Once we had moved everything we could, Ren and I stopped, catching our breath.

The screams from the other rooms had subsided, with only the occasional moan or growl to be heard. While part of me was grateful, another part of me feared that meant that the monsters would be on their way here.

“Maisy, if they try to break in…” Ren said nervously, grabbing the wrench so tightly his knuckles were white.

“You guard the kids,” I told him firmly.

“But-” he tried to argue, but I shut him down.

“You’re stronger, but I have more experience fighting. If I go down, you’re all they have left.” I could see his conflicted emotions flicker across his face before he made his decision and nodded.

“The message,” I muttered as I thought aloud. “It said one hour, right? Maybe if we can hold out for an hour, we can get help after.” As I said the words, though, I wondered if it was true. What was even going on in the first place? Was this happening everywhere?

Would there even be anyone to help them afterwards?

I shut down the train of thought before I lost my nerve. Turning to the kids, I knelt down and did my best to smile.

“I know this is scary, but I need you guys to be brave for a little longer. I don’t know what’s going on, but Mr. Ren and I are going to keep you safe.”

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“I know what’s goin’ on!” Theo quipped, raising his hand and waving it. “It’s just like a game! Like the zombie killing games!” Miming a gun, he made a ‘pew pew’ sound and pretended to shoot the window where the zombie had broken in.

“Yeah, just like a game!” Ren agreed. “So you have to be reaaalllly quiet, or the monsters will find us,” he added, putting his finger to his lips. The five children copied him, carefully putting their fingers on their own lips.

“But…” Cassidy whispered after a moment, her voice shaking. “But what if the monster comes back?”

I hugged the young girl, squeezing tightly.

“That’s why we’re here. Your teachers will keep you safe.”

“Thank you, Ms. Maisy,” Cassidy snuggled my chest. I gave her another squeeze before putting her down.

“Alright, you guys stay together in the corner,” I directed them quietly. “Make sure to stay quiet, no matter what, okay?” Their little heads bobbed in agreement, Kena even putting her small hands over her mouth.

I took a bracing breath and turned back to the door, readying myself for whatever would happen.

I quickly checked my phone and the permanent notification.

41 minutes and 18 seconds.

In the aftermath of the initial attack, it was eerily quiet. The shuffling and groans of zombies could be heard outside from the broken window, but none had tried to shove their way in after the first one. Standing stiffly, I strained my ears as I listened for anything outside the door.

Scraaaaaape. Thump. Scraaaaaape. Thump.

I could hear something dragging its way down the hallway. Turning to look at the group behind me, I nodded to Ren and put my finger to my lips. The kids silently copied the motion again and I smiled.

As soon as I had turned back around, the halfhearted smile dropped and my jaw clenched. I could feel my pulse start to pound as adrenaline flooded my system.

Please don’t try to open the door, I pleaded in my head. It was locked, and I was hoping that would be enough to deter them. We only had so much stuff to pile up, and most of the heavy things had to be used to block the window.

I was practically holding my breath by the time the dragging sound had stopped in front of our door.

Rattle. Rattle. The door handle jiggled as the zombie tried to enter. Every muscle in my body was taut as I waited.

Slam.

I jumped and I heard a few gasps behind me as the whole door shook with the impact. The zombie slammed against the door again, hard enough to shake the barricade on the other side.

Slam.