Zombie Exodus: Side Stories, Brody & Madison, scene 10 (Patreon)

Continued from scene 9

"The heck with it. Let's go inside Uncle Nate's house," Madison says. "We made our way here, and I'm not leaving empty-handed. That's Uncle Nate's stuff inside, which means it's Milford's property. Our property. And we're going to get it."

As they cautiously leave the pool house towards the back door, their eyes lock on a lone zombie lurking near the entrance. Its decaying flesh hangs loosely from its bones.

Creeping behind the cover of shrubbery, the twins move with calculated stealth. Brody positions himself alongside the zombie, his grip tightening around the blood-stained prybar. The world narrows down to this singular moment, the tension palpable in the air. Brody's breath comes in shallow bursts as he inches closer, his muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash its force. He can feel the warm, rancid breath of the zombie as it lingers just within reach.

Brody lunges forward with a swift and decisive motion, the prybar slicing through the air. The metallic clang of metal connecting with bone reverberates through the quiet backyard as the zombie's skull is struck with brutal precision. In an instant, it crumples to the ground, lifeless once more. A spray of dark, viscous blood splatters across Brody, his heart pounding with both triumph and trepidation.

Immediately, Madison's voice rises with concern, her eyes widening in panic. "Brody! You have to wash it off quickly," she shouts. "The blood can infect you!"

"I don't think it can," Brody says, staring at his stained shirt.

Madison runs next to him, fear plastered on her face. "Wash it off right now. There's a hose right there."

He tears off the jersey and tosses it to the side. Light stains of blood cover his chest and arms. Without hesitation, Brody rushes towards the nearby hose, twisting the faucet open with trembling hands. Cold water rushes out, cascading over his body and outstretched arms as he frantically scrubs away the tainted stains. Madison watches anxiously, her fear mingling with relief as the crimson washes away, leaving behind a trail of diluted red.

Once the water runs clear, Brody stands dripping wet in the backyard. "I have some old clothes upstairs in the bedroom."

With renewed determination, they turn their attention back to their original mission, stepping cautiously through the back door and into the dimly lit interior of their uncle's home. The room that greets them is a secondary kitchen, used by the staff to prepare meals during larger gatherings.

The air hangs heavy with the faint scent of spices and cooked meals that once filled the space. Soft light filters through sheer curtains, glowing warmly on the gleaming countertops and stainless steel appliances. Rows of neatly organized utensils and pots hang from hooks, a testament to the meticulous orderliness of the household.

"Where should we go next?" Brody asks, resting against the kitchen counter.

Madison walks next to him, one hand playing with a lock of her long blond hair. "We need food, so there's the pantry. We also need weapons and gear, and I know Uncle Nate has some in a locker in the basement. We will have to find the key. And I know you want to go upstairs to get clothes. We probably both need to pack a bag."

"Which one do you want to do first? Because if the crazies find us, we may only have time to search one of the rooms…."

continue to scene 11