out of ammo, dropped his firearm and broke ranks, running into the crowd. This unnerved some of the crowd and they tried to back up, pushing and shoving. Then three more officers ran. Another fell to his knees and held out his arms like Elias in ‘Platoon.”
Then, all at once, the zombies were on the police. They fell upon the brave men and women who had made their stand, trying desperately to protect the innocent lives behind them. The zombies feasted as the crowd tried to run. But there were too many people in the crowd and the ones in the back couldn’t see. The camera watched as people trampled one another trying to get away. Zombies looked up for their next meal as their previous meal died from their wounds. Those in the crowd who were trampled made easy prey, even for a slow, staggering zombie. The CNN camera operator zoomed in on a young girl as a zombie reached her and began feasting, tearing into her tender flesh. You could hear her screaming over the other screams as the zombie ate. The camera operator must’ve realized what was happening because they moved on and focused on the hospital entrance where more zombies were staggering out of the doors.
The picture returned to the studio. The anchor was crying and someone moved into view to try to comfort him. Another anchor stepped in front of the scene and spoke as the camera focus adjusted.
“I think you all feel the same after what we all just witnessed. It looks like a scene from a horror movie, but I assure you that this is really happening. It is not a joke. It is not CGI. It is not some ‘War of the Worlds’ type broadcast. We are getting reports of similar scenes, some worse if you can believe that, in New York, Atlanta, Orlando, St. Louis, Charlotte, Phoenix and our nation’s capital. Basically, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, these are all cities where the tainted vaccine was sent. The President is scheduled to speak in about an hour, but I think it’s safe to say that if you live in an area where the tainted flu vaccine was sent, or even if you don’t, just stay in your homes, or your office or school or wherever you are. Do not check on loved ones. Do not answer the door. Stay inside and let’s see if our leaders can come up with a plan for this new threat. What can only be called, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but can only be called the zombie invasion.”
I’m sure the anchor continued talking but I didn’t hear any of it. I don’t think the other members of the family heard it, either. We all sat in stunned silence of what we’d just seen and heard. We were all crying and poor Thor was nuzzling Tabby trying to figure out what was going on. Maybe it was time to turn the TV off for awhile.
“Sam, why don’t you go start dinner? Something fresh. We don’t want to use up anything in cans until the frozen and fresh stuff is gone. Tab, can you take Mal up to your room and play. Your Mom and I will be right down here if you need us.”
Hugs all around then the family spit up. I grabbed a pen and pad of paper and started taking notes. I need a list. It’s how I work best. There were a lot of things to think about. Too many, actually. Where are the flashlights? Should we all sleep in one room or are we okay in separate rooms for now? Do we leave the safety of the house to check on the Thompsons next door? They’ve been so good to us over the years. The list goes on and on.
Some of it was easy. I have my own flashlight as does Samantha. There were two others in the hall closet downstairs and one in the garage. Plus, we could use our phones in a pinch. For now, anyway. But, at some point we won’t have the ability to charge them. Other
1796-1874 Agnes Strickland, 1794-1875 Elizabeth Strickland, Rosalie Kaufman