The Zombie Zone

The options were to stay on campus and find a place to hold up, or venture into Hansel. Dozens upon dozens of zombies lingered. Corpses stained the lawns. From the quick glances he took, Theo didn't see any sign of life from the other academic buildings.

Theo took the exit. However, before arriving at the bridge that crossed the river, he slowed to a stop. The foliage that grew up and around the bridge gave them cover, but allowed them to clearly see forward and back. Zombat wasn't present; hopefully it was busy with Ashem. The zombies were scarce here, since anybody leaving campus at this point wouldn't be dealing with any type of mess.

"What's the plan?" Susan asked. She crawled from the backseat to sit in the front.

Theo stayed locked in on the town skyline. Smoke trails didn't bode well. Driving through the familiar, quaint streets never felt so daunting. He voiced his thoughts, "I'd like to wait for the others. See if they catch up. Otherwise, my place is nearby. We can crash there..."

Susan plopped in the seat and let out a long sigh, "This is all too much. We need to rest."

Theo caught a glimpse of red on her thigh-high boots when she climbed over. He asked, "Did you get hurt?"

Susan glanced down at the blood, and released another long sigh, "Yeah..."

She put her knee up on the glove box, and then lowered the boot lip on the thigh. It wasn't just a stain. Three small claw marks festered under sheets of blood and dust.

It wasn't a bite, but Theo didn't move or blink, "What happened?"

"It's from the ones we fought near the front. Before you came to my rescue..." Susan rolled her boot up and covered the wound. She saw his concern and faintly smiled, "Don't worry, silly. We won't have to amputate."

Theo wrestled his memory for everything Autumn mentioned about changes. Her complexion seemed washed, but she was naturally pale. Then he saw her pupils.

They were warped like an atom symbol. Theo wanted to wake up, or for her to blink and reveal that it was his exhausted mind playing tricks on him. He whispered past his emotions, "Your eyes..."

Susan checked the rearview mirror. She seized up like he did, before slumping in her seat, "Oh...well, shit."

Theo still couldn't move. His mind went to a hundred places. Susan seemed to be doing the same, but she spoke first, "Maybe Autumn was right. The eyes might just be a symptom."

Hanover's suspicion came to mind. How it isn't an infection, but a chemical imbalance. There didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Autumn hadn't changed even though he developed the warped pupils, "Yeah..."

"Let's go to your place. I'll let the others know," Susan whipped out her phone. Her eyes were glossy. Theo could hear the stifled emotions she held back.

"Susan, we need to..." Theo started

"Please, just drive..." Susan cut him off. Her flimsy front crumbled, "I want to be somewhere safe and comfortable. Please, we can address it once we're there."

Her expression fractured Theo. The misery wasn't like anything he felt before. She was right, though; in more ways than one. He agonizingly shifted to Drive. They crossed the bridge and entered Hansel.

The sun dipped below the horizon. It left streaks of violet light across the sky. The world would descend into darkness soon. Theo drove up to the fourway that led to a supermarket and the highway. Hansel was just as bad as the college campus. Wrecks, fires, and zombies made up the bulk of the tapestry. It truly was an apocalypse.

Rows upon rows of vehicles lined up the highway ramp. Zombies lumbered, feasted, or stared skyward. Not a single living person was in sight.

Theo drove along the perimeter of the town in the direction of his parents' condo. Every so often, he had to drive on the opposite side of the road, or even the sidewalk, to avoid abandoned vehicles and shambling corpses.

Theo caught glimpse of a few people darting into a nearby building. Hot on their tail were a couple of zombies. One was a female with physiological traits of a monkey. She bounded and swung from poles and hangovers. It wasn't long until she grabbed one of the survivors. Theo cast his eyes back to the road to ignore the gruesome end. Susan didn't seem to have noticed it, too tired and leaned up on the passenger window.

He wasn't risking anything at this point. There was nothing they could do for those still scrambling to fight or hide.

The uncomfortable tension in the car made it too difficult to talk. Theo wanted to be doing anything other than sitting and driving. Susan laid her head against the window and stared up at the blues, purples, and black.

"I've dreamt about this," Susan said. Theo looked over, saw the bloodstains, and then stared back forward. She continued, "You, driving me through Hansel. Me, staring out at the beauty. Granted, this isn't a Trans Am, but it'll do."

"How can you be so calm?" her attitude bothered him.

"Maybe because I knew this might happen. It helps that I don't feel any different. Maybe I'll turn into a werewolf," Susan eyed him.

She was trying too hard. Theo's grip on the wheel tightened, "Now isn't a fucking good time for jokes, Susan..."

"I suppose it isn't fair for me to do that. It feels nice, though," Susan apologized.

She glanced back at Snowdrop. She rested peacefully. Susan forced a smile, "We started today trying to get her away from Lorenzo. Mission accomplished, I suppose."

Theo couldn't get past his feelings. Again, he spoke his mind, "I can't lose you, Susan."

"I know," Susan soothed him with a shoulder rub. Hearing it made it hurt. Desperation replaced the anger. He gave her a hand to hold. She accepted it and didn't let go for the rest of the ride. Theo and Susan quietly grieved.

The part of Hansel Theo lived in was next door to a park and shopping outlet. Powerlines were down, windows and doors were broken, and not a soul in sight. There weren't too many cars next to the condominiums. The security gate had been bent aside. A tipped over truck leaned across the fence. Everywhere told a story of those who barely escaped or failed to survive.

Theo pulled up next to the condo building he lived in. News broadcasts played loud on televisions, blaring from open balcony doors. A few dogs and plenty of birds made up the ambience.

Theo's dad's van wasn't parked anywhere, "I don't think my parents are here. Dad mentioned an evacuation."

"An emergency evacuation would move them to shelters, or out of town," Susan craned her neck to scout the place.

"I'll see if it's safe. Be right back," Theo unbuckled and hopped out. There were many distant noises that came and went, but sirens were always present. They sounded like police or ambulance sirens. The car horns were the most annoying. The occasional shriek was the most disturbing.

Susan propped her door open and slung her legs out. It was better than being stuffed in the car. Theo entered the access code on the entry box, heard the beep, and edged inside.

Susan heard movement in the backseat. She turned to see Snowdrop waking up. The fragile girl sat up and held her head, "What happened? Where are we?"

Susan pitied the poor girl, and breathed out a morbidly comedic breath, "Let me tell ya..."

Inside the condo lobby, things were spotless. The magnetic lock prevented any ne'er-do-wells or zombies from breaking in. The televisions in the waiting loft were on the news. Helicopter footage and interviews filled the screens, and based on the obtuse responses by authorities, things seemed bleak. People were scattered, deceased, or unaccounted for. The severity of the zombies, and their continual growth in numbers, made all search and rescue efforts nearly impossible.

Theo tested how vacant the building was. He went up to the receptionist desk, picked up the phone, and tried every condo number. No answer after no answer. He tried his condo twice, because he cared more for his own folks than his neighbors. Still no answer.

Theo took out his own phone and sent a text message to his dad and mom. He asked where they were. After he pushed send, he waited for the checkmarks to fill out. However, they remained blank.

"Come on..." Theo wished for one thing to work out for once.

"Hey!" Susan sharply yelped. Theo looked out in time to see her tumbling out of the Lamborghini and Snowdrop partway in the driver's seat.

"What the hell?!" Theo vaulted over the desk and into the door. The magnetic lock bounced him back and sent a shock of pain through his arm. He slapped the exit button, disengaged the lock, and then burst outside.

Snowdrop revved the engine and sped away. She swerved down the condominium driveway and disappeared on an adjacent street. The tires screeched with every sharp turn.

"What is she thinking?" Theo helped Susan up.

"Fucking I don't know," Susan brushed herself off. They continued staring in disbelief, "I told her everything she missed. Then, when I turned my back, she shoved me out."

"We saved her life and this is how she repays us?" Theo wanted to punch a wall. Or Lorenzo.

They heard nearby noise outside the condominium fence. A single chomper beat against the metal bars.

"Let's get inside. Nobody's here," Theo put his arm around Susan and guided her in. He didn't need to, and she didn't need it, but they both huddled close together.

Theo lived on the fourth floor, down on the right. The juxtaposition from a string of near-death scenarios and the corny elevator music hit square on the irony. The blood footprints made an unnerving pattern of on the elevator floor. At this point, they didn't care.

Their muscles were a mixture of soreness and numbness. Theo teetered, but refused to let his guard down until inside the home. Susan leaned against the elevator handlebars. They were coated in sweat, blood, bruises, and scrapes.

"Please, tell me your parents keep the cupboards full. I'm starving," Susan patted her stomach.

"Tch, we got plenty. Want some spaghetti?" Theo offered his own hankering.

"Your spaghetti? Any day!"

After the peaceful elevator ride, the couple were smacked by reality once more. Red splotches along the wall, footprints across the carpet floor, a knocked over lampstand, and multiple corpses ruined the way home.

"Give me a break..." Theo marked each of his neighbors' homes. Some doors were open voids rather than shut blockades.

Susan slammed her palm on the metal of the elevator. It made a racket. After a moment, no undead shambled out or grunted their location. The ones on the ground were remnants of those killed before and after turning. Susan proudly nodded, but moved like a slug, "Great! Let's hurry."

Theo and Susan skipped by the corpses, snuck peeks into open, but empty, homes, and made it to the Black family's condo. Theo unlocked it and entered.

The inside of the home was spacious, with an open-floor plan. Blanche design, with little to no variety in color. A small foyer and front hallway branched to Theo's bedroom, as well as the laundry. Farther in were the living room, dining room, and kitchenette center. An office room, the master bedroom, and the balcony were accessible from there.

The decorations included high-end furniture, old wood statuettes, a plethora of family and friend photos and portraits, an electric fireplace, and vases. Lots and lots of vases; some occupied, some empty. If it wasn't a monochrome color, it was either gold, silver, or had a marble pattern.

"These are nice condos," Susan commented, while Theo locked the door.

"Yeah, not compared to your house," Theo locked up.

"I guess I'm just slummin' it with you," Susan sarcastically played.

Theo liked that reference, "I guess so."

He then led the way. Susan trailed him into the kitchen. Theo quickly checked each room amidst calling out for his parents. He paused in the living room and stared above the fireplace.

"What's up?" Susan asked. She claimed one of the barstools next to the kitchen island. Her body was elated by the relief.

"Some personal belongings are missing, mom's portable oxygen tank isn't here, and dad's rifle is gone," Theo stared at the wall mount where the weapon used to be. "That thing is his baby. He wouldn't leave it behind. They really did evacuate; but why didn't they call or text?"

Theo scrolled into his messages and missed calls. Nothing since that afternoon in the cricket court. Susan saw the same issue on her phone, "My message to Hank didn't go through..."

"Frickin' useless," Theo grumbled. He tossed his phone on the couch.

"We should still charge them. Phones have plenty of use," Susan flipped through her multiple screens of apps. Theo obliged, but left his phone on the couch to fetch the chargers. After supplying their phones with lifelines, Susan asked, "Do you think everybody is okay?"

Seeing Autumn get buried replayed in Theo's mind repeatedly. Watching Hanover take her last breath hung his head with guilt. His pessimism showed, "I wish I could say yes. Who's to say we're not the last two alive?"

"Theo...you can't say that. Don't give up hope."

Familiar words from those who believed in him, before the apocalypse. If it came from anybody else, he'd have ignored it. She obviously wanted him to side with her. In the name of encouragement and support. It wasn't easy, "Not much of that left."

The day's challenges weighed on them. Physically, mentally, and emotionally; they were done. Theo thought of how the horrors would haunt them. How the impending doom nipped at their heels. He nearly broke down.

"I need to shower," Susan hopped from the stool. Her strong front was up again.

Their stink and the grime gathered from campus made it hard to wait. Theo concurred, "Yeah, me, too. I don't want to contaminate dinner, either. You can use my parent's."

Theo pointed her to the master bedroom past the fireplace. She started her way over, and Theo headed for his bathroom. However, Susan gently asked, "Want to join me?"

Theo stopped walking. He heard Hank's and Autumn's convictions, and Susan heard Lucija's advice. When Theo turned to answer, they both spoke.

"Sure," from Theo.

"Please," from Susan.

Susan's cheeks flushed red. She moved much differently. Her body language attracted Theo's eyes. She slid her jacket off and tossed it over the back of the couch. When she passed his parent's bedroom door, she glanced back with pleading eyes.

Theo gave it a beat before going. He heard the shower already running when he stepped into the bedroom. The queen-sized bed and its duvet were not made. The nightstands sat open and mom's valuables were missing.

The shower door opened and closed. Theo realized he awkwardly stood near the lazy man chair in the corner, contemplating. His mind dipped into all the fantasies he ever had. A part of him didn't want to screw it up. The other part embodied his typical attitude. It convinced him to say, "Fuck it."

Theo entered the bathroom and removed his jacket. It, and Autumn's workout shirt, dropped onto the shaggy carpets on the white linoleum floor. Susan's top and skirt were bundled up near that. He quit moving when he saw Susan in the shower.

Beautiful, is what Theo deemed the sight. The water cascaded down Susan's slim body. It traced along the curvature of her backside. These rivers rolled along her cute, perky breasts that swooped down to the nipples like a ramp. She cocked a knee out, since she put most of her weight on her undamaged leg. She combed her hair with her fingers and stood beneath the water to let it all soak. With no clothes on, Theo could clearly see her tattoos. A half sleeve covered half her forearm, elbow, and upper arm on the right side. They were tribal, and represented a cultural thing from her grandmother's family. Twin tattoos of bird wings were found on either side of her hips. Slightly larger than palm-size, the feathers stylishly listed the names of her family members.

Theo removed the last of his clothes and stepped in. Susan continued to soak her hair, but she stole a few glances back at him. His sweaty, well-worked body was complimented by some body hair. Bruises blemished his torso and arms. The water that bounced from her sprinkled his front. She lingered on his chest and abs, both defined after all the exertion. Lastly, she only glimpsed at his groin, but sheepishly cast her eyes away.

"Scrub my back?" Susan asked. She combed her hair aside. Theo picked up the bar of soap and lathered Susan's back. The suds rolled past her shoulder blades and spine, and along the crease and curves of her butt. The lower Theo went, the more Susan stuck her behind out. It was dangerously flirtatious with his groin.

Theo rubbed the soap bar along her ass cheeks. He heard Susan breathe in suddenly, and the goosebumps were easy to see.

She reached back, gingerly took his hand, and brought it around to her front. It pressed him into her. She controlled his hand at first. They rubbed the soap across her breasts. After she let go, Theo covered the rest. He even introduced his other hand to help spread the soap. He groped her, glanced her stomach, and teased her neck. She melted against him and gazed back into his eyes. The guy stayed composed, but was enamored by their sensual showering.

"Thanks...your turn?" there was an excitement in Susan's tone.

Theo handed over the soap and separated. His erection sprang up, now free from Susan's smothering. She didn't say anything about it as they switched places. She made an audible gasp, followed by some muttering under her breath. Theo glanced back and saw her expression of giddy joy. Her eyes were locked onto his buns.

"You good?" Theo asked, subtly covering his enlarged manhood.

"Sorry! I. Am. Great," Susan snapped out of the trance and giggled. She went to work slathering his backside. Theo left it there, but Susan didn't wait, "You have a great ass."

"I didn't know you like butts."

"Trust me, you're the only guy I know who doesn't have a flat caboose," Susan didn't take as long as Theo did to reach down. Theo shivered, but liked the touch. His reaction and fidget made her giggle.

Susan told him to wash off. Theo turned to let the water rain across him. They both took their front sides fully in. Specifically, they explored their groins. Susan's was cute and groomed. Theo pointed straight ahead with his south pole, unable to hold back the interest. Susan took it all in with hungry eyes.

"Sorry, he has a mind of his own," Theo cleared his throat.

"It's okay, silly. It's to be expected," Susan swiveled side-to-side at the hips. She turned bashful and couldn't stop admiring his nudity. She joined his inability to hide her excitement; her nipples hardened. She said, "Besides, I like what I see."

Susan took a step forward to trade places. The confined space seemed even tighter. Theo's cock dragged along her side. He didn't mean to, but she figured he wanted to. It made both of them crack a smile and chuckle like immature teenagers. Susan rinsed some more under the water. They went back to staring at each other.

"How long have you liked me?" Theo wondered.

"I can't remember," Susan said matter-of-factly. "How long have you had feelings for me?"

"Since the start," Theo said it out loud, and felt stupid. They were middle schoolers when he caught feelings. The years since only reinforced them. Every broken relationship made him yearn for it. Each hello and goodbye made him miss her.

His straightforwardness lambasted her giddy bashfulness. Love swirled in their eyes.

Theo placed his hands on her hips, pulled her in, and kissed Susan. She wrapped her arms over him and clutched the backside of his head. Their breathing instantly haggard, as if they'd been underwater for hours. The first kiss turned into the first kisses.

Susan suddenly pulled away with a frightful look. Theo thought he, or his south pole partner, did something wrong. However, a groan louder than the running shower came from Susan's stomach.