Chapter 6
A Throat Lozenge, a Nickel, and a Wish
Or
After the Apocalypse, There Will Be Cockroaches and Cher

Jeremy placed his foot against the side of the zombie's face as it lied on the floor. He incapacitated it only moments ago when he blew its knees out, but it still continued to claw at the floor, its legs barely hanging on to it's shattered joints. Holding the creature's head still, Jeremy aimed his weapon at it's temple and pulled the trigger. The hissing stopped instantly with the crack of the MP5K. A bullet pierced the skull causing a small splatter of fluid, some of which got on Jeremy's glasses.

"That should be the last of them." Jeremy said to himself as he removed his glasses and tried to fling the blood off, "Good thing too, I'm starting to get sick and tired of constantly having to clean my glasses."

"Just toss him on the pile with the rest of them." Ulrich added.

For the past few minutes since Milly & Tamiya's rescue, the team had devoted the rest of their time to cleaning out the few zombies that were left in the dorms. They had used some sheets and bedspreads found in other rooms to help them carry the dead bodies to the roof to be dropped off. The current blanket was absolutely soaked in blood. They had already gone through a good number of these homemade stretchers, and hopefully this would be their last one.

Yumi grabbed the corpse's ankles and Jeremy the head. They proceeded to toss it on top of the small pile they've already made. After that, Yumi and Jeremy grabbed the corners of the bedspread as Ulrich and Nicholas grabbed the others. They then proceeded to haul the pile of dead up the stairs to the roof. Pints of blood spilled out of the sides as they struggled to get them up the stairs without having the bodies spill out on the floor so they had to pick them up again.

Eventually, they made it to the roof where the rest of the girls were. Both Tamiya and Milly looked away as the four moved the bedspread towards the side. Sissy stared at them for a moment and then got to her feet. She walked over to the group as they prepared to dump the last of the bodies onto the pile they had already accumulated below, near the back of the building.

"Ashes to ashes…" Yumi said as they all lifted the bedspread.

"…and dust to dust." Ulrich added as he and Nicholas lifted their end. The bodies easily slid off the blood-soaked bedspread as they fell onto the pile. The sounds of bodies smacking together could be heard below as the dead were added to the mountain of corpses. The four of them then tossed the bedspread over the top. They watched as it floated down and covered the mass grave. All five of the team then looked over at the bloody mound of dead.

"Shouldn't somebody say some words?" Yumi said.

"Like what?" Nicholas asked.

"I don't know! Something!"

Everyone stayed quiet for a moment as they contemplated what to say.

"Perhaps Sissy would like to say the eulogy?" Jeremy implied.

"Me!" Sissy asked, "Why me?"

"Well, it's not like you helped us carry these bodies upstairs. The very least you can do is say some words." Jeremy answered.

"Hey! If it weren't for me, we'd probably be tossing Ulrich's body off of this roof right now!"

"Please Sissy," Ulrich said putting his hand on Sissy shoulder, "Just a few words so we can go back downstairs."

"Fine." Sissy answered. She wouldn't have answered to anyone else other than Ulrich, and since he was being so thoughtful, she felt inclined to comply. "Everyone, bow your heads."

Everyone stood over the roof and closed their eyes as they bowed their heads. Sissy took a deep breath and began.

"I didn't know many of the people below as my fellow classmates," Sissy began, "But I did know them as zombies."

Everyone else open their eyes slightly and stared at Sissy, who continued.

"Blood-sucking, flesh-eating ghouls who butchered each other and almost got us killed trying to make it here to save these little girls. But…"

Ulrich put his hand on Sissy's shoulder again, interrupting her.

"Uh, that's enough Sissy."

"Really? I mean, I barely started!"

"It's…It's fine." Yumi said lying.

Everyone looked over the roof again at the bodies below.

"Does anyone else want to say something?" Ulrich asked.

"I don't know." Nicholas answered, "I don't exactly feel up for saying anyth…"

Sissy interrupted as she leaned over the roof and vomited. The sensation had been bubbling over in her throat for a while, but she had been trying to be modest and not do anything, but the smell; that putrid smell. The sight of dismembered bodies, shattered skulls, and internal organs had gotten to her. The pale fluid poured over on top of the roof and onto the bodies below. Ulrich moved in and patted Sissy on the back as she finished.

"Looks like she wasn't finished." Jeremy added.

"I'm sorry." Sissy said finishing, "I didn't want anyone to see that."

"It's okay Sissy." Ulrich said, "Stay here. I'll go and get you some water."

Ulrich hurried back downstairs as Sissy sat down, pressing her back against the side of the roof. The acidic taste of regurgitation still lingered in her mouth as she proceeded to take some deep breaths. Yumi stared at Ulrich as he headed downstairs. She didn't like the way he was acting around Sissy as of late. Ever since she saved his ass in the courtyard earlier, he's been letter her slide on a lot of things. It wasn't stuff like letting her sit by on the roof while everyone else cleaned-up below. It was the little things. The way he looked at her. The way he put his hand on her shoulder. The way he was so willing to help her out. She didn't like it one bit.

"Say Yumi." Jeremy asked, breaking Yumi's concentration.

"Huh? What?"

"You blanked-out on us there for a moment. You still with us?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. I was just thinking about how we need to take the girls back downstairs."

"Good plan. We'll take care of it. After we get a bite to eat, we can think of a plan out of here and maybe we can clean up the blood downstairs too."

"Sure. Go on. I'll be right behind you."

Jeremy and Nicholas went and escorted Tamiya & Milly downstairs. Yumi then glared at Sissy who was still trying to catch her breath. There was an orange glow that blanketed the roof and if you stared at the sky just right, you could see the stars beginning to come into focus.

"Sissy looks like Hell." Nicholas commented as he and Jeremy escorted the girls down the hall.

"Yeah. Yumi looks pretty tore-up too." Jeremy replied.

"Yumi's been acting pretty aggressive ever since we've arrived. You think Sissy has something to do with it?"

"Most likely. The two of them never got along."

"Yeah. I'm sure that her saving Ulrich really burner her…"

"Shhh!" Jeremy interrupted, "Do you hear that?"

A clawing sound came from one of the door just a few feet down the hall. Both Tamiya and Milly quickly took position behind both Nicholas and Jeremy as they got out their weapons.

"I thought we got them all." Nicholas whispered.

"Shhh…" Jeremy replied, "I want to catch it off guard."

Both boys slowly approached the door as the clawing resumed. Cold sweat broke on their brow as they inched further and further to the noise. Just as Jeremy put his hand on the doorknob, a new sound came from the room; an animal whimper.

"Hey," Jeremy said to himself, "That's no zombie. That's…"

Jeremy turned the knob and opened the door. From behind it, Kiwi, Odd's butt-ugly dog emerged.

"Kiwi!" Jeremy exclaimed.

Both Tamiya and Milly emerged from behind the two boys. They crowded around Kiwi, laughing and playing. Both boys lowered their weapons.

"Well," Nicholas added, "I think we handled that pretty well."

"What's all the commotion?" Yumi asked, walking down the stairs.

"Look what we found." Jeremy answered.

Yumi took a look down the hall to see Kiwi playing with the girls.

"Well now," Yumi said, smiling for the first time since she arrived at the dorms, "Look who decided to join us."

Kiwi noticed Yumi and barked. Yumi approached the dog and scratched him behind his ears.

"Looks like the girls aren't the only ones who made it over here."

"Is that who I think it is?" Ulrich said smiling as he descended the staircase. Sissy was standing behind him holding a glass of water.

"Indeed." Yumi replied, continuing to pet Kiwi.

Ulrich and Sissy approached the dog and took a good look at him.

"Strange." Ulrich said, "Kiwi's completely unharmed. You would think those things would have killed him."

"Perhaps the zombies only go after humans?" Jeremy replied.

"That could be it." Yumi said getting to her feet.

"Hey! I got an idea!" Ulrich added, "If those creatures outside completely ignore Kiwi, we could use him to get the rest of those supplies out in the other truck!"

"Hey! That's a pretty good plan!" Sissy added, "The rescue mission cost a lot of ammo. If we're to get out of here, we're going to need more munitions."

Yumi glared at Sissy. No one asked for her two cents.

"Indeed." Ulrich said addressing Sissy. He then turned to the rest of the team. "Any objections?"

Everyone remained quiet.

"Then it's settled." Ulrich said smiling. "Let's contact Odd. We can have Kiwi deliver some supplies to them as well."

"I'll call them." Yumi said under her breath.

"Alright then." Ulrich said, "Let's get to work."

"Later." Nicholas said, "I'm famished!"

"Yeah." Jeremy said, "I'm sure Kiwi's hungry too."

Kiwi barked at Jeremy.

"What'd I tell ya?" Jeremy added.

"Alright then." Ulrich replied laughing, "First food, then munitions."

Everyone began heading towards the lobby where they accumulated a good collection of junk foods to eat. Yumi grabbed Ulrich by the arm as he walked past him.

"Ulrich," she asked, "Can I speak to you?"

Sissy looked at Ulrich, then at Yumi. Yumi glared back at Sissy.

"In private?" Yumi added.

Sissy glared back at Yumi. Instead of saying anything, she turned her back and headed downstairs to the lobby with the rest of the team. Ulrich watched Sissy leave and then turned to Yumi.

"What'cha need Yumi?" Ulrich asked casually.

"I don't exactly like the way you're acting around her." Yumi shot back.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't 'Excuse me' Ulrich. You know damn well what I'm talking about."

Ulrich pondered for a moment. "Sissy?" he asked.

"No Ulrich. The Queen of France." Yumi replied sarcastically.

"What's your damn problem Yumi?"

"Sissy's a slacker and you're letting it slide Ulrich!"

"What the Hell are you talking about?"

"Don't take me for a sucker. When we had to clean out the dorms, you just let her stay up on the roof instead of having her pull her weight like the rest of us!"

"Cleaning out the dorms is a four-person job Yumi and we all volunteered."

"I don't care!" Yumi answered, raising her voice, "I also don't like how you've been pampering her either!"

"Excuse me!" Ulrich was caught off-guard by this comment.

"Patting her on the back. Fixing her a glass of water. You gonna rustle her up some grub now too?"

"You are taking this whole situation way too seriously Yumi!" Ulrich said. He was practically shouting by now, "I thought you stopped me to talk about Aileta or something, not you're jealous delusions!"

Yumi gasped and let go of Ulrich's sleeve. She took the compliment personally. Ulrich just stared back at her as he straightened his sleeve.

"When you're done moping over petty things," Ulrich added, "You can call Odd and join us downstairs."

"Who got recalled and made you leader of this outfit?" Yumi responded.

"No one Yumi." Ulrich was no longer shouting at Yumi, but he was still notably upset at her, "I'm just taking initiative. Everyone here's just going with the flow; all I'm trying to do is get everyone up to the task of doing the work that needs to be done around here. We need everyone's input if we're going to get out of this situation alive."

"So," Yumi added, speaking softly, "You're saying I don't have the initiative?"

"That's not what I meant Yumi," Ulrich answered, "You just need to keep your cool. Whatever issues you have with me and Sissy, you need to toss it off the roof with the rest of those ghouls. I can't have you loosing your cool over something so small, none of us can."

Ulrich stopped for a moment to notice Yumi staring at the floor. He took a deep sigh and turned around, heading towards the stairs.

"She saved you're life too Yumi. Remember that. Me and her having nothing going on, I just want her know that I appreciate her helping us out there. You don't have to like her, but we're going to have to live with her."

Ulrich was finished. He didn't have anything left to say. He just walked on as Yumi stood there, phone in hand. Ulrich made it to the bottom of the stairs to find Sissy holding her glass of water.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"Personal stuff." Ulrich answered, still visibly upset.

"Ah." Sissy was trying to move in on Ulrich. She put her arm around his shoulder, pulling him closer to her. "Not…too personal I hope?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Ulrich moved forward. Sissy's arm slumped back down to her waist. "Let's just go and get some food."

Ulrich stormed-off to the lobby, leaving Sissy dumbfounded at the foot of the stairs.

"Gee." Sissy said talking to herself, "I guess it was."

"Hey!" Herb exclaimed, "I know that girl!"

Both boys were on the roof, overlooking the zombie chaos that resumed below. The both of them were tired of card games by now, especially since Odd kept beating Herb. Instead, they spent time surveying the damage in the courtyard.

"Which girl?" Odd asked, looking through his sniper scope.

"Her, right there." Herb said, pointing out a blonde girl in the courtyard, "Heidi Klinger."

A shot rang out as Odd squeezed the trigger on his rifle. A bullet pierced Heidi Klinger's zombie skull, exiting out the back. Streams of stagnant blood poured out both the entrance and exit wounds as she fell to her knees and slumped to the side.

"Who?" Odd asked, "Her?"

"Odd, you jackass! I was going to ask her to the dance!"

"Heidi Klinger?" Odd asked, looking up from his rifle, "Dude, she's, like, way out of your league!" Odd then stopped himself. "Well, now wait a minute. Being that she's now a grey-skinned, maggot-infested corpse, you probably stand a better chance…but I wouldn't wager money on it."

"How could you be so insensitive Odd! I liked her! I was hoping me and her would make it to the dance. Well, either her or Jeanne."

Another shot rang out from Odd's rifle, piercing zombie Jeanne's neck. Her corpse hit the ground with a thud as a geyser of blood shot out from her throat.

"That Jeanne?" Odd asked, trying to suppress his laughter.

"The Hell!" Herb shouted.

"Whoops, sorry Herb." Odd said laughing, "Butterfingers."

"Odd, how'd you like it if I shot at some girl that you liked?"

"Herb," Odd answered, looking up from his rifle, "The girls that I liked no longer live amongst us. Take a good look out there Herb. Heidi and Jeanne are dead and it's not because I busted a rather impromptu cap in their asses. They died way back when those other creeps got to them. You see Herb, that's what you don't realize. Those things down there, they aren't the classmates that you used to hang out with, they're just lifeless doppelgangers using the bodies of our classmates to weaken your mind into not doing what you have to do, and that's fight back. Heidi: dead. Jeanne: Dead. Taelia: Dead. That girl that Ulrich went out for a while just to make Yumi and Sissy jealous…"

"Emily?" Herb answered.

"That's the one." Odd responded, "She's dead too. Once you've finally realize that, then maybe you can get your candy-ass with the program. We're all out here trying to save each other's butts, and you want to stand around here moping like those things outside have a personality!"

"So what you're trying to say is that we don't have to worry about respecting the dead, even though they're all that remains of the people we once knew?"

"That's right." Odd answered.

"Very well then." Herb answered. He then pulled out his Beretta and aimed it out in the crowd. Carefully lining-up his shot, he squeezed the trigger. The bullet pierced Samantha, Odd's old squeeze, in the eye and exited in the back. Her body twitched a little as she fell to one knee, blood pouring out the back of her skull where the bullet exited. Eventually, she hit the ground, slumping into a pool of her own fluid.

"What the Hell!" Odd shouted.

"What's wrong Odd?" Herb said smiling as he pushed his glasses back on this face, "Touched a nerve did I?"

"Dude! That was different! You just liked Heidi and Jeanne. I actually was Sam's sugar daddy!"

"Like Hell!" Herb shouted, "You're no sugar daddy!"

"Dude! I'm like, the royal duke of pimpology! You can't hold a flame to my game!"

"Please!" Herb responded, "Royal duke of pimpology or not, it still doesn't cover for your hypocrisy!"

"Hypocrisy!" Odd shouted. By this time, he was up on his feet. "Now hold on just one moment. I…"

Odd turned to look at Sam's body. He then took into account the distance between where she was from the roof and the precision of Herb's shot.

"Wait a minute Herb!" Odd said changing the subject, "That was a damn good shot!"

"Don't change the subject on me!" Herb responded, "I'm not done talking about…really?"

"Hell yeah!" Odd said smiling, "That was phenomenal! Try it again." Odd surveyed the courtyard and picked another zombie, slightly farther from the roof than Sam was. "Okay, hit him."

Herb lifted his gun up and lined his shot. He then squeezed the trigger. The bullet sped towards the zombie's skull, piercing it from behind. The front of his face blew out, incinerating his nose. A stream of dark blood poured out of the exit wound as the ghoul bit the dust.

"Sweet zombie Christ!" Odd exclaimed laughing, "You're a prodigy Herb! An original Annie Oakley!"

"Really?" Herb said smiling.

"Hell yes!" Odd said, "Y'know, that could have been you saving Ulrich's ass earlier!" Odd then pondered for a moment and then corrected himself. "Then again, maybe it would have been better if you stayed here. If you went, Sissy would be here in your place and between the two of you, I think you're the better of two evils."

Odd then walked over to tray full of juice boxes he found in the cafeteria earlier. He reached in for two and tossed one to Herb, who caught it with both hands. Odd placed the straw in the top and took a sip.

"So," Herb said placing the straw into his juice box, "You're not mad about the whole Sam thing?"

"Well," Odd said putting down his juice box, "It still kinda burns my ass, but you're right. I guess I still need to let it go too."

Odd's cellphone rang. He moved over to it and answered it.

"Hello," Odd answered, "Halliburton human relations department…just kidding."

"Odd, This is Yumi."

"Oh! 'Sup Yumi?"

"We found Kiwi." Yumi sounded somber. Odd was worried.

"Is he okay?"

"That's the thing Odd, he's unscratched."

Odd sighed in relief. He then put his hand to the receiver. "They found my dog Kiwi." Odd said addressing Herb, "He's okay!"

Herb smiled back. He didn't really care all that much, but he didn't want to seem rude, especially after Odd complimented him on his marksmanship.

"Well that's great!" Odd continued, "So what's the dealio then?"

"We believe that the zombies are ignoring Kiwi because he's not human."

"So?" Odd answered. He didn't like where this was going.

"We came up with a plan to have Kiwi go out into the courtyard and fetch the rest of the munitions from the other truck. We could use more ammo and what not; especially if we're going to have you guys make it over here."

"No!" Odd shouted, "There's no way I'm going to let you do that with my Kiwi!"

Yumi was silent for a moment. "Too bad." She answered.

"What!"

"We're going to send him out with a bag. He'll grab some ammo for you and Herb and drop it off at your place. After that, he'll get the stuff we need over here."

"No! No! No! I won't allow it."

"That's all Odd." Yumi wasn't in any mood to put up with Odd, "I'll call you later."

"Yumi!" Odd shouted, "Don't you hang up this phone!"

The call ended. All that was left was static.

"She hung up!" Odd yelled, looking at his phone.

"What was that all about?" Herb asked, finishing his juice box.

"Yumi's going to send Kiwi out into the courtyard to grab some ammo for us." Odd walked over to his juice box, visibly upset.

"Won't he get killed?" Herb asked.

"Well," Odd added picking up his juice box, "Yumi said the zombies are ignoring him because he's a dog."

"Well then, sounds like a good plan. Go Kiwi, y'know."

"Yeah, but he's my dog!"

Odd took a sip of his juice box and stared at the dorms.

"Another thing." Odd added, "Yumi sounded positively blue. Something seems to be bothering her, and it's not just me."

Yumi had the steel door in the back propped open. To her left was the large pile of dead zombies and soiled bedspreads. In front of her were Kiwi and an empty duffel bag. Kiwi stared at Yumi as she explained to Kiwi the plan.

"Okay Kiwi, here's the deal. I need you to take this duffel bag and take it the wrecked armored car outside. Once there, grab some boxes of ammo and take it to where the classrooms are. You know where that is, right?"

Kiwi barked in response.

"I'll take that as a yes. After that, come back here with the rest of the ammo and we'll have a treat waiting for you. Okay?"

Kiwi barked again.

"Good boy!" Yumi said, reaching out to pet Kiwi, "Now go and get that ammo."

Yumi walked back inside and shut the metal door behind her. Kiwi looked at the duffel bag, grabbed the handle by his teeth, and proceeded to drag it out to the courtyard. The dog walked out onto the bloody battlefield clenching the bag and proceeded to drag it to the wrecked car at the other side of the courtyard. The ghouls paid no attention to the dog during his venture. Even when a few bumped into him or tripped over the bag, they remained oblivious of his existence, almost as if he was transparent to them.

Kiwi finally made it to the back of the armored truck. Its back doors had been swung open as a result of the impact from hitting the light post earlier. Near the front of the car were the two bodies of the rescue team that attempted to rescue the team earlier. The ghouls had long finished with them, leaving nothing but cold bodies with their ribs removed, leaving their empty chest cavities exposed to the sky. Their lungs, heart, stomach and other organs had already been hastily devoured.

Kiwi then pounced for the door. He slipped and fell the first time, but with his second attempt, he successfully clawed his way into the car. Boxes of ammunition lay scattered all over the floor. They fell off of the shelves when the car originally crashed along with a few firearms. The dog went straight for the ammunition, ignoring the empty firearms. He wasn't instructed to pick them up and they would have been too bulky and heavy to carry anyway. Kiwi grabbed the boxes in his teeth and tossed them out the back onto the empty duffel bag. After only a few minutes, the dog had accumulated a plethora of bullets, shells, and clips of all assorted sizes.

After cleaning-out the truck, Kiwi jumped out the car and put the remaining boxes of ammunition he tossed out the vehicle into the bag. He then grabbed the bag by the arm strap and proceeded to drag it towards the classrooms.

Both Herb and Odd were seated next to the back door waiting for Kiwi's arrival. They snacked on potato chips and drank juice boxes while they listened to the radio. All of the music stations had were on the EBS or were nothing both dead air. One particular station gave back nothing but the sounds of moaning zombies. It chilled them both to think of what it must have sounded like to hear the DJ panicking, locked in his or her booth when the creatures broke through and butchered them mercilessly.

The radio was fixed on a news radio station, one of the few left that hadn't already switched to the EBS.

"This just in," the male announcer spoke through the static, "We have received reports from multiple sources that many of the undead assailants have been spotted in Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland. The United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, and various other nations have recently announced a number of emergency embargos and sanctions prohibiting travel for a number of central European nations, including France. The White House released this statement today…"

"The President believes that it is in the best interests of the American people and other nations around the world to keep this epidemic isolated." An American voice said coming through the radio, "We are encouraging other nations around the world to establish similar sanctions until we have controlled the incident. We are currently prohibiting any flights from central Europe indefinitely and any flights from other nations will have to go through and extensive screening process before passengers can enter the United States."

The radio then switched back to the radio announcer. "When asked whether they believed that the sanctions would hurt international relations between the United States and Europe, the White House responded by saying that they believed that the many European nations currently suffering from the epidemic would understand the safety measures that the United States have taken to protect it's people. The U.N. also announced recently that they plan to send peacekeeping troops into Europe to combat the epidemic. French Prime Minster Jean-Pierre Raffarin has been unable comment since his disappearance following the compromising of the Hotel Matignon."

"Sounds like they caught the Prime Minister." Odd said polishing-off his bag of chips.

"Horrible, isn't it?" Herb replied softly, staring at the floor.

"Oh, don't get so bent out of shape about it." Odd replied smiling as he dusted-off his hands, "They'll get a new one."

Odd then laughed as he reached inside of a plastic bag next to him for a candy bar. Herb looked up at Odd.

"All right Odd," Herb said standing up, "You're taking this way too well. Either you've completely lost your mind or you're hiding something from the rest of us."

"What the crap are you talking about Herb?" Odd replied opening a candy bar, "You need to chill."

"I don't need to chill!" Herb shot back mockingly, "You and the rest of your friends have always been so secretive and what not. There's something you're not telling the rest of us."

This caught Odd off guard. Herb was right to be suspicious. Odd and the rest of the team had always hid the secret of Lyoko and XANA from everyone else. They genuinely did a very good job at it, but folks like Herb were always too nosey for their own good and with the current state of affairs, Herb had become increasingly paranoid; he was on to Odd.

"You're delusional." Odd said playing dumb.

"Don't tell me I'm delusional!" Herb yelled. A scratching sound could be heard outside the door.

"Are you kidding me?" Odd answered, cocking an eyebrow, "Listen to yourself, you sound like you're losing your mind!"

Herb clenched his fists, feeling embarrassed. The clawing outside had started to become barking.

"Well," Herb said trying to change the subject, "I have to answer that door!"

Herb marched to the door as Odd bit into the candy bar. "You do that." Odd replied.

Herb pushed open the door and Kiwi rushed inside to greet Odd. He hoped into his lap, knocking the candy bar out of his hands.

"Kiwi!" Odd said, petting the dog, "You're safe!"

Herb stared indifferently at the two for a moment and looked outside the door to find a duffel bag full of ammo. He looked around for zombies and pulled the heavy bag inside, closing the door behind him.

"What'cha get for us?" Odd said addressing his dog.

Herb rummaged through the bag, removing numerous sidearm clips and boxes of bullets.

"A little eager to get that ammo, aren't we?" Odd said commenting on Herb.

Herb said nothing.

"I don't see why." Odd added as he scratched the top of Kiwi's head, "It's not like you plan on going anywhere soon."

Herb flinched in anger, but still said nothing.

"Whatever."

Odd reached into his pocket and removed his cellphone. He then dialed Yumi's number and waited patiently for her to pick up. After a couple of rings, she answered.

"What is it Odd?" she said as soon as she answered the call. She wasn't as upset as earlier, but she didn't seem to be in a joking mood at that either.

"Kiwi just showed up, and he's bearing Christmas gifts."

"Good." Yumi replied, "Once you're done, send him back this way. We're working on a plan to get you and Herb over here with the rest of the crew."

"Sheesh, so soon?" Odd answered disappointedly, "He just got here."

"The two of you can have all the time to visit you want when you get here. Until then, it's work before play."

"Whatever." Odd said under his breath.

"Excuse me?"

"I said, have you been listening to the radio?" Odd replied trying to cover for himself.

"No. What about it?"

"There's zombies in Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. Every single nation on the planet that's has access to a cheap-o radio now knows about what has happened here."

"You're kidding!" Yumi replied, legitimately startled.

"No joke. Britain, America, and every other superpower on the globe are spooked! They also suspect that the Prime Minister is dead! All of France is in complete anarchy, well, what's left living of it anyway."

Yumi sighed in emotional distress.

"I also here that they plan on sending U.N. peacekeepers here to clean up the mess."

"The U.N.'s not going to be able to do a goddamned thing." Yumi replied angrily, cutting Odd off. "Their 'peacekeepers' are just a bunch of candy-asses. I give 'em less than a week before they realize that they can't handle the job and then just nuke the place to Hell."

"Sweet Jesus!" Odd replied shocked, "That's not a very optimistically way of looking at things. What's gotten into you?"

Yumi sighed again. "I'm sorry Odd. I'm just really upset right now."

"Not about the zombies I bet?"

No reply.

"Is it Ulrich? Or maybe it's Sissy?"

Again, no reply.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Not really." Yumi replied, "Just wrap everything up and send Kiwi this way. Afterwards, we'll notify you about rescue plans."

"Sure thing Yumi. Talk to later."

Odd then closed his phone and put it back in his pocket.

"What was that all about?" Herb said, pulling out the last of their ammo.

"It's Yumi. She's not feeling very well."

"None of us are."

"Indeed."

Odd picked Kiwi back up and looked at him smiling.

"Alright Kiwi, we're going to have to turn you loose. Take the rest of the ammo to Yumi and we'll meet you over there shortly."

Kiwi barked as Odd set him on the floor. Kiwi went and grabbed the duffel bag with the rest of the ammo and headed for the door. Odd got up from his seat and opened the door for Kiwi. The dog then proceeded to drag the ammunition out the door as Odd waved good-bye to his pet. He then let go as the steel door slowly shut itself.

"Well, looks like it's just you and me again until Yumi calls back." Odd said addressing Herb.

"Splendid." Herb replied sarcastically.

"Splendid indeed."

Odd sat back down in his seat and picked up the candy bar he dropped on the floor. He noticed how soggy it had gotten as a result from floating in the water and discarded it in disgust.

"Well," Odd added, "At least I still have the radio to keep me company."

"This just came in…" the radio announcer said over the rustling of papers. There was a brief silence before he continued. "I've just been informed that we are going off the air in search of safer haven. Afterwards, we will be switching to the Emergency Broadcast System. I would like to take this time to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for any of our listeners…if we do have any listeners left."

There were a few more seconds of silence. Afterwards, a voice recording came through.

"This is the Emergency Broadcast System. This is not a test." After that, a loud, continuous beep.

"Splendid." Odd commented.