Free Humanity's Death: A Zombie Epic by D.S. Black Page A

wind came through a nearly shut
window. On her right, the salty sea breeze rushed over boarded,
burned, and abandoned beach condos. An old wood sign read PAWLEY”S
ISLAND HAMMOCK SHOP. Dead men jerked around the trees. One found
himself entangled in a swinging hammock. At least 100 zombies
wondered the abandoned shopping area. Candy stared for a moment as
she zoomed past. Dead men jerked their heads up as she drove
by.
    A little way up a large golf course came into
view just off the left of the road. More dead men wearing bright,
blood splattered and tattered reds, blues, and yellows moved
aimlessly on the gray and dead golf course grass. She blew past
them without a second look. To her right stood an empty restaurant.
The sign read HANSER HOUSE. A few zombies moved about the parking
lot, bumping into cars at random. She continued down 17. She saw a
sign: SAM’S HOTDOGS. A large red and yellow hot dog stood on top of
the building. The building looked like an old double wide trailer
on stilts. Its windows were shattered. Attached to the hot dog was
a noose with a dead man hanging from its grip. The zombie's teeth
mashed and its arms flayed. It dangled in the salty wind and rain.
She drove past and the sight of MARTIN’S FIREWORKS caught her eye.
Dead kids bumped against each other in the parking lot. She slowed
down and came to a halt.
    She saw a boy with a varsity jacket, and
suddenly a memory jolted in in her mind.
    Her hair was curled that night. A warm breeze
blew her twirls around. Larry Splat was there. He was a thin and
wiry boy that played basketball. His hair was always greased down
like something out of Grease. His girlfriend, Cherry Baker, stood
holding his thin arm. She was a large girl, over two hundred twenty
pounds and smart as they come, “Yep. I’m headed to Presbyterian on
a full academic scholar ship. Got the acceptance letter today.” She
said and smiled with huge white teeth.
    “I always knew you would go far girl.” Candy
said.
    “What about you? Still gonna take Criminal
Justice at Horry Community?”
    Some fireworks popped in the not so far
distance, somewhere on the sandy beach. “Yep. It’s my calling.” The
sky was a dark blue hue and the sun was setting. A light summer
wind blew and the smell of salt and sun tan lotion lingered in the
air, “What about you?” Candy asked Larry.
    “PC of course. Me and my girl’s gonna be
together forever.” He said and reached over and kissed her sun
burned cheek, “Full athletic scholarship. My momma always told me
my long legs would come in handy. What bout you Jody boy?”
    Jody stood off to the side with a shy red look
on his face, “Oh I don’t know… all I’m good at is fixin broken
toilets.” He said.
    “And you are the best plumber this side of Horry
County babe.” Candy said as she grabbed his arm and pulled him over
to her, “and the sexiest!”
    More fireworks crackled, the sun disappeared,
and bright stars shined against a black canopy. Tourists walked
past them in small droves, entered the store, and came out with
bags of fireworks. It was the beginning of the tourist season;
something the locals both loved and hated. The salty air was now
mixed with the smell of the explosive black powder as the wind
carried it off the beach. The sounds of children’s laughter and the
crunch of the gravel shot by them as little boys and girls ran for
the beach. A parent shouted for them to slow down and wait.
    Larry and Cherry excused themselves and headed
into the store. “Get one of the big packets would ya?” Jody
shouted. Larry turned and shot him a thumbs up. Candy stood with
Jody, their hands connected and pulsating against each other. She
looked at him and his eyes stared back longingly.
    “Baby…” he bent to one knee, “will you marry
me?” He slid his high school ring over her finger. It was much too
big for her; but she still thought it was a sweet thing; her fat
man was one big jiggly romance.
    She stared at him and