Free Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse (Book 1): Since the Sirens by E.E. Isherwood Page A

“plinking” with the little gun. At least he
used to enjoy it. Lately his dad would drag him to the range no
matter if Liam wanted to go or not. Looking back, he realized he was
acting like a whiny baby each time he complained he didn't want to go
shooting.
    Now he looked at them with a silent appreciation for the lessons
he'd been taught.
    “I just hope we don't need these Grandma.”
    “Me too.”
    “Why don't you hit the hay and we'll get started at first
light. I'll be sleeping right out here on the couch. I hope you don't
mind that I don't go sleep downstairs?
    “Not at all. Why don't you keep one of these by your side
from now on?”
    Liam picked up the gun. There was no mystery to it. It was just
another item in the toolbox pre-positioned by his own father.
    Liam couldn't help but feel a longing to see his dad.
    A distant explosion faintly rocked Grandma's china cabinet.
    “I can't wait to see the sun rise again,” said Liam as
much to himself as to Grandma.
    “I'll pray for us before I go to bed Liam.”
    “Thanks Grandma.” He was an agnostic—didn't know
what he believed—but was respectful of Grandma's overwhelming
faith. “And I meant what I said about considering going back to
Church.”
    She gave him a kindly smile, turned around, and was off to her
room.
    The last thing he remembered of that night was the sound of a car
speeding down the street at high speed, followed by the unmistakable
sound of squealing tires under extreme braking. He held his breath
waiting for the sound of an impact but it never came. Thirty seconds
later he remembered to breathe again.
    He didn't get any quality sleep that night, but it did serve as
the deep breath before his own journey. Was it destined to end in
extreme braking? Would he and Grandma meet their demise as raw sounds
in someone else's bedtime story?
    He drifted to sleep while jumping fences—Angie close behind.

Chapter
5: Angie
    Liam woke up dreadfully tired. When he did sleep, he had horrible
dreams of zombies, lots of running, and pulling the trigger on a gun
that would never fire as he was overwhelmed by plague victims.
    The actual gunfire, speeding cars, and screams from nearby houses
insured his slumber was sporadic and infrequent all through the
night. He also heard a big explosion nearby, but was absolutely
unable to pull himself out of his comfy sofa cushions to check it
out. He was glad to get things moving at the first sign of light
outside.
    He went to Grandma's door and found her already up and sitting in
a comfortable chair.
    “I'm an early riser.” No complaining about the noise.
“Two houses behind us blew up last night and burned to the
ground. I was watching to make sure the fire didn't spread.”
    Liam looked out her back window while asking, “Did you get
any sleep at all?”
    “Oh, I got enough. I slept most of yesterday.” It was
true enough, but not really a straight answer. Nothing could be done
now. “And I made you some eggs and bacon. Have to get rid of
it.”
    Liam wasn't a morning person, or a breakfast person, but he took
the time to shovel down the home cooked meal.
    “Sorry for eating so fast. I just want to get up there and
get it over with.”
    “I understand. I can make you plenty more if you're still
hungry.”
    “No Grandma, but thanks. You stay here and I'll be right
back. Shouldn't be that hard to find Angie's keys in her small
apartment.”
    Grandma gave him a little salute and watched him walk away. She
said she would conserve her energy and stay in her chair to wait for
him. “And be careful up there.”
    “The zombie from up there has already come down.” As
he said it he realized it was in poor taste but he couldn't take it
back. Instead he hurried to the front of her flat, through the access
door to Angie's stairwell, and then up the steep flight. The door at
the top was already open, giving him access to the upstairs living
area.
    It was still fairly dark because the drapes were thick and dark.
Very