They pull into a gas station and the brothers descend from the truck. The suns is almost gone now and night is quickly approaching. Like any animal out at night there is a big risk and if possible being inside a locked building provides at least some kind of protection. Keith tells me the lunger’s are out in force at night. Apparently, they are a nocturnal predator.

“Stay here Tim, let us check this place out. If you don’t mind, could you refuel the truck?” Keith asks. I nod in agreement and start handling my given task. Pouring all my attention into this to distract my brain from the fact there are literal monsters out in the world now. Not only that but they eat human flesh like in the movies. The brothers ready their weapons, take position and enter the convenience store. My curiosity begins to overtake my logical brain and I foolishly sneak towards the entrance. I must know what is happening inside! I peek through the glass doors to see Gary rummaging through the candy isle.

“Fucking kid is gonna get us killed, looking for his dead dad.” He says to himself loud enough for me to hear it.

“Check the back office and stop stuffing your face.” Keith commands as he begins packing water into his knapsack. Am I really that dumb? Is Dad gone like everyone else? These guys don’t know he works for the largest military contractor in the country and his office has armed security. I remember the one time I went to visit his lab it was deep underground. I’m sure he survived the blast! I watch as Gary approaches the back office, and he has abandoned readying his rifle to munch on a chocolate bar. As he reaches the door it is suddenly flung open and two glowing eyes begin to shimmer. My hair stands on end as Gary fumbles taking aim as the lunger charges forward. Four arms flails from its back as the mutated mess sprints towards Gary. Its jaw unhinges and hangs as low as his collar bone as the monsters extra two hands grab Gary by his head and hold him in place. It bites down into Gary’s shoulder and he manages to plant the barrel of his gun on its chest. Three bangs ring and it falls backwards. Gary stumbles and falls into the nearby aisle.

“No!” Keith screams out as he runs over to his brother. Gary starts to convulse and shake as he bites off his own tongue. The original lunger stands back up and as Keith takes aim it ducks behind the aisle. “Get back to the truck now and start it!” Keith yells at me. Eyes wide with fear I turn around and run as hard as I can back towards the truck. Two more booms from Keith’s rifle and when I reach the truck, I look back to see Gary sprinting towards me. His face is twisted with rage and hate. His half-bitten tongue hangs from a thread as the black blood flies from his mouth and stains his shirt. His eyes are glowing a bright yellow and I know that if he reaches me I will be torn apart. Frantically I pull at the door handle and with a click it opens. I climb inside and slam the door just as Gary reaches the truck. He slams into the closed door and tries to bite the glass. He rears his head back and slams it into the glass and it starts to crack. One more and its over, Ill be killed. Just as he tips his head back another boom fills my ears. He falls backwards as the bullet has severed his spine. Keith approaches the truck and aims down at his brother. I focus on his eyes and I can see tears beginning to swell.

“You stupid bastard. You let your guard down for a piece of fucking chocolate! Are you kidding me?” He squeezes the trigger and ends his life. Keith opens the door and turns the key.

“Let’s get going before more come, the noise will attract them.” He says coldly and drives off. I don’t mean to, but I fall asleep and dream of the mushroom cloud. Of my mother evaporating in white light and a nudge from Keith brings me back to the real world.

“Are we there?” I ask.

“Yea, which building was it?” He replies. I point at the large skyscraper that goes past the clouds and he parks the truck.

“I haven’t seen any since we left, weird considering they should be all over this area. What floor is your dad on?” He says as we make out way across the street and approach the front door.

“He is in the basement, level D.” I reply. Keith motions to me to stay and heads inside with his rifle drawn. I focus all my attention on hearing anything approaching us but hear nothing. After a few minutes he comes back out with a worried look plastered n this face.

“Hey, come here. I’m going to carry you through the lobby. Keep your eyes closed and don’t look okay?” He asks. I nod in agreement as he picks me up in his arms. I feel the vibration of his steps and I peek to see dozens of dismembered bodies littering the floor. The smell crawls into my nostrils and wraps around my brain. I can’t help but envision the way these people died. Were they killed from lungers or even those dogs? What if it was something entirely worse? Is there something more horrifying than rotted flesh zombies with multiple limbs eating people? We finally reach the stairs and he puts me back down but before we forge downward he places a handgun in my hand.

“I normally wouldn’t let a child use a gun but this is god damned nightmare. Its ready to fire just aim and squeeze the trigger. If I end up getting bit please shoot me in the head okay?” Keith asks.

“Don’t worry, violent shooters were my favorite type of game to play.” I retort with a smile. Keith bursts into quiet laughter as he struggles to muffle the sound.

“Kid you are too much, I wish my son…Come on, let’s find your dad. Stick to my right and we watch each other’s backs.” He says with confidence as we descend own the darkened stairwell. One step at a time as we take our time and look for any enemies. Carefully stepping into an unknown future. We pass Level A, B and C without incident. This is going too smoothly, is dad going to be alive? Please God don’t be one of these deformed multiple arm monsters. We approach a large metal door with a keypad and Keith tries to open it to no avail.

“Any chance you know the password?” He asks. I think for a moment, and nothing comes to mind. “What’s your birthday?” He asks.

            “10-16-2010” I reply. He punches it in, and a green light is rewarded to us. The door slides open, and Keith flashes a smile.

            “Every dad uses his kid’s birthday for something. Its one of the most important day of our lives.” He says as he walks into the room. I rush in hoping to see my dad but all I find is a destroyed office. A computer off and papers all over the desk. I begin to tear up as I gaze at the frame our family picture used to be in.

            “It’s gone, did he take it and run?” I ask as tears start to fall. I want to look tough in front of Keith but I can’t help it. This world is too scary without mom, he has to be here! Keith places his hand on my shoulder to comfort me.

            “I’ll go look around for clues. You take a rest on the couch. I’m sure he’s alive kid, I don’t see any blood.” Keith says as he leaves the room. I take a moment to gather myself and begin looking through his desk drawers. Each one is empty save for one with a coffee mug which reads world’s smartest dad. I chuckle and play with the mouse. Clicking it gives me a modicum of comfort and the screen springs to life to my surprise. A video that is paused appears with the camera pointing downward. I can’t see his face but dad is sitting at this very desk with his mug and ugly blue tie I bought him for father’s day.

            “Keith! I think I found something, come here!” I cry out.