I suppose you could call what I have: ‘Locked-In syndrome.’ I’d ask a doctor, a neurosurgeon perhaps, if I could, which I can’t, and if they weren’t in such short supply. It’s always the way with epidemics. Medical staff get hit hardest. First responders as well: the police and the paramedics, and then the army,…
Lady Judith Jane Geronimo glided up the staircase, ignoring the claustrophobic press of the metal around her and the gallop of her pulse. Eyes half-closed, she made a game of her worries, as she always did, part of method acting. She imagined the announcer’s baritone, Voicing Over the soap opera’s opening teaser. “Today, the role…
“I’m sorry Donovan,” I knew she was. I could see it in her eyes, even as mine were finishing their necrotic glaze, I could still see her sorrow. I shambled a little closer, and leaned my head onto the point of her revolver. I couldn’t speak; I couldn’t tell her how much I had realized…
We stagger into the thick bush, pushing aside branches and debris. I can’t see clearly; the sun is too bright, and it’s right in my eyes. It blinds me. But dusk is only two hours from now, and we can’t afford any delay. Jack is a few meters ahead – she prefers scouting the…
Things Fall Apart Sammi Milva barely contained the shudder which threatened to roll up her spine. Once had been bad, twice had been worse. But this would have been the third shudder in the five minutes after she awoke, and she thought that that might drive her mad. Assuming, that was, that she wasn’t mad…
Corbin had been a physician for five years when his Vanessa hung herself in the garage. It was a Thursday, and his wife had left the car out on the street rather than pulling in to her normal spot. It’s strange, what you remember about these things. Fuck the car and fuck you, Ness, he…
As Melody lay in the field enjoying the sun’s warmth, she thought she might be happy for the first time in months. Winter had been hard and dismal, but she’d survived. She was blissfully enjoying the moment; not thinking of the dead or the past or the hardship; just enjoying the sun and the chirping…
“I hope y’all get parvo,” Rambo said, completely defeating the purpose of the contraction by making y’all two syllables. Why couldn’t Pa understand. He luv’d Jewely. Yesterday when he’d whistled and yelled “Hey hottie,” she’d actually crossed to his side of the road. That’s when he knew she was the one for him. Her…
We were having coffee on the porch when the first beat up truck arrived across the street. The screens in the sun room windows blur the view to the interior while allowing us to peek out uninhibited. We can be the nibby neighbors without the telltale lift of blinds or pulled curtain. The truck…
This wasn’t normal. The shamblers were normally easy to predict. They were easy to avoid if you were careful and they weren’t in huge numbers. That was their real danger. Just the mass of bodies crushing towards you with no way to escape. But small numbers, if one was quiet and careful, they could avoid…