Monday, December 27, 2010

You can't call them Zombies!

(I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Here is my newest story.)

“Kill him!” Anna said, tears streaked down her cheeks. She had reached the end of her rope. This man would have killed her. He didn’t deserve to be spared.

Kyle flinched.

The General’s face dropped. He knew what was coming as death surrounded him on both sides. “Please don’t. It’s murder.”

Kyle wavered for a moment. “You would have done the same to her.” He ripped on the trigger. The sound echoed throughout the area. Blood squirted from the wound in the man’s chest as he collapsed backward.

“Please.” The General said.

Anna jumped out of the jeep, and started to search the General’s chest pocket. The key’s metal cooled her fevered hand and she pulled them free as the General tried to hold her. “You deserved it.”

Kyle kept the gun on the General. The creatures closed in slowly at first, but as the blood hit the dirt they shuffled faster. Fresh meat that wasn’t trying to escape.

“Get us out of here.” Kyle sat back down.

“On it.” Anna stuck the key into the ignition and the jeep awoke. It rumbled as she slipped it into gear. The creatures didn’t even look their way as they were determined to get the General who struggled to get back to his feet. Blood soaked the gravel beneath him. His nice neat uniform stained.

“No, please don’t. I was just trying to protect you.” The General pleaded as he reached for the jeep with his blood soaked hand.

The words fell on deaf ears as Anna sped out and around the shop. The gravel kicking up underneath the jeep as she hit the pedal down as far as it would go.

Once they were back on the road, she looked back at Kyle. The gun rested on the floor and his face had gone pale. He shook his head and she couldn’t hear the mutterings coming from his mouth as the wind whipped around the open cabin.

Kyle did it for her, he shouldn’t feel guilty; she should. She didn’t though. It was a new world, one where people had to do what they needed to do for survival. “It’s not your fault. He would have killed us and taken the girl.” Anna reasoned with Kyle.

He didn’t respond, just flexed his hands and looked at the ground.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

NFL Pick 'em week 16

So the year is almost over and I have something like a record of below .500 for the year. Here are my picks for this week:

Panthers @ Steelers - Steelers
Cowboys @ Cardinals - Cowboys
Patriots @ Bills - Patriots
Jets @ Bears - Bears
Ravens @ Browns - Ravens
Redskins @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Titans @ Chiefs - Chiefs
Lions @ Dolphins - Lions
49ers @ Rams - 49ers
Chargers @ Bengals - Bengals
Texans @ Broncos - Broncos
Colts @ Raiders - Colts
Giants @ Packers - Giants
Seahawks @ Buccaneers - Buccaneers
Vikings @ Eagles - Eagles
Saints @ Falcons - Falcons

Monday, December 20, 2010

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.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

NFL Pick 'em Week 15

So the season is near the end and I just started to get a better feel of who will be who:

49ers @ Chargers - Chargers
Saints @ Ravens - Ravens
Cardinals @ Panthers - Cardinals
Browns @ Bengals - Bengals
Redskins @ Cowboys - Cowboys
Jaguars @ Colts - Colts
Bills @ Dolphins - Bills
Eagles @ Giants - Eagles
Chiefs @ Rams - Rams
Lilons @ Buccaneers - Buccaneers
Texans @ Titans - Texans
Falcons @ Seahawks - Falcons
Broncos @ Raiders - Raiders
Jets @ Steelers - Steelers
Packers @ Patriots - Patriots
Bears @ Vikings - Bears

Monday, December 13, 2010

You can't call them Zombies!

Taking in her surroundings, the feeling of cold helplessness traced its grip along her throat. She rubbed her neck and rolled her head along her shoulders. The bones cracked and she stopped for fear of alerting the military to her location.

Peeking around the wood frame of the door, the General remained stationary, his eyes scanning the shadows looking for her. She knew it. They weren’t leaving because they she was being searched for. Was that a good thing, not likely?

Pulling herself away from the door, she needed to find another solution. This was a general store, there had to be more than just regular stuff here. Maybe something could be of use.

Keeping the lights off, she started to look for anything that could help her. Mostly canned goods ran underneath her fingertips. The thought occurred to her to attack them with an armful of canned soup, but shook it off. That would just get her caught, or killed.

At the front of the store she found what she was looking for. An early display of fireworks. Fourth of July was still three weeks away, but this would do.

Now she needed a lighter. She remembered seeing one back by the store room and snuck her way back that way. The musty room had cleared a little bit with the door letting in fresh air, but she needed to be extra quiet or else she would give away her position.

Machine gun fire went off. She ducked and covered her mouth.

A creature growl ended abruptly. Bits of decayed flesh splashed into the doorway.

She kept her wits and pulled herself up and started to search the metal shelves. Coming up empty handed she froze. A beam of yellow light shot across the doorway and someone was approaching. The gravel crunched as the army man closed the distance.

Ducking back into the store, she hurried away from the storeroom as fast as possible without making any noise. Falling at the end of one aisle, her heart raced, her temple throbbed and she still didn’t have a lighter for her fireworks.

The beam of light shot across the store front. It passed overhead, and the person continued searching. Why would they come in now? She crouched and made her way down another aisle. Hoping against the odds that she would be free from the torture.

“I know you’re here.” A soft voice spoke up. “I’m here to take you to a safe place.”

She put her hands over her mouth and crouched up against one the end cap of one aisle. She almost responded. Sweat trickled down her cheek as she watched for the source of light.

The army man approached the aisle she had taken up as a hiding spot and she searched for any sort of weapon to protect herself. These are the same people that tried to kill her and Kyle not too long ago.

“Come on, I hear you breathing.” The man said again.

The leather booted clicks approached. She tensed and at the last moment slipped around the corner of the aisle. The army man stood at the end cap, the light waving back and forth.

Still holding the fireworks, she found her lighter. The army man remained stationary in position so if she made a move he would spot her. She grabbed a box of nails hanging on the shelf behind her and chucked them against the far wall over her head.

The clatter it made drew more than the army man’s attention as growls began to close in. Time was running out.

The moment the army man made a dash for the sound she picked up the lighter and started to light the first firework.

The flame blinded her as she rolled it down the aisle. It started to spark, red, green, smoke clouded her vision.

A high pitched whistle and she darted toward the storeroom as the army man came to check it out. She lit another firework and tossed it over her shoulder. It almost felt unnatural and dreamlike as she darted toward the back room. Her adrenaline pumped.

Creatures were banging on the glass now. It vibrated from their steady blows.

Just as she entered the storeroom, the General came in from outside. His gun in one hand and they both stopped, staring at each other.

“What are you doing? They will follow the sound.” He raised his gun. His white bushy eyebrows knitted together.

Unable to find a way out of this, Anna raised her hands. “I’m sorry.”

The General’s only response was waving her toward him with his gun.

As she approached, the cool air refreshed her blazing skin.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The League of Extraordinary Writers

I have been following this blog for about 3 months, since Elana became a member. Well this week they are mentioning a contest which has been going on all week, however, since I'm a busy father of 3 I haven't been able to blog about this contest yet.

So here it is.

Most of my followers are probably followers already, but if you aren't. Check it out at http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/. They provide a ton of great writerly information and they have quickly became one of my favorite blogs to follow.

Anyway the details of the contest is that they are going to be giving away copies of all their contributors books. I've read a very early version of Elana's book, I think almost two years ago now, and I like to think that I helped it in some small way get published. :) Only she would know for sure though.

So head on over there and check out the blog and the contest, because, seriously, who wouldn't like more books, especially by such wonderful people.

NFL Pick'em for Week 14

My writing has gone better than my picks lately. Let's hope I can get them back to even level this week:

Colts @ Titans - Colts
Browns @ Bills - Bills
Falcons @ Panthers - Falcons
Packers @ Lions - Packers
Raiders @ Jaguars - Jaguars
Giants @ Vikings - Giants
Bengals @ Steelers - Steelers
Buccaneers @ Redskins - Buccaneers
Rams @ Saints - Saints
Seahawks @ 49ers - Seahawks
Broncos @ Cardinals - Broncos
Patriots @ Bears - Patriots
Dolphins @ Jets - Jets
Chiefs @ Chargers - Chiefs
Eagles @ Cowboys - Eagles
Ravens @ Texans - Ravens

Monday, December 6, 2010

You can't call them Zombies!

“With those things out there, we can’t turn on the lights.” A warm sense of dread ran over Anna like she had never felt before. This girl’s life balanced in her hands and she didn’t know if she could take it.

“I’ll stay here with her, you go find something. Tylenol or something like it.” Kyle said. In the faint moonlight, she saw him caressing the girl’s hair.

Her face had a sallow look to it. Her bottom lip quivered and she stared at Anna with glazed eyes. It didn’t look like the run of the mill fever.

Unable to take it any longer, Anna headed back to the front of the store. The shelves were packed with various items. There were many canned jars of various fruits and vegetables. Up and down she went trying to see the labels in the shadows. Thin lines of moonlight streamed in through the blinds, but it wasn’t enough. Everything looked the same.

As the time went on, panic set in and her vision blurred the faster she searched. Growls began to grow outside, a few of the creatures shambled past the store window. Their guttural growls hung in their throats.

One time, one of the creatures stopped and stared in through the window. The dead eyes seemed to remember something about the location. Anna remained crouched down, time ticking away in her head as the creature stood there. After about five minutes, Anna heard the shuffling move on. She let out a shaky sigh and continued her search.

Finally, she found a section of medicines. Running her fingers over the labels she found various generic brands until she found Tylenol. She grabbed three boxes and hurried back to the Kyle.

Pushing open the door, she stopped at the sight of the back door open. A steady cold breeze came in through the opening. Not able to understand why Kyle would ditch her like that, especially with the girl in no condition to be moving. She snuck toward the open door and peeked out.

A single jeep sat idle in the gravel. A soldier stood behind the machine gun in the back. Kyle and the girl were slouched over the back seat and a man dressed in a general’s uniform or something stood next to the jeep.

Clutching the medicine, Anna stared at the scene. Her last run in with the military had been them shooting at her and Kyle. Now they had the only two people she could trust the most.

Not sure what to do, Anna scanned the area. It appeared that the creatures weren’t around, but why was the General standing next to the jeep when he could be driving out of town. Were they waiting for someone else? Her maybe?

What should Anna do?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

NFL Pick 'em Week 13

Here are my picks for this week. I did pretty well the last two weeks.

Texans @ Eagles - Eagles
Saints @ Bengals - Saints
Bears @ Lions - Bears
49ers @ Packers - Packers
Broncos @ Chiefs - Chiefs
Browns @ Dolphins - Dolphins
Bills @ Vikings - Vikings
Redskins @ Giants - Giants
Jaguars @ Titans - Jaguars
Raiders @ Chargers - Chargers
Rams @ Cardinals - Rams
Cowboys @ Colts - Colts
Panthers @ Seahawks - Seahawks
Falcons @ Buccaneers - Falcons
Steelers @ Ravens - Ravens
Jets @ Patriots - Patriots