Free A Zombie Christmas by Anthony Renfro Page A

grunted out Jingle Bells. 
    I didn’t know if I should shoot them or let them be.  I stood there a moment and thought about it, listening to the comical tune coming from the mouths of those zombies.  I went over to the window and looked out onto the lawn.  Their singing was attracting other zombies, so I knew I had to take them out, funny as it was. 
                  I put on my cold weather gear and ventured upstairs.  I went into the master bedroom and walked over to the balcony doors. 
    I stepped outside and into the cold grey light of dusk.
     
    I checked my decorations to see if they were intact, my Santa Claus and reindeer, the cross on my front lawn, the elves and Santa’s work shop, the nativity scene, and various candy canes I had spread throughout the yard.  They were all safe. 
    Now, I know, most people would say, why?
    It made me feel good inside that is why I did it.  It might be a zombie filled world, but I was still going to try and enjoy it as a human being.  Also, I did it for those few survivors in my neighborhood and those who wandered in.  I hoped a lawn full of Christmas would bring them some kind of cheer in this dreary holiday season.  It was the first Christmas since the zombie invasion.  It was the least I could do.
    I looked down at the four caroling zombies as they went into a rendition of Frosty the Snowman, the year’s first snow only a couple of inches underneath their feet and melting fast.  The group, of course, was led by that one smart zombie.  He seemed to remember quite a bit of whatever he did as a human.  He was leading them and pointing to their books even though none of them turned a single page.  He was the one that started grunting out the tune to Frosty just like Jingle Bells before.  They just sort of followed after him.
    I aimed my gun at them, but had to stop because I couldn’t a im.  My smile had turned into full fledge laughter.  I let it pass, wiped the tears from my eyes, and then did my business.  By the time I was done, fifteen zombies lay littered across my lawn, bleeding red into the snow, the four carolers included. 
     
    I went back inside. 
    I didn’t feel up to the clean up just yet.
    I turned on the Christmas tree and watched the white and colored lights , dance a blinking happy tune across the walls and ceiling of my room.  I stoked the fire with some more wood, turned on some Christmas music, sat back in my chair, and closed my eyes. 
    The last image I saw (which was on purpose mind you) was of the picture on my mantel.  I fell asleep with that image in my head.
    3
    DECEMBER THE 23 rd
    I woke up in the morning to a knock at the door and a quite house.  The Christmas tree was still sparkling and doing its thing, the ornaments hanging here and there with a precision touch, neat and organized. 
    I grabbed a pistol nearby, shook the cobwebs free, and walked over to the peephole. 
    I peered through.
    I reached down and unlocked the door, putting the pistol on the side table as I did.
    “I was wondering if you were going to let us in or not,” Jim replied as he stepped into the house.  He turned a round to see where Fred was.  He was still standing guard on the top step, so intent on watching the area that he didn’t even know the door was open or that two people were talking.  “He’s good Mike, too good sometimes.”  Jim tapped the man on the shoulder.  “Fred.  It’s safe. We can go inside.”  Fred didn’t jump or move in any spastic manner, he just turned and followed after the men.
    The door closed and locked .
    Inside the house, Mike, Jim, and Fred took a seat in front of the fire place.  Mike threw a few logs on the fire, and a second later the fire was blazing hot. 
     
    “Can I get you guys something to drink?” 
    “What do you have?”  Jim was thirsty, but he wasn’t sure what he wanted. 
    “I have homemade eggnog, beer, wine, and water.”
    “Any soda?”
    “Don’t drink it.”
    “How