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Chapter Text

Journal of Charles M. Brown

Date: Sunday, October 25

Day 15

            It had been five days since we ended our friend Pig Pen’s suffering and his turning into a zombie.  Finn has been hard at work trying to uncrack the code of what makes the zombies tick.  At least with Pig Pen, he was able to study how the transformation took place, albeit at a slower pace since he was scratched on the arm and not bitten.  Through Pig Pen’s death, we were able to get a better understanding about how the zombies worked, at least.

            However, more of the undead have shown up in the past few days.  I believe many more have been transformed and are now right outside the manor.  We all know we have to make an escape without getting bitten or scratched by those things.  We have had some actually try to break through the barrier, but luckily it held strong, so far, but it can’t hold up too much longer.  So, we’re planning an escape out of town for all of us.  One problem though.  You guessed it!  Violet!

            “What do you mean we have to leave?!” Violet asked incredulously.  “I thought this was your only sanctuary!  Isn’t that what you said?!”

            “Yes, and it was, for a while,” Charlie Brown argued.  “But, don’t you see, Violet?!  The zombie population is growing by the day.  We almost had another break in here, but thanks to some fast shooting by Franklin, we were able to stop them before it got worse!”

            “But my daddy should be coming back soon…”

            “It’s been two fucking weeks, woman!” growled Jasmine.  “Where the fuck is he?!  Not here!  So, he must be one of them now, like many of our folks.  The only parent we were able to reach in some capacity was Franklin’s father only because he’s on an army base right now!”

            “He texted me and told us to stay put, UNLESS it got worse,” added Franklin.  “And I believe we are at ‘worse’!”

            “But, someone should be here in case my father does show up,” Violet protested.

            “Have you even tried to get in contact with your dad, Vi?” asked Frieda.

            “Yeah, but it keeps going to voice mail,” Violet said, sheepishly.

            “If it’ll help, keep trying,” said Charlie Brown, “but don’t get your hopes up.”

            “What is THAT supposed to mean?!” snapped Violet.

            “It means hope for the best, but expect the worse at the same time,” Peppermint Patty replied.

            “Yeah, which means your old man may already be dead, Violet!” added Schroeder.

            “What about all of your parents?” Violet said to all of them.  “I know Charlie Brown’s parents and Lucy’s parents are dead, and Franklin’s father is at a military base, and Violette’s uncle is over in France.  But, as far as the rest of you, what’s YOUR excuse?!”

            “I actually tried to get in contact with my parents right after we got here, and no answer,” said Schroeder.  “Still trying to reach them as we speak.”

            “When I was gathering my belongings, there was nothing but blood and bones which were all that was left of my folks,” said Shermy, sadly.

            “My parents had already turned when I got to my place,” said Frieda.  “Luckily, I had my sword on me and unfortunately, I had to kill them just like Charlie Brown had to kill his father.”

            “I’m also still trying to get a hold of my folks,” said Heather.  “Still no answer.”

            “My dad was on the road with a huge delivery to the west coast,” added Victoria.  “I managed to get a hold of him and told him what was happening.  He told me unless I had to leave, to stay put where I was.  I texted him a picture of the carnage around town.”

            “My folks are also M.I.A.,” said Jasmine.  “Been trying for the past two weeks to get them.  Which is why I say if we don’t get a hold of them now, they are already zombie food, or one of them.”

            “What about you, Bruce?” asked Charlie Brown.  “Have you got in touch with your parents yet?”

            “Nope, not yet,” Bruce simply said.  Some of the others looked at each other.

            “Something is up with that guy, Patty,” whispered Violet to Patty.

            “I know, but let’s not dwell on it for now,” Patty whispered back.

            Turning back to the group, Violet said, “Let’s at least wait a couple more days.  If my daddy doesn’t get in contact with me, THEN we can go.”

            “Okay, fair enough,” Charlie Brown relented.  “But, if he doesn’t get in contact in two days, we leave.  Agreed?”

            “Sure, Chuck,” said Peppermint Patty.

            “I’m cool with that,” agreed Shermy.

            “Oui,” said Violette.

            “I agree, Charlie Brown,” added Lucy.

            “No problem,” said Victoria.

            “You’ll get no argument from me, Charlie,” said Jasmine.

            Violet stood for a moment, then said, “Sure, I agree, as well.”

            “Okay then,” Charlie Brown finished.  “Let’s at least get some stuff ready to go, just in case.  I want to be prepared and not caught with our pants down and asses out!”    And everyone started gathering things to get ready to leave if they had to.  Violet breathed a sigh of relief.  For once, everyone actually agreed with her suggestion.  She prayed her father would call before the two days were up.

NEXT CHAPTER: CREATING THE ANTIDOTE

Chapter Text

Hidden Lab Bunker of Dr. Harold Watts

12:25 PM

            Harold was hard at work developing the antidote to the serum made by Dr. Stein.  He had managed to create some zombie rats with the serum for testing.  He wore thick gloves so the rats couldn’t bite into his flesh.  That mysterious ingredient was found to be a form of acid, which changed the characteristics of the person or animal it affects.  Once he learned of that, He got right to work on making the cure.  At that moment, his cell phone rang.

            “Hello?  Oh, hey.  I’m still down here in the bunker.  They don’t suspect that you’re helping me, do they?  Good.  We need to keep this quiet until I come up with the cure.  What’s that?  Murphy’s dead?!  He was found on the side of a road being devoured by those things?!  Jesus Christ!  That means they are definitely looking for me!  I’m glad you’re not on their side, but you have to make it look like you still are, at least for now.  You’re not there still, are you?  Good.  I’m glad you left before you called me.  I’ll see you when you get back.”  And Harold hung up his phone.  His mysterious helper was also involved with General Pettigrew’s operation, but was actually helping Harold stay out of sight, as they knew what the devious general was up to, and thought it was wrong.  But if they blew their cover, not only would they be dead, but Harold as well.  So they made sure the doctor was out of sight so he could work on the cure.

Underground Meeting Area

Location Classified

            The president of the United States was meeting with some of the military generals about the outbreak in Sparkyville.  General Pettigrew was also there, but did not let on that his crew was responsible for what was being discussed that day.  It was serious business, and they knew something had to be done to contain the situation.

            “We have military stationed along the Mississippi River now,” said a Marine General.  “No one west of the river will be able to pass without screening.”

            “I see,” said the president.  Turning to Pettigrew, he said, “This happened in your area, General Pettigrew.  What are your men doing to help with the containment?”

            “My men are searching for any survivors now,” lied the general.  “We will bring them to the river for screening once we find them.”

            “Good,” the president said, looking serious.  “I will make an announcement about this sickness that is going around in the Minnesota area tonight.  This meeting is adjourned.”

            As everyone was leaving, Pettigrew got on the phone with Mr. Pearson of ReAniCorps.

            “Hey, it’s Pettigrew.”

          “Dammit, Pettigrew, I told you never to call me unless it’s important!” growled Pearson other line.

            “It is important, sir.  The president is going to make a statement about the ‘outbreak’ tonight on the air.”

            “You’re right, that is important.  No one must never know about this.”

            “You don’t have to tell me.  What do we do now?”

            “Nothing right now, unless the FBI or CIA gets wind of this.”

           “No problem, Mr. Pearson.  I will instruct my men not to say anything.  If anyone asks, to say that ‘it’s classified’.”

            “Good.  If anything else prop up, text me instead of calling.  Got it?”

            “Got it.”

            “Okay, I will be in touch.”  And Pettigrew hung up his phone and left.  Harold’s friend, who was part of the military brigade dealing with the ‘outbreak’ watched as the general hurried out of there.  No one was the wiser about their helping the ‘missing’ doctor out.  And, for now, it would stay that way.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE WAITING CONTINUES, AS DOES FINN’S RESEARCH

Chapter Text

Monday, October 26, 10:25 AM

Gray Manor

Day 16 of the zombie siege

            Finn was in the lab working on the fluid he extracted from Pig Pen’s blood just after he died.  Since his was fresher, he figured he could extract more of that mysterious fluid.  He managed to dissolve quite a bit of it and found one compound interesting.  Once he got that compound out, he sprayed it on the floor with a straw and rubber squeezer.  The compound sizzled upon contact, immediately.

            “Interesting,” Finn said to himself.

            Next he grabbed a lab rat and injected the compound into the rat and immediately, its face contorted to something grotesque.

            “Just as I suspected.”  He put the rat back in a separate cage and went to find Charlie Brown and the others.  Charlie Brown was asleep in the boys’ room after being up for watch all night.  Finn went over to wake him up.

            “Charles,” he said.  “I may have found one of the causes of the change.”

            “What is it, Finn?” asked a groggy Charlie Brown.

            “Get the others,” Finn said.  “They want to see this, as well.”

            After gathering everyone, Finn showed them the rat whose face was contorted.  All had gasped at the ghastly scene.

            “What the hell happened to that rat?!” said a shocked Violet.

            “Well, Violet,” Finn began, “you know how Matt’s face changed when he turned into one of those things?”

            “Don’t remind me,” shuddered Violet.

            “I still can’t get that out of my head,” added Frieda.

            “Well, I found the compound that causes it,” Finn announced.

            “What is it, man?” asked Shermy.

            “It’s a kind of acid that changes the facial features,” said Finn.

            “Sweet Jesus!” gasped Jasmine.

            “But is that what’s causing them to turn into zombies?” asked Peppermint Patty.

            “Not really, Patricia,” said Finn.  “This is only the cause of their facial features morphing, not the zombie transformation.  I still have to analyze those ingredients, but this is a step in the right direction.  We now know one of the symptoms, at least, is not organic.”

            “Good work, Finn,” said Charlie Brown.  “Let me know if you find anything else.”

            “Of course, Charles,” said Finn, “but I have to gather up all my equipment for our forthcoming trip.”

            “Of course,” said Charlie Brown.  “Let me or one of the others know if you need any help with packing stuff up.”

            “Affirmative, my friend,” said Finn, smiling.  And everyone left the lab.

            “I don’t want to look like that at all,” said Frieda.  She looked at Schroeder and said, “Baby, promise me if, God forbid, I turn into one of those things, you’ll put me out of my misery.”

            “I will,” said Schroeder.  “I won’t like it, but I’ll understand why I had to do it.  You promise the same if it happens to me?”

            “Of course, darling,” Frieda agreed.  “I wouldn’t want you to suffer like Pig Pen did.  I love you too much for that to happen.”

            “I love you too.”  And the two of them kissed.  Lucy grimaced at the scene.  Charlie Brown looked at Lucy.

            “You okay, Luce?” he asked.

            “Aside from my best friend being with my crush, I’m hulky dory,” said Lucy.

            “You’ve always carried a torch for him, even now.”

            “Yeah.  He was the first guy I actually had a crush on.  It wouldn’t hurt so much if it was with some other girl, but why my BFF?!”

            “Couldn’t tell you, but try to be supportive of them.  I know you wanted to be with him, but there are more fish in the sea.”

            “Yeah, provided they haven’t been zombie-fied yet!”

           “Touché!”  And Charlie Brown went back to bed to continue his sleep, and the others went about their own business.

NEXT CHAPTER: TRYING TO CONTACT DADDY

Chapter Text

12:43 PM

            Violet was texting and calling her father’s phone constantly.  He still wasn’t answering, so she tried his secretary at Gray Industries to see if she heard from him, but the line went blank.  During a drive through town with Lucy and Patty, Violet discovered that her father’s building was destroyed.  Body parts were strewn all over the place and more zombies were walking around.  She recognized one as the secretary she was trying to get a hold of, in the first place.  They immediately left, lest they became zombie food.

            After getting back to the manor, Violet tried her father again, but this time his voicemail box was full and couldn’t accept any more messages.  Jasmine walked up to Violet.

            “No word on papa?” she asked.

            “None,” said Violet, upset.  “I know you’re enjoying my peril right now!”

            “Girlie, nothing could be further from the truth,” Jasmine retorted.  “Do you really think I want to be hold up in this overblown palace you call a house with your uppity ass?  I don’t, almost as much as you not wanting us here in the first place, but it’s the situation we are in right now.  So, keep trying your old man, PRAY that he answers.  Otherwise, like Charlie said, we leave here anyway.”  And Jasmine went to see Franklin, who was on watch.  Patty came walking up.

            “No luck, Vi?” she asked.

            “None, Pat,” sighed Violet.  “I’m scared right now.”

            “We all are, Vi.  Charlie Brown and the others are getting things ready for the trip out of town right now.  Schroeder is going to get his parent’s RV so there will be places for many of us to sleep if needed later.”

            “I just wonder if daddy will ever call.”

            “All you can do is keep trying to reach him.  I’m going to see what’s going on with the others.”  And Patty left.  Violet sat on the couch.  The local stations were shut down, but the satellite TV was still showing programming.  Snoopy came in and sat down beside her.  Despite her disdain for Charlie Brown and his family, Snoopy she tolerated more than the others, mainly because he was a dog and despite what she says about him, he was always nice to her.

            “So, care to join me for an afternoon movie, Snoopy?”  He nodded eagerly.  “I’ll make the popcorn.  You get the root beer.”  And Snoopy went to the refrigerator and grabbed two bottles of root beer.  Violet got some microwave popcorn cooking.

            Elsewhere, Schroeder was on watch.  The zombie population outside the barrier had grown and they were trying to get through.  All knew it would be only a matter of time before they would breach it.  Frieda came on the roof and joined her boyfriend.

          “Violet still refuses to believe that her father may be a zombie or dead,” she said to him.  “Even though she has failed multiple times at getting a hold of him.”

            “She’s always been stubborn, and at the same time she never gives up,” Schroeder replied.  “In fact, she has a lot in common with Charlie Brown in that regards.”

            “Don’t let her hear you say that.”

            “Perish the thought.”  They both had a laugh.  Schroeder looked at his girlfriend and asked, “Are you ready to leave here, Frieda?  This has been our home since we were kids, and we have a ton of memories here.”

            “I know, baby,” Frieda replied, “but, like Charlie Brown said, it’s not going to be safe here too much longer.  And, whether she wants to face it or not, Violet will have to leave here with us, or she’ll either become one of those awful things out there or dead.”

            “Yeah.  Luckily, everything’s all packed and ready to go, so we don’t have to doddle or waste time getting things together.  Franklin brought enough ammo to last us for a while, plus with our own weaponry, we should be able to hold off an attack.”

            “All that’s left is to wait until it’s clear enough for us to escape.”  And they continued to watch as the zombies milled around the compound.

NEXT CHAPTER: ESCAPING FROM THE ENEMY

Chapter Text

Hidden Bunker of Dr. Harold Watts

5:00 PM

            Harold was wrapping up some of his work.  He had the antidote ready and just needed to be mass-produced.  He also managed to gather up all the ingredients of the serum that Dr. Stein created.  The bath salts that caused the flesh-eating, the acid that morphed the face, the embalming fluid that helped preserve the dead, and the mystery ingredient that brought the corpses back to life.  He was going to unleash the truth about what had happened onto the world so everyone could see.

            His friend had drove his car to a back door, so Harold could get in without being seen.  The sun was going down and nighttime was coming early due to it being October and autumn.  After loading everything, they left the compound.  As they were driving down a deserted freeway, they noticed a military Hummer was behind them.

            “Look behind us,” said Harold to his buddy.  He looked and saw the Hummer getting closer.  “They found us!  Let’s lose them!”  And the car sped up, as did the Hummer.

            Inside the Hummer, the man in the passenger seat was on the radio with Pettigrew.  “General, we’ve found Dr. Watts, sir,” he said.  “We’re right on his tail!”

            “Good,” said Pettigrew over the radio.  “Don’t lose them, sergeant.”

            “Yes, sir,” said the sergeant.  Turning to the man driving, he said, “Keep on them, private.”

            “Aye, aye, sir!” said the private.  And they kept close to Harold and his friend.

            “Your guys must’ve followed you home!” said Harold to his friend.  “We have to lose them or they’ll kill me like they did Murphy!”  And his friend shifted his car into a new gear and took off at break-neck speeds, weaving through traffic effortlessly.  The Hummer couldn’t keep up, and pulled over to the side.  The sergeant and private got out of the Hummer and looked bewildered.

            “This tank can’t move that fast, private,” the sergeant replied.  “I’ll deal with General Pettigrew, it was my order for you to pull over and stop the chase.  Understood?”

            “Yes, sir,” said the soldier.

            “I did get the license plate information though.  Let’s head back to base.”

            “Aye, aye, sir.”

            Further down the road, Harold and his friend slowed down once they felt like they gotten a safe distance from the military personnel following them.  Harold was still a target, though.

            “We need to get somewhere safe,” said Harold.  “Somewhere off this freeway and more hidden from sight.”  And they looked for a safe place to stop for the night.

  Base Camp Outside of Sparkyville

8:10 PM

            The sergeant and private made their way back to base camp, just outside the city where the outbreak was happening.  Pettigrew was angry about them losing Dr. Watts, but cooled off once the sergeant handed him the paper with the car’s license plate number on it.  They had gotten straight to work on finding out who was helping the good doctor out.  After waiting a while, the DMV records came back and when they looked at them, they were shocked at who it was.

            “It can’t be!” said Pettigrew.

            “What is it, General, sir?” asked the sergeant.

            “I saw him at the debriefing with the president,” said Pettigrew, rubbing his head.  “This guy isn’t even military.  He’s a rich tycoon that actually lives here in Sparkyville!”

            “What’s his name, sir?”

            “Grant Gray!”

NEXT CHAPTER: TIME’S UP!

Chapter Text

Tuesday, October 27, 12:00 PM

Gray Residence

Day 17 of the zombie siege

            “Are you seriously staying, Violet?!”  Lucy had asked that when everyone was gearing up to leave the Gray compound.  “You tried to call your old man, without even reaching him!  We can’t stay here unless we want to become one of them!”  And she pointed to the zombies who were now close to breaking the barrier outside.

            “I can’t leave!” Violet protested.  “My daddy may call any minute!”

            “You have a cell phone, doncha, Violet?” asked Peppermint Patty.

            “Yeah,” Violet answered.

            “Then take it with you!” Franklin chimed in.

            “If he’s okay, he’ll call you when he can,” added Heather.

            “But, what about my home?” Violet whined.

            “THERE’S NOT GOING TO BE A HOME FOR YOUR ASS, DUMMY!!!” yelled Jasmine.  “Don’t you see those things are starting to get smarter about getting in?!”  Charlie Brown, Violette, Sally, and Snoopy walked in.  Patty was right behind them.

            “What’s going on?” Charlie Brown asked.

            “Oh nothing, Chuck,” said Peppermint Patty, “just Violet being difficult, as usual!”

            “She refuses to leave in case dear old daddy calls,” added Jasmine.

            “Seriously?!” said an exasperated Charlie Brown.  “We gave you two days, Violet.  TWO FUCKING DAYS!!!  Time’s up!  We need to leave NOW!  Everyone else is ready, BUT you!”

            “I’m not leaving,” Violet protested.

            “Good fucking grief!” groaned Charlie Brown.  Patty walked up.

            “Let me talk to her, Charlie Brown,” she said.  “Maybe she’ll listen to me.”

            Charlie Brown figured if her own best friend can’t convince her, no one could.  What did they have to lose at that point.  He said, “Go ahead, Pat.  Maybe you can talk some sense into her.  Come on, everyone.  We still have to get some of the last gear together.”

            “Talk about hard-headed!” Sally observed in the case of Violet.

            “Bona-fide blockhead!” added Lucy.  Patty sat Violet down and tried to convince her to come with them.

            “Violet,” she began, “we’ve been best friends since childhood.  I have never led you astray or lied to you ever.  This situation is bad, very bad.  Now I know you think your father is coming, but he hasn’t called you back once, nor have you been able to reach him.  And I know you don’t like having to follow Charlie Brown, or like him, period, but put your pride aside.  This is bigger than you and him, bigger than both yours and his father’s beef, hell, his dad became a zombie and had to be killed by him!  When Charlie’s dad died, so did the bad history.  Now, come with us.  If it’ll make you feel better, don’t do it for Charlie Brown, don’t do it for Lucy, don’t do it for anyone else out there.  Do it for me.  Because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.  And, whether you want to believe it or not, you’ll be safer with us than on your own.  And I don’t want to lose my best friend to those things out there because of her pride and wanting to keep a family feud going that was already dead when Mr. Van Pelt bit Mr. Brown.”

            Violet took in what Patty was saying to her.  She knew this was a losing battle she was waging.  Finally relenting, she said, “Okay, you win.  I’ll go with you guys.”  Patty kissed her on the cheek.

            “Thank you, Vi,” Patty said to her bestie.  “And try to get along with Charlie Brown, for everyone’s sake.”

            “I can’t promise we won’t butt heads from time to time, but I’ll try,” promised Violet.  Charlie Brown walked back in.

            “Okay, we’re ready to go,” he said to the two girls.  “What’s the verdict?”

            “I’m coming,” said Violet, flatly.

            “Good,” said Charlie Brown.  “During the last trip out, Schroeder was able to get his family’s RV.  Victoria strapped her motorcycle to the back.  You can ride with them.  It’s Schroeder, Frieda, Patty, you, Shermy, Victoria, and Heather in there.  Peppermint Patty, Jasmine, Finn, and Bruce are riding in Franklin’s SUV.  In my car will be me, Sally, Violette, Snoopy, Lucy, and Rerun.  We’re calling it the Zombie Caravan.”

            “Catchy name, CB,” said Patty.

            “Okay, let me get some things together,” said Violet.

            “Got you covered, girlfriend,” Patty said, holding up a suitcase.  “I figured you would need this.”

            “Okay, let’s go,” said Charlie Brown.  And they all headed for the vehicles.  Violet hopped into the RV.  Schroeder was behind the driver’s wheel.

            “Welcome to the mobile mansion, Vi!” said Frieda.

            “It is nice,” Violet replied.

            “Thanks, Violet,” said Schroeder.  “Take a seat, everyone.  We’re about to take off.”

            In Franklin’s SUV, Bruce was helping Franklin secure the weapons.  Franklin tossed Jasmine a rifle, and Peppermint Patty one, as well.

            “This is to shoot any zombies who get close,” Franklin said.  “Charlie Brown’s car will have some, as well, with him and Lucy carrying.  Snoopy will be driving his car as they leave.  Finn, can you handle my SUV?”

            “Affirmative, Franklin,” said Finn.

            “A dog driving?” asked a bewildered Jasmine.

            “Don’t count ol’ Snoop out, Jas,” said Peppermint Patty.  “He driven us all around France when we visited there on Foreign Exchange when we were kids.  That’s where we first met Violette.”

            “Is everyone ready?” Charlie Brown called out to everyone.

            “We’re ready, man,” said Franklin.

            “Us, too,” added Schroeder.

            “Okay, Shermy,” Charlie Brown said.  “Operation: Distraction!”

            And Shermy shot a flare gun into the air.  The zombies around the compound looked at the flare soaring in the air.  They seemed to be entranced at what they were seeing and followed it.

            “Shoot another, Shermy!” said Charlie Brown.  And Shermy shot another flare into the air.  The zombies cleared the area where the gate was.  “Violet, use the gate remote to open the gate.”

            Violet pressed the button and the gate opened up.  Franklin, Jasmine, Peppermint Patty, Bruce, and Shermy walked alongside the SUV.  Charlie Brown and Lucy were in the back seat of his convertible, also armed with weapons.  As they exited the Gray Manor, they saw no zombies around.  They moved slowly out.  Once all vehicles were out of the manor, Shermy climbed back into the RV, Peppermint Patty, Franklin, and Bruce got back into the SUV.  Jasmine was last to be out of the vehicles.  She looked around to see if any more zombies were around.

            “All clear, guys, we can go,” she said, before a zombie come out of nowhere and bit her on the neck.

            “JASMINE!!!” yelled Franklin.

            “HOLY SHIT!!!” hollered Charlie Brown.

            “I GOT IT, GUYS!!!” said Lucy, who took aim at the zombie and shot it in the head.

            Franklin got out of the SUV and started shooting it repeatedly.  “YOU MOTHERFUCKING ZOMBIE PIECES OF SHIT, I’LL KILL YOU!!!!”

            “FRANK, GET BACK IN THE SUV!!!” ordered Charlie Brown.  At that moment, Jasmine’s face began to contort.

            “CHARLES, LOOK AT JASMINE’S FACE!!!” yelled Violette.  Jasmine had become a zombie.

            “FRANKLIN, GET BACK IN THE SUV!!!” cried Lucy.

            “I GOT THIS!!!” said Franklin, looking at his now zombie-fied girlfriend.  Shedding tears, he said, “I’m sorry baby.  I love you.”  And he shot her in the head, killing her.

            “Those things probably heard the shots,” said Schroeder from the RV.

            “You’re right, Schroeder,” said Charlie Brown.  “Franklin, get back in the SUV, man.  It’s over.  We need to go.”  And Franklin got back in and sat in the passenger’s seat as Peppermint Patty, taking over for Finn, drove out.  Franklin looked back at the remains of Jasmine.  In the RV, the girls were crying, even Violet, despite not getting along with her.  Violette, Lucy, and Sally were doing the same in Charlie Brown’s car, with him taking over for Snoopy.  Charlie kept focused on getting out of the neighborhood.  The roads were littered with wrecked cars, debris, and dead carcasses.  They drove past the remains of Charlie Brown’s father’s barber shop, the baseball field they used to play their games on, which was now a zombie gathering field, their old elementary school, Birchwood, which had crumbled to the ground.  They finally found some open road to travel out of town.  Peppermint Patty got on the walkie-talkie and talked to Charlie Brown.

            “So, where to now, Chuck?” she asked.

            “We head west, Double P,” said Charlie Brown.  And the Zombie Caravan headed out of the town they called home since childhood, as Sparkyville had become a zombie-filled wasteland.  None of them knew what would happen.

            Inside Schroeder’s RV, Violet was trying to text her father, letting him know she made it out of the city safely.  She still didn’t get a response from him.  Elsewhere miles away from Sparkyville, Grant Gray was at a cheap motel looking at his cell phone.  He and Harold had gotten some rooms for the night, under assumed names.  He saw Violet’s text, but didn’t respond to it.  Harold looked at Grant.

            “Your daughter again?” he asked.

            “Yeah,” Grant replied.  “I cannot reveal what I am up to and know about what’s happening back home.  My job is to protect you right now.  She’s with her friends, so I know she’ll be safe.”  And Grant turned off his phone and went back to his room and headed for bed.

            As the Zombie Caravan was leaving, on top of a hill, Patient 10-52, formerly Linus Van Pelt, was watching as they left.  10-52 knew who they were, as it was his old friends, sister, and brother.  He gathered all the zombies and groaned.  He pointed in the direction of where they were heading.  The zombies slowly started walking that direction.  Little did the gang know that the outbreak was just the beginning of something bigger.

END OF BOOK 3