With a click on the deadbolt, we reach the relative safety of the Dalton Rec Room.

I turn towards Jeff as he and I slump back against the doorway, sliding down until our butts hit the cold, marble flooring. Throwing my arm over his shoulders, I bring our heads together. "I can't believe that just happened."

He closes his eyes, taking large, even breaths. I know Jeff is trying to calm himself, to slow his breathing. I've seen it enough times before tests and solo auditions.

"Bumpaddle, coming through."

We barely have the time to duck as we see Ms. Hansen run up to us, cricket bat in hand. She manages to slide it through both doorhandles, allowing it to act like a brace for the double doors. It's not super tight, but it'll we can find something else to help secure the door.

"Good idea, Ms. H!" Jeff stands up quickly, and retrieves a couple of pool cues from the wall. They're thin, but we manage to wedge them in with the cricket bat so nothing's loose enough to slide out if anyone starts to push on the door. There's a tapestry swinging my way and being stuffed against the threshold. Another good idea. I'd guess it's to help block light and sound from escaping through the gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. My suspicions are confirmed as the TV comes to life, I'm hoping the volume is set low enough to keep it from being heard through the doors.

Jeff is fiddling in the corner with the telephone, growing increasingly frustrated each time he hangs up and tried dialing a number on the keypad. No dice.

Ms. Hansen's finally settled on a channel, which I immediately recognize as WOHN-TV. In fact, it's the familiar, but grim, faces of Rod Remington and Andrea Carmichael that prove me correct. Andrea's face is puffy and her eyes are threatening to spill with tears, but Rod only has a brow quirked as he gazes into the camera. The man's a pro.

I've suddenly got this awful feeling in my stomach.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Rod Remington -"

"And... and I'm Andrea Carmichael -"

"Late breaking news: an infection has broke out in the Midwestern United States, and it seems to be spreading fast throughout America. All police forces are mobilizing along with the Army and the National Guard, but there is no confirmation of containment of the outbreak." There's a clatter to my left as Andrea dabs at her eyes with a tissue, and I see the phone's slipped from Jeff's hand. "Ohioans, the government is currently asking for everyone to stay calm and lock yourselves in your homes. Make sure your windows and doors are secured, and keep alert for any attempts at breaking in."

Andrea seems to finally compose herself, and continues with the story. "The infection has been confirmed to be transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood and saliva. Transmission has been verified through ingestion, absorption through mucous membranes, blood smeared against broken skin, and bites. Bites? There are tales of..." she glances at her papers, eyes going wide. "There are tales of people dying from the infection, only to rise again and start attacking others, biting, scratching, and devouring human flesh."

I can see the co-anchor trying to muster up the energy to continue, but her hands are shaking. In fact, they're shaking so much I can hear the paper flopping from the small, tinny speakers of the TV. My eyes travel sideways, and I finally take notice of my companions. Jeff fingers are in his hair, furiously pulling at his golden mane; Ms Hansen, meanwhile, just clutches her hands to her chest as we watch the news program.

"For everyone trying to defend themselves from these infected attackers, the only verified method of subduing - or killing - them is through trauma to the brain. For God's sake, people. Zombies are running around on the streets, hungering for delicious, human flesh. I'll spare you any tasteless jokes, as we hope to provide you more information throughout the day. I'm Rod Remington -"

"And I'm Andrea Carmichael -"

"This is your Lima, Ohio WOHN News 8 team... signing out."

I am completely, and utterly, deflated.