Vaccine

We heard the rumors, spreading faster than the virus itself. A cure. Already, an inoculation, with promises of saving the others from their zombified state. How could we refuse? Matt and I left for Folwell, along with my old friends Justin and Andy. We arrived without incident to dozens of survivors. It was amazing, how many had shown up, donning the orange band and wielding their own blasters. The camaraderie was palpable, the cloistered becoming charismatic. One thing can be said for crisis: It brings people together.

Amidst all the celebration, it would have been easy to forget the horde growing outside our lines. The wall at Folwell served to repel them, but the beasts showed no mercy to those approaching. I'm glad to say that no one died in front of Folwell, at least not then. We saved them, and soon we'd save the horde too. We needed to just wait.

A man, with the air of one whose leadership is unchallenged, stepped onto the top of the wall to address us. A hush fell quickly as we anticipated survival, a return to the status quo.

"The rumors of a cure were false," he began, and muttering quickly enveloped the crowd as if a net had been cast. "You have all just been drafted into a resistance force! We will advance..." Here the crowd got rowdier, but no one left. Somehow, I wasn't surprised. Deep down, I think I would have enlisted myself, and I felt the same from most of the people here. This was just more convenient, and would clamp up a few wafflers.

"We will advance in groups of 15 or so across the Mall. This is a simple sweep, stay together and no one will die. Kill every zombie you find." He then hopped off the wall and called for volunteers for Alpha Squad. I walked forward and found that my friends advanced with me. I exchanged a silent nod with Andy, and we formed up ranks.