19 He's in Denial

The zombies looked at them as they started grunting. Sheloah went in front of Veon to protect him. She knew Veon could not snap out of it.

It was his parents right in front of him! He was supposed to get them! He was supposed to save them!

But they had turned into zombies…

Sheloah looked at Veon. "Veon, we need to leave." Veon just stood as if he heard nothing.

Sheloah did not tell him to kill them. She wanted for both of them to leave. She knew that even though they had turned into zombies, they could not kill them.

"Veon, we have to go… so we won't have to kill them," she said and Veon shook his head.

"They're… they're not zombies." Sheloah held his hand.

He's in denial.

"Veon, wake up! I know it's hard to accept it but…" She was struggling how to say it but she had to. "They're not who they used to be! They don't… know you."

Sheloah was about to cry. She did not know what to do. She can't leave Veon alone in this state. She could not kill his parents, either. She had no choice but to persuade Veon.

"Please, Veon… let's go," she said as she held his hand tightly.

"Why… why them?"

Veon could no longer hold back his tears.

"Veon…" Sheloah only said his name. Her heart ached seeing him like this.

She looked in front and noticed that the zombies were walking slowly towards them. She was still in front of Veon, protecting him.

This was the least she could do; to stay with Veon until he's okay. But they can't end their life here. They have other people to protect.

When the zombies were almost near them, she stepped back, trying to push Veon away yet he stood firm, making Sheloah fall on the floor.

"Ah!"

Veon's mother, now a zombie, grabbed Sheloah's ankle.

"Veon!"

She shouted, making Veon snap out of it. He looked worriedly at Sheloah.

Sheloah kicked the zombie and the moment she stood, Veon's father grabbed her and she did her best to hit them, but not kill them.

She couldn't… with Veon with her.

She's trying her best to free herself whenever the two zombies get a hold of her. She could only hit them, but not kill them. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know if they'll break their promise…

Of going back in one piece.

Veon looked at Sheloah, torn. "Sheloah..." He said her name, nervous.

"Veon… it's okay. Just go so you won't kill them." She smiled at him sadly.

Veon was surprised. He knew she meant to sacrifice herself.

"No, Sheloah… no."

He was nervous at this point. He did not know what to do. His parents turned into zombies and Sheloah was already in danger.

"You're in this situation because of me," he said while Sheloah shook her head, defending herself from the two zombies, pushing Veon's mother's body away.

"Just go!"

She shouted desperately. She was already caught in the embrace of Veon's mother who was now attempting to bite Sheloah but she still fought them.

Veon was already breaking down. He was already crying. He did not know what to do!

'Ma, pa… I'm sorry.'

Veon tried his best to stop crying. His hand was shaking violently as he held his pistol tightly. He raised his gun, pointing it towards his head. Sheloah's eyes widened as she kicked Veon's father away from her.

"Veon, don't!"

But she was taken aback when Veon focused his attention in front of his parents, tears still escaping from his eyes.

BANG!

Veon killed his father in one shot.

His mother was about to approach Sheloah when Veon focused his aim again and shot his mother once, but it wasn't enough to kill her.

"Damn it!"

Veon tried his best to stop his hand from shaking. It was already too much for him to handle.

His mother started running towards him but he looked away as he unexpectedly, accurately, shot his mother on the head. He killed her.

His mother.

Sheloah's eyes widened and now it was her turn to cry.

Her heart ached… it was in pain. Her heart ached for Veon. Veon's parents were now killed…

By the hands of their own son.