Phase One: Identify (Territory of the Dead) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“God wants you hear for a reason, and your parents would too. They wouldn't want you giving up like this.”
     
    I stared at Dad, waiting for him to continue. He seemed to be searching within himself for the right words to help Jayden. He tentatively spoke again. “I don't think I have to tell you that the people we saw were no longer your parents. What made them who they were is long gone. All we saw was the shell that was left behind. No matter what happens, I want both of you to remember that. Once someone has died, the person they were never comes back.”
     
    We both nodded. My mom stirred but she didn't wake up. It was scary to hear my dad talking like that. It was almost as if he was preparing me in the event that something should happen to him or my mom. The thought was to painful to dwell on.
     
    “Oh my God,” the reporter screamed suddenly, his features frozen in terror. Immediately, I focused on the TV. He stood up and dropped the microphone, staring at something to the right.
     
    People were yelling and screaming in panic, the microphone picking up the background noise easily. I could hear police officers shouting orders, and see people running in different directions. Finally the cameraman turned to focus in on the action, and we all leaned forward to watch.
     
    Rapid gunfire exploded across the room, deafening to the people in the building. People were holding their ears as they tried to escape the zombies that were infiltrating the small station. The hysteria was overwhelming.
     
    Everyone tried to get out doorways at the same time, but it wasn't happening. I put my hand over my mouth and held back the bile, as a zombie grabbed an older woman and bit her ear off. She fought, but she wasn't any match for him.
     
    One of the police officers must have finally seen what was happening because a moment later the zombie was shot. He fell to the floor, still gripping the elderly lady. She fell with him, screaming in horror at the loss of her ear.
     
    “If someone doesn't die from a zombie attack, is there a chance they could still live?” I asked, unable to tear my eyes away.
     
    “Guess we will find out soon enough,” Dad responded.
     
    We didn't speak for several moments as we watched the horrific scene unfolding right before our eyes. The camera swung from the mob of people to the opposite of the room, and I gasped in horror. Zombies were piling in through the doorway, snarling and biting anybody still living.
     
    More screams filled the air. The room was to packed for the police to shoot, although some of them were shooting the zombies point blank. The smell of fresh blood seemed to make the dead crazy. They frantically bit their victims, leaving blood and flesh flowing down their chins and bodies.
     
    “It's a bloodbath,” I blurted, petrified at the thought of one day being in the same situation. A wave of despair and hopelessness washed over me. What was the point of even trying?
     
    People were dying like flies. It was only a matter of time until my number was up. I met Jayden's eyes. I could tell he felt as helpless as I did, maybe even more so. After all, he'd just lost his entire family.
     
    Dad didn't notice the exchange between the two of us. He was enthralled with the TV. The cameraman backed away from the carnage. A zombie noticed him, and started moving in his direction.
     
    “Move,” I heard the unknown man yell. “They are coming this way.” His voice rose in panic, his breath loud. My heart sped up in reaction. It was worse than watching the scariest horror movie. If only this was make-believe.
     
    It was difficult to make sense of the screen. He was running from room to room, and the view reflected it. It was nearly impossible to figure out where he was at, and what would happen next.
     
    I hoped he would make it out of the police station alive. After all, his camera was our last link to the world beyond the walls of my home. With every frantic pant, I was right there