Dead of Knight: A Zombie Apocalypse Survival Tale by Stephen J. Beard

plywood for the windows on the house.  But none of it would suffice in an extended siege.
                  We were going to have to get more supplies.  And with that decision made, I went back off to bed.
     

Thursday, December 18, 2014
    The whole family was up early the next day.  While Sam and the kids started a nice breakfast of sausage and eggs, I made a cup of coffee and turned on the news.  Rather than the government getting a handle on anything, the news was even worse than the night before if that’s possible.  Most of the major cities had been over run.  Video from helicopters showed humans running from the staggering zombies.  Fires raged throughout the country as people struggled to survive.  On one stretch of roadway outside Washington D.C., helicopters filmed as zombies roamed alongside the cars eating and biting anyone still alive to be eaten. 
    Unsurprisingly, the catastrophe had spread to other countries.  France, England, Brazil, Israel and Australia were al reporting the dead rising up on a wide scale.
                  After breakfast, Tabby tried calling Justin once again and got nothing.  Again.
    “Justin and his mom were going to go look for their dad about an hour ago.  I’m worried,” she said.
    “I know, honey.  He seemed like a good kid,” I replied.  “Keep trying him.  Although I think he’ll get back to you when he can.”  I almost said ‘if he can’ but caught myself.
    Sam tried calling the Thompsons next door.  They didn’t answer the phone. 
                  “We need to go check on them,” said Sam.
                  “I don’t disagree.  I just don’t want to go out there.”
                  “Anybody else notice how quiet it is?”  Asked Tabby.
                  We all just kinda looked at each other and shook our collective heads.  No one could remember hearing any cars go by all morning.  By now, people should’ve been going to work and kids going to school.  I couldn’t hear any planes either.
                  “Why don’t we take care of our water chores then we’ll go check on the Thompsons.”  I explained to the kids what we were doing with the toilet tank and the bathtubs.  Mal and Tab started filing all the containers they could find and Sam and I tackled the two other projects.  With everyone helping, it didn’t take long.  Soon, there was no avoiding checking on the neighbors.
                  “Mal and Tab, I want you guys in your room for this.  Play games or whatever you want.  Well, I don’t want you to put the news on.”
                  “But, Dad we want to help,” said Tabby.
                  “I know, and I appreciate it.  But, not this time.  I don’t know what’s going to happen and I need to know you’re safe.  Off with you.”  I hugged both the kids and they ran upstairs.
                  “Sam, I want you to come outside with me.  Stay just outside the door where you can be another set of eyes but still get inside quickly.  Don’t let anyone or anything sneak up behind me.  Got it?”
                  “Yeah.  Do you have our spare keys for the Thompsons place?”
                  “Yeah, they’re in my pocket.”
                  I checked my Glock one more time to make sure there’s a round in the chamber.  There always is but this was not a time for mistakes.  Opening the door I was struck by two things right away:  how bright it was and how quiet it was.  We don’t live in a crazy busy neighborhood but there’s always driving by or somebody’s kids yelling down the street or a stereo that’s too loud.  Today, nothing.  I was hoping that the reason we didn’t hear anything before was that we were inside.  Not so lucky.  Creepy doesn’t quite cut it.
                  As I worked my way over to the Thompsons I kept