Free Tonight The World Dies by Amber White

whispered, one hand over his mouth, the other shaking his shoulder. “Sully please, this is important.”
    His eyes fluttered open. “Wha…?” He mumbled.
    “You have to be quiet.” I said, slowly lifting my hand from his face.
    “What’s going on?” He whispered.
    “Bobby is doing something in the basement, some sort of experiment involving zombies. They want us to be part of it.”
    “How do you know?” He asked.
    “I saw him and Brennan bring a zombie in last night. Then I heard them talking about an experiment, and how long ‘they’ can be infected before ‘it’ becomes ineffective. He needs uninfected test subjects soon, and wants me for it. If they don’t get me, then they’re going for you.” I said.
    Sully’s eyes grew wide. “Are you sure?” He said.
    “Absolutely, positively, without a doubt.” I nodded.
    “Then we have to find out what’s going on down there, for everyone’s sake.” He said, throwing his blankets off and rushing to the dresser to pull on fresh clothes.
    We loaded our weapons, and strapped on as many as we could before waking Billie and Dean. Fully armed, we walked downstairs, ready to force our way into the basement, or get some answers out of Bobby and Brennan, whichever came first.
    “How do you expect to get in there if it’s locked from the inside?” Dean asked.
    I raised my shotgun. “This is my master key. Any lock opens magically when I blow a door off its hinges.” I said.
    “What’s going on?” Andy said, walking in from the kitchen.
    “I’m going to find out what’s going in that basement.” I said.
    “That’s really nothing to worry about.” He said, looking nervous.
    “Then you won’t mind us taking a look around.”
    “I can’t let you do that.” He said.
    “What if I kill you?” I asked.
    He shrugged. “Trust me, it won’t help.”
    “What’s all this racket going on down here?” Brennan said from the top of the stairs, Amy behind him.
    “I want to know what Bobby is doing down there.” I pointed to the basement door.
    “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” He said.
    “Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed. I know what you two did last night. I heard you talking as well.”
    Brennan blanched.
    “I have every right to know what the hell is going on.” I was almost shouting.
    “We can’t tell you.” He said.
    “Either you tell us what your demented little scientist is doing, or I force my way in. It’s your choice.” I took a step toward the door.
    “You don’t want to do that.” Andy said.
    “Don’t you effing dare tell me what I want.” I growled.
    “Please, just calm down, and everything will be ok.” Andy said, slowly walking toward me.
    “What are you people doing?” Billie said.
    “Why is what’s going on in the basement such a secret?” Dean asked.
    “I know it has something to do with zombies! I saw you bring one in! I know you’re experimenting on them, and Bobby wants me next!” I shouted.
    “Brennan, is this true?” Amy asked, shocked.
    “Honey, don’t listen to her. She’s crazy.” Brennan tried to sooth her.
    “Why is everyone shouting?” Elizabeth and Mary said, walking out of their room.
    The rest of the house was waking up. Sparky and Steven came barreling out of their room, guns in tow.
    “What’s wrong? We heard someone shouting about zombies.” Sparky said.
    “It’s nothing. Jo here had a nightmare last night and is still a bit shaken up about it.” Brennan said.
    “You freaking liar! Why don’t you tell your family about what you’re letting Bobby keep in the basement, what you helped him capture!” I screamed.
    “Mommy?” Brent said, he and Joshua trudging bleary eyed out of their room.
    “Go back to bed sweetie. Everything’s fine. Make sure your sisters stay in bed too.” Amy said, ushering the children back down the hall.
    Brennan was looking more and more distraught by the minute. “They’re people, Jo. Sick people who just need the right