Slam.

The banging stopped and I waited, my heart in my throat. After what felt like hours of silence, I heard the zombie’s slow retreat.

Scraaaaape. Thump. Scraaaaaape. Thump.

I took several shallow breaths, trying to steady myself. I turned to check on Ren and the kids. He gave me a shaky thumbs up, looking like he might pass out at any moment.

The next half hour passed in a bizarre adrenaline blur. I stood at the door, occasionally pacing small circles when I couldn’t stand being still any longer, while Ren kept watch over the kids. For their credit, they did great; they stayed silent the whole time, despite their fear. Cassidy even fell asleep, tiring herself out after her big emotional breakdown earlier. Her strawberry blond locks fell over her eyes as her head rested on Ren’s leg.

I checked my phone again. Five minutes and fourty eight seconds left. I was almost hopeful as I heard two more zombies approach and leave, unsuccessful at entering the room through the door. Soon, though, the last of our luck ran out.

The now familiar groan of a zombie approached from outside and I froze. The window was already broken, and while we had blocked the empty space with shelves, I didn’t know how many were outside. The more there were, the worse our odds got.

“Ren,” I breathed, my voice barely audible. He tensed, carefully laying Cassidy on the ground as he got to his feet. I put my finger to my lips for the kids, who nodded and repeated the motion. Unexpectedly, my eyes teared up at the sight. These sweet kids, what would happen to them if they were alone, if Ren and I weren’t here to keep them safe?

Gripping my sad weapon, I grit my teeth and turned back to the window. Those damn monsters would have to kill me first.

Despite being ready for it, the sudden bang caused me to jump. The shelves quivered, items falling to the floor. A low angry growl sounded and another bang caused the shelves to tip precariously forward.

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“Shit,” I hissed, throwing my body up against them to try and brace them. The next bang shuddered through my bones, the force way stronger than I’d expected. How could some undead zombies be so strong? My arm stung as the creature smashed it again, the skin tearing against the wood.

There was a pause and I hoped that the creature had left, but as I felt a small droplet of blood roll down my arm, I got the same sense of foreboding as I did when I saw the blue notification on my phone.

The monster let out a shriek, much more frantic than before, and began smashing against the shelves ruthlessly.

The increased attack was too much. Despite my efforts, I felt like I would either be crushed under the shelves or break my arm trying to keep them upright. Whipping my head around, I quickly shout to Ren, “Get back! It’s going to fall!”

Turning my body, I roll out of the way, letting the shelves crash to the ground with a tremendous sound. Random odds and ends fly everywhere as it falls but I don’t have time to check on the kids. The frenzied zombie is already crawling through the window, leaving putrid blood on the shards of glass still in the window as it drags itself carelessly over the frame. Its glowing red eyes are fixed on me and even as it crashes to the ground, it reaches out a mangled hand to me, fingers clawed.

Fear grips my heart like a fist but I ignore it, stomping on the hand with my boot and kicking the head. I don’t know if these things will even die, but I have to keep it away from the kids. At best, I force it back out the window. At worst….

The zombie lunges at me unsteadily, its broken teeth gnashing and snapping like a rabid dog. The stench makes me want to puke but I ignore it, grabbing the broom handle with both hands, hurriedly putting it between me and the thing. The creature slams its chin into it and I shove its body into the wall, trying to slam its head. Those flailing arms snatch at my jacket sleeve and I feel myself tipping. Oh shit, not now…

Starting to fall, I desperately try to catch myself, letting go of the broom and grabbing at the wall for balance. My sleeve tears and the creature crashes to the ground, tangled amongst the supplies.

“Maisy, there’s more!” I hear Ren’s urgent voice and when I look up, two more zombies are slowly heading to the window, drawn in by all the noise.

“Fuck,” I curse under by breath as the zombie in the room snarls, struggling to get back up. My broom, where’d I drop it?

As I reach down to grab it, the zombie lunges at me again, its curled fingers grabbing my injured arm like a vice. Letting out a shriek of pain, I try to pull away, but the monster is too strong and drags me to the floor.

I panic, legs kicking, as I feel my arm being brought to the creature's mouth. Fully consumed by fear, I thrash violently. Even though I’m yanking as hard as I can, I can’t free myself. Just as I’m sure this is the end, as I wait for its teeth to rip into my flesh, a loud thud sounds and the zombie’s head snaps back, a massive dent in the top of his skull. The hand loosens slightly; it’s enough for me and I quickly get away. Looking up I see Ren, his chest heaving and his eyes wide.

“Ren, the window!” I shriek as I see a hand reach in, yellowed nails grabbing at his shirt-

-before it fades away, disappearing in a strange white mist.