Undead Rising

"Just up this way!" Jim turned and pointed ahead as he lead the way.

The wind was slightly rough that morning, causing everyone's hair to blow soflty, like the leaves in the trees.

"Ooohhh, I can almost smell all the food!" Scott smiled, walking in the front beside Jim and Lorrie.

"Yeah yeah keep it to yourself.." Jess grunted from behind the group, keeping a watchful eye on the treeline.

"Jess quit being such a bump on a log! This could be the beginning of good things to come!" Lorrie turned and smiled at her.

Jess rolled her eyes, trotting up beside Scott and closing in to his ear.

"I still think this could be a setup."

"Setup for what? We don't know these guys, they don't have anything against us."

"Whatever, just stay on guard."

"Are you having doubts Jess?" came Jim, who had an eyebrow raised suspiciously.

She jolted and ran up beside him.

"Oh, no. I'm just..."

Jim sighed and gave her a reassuring look, patting her on the shoulder.

"This isn't some kind of ambush. We're nice people. And in return for your kindness we'll be kind back. It's the Milton way."

"That's really nice of you."

"Of course. This world may have gone to hell, but that doesn't mean that kindess has to go down with it."

"Do you ever think the world will go back to normal?"

Jim sighed again and closed his eyes, rubbing his neck while he contemplated the question.

"Well, considering how things are, maybe not. If people can find a way to take out the monsters, as well as cure people who have been turned into them. But the important thing, is to not loose hope." He said, opening his eyes and smiling, "The living still have a chance to turn things around. Stop whatever is happening and slowly recover. So that's why spiritually implore all the survivors out there, to try. Keep fighting. Keep living."

"That's very wise. No offence but I always thought you were as dumb as a bag of hammers." She blushed, hesitating to say this.

"Hehe..that's alright. I get that from my sister all the time."

"Guys look!" Scott blurted, pointing ahead of them.

Through a small opening in the trees, the view of the florishing ranch came into view. Cattle roomed inside their pens, while lush green plants grew row by row in the soft dirt. Smoke drifted from the chimney and billowed into the sky. Someone was home.

"MA! PA! I'm back!" Jim called as they approached the main gate that led into the property.

~o~

"Hey! I got something!" came Max's voice from the bushes, minutes later running out with a deceased rabbit.

"Aw finally! Food!" Bron cheered, getting to his feet and walking over to him.

"This f.u.c.ker was a quick one! I learned from my mistake last time and just caught him instead of shooting."

"More difficult sure, but definitely less risky."

"I sure hope that fire's raging, because we got some cooking to do!"

In no time, their meal had been cooked to perfection and was ready to eat. They weren't to blame as they ate ravenously. It had been days, and a while since they had a hot meal.

"As much as I hate killing animals, they sure taste good.." Bron said through a mouthful of meat.

"Like I said. You're a big softie." Max quipped with a grin.

Rolling his eyes, Bron went back to eating happily.

"Want a drink? I found a stream down their with fresh water." Max asked, pulling out a cantine that sloshed with water from it's innards.

Bron nodded and took a swig, sighing in relief.

"I really hope we're going the right way. I don't remember walking that far from camp to hunt..."

"Keep in mind how far we ran until we lost those monsters. Those bastards were fast and wouldn't let up. We were lucky to get away."

"Right. I still have hope that we'll get back."

"We will Bron, don't worry."

Bron suddenly stopped, his eyes fixated on something behind Max. It was as if he had frozen, not moving a muscle.

"What..?" Max whispered, too afraid to turn around and investigate.

"Get down...Now." Bron finally said, getting on his stomach and crawling to the bushes.

Max did the same and followed, sneaking a glance to where Bron was looking. A biker was patrolling the area, his gun in hand. He looked back and forth watchfully, each moment getting closer to their small campfire.

"Shit...shit! He's coming closer!" Bron muttered nervously.

"This way, we'll flank him and make a break for it." Max told him calmly, pointing in the direction they'd run, "Just stay calm, keep moving until we get around him."

Bron nodded and slowly creeped forward, Max close behind. He had his cleaver ready in case a brawl broke out. Slowly but surely, they slowly made their way around the sentry, who was still unaware of their presence. Once they had successfully flanked him, they broke into a run.

"Man that was clo - "

Bron gasped as Max bumped into something large and fell over. Looking up, Max gasped as well, realizing the large object he collided with was a rather buff looking biker.

"Shit."

~o~

"Oh Jim! You're ok!" Came Jim's mother as she came running out the door, sobbing.

"It's fine Ma, these kind folks saved me." He assured her as she hugged him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Oh thank you all so much, my baby boy is always gettin' into trouble!"

"Maaa..." Jim blushed and looked away in embarrasment.

Jim's father and sister also came out, resulting in a big group hug.

"Jim, who're these fellers you brought home? Guests?" Jim's father asked.

Scott, Jess and Lorrie waved awkwardly.

"I was hoping they could stay for as long as they wanted, in return for saving my life."

There was a sudden murmuring as the family came to a desicion, then finally spoke up.

"Well sure then! You can stay, it's the least we can do."

"Thank you so much. We really needed this." Scott sighed in relief and run up to shake the hands of all the Miltons.

"We were just fine." Jess scoffed, refusing to shake hands with any of them.

Lorrie gave her a look and greeted them happily.

"Give it a rest Jess. Be grateful. We finally have a safe, comfortable new home."