As Dave and I are walking I hear someone call after us. “Where do you think you’re going?” I stop and turn around.

“Excuse me?” I say looking at the person who spoke. It was the office lady.

“I said, where do you think you’re going?” She repeats.

“Well, as I said before I’m going to complete the mission.” I respond.

“Then what about us?” She asks.

“Like I said before you can either hide or follow me. I’d suggest hiding because I can’t protect all of you.” I answer.

“If you can’t protect us maybe your friend can.” She points to Dave.

“No.” I respond.

“Why did you answer for him? He can make his own decisions can’t he?” She scolds.

“Jesus.” I sigh. “Dave do you want to protect these people?” I ask him.

“I do not have a desire to protect these people ‘Josh’.” Dave responds in a monotonous tone.

“See, he doesn’t want to. If there are no more questions I really want to complete the mission as soon as possible. Unless you guys want to figure out the consequences for failing a mission?” I say, annoyance clear on my face.

“If neither of you can protect us at least give us something to protect ourselves with.” The office lady insists. Her statement brings cries of agreement from the other people in the group, except for the man in camo.

“What exactly should we give you? I don’t have any extra weapons.” I respond.

“Well, can’t you give us one of those guns your holding.” She demands.

“I’m not even going to humor that with a response. Let’s go Dave.” I say as I turn around. Dave and I continue walking ignoring the calls of the others to wait. ‘This place looks like it’s be abandoned for a while.’ I look around at the smashed windows of shops and crashed cars. ‘Damn it what was I thinking. We made so much noise talking there in the middle of the street.’ I continue to scan the buildings as we pass them. ‘I don’t see any movement and the only thing I can hear is our footsteps.’

“Be on your guard Dave we don’t know where the zombies are or how many of them there are.” I say to Dave.

“Affirmative ‘Josh’.” Dave responds. We continue walking down the street until we come to a four way intersection.

“This looks like a fairly small town.” I say. “This is probably the center of it.” On the four way intersection there is a diner, a gas station, a motel, and a general store.

“Let’s check out the diner first.” I tell Dave. The diner is short building with smashed in glass windows, the outside wall are covered in a tarnished metal, and the sign above the glass doors reads “Milly’s Diner.” I walk up to the glass doors that are barely held to their hinges. ‘Just touching them might make them fall.’ I let Dave go in first then I follow. Both Dave and I have our Lasguns ready to fire. Dave walks in and looks to the right while I follow but look to the left. Inside the diner I see red leather booths with white tables in between. The floor is made of a checkered pattern tile. Dishes and silverware are strewn everywhere, I scan the room and some movement catches my eye. I see a door behind the counter slowly open to reveal a rotting face. Maggots swarm the rotting flesh of its body and a horrible stench accompanies it.

“Behind the counter.” I call out trying to stop myself from vomiting. ‘Damn it why are my hands so sweaty? Why can’t I pull the trigger? If I don’t pull the trigger it will kill me. I need to pull the trigger or all of my training will have been useless. BILL’S SACRIFICE WILL HAVE BEEN USELESS!’ The rotting corpse slowly shambles forward reaching the counter. I look into its maggot infested milky white eyes and pull the trigger. A hole appears in its forehead and slumps over the counter.

I release a breath and bend over, losing my breakfast. “‘Josh’ have you been injured?” Dave asks as he places a hand on my back.

“No, I’m fine.” I say. I straighten my back and wipe my mouth. “Thanks for asking.” Dave and I search the dining area. ‘Look at it don’t ignore it. You had to do it. It was either you or it. It was only a zombie. Now its soul can finally rest.’ I think as we pass the corpse behind the counter.

Dave enters the kitchen first, Lasgun at the ready. I follow after him. The kitchen was a cramped space with barely enough room for two people to walk side by side. Inside the kitchen there was a grill, a fryer, an oven, and a door. ‘That must have been the cook. I wonder where the rest of the people in this town are?’ I walk to the door and get behind it. “On 3 I’ll open the door. Wait a bit before entering we don’t know what’s in there.” I tell Dave. Dave nods. “1,2,3!” I pull the door open. I hear something stumble out then a thud.

“Enemies neutralized ‘Josh’.” Dave says.