The beginning, and the end
She thought she heard someone in the house. The creak of a floorboard echoed around her, and stupidly, she decided to check it out. “Why am I doing this,” she thought to herself. Just as another floorboard creaked, the smell of smoke burnt her nostrils. She paused, finding it hard to catch her breath.
The smell reminded her of the arsonist fire that killed her parents. “Oh great,” the same person had now come for her. Then she noticed the open door. “How did that open? I swear I locked it before.`` She knows she should get out of there, but she can’t.
Something is drawing her deeper into the house. She grabbed the fire poker and slowly moved forward, clutching it tightly. Then she heard a scream echoing off the walls. Peeking around the corner, she saw a body lying on the floor. The smell of burning flesh filled her nose, and she felt like she was going to puke.
Then the image of her parents floated into her mind, how helpless she felt as they burned to death as she was dragged out by a neighbor. Not wanting to feel like that again, she knew she had to help whoever, or whatever, it was. Taking a deep breath, she took one step forward, and then another. Hurrying up to the body, it disappeared and the rotting flesh of a hand reached toward her through the floorboards.
She screamed and turned to run, but tripped over the burning carpet and fell. A ceiling beam fell over her stomach and she was trapped. She cried out as the flames drew closer...closer...closer, not knowing if anyone could hear her. Smoke swirled around her and she pulled her shirt over her mouth and nose. As she took her last breath, something ran over to her.
“What are you doing here,” she screamed, coughing as she inhaled smoke. Her boyfriend Devon was yanking against the beam with all his strength. “Devon, get out of here,” she pleaded, but he ignored her. He was able to lift the beam just enough for her to crawl out. He wrapped her into his arms and ran out the door, just as the house collapsed behind them.
He collapsed onto the yard, breathing heavily. “Are you okay? Sophie, talk to me. Are you okay?” “I...I think so.” she tried to stand, but cried out and fell back. “The beam must’ve landed on your ribs.” “Don’t worry, I’ll…” her eyes widened in fear as she trailed off.
“Devon, behind you!” she screamed as a zombie threw himself onto Devon. “Sophie go, get out of here!” “I’m not leaving you.” she chucked a stick at the zombie, and it started crawling towards her. Unable to stand, she moved backward until her back hit the tree.
The zombie came closer, then fell back with a shout. Devon threw aside the pipe and pulled out his knife. She looked away as the zombie let out a scream, and then all was quiet. “Devon, what the heck is going on?
