Decaying Humanity Read Online Free
smock was stained with blood and her head had been crushed against the cold grey tiles. Hanging out of her vest pocket was a roll of colorful smiley face stickers.
“Edith!” I screamed as I pushed my way over to her. I stood over her, trying to see if she was alive. I started to reach down, but upon further inspection it was all too apparent that she was beyond saving. I wouldn’t say that I
knew
her, but I worked around her almost every day for the last three years.
As I started to stand back up, I was pushed aside by a tall black haired woman. I nearly lost my balance and if I hadn’t recovered, I would have fallen to the floor. The thought of being trampled to death by a mob of scared people snapped me free of my shock. I didn’t have time to mourn her and I couldn’t use my phone to call for help. I had to get out of here, now.
Three gunshots rang out in rapid succession from the back of the store. The one-week waiting period for weapons had been forcefully lifted. Those gunshots only agitated the swarm more. Some people ran away from the sound of gunfire and oddly most people continued to try to get to the shelves. This caused more harm as groups collided into each other.
I should have left a long time ago, but I guess I just didn’t want to accept the truth. I kept thinking that everyone would calm down and clear out, like it had all just been a dream. That wasn’t happening and people were being murdered over cans of creamed corn. I loved to watch monster movies, but I never expected the monsters to be school teachers and accountants. The worst part was that zombies were entirely absent from this whole equation. People were killing each other over the
possibility
of zombies. They were causing all this damage because of the TV broadcast. Panic was more contagious than any virus.
I pushed my way through the droves of people to get outside. The parking lot had become even more chaotic and people were everywhere. I had to get home and admit to Harvey that he was right, at least partially. At this moment, admitting my faults was the least of my worries. I had no idea if zombies would be knocking at our door in the next few days. Either way, I was exceptionally grateful that he stocked up prior to this event. I made my way to my car and retrieved my machete and looked around one last time. I patted my car like a purring kitten. “Looks like you are staying here,” I said to myself. Walking home was the only option.
Chapter 2: Homebodies
Now I know what you are thinking—the U.S. capital is under attack by the living dead. The president is under siege and the entire country is soon to fall to the unholy army. That broadcast seemed to have everyone on edge and the security for the president had actually grown nearly ten times its usual size.
This unease was incredibly unfortunate for Diane Willard, the fifty-four year old cleaning lady. She was cleaning a side table at the White House when she saw a spider and kicked at it in surprise. This caused her to bang her knee on the leg of the table. It hurt enough to bring tears to her eyes and she hobbled from the table around the corner to sit in the nearby chair.
Her wobbly gait from a distance apparently spooked Agent Walters, the doorman, who fired his M4 without hesitation. Agent Walters had always been average at shooting, his numbers never quite made the high marks. Unfortunately, today his shot was dead center, sending his bullet cleanly through her brain. That shot, while killing the poor woman, had a ripple effect that some could say, was the start of our downfall. The broadcast which was meant to quell the panic had actually incited explosive riots and fear country-wide. It was the panic that lowered the country’s immune system and allowed the infection to spread.
Everyone thinks that a zombie outbreak would spread quickly and with great strength. Within days, those red
“Edith!” I screamed as I pushed my way over to her. I stood over her, trying to see if she was alive. I started to reach down, but upon further inspection it was all too apparent that she was beyond saving. I wouldn’t say that I
knew
her, but I worked around her almost every day for the last three years.
As I started to stand back up, I was pushed aside by a tall black haired woman. I nearly lost my balance and if I hadn’t recovered, I would have fallen to the floor. The thought of being trampled to death by a mob of scared people snapped me free of my shock. I didn’t have time to mourn her and I couldn’t use my phone to call for help. I had to get out of here, now.
Three gunshots rang out in rapid succession from the back of the store. The one-week waiting period for weapons had been forcefully lifted. Those gunshots only agitated the swarm more. Some people ran away from the sound of gunfire and oddly most people continued to try to get to the shelves. This caused more harm as groups collided into each other.
I should have left a long time ago, but I guess I just didn’t want to accept the truth. I kept thinking that everyone would calm down and clear out, like it had all just been a dream. That wasn’t happening and people were being murdered over cans of creamed corn. I loved to watch monster movies, but I never expected the monsters to be school teachers and accountants. The worst part was that zombies were entirely absent from this whole equation. People were killing each other over the
possibility
of zombies. They were causing all this damage because of the TV broadcast. Panic was more contagious than any virus.
I pushed my way through the droves of people to get outside. The parking lot had become even more chaotic and people were everywhere. I had to get home and admit to Harvey that he was right, at least partially. At this moment, admitting my faults was the least of my worries. I had no idea if zombies would be knocking at our door in the next few days. Either way, I was exceptionally grateful that he stocked up prior to this event. I made my way to my car and retrieved my machete and looked around one last time. I patted my car like a purring kitten. “Looks like you are staying here,” I said to myself. Walking home was the only option.
Chapter 2: Homebodies
Now I know what you are thinking—the U.S. capital is under attack by the living dead. The president is under siege and the entire country is soon to fall to the unholy army. That broadcast seemed to have everyone on edge and the security for the president had actually grown nearly ten times its usual size.
This unease was incredibly unfortunate for Diane Willard, the fifty-four year old cleaning lady. She was cleaning a side table at the White House when she saw a spider and kicked at it in surprise. This caused her to bang her knee on the leg of the table. It hurt enough to bring tears to her eyes and she hobbled from the table around the corner to sit in the nearby chair.
Her wobbly gait from a distance apparently spooked Agent Walters, the doorman, who fired his M4 without hesitation. Agent Walters had always been average at shooting, his numbers never quite made the high marks. Unfortunately, today his shot was dead center, sending his bullet cleanly through her brain. That shot, while killing the poor woman, had a ripple effect that some could say, was the start of our downfall. The broadcast which was meant to quell the panic had actually incited explosive riots and fear country-wide. It was the panic that lowered the country’s immune system and allowed the infection to spread.
Everyone thinks that a zombie outbreak would spread quickly and with great strength. Within days, those red
Readers choose
An Unexpected Wife
Marquita Valentine
Jonathan Lowe
Erin Quinn
Rhys Ford
Jonathan Valin
Kevin Sampsell
Julie Buxbaum
Edward Kritzler