My dear Zombieland

The world now is not like what it seems. The streets are completely deserted, vehicles on fire, empty houses and there is nothing here. It’s amazing how quickly things can go from bad to total shit storm. And why am I still here? I’ve got this fine place to stay in though I’m not hiding. But, eventually I’d run out of supply and now I need to find something to eat. Truthfully, it’s the taste of coffee that brought me here outside. The quest of finding coffee, it’s risky but I know it’s worth it. So, have I found anything yet? Well, I’ve got some sweets, a three weeks supply worth of foods and water and of course, a month’s supply of coffee. I’m on my way to my place which I was living alone for nearly one month now and then I saw my old school, my school from the college actually. The school might still be busy if the virus didn’t show up from nowhere. (I know it didn’t make sense about the virus thing. Let’s skip the part.) About the school? Forget the school. I really need to get back home before those dead meats sniffs out of me and then start running and look at me like I was the blessing from the above that they’ve been waiting for so long, I mean like their lunch?

There’s no place something like this. I’d designed and arranged the house because when I got on here, the place looks like a nest of messed-up teenagers like the one whose life is on partying and socializing. I still like the place anyway. A comfortable rag, a T.V set, pair of socks and just me chilling afterwards. My kind of place but something is missing.

And where is everybody else? That’s a stupid question to ask. I’m still alive while the rest turned to meat. Dead meat. It was said that a patient named Zero took a bite of a contaminated burger and just after that, I might be the last non-cannibal freak left on the planet. I may seem like an unlikely survivor with all of my awkward abilities and my stupid ideas, which might leads me to my death one day. But I had the advantage of having no one, like a family or a crew, although I know my family are safe and it helps me focused on my own survival. I still don’t know why I survived this long or I’m just feeling lucky.

I’m thinking of those poor souls that got eaten and infected. Some of the faces I know back in school are now a fucked-up mutants with human organs on their mouth and blood all over their faces. They are more of a psycho shit-ass. And I spotted the gay who used to bully me back those days. I wish I could tell you he’s still the same with his poker face and irritating personality but he’s like eating a male private organ right now. Oh for god’s sakes! For all the part that you can eat, you really picked that thing? I feel bad for the man. Guess people don’t change even though how hard the virus drained them. And I’m happy I didn’t become a happy human meal.

The longer I stay here on Dead land or Zombieland, the more I realised that I should stop thinking it as a game and probably get back home, see familiar faces and reunites. It’s easy to head home, it’s like I already have plan three years before the virus struck. I can get out of here unharmed and not a dead meat. But there are few things Zombieland had taught me. Walking alone on the streets scrapping for foods, searching from store to store and finding valuable stuff necessary on surviving the apocalypse makes me a thief. Generally, I’m stealing and I realised morals. Sometimes I search money first before I shop on the Metro but of course, I always keep the change. And if I run out of coins, I return the other day with an additional payment… morals. Don’t be a thief on Zombieland, karma is everywhere. And also I made a huge discovery on here. Zombies hates fresh breath and a newly brush mouth. If I were you don’t forget to brush your teeth when you go out, I put that on high priority list.

It was one day when I went outside to search for survivors like me. I was walking alongside the road carefree. What I didn’t know, there was a Zombie behind me. My dumb-ass didn’t noticed that. She grabs me and tried to bite my nose. We were both screaming. I screamed because I was frightened and she screamed like she was saying “Thank you for the fresh human.” I wish our eyes never met, I saw happiness on her eyes, like she was really glad she found me. She’s more than happy than Nemo’s dad. That scene looks like a long-term relationship kissing on the kitchen in the morning. But I’m glad I decided to brush my teeth that morning. I screamed hard and the coolness of my breath drove her away. The dead really hates that? It doesn’t matter, I just escaped a Thanksgiving Day. I can’t believe a toothbrush saved my life. Lesson learned. And now I carried ten pairs of it with me all the time. I never know when will be the next attack so I brushed my teeth every 30mins.

Play it safe. I still need to survive.

And I learn something on Zombieland. Before this crazy things. I always hated going outside, interacting with my fellow species, exchanging fake smiles and greetings, seeing face over and over again. The outside, when I stepped out, I always feel sick. When you hate going out there, you stop going on there. But here, I feel free and alive and I can always do the things I’ve always wanted to. I’ve got all the time on here, the only problem is how to spend it. But something is missing. I don’t always deal with people but I kinda miss faces now. Friends? I could use a dog but I can’t control them, they would jeopardize situations and maybe bring us both to danger. Yeah I like dogs for companionship but not here on Zombieland. ---- So, before everything got fucked up, I have a list of people I wanna save. Like I said, three years before Zombies happened, I’m already prepared.

Here’s the list of people I wanna hopefully save.

Anne, Anne’s friend, Jeff, Cristian (optional).

I guess it’s just them. I know their places but I don’t know the property. It’s going to be a rough search.

Let’s clear the rumours on where the virus truly began. Let’s take back a few years where all is fine.

Summer class. Lot of shit things happened on here. 2-0-5-A. I’m in class 205A but the room is empty. I check the room and class right though I don’t know the professor. I’ve been standing here for like thirty minutes then I noticed another student standing not far from me. We’re like staring at each other, waiting of who’s going to speak first. She can’t handle the tension than I am, she asked first. Turns out we’re on the same class and this confused fat lesbian is lost as me. When I returned the other day, I saw fat lesbian and we still waited. We talked but not long. I’d gather some small piece of information about her, she’s a jump student not from my school. I can’t remember her name and I’m pretty sure when she asked mine, I give her a fake name. That day hence, I called her 205A.

The class started two weeks from now but I can’t still find my missing class, “Oh Atlantis!” – And also I’d figured out that 205A was less than happy than I am. We checked rooms to rooms hoping we can hop in to the bus we’re been searching for weeks. But really the past weeks we’re not searching. We’ve been just standing there, doing nothing and waiting. Good thing 205A was a resourceful person, she asked somebody, I didn’t know what they’d been talking but we found the class. The next thing I know, I’m on an art lesson. We are missing for two weeks and got more lessons to catch up.

205A my ass! (I’m referring the room.)

In this class, everything is alienated. I didn’t know my classmates from different departments and also my instructor. Except 205A which is like a stray dog following me. I can’t remember any names on that class. No names, no problems. Just mind your own chair, screw the neighbours. Days passed by, everything is fine so far. Draw this, draw that. I never know art lesson is this fun until you need to introduce your works on front of everyone. Some introduce their works with such energy and smiley faces. I never know human can smile that way, way too big. I envied some of them. While me, lying about my works, what I like and what I have. Reason? I don’t want give a personal information. It’s my way of blending in on different environment. It’s more like a rabbit pretending a Lion on the jungle, otherwise you’ll be food.

But I really enrolled two class. Art lesson and History. Summer is not bad at all, I get to play online games for hours and sometimes non-stop. But what happened is really unfortunate. I didn’t sleep, I just played this game and I didn’t realized I have class. My eyes are tired so I took a short nap, not until the class cross on my head. I left home with an empty stomach and blank brain. When I arrived at school, I saw the room but the door were close. Whatever! I just entered the room and sat at the corner. I feel safe for making it on there, but everyone laughed. I have few questions to ask. “Why are they laughing? Something wrong with my face? I stepped on something? Seriously what is happening?”

The plot? I’m on the wrong class.

On that class where I get to know Anne and Anne’s friend. It’s where I fall on love. But I hid it from the world. It’s a dust on the wind.

Six months before Zombieland, there are rumours spreading that a multi billionaire secretly creating a virus that can change human behaviour from decent to aggressive. Some group says it was from mad cow disease. Truth is, no one really knows the origin of the virus. The origins still not cleared but who cares? All you need to worry is on how to keep on surviving. You consider yourself lucky today but you don’t know tomorrow you’ll be on that group feasting a human meat.

I’m packing things and preparing for my first rescue mission. I decided that I will look for Anne first, then Jeff, Anne’s friend and if ever I’m still alive I will look for Cristian. I feel proud even though I know it’s more like a suicide mission than a rescue mission. Whatever it takes I need to find these people and bring them to safety, not on my sanctuary though.

And why I’m doing this? Anne messed up my head for so long. She knows how I felt about her and not to mention she already have a boyfriend but I still want to find her because inside I know I still care for her. And Anne’s friend? I don’t know I just feel like saving her. And Jeff, I still owe him bunch of popcorns.

I hope these guys are alive.

I’m ready to go now. I packed some foods, water, five pairs of toothbrush not ten because I need to save some space, a flashlight, two pairs of clothes and I think it’s just it.

I’m not sure where to start searching for Anne. I have no clue and the chances of finding her are slim.

But before the virus spread, I was at school and I saw her there. Everything was on chaos. Everyone was on panic, you can heard screams, seen somebody cry and I saw this fat ugly-attitude lady who shitted on her pants. What a worse day! As the chaos began and where those dudes who likes to get a taste of you are insight, we all know fatties are the one who will go down first. I feel bad for 205A. I’m still hoping she made it. And where everyone you used to know are now a fucked-up monsters, is where you need to cut all the emotional ties. You need to kill them first before they eat you. Yeah I saw Anne, she’s on the phone, talking on someone. I can barely see her from the panicking crowd and it looks like she’s been crying. I should have had grab her and take to the safe zone, on my place but what’s my right? Then eventually I realized I really should have done that. Rights, pride, actions, dignities and reputation won’t matter on Zombieland. It’s survival. I really wasted that moment. But I was not trying to be her hero, I really just want her to be safe. Then, she’s out of my sight.

I’ve got a clue now. The first place I need to go is at school.

Yeah I’m totally prepared for this and definitely doing it. My bag is lighter than I expected. I should have had carried more water. The school is not far from here, I can walk and there’s no rush.

I’m walking for five minutes, so far no encounter at the road but it’s deadly quite. And one thing Zombieland can give you is the fear of sound and the moving random objects. The only phobia that can be found on Zombieland.

As I walked on the streets, I heard a bell, a Christmas bell ringing downhill. Oh god I’m starting to think I should have stayed home, watch movies and enjoy my coffee. I’m not exaggerating a simple noise but here on Zombieland it’s a big deal. Who’s behind that noise? I hope it’s a fat Zombie so I can easily outrun it. What if this Zombies haven’t eaten for weeks and if they see me they will removed Earth from the solar system just to get me? (It doesn’t sound right!) I haven’t killed an actual monster and it feels it will be here or my story ends here. Our fate will be decided. A psycho flesh-eating maniacs and me. I never been so scared my whole life but this. I’m shaking and I’m sweating a cold liquid. Or maybe I should go back, head home and forget this whole rescue mission. Okay whatever! I’m going. I was ready to kill a monster but what I saw relieved me. It was a damn cat playing the bells. All that thoughts though, I nearly died from it.

I’m at the campus now, staring the gate and hoping I will find a human, non-cannibal of course. I slowly entered the gate and I tried not to make a sound. This place is dead, the entire city in fact. I took a short walk inside, not long when I heard a dropped object. Whatever it is, it’s scaring me. This is really a crazy idea, maybe it’s time to believe that I’m the last non-cannibal freak in this planet. I checked out the rooms on the third floor, there was nothing but blood on the floor and what the hell?! A hand on the door knob? This place is really scary. I found a scissors though, thought might wanna use it. But you know what, I’m thinking that it might belong to a dead person and I don’t like keeping things from deceased… so forget it. --- I’m on my way on the second floor when I heard footsteps, a slowed footsteps. I’m think it might be real this time.

Where should I hit it? To the eye to blind it? Chest? But what if it’s a girl? It doesn’t matter it’s still a Zombie. I slowly grabbed the axe on the emergency box. This might be my first kill. I heard the footsteps approaching, when I turned around to hit it… I saw a face, a horrible tired looking face holding a strong thick branch, it hits my face. And the last thing I remembered was darkness.

I woke up with a heavy head. I need a juice or something. Where’s my bag? My first thought. I saw the girl sitting on the corner of the room watching below through the window. Did she dragged me here?

“Where’s my bag?” I asked.

She’s obviously tired, I can tell that she’s not sleeping for days.

“How did you survive with just a bunch of toothbrush and a flashlight?” that was her first impression to me.

“Who cares?” I replied.

I reached out for my bag and I noticed the food and water are untouched.

I give her some and good thing she didn’t hesitated to accept it. While she was eating I’m wondering why she still not apologizing on what happened earlier. She catches me looking at her.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing.” I realized that if I’m the one who got to hit her first, she is probably dead by now.

I can say she’s still in shock. Not on what happened on us but on the things going around. I told her she need a rest and it turns out that she’s a silly girl. We’ve been seating here for hours. And I can remember this is the room we used on Biology, I sneak on that class. It’s not dark yet and maybe we could still make it on my place. I told her that I had this place which is completely safe and both of us could get a rest on there. She just told me to go and she’s not coming. Fine then! I left her my food and water and I’m thinking to continue my rescue mission on another day. – As I’m leaving, I saw her watching me through the window. Then a realization hits me… “She’s a girl, why should I leave her alone like that?” “I should go back and bring her more stuff.” “She’s tired and unable to walk”. Then a final one came. “She’s Anne’s friend. She’s on the list.” OH MY GOD! Stupid!

Yeah I carried her and she’s a weight. We’re still on the way and she thanked me. I should be the one who should be more thankful, she didn’t killed me back there. But she said she already seen me as I entered the gate and purposefully hits me because how could I walked on the street calmly like there’s nothing happening while the rest are fighting hard for survival. I think I irritated her and let’s just say she just want to hit me to release her anger or guilt or whatever trouble she’s having inside. I chuckled softly.

I was prepared to accept that I’m the last flesh on the Earth till this girl arrived. Not to mention, I really forgot that I still have my family on that island, waiting for me. A thousand of people on that island perhaps. They are safe on there alone with some important people to me. I have nothing to worry for.

She’s been sleeping the whole day and I’m worried that she didn’t eat anything yet. She’s really tired but I need to wake her up. The moment I carried her home, I forgot Anne and Jeff. The difference is, this one is actually alive than that two person. For now, she’s my priority and I need to ensure her survival. But I will still look for Anne and Jeff.

After she ate my self-made dinner, I put her back to sleep. I’m worried because my cook is bad and I’m the one who actually likes the taste. Then I leave a note saying “I’m taking a walk outside, when you wake up do as you wish and please be feel at home.”

Leaving her alone for a moment might be a good idea, she could take a shower while I’m gone. The place is perfectly safe unless she leaves the house… except that I locked every doors and windows. I can’t let her run away. I’d never seen a fine face for a month and I don’t want to let that turn to a human meal. I can assure her safety as long she stays with me. I’m just kidding! As long as we don’t leave the house, we’re safe. In fact, she can survive than I’ am. But honestly, I don’t know how long I can survive the Zombieland. Just play it safe maybe.

I returned home with some girls clothes in her size and some foods. When I opened the door, her fist welcomed me… what do you think?! Of course she punched me! I don’t really get this girl. It’s her way of showing gratitude? Where the hell did she grew up? Seriously what’s wrong with her?!

She’s bathed now and she don’t smell unlike the first we met. The reason she punched me was because of the note. What’s wrong with the note now? She told me how I could go outside for a walk! What if I’ve got eaten and never come back? Some things she said. Now I’m starting to realize that she’s afraid to be left out all alone.

Even though she’s tired she still helped me out clean the other room. I wanted to ask her about Anne but maybe it’s not the good time. I need her to rest, physically and mentally. We spoke on a while and ate. I learned that she likes to watch movies and she likes cats. Well, here on Zombieland… you have all the time, you can watch movies all day and do your stuff. Fact about Zombieland, about living on Zombieland is that watching movies would be your first choice, it’s always been.

Because she likes movies, I told her we could have a movie marathon tonight. I bet she heard me! I also feel watching movies tonight. I don’t care if she don’t want to join me. Maybe she needs more sleep and I will let her. --- Her room is quite now, I think she’s asleep. Okay so… what do I watch now? Um, maybe thrill or suspense or cartoons? Not yet decided. Before I picked a movie I decided to make a coffee. I made my way to the kitchen and when I returned, I was surprised to see her there. The movie just barely began so I joined her. She’s not hard to get along with. I still don’t know her name, what I know is she’s Anne’s close friend. I’m thinking I should call her “Branch”. Yeah Branch is a nice name for a tough girl inside Zombieland.

It’s out fifth movie now, our eyes are still wide open like we’re high on drugs. But no, we’re high on coffee. Thinking about liquids, I don’t really drink alcohols, never tasted it before. I’ve been invited to a party a few times but I always have an excuse not to go. Party means people, lot of people, a crowd, a large crowd. Crowd causes me headaches.

And Branch. I think she’s enjoying the movie. It’s glad to see her smile. A human with a fine smile. It’s feel so good to see a face here on Zombieland, a face without a flesh between its teeth and blood dripping from its lips. But really, I’m glad to see her smile. At the moment, I don’t want her to think of Zombieland. I want her to enjoy. She noticed I’d been staring at her. She was like “what?” I told her that I’m happy for some reason. She just thanked me.

It’s the ninth movie that made her sleep. Maybe her eyes is so tired so she fall asleep on the couch. I could tell she need a blanket. It’s her fault she didn’t bring one. In nothing flat, I’m enjoying the movie. I’m still awake and I want to watch more. My eleventh movie and my thirty-two cups of coffee. Oh man I’m so high! And Branch? She really needs a blanket. She’s hugging herself. Yeah that’s for punching me.

It’s already morning and I’m still watching. I can’t sleep! Branch is awake now and I already prepared breakfast. She was aware of the blanket around her and she gazed at me quietly. I told her it wasn’t me, it was her last night and she probably forgot it. And about the blanket thing, I was not trying to act like a boyfriend or anything else. I just can’t focused on the movie thinking she’s sleeping without a blanket.

It’s been two weeks now since I met Branch. Lot of things happened. We get to know each other more and better. There’s a closure developing on us… like a friend. I told her I’d been calling her Branch and it was a bad idea. She didn’t like it although I know she knows why I called her that. I thought she will going to punch me again but she give me her hand and told me her friends call her “Par”, short for Parrianne. I still want to call her Branch though. So it’s Parrianne. I think she’s doing fine and maybe it’s the right time to ask her.

She’s on my favourite rag, chilling like a penguin on Antarctica. I made my approach and I honestly asked her about Anne. It took a few moment before she could answer me. Based on the expression of her face, she was little bit surprised and excited.

So, the last time she saw Anne was on the school. They made contacts for few days and the last thing she knows, Anne was trapped on their home with her mom. Anne’s home is a short journey but not a short walk. So I told Branch about my plans. But before I go, I need a supplies for Branch and preparation.

The objectives are; find food and water, return home and save Anne.

I’m here on the on the bank. I need money before I shop. I don’t want to be a thief even here on Zombieland. Pay the right price and take it home. But something isn’t right. I look for money so I could pay the store and that would makes me a buyer, not a thief. What I visualize was, I was basically stealing. All that money I stole on the bank and used. To that, I think I’m the biggest idiot on the planet. But screw it, it’s Zombieland and we need to survive.

There are still frozen fruits on the department stores. Lots of canned foods, packed mushrooms, juice and a malnourished teller? OH MY GOD!!! It’ a freaking Zombie. She’d seen me. I wish I could tell her I’m not food and food are everywhere. Okay she’s not stopping, she’s sprinting towards me now…. Oh shit I need to run. Now I’m being chased by a carnivore. And a one big mistake. Since Branch arrived, my thirty minutes sched turned to two days routine. I’m so screwed, I have nothing… but I can run. And gosh! she’s screaming. She’s making sound and it could attracts the others. This old lady need to shut her mouth. I’d been in this place twice and I can’t remember somebody nested here. I have no idea on how to drive her away. I just need to run. I picked on what I can and throws it on her. A beer can! Ohhh… a solid hit, what a satisfying headshot. I’m throwing her everything I can… marshmallows, banana chips, sweeten pumpkins, candies, Hersheys, sauces and even Snickers. Then I found something smooth, a white oval-shaped thing. A fucking egg. I throw it on her face and she’s blind now. I laughed. Good thing this thing worked on her. She’s still running and still doing all this screaming. I found a food board. My plan was to brush it on her but there she goes, down to the escalators. Guess the dead is dead. She ain’t moving.

I thought it will going to be a peaceful day. But what can I say, it’s Zombieland and the dead ruled this lands.

So, I’ve got foods and water now. I should probably get back home and tell Branch she’s not coming with me. The house is perfectly safe for her, it’s the only place here on Zombieland that can actually hold humans for years. The only problem is, resources. That’s why I’ve got these foods for her, it’s enough for two weeks. As I rushed in into the house, I remember Branch, thought she might do something to me again, although she knows I’m going outside. So now, I’m actually knocking on my own door, unbelievable! The day the dead attacked the half-dead, I decided it will be my house. I’ve been watching this house for years before Zombieland. It was then rented by those hipsters who turns the place to shithole.

I’m knocking for minutes now! Where the hell is she? Did she fall asleep and forgot me? I can’t believe this is happening. So, I guess I’ll wait till she wakes up.

It’s the waiting that made me think about life on Zombieland. The first week of the outbreak was way worse than this. It all started when a man asked for a water on a refreshment bar. The owner refuse to give him some, so he force himself inside and grab some water. He’s that thirsty I think. Later, he started to harass the customers and he aggressively attacked them. Everybody thought the man was only drunk not until he starts to bite everyone. The biting frenzy continued inside. I know what happened because I saw it and I was literally eating popcorns Jeff gave me. Then the chaos began. He bite him, him bite her and everybody is biting, it spread like an internet craze. The police force tried to stop them but bullets won’t work on this wild animals. But what about a clean shot on the head? That might work. As the chaos began, it’s not necessary to just scream and wait for authority to come and neutralize things. You need to start thinking about your own survival and focused there. And take note, praying won’t really works. I saw this group of nuns praying on the midst of chaos. What a worse way to welcome Zombies. Those angelic figures are now fucked-up monsters. They used to pray for your salvation before but they are really craving for your flesh now. Ugh! And where was I when all this crazy things happened? The first thing I did was to make a phone call. I called home and told them about the things happening and I was not yet eaten. And the other thing I was lucky…my bag was full of food. I’d stopped on seven eleven before I gone to school. What I really need that time was a spot to stay in for a while. School rooftop! There I goes. I can watch the entire thing happening below. She’s running, he’s running, they all running. What a good sport! I still had the popcorn. When the meat-eater won the day, I barely seen humans but still the feasts of the dead are not yet over. Gonna fill their stomachs because humans are scared running away and it’ll going to be a rough day finding food tomorrow.

Presently, I’m still outside. And sooner I realized I have the house keys.

When I got inside, Branch ain’t sleeping, she’s playing the video game that I taught her. I’ll let her finish the game and let her find out I already returned. She’s having fun, I don’t want to ruin it. I decided that before I leave I should taught her the few tricks on the house as well. And I really need to check the entire house before I leave. My mind is already set, I’m coming for Anne… that’s if she’s still on there.

As I was checking the inside, I noticed this room I haven’t visited recently. When I opened the door – foods are everywhere, lot of it. Now I can clearly remember that I stocked this foods a months ago. How could I forget this?!!! The thing that shouldn’t be really forgotten. All this time I’ve been risking my life going outside to search food but there’s a little grocery store inside and I forgot that! I don’t know what to say anymore.

I’ll leave before dawn, I’d already set things with Branch even though she really wanted to come. I’m worried for Anne and I don’t want to worry for Branch being outside too. I don’t like this double worrying issue.

I decided I will spend the whole day with Branch. I’m not sure if I can return alive so I guess I’ll hang out with her one last time.

She’s on the living room reading books. I make her notice my presence. I joined her on the couch and it feels so awkward.

“Can we talk?” I politely asked.

I think she continued to read the last sentence before she drops the book.

“About what?” she told me meanly.

I don’t really know what to talk, I just want to know her more and have a fine conversation. This past weeks with her, we’re just like more on watching movies, playing video games, darts, playing chess, experimenting on kitchen but most of the time it’s really on movies.

“I don’t know. Maybe something little about us?” I know she didn’t get my point. She ignored me.

To save our dying conversation I told her I can see her sometimes at school.

“Yeah me too! Everybody thinks you’re lame. With all that stuff you had.”

Now she looks more interested.

Stuff? She means my bag pack. She didn’t know it saved me many times. From starvation and dehydration.

“So what you’d been studying?” I asked.

“You mean my department?” she said. “What I really want is to become a Nurse, you know help people and take care of the sick. But I ended up on Accountancy department.” she continued.

Our conversation went on. We exchanged laugh and smiles. I feel warm and I’m starting to feel fond on her. We forgot the time.

We’d been talking about this carnival thing when she went quite.

“Can I go with you?” a silent voice coming from her.

I know going outside is really dangerous and things out there aren’t promising. I cannot take her to danger. If I don’t make it out there, at least one of us could live.

She’s really serious about it. I want to tell her that this particular mission is more like suicide than rescue. But I think she’s aware of the risks. I know she’s having hard times convincing me but it wasn’t really up to me. Even I wanted her to stay, she could follow me if she really wants to. I won’t try to stop her because I can’t.

Oh my god she’s holding my hand.

“I don’t want to die alone.” she grasped.

You know she could say that without holding my hands.

I don’t want to die alone? Really? So basically, she’s saying that she wants to die with me. Fine then! But let’s hope the cause of our death is from falling.

So, it’s decided. She’s coming. I’m already done preparing my things. While she was preparing, I brushed my teeth. I don’t want that mistake to happen ever again. I returned the thirty minutes sched. And now, all I had to do is to wait for her. As she mentioned earlier, she called me lame. Am I? In fact she’s the second person to call me that. First was Jeff. With all this bag pack issue about me and why so lame?

Bags are extremely useful especially when a disaster hits a place from nowhere. It’s pretty handy. You can pack some of your stuff immediately. Before I entered college, I started preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse. I know somehow it will going to happen but I’m not sure when. So, I’m prepared every day for almost three years. Some things on my bag are just foods, water, flashlight and a pair of sock. Some space are for school stuff. Brush, pencils and watercolours. Yeah I’m an art student. But I never dreamed of holding a brush and paint a naked woman. What I really want was to study plants. It was Botany. Like Parrianne from Nurse to Accountant. I don’t know her story why she ended up there. But mine? It was really a disaster.

First day of enrolment! I was stocked at the library because one student brought me there and told me there is a free snacks for fresh man. What I didn’t know, is that she is not a student but a member of a deaf-mute community. They were having a special celebration they called “MDPDay”. They want the world to hear them, I don’t know how though. There’s a part where I think they are having a group song. No lyrics, no voice… -what did you expect from deaf and mute? They were just moving their heads and pretending they can sing. Then I saw a library sign, “Quite please!” I don’t know if it’s just me but the irony killed me.

As I hurriedly left the library, I made a wrong turn. The left way was the Botany department and I’m on the last. After I filled up the enrolment form, I gave it to the Registration office. It was quick and in just a few minutes the old nice lady welcomed me to their school. But I thought she will just going to check it and then she will arrange the subjects for me. I can’t remember checking subjects already. Must have been some student’s paper. Yeah it wasn’t mine and my paper? Missing! I need to ask for another form. I forgot I was on the art registration section. The next thing I know, I was enrolled on Art studies. One small mistake turned to disaster.

We’re on the road now, just the two of us exploring the emptiness. I can’t see any danger, the whole place is just empty. We’re just talking nonsense things, making jokes and asking questions. It’s been a few hours now, I think we should eat and rest. We stopped on a children’s park and eat. And I want to tell her that I’m glad she’d come. And talking about Zombieland’s playground. You need to be careful in every things and learn how to play it safe. Example, if a fat-ass Zombie is chasing you, don’t really panic. Fat means slow, you don’t need to worry about the running and chasing scene. It’s where you start worrying about how to kill an oversize monster. And let me tell you…throwing objects won’t work on fatties, you need to push harder than that. And whatever shit things might happen. Don’t really get caught by this assholes. They have large appetites and they don’t like leaving left-overs. I know what you’re thinking, probably use a gun? Too loud and noise attracts everyone. I mean sometimes noises gives a hint to the undead that there’s an activity and perhaps food. I never used a gun before and I still don’t know how it works. But weapon is necessary on Zombieland.

I’m thinking about fat Zombies while Branch really enjoying her food. She’s already a weight and she doesn’t really need to add more weight, she’ll look delicious to Zombies. It will be hard for her to run if she’s that fat. Besides the fact that if we’re being chased by now, it will be hard for her to run with a full stomach. I’m implying that when you’re outside, just eat a small amount of food. I’m in doubt though! She’s on her food and girls like her is far more dangerous if they got interrupted while on their consumption. Whatever! I’m just trying to help her.

I purposefully bumped her and it made dropped the food. Well, if she’s going to do something—it’s better, than she, getting eaten. Oh! She’s totally different now, it’s like she accepted my apology whole-heartedly, the apology was real though. So what now? She dropped her food and it looks like she’s bored to death.

As we are on the middle of silence and awkwardness. Branch saw this shopping centre, she give me this meaningful look with a small smile. Well what can I do! Of course she won, as she always was. I never saw her getting excited like that. And it made me happy to see her that way. We have the place and the time, why not stop!

She fits this, she fits that, she didn’t liked it and she throws it. She was standing on a full size body mirror, fitting a cowboy hat. I realised she is beautiful, like a normal girl on her age. This tough personality she’s showing isn’t really her. She’s trying to be tough. But it’s fine to be scared sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with it… She’s hustling things on her own and she’s really enjoying her stuff. And me on the other hand. I’m just watching her, waiting for her to get tired. I realised I’d been sitting on the side of umbrella store. On our way out, I grabbed one.

It will going to be dark on about three hours. We need to find a place to stay. Just a precaution, travel on light, stay inside when it’s dark. I don’t want to search door by door anyway. And it rained. We didn’t saw it coming. And guess what…I actually have an umbrella, feeling lucky. Branch? I gave her my jacket. She looked at me like she was saying, “What about you?” Oh me? I have this…

I don’t like the way she stares at me. I look like a prey on her. If she ever a Zombie and she’s giving me this chilling looks. She would be the scariest monster ever. I’m wondering why! I’d already gave her my jacket, at least she have something. Enter a house to escape the rain? No! We can’t stop here. It’s raining hard now and she’s silent. Although she’s slightly wet but she already had my umbrella. I can’t stand her burning eyes laid on me. I don’t really know what I did. Turns out it was me who’s actually wet but it doesn’t matter, I’m fine.

It’s the first rain in five months and the dead need a bath too. I also miss the rain, so I guess I need to enjoy it while it’s still here. But let me tell you straight, I really love the rain. When I was five years old, I would always think that rain are horses galloping on our rooftop. The rain somehow made me wanna go outside, be silently happy and just enjoy it. Rain is like a visiting company, a good old friend who leaves and return. Walking on an empty street while the heavy rain is pouring is just another thing you would love on Zombieland.

I don’t think Branch kinda enjoying the rain, she is still holding the umbrella. I don’t know what she’s into, she is so quite all this time. I guess the rain won’t stop, it is raining hard just by now. The thunder noise are now louder and clearer, which was a good thing. It sounded like a music on my ears. It’s time to survey for a safe place. --- In a minute we found a place. It’s small, just one room, a small living room, perfectly for single renters. But this is not that bad anyway. To be honest, I chose this place not because I liked it… it was Branch. She is still silent and I’m worried, so I needed to find a place as soon as I can. When we got the place she hastily entered inside and suit herself inside the room. Looks like she’s running away from something scary. I hate to think that she’s scared because she’s the only tough figure I saw here on Zombieland.

While I was changing my clothes, I was thinking about ‘how about a movie and a hot coffee right now?’ Best idea on rainy days. I know you can agree with me. After brushing my teeth, I’d prepared the coffee and pizza. I know what you’re thinking. A pizza on Zombieland? Who the hell would make a pizza on a place like this? Actually, me… It’s homemade. Don’t ask where I’d got the ingredients.

I can feel it will going to be a long night. Although I’m relishing my stay here on this place, but I’m still keep thinking on Anne. If I could only get there the fast as I could…no stop, I would. It is Branch who’s slowing my trip, oh excuse me our trip. But I never blamed her. I think she’s sick and she is my responsibility now. I care for her sometimes.

She is still on that room, maybe asleep. Yeah it’s good to sleep and chill on cold weather. Maybe I should check her, bring her some coffee and pizza. --- I knocked three times, still no response, so I thought I should let myself in. Good thing it’s not locked. I’m not trespassing her privacy by any means. I guardedly entered the room. I’m not saying she’s a threat, it just became my idiosyncrasy when entering Branch territory. It’s dark, I can barely see a thing and there are no Branch here. Where is she? The panic starts to kick in. I immediately looked the window but it was close. When I hit the lights, I was relieve to saw her at the corner. What she’s doing? Oh! hugging her knees. I think she didn’t noticed I entered. She raised her head, maybe it was because of the smell of the coffee. I put the tray on the bed and I decided I will not going to leave the room until she tells me what’s going on. I was about to ask her when a loud thunder speaks up. It feels like it was a wrath from Zeus. I see how frightened she was. Now it’s clear, she’s afraid of thunders, typical female phobias. I gently touched her shoulder like I was saying “it’s alright”. I don’t know how to calm her so I sat by her side. She looked at me but my eyes was checking the whole room. I realised that she’s not just looking at me but staring actually. I have no idea why she’s doing that but I will not going to stare back. Then she leans her head towards my shoulder. She just need somebody to be with her. If that would help her calm, why not! My shoulders are free, except to Zombies. I think she’s sleepy, well, she can sleep, and I will be here.

Anyway I can reach the coffee I put on the table earlier. So I grabbed it, she wouldn’t mind. Gonna take it while it is still hot. After that coffee, for a few minutes staring in the walls and ceiling. I didn’t noticed I fell asleep too.

An empty stomach woke me. I can’t move because she’s still asleep at my shoulder. I’m hungry, I can hear my stomach growling. It is still raining, maybe why Branch is still asleep. I don’t want to disturb her so I should wait till she wakes up. I’m not really counting time but what was really occupied my head is coffee. All about the coffee; Espresso, double espresso, triple espresso, mocha, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, iced coffee, Americano, Frappuccino, coffee-to-go, expresso… hmm the aroma, the taste and the smell. I can’t wait to grab some. While I was thinking about this heavenly thing, I saw Branch move her feet closer to mine. She’s awake!? Yeah she’s awake, but why her head still on my shoulder? I turned my head to check if she is really awake. I can smell her hair and I know she’d felt my breath. “Hey Branch, if you are awake, can we please eat?”

“I was waiting for you sleepyhead.”

What? What she means? Was she awake this entire time?

I straighten up, she’s awake… there’s no reasons to stay here. I will prepare dinner. Late dinner. I know she’s been looking at me as I left the room and I’m pretty sure there’s a smile painted on her face.

The pizza is cold now, there are no proper food here except for canned beans and cup noodles. Branch joined me at the kitchen. She’s acting strange, though she don’t look dangerous. What’s wrong with her aura? There’s no storm but it is still raining. Maybe she is happy now that there are no thunders. I don’t know…I don’t want to think about it. I don’t know what she’s doing here. I’m just preparing coffee. Well if she likes she can have some. But really? She came here to just stand and hold her smiles? I have no idea what’s so funny.

We decided to watch, as we are, I mean we have no other options. Watching will always be your first choice when you’re indoor. And the rescue idea? I’m still thinking about it. I guess we should wait for the rain to stop before we continue. Every delayed and wasted time, feels like I’m becoming so far from Anne. The feeling of we’re on foot and she’s on vehicle. But it’s Branch. I know she’s fine now and I also know she’s not much of a, “Ohhh… I like the rain, let’s enjoy it, come lets go” kind of a thing. Before I save one, I need to be sure I don’t lose another one.

I don’t know what we’re watching. I have no idea on the things running on the movie. My mind is travelling somewhere else. When I was about to add my cup for more coffee, I feel something is on my hand. The problem is… it’s warm and familiar. It’s a human hand. Well who else hands? It’s just the two of us. Really, I have no idea on how my hand ended up on her hand except that she’s the one who is actually holding mine. How come I didn’t noticed it? I was trying to get my hand back but why she don’t want to let go? I know she knows we’re holding each other’s hands. She’s just acting normal. Seriously my mind is twisted right now. What the hell happened to Branch? I don’t know what to feel and to think. I’m blank. This girl is really on something. What if she’s possessed? Good Zombie! I don’t want to see her crawl on the ceiling and run backwards on a reverse body position. But suddenly a song kicks in from the movie. She held my hand tight. I think the song got her. What she feels? What she’s into? I want to know, I want to ask. If ever she’s sad, I’ll be here and willing to join her. But really, I want her to know that I’m here if she needs something or anything and she needed to let my hand go. Or Branch starting to open her heart on me? Is she really starting to see me as a friend, official one? Well if that so, I will be glad to be her friend.

I smile and she saw it. She looked at me and I know there is happiness behind that look.

We’re good to go. The rain had stop. So we’re on our way from our stop to Anne’s place. A fine day to continue our journey unless a Zombie starts to ruin everything. It’s still a long way and we don’t know what shit things lies ahead. But still, it’s a good day on Zombieland.