The screeching hurts my ears. The pool is heaving and the only people that seem to be there are families with five year olds. When another kid runs past screaming about something to do with a duck I decide I've had enough.
"I'm going in the pool." Mum doesn't look up from her book.
"Okay." I kick off my flip-flops and then dive into the deep end. The water fills my ears, cutting out the annoying and constant sounds. I come up for air and the sounds come back in. I know there's isn't much point. I'm not going to last forever under the water. I swim over to Tim and Dad.
"Hi." Dad says.
"Hello Abbey!" Tim is holding an inflatable ball. "Let's play catch!" I laugh.
"Okay then. Throw the ball." Tim throws it and it hit's the water, splashing me with chlorine which stings like hell.
"Ow. Watch it mister!" I throw the ball back and we spend the next half and hour playing catch. I can feel my back burning so I decide to get out. Tim looks at me with sad eyes. I wave and tell him I'll be back soon. When I get over to the covered sun lounger next to Mum most of the kids have moved over to the shaded pool on the far side so the screaming is quieter at least. I lie down and close my eyes, the heat evaporates the water of my skin and my hair is already starting to dry. I smile maybe this holiday won't be so bad. I close my eyes and soon I'm asleep.
I walk out of the back door. Mum is reading and drinking her cocktail. Dad is manning the barbecue and Tim is messing around in his sand pit.
"Hey little bro." I say to him and sit down, picking up a toy truck. "What are you doing?" Tim looks up. He's three years old and has chubby cheeks that are rosy with the sun.
"Building a castle for all my toys." I put the truck back and lie down on the grass. The blue sky is full of thick, white clouds that remind me of cotton wool. There are a few grey ones dotted here and there but when they go behind the green leaves of our tree I forget about them. Nothing was going to ruin this evening. Especially not rain. Tim lies down next to me.
"Doggy." He points to a large cloud that floats by. He's clever and creative. Maybe he'll be an architect when he's older.
"Oh yeah." I turn to him. "You know what that cloud looks like." I point to another one.
"What?" He looks at me.
"The tickle monster!" I chase him round the garden. He laughs and I get him a couple of times before he speeds away. Giggling even more. Suddenly he starts to cough. Again and again. I stop running a go over to him.
"You okay." He shakes his head. He begins to wheeze I put my hand on his back. "Tim? Look at me." His eyes are unfocused. He becomes slack and falls backwards.
I catch him before he hits the ground.
"Dad!" Dad drops the spatula and runs towards us.
"Ella! Call the ambulance!" Mum runs inside. I'm kneeling on the grass still holding Tim. He's limp but he's alive. Breathing in shallow and quick breaths. "Tim? Son? It's Daddy here. Open your eyes. Tim? Come on open your eyes." Dad becomes panicked. I look at Dad and he looks at me. He has no clue what's going on and this is no ordinary asthma attack.
"They'll be here in a minute!" Mum says. "Put the barbecue out. I'll get some things ready. Abbey bring Tim inside." I nod and carry Tim into the living room, laying him on the sofa. His eyes flicker open.
"Tim? Can you hear me." He gives a shaky nod. I take his hand. "You'll be okay now. Don't worry. The doctor's going to come and fix you."
I open my eyes. The first thing I realise is it's too quiet. I sit up and look over to Mum. She's limp, half hanging off the lounger.
"Mum?" I tap her shoulder and she falls to the ground. "Mum!" I panic and look round for someone, anyone to help. I pull on my t-shirt and shorts and slip on my flip-flops. I walk round and look at Mum. Her eyes are open and soulless. Her skin is off colour like a... "But that's impossible..." I hear a snarling sound and turn. A zombie is running straight towards me. I sprint away, heading over to the main hotel.
"Shit! Oh my god!" I turn. There are least five that have joined. I trip in my flip-flops and tumble to the ground, grazing my knee. I them off and get up. The zombies are right on my tail. I see a small figure. "Tim?" He turns. I speed up and take his hand.
"What's happening? Where's Mummy and Daddy?" I don't answer. I just pull him along faster. I'm out of breath and all my joints are aching but I can't stop. I scream as one of the things bites my leg. I pull Tim to the side, into a bush.
"Tim. Listen to me. Run to the hotel. Try and find someone to help. Be smart and hide, I'll find you. I promise." Tim hugs me and I hug him back. He's crying but I have to stop the tears. "Hey, why are you crying? I'll find you soon." I send him to the other side of the bush and get out. I pick up a beer can on the floor and through it over to the group. The spin round and go towards me. I spot Mum. I turn but I can't outrun them. They pull me to the ground, whacking my head on the concrete, making everything go black.