Kristie walked over and had her first glimpse of the carnage that was left from the zombie pool party massacre. She placed a hand over her mouth in horror. “Holy shit!
Chapter Sixteen
Bryce and I locked the gate this time to keep any other new zombies from wandering in.
“I wonder how they happened to know we’re here?” I said to him as we watched more begin to navigate towards the house.
He shrugged. “Not sure, but I think we should get going soon. It’s too dangerous staying here.”
I nodded, trying not to breathe in the horrible smell. The smell of the rotting flesh was so pungent that I decided to ask Kristie for some Vicks to rub under my nose. I’d heard it was great for masking raunchy smells.
We returned to the house and closed the blinds so we wouldn’t have to view all the corpses outside. It was getting warmer outside and now the flies were beginning to hover around the dead.
“Nothing on television yet,” mumbled Paige, throwing the remote control. Bryce had been able to locate the house’s main generator, so there was power again.
“Anyone hungry?” asked Kristie as she opened up the fridge. “I’m starving. Even those nasty zombie bodies outside can’t ruin this appetite.”
I wasn’t really hungry but needed the energy from the food. “Sure,” I said.
“Well, the ham still looks good,” she commented as she sniffed it. She placed it on the counter and took out some bread. “I can make sandwiches. Sorry, Wild, I’m out of pickles.”
I smiled. “That’s fine.”
Kristie made sandwiches for everyone while I gave her a recap of what I understood about the zombies. They were insatiable cadavers who would do anything for a good meal. And we were definitely the main course. At least that was my version.
Bryce’s reasoning was a little more scientific and straight from one of his military buddies. Those millions of people who received the flu vaccine were given a death sentence. The theory was that the vaccine caused some type of severe neurological damage; destroying what is the humane part of the brain. Eventually it begins to destroy tissue in other parts of the body including muscle and other major organs; basically, creating a walking vegetable. One with a ravenous appetite for protein, lots of it. He wasn’t sure if they were really considered zombies, but they were definitely something out of a horror movie.
“Is the military going to be able to contain these things?” asked Kristie.
“Most of the military are zombies by now, they were pretty much required to have them. The few remaining soldiers who didn’t get the vaccine have their hands full as it is. The point is, we’re pretty much on our own.”
“How long does it take for someone to turn into a zombie?” whispered Kylie. It was the first time she’d spoken since we’d found them. Kristie put her arm around her.
“Not sure, although I think everyone is different, depending on their body mass. My aunt received the vaccine and it took only twenty-four hours for her to change, she’s pretty small. I’ve heard that others took much longer.”
“Wasn’t your aunt caring for your mom?” I asked Bryce.
His lips grew thin and he nodded.
“Did you see your aunt when she was a zombie?” asked Kristie.
“Unfortunately, I did. After work, I went to check on my mother to see if she was doing any better. She’d refused any medication at the clinic, including the vaccine. She never believed in the flu vaccinations, that’s why Bobby and I have never had shots either. Personally I think she just avoided any kind of medical attention because of her drinking problem. Anyway, when I got home, let’s just say they were both gone, but for different reasons.”
“I’m sorry,” I replied softly.
He shrugged then got up from the table to grab a bottle of water. His eyes were misty and he gazed out the window while the rest of us finished our sandwiches.
“So, can the zombies infect others?” asked Paige, breaking the silence.
Bryce cleared his throat and looked over. “The military believes that they can infect others. So try not to get bitten.”
“God, I’d give anything for a cigarette right now,” mumbled Kristie as she rubbed her chin.
Paige’s jaw dropped. “Mom, you quit two years ago. Control yourself.”
“Well, I think there’s a better chance of getting killed by a zombie right now then dying of lung cancer,” she replied dryly.
I pushed myself up from the table. “I need to use your bathroom. Do you have any Vicks vapor rub?”
Kristie looked at me strangely. “Go ahead. There’s some in the vanity.”