One Shot

Just a little farther. I can make it. I have to. These were the words that had been keeping him, Alex Fletcher, alive for the past month. The only way he was able to stay sane and focused was by repeating them.

It was only a week ago that he had lost his little sister Abby to the zombie horde. She was only seven and being seven had automatically without thinking spotted a cat and chased after it, unaware of what lurked out there in the world. She had been his only remaining relative that had not been taken yet by the virus, his last hope in having something happy, someone there, in this new crazed, gloomy, horrific life. And he lost her. Just like he lost his parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and best friends. And now he was running again but this time by himself. And he was getting tired. And even though he couldn't see them, he knew the horde was not far behind.

Five more steps. That's it. It's right there. Just get inside.

He pushes the front door open. It's a place called Columbia Trading Post. It just happens to sell guns and ammunition. Of course nothing sells anything anymore when no one is there to sell it. He already has his pistol but he still glances at the other guns as he grabs more bullets and rushes to a back room, clutching his weapon as he goes.

Any minute now they are going to come. Alex senses it. He locks and barracades the door even though he knows there really is no point. Yet there is a point.

Tired and weak and hungry and parched, he just slides to the floor. The end is in sight and he knows it. The feeling is overwhelming. Yet he is prepared. He goes over his plan as he tries to breathe.

I won't let them take me too. Not them.

He hears them now. It isn't really hard to miss when they are all screeching and hollaring like that. Through the walls he hears objects toppling over, crashing breaking. They've found him. He looks at his gun, loads it and waits. He knows what to do. It is now time.

The noise comes closer. Suddenly through the door windows he sees them: the faces of his beloved family and friends, his sister too. They sneer and cackle at him through the windows with their now ghastly faces. They have found their prey. They begin banging at the door. Now the doors are thrashing and starting to break. They will get through in a minute. Alex picks up his gun from off the floor. He points and fires. One shot.

Alex's body falls. As his blood drains out, the door breaks open and the zombies pile in. But it's too late. They can't change him now. He's already gone, leaving a smile on his face. He did it. His final wish was fulfilled.