Free Crowded Yet Desolate: A Zombie Novel by Lee Dunter

something stupid like that?”
    When Ryan didn’t answer, Joe readjusted his stance, clearly taken back by the silence. He let his arms fall to his side, and sympathy filled his face. “Whoever it is you think is there, they’re not anymore. You know that and I know that. They’re gone.”
    Ryan had broken eye contact, looking away in attempt to control the tears. “I look down there,” he said, pointing over the edge, taking a step closer, “and I see faces, distorted with death and some kind of supernatural disease, but faces. And I know they’re dead, and they’re gone, and there’s nothing we can do. And I even know that whatever they are, zombies or whatever name we give them, Deborah is also. But somehow I can’t make the connection that Deborah is no longer human, is beyond saving. I’m still trying to save her.”
    Joe held his gaze with Ryan. He nodded. “And if you try to not one of us is gonna blame you. But ask yourself, would this person want you to risk your life for no good reason, or would they want you to try to live, to find life again?”
    The silence between them seemed like it would be short lived, like someone would say something profound to break it, but it lingered, and lingered, until Joe beckoned towards the stairs, Ryan nodded, and they both left the roof.
    Back in the gun shop, Ryan flipped the light switch, but the light didn’t respond. He flipped the switch up and down, looking expectantly at the lights overhead, mouth agape like a child absorbed in cartoons.
    “Fuck,” Roe said. “It’s already begun.” His voice sounded distant and out of control.
    “What has?” Ryan asked, forgetting the light switch.
    “The end of civilization,” Joe answered for his twin. Looking out the window at the crowded yet desolate street, Ryan found this difficult to argue against. This thought suddenly came: these streets were always crowded yet desolate. So was this the end or start of civilization? He shook this disturbing thought.
    When Kyle spoke, unease was already spreading through the group. “Oh come on. Aren’t you being a little dramatic?”
    “What’s wrong, preacher man?” Albert asked smugly. “Is this not in your story book?”
    Ryan sighed. He didn’t want to hear their bickering right now.
    Calm and collected, Kyle replied, “Yes, it is. I just never thought it would happen in this way.” The two men stared at each other in silence, not wanting to be the first to compromise their stance.
    Seeking to unease the tension, Ryan broke the silence. His sudden words, directed at another cause, made the decision his conscious mind could never make, his heart could never make: “This just means we need to get the hell out of Atlanta as soon as we can.” He did, however, catch Joe nodding at him. He returned it.
    So Ryan walked through the dark room, navigating through clothes racks guided by the sunlight streaming in through the front windows. From behind he heard clothes rustle in their racks as the others followed. Everyone found their packs sitting where they were left the night before and they equipped themselves. Next to the packs laid a collection of new items: the only three shotguns and a collection of shotgun shells. Ryan, Joe, and Roe picked up the shotguns, began loading, and placed the extra shells in their pockets. Earlier that morning, Joe had shown Ryan how to load and operate the weapon. Even though Ryan informed Joe that Kyle owned a shotgun, Joe had insisted that he partake in “the fun part” of his own plan. Ryan reviewed his early morning lessons now, hoping he was prepared.
    Ryan turned to the other three, who stood by the back door. “You know what to do.” Albert and Kyle left the store, the sound of their steps echoing off the stairs. Ryan waited for their ready. According to the plan, Albert was sitting by a window that gave a clear view to the apartment entrance, and Kyle was standing at the top of the stairs, halfway between Albert and Ryan,