Primer (a zombie short story)

By Ro Van Saint

Five years ago the monsters arrived & decimated the village. Everyone perished except the children. The young band of survivors have had to fend for themselves ever since, keeping a close eye on the forest where the monsters have receded until the time is right. But children grow up & become adults. That's when the monsters come out of hiding. Around here birthdays are feared not celebrated.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ro Van Saint
• Release date: Jan 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781465798817

Ro Van Saint

I write strange little stories. These often contain elements of all the things I enjoy reading or watching in films (horror/pulp/dark fiction/sci-fi/fantasy/surrealism/thriller/suspense). Best way to get in touch with me is via twitter. @zerotorockstar

Book preview

Primer

by

Ro Van Saint

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Copyright © 2012 by Ro Van Saint

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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Sterling (17 yrs. old) is prepared for his birthday tomorrow. His backpack packed with only the essentials. He can't afford to be weighed down by frivolous things. Just some food, water, a map, a lighter, a small flashlight and ammo. It's more important to have his weapons on him. A machete, a couple of handguns, and a rifle. He'll have to use his bullets sparingly.  But that's for tomorrow. Today is for celebration. He crawls out of his tent and the rest of the gang is already out with a modest spread for him.

Alma (6 yrs. old) runs to him. It's chocolate you know, can we cut it now? I helped bake it for you.

He can't help but notice a tiny smudge of chocolate icing at the corner of her mouth.  A quick glance at her fingertips showed the same. He smiled but inside his chest felt like someone had placed a boulder on it.

The youngest of the group, she was merely an infant when they found her still in her playpen, what remained of her folks scattered all over her nursery floor. You can just tell they died trying to protect their baby. Since then, Sterling has raised her as if she was his own baby sister. The truth is they've all become family to him. They started out with a dozen, now they're down to five, and tomorrow, four.

She tugs at his sleeve. Sterling! I said can I please cut the cake now?

Of course. You can go ahead and cut me a piece too, he replies.

She gives him a quick