The Hollow:12-7-08, Dead Memories

While I let the others take their pick among my grandfather's arsenal, I casually strode out of the small room. For I already had what I needed. Though sneaky, when the others weren't looking I'd snatched up the shotgun I'd shot clay pigeons with my grandfather years before. Although maybe not the most practical gun to fight with. But I'd had quite a bit experience handling it. Not only that, but the gun had been my grandpa's, and somehow I felt I shared a special connection with. Well, it as well as the 45mm pistol I'd grabbed as a sidearm.
Now, first priority was to check how many Z's trying to break in. We may have reached our destination, but as far as I was concerned our battle was far from over. After reaching the top of the stairs as it turned out I'd been right. Sometimes I really hate when I'm right.
So, as luck would have it, there was one Z staring me in the face from behind the door. A pretty nasty motherfucker at that. It looked as if the skin had been pulled from his half of his face, leaving the skull and muscle exposed. As well as one of his eyes dangling. Literally dangling by it's retinal cord out of the socket! Damn it was gross!
After seeing you I think it's about time for some easy target practice, I thought, raising my pistol. "Say good night you ugly piece of shit!" I growled.
The Z didn't even react, but instead just kept on snarling, pressing its hands and face against the glass along with a few other Z's I hadn't noticed before.
At that moment I was about to pull the trigger, when a thought had suddenly crossed my mind. Why don't they just break in, I wondered. Surely, all it would take would is for one of them to take a good smack at the glass windows, or they all destroy the door. So why is it they won't just break in to pursue their prey? Unless, that is, that even the door proved to be to much of a challenge to the undead. That must be it, I thought. They won't break in, because it's beyond them to even try.
Well that's a relief, I thought, taking my finger off the trigger. Best not shoot them then, thinking as I lowered my sidearm. Not only would it be a waste of ammo, but one shot is all it would take to shatter the glass. Giving the rest of the Z's easy means in which to crawl into the house.
Though, that's not to say we wouldn't have the means to take them out. But with all the Z's outside, I think it's probably best if we had the time to think of a way back to the Hollow. That being impossible if we'd had the entire horde on us.
Seeing as how the Z's weren't getting in any time soon, I pretty much had all the time in the world to come up with our escape plan. Though, probably best to wait for the others, and seeing how long it was taking them. It would probably take awhile. So until then, I'd decided to head up into the house, and check out the place.
Though, as soon as I'd taken my first step into the back door, I'd wished I hadn't. Looking around it was apparent that the place had been hit by looters. From what I could see the place was totally trashed. With broken chairs, tables, as well as strewn open cupboards, the kitchen was that of a shadow of my childhood memories.
I stood at the doorway for the longest time, utterly silent. Practically overcome with nostalgia. As well as another feeling I can probably best describe as emptiness. This had been my grandparents home. This had been the place our family had spent Thanksgiving and Christmas at. I suppose before the outbreak, my grandparents house, to me, had always stood for feelings of warmth and love towards family. Yet, now, all that stood before me was a house, feeling cold and abandoned.
Finally, after what had seemed like forever, I willed myself to pursue deeper into the house. Moving on one thought alone, and what of my grandparents?
Knowing my grandfather, the two had probably stayed put in the house. Seeing the back door locked when we first arrived, was proof of that. They were smart enough from seeing the news, there was no running from the problem. Of course, not only that, but my grandparents had enough food and ammo in storage they could have lasted for months. Thinking about all of this, I was positive there was no way they'd left.
Of course, my hopes dwindled as I began to search the house. The entire lower story of the house; Living room, bathroom, guest bedroom, as well as the kitchen I had found all trashed. Yet still no sign of my grandparents. At that point I had almost given up. That is, until stood at the base of the stairs leading to the second story.
I'm not really sure what it was, but my nose had suddenly picked up something fowl. Now you might be thinking as if this scent was just depicted as unpleasant to ones nasal passages. Though to be more precise, this aroma had made almost made heave my lunch all over the floor.
I almost might have too. But I was a man on a mission, and if I'd chosen to abandon the search of my grandparents I might have never forgiven myself. So, taking all the will power I had, I tucked my face into my shirt and made my way up the stairs.
To be perfectly honest, at that point I had probably been scared out of my wits. For all I knew there could be an entire horde of Z's waiting at the top of the stairs. But regardless of the danger, I still had to keep moving.
When I'd reached the top of the stairs, the smell had practically become unbearable. Just one whiff was already beginning to make me feel nauseous. I'm going to have to make this quick, I thought, or I'm going to pass out.
And with that I'd pushed open the door I'd vaguely remembered as being my grandmother's room, and hurried inside! Even to this day, it was probably one of my most regretted decisions I've ever made.
Looking around everything seemed pretty normal, the room hadn't even been trashed. Everything seemed fine, that is until my eyes fell onto the bed.
What I saw made my knees buckle! Probably making me collapse if I'd hadn't a hold on the dresser.
To my horror, lying on the bed was my grandmother! Or at least what had been my grandmother. She was barely recognizable!
There was a bullet hole located in the middle of her forehead. Meaning someone had killed her. Though, her skin..., her skin had taken on a grayish tint. As well as her eyes wide with rage, and dried blood caked to the skin around her mouth. She had turned.
My head was spinning at that moment. I wasn't quite sure of to make of the situation. Until finally after a couple of seconds I just heaved my guts out onto the floor. And when I say heave, I blew massive chunks everywhere. Finally I was running on empty, and it turned to the dry heaves.
When I'd finished, I slowly raised head when I noticed someone else lying next to the bed! I didn't even have to register it before I knew it was my grandfather.
Worse yet, there was a bullet there was a hole in his head the same as grandma. Though, surprisingly his appearance differed from grandma. Sure his skin had faded, but I'm sure that comes with, well dieing. But overall his facial expression seemed more at peace, than anything. Without any bite marks or blood on him! And the biggest shocker of all was the pistol that had most likely killed them both in his right hand!
Grandpa had committed suicide!? I thought in disbelief. This just can't be possible, I thought. Grandma and Grandpa can't be dead, this must be a dream. None of this could be happening!
My mind was ablaze with questions! Questions, that I'm sure could never be answered. This was all becoming way to real! I have to get out of here, I panicked. I have to go, my mind screamed as I ran out the door and down the stairs!
I had just made it to the kitchen when I'd encountered the rest of the group. They must've finally chosen their weapons and decided to come looking for me. They all stare bewildered as I stood frozen in the doorway.
"So Dagan, whats the plan? " Cody asked worryingly. The others staring intently, awaiting my answer. Looking at me as if I'd become there fearless know all leader. It was all just too much.
And at that moment my legs had given way and I collapsed to my knees in tears. Practically bawling my eyes out.
The others, not quite knowing how to react, stood in the kitchen. Jacob timidly asked, "Dude, are you O.K.?"
Hearing that, I slowly looked up at them. My friends looked astonished, not knowing what to make of my situation. And as if to reassure there fears, as well as lose all self respect I had, I managed to choke out, "I'm not so sure I am..."


~Dagan