Is Someone There?

A new day is started and I feel great.

Actually.. Really great.

Like a new person.

As I emerge from my den in my basement, I begin to plan my day to scavenge what's left of Lewisburg and begining defense constructions on the outside perimeter of my house.

Luckily the clothes left over by whoever lived here before were a perfect fit. it actually feels pretty good not to be covered in filth.

I'm now clothed in casual-enough clothes accompanied by some snake skin boots and a wide brimmed hat. could prove useful in this unbearable heat.

And by bringing the un-bloodied twin bed from the other spare room down to the basement last night, I've created what I feel is a sanctuary.

The door at the top of the basement stairs has not just 1 but 2 door bars to bar it from the inside.

I truly have found myself somewhere I can feel somewhat safe out of the weather.

Last night I couldn't sleep all that well so instead, I searched the rest of the house for anything else I could use down in my bunker.

I ended up finding a few helpful tools and trinkets.

outside tools:

- shovel

- garden rake

- rubber hose

- rope

- light reflector sticks

inside tools and trinkets:

- duct tape

- scissors

- a crank powered lamp

- multiple sheets and blankets

The rest of the useful items from inside were already down in the basement from before coming back to consciousness.

Collecting what I need to head outside, I begin preparations for my venture out.

Bag, check

Machete, check

Fancy snake skin boots? Check

I should also bring one of those assault rifles just to do some scoping.

Long shots are better than close range while outside because they give you even more of a tactical advantage above already using a gun.

I can just use my machete if anything gets in close enough range.

Opening the door, the brightness of the light reflecting from the plants and broken down cars are a bit extreme. Even with standing on a shaded porch, that's putting it lightly.

I can hear cicadas screaming from what sounds like the tree line or half way out in the fields and a warm breeze wooshes past me, filling the house with a couple less degrees of cooler air.

Leaves from the overgrown plants and trees make a calm rustle and I can see the wind ripple through tall grass in each direction.

I haven't been outside since I fell out after puking.

No signs on any threat so far. So I swing my empty bag over my shoulder and step out gun in hand.

There are houses in all directions and it seems like I'm in the center of a 15 block radius. The clock tower is standing tall directly in front of me behind a few buildings. "11:30" Is it just a coincidence?

I'm not quite sure what it is but I can smell a light scent of burnt hair in the breeze.

Let's head back to the town square. Last I saw, all the town's people were gathered (well spilling) outside the chapel and seemed dead for good once they hit the sun.

Just 3 blocks.

Walking up the first 2 somewhat tensed up, I'm scanning my surroundings. The houses all have a faded yellow color with white trim. the whole place is overgrown with these vines.

Until now, I didn't realize there are only 2 different models of houses and cars. Every other car or house is different but the exact same model and colors.

The dirt and grime from weather was the only thing making each of them unique.

"They didn't waste any expense on this place did they? Dirt roads, identical buildings." I sneered to myself.

I creep up to the side of the last house and peer over the corner into the town square. My first instinct is to cuss but what I see leaves me puzzled and somewhat shocked.

"Where did they go?" I ask

The doors to the church are wide open but there aren't any zombies laying out front.

The burnt hair scent grows stronger the closer I get.

This makes me instantly panic inside and I grip my gun swinging back around and rest my back on the house I'm next to.

I can't help but to look in every direction frequently.

Peering over the corner one more time to make sure the coast is clear, I take a deep breath and speed crouch my way to the back of the clock tower.

"There's something going on here and I tend to find out. Those towns people should still be where they were if they were actually finished." I think to myself.

Creeping along the side of the clock tower, it starts getting harder to breathe due to how strong the burnt hair smell is getting. So I put a rag over my nose and start taking shallow breaths.

I peer around the front and see a giant mound of scorched bodies with pews from the chapel still smoldering in the center of the square.

Still no sign of life though.

So it seems its all clear for now.

At least the zombie problem is taken care of, but wheres the person or people that cleaned house? Or why didn't they burn me with the rest of the bodies and take my stuff?

That's simply not how the world works now a days. All anyone can do now is take. That's how I survived so far for so long.

Anyways whoever it is or was has my gratitude.

.....