Free Zombie X by S.G. Harkness Page A

for my consumption. Life must be good for them. Everyone sets out to grab a plate and help themselves to the pork roast, taters, and cornbread. I have to admit that this looks scrumptious. I guess they have a large reserve of food in storage. The old man and his sons don't waste any time stuffing their faces. I start to stuff my face with the delicious food. I haven't eaten like this in a while. This church could be an excellent place to live, but the zombies need to go. I can get used to these hardy meals. There is a long moment of awkward silence. The twins are creepy looking. I hate to say this, but you can’t get any uglier than the twins. They keep giving me weird glances. One of the twins looks at me. He smiles warmly.
    “I’m Ivan. The guy beside you is my twin brother, Kyle.
    “Pleased to meet you,” Kyle stutters.
    “Are there others like you?” Ivan asks.
    “I’m April, and I’m all alone. I’m disappointed in your activities of feeding the zombies. You shouldn’t be feeding the zombies because they actually want to kill you. One of them almost killed me, and it tried to bite my face off. Do you ever plan on leaving this church?”
    “My sons and I are more than happy in our church. We almost have everything we need. We are missing a beautiful presence.”
    “A lovely girl like you should live here with us. There is not much out there,” Kyle stutters.
    “I appreciate the hospitality. I should probably be moving along after dinner. I want to see what’s going on with the rest of the world. You won’t find that by hiding in one place.”
    Ivan smiles meaningfully in my direction.
    “We could sure use a girl around this place. I didn’t believe that there were any girls left in the universe. Kyle and I used to talk about our father finding another wife. The world does not seem to have much of a selection of women. Our father could use a wife, and we can be a family. You’re perfect for our father,” Ivan says.
    “Still, the offer sounds really nice, only I’m a little too immature for your father. I’m way too young for him, don’t you think?”
    Kyle has an uncomfortable look on his face.
    “You’re not too youthful for our father. I doubt you would have ever dated someone who looks like me. You must have received a bunch of boyfriends before the Earth shifted. A beautiful young lady like you must have gotten hit on a good deal,” Kyle stutters.
    The old man turns to me and grins.
    “My sons are really loyal to me. They are constantly looking after my needs and desires. You should seriously think about it because this church is a nice home, with salutary food and honest people. We could use a nice smile around here. You should stay a while, and if you’re not happy, well…, I suppose you can be on your way.”
    “That’s very kind of you to say, but I will think about it.”
    “A young woman shouldn’t be outside all alone. You need people to support you. A little girl like you can’t survive out there all alone. My brother and I can keep you protected here. We produce a lot of crops, and you can have a husband. Our father is a great man. I think you should stay,” Ivan says.
    “We don’t desire you to die. You will die out there. Oh, we can't have that now. You’re staying here with us,” Kyle stutters.
    “I’m really uncomfortable with where this conversation is leading. I appreciate the dinner, but I have to be going now.”
    “I don’t believe you realize. We aren’t going to let you leave this place. You are going to stay with us. You’re going to replace my wife, and treat my sons with respect. How long has it been since a man touched you?”
    I stand up. Kyle grabs hold of me. Ivan approaches me and slaps—me hard in the face!
    “What are you doing? Let go of me!”
    The old man stands and faces me.
    “Yes, we will let go of you. We will let you go when you change. My sons and I will need you now. You will stay here in my sanctuary. You will obey me, and you