So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. — Ezekiel 37:7-8
Ian and I stood in front of the door, one of us on each side, just in case one of those things were to come running out at us.
“Ian,” I whispered, “are you ready?” I took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from my eyes.
He nodded. I had my knife ready, and so did he.
“One…Two…,” He looked at the door and back at me. “Thre—"
I turned the knob, and he shoved the door open with his shoulder.
The smell of stagnant air and mold flowed out of the small apartment.
It was clear.
I stepped in, and Ian locked the door behind us. It looked like it had been empty since the start. Other than a thick layer of dust and the smell of mold, it was clean.
Ian started rummaging through the kitchen, looking for dry foods, anything that might still be good. “Look! Popcorn,” he said. He picked up the box. “Too bad the noise would draw them.”
“I know, right?” I walked over and opened the cabinet next to him. “What’s this? Did someone say coffee?”
“No way! Eric, you better not be joking right now!” He was so excited that he shoved me out of the way. He couldn’t believe his eyes. A whole shelf full of instant coffee, and another of powdered milk.
“Who just won the lottery?”
“It’s been…what…two years?”
Back in the small town we came from, we had run out of pretty much everything. It seemed like it would be okay at first. But then, after a few days, all the milk spoiled, and in the following years, most everything else ran out, coffee included.
THHUUDDD
There was a sudden loud noise from down the small hallway. We looked at each other and then back down the hall at the bedroom door.
BAANNGGG
Ian grabbed his knife from his belt, and I grabbed one from the counter. Quietly, we walked down the hallway.
He looked back at me. “Do you smell that?” he whispered.
I tilted my head down, nodding.
“There’s one in there. Ready?”
He grabbed the doorknob. It was loose and rattled a little.
It heard the noise and screamed. It snarled and clawed at the door. It repeatedly threw itself against it, causing it to rattle at its henges.
“Yep, there’s definitely one in there,” I said.
We braced ourselves against the door.
“It’s not going to hold!” Ian said.
We stepped back, and Ian kicked the door in.
The reeker went flying back and caught itself. It lunged toward Ian, and he raised his knife and plunged it into its head. Its forward momentum knocked him back onto the ground.
“You okay?” I smiled and helped roll the reeker onto the floor next to him.
“I hate when that happens.”
“Ian, look at this place…”
The window was broken, and nature had started to claim the room for itself. The wall and floor near the window were covered in a thick layer of moss, and some small patches of grass were growing out of the pillows. It was both serene and unsettling.
“I hate finding them like this,” he said. “How long do you think it’s been like this?”
“A long, long time…” I place my hand on his upper back. “Are you okay?
“I’m fine. Let’s keep looking for supplies.”
On our way back to the kitchen, I noticed a piece of paper on the dining room table. “Hey, look at this,” I said.
“What is it?
“It looks like a letter.”
May 19th, 2024.
Shelly,
I came home as fast as I could. When I got here, you and the boys were already gone. I am sure you went to your parents’ house, out of town. If not, that is where I am going. Meet me there. And be safe.
The streets were filled with so many people running and screaming. A woman and her daughter passed me. Then the woman stopped. The girl screamed. I couldn’t believe my eyes. She attacked her. Her own child, Shelly.
I left a gun and ammo in the kitchen drawer.
I love you!
May 28th, 2024.
I tried to make it to the street again. Those things are everywhere. I barely made it back into the apartment. There are supplies in the kitchen with the gun. Stay for a while if I’m not here. Then meet me at your parents’.
I love you!
June 14th, 2024.
I really just hope you made it somewhere safe. I can’t get out of the apartment. They chase me back in every time. I got angry and broke the window, thinking that I could climb down. But it is too high. I will try again tomorrow. You know the plan.
I love you!
June 15th, 2024.
I almost made it this time. Then one of those things came out of nowhere. It chased me back to the apartment. It almost got in. But I fought it off and shut the door. Remember the plan if I’m not here.
I love you!
June 16th, 2024.
I’m not feeling well. That thing bit me yesterday. Constant cold sweats. I passed out a little bit ago. I don’t know for how long. Now, I hear them in my head. It’s like they’re calling me.
I am going to lock myself in the bedroom. Whatever you do, do NOT open the door. Just take the supplies and get somewhere safe.
Shelly, I love you so much!
“That poor man.” I sat the letter down.
“It must have been tough here in the city when it started.” Ian grabbed his left shoulder.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know…” He pulled up his sleeve.
That’s when I saw the blood starting to run down his arm. “You’ve got a scratch.” I cleaned it. But it was pretty deep. “What do we do now?”
“How about we have a cup of coffee?”
Good read! Thank you! The letter part alone could make a story of its own.👍