Vivian was home by herself when she saw her first undead.
It was her neighbor, Barbara. Vivian, Viv for short, was standing on her porch, watching the people of her community pack up food, clothes, and children in a panic. The Wilsons were screaming for their dog, Squirrel, who was nowhere to be found. The Hendrix group was just about done packing, and was squeezing into their station wagon. Even the shut-ins, the elder O'Malley couple was all hot and bothered about leaving "this instant Irma!" shouted the old man.
Everyone was in a panic, but not the girl on the porch; she was calm and steady. Her sister, Marian, and her sister's boyfriend, Brett, were at the store, buying whatever they could so the three of them could leave along with everyone else. So Viv was left to pack her clothes and valuables, pack what she could of their own kitchen, then wait until the couple returned. Her swollen suitcase rested at her feet as she looked down the road, expecting the boyfriend's blue Ford Escape to come roaring back any minute now.
Another quarter hour passed with no sign of the Ford. They had been gone for two hours now, and the supermarket was only ten minutes away. The Hendrix family was now gone and the Wilsons have given up on their dog and were in the process of finishing up. Bouncing on her heels, the girl started getting anxious. Where were they?
She pulled out her phone and turned it on. They had lost power last night so she turned her phone off to conserve the battery; something was telling her that she would need it for as long as it would last. Tapping the screen quickly, she let herself become consumed with the text messages from various friends and acquaintances pouring in her phone.
R u ok?!
We're leaving town, going to Atlanta. Stay safe, see you there! Luv u!
Are you leaving too?
Wuts goin on? Do u kno?
I'VE SEEN ONE! IT ALMOST GOT ME ANSWER YOUR PHONE!
Dozens of texts from her phone, none from her sister, all basically saying the same thing: We are leaving for the city, and the news reports are true, the dead rise again and eat the living. The girl was too busy going through the influx of messages to see a figure walk by the porch from in between her house and the Wilsons'. A scream brought her back to attention.
Mrs. O'Malley was staring at the person who just walked out on the girl's yard. Recognizing the person, the girl yelled, "Barbara! I thought you had left already! What is Mrs. O'Malley scared a…bout…" The last word dropped from her lips with despair as Barbara turned around to face her, with blood soaking the front of her summer dress. Barbara growled and started toward the closer prey, reaching out as she got close. The girl screamed, and scrambled backward. Tripping over her pregnant suitcase, she landed on her rear end. Barbara started up the porch steps. The girl screamed again and crawled backward until her back hit the wall, which she used to get to her feet. Groping the door next to her, she flung open and threw herself in, then slammed the door shut just as Barbara launched herself at her prey.
She slid the deadbolt into place and stepped back to watch her neighbor claw at the thick glass of the front door. Her heartbeat boomed in her ears against the silence of the house, the only noise the growls of dear old Barbara. Vivian watched as her dear, sweetheart neighbor pressed her whole body against the door, smearing the fresh blood along the glass. Thankfully, the door showed no sign of weakening.
Beyond Barbara, the old couple had gotten into their car and was screeching out of their driveway and out of sight down the road. The noise distracted Barbara from pawing at the unyielding door, drawing her away from the girl inside. She turned to follow the car but saw a young boy much closer. Cody Wilson, only six years old, stood in his family's front yard, clutching his baby blanket that he hasn't touched in a couple years, while his parents concentrated on filing their vehicle to its maximum. He stared transfixed as Mrs. Barbara walked closer and closer, scared but not making sound, only taking the occasional step backward. Once she was only a few yards away, her hands stretched out again towards her meal.
Here was kind Mrs. Barbara, the go-to babysitter for the neighborhood. She loved all the children, remembered every single ones' birthday, and treated them all like the family she didn't have. Just the previous year, Mr. and Mrs. Wilsons sat Cody and his older sister down and told them that should anything happen, like a fire or if someone broke into the house, to run to Mrs. Barbara's home and wait for either the authorities or their parents. She was the one who always had a smile on her face and candy in her pocket. And here she was, about to snatch one of her beloved faux grandchildren.
Suddenly, a small, yellow blur bulleted out of the woods and threw itself between Mrs. Barbara and the child. It was the Wilsons' dog, protecting Cody. The dog's low warning growl didn't faze Mrs. Barbara, now only feet away from the boy and his guardian. Squirrel crouched down, the hair on the back of his rump standing up. Barbara fell down to her knees in front of the dog and brings the back of his neck to her mouth, ignoring the snapping teeth and holding the wiggles down in an iron grip. And that's when Cody started screaming, drawing the attention of everyone around, including the girl inside next door who was still in shock.
Vivian jumped over the porch railing and sprinted to the boy, barely stopping to pick him up and away from the horrific scene. She quickly delivered him to the arms of his mother, who was starting to hyperventilate and panic. The father, with one hand on his wife's shoulder, grabbed Viv's upper arm, "Thank you. Thank you so much. We're done packing, come with us. Marian and that boy aren't coming back; they've been gone too long. Come with us." His eyes glued to the blood bath happening just a little ways away, tears filling them. Quickly blinking them away, he turned his family to the car and practically shoved them into the waiting car.
"No!" whispered Vivian, "They'll be back! They have to!" She jerked her arm out of Mr. Wilsons' grip and furiously shook her head. They told her to wait, and she intended to do just that, no matter how long it took. Besides, something was always . . . off about Mr. Wilsons, and she didn't want to go with him. He looked about to protest when his eyes widened and he gave her a small push backwards.
Barbara was looking at them, no longer distracted by the organs in her hands. Viv stood frozen at the display of the lady covered in blood for a second time. A car door slammed shut made her glance and see that all of the Wilsons were in the car. Without a second glance to the teenager, they left.
It was just Vivian and Barbara. Alone.
Alright guys, please be review and let me know how this first chapter is! I've taken a long break from writing and this is the first piece I've written (and shared) that I plan on continuing. Give me the harsh truth dudes, it will help me be better later.