactly return home. Why didn’t the zombies follow me? Are they allergic to the sun? Even if they are, I don’t want to test the theory.

After finishing her sub, she got up and exited the shop. It’s so tempting to steal a new car, but I would rather avoid grand theft. She stopped and shook her head. You know what? Fuck it. If I’m right about the zombies being allergic to sunlight, I need to prepare for tonight. If they are anything like movie zombies, I’ll need some firepower.

With her mind made up, Elysia jogged down the tree infested sidewalk past her father’s truck to the courthouse, which doubled as the police station. If only they didn’t close the only gun shop in town last year. Though it’s not like it makes much of a difference, I’m still committing felonies, whether I steal guns from a gun shop or the police station.

She circled to the back of the tree speared courthouse into the police station. While nervously fidgeting under the gaze of the security camera, she walked past the public section and down the hall. Her eyes landed on a door labeled interview room, only ratcheting up her anxiety. I really hope they don’t throw me in jail for this.

At the end of the hall, she came upon a door with the keypad. She stared at the reinforced steel door with a frown. Despite the futility of it, she yanked on the door handle, but it refused to budge. Well crap, now what?

She glanced to her left at the door marked garage, causing an idea to spark. Elysia entered the garage, crossing her fingers that she was right. The automatic fluorescent lights flickered on, revealing a half a dozen squad cars parked in a neat row.

Elysia tried the driver’s side door on the nearest car, expecting it to be locked. To her surprise, it opened. First, she stuck her head in, scanning the interior, but found no weapons. Having expected this, she reached under the dash to open the trunk.

With a hopeful expression, Elysia trotted around the back of the Crown Vic, lifting the trunk. She released a sigh of relief when she found a shotgun and a 9 mm pistol with a spare magazine resting in foam cutouts.

She grabbed the shotgun first, pleased to find it loaded. My shoulder will hate me, but I will take a sore shoulder over being zombie food. It’s a little different from dad’s 12gauge, but it’s simple enough.

Elysia slung the shotgun over her shoulder, tightening the sling to her petite frame before grabbing the pistol again, finding it loaded. After stuffing the spare magazine in her pocket, she closed the trunk, moving onto the next police car, only to find it locked. Still holding out hope, she checked the other four police cars, but they were all locked. Should I break in? I can’t carry any more shotguns, but a second pistol and a few more magazines would be nice.

A moment later, she facepalmed herself. I am an idiot. Why am I only thinking of what I can carry? I’ve already crossed the line. I may as well go all the way.

With her decision made, she slammed the shotgun stock butt into the driver’s side window of the second police car, filling the once silent garage with honking from the car alarm and flashing lights. Elysia winced as her ears rung, but she ignored it in favor of building her armory. Her left hand pulled the trunk lever, allowing her to grab the shotgun and pistol, tossing them into the first police car. She repeated the process on the other four cars, piling her newly stolen armory in the passenger seat of the first police car before hopping into the driver’s seat. Thank you to whoever uses this car. The chorus of car alarms muffled upon closing the car door, eliciting a sigh of relief. After picking at her still ringing ears for a few seconds, she fired up the engine before pulling out of the parking spot, driving toward the garage door. As she neared the garage door, it opened on its own, beckoning her through.

She slammed on the brakes just outside the garage, glaring at the massive tree blocking her way. Stupid trees! Always in the way. Left with no other choice, she rolled forward to the right of the tree. She winced as both mirrors broke off on the building and tree. Her wince morphed into a smile a moment later as she slipped through the narrow gap, pulling out onto the street. She did a little happy dance before turning right. Now to find somewhere zombie resistant for tonight.

Elysia stopped in front of a gas station, running in while holding a pistol in her left hand. Her eyes scanned the shelves, landing on the candy section. Greed manifested as she stuffed as many chocolate bars as she could in a bag she grabbed from the roll to her left. On her way to the door, she spotted a fridge filled with drinks, grabbing a water bottle before jogging out the door back to her stolen police car, feeling the need to find somewhere to set up camp before getting more supplies.

With a reluctant expression, she set the bag on the center console, hands trembling with temptation. Before she could give in, she shifted the car in the drive and pulled away.

She weaved around trees and rammed over tall grass growing through the road as she surveyed the town for a good place to set up camp. As she drove, dense clouds gathered overhead, darkening the sky. Elysia turned down Settler Lane, running along the southern border of the Evergreen cemetery. While frowning, she flipped on the headlights and continued on, pressing the gas pedal a little harder.

A few seconds later, the earth-shattering boom rattled the car before releasing a torrent of water. The windshield wipers worked overtime, clearing away the downpour as the rain reduced visibility to only a few meters. Afraid of staying near the cemetery, Elysia mashed the gas pedal, roaring the engine.

She took the next left, taking her away from the cemetery. Tension released from her shoulders only for her to slam the brakes when a tree came out of nowhere due to poor visibility. Her tires slid on the rain slick road as she swerved to the left, impacting another tree just beyond the previous one. The ram bar did its job, protecting the front end as she shifted into reverse, causing a thump. Terrified to look behind her, she stomped the gas pedal, chirping the tires as she lurched backward, only for another thump to stall her momentum.

In desperation she shifted into drive, flooring the engine as she turned hard right, sliding rear tires on the rain slick road. A second later, another much more solid crunch halted her spin. She glanced behind her to find yet another tree. Thinking quick, she straightened the steering wheel, mashing the gas pedal lurching her forward, smashing the left headlight on a fire hydrant.

Undeterred, she finished spinning only to hit the brakes, staring out the windshield at the horde of zombies.