Chapter 12

"OH GOD!" I gagged.

Donny ran out of the gate and vomitted on the nearest patch of land. I too walked out of the gate, gasping for fresh air. I fought the need to puke because I had barely anything in my stomach. I walks up to my brother and I pat his back, he was panting after puking his breakfast out.

"Kuya, I'm so sorry. You should go back and rest."

He shook his head, "No, I owe you one. I'm not leaving you, not with that horrible stench."

"Alright, come in once you're feeling better. But if you really can't handle it, you should go back."

He nodded and stood up straight. We both went back to the said house. Both of us breathing lightly so we inhale less of the scent. We walked around the first floor, observing cautiously. We opened the windows without removing the barricade installed. We opened as much windows to let the smell out.

The food storage was empty. The interior of the house is not too dirty. First floor was clear. We finally went upstairs. The stench in here is much stronger. I felt my the acid from my stomach going up. I fought the urge to puke and it left the stinging feeling at the back of my throat.

It was dark so we both brought our flashlights out. Slowly, one by one we opened the doors of the rooms. The rooms we opened were clear of any undead. We also opened the windows and move the curtains. But one of the rooms in the second floor was locked. Also, the stench is at its strongest from the door alone. Donny and I prepared for the worst. Just like the front door of the house, I destroyed this door too. And when the doorknob broke down, the door swung open. And as it opened, the stench came out slapping our nostrils. We both felt nauseous and my stomach churned.

"Oh my God!" I moaned.

Doony can't resist the smell any longer that he ran to the nearest window in the nearest room. I heard him puking again. I mustered what strength I have left. I covered my nose with the sleeve of my jacket and walked in.

Inside the room are four bodies lying on the bed. A man, a woman, a girl, and...and a baby. All four of them huddled together. I know for sure these aren't zombies. This is a family that couldn't survive. Instead of being killed by monsters, they decide to all die together in each others' warm embrace.

I frowned at this sight. Their bodies are already hard. If my guess is right, they've been dead for several days. One at a time, I covered each body in sheets. And one at a time I brought them out. I asked Donny to call for help to add this to the pile that will be burned in the afternoon. I also asked him if he could call for Maron, he still has to scavenge. My brother agreed and he left. After a few moments, Etil and her partner stepped out of the house across the street. Her weapon was doused and dripping with her previous kill that she's dragging out of the house. She found me sitting on the pavement. She the approached me instead of escorting her partner back.

"Hey," she called.

I lift my gaze to her. She must have read the sadness on my face. She noticed the four bodies draped in sheets. Etil then sat next to me.

"Family that committed suicide together..." I spoke under my breath.

She too looked sad. Etil leaned on me. She stayed with me until Maron and the male IW's arrived.

...

Lunch break came. I was in the court with everyone, eating lunch. I was quiet, slowly chewing on my food. I barely have the appetite but I know I should eat. While eating, Etil nudged me.

"Hey, cheer up. I thought you're tough."

"I thought so too."

I was the only one quiet. I kept thinking of that unnamed family. They gave up when they no longer have anything to eat. Now I'm hoping that the limited supplies we have are being rationed properly. We can't afford to be wasteful. The vegetables and crops they've planted won't grow just overnight.

After lunch, Maron and I head out once more. The following houses in Morrisville after the one with the dead family are roaming with zombies. All my time that I was smashing heads into a pulp with my every cell powered by adrenaline and noradrenaline, my face was the same. I was still sad about my discovery. Not everyone has the same capacity, not everyone can take the pressure.

Maron and I cleared four houses today. Not bad considering all the structure we cleared are 2 stories tall. I tied the feet of all of the zombies I killed in a leash before dragging them all the way to the burn pile. Maron helped me dragging them even though he already has his own load to carry. When we arrive to our street, my partner surrendered everything he have scavenged for the day while I continued to drag my kill. Before I actually threw them to the pile, I chopped the heads off with a shovel. I don't want to get "jumpscared" by not so dead dead. Finally I threw all of my kills in, I no longer bother counting them like I used to. And then, the Cleaner IW's threw in dry lives and branches before setting everything ablaze. I watched as the fire engulfed every body in the pile. The smell of burning rotting flesh sure isn't pleasant. But again, what's pleasant left these days?

Frodery came to me and called me back home. In there, dinner was set. I do my usual thing, grab a spoon from the kitchen and just eat a mouthful. But out of a sudden, mom handed me a bowl of rice and noodle soup.

"Donny told me."

I stayed emotionless.

"You've done a lot for us, I'm greatful Pheene." Mom smiled.

I felt everyone's eyes on me. My entirety is shaking. I accepted the bowl mom gave me and I ate it's contents right where am standing.

After dinner, I went up to my room. I grabbed my towel. I undressed and dreaded my need to wash my hoodie and pants. It's soaked with zombie juices and sweat. It's such a hassle because neither were light weight especially when wet. I decided to bath first before I wash my clothes, I'm pretty sure the Sun will still be up until 6pm since it's summer and it's just 4:15pm anyway.

4:30pm, I came out of the bathroom and headed upstairs. I wore fresh clean clothes and as always, I'm on commando. I'm just home anyway. I carried my stuff to the washer area and there I found Etil also washing her gear. The Borzalez house is just right next to ours, only the wall divides the perimeters of our houses.

"Oh hey Pheene, washing gear?"

"Yeah."

"Aight...Oh by the way, I got something for you, it might cheer you up."

"Hmm?"

Etil left her laundry and ran back inside their new dwelling. She came out with a bundle of books that stunned me. It's the book series that I've been wanting to buy but it was hella expensive.

"I found this in one of the houses we've cleared and I remember you blabbing bout this book series in our chats. I was gonna buy you these for your birthday but as you know, your birthday was last month. But hey, this one's free so here ya go." said Etil with a childish grin.

"OH MY FUCKING GHAAAAA!!" I said with a silent scream. "Girl, thank you so much!!"

"No problem, I owed you one."

While we were cleaning our gear, we chatted about random stuff. We even finished at the same time and bid each other goodnight.