THE DAY AFTER

The sun rises in the municipality of Minneapolis as the vendors start to open their stores and employees stand in line in coffee shops. The city begins to be lively as it is. The morning news starts to play with the orchestrated tune followed by an animated rising sun towards the metropolis. "Good morning Minneapolis, what a beautiful morning to you all as we give you the latest news," said the newscaster with a bright face.

" We are here live at CNR Morning News. The climate today will be perfectly sunny and for weeks to come as we all wanted because it's been a tough snowy last month here in Minnesota. So throw those winter clothes in the closet because you won't be needing them anytime soon," said the newscaster with a bright smile.

" Thank you, John, for that great news. Jessica Weatherman reporting on a recent discovery by our scientist hold on your stomach for this one. A new type of helminth or parasitic worm, has been discovered by our scientist here in North America," said Jessica Weatherman, she opens her palm equipped with surgical gloves, a black miniature worm wiggling.

Jessica Weatherman's eyes widen," Tell me about this fascinating creature Dr. Brown?"

Dr. Brown eyebrows rise," Well, the parasite can take a host on a deer which it can control its brain,"

Jessica Weatherman follows up with another question darting her eyes at Dr. Brown," If a parasite can control something that large would it be possible for a human being to get mind control by those beings,"

Dr. Brown's face looks surprised and quiets by the question," We haven't started to create deep research yet. So for now, it's impossible us humans to get taken over by a parasite worm." Dr. Brown glances at Jessica with a reluctant smile.

The room is dark and untidy, filthy clothes are on the floor with posters of video games characters on the walls, an alarm clock begins to go off, blinking with a six forty number on it. A man slammed his hand on the alarm clock letting it fall to the ground. The man stands up pulls the window blinds. The sun illuminates his darkroom, the man got bedazzled by the sunrise poking his eyelids as he widens his brown eyes.

He walks into his bathroom washes his face pressing his fingers in his upper eyelids, as his eyes widen in the mirror reflects his charmful face and bright smile illuminating his dark brown hair and sharp nose. Took a hot shower cleaning his average body.

Fresh as a blooming flower, he puts on his regular clothes jeans, and shirt as he walks down the stairs, he passes by the family portraits with their joyful places like a memory that can't be forgotten and a framed military awards the purple heart award and bronze star award, they glister in the frame like it was clean every day.

The living room is neat with a twenty-two-inch flat screen television, a relaxing sofa bed, and a warm and comfy carpet, the man goes to the Kitchen sitting on the dining table is his father Edward Gray reading newspaper while a coffee on the table his face is wrinkled and his dark hair has white highlights representing his mid-forty-age, his brown eyes are sharp, his lips are thin, and his nose is pointy," Good morning Nate," said Edward while he follows Nathan with his eyes," Morning pop," Nathan sits on the chair waiting to his breakfast.

Her mother, Helen Gray wears an apron under it is a police uniform, she has bow-shaped lips, and round shape pitch-black eyes that look compassionate, and her dark brown hair is bun at the back like a donut, she lay the plate in front of Nathan a pancake with sweet sauce and butter on top," Hey, did you check the mail yet," asks Helen Gray as she glances at Nathan," I'm just going to check it, you know Mom I hope this is it, this is my last chance of getting to law school UMN is the final chance Mom,"

Helen sighs and immediately brightens her face as she looks at Nathan," Don't worry, I have a feeling that this is it, you know Yale is too far away, and you can forget about apartments and dorm, you can still live here with us, and besides Sophia is applying on the same university so what's the big deal, cheer up champ,"

Edward wavers his hand as the newspaper straighten," You know it's not too late to pursue the military like me, one phone call to George and it's a done deal it will be much easier than pursuing Law School,"

Nathan smirks as he takes a bite on his pancake," Let him be Edward being a Lawyer can be a good profession too, this family has too many soldiers it is nice to have a new career in this family." said Helen as she takes off her apron and looks at her watch with a surprised face," Oh, I'm late,"

Helen grabs her police hat and kisses Nathan and Edward on their cheeks." Sweetie, call me what the university says, alright," Helen said as she left their home.

Nathan glances at his father with an amusing face, and Edward glances back at him as he sips on his coffee," Don't give me that look,"

Nathan smirks as he takes another bite of the pancake," What, it's summer," Edward chuckles," Yes, and that doesn't mean you could go to Sophia house every day, let him take a rest off will you,"

Nathan grabs a condom in his pocket and shows it to his father with a bright face," I got protection." Edward grins at Nathan and continues to read the newspaper." Douchebag." said Edward as he cleans his throat.

Nathan finishes eating and exited the house opening the mail, as expected the university mail has arrived, Nathan, barfs as he rips open the letter and reads, his face brightens as he reads the letter and runs towards the house he saw his father cleaning the dishes, he shouts," Dad,"

Edward reluctantly turns around," What is it?" he asks as he looks at Nathan points at the letter with a bright face. Edward's eyebrow rose as he noticed his son's university letter has been accepted, he runs towards his son and embraces him." Look at you." he said with a joyful face as he wraps his arms around Nathan with joy.

Edward removes his hand and grabs the home telephone, and puts the number of Helen Gray." Come on champ tell it on the lady herself," Edward put the phone on Nathan's ears.

Nathan grabs the phone, and his eyes look excited as he hears Helen's voice," Mom... I got in!"

Even on the phone, Helen's voice is was filled with joy and surprise," Yeah. I love you too," Nathan drops the home telephone on the kitchen counter," I'm going to tell her dad," he said as he pats his father on the shoulder and runs at the door. Nathan rides his bike, the neighborhood is peaceful and relaxing as the neighbors water their grass and trim them. Nathan waves his hand on the good folks while he pedals swiftly.

He stops at an elegant house with a beautiful garden filled with blooming flowers and a small swing at the side. Nathan runs towards the entrance and presses the doorbell.

After his first push, no one answered. He pushes again, and a soft voice calls at him at the back," Hey hotshot," Nathan turns around, and it's Sophia, she puts on her charming smile, her lips are reddish as a rose, her perfect teeth are white as a cloud, and her passionate eyes are green as a leaf, and her long beaten gold hair is radiant she looks gorgeous like a famous girl on high school. Sophia shows the university letter to Nathan with a single look on Sophia's face, he already knows," You got in?" he asks as he walks down the small staircase. Nathan's great joy is that his white perfect teeth and gums emerge.

Sophia smiles excitingly," Yes!" she said, as Nathan hugs her willingly and swirls around with joy.

" I can't believe it, we made it," said Nathan with an exciting face as he puts down Sophia and kisses her on the cheek." Slow down, hotshot,"

The door suddenly opens, and it's Sophia's Father, he looks calm and has reading glasses with thin lips and a broad shoulder, the most noticeable is his dad's body and his brown fanny pack. Nathan glances at him and waves," Hey, Mr. Henry, good morning,"

Mr. Henry Green nods at him and grins," Nathan," he said with a strong voice and immediately closed the door. " Come on," said Nathan as he raises his bike and rides it," Where are we going," asks Sophia with a joyful face.

Nathan smirks," Anywhere, you want," Sophia blushes then suddenly the door suddenly opens, and it's Sophia little sister Sara Green, like her sister she has golden hair but braided on pigtails, and adorable eleven-year-old she has freckles on her face, her round eyes are light green," Hey Sara, good morning," Nathan states while he darted his eyes at Sara as he goes downstairs.

Sara looks at Nathan with a snarky look," eighteen years living on earth, yet here you are, Nathan Gray instead of riding a car like any eighteen-year-old dude just to visit their girlfriend, instead you bring a bike, what a shame," she said as she crosses her arms.

Nathan smirks," Well, it's good that I'm different. I'm not a Netflix lover boy," he said with a wink. Sara smiles at her and chuckles," It's a shame,"

Sophia rolled her eyes at Sara," Thank you, dork, you can go inside and watch those Netflix shows,"

Sara grins at Sophia and leans on the pillar at the house," Meh, don't mind me I'm just here to see you two leave,"

Sophia sits on the back of the bicycle as Nathan starts to pedal and leaves the house. Nathan glances back at Sara and smiles at her, but Sara flips her finger at him and sticks her tongue out.

Nathan chuckles and looks back at the road," I adore your sister. I wished I had a sibling," he says as he glances at Sophia.

Sophia looks disdain," Trust me, it's best to be an only child having a sibling is just full of quarrel," she said as she lay her head at Nathan's back.

Nathan smiles at her as he pedals faster, the two of them ride the neighborhood feeling the summer breeze as Sophia closes her eyes and grasps tightly at Nathan's waist. The two of them enter a park, and Nathan leashes his bike on a post. Sophia took a stolen picture of Nathan as he stands up," Haha, very funny,"

Sophia chuckles," What I need a story on Instagram I got one hundred heart on my last story,"

Nathan walks towards Sophia with his eyebrow rose," Is that the time we went out,"

Sophia nods as she bits her lips," Uh-huh. I hope this one has more than a hundred," Sophia grabs Nathan by the shirt and poses with a bright smile, and Nathan looks unease as Sophia takes the photo.

Sophia looks at the photo and laughs," Another dumb photo, save!" she said as they walks down the park, the two of them resting on the grass. Sophia, still looking at her phone, and Nathan grabs it and put it down," Hey, come on," he said as he glances at Sophia.

Sophia reluctantly put it down," So, still stuck here in Minnesota, you on Law, and me in Med school, are you happy that you never leave this place?" asks Sophia with an unsure look as she stare at Nathan.

Nathan sighs," I don't know. I'm just happy that we are still together. You know Gerald and Jennifer broke up this summer, and they are childhood sweethearts, most of the people in our class who have a love life broke up because of college, and it's rare that the two of us are still standing. I guess that's the only thing that makes me go, you know, being here in Minnesota with you. It seems like a perfect world to me," he said as he smiled at Sophia.

Sophia blushes, and the two of them share a long deep kiss, then suddenly Nathan's phone rings, and their two lips separate as Nathan pulls up his phone," Hello," he said with an irritated face.

Nathan heard his father's voice, and quickly Nathan, cleared his voice," Hey pop, what's up?" he asked bluntly.

Nathan stands up." I'm with Sophia right now..." he glances at Sophia with an amusing look." I forgot about that. Yeah, yeah I'll be home in a minute." he said as he puts down his phone.

Sophia sits on the grass and looks at Nathan," What did your dad say?" she asks.

Nathan smirks," I forgot to clean my room, and I'm supposed to help him fix the car," he said as he scratches his hair.

Sophia chuckles and stands up," Come on. I have something to do as well. I said to Aunt Loraine that, I'll help her clean the house." Nathan and Sophia exited the park while riding a bicycle, while at the roadway, a car suddenly hit a light post.

Nathan stops the bicycle, and the two of them darted their eyes at the accident as the civilians start to approach and help the victim." Oh my god," Sophia said with a surprise on her face.

Nathan put on the pedal and started getting away as possible," Nate. I hope that guy is ok," Sophia said as she wraps her arms tightly at Nathan's waist.

As Nathan is going down the road towards their residency the citizens start running away with their faces looking dreaded and panicked." What's happening?" asks Sophia as her eyes widen.

Nathan's head starts to sweat as he pedals his bike swiftly," I don't know, but I need to get you home," while they are getting deeper into their residence they saw another car burning as it was crashing on a fire hydrant.

Nathan stops at Sophia's house, and Sophia quickly bangs the door with intense fear in her eyes, immediately the door opens, and it's her father, Mr. Henry, as any father would do in that condition, he quickly hugs Sophia and kisses her on the forehead.

Nathan looks exhausted as he wipes his sweat on the forehead and looks at Mr. Henry, anxious," What's happening, Sir?"

Mr. Henry clears his throat," Go home, son, and lock the doors," he said before Mr. Henry closed the door, Sophia glances at Nathan with a nervous look.

Nathan looks perplexed and looks at the surrounding. The people are running with fear on their faces, and in instant chaos, others are packing their things and driving their car away.

A man, running in his life, all of sudden a random guy lunge at him and starts to bite him," Help! Please help!" shouted the guy in fear as he tried to shield his arm while the random guy bites to it.

Nathan puts on the pedal and rides away as the man looks at him from a distance, crying as the random guy bites down deeper on his arms his face is covered in fear and blood as he begs for help.

Nathan drops his back at their lawn, and he immediately opens their door, he shouts with an anxious look," Dad!"

Nathan heard something drops in the kitchen, he shouted again," Dad!" he noticed that the door window is wide open, and suddenly his eyes froze, and his arms trembled. A man stands motionless, the white of his eyes is turning red, and he doesn't blink, just staring at the wall, and his head is tilted left. His clothes are dirty and tattered, the man's hands are covered in blood most noticeably, and his mouth is bubbling red.

Nathan clears his throat and looks nervous; his eyes are dread by fear. Nathan slowly steps back with caution as he steps his one foot around the man's sclera veins start to pop, the man heads slowly darted at Nathan with an unusual move as his eyes widen at him.

Day 0

The random man runs towards him in an unhuman-like person, his head tilts up, and his hands wiggle with his body. Nathan is stunned by fear as the man lunges at him, but a sudden blast at the window door kills the random guy, carving his body in half as his guts and blood splatters in the wall, then suddenly, Nathan's father walks inside with his shotgun," Nate, pack your things," he said with an exhausted look.

Nathan's lips trembles," Wha-what's happening," he said as he leaned at the wall and stared at the bloody wall filled with human guts, the rusty smell makes him pukes. Edward, pat's Nathan on the back," Come on son, we need to get to your Mother," Nathan cleans his lips with his hands and takes a deep breath before he stands up, he notices his father has a wound on his arm that has a bandage. The two of them go upstairs and pack their clothes in a backpack. Edward goes to his secret locker and grabs a small magnum, and a Glock pistol immediately counts his bullets and grabs a baseball bat on the way.

Edward swiftly walks towards Nathan's room and shouts," Come on!" The two exited the House, and another deranged man try lunges at Edward, but he quickly pulls the trigger of his shotgun and splatters its brain out," Fucking hell, dad!" Nathan shouts with a shocked face.

Nathan follows his father into a random car and his father breaks its window using the shotgun stock," Holy shit!" Nathan shouts again.

Edward shouts "Get inside!" Edward enters the car and Nathan quickly follows. Edward starts hardwiring the car, then suddenly a deranged person slam himself in the car and starts slamming his hands on the window. Edward starts the car and drives the road.

Nathan gazes outside, and he can't believe it. The scenery of the peaceful neighborhood is gone, immediately becoming a sadistic place as people eat each other and cars start crashing into each other. The fragrance of warm and relaxing air turns repulsive, as Nathan glances at the people running from their life the houses and buildings are burning, the bright summer is clouded by dark smoke devouring like the ghouls of the sky. Edward flips on his phone and calls someone," Come on pick up, pick up," he said with an anxious look.

Instead of receiving a call sadly, Edward received a voice message," Helen Gray, I'm on duty, just leave a message, and I'll call as soon as I can," the phone said with a joyful voice. Edward looks furious and shouts," Damn it!"

Edward put's on the voice message," Hey, honey, me and Nathan are on our way in the police department, if you ever hear this, stay right there," he said while he pushed the gas that makes the car faster.

Edward calls someone again, and was surprised that someone picks up," Ezekiel, what the fuck is going on," he shouts with a shocked face.

Ezekiel replied with a high tone, and as there are so much screaming and explosions going on," I don't know! Little brother, have you talked to George yet?" asks the caller.

Edward immediately replied," Yeah, he said it's an outbreak or something,"

Ezekiel replied with a high tone," Is this happening to other countries!"

Edward replied," I don't know. I told George that, we will meet outside of the city, "

Ezekiel," Tell George to send a choppe-" The line cut's off as a large explosion occurred. Edward throws the cellphone at another seat.

Nathan glances at his father with an anxious face," Dad, what's happening," he asks with a timid look.

Edward throws the small magnum at Nathan. He catches it as soon as Edward throws it at him," Nate, I want you to stay behind me and shoot if we're ever in danger. I know you hate firing a gun even in shooting range, but the world is fucked up, and first thing first we need to find your mother. That gun has six rounds, so shoot wisely" Nathan looks at the magnum chamber to see the bullets inside of it.

They drive into rough traffic, but Edward already knew it's a roadblock as he saw from afar that smokes are soaring through the air, and most of the people are running rather than waiting for the road to be cleared," Come on champ, we have to walk," Edward and Nathan exited the car.

Edward is a veteran soldier, he strapped his shotgun into his back, and ready's his Glock pistol in his arm. Edward walks with caution as Nathan walks beside him. A deranged person suddenly stands on the top of a car, and another suddenly appears, and some of the people on their car start waggling and becoming deranged themselves. Edward walks backward, while Nathan followed him from behind.

The deranged people scream, and their green saliva burst through their mouths," Run, Nate!" Edward shouts as he pulls his Glock and shoots two of the deranged people. Edward knew that his bullets are numbered he saved some bullets and runs along with his son as the deranged people sprinted like unusual movement their heads are looking up, and their hands sway abnormally.

Edward pushes some civilians out of his way while he darted his eyes at Nathan," Nate!" he shouts as he pushes someone. The two of them reunite and notice that the deranged people are getting larger as they bite people and eat them at the same time the two of them run through the narrow alleys.

Both of them continue their running until they quite somehow lost the deranged people, "Overhear son!" His father opens the door and enters, so he followed him, but Nathan doesn't know why they enter, so he asks while catching his breath "What next?"

"What next is... Stay by my side,"

Nathan follows his father, silently at the stairs, "Edward is that you?" An unknown voice of a man called his father.

Edward looks at the staircase and sees a man whose belly is bloated and wears a sleeveless t-shirt that has beer stains, and he's holding a gun aiming at them "Whoa! Put that gun down James we aren't them okay?"

"So much for a fucking reunion," said James with a smirk on his face, James, is homely, even obese, he still has his neck, his face is round, and his eyes are small pitch-black his lips are round, and has a facial hair of mutton chops, his chest hair is visible and broad yet his hair is nearly fading as the top is shaved completely, and the only hair is on the side.

"Yeah, I never thought some High school reunion on the end of the world," said Edward with a smirk on his face.

"This is like in the television you know running dead?" He said while lowering the gun down.

Edward ignores his comment and asks him, "Is this apartment safe?"

"Yeah, no zombie or anything, but people here won't give you anything even me," James, nods at Edward with a glare.

"Don't worry, we are just here to lie low for a while, there is chaos outside," Edward looks at him with a weighty face.

"Where are you going in the middle of this?" asks James bluntly.

"To the police department, my wife is there" Edward glances at Nathan with a worried look.

James opens his door and looks at them with a grave face, and glances at Edward one of his hands are bleeding severely even the bandage is well dressed," Come on, if you weren't my high school classmate I won't give you a favor,"

The people Edward is suddenly shocked at what he asked because he knows what James's capabilities are. Edward looks hesitant but with their situation, they needed some great aid, "Sure," Edward enters the door but immediately he pinned Edward to it," If something happens to my boy. I'll send you to hell like most of I killed today,"

James smirks as he darts his eyes at Edward," Yeah, on second thought. I might come to you in the police station,"

Edward pushes his hand to the door making James choke," Why?" he asks bluntly.

James grabs Edward's hands and takes some air," I don't want to fucking die in this apartment," Edward removes his hand, and James coughs as he takes some breath.

The three entered James's apartment. The apartment is dirty, and the most noticeably, the smell of feet reeks the couch is old and rigged, but Nathan sits with a frozen gaze, while Edward crouch in front of him and looks at him with a grave face as he grabs Nathan arms tightly, "Son it's okay to be scared, but to survive what's happening right now is to quell and be brave... things are dangerous now, and the only thing I can only trust my back is you and your mother okay?"

Nate didn't answer as he was overwhelmed by his father's words, so he just nods and made a brave face to reassure his father. The two of them exited the apartment as they can't handle the smell and waited on James outside, but suddenly a deranged woman lunges at Edward. Nathan calls it out as he shouts with fear," Dad, look out!" he points at the deranged woman.

Edward immediately looks behind him and sees a woman going to bite his head, but he somehow dodges it, but they fall on the stairs. Nathan immediately runs towards Edward, while Edward is tackled by the deranged woman. Nathan grabbed the baseball bat, but he froze as she was going to kill someone

.

Edward kicks the deranged woman away, and slam on the wall, instead of going after Edward again, he darts her eyes at Nathan, growling while green saliva is dripping on her mouth, but Edward grabs the woman on the hair and smacks her on the wall until her head breaks to brittle bones. Edward glances at Nathan with bloody hands and face," You alright. I'm sorry you had to see that, it's us or them," Nathan nods repeatedly as he was frozen. Edward hugs Nathan tightly," It's alright," he said softly to Nathan's ears.

Then suddenly James came down the stairs with his bags while having an innocent face "You said it was clear?!" Edward let go of Nathan and made threatening stare at him.

"

What do yo-" He was going to ask, but he suddenly saw a dead body smash into pieces "I-it was safe when you were not here?" he said as he tries to reason with Edward and Nathan.

He ignores him, but he is pissed "Let's go we rested enough"

Both of them left through the back door of the apartment. They travel on foot, and they didn't expect that it was incredibly difficult to walk a long distance. There are always deranged people at any corner, so they use alleyways and small buildings to hide until they get into the Police Department. Once they are close enough, they hide on a small market while they're scouting on the Police Department.

The Police Department is barricaded with police cars and wooden planks, and Edward quickly notices Helen with her fellow police officer defending the Department. Edward notices that there is a horde of deranged people are coming.

Edward stands up, but he felt severe pain in his arm, the blood drips rapidly, but grasps tightly and looks at Nathan," Come on," he said as they walked down the street towards the Police station.

Helen looks at the distance aiming his pistol at the three people. Helen's heart dropped as she noticed it was his husband and his son," Edward!" she shouts.

Helen quickly notices the wound on his arm, but as Edward and Nathan confront Helen they embrace each other. Helen kisses both of their foreheads," Oh my god I'm just going to go after you guys," she said as her tears drop.

James looks from afar as he looks at the horde of deranged people running towards them," Hey, Edward, let's skip the pleasantry because I just shit my fucking pants,"

"Captain, there's more coming!" the cop shouts as he glances at the horde.

James Helen and Nathan glance at the terrifying horde that makes any world tremble as they glower, and their eyes are monstrous darted at them. They stand on burnt cars and pose oddly, their head tilted left to right, and they grind their dirty teeth, their screech loudly that makes their spine shivers and their ears irritated.