" Looks like you 2 are all right," he says. He enters the light too and introduces himself. "My name is William. I have understood about this place for many years. I do not know why anyone else hasn't found it, but I knew I should go here when the zombies attack."
" How did you find it?" Kace asks.
" I'm just a big snoop. Ha-ha! I just follow people and see what they are up to. One day, I just stumbled upon the hatch, and naturally I wished to know what was beneath it. There is really no story to it."
" Oh, fine. So what's your plan?"
' Zombie attacks usually last for several days. After that, many people will have developed into zombies themselves. It's sad, but it's the extreme truth. Truthfully, I do not think I have a plan. I am just going to wait here until they leave town."
Then Kace notices the pendant William is wearing. Odd. It is the same pendant Mary-Ann was wearing.
" Where did you get that?" Kace would like to know.
" Uhm ... I don't know. Why do you ask?" William asks.
" I saw someone else wearing that pendant. It had red and green, and a skull and unicorn sign holding on it. So perhaps you got it at the exact same place?"
And that's when William gets a little emotional. His self-denial phase is already over, even within those extremely seconds. In the beginning, Kace and Chloe are shocked by the abrupt change in his disposition, but when they hear his clarification, they begin to understand.
" Who was the one you saw wearing the locket?" William asks.
" Her name is Mary-Ann," Kace says. "She has a little art store in town."
" Mary-Ann? Who is Mary-Ann? How do you know a girl called Mary-Ann?" Chloe requires to know, still suspicious of her husband's objectives.
" Never mind that," Kace says. "I will tell you later. So how about it, William? Is there a connection?"
" I." William stutters. "Well, she is my partner. We wear the same lockets, just to show our love and commitment to one another. We got split up. I feel so horrible. The zombies were coming. I was on the opposite side of town, doing some business. But I thought I could come here and meet her here. We discussed this before; if zombies would attack, we would go to the tunnel. But now, after being here for a while, and seeing that she hasn't even shown up yet, I am beginning to get a little worried."
" I comprehend," Kace says. "You feel guilty because you feel that you should have gotten her first, right?"
" Exactly. So what should I do now? Do I head out there and get her? Or do I wait here and hope that she shows up?"
Chapter 6: Sneaking Back into the Village
Kace looks William in the eyes and says, "Be a man. Go get your female. There is no time to lose."
" Are you serious?" he asks. "Wow. Okay, sure. Yes, that's what I am going to do."
Chloe has a loving appearance in her eyes when she hears Kace's ideas on courage and fidelity. She gets a little closer to him and asks, "Would you have returned for me if I was there by myself, surrounded by zombies?"
" Of course, I would have, Chloe," Kace says. "We are married. I love you. I would do anything to secure you."
Chloe thinks for a moment and after that says, "We need to help this man. Let's go with him."
" Are you sure? We could just stay here in the tunnel. It would be more secure."
" No," Chloe firmly insists. "He really deserves a happy life like us."
Kace is glad to hear that Chloe still considers their life to be happy, despite the miscommunication between the two of them. He knows she will be even happier when she finds out what he was going to give her. But now he is not so sure it will still be there, since the zombies turned the whole town upside down.
" Take these," William says, handing the other two a sword and a axe. "I'm type of a fan of the shovel myself, but I am certain you can put these weapons to good use if you see a zombie."
" Thanks," Kace says. "Ready to go?"
" Yes, I am," William says in a determined voice as he walks right past them. "Let's kill some zombies."
Kace and Chloe are right behind him. They splash through the muddy tunnel ground and reach the hatch. They look at one another and climb the ladder. Back on the town roads, they are surprised. In front of them, a village abides in turmoil. Zombies are following villagers, homes are burning, screams are heard all over, along with howling and groaning zombie sounds. Some people are unsuccessfully making an attempt to protect themselves and hack several zombies down before they get bitten. The entire view is chilling and dreadful.
" Scary," William says.
" Ha! You mean, William-fying!" Chloe says with a smirk on her face.
The 2 men take a look at her with a serious facial expression.
" S-sorry. I'll stop making puns," Chloe says sheepishly.
" Let's just slip from the one backyard to the other," William suggests. "The majority of the zombies are in the front yards, in the homes, and on the street. It's not too far from here. Let's go to my home and see if Mary-Ann is there."
The trio remains low and peeps over every fence before they go to the next yard, and the next, and the next ...
Ultimately, they get near William's and Mary-Ann's home. They hop over their white picket fence and go to the burning home.
" Hey, wait a minute," Chloe says, turning to her partner. "This is the exact same home you went to, you two-faced cheater!”
" But honey, could we please discuss this later? I can explain," Kace says.
" Pffft ... you better have a good explanation then," Chloe says angrily as she rolls her eyes. "The female was half undressed and giggling when you were talking. Does not that say enough?"
Kace disregards her grievances. Thankfully, their discussion doesn't raise any suspicions in William, because he didn't hear what they were talking about. He already got in the home and begins trying to find his wife. "Mary-Ann!" he yells. "Mary-Ann! Are you in here ?!”
" Thankfully, only the upstairs is on fire," Kace says. "Did I ever tell you not to run into a burning building because of the smoke and the fire?"
" I know," Chloe says. "Hopefully, she is downstairs. Otherwise I wouldn't know what to do, although I am not sure any longer if I want that seductive female to live."
But then she sees it. "What is that?" Chloe asks when she picks up the item in front of her.
Chapter 7: The Forever Note
Chloe is holding a board. It's charred, and obviously, it didn't actually endure the incineration of the upper half of the home. But in spite of the dirty appearance and revolting soot on it, she is still able to read the engraving through the faded decorative patterns. In swirly letters, almost like calligraphy, it reads:
" Chloe and Kace Forever"
She gazes at it. She is speechless. Kace scratches his head when he understands that there is barely anything left of the product he paid four golden coins for. Chloe's back is turned towards her partner, so Kace has no idea what she is feeling. He can't see her facial expression, so he just waits.
" Well, uhm ..." Kace says after a bit. "It was going to be something for you, for our anniversary. Did you see I put your name initially? Heh-heh ... it's since I wanted to make you realize how crucial you are to me. And perhaps you can still see a heart or a star in there. Anyway, sorry that it burned down. I realize it's a waste of cash, since it isn't any good to us now."
But when Chloe turns around, there are tears in her eyes; tears of happiness. She drops the board and throws her arms around her well-intending spouse. Then she kisses him.
" Thank you," she says. "I'm sorry I was so suspicious. You're the best man I could ever request."
Kace just smiles. It seems as if the moment lasts forever, despite the fact that it is only a few seconds long. They look at each other and feel like they're floating ... until they get disrupted by William.
" Help!" William shouts. "I need some help here!"
Kace and Chloe hurry into the direction where the sound is coming from. They hop over a broken table and r
un into another room. There they see William, who is trying to lift a heavy beam that is obstructing Mary-Ann's legs. She is mindful, and she appears all right, but she is not able to move from the debris.
" Mary-Ann," Kace says. "Thanks for the wonderful work you have done."
" You're welcome," she says. "Sorry it got burned. I can return you the 4 pieces of gold if you want me to."
" Nah, we're good. You did your job," Kace says.
" Wait a minute," Chloe says. "I'll take those pieces of gold. Why would you turn down an offer for a free refund, Kace?"
" Ahum ... alright, touché," Kace says.
They stop talking and raise the beam. The 3 of them have enough strength to get the heavy item from Mary-Ann, who gradually stands up and starts walking again. "Let's get out of here," she says, after giving William a hug. "There are still tons of zombies around."
Chapter 8: The End Thing
The 4 survivors sneak back through the yards, heading into the direction of the hatch to the tunnel. But before they get there, they get faced by a horde of zombies that just happens to see them.
" Grumble!" one of them says, most likely meaning, "Over there!"
" Roar grumble grumble!" another one adds.
The two couples figure that it most likely means, "Let's get them!"
" Run!" William screams.
They begin running and get closer to the secret tunnels, and the zombies are chasing them.
" They must know that we're here," Kace says. "You three can go. I will distract them."
" No!" Chloe says. "I will not leave your side. Don't leave me!"
It's too late to begin a discussion, so Kace accepts her desire to come with him. They deviate from their course and run towards the other side of the town. All the zombies come after them, leaving William and Mary-Ann to hide in the tunnels.
" There!" Kace says, pointing to an empty home.
He slams through the door and hides with his spouse below a table in the corner. The zombies quickly run by. Chloe is sitting in Kace's arms, feeling safeguarded by her strong man. He checks out the window and sighs.
" I think they're gone," he says after some time. "Let's go to the hatch."
But when they go out of the house, 2 zombies are standing in front of them. They growl and drool and look vicious.
" You take the one on the left; then I'll take the one on the right," Kace says.
" Deal," Chloe agrees. She holds her axe next to her, all set to swing it at the zombie on the left. Kace holds his sword in front of him and stabs the zombie on the right. The zombie drops instantly. Then Chloe swings at the other zombie.
Bonk!
Unconscious, on the ground.
" Good job!" Kace says. "I don't know why you are always suggesting that you need protection from me. You are fine getting the zombies."
" Thank you," Chloe says happily.
No more zombies cross their courses en route to the hatch. They consider themselves lucky. When they get to the hatch, William and Mary-Ann are awaiting them.
" Welcome to the underground movement," William says. "We decided to wait here and see if any other civilians would survive. There are about 50 people there now."
" Exceptional," Kace says. "Just how long before the zombies will disappear?"
" Probably a couple of days. That's how it normally goes. I have seen it in other towns. Oh, and we might want to switch off all our candle lights and torches. There are little fractures in the ceiling and I do not want the threat that zombies see us."
" Two entire days without light?" Kace asks. "Whoa. Sounds intense."
Chloe puts her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. She smiles and says, "I can get used to that ... two days in the dark with you."
Kace smiles. She is right. He strokes her hair and says, "Happy anniversary, honey."
THE END
Silly Ghost Girl
Chapter 1: My Individual Path
I think I wasn't always the most popular girl in class. And when my dad died, I became even more to myself. The years went by and I became older, and a ton of people said I was gorgeous, but I just didn't do much with it. At the time I changed, I was nine years of age. It was that age where most kids in school are attempting to put you down so they can climb up higher on the social ladder. I wasn't going to play that dumb game, so I often pulled back to my own areas.
I hated school. It was very boring. And even though I was more of an introvert, books bored me too. I was trying to find some excitement by myself, so sometimes, I just went to the fields or the woods by myself, just to smell the fresh air of nature and take a look around me. It was always intriguing, because I found new things and new life.
I mean, the time I helped a fox out of its hole or the time when I went after some fish in the river ... those were the times I totally felt alive. One time, I even saw a big worm. Yuck! I've got to tell you that those are pretty unusual creatures. I do not even know if you can call them animals, but hey, they live out there, and I saw one.
The only thing I dislike is the spiders. And I'm not talking about the tiny ones you can splat with your shoe ... No, I'm talking about huge spiders the size of human beings. I found one just recently. It was on the opposite side of a waterfall and some rocks. I hid behind the tree as I didn't want it to find me. Uuuugly! Luckily it didn't, but I wanted to keep away from those as much as I could.
Oh, by the way, my name is Caroline. I completely forgot to introduce myself in this journal. Ha-ha! I just thought that ... oh well ... it does not matter. Yep, Caroline. That's my name.
Anyhow, I was talking about all the creatures I had met, and the animals I had seen in the forest. My mom was always alright with it. She didn't think it would be damaging to go out there, but she always insisted I would get home before dark. And this is where it became so bothersome.
It was winter season, and the sun went down early every day, so early that I barely had time to get out of school, change into something else, and go out in nature for an hour or two. It would get dark quickly, and I would be stuck inside having fun with our cat or doing some dull homework. Not fun.
Little did I know that my life would change that one day I got lost.
You see, I went to the forest and walked on the typical trails until I saw a small path I hadn't seen before.
" Hey, this must be fascinating," I said.
So I decided to take a risk, to deviate from my regular course, and to tell you the truth, I had not the slightest idea I was going so far away. I didn't know where I was going, but curiosity had taken over me. I walked and walked till I saw flames.
" Odd," I thought. "In this cold weather, how could there be fire?"
I came closer and saw a small being, flying in the air.
" Wow!" I said.
It was a ghost. I had learnt more about those at school. I was told they were mean and hostile. They stressed how vicious and despiteful they were, and that they never thought twice to attack. But this one wasn't that way at all. It was just flying around, just cooling, just enjoying ... till it saw me.
It looked at me, and I felt sad. Why? Since it looked like the poor little thing was weeping.
" Is something wrong?" I asked.
No reaction. I figured they weren't able to talk. I came closer and touched it. What had all that rubbish had to do with instantly attacking people? This one was as harmless as a cow. It flew around, practically as if it was trying to show me what it could do. Was this an infant ghost or something?
Then it hit a tree.
Thud!
It fell, but right before it hit the earth, I caught it.
I looked at it.
It looked back at me.
It was a tranquil moment.
Then I saw some other ghosts appear.
" Are you this little friend's family?"
They came closer and nodded. They understood me! Okay, they could not talk, but I was certain that this meant a "yes." Wow. Great. Ghosts could
speak our language! And here we always thought they were just brutal predators. We were so wong! Or was it just me?
I waved at them, just to say "hi." They twirled in the air, as if they were waving back. I blew in the air. They blew a fireball. So cool. I was sold. I really loved these creatures more than any of the other animals I had seen. These ghosts were my favorites.
Chapter 2: Ghosts Were My Thing
Did you know ghosts are totally legit?! They rock! I ended up being best pals with them. I went out to the forest every day to see them. They revealed to me all types of tricks, like how they could spit fireballs and fly around. They were able to bounce off a tree and make an odd noise when they did.
I revealed them some stuff too. They all gathered around and watched me begin a fire with sticks and matches, climb a tree, and swim in the river. We had a blast, despite the winter.
Summer came. The weather had finally turned around, which meant I could remain at the woods longer. Yippee!
No one had ever found out about the ghosts, except for my mother. We had a conversation about it once, and initially, she wasn't convinced I was being safe, but eventually, she accepted it.
" Are you going back to those weird flying ghosts again?" she asked me one day.
" Yes, I am returning. Why not?"
" Well, don't you think it would be better to socialize with some other kids from your class? Maybe there are some nice girls that would want to talk or shop for outfits."
" Mother, all the girls hate me. They think I'm odd."
" Well, what about the boys? Are they interested in being with you?"
" Are you kidding? They're so immature! They burp and fart on purpose and after that they laugh about their own jokes."
" Really? All of them?" my mom asked.
" All of them, Mother."
She smirked and came closer, looking straight at me. I tried to avert, as I knew what she was doing. She knew I was hiding something, and she was determined to get it out of me. "All of them?" she asked again.
Anthology of Horror Stories Page 21