Hunger

The pain. I’m hurting? That can’t be true, mom would- actually no. I’ve been alone for what feels like years, but may have only been weeks. Last time I saw Mom she kissed me and said, “I love you daring”. She left the bacon out, but I ate that a while ago. I miss her. Father hasn’t returned either, and I’m already out of food. He didn’t bring me any more, even though I hear my stomach growl loudly often.

Father just nodded last time I saw him, which was normal. He never gave me attention. He only fed me and gave me new toys. I love him still though, mostly because mother does.

Hunger. I need food, mom where are you? Where have you gone?

…

I can’t take this. I need to leave. Why won’t mom come back?

I jump at the door, which proceeds to open. It has been rotting anyway, mom won’t care. I leap out. It smells like burning flesh, with a hint of death itself. I’ve been outside before, and it never smelled like this. It always had a touch of burger meat from our neighbors, since they loved to grill.

Oh, my neighbors. I see them, but they will not get up. They look red and still laying in the grass, as if they had been knocked out by a bunch of dark red paint. I’m confused, I thought the neighbors hated the grass? They never touched it and I wasn’t allowed to either. Why must they confuse me and lay there now?

I can’t question right now, I still need food. My paw pads burn and scrape as I stumble around. My stomach feels like it is shrinking, and my body is slow. I hear my heart beat as clear as day.

thump

I’ve never hear my own. Mom used to compliment my strong heart. I would hear hers. It sounded lovely, like herself.

I hear my paws bounce off the gravel road. I see no living being, yet prance around with a happy beat. I hope mom sees me and gives me a hug.

thump

I see the store up ahead. It smells like burning flesh over in this part of town. I remember it smelling like roses, from Ms. Brown’s garden. She loves that garden, but when I passed it the garden was overgrown and messy.

Once I get inside, the smell only gets worse.

thump

I smell a bunch of things, including some food, but mostly the horrible smell of burnt flesh. Not the overcooked meat kind, more of the human dying in a fire kind. Not a good smell.

My heart rate speeds up, but I have no idea why. I cannot place it, but a certain smell here smells familiar, like I know it and love it dearly. Maybe its mom?

thump

I wonder around, my small ripped paw pads strolling along slowly underneath me. They sting and ache from the ruined, cold floor filled with dirt and waste. It hurts knowing I should be in my bed sleeping soundly, but instead ended up in this torturous universe.

As I walk, I notice a familiar shape ahead. My heart goes even faster, causing weakness to spread over my body. But I continue, as I want to see what it is. I feel dizzy.

thump

I see it now! It's my neighbor, Mr. John. He lives a couple of houses down, and is very nice. I speed up my pace as I bark for his attention.

I stop dead in my tracks. Half of his face is missing, with teeth and bone showing through the wounds. His arm is bent in 3 places where it shouldn't be, as well as his eyes hollowed out. He looks like a walking skeleton with most of his major bones showing through his thin, glass-like skin. His flesh is staining his skin, and appears a dark red and brown colour.I hear my heart beat louder than ever before. What is this monster? Where is my mom? What happened?

THUMP

I turn and run. Mr. John (If I even want to call him that anymore) screeches behind me, like a bird searching for her kids. A sudden burst of energy outweighs my fatigue and fear. I run faster than I ever have before, my nails ripping off and leaving a trail of dark red blood. I don't feel any pain, but I know my body is weak.

THUMP

I get out on the street and try to think. Where could I find actual food, some that won't kill me to consume? I need it fast. I shake my head to think better. Puzzled, I look around slowly, checking my surroundings for a better chance. I can't hear anything over my breath and heart.

In the distance I see something. I focus my smell on it- food! Actual, edible food! I feel relieved, but only for a second. Mr. John screams behind me. He found me again. I have to run.

THUMP

I run again, but this time I feel weak. I fall a couple of times, but manage to get close enough to the building that I see a hole in the wall that I could fit through. Many smells fill my nose and flood my brain. I can't think, but I do know something:

I smell mom.

I run to the hole, full of adrenaline. It’s big enough for me, but too small for Mr. John. I can escape him here.

I want to see mom and dad again. I miss them dearly. It’s getting dark, and who knows what night has to offer.

As I enter the building, I see no food, but instead I see bodies, which is funny because I smell edible meat. Maybe some of them died naturally. I walk around cautious of my surroundings. I hope nothing in here is as crazy and horrific as Mr. John was.

thump

My heart is speeding.

I round a corner and see her! But dad isn’t there? I guess he is out hunting for food. He couldn’t die, mom would never let him. She seems full though, and a smell like dad is coming from a pile of bright red something. I wonder what that is. She looks over at me and smiles. She looks normal, but stained with brownish-red blood. It is covering everything, especially her face. I run over to her, and she spreads her arms.

“Dice! I missed you! Come here puppy!” She makes a clicking noise, which tells me to focus on her.

I jump into her arms and she hugs me tight. My tail is wagging so hard, and I can’t control myself. She smiles brightly and her eyes sparkle with happiness and joy.

Until they don’t.

She stares blankly at me, holding me up in front of her. I calm down, assuming she wants me to. I assure myself everything is okay, but she continues to stare. Her smile fades slowly to a dead, cold stare. Mom? Did I do something wrong..?

My heart speeds up again. I’m very anxious.

THUMP

She looks at me and screams. It sounds like a million tears ripping from her throat, an emotion so fierce her mind couldn’t figure out what to do other than let it escape her body. It was a sound that could only come from the depths of Hell, arising from the throats of the tortured.

She moves her head towards mine, mouth open. Does she remember how to kiss?

I feel a sharp pain in my side. I feel blood trickle down my body and my flesh rip out. Is she…

…eating me?

I realize then that this isn’t my mom, but a zombie version of her loving self. She starts to rip my body apart with her teeth, leaving my very own blood pooling underneath us. Bits of my insides stream down my cold body and land with a plop. I feel numb from shock. I can’t feel anything but know I’m hurting. I know she is too.

As I start to black out, I think about how this could have gone differently. I wish her a goodbye in my mind, and feel happiness that she is going to live because of me. I’m saving her. She will live as a zombie, but still live. Life itself is leaving my body and entering hers, keeping her awake and alive.

Who knows, maybe I’ll see her after life ends, or maybe I’m a cure for this disease. This horrible, life ending disease.

Whatever the case is, I accept my death. The last thing I see is my mother, with tears streaming down her face as she chews. I can sense her pain, she didn’t want to do this. But her face stays numb like she can’t control herself.

She knows what she did. She doesn’t know why, like a little girl in a haunted house. Fear floods her as she continues.

My heart is slow.

I love you mom, save some for dad-

thump

thu-

…

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