The Zombie Zone

"Follow me. Come on."

Autumn enticed a group of four chompers. They belonged to the group who nearly jumped Theo. He nervously coaxed them down the west hallway. All of its doors to the gymnasiums and studios were open.

The zombies, riled up by Autumn's teasing, picked up speed. They were desperate to tear him limb from limb. Autumn, spooked by their advance, turned and ran. He cried out, "Here they come!"

When the zombies stumbled in front of the first four open doorways in the hall, long metal rods extended out and pushed against the undead. Theo, Hank, Lucija, and Jenah used the pool cleaning poles to guide the zombies into other open doors. They gave hardy shoves, and either knocked the zombies to the floor or twirling sideways. Once in, the swim team members cycled around with the doors and shut the undead inside.

However, one of the female swimmers was caught by the shoulder when she came around with the door. She screamed, panicked, and tried to rush away. The zombie didn't release her, and before anybody could get to her, it dug its teeth into her neck. Blood fountained out, and her scream ripped through the building. It dragged her backwards and to the ground.

"Sara!" the swim team yelled out.

Theo plowed his rod into the zombie to set the girl free. He was too late, though; Sara's lifeless eyes stared upwards as blood pooled beneath her. Theo grimaced at the horrible fate. He grabbed the door and closed it before they could witness the zombie crawl over and continue its meal.

The swim team comforted the ones who witnessed the death. One of the male swimmers stayed with Hanover, being her only way of maneuvering properly.

Theo slammed a fist on the door, "Dammit..."

Jenah spoke out, "We need to go. That scream might have alerted the others."

Hank sighed and bit the bullet, "Yeah, come on, guys. To the cricket gymnasium."

The group reluctantly moved ahead. The four zombies were all that stood between them and their goal. Connor's office was found in the cricket gymnasium. After the rest of the swim team moved by, and with Hanover in tow, Theo took the rearguard. They marched forward and past the fourway. While everybody moved along quickly, Theo saw movement down the side hallway and stopped to inspect it.

A woman, one of Ashem's loyalists, leaned against the corner on the far end. She wore a short sleeve button up and a skirt, and freckles speckled her face. Her lewd expression, a slacked gawk and nearly rolled back eyes, told Theo everything. Her pupils were warping like spherical orbs of water. Her skirt was slightly lifted to expose her well-trimmed groin.

A humper, on its knees and obscured by the woman and the corner wall, had its face buried into her rear. It wore no pants, which put its twisted boner on display. It viciously pleased her with a long tongue, while one of its hands was wrapped around to the front and massaging her exposed pussy.

"Help me...it...it..." the swimmer bit her lower lip. Then she became fully corrupted. She grinned with sinister lust and stared straight into Theo's soul, "It feels so good! I need your cock inside me! Please!"

The sexualized zombie squealed and squirted. She sprayed and convulsed to the humper's relentless anal tonguing and finger blasting. Her squirting drenched the floor before her.

"Theo!" Lucija called. The whole group had already entered the cricket gymnasium. She waited for him at the door. He left the hallway nightmare behind.

The indoor cricket court hit Theo with hard greens and a long strip of red that cut the court lengthwise. Cricket bats and stumps were in containers along one side. A single exit door was near the back corner. An office, a break room, and storage were set up near the front and to the right of the entrance.

Hanover was taken to the break room so she could sit down. Moving took a toll on her, and she greatly appreciated the relief.

"Sara, that poor girl..." Autumn wallowed in sadness. The group was distraught by the loss.

Theo kicked himself for the losses, both from Ashem's group and his own. The plan they came up with was, by far, the safest approach. Or was it? His failure to protect them all made him second guess himself.

"Theo..." Hank snapped him out of his thoughts. Him and Jenah stood next to Connor's office door. Hank gestured him over, "The sooner we're out, the better."

Theo unlocked the door and the three of them entered. Lucija and Autumn stayed to talk with the swim team and Hanover.

The office was an office. Dominated by a desk, accolades and college memorabilia across the wall, an out-of-place quality armchair for guests, and a trophy shelf behind everything. It smelled like sunflowers.

"Why come in here? I thought we needed to access the storage room," Jenah pointed out. Theo hadn't even considered that.

"Because, I know how our former coach was..." Hank leaned over the desk and popped he drawers open. He reached into one and pulled out a handgun, "Viola!"

Theo and Jenah's eyes went wide at the black and sleek 9mm pistol. Hank brought out a belt holster, too. He set the items on the desk.

"One shot from that will alert every zombie in the building," Jenah sounded like she despised the weapon.

"It only has one magazine, unless the coach left more stashed somewhere. It's a subcompact model, and..." Hank slipped the magazine out for a quick count. He injected it once finished, "...with eight bullets. It's a limited commodity."

"Who gets it?" Theo asked, tempted to claim it.

Hank had to be a mind reader, because he spun it in his hands and held the grip towards Theo, "My vote is you. You're the only one here with professional experience with firearms. I mean, we're all in America, so that means we're automatically experienced with firearms, but still. You're the only one I trust who can handle and be responsible with it."

Theo visually checked with Jenah, who conceded with a nod. He took the gun, and in a few micromovements, gauged its weight, grip, and sights.

"I suppose years of hunting with dad will pay off," Theo accepted.

"Remember the golden rule," Jenah warned Theo.

His finger was already outside the trigger chamber, and he knew where the safety was, "Yeah, I kn..."

"Always save one bullet for yourself. Just in case," Jenah surprised the men. She even tapped the side of her head for emphasis.

"Jesus, Jenah!" Hank gawked.

Their reaction took her aback, "What? It's a fair rule. I don't want him suffering."

"Has anybody ever told you how off putting you are?"

"No, people are too caught up praising me."

"It's mainly the delivery," Theo told Hank the main problem. "Susan says the same thing about me. You can say 'hello' cordially, or you can say 'hello' like you want them to die."

"He gets it," Jenah pointed at Theo, though it sounded like she accepted it as an excuse rather than a flaw.

"Whatever," Hank dropped the subject. He ruffled through the rest of Coach Connor's desk. His face lit up when he opened the bottom drawer. He pulled out a nearly unused bottle of whiskey, "Check this out. Looks like Connor needed some R and R during the swim season."

"We can roleplay as zombies and blend in," Jenah advocated for some imbibement.

"There are better uses for alcohol," Hank chuckled and added to his inventory. He then stared out at the cricket court, and all of his rattled classmates. He shared their pain, "Losing Sara sucked. I'll go and open the storage for everyone. We can use the cricket gear to protect our arms, legs, and heads. The bats will do a good job at cracking skulls. Hopefully, it's enough to get us to the student center."

"It has to be," Theo finalized. He removed his jacket, slipped on the gun holster, and stuck the firearm in it. His jacket prevented anybody from seeing either.

"I don't take you to be a turquoise kind of guy," Jenah evaluated.

"Right?" Hank grinned.

"Shut up," Theo grunted and blushed.

The trio left the office, and everybody migrated to storage, found just past the office. Autumn and Hanover chilled out in the breakroom, and Theo leaned on the doorframe.

"How are you holding up?" Theo asked Hanover.

"It doesn't hurt so much, but I'm still in plenty of pain. I'm woozy, and having a hard time breathing. I believe I've lost too much blood..." Hanover answered. She wasn't all there.

"She still has a fever. The sooner we get to the student center, the better," Autumn grew concerned.

Theo moved over to the drink machine, grabbed where it was latched, and forced it open. It made some racket. He stole a water bottle and gave it to Hanover.

"Thank you, Theodore," Hanover nursed the bottle and hydrated.

"You're the best, Theo!" Autumn cheered.

Theo flashed a smile, and then left. He wasn't used to everybody depending on him. He didn't like it, but it made him appreciate Susan, his father, and anybody else who put up with his shit.

Theo entered the storage room. It was big enough to store tubs and boxes of sports equipment, but small enough that most of the students couldn't fit in. Once they had their hands on a set of gear, they exited to fit everything on. Hank stationed himself in the middle of the room to hand stuff over. Lucija helped him out.

By the time Theo reached Hank, all the students were taken care of. Theo requested, "Let me have some guards for Hanover. Just in case she gets hit."

"Good idea," Hank handed Theo one set. It wasn't heavy, but it was cumbersome.

"I will find another box. Give me one minute," Lucija moved to one of the corners.

Hank tossed Theo his set, and the thug grumbled, "Easy now. Isn't this one yours?"

Hank gave a mischievous glance around, "This is my chance, man. Go get changed."

Theo flicked his attention to Lucija, who manhandled a box of different sport balls. She was bent over, and her cat tail flicked about. He understood the assignment, gave Hank the salute, and left his friend to work his charm. As a courtesy, Theo brought the door to a halfway close. It was just Hank, Lucija, and the buzz of the fluorescent light.

"I have found them," Lucija hoisted up a whole tupperware box filled with more cricket armor. However, after she set it down away from the corner, she noticed Hank in a strange position. He laid across one of the shelving units, sideways, propped up on an elbow. He furrowed his brow for sultry eyes, sucked in his cheeks, and puckered his lips to Chad levels of hotness. Lucija raised an eyebrow, "Are you okay, Hank? You look like you had a stroke."

Hank stopped looksmaxxing and rolled from his perch. He righted himself, cleared his throat, and said, "Sorry about that. I've been planning this for some time. Like, the right way to ask you, but it never feels 'right'. You make me all kinds of nervous."

"Ask me what?" Lucija leaned on another shelving unit. This tensed her arm muscles, and that blushed Hank's cheeks.

"Phew, okay...do you want to grab some coffee tomorrow? With me?"

Lucija moved only her eyes, and they made a cycle as she processed what he said, "You mean like a date?"

"...yes," Hank squeezed it out.

"Oh, well, maybe. I'll think about it."

"I know it's a weird time to ask and this isn't the ideal...what?"

"If it is okay by you, I'd like to weigh my options," Lucija played with her tail. "What we are about to deal with, and the whole emergency across Hansel, is a lot to have on a person's plate. I need time."

"Really?" Hank expected denial.

Lucija, like Hank, spoke genuinely, "Most of the men who ask me out do so like they wish to tame a beast. That or they seek to try and outdo me, and subtly tell me to know my place. I do not get these reads from you, Hank. So I am happy to consider it."

"Oh, well, that isn't a yes or a no. Give me a second; I prepared something just in case you didn't say yes," Hank ducked behind some of the storage and out of Lucija's sight. When he came back into sight, he shuffled forward on his knees in a frantic manner. His hands were together as if praying, and his expression was wrecked by emotion, "PLEASE! I want to be with you! Pleeeaaase! I'm desperate!"

"Pomalo, Hank," Lucija held her hands up to stop him.

"Pomalo?"

"Where I come from it means to slow down," Lucija grabbed Hank's hands and brought him to his feet. "This is not the end of the world. You do not have to be desperate. Let's focus on staying alive and keeping everybody safe. Then, once gain rest, we can discuss my thoughts on a relationship. Okay?"

Hank, starstruck, parroted, "Pomalo...what a wonderful language."

Lucija giggled, "It is a great way of living. Let's live, shall we?"

Hank shredded his desperation, and happy to have some kind of answer, agreed, "Baby, we're making it to the student center now! There's no way any zombie, bat, or apocalypse is gonna stop us! Let's go!"

Hank darted out of the storage room, and made a ruckus outside. He became everybody's overzealous cheerleader. Lucija's tail flicked and curved like her smile, "Nice bounce back."

Alongside Hank's constant hype, everybody fitted themselves with the shinguards, gloves, and helmets of the potentially deceased cricket team. The cricket bats had heft to them; perfect for bludgeoning.

"Alright, let's not all pretend we're like Theodore and have gotten in a scrap before. Contact with violence is a lot different than in movies and video games," Hank announced. "Who's been in a fight?"

Lucija and one of the guys helping Hanover raised a hand. One of the female swimmers mentioned playing softball before.

"Let's do some training and get used to hitting things. Partner up and take swings with the bats. Don't hit one another, but get comfortable," Hank pantomimed a homerun.

The training session began. Theo and Hank partnered up and stayed near the front, close to Hanover. The rest of the teams spread out across the cricket court.

"I don't need practice," Theo knocked Hank's held out bat away with ease.

"Don't go bragging. Soon the student will become the master," Hank swung his flashily, as if it were a sci-fi beam sword.

"You'll die," Theo tapped Hank's shoulder during one of his unnecessary twirls.

"You'll promise to kill me if I change, right?" Hank became somber, but asked with a smile.

Theo didn't like the idea, but understood the sentiment. Turning into a zombie, by either method, wasn't something he wanted to experience. He nodded, "Only if you promise to kill me if I turn."

"Deal," Hank and Theo made a pact, and solidified it with a hearty smack of their bats.

Hanover asked from the break room, "Are there any other signs we should be aware of? Especially since they don't require a bite to change?"

"Good question. We should figure out how this works so we know what to catch. What say you, zombie hunter? You've dealt with them the most," Hank whacked Theo's bat.

Aside from the pupils, Theo only had one other suspicion, "This might sound strange, but my first guess is horniness."

It was strange, and made Hank and Hanover raise eyebrows. Theo pointed out how everyone seemed more inclined to sexual activities today, as well as the humpers. It was bizarre detail, if not coincidence.

"Y'know, you might be on to somethong," Hank purposely used wordplay. "A common side effect of Homollata Tortum is hypersexualization. People become ravenous due to the drug, since it messes with their hormones."

"Cassie and Elisa mentioned a pill when I eavesdropped on them," Theo said, glancing at Hanover. She refrained from responding, deep in her own thoughts. She recalled Ashem's horrendous words, and how he too mentioned X-Safari.

"Then we need to keep an eye on anybody who uses the drug," Hank nervously gestured to Jenah. She haphazardly lectured Autumn on how to swing from the hip, though he didn't seem to have too much heart in him to do it.

"I hate to say it, but she might be a threat," Theo's gut twisted.

"And we don't have to look far for examples, either," Hank disengaged from the training. He stared at a pile of training mats on a trolley near the back of the court. Under the lifted mats, and at their angle, they could see two pairs of feet belonging to people hiding behind the mats. By their proximity, and their pants around their ankles, they were getting busy. Theo and Hank took a head count and confirmed it; the two unnamed female swimmers were missing.

"That's what I mean. I get the need for companionship is a human thing, especially in dire times. It just seems to be happening everywhere," Theo shrugged.

"Too bad for them. We can't take chances," Hank huffed. He started his way over there, "If they're not infected, they can wait for a better time."

Hank stomped his way over to the mats. At his departure, Hanover spoke loud enough for only Theo to hear, "I believe now more than ever that we are all infected."

Theo asked, "You do?"

"There was a large influx of appointments made on the forum over the last couple of days. Like everybody had the same idea at the same time," Hanover kept the reservoir in mind. "Then you gave into my coercion. Then Elisa and Cassie. And, as sickening as it is to admit, I started to enjoy what Ashem did to me near the end."

The thought of Ashem boiled Theo's blood, "You're kidding..."

"It was like my body didn't react to me. It turned against me. I hated it, through and through. Yet..." she trailed off. She suppressed it and the memory, then went on, "But if our hypothesis holds, it means this isn't a virus or infection. It's a chemical imbalance."

"Which means?"

"There is no avoiding it. We're all prone to desiring flesh, one way or another," Hanover made herself sick. The dark implications were so bad that further description wasn't necessary. They silently agreed to set the horrific subject aside, and hoped they were wrong.

"Go on, get!" Hank shooed the swimmers out of their hiding spot. The girls apologized while tugging on their clothes. It caused the group to chuckle, at least. They weren't changed, or changing, since their pupils were normal. For now.

Theo's phone started to ring. He moved closer to the front corner and away from the student body. He took it out and answered after seeing the caller ID, "Dad?"

"Hey, kiddo! Am I glad you answered. How're things going?" Jay asked. His tone was nearly the same as before, but it was underlined with worry.

Theo sighed, "Surviving, but we're not in the best spot. We're trying to make it to the student center."

Disappointment joined the worry, "Keep your head down, Theodore. I'm glad you're saying 'we', but your mother and I have finally seen what's going on outside. Please, you can't be reckless."

"Are you guys safe?"

"They have the condominium locked down. However, we've been told that the mayor wants to move everybody to one of the storm shelters. Apparently, the national guard will be meeting us there to evacuate the masses."

"That's good, I guess," moving around seemed like a generally bad idea. "Is mom okay?"

"She is. We have her portable tank out. We're ready for anything. I just wish we could get to you," Jay voiced his heartache.

"Don't worry, dad. I'll be able to hunker down soon."

"You butter. I'll keep you updated. Text or call if anything else happens or if you need help. I love you, son."

"Love you, too, dad," Theo let out another sigh. The call ended. It didn't last as long as he wanted, but it stoked his determination to make it out alive.

Theo visualized where they had to go. First, they needed to make their way back to the basketball exit that him, Autumn, and Hanover came in through. Once outside, and whatever that entailed, they would need to cut right across a lawn. Past the lawn was the front parking for the student center. They'd need to make it to the entrance, and whatever that entailed.

The group gathered after the training session. They moved over to the hallway door.