You can't call them Zombies!

“What are you kids doing out here?” The General said as he grabbed Anna’s arm.

Despite the pain in her arm from his grip, she looked at him with a glare that could kill. They tried to kill them earlier and now he wants to help. What sort of game was he playing? “Looking for medicine.”

“We have plenty at our base.” The General led her outside.

The breeze tickled her skin. Behind them, glass shattered and gunfire erupted. She bolted for the jeep. The General’s grip still held her tight and he took her down to the gravel. It cut her elbow and shoulder as he turned toward the sound.

“Look what you did.” The General said dragging her back up to her knees.

“Private!” The General screamed inside.

More gunfire erupted.

“What do you want with us? We weren’t hurting anyone.” Anna screamed. Trying to fight free proved more difficult than expected as the General cinched his hand into her hair.

“We were looking for the girl. She’s special.” The General said under his breath. He searched the empty area, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. “We need her back at the base.”

This was all about the girl. She was the one they wanted, that meant she and Kyle weren’t worth it.

“Let me go!” She stomped on his foot and tried to elbow him in the chest.

The General threw her to the ground by the hair. She rolled along the gravel. Dirt and dust filling her mouth as she came to a stop. Pain flared throughout her body and she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to break down and cry right then, but her fear kept her from losing it.

“You brat. I’ll save you the hassle.” The General aimed his gun at her. Steady, he moved closer.

“Please leave us alone. We just want to find a safe place to hide.” Anna coughed the dust out of her mouth. Her chest hurt, her mind slowed. Death approached ready to strike her down.

More gunfire erupted followed by a scream. Growls accompanied the sound and the General turned to see a creature. Fresh blood ran down the ghoul’s face, Military green cloth fell out of its mouth as it approached.

The General turned to the decaying man and fired. The side of the creature’s head exploded. Brain matter splashed the wall inside with a sloppy sound.

Anna’s stomach lurched, but she fought through it and crawled toward the jeep. Another creature appeared and the General gunned him down before he made a sound.

Hoping the distraction was enough; Anna pulled herself into the jeep and went for the ignition. No keys. Tears welled up, everything went wrong and she lowered her head against the steering wheel.

“Were you thinking of stealing my vehicle?” Warm metal pressed against her temple.

She didn’t have an answer. She was out of options. He had her and she turned to him. “I just want this over.”

“That’s okay. I’ll take care of that for you.” He pressed the barrel tighter against her temple.

She closed her eyes waiting for it all to end. She never thought what it would be like, but she had reached the point that didn’t care anymore. If life was going to be this hard, she would eventually crack.

“Take the gun away from her head.” Kyle said.

The gun fell to her lap. The heavy metal thudding against her thigh. She opened her eyes, the General had his hands raised as Kyle aimed a gun at him.

Creatures were coming out of the small store. They lumbered toward them. Hunger filled their eyes, dead flesh hung between their teeth.

“You are making a mistake kid.” The General said trying to weasel himself out of the situation.

“Where are the keys?” Kyle said, his eyes narrowing.

The General pointed at his pocket. “You have to take me with you if you want them.”

Kyle flinched as the creatures were closing in. Anna could see the nerves building up in his body. He didn’t want to kill the man, but he also didn’t want to doom them.