I just sat down with my bowl of cereal, my hand had not even left the power button on the TV remote. When some insane fool began to bang on my door. To make matters worse, was the incessant screaming for help. Like I could provide some kind of mental or physical help to a domestic case.

Yet, I still placed my bowl on the coffee table and stood up. My apartment wasn't big enough for me to take no more than six steps and I could see down the hallway to my door. The banging stop as I pulled up to the hallway table, I pulled out a glock 17 and checked to make sure a round was chambered. The sound of banging sounded like it was a few doors down and I was half tempted to be like my neighbors and ignore the lass.

Still, it was human to want to assist someone right? If I didn't even have this basic level of compassion then how was I supposed to keep a wife?

Taking a huge breath, I unlocked the door and opened it. What I saw made me stand there like an imbecile. Well, who can blame me when this guy has dark stains on his cheek. His white shirt looked as if he was playing in dye. His eyes were wide open and bloodshot. Most importantly, he moved with an odd stiffness that almost resembles someone having a limp or broken arm. Like he wanted to not cause himself pain, so he limited the movement.

I took a step back and got ready to close the door. Dealing with an abusive husband only requires me to flash my piece. Dealing with some sick guy, required a degree that I was not smart enough to get. 

"OH my God, what happened to you?" A shrill voice sounded two doors down. 

I knew it was one of the elderly and the nosy one. The man's head did this blind like movement before his body surged forward like a professional runner. 

"Hunny, call the cops. There is a sick man out there." The old lady had probably turned her back to the man. "Son, my husband is calling for h.. stop! What are you doing! No! Ahh!"

I almost didn't want to go assist but my door was open and the apartment had cameras. There was screaming and the sound of feet on the stairs going down. Me, I had to be the damn hero!

I stepped out the door just to see the man ripping the old lady's throat out. Flesh hung from his teeth and I slipped into a thought that asked how the hell that was possible. 

"What the hell? Beth? Oh hell no!" The husband spoke as the sound of a shotgun chambering a round. 

The sick man's head turned to the husband before half of it splattered on the walls behind them. The body rose to its feet when a second round tossed it backwards. It twitched for a moment before a third round stopped it for good. 

The poor woman had copious amounts of blood pouring out of her neck. That's not even counting the scratches to the arms and bite marks on her shoulder. 

"Beth! Stay there! Don't move. I'm calling for help!" The husband didn't even step out of the apartment. 

I licked my suddenly dry lips as I turned to step back into my apartment. Drugs were definitely not good for us. Can you imagine what would've happened if he was on stronger drugs than what he probably took?

"Beth, I told you to stay down! Beth? Honey, don't come closer. I'm warning you!" The man's voice was shaky but the sound of the shotgun going off wasn't. Two more shots followed the first. 

I closed my door and locked it. My eyes blinked as I thought about what this could mean. Why was this even happening?

Shaking my head, I turned to my fridge. When did I last go shopping? Friday? No, Sunday. I bought some stuff for a date today but she canceled. So I should have at least a couple weeks of food. 

I need to double check.

I stumbled into the kitchen, yanking open the fridge. Biting my bottom lip, I started with the half jug of milk. The expiration date was next month but I could make it last for maybe two weeks. Three egg cartons containing eighteen eggs. The fourth had four eggs left. Two bottles of vodka is not a necessity but it would keep my sanity. Two unopened packages of cheese, one full bologna meat, one package of turkey and roast beef.

My eyes scanned the counter and I shuffled over to check the expiration date. Two months away. If I ate one sandwich a day, that would leave me with nearly a week of food. My estimate might not be accurate but from what I see. I won't starve for the first month for sure.

I closed the fridge and went back to my couch. I dropped heavily on it and snatched my bowl. I took three bites to settle my nerves before turning on the TV and clicking on the news app.

".. there are reports of people manifesting unusual behaviors. Number of cops have responded to more than thirty cases of drug induced killings." The anchor reported.

I jumped when I heard pounding on the wall. I looked around for my glock and realized I dropped it by the door. Rushing over, I picked it up and returned to the couch.

The news didn't have much to report on this oddity but they did say it would be nice weather out.

"Useless." I muttered.

I flicked through the movie app, looking for something decent to watch. Ignoring the loud banging, the sudden sounds of gunfire, and screams. 

"I am not a coward but safety first. Don't answer the door." I chanted to myself.

I tossed the remote down and headed for the window. Moving the curtain aside, allowed me to see people rushing for cars in the parking lot. Cars on the street were stopped and people rushed from them. Others inside looked like they very much wanted to get out but didn't know how to unlock the seat belts. 

Zombie apocalypse in this day and age. What an absolute..

My phone vibrated on the glass table and made me flinch. I walked over and lifted it up to see someone sent me a text. I pressed my finger to the scanner and the screen opened. I checked the text message and wasn't surprised it was from my girlfriend. She was bloody high if she thought I was coming to save her. I didn't even want to save myself right now.

The text message said she was on her way. I took a picture of the outside and sent it to her. Letting her see the devastating effects that she obviously was ignoring.

A reply came back quickly, "I know. Crazy people attack me at work. I barely got away with Carmen and Lisa."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

I quickly replied. Bringing people to my place? Did I look like a saint? How do I know they weren't bitten? Better go to her own home first.

She replied even quicker. "None of us were touched or bitten. And you have all the weapons!"

Weapons? A shotgun with fifty birdshot? One glock with two hundred rounds? That wasn't enough to defend  dumbasses. Plus I didn't like Carmen at all. The guy was a tool and the ex!

I gritted my teeth and sent a reply back. "Go to your father's house. With his basement and preparations, you will be very safe."

"Are you a man? We are downstairs. Come get me now, Kaden!" The reply felt like a command and I wasn't good with commands. 

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Women are so much trouble. Should have just bought a flesh light like real gamers.

My shotgun laid against the back of my closet almost covered by a hoodie. I grabbed it and the box of ammo. I stuffed it full of shells and searched out the belt that could hold ten more rounds. I filled them and grabbed my pistol holder. It took a few seconds getting the clip holder belt through it and around my waist that has no belt loops. I took out three filled mags and stuffed them in the mag holders. 

With both my shotgun and pistol, I felt ready to brave death.

Back at the door, I cracked it and peeked out. There were two bodies on the ground. Face unrecognizable. opening the door wider, I inched out and looked down both halls. It was clear and the only sounds came from the apartments. 

I eased down the hallways while keeping my eyes peeled. There was a door cracked with bloody finger smudges and no sound from inside. I ignored them and looked at the stairway. It was clear but I froze as I turned back to the elevator.

The man only attacked the old lady after she talked. I was much closer to him than she was. That meant they relied on hearing not sight. I took out my phone and put it on silent then pressed the elevator button. I step in and hit the ground floor bottom before hopping out.

I took the stairs slowly but still made it down in time to hear it open with a ding. Footsteps also seem to head towards it which confirm my theory.

Biting my lip, I rushed towards the door and out into the street where people were still crying and yelling with crazies beating on their cars.

I didn't even ask her what car she was in but apparently they saw me. As there were three dumbasses across the street waving at me. 

I pulled out my phone and sent them a text. "Be quiet and come to me. They rely on sound to hear, not sight."

The way the waving idiots jumped, I knew they still had their phones on ringtone. I sent them another message and couldn't help smirking as they crouched and fumbled with the phone. There weren't a lot of crazies on the street and the government should clear it up in a day or two. Maybe this wouldn't last long.

Yet, bad things happen when you least expect it. 

My girlfriend can't be called the most brilliant mind in the world. Honestly, she was a hot piece of ass with a lithe body that looks good in tights when running. But she works at a coffee shop and has been there for a few years now. Her ex is the manager and her best friend, Lisa is a basic bitch with a potty mouth. 

If my parents met her, they would definitely think I was just going to hit it and quit it. Yet, we have been together for nearly a month so far. 

So when I say with all love and affection that she wasn't the brightest crayon in the box. It was with love and honesty.

All three got half way when two kids' heads popped up in a car. Three zombies were banging on it in an attempt to get in. 

The three stooges were in a black button up with an apron on and name tag. They had no weapons but they stopped and stared at the kids. Their bleeding hearts went out and they called to me by waving their hands and mimicking gun poses.

Me, I glance behind me at the room full of crazies. At least six by my count. There were no more than twenty-two outside that I could see. Maybe more stuck in buildings as this was a residential area.

The street was almost quiet except for those in cars who had yet to figure out how to shut up. The sky was bright but gun shots would bring the entire horde on us.

I pulled out my phone and sent them a message. "One of you turns on music and your phone on loudest volume. Toss it and then play hero. I'm not firing my gun if I don't have to and I don't right now."

My girlfriend sent me a glare and replied back that they were kids. I shrugged and turned around. I didn't have enough food for them to begin with and didn't even want them in my house. I might be a square but I was going to survive this.

I barely made a step when I heard a roar. It wasn't like a car exploding or engine revving. It was like a mix between a wild animal and a hybrid human beast thing from a movie.

This didn't set off any warning bells in my girlfriend because as I said, Not the brightest cookie. They listened to me after seeing my back turned and played a song. They tossed it and the crazies ran towards it. The kids got out but I was already moving to the emergency stairs on the side of the building. I jumped up and pulled it down and began climbing up. 

Not long after, I spotted a zombie bigger and more intimidating than the rest flipped a car. Ripped a door off another one and fish out the dumbasses inside. On top of that, the others seem to catch some brain cells. They picked up shit and slammed it against the car windows. Which prompted louder screams and had more crazies coming over.

My girlfriend made it to the ladder and allowed the kids to climb first. Sadly, the big guy had finished killing and eating its meal. It looked around and by God, even I flinched. It picked up a car and tossed it. 

Thankfully, I made it to the first window and had it opened and was stepping through. Survival wasn't about saving other humans but yourself and I was damn show doing my best.

I heard a scream but it was a man's scream. 

"Carmen! Shit! It's picking up another one!" That had to be Lisa. 

I saw the kids climb in after me, followed by the last two.

I opened the door as the building shook and what sounded like a car alarm going off. Shaking my head, I held my shotgun up as I cleared the living room. The only other door was closed. Not staying to see if the big guy would follow us, I opened the door and looked into the hallway. 

Clear!

I rushed out and up the stairs. Almost colliding with a crazy stumbling down. It took a swipe at me like it had claws but I leaned back and kicked it against the railing. Not giving a chance to counter, I smashed the butt of my shotgun into its face as it pawed at my chest. 

Hearing the sound of the face caving in, feeling the blood squirting at me. All made my breakfast want to come back up but it did stop the thing from fighting back. It just slumped down and not moved. 

I tore my gaze away from its roadkill face and looked upward. Taking more care as I moved. The girls followed behind without making a single sound. Well from their mouths not their footsteps but lucky us. No movement all the way til the third floor. 

Satisfyingly, we made it inside without another incident. Not so great was the sound of something tearing through the ground floor. It was like bombs going off at times. I could have sworn the building tilted a little.

My guest decided to crumble right there. Not even inches from the door. They had those looks movie actors wish to portray. Not to mention, Lisa looked like she was going to be sick.

Shit, even I was leaning against the hallway wall breathing heavily. I moved into the living room and they followed like robots.

"What do we do now?" One of the kids asked.

I looked at the two girls who could be my sister's age. Though she was a slutty 12th grader so bad comparison but that could be our mother's fault.

I swallowed my heart back down and walked to the window, moving the curtain back just a bit. The criers were definitely dead and the big brute was leading crazies into buildings. Loud crashing sound came from within then moments later. People jumping out of windows or running out of their doors. Right into the arms of the growing crowd. To make things worse was the loud car alarms pulling in more. 

I turned back to those watching the news like they would report something useful.

Gloria looked at me but I could see a tinge of anger in her features so I moved away from her.

I walked into the kitchen and searched through my recycle bin for bottles and containers. I went to the sink and cleaned them out before loading them up with fresh water, Setting them aside.

I knew I had plenty of dry goods. I hardly had time to cook lately unless it was to get laid. A lot of stuff in there was for the times I felt like it. The biggest issue was the meat and veggies. I usually bought them fresh a day before I had to prepare a meal. So they wouldn't last long.

With four girls and myself, what could have lasted me a month, maybe two, became less than a month. 

"I'm not going to judge you for wanting to leave those girls. But what is the plan? You play zombie games and analytic at work. What are we going to do?" She seemed like she wanted to cry.

I almost felt a moment of pity for her but then thought of how I was going to be responsible for them. At least two of four are attractive. Well, Gloria's heart-shaped face was but Lisa just looked average with her pink hair and long nose. Plus Lisa's big breast and flat back side was not my cup of tea.

Gloria's toned body with tear drop breast and peach butt was worth dying for. Yet, it still did not make me want to have to deal with them for a week. Let alone however long this might last.

Scratching my head, I turned to look at the expecting eyes. "Well, I'm sure you guys realized that the crazies have a weakness until the big guy showed up. They couldn't see but that changed." I fumbled for a thought. "I don't think the big guy is going to do a thorough search. He might have limited hearing or just too big to climb stairs. So we should be safe and wait for the government to do something. Just limit your intake and I'll cook."

I said the last because I know for a fact Gloria couldn't cook. As for Lisa, she's friends with Gloria which means guilty by association.

"Do you really think the government will do something?" One of the girls asked.

I nodded, "of course. They will do something for themselves and we can make use of that."

"Do you think any of them might be up here? In one of these apartments?" Lisa asked.

I threw a glance at her and shook my head. "Doesn't matter. As long as you are quiet, they won't bother us." I moved to end the conversation and go to my room but I remember something. "I don't know how long this will last but I need to remind you not to eat anything because you are just hungry. Feel free to drink from the facet, that white extended thing is a water filter. Don't touch the bottles or containers, please."

Gloria pointed at the hallway closet. "He keeps his extra blankets in there if you want to lay down."

I rushed to my room and closed the door. I dropped onto the bed and reached for the remote. It was going to be a long time, I better get in my gaming now.