In a world ravaged by a mysterious plague that turned people into ravenous undead creatures, there existed an extraordinary family. Jack and Emily, once loving parents, found themselves trapped in this nightmare, their bodies transformed into zombies. However, the love they felt for their daughter, Lily, remained intact, transcending the boundaries of life and death.
Lily, a brave and resourceful young girl, had lost none of her love for her parents, even though they were now among the undead. Despite the constant danger, she refused to abandon them, believing that somewhere within those lifeless eyes, a glimmer of their former selves remained.
The family had found refuge in an abandoned farmhouse on the outskirts of a desolate town. Lily had turned the farmhouse into a fortress, setting up traps and alarms to keep other zombies at bay. Each day, she ventured into the dangerous world outside, scavenging for supplies to sustain her parents and herself.
Life was a constant battle for survival, but it was also a testament to the strength of their family bond. Jack and Emily, in their undead state, displayed surprising signs of awareness. They never attacked Lily, recognizing her as their daughter. Instead, they would stand guard at the farmhouse, their decaying bodies serving as a deterrent to other zombies.
One day, while exploring an abandoned grocery store, Lily stumbled upon a stack of old photo albums. As she flipped through the pages, tears welled up in her eyes. The photographs captured moments of happiness - birthdays, family vacations, and simple, everyday joys. It was a stark reminder of the life they once had and the love that had always bound them together.
Inspired by the photographs, Lily embarked on a mission. She began teaching her parents simple activities, like planting flowers and playing board games. Miraculously, they seemed to respond, their gestures becoming less erratic, their eyes showing hints of recognition.
As the days passed, Lily noticed a change in her parents. They became more responsive, displaying emotions that seemed almost human. In the evenings, they would sit together, a semblance of their former family life. They might not have been able to speak, but their actions spoke volumes - the gentle touch of a rotting hand, a feeble attempt at a smile.
One night, a horde of zombies descended upon the farmhouse. Lily fought bravely, defending her parents with all her might. In the midst of the chaos, something extraordinary happened. Jack and Emily, driven by an instinctual need to protect their daughter, fought alongside her. It was as if the love they felt for Lily had rekindled a spark of humanity within them, allowing them to tap into forgotten skills from their previous life.
In the end, they managed to repel the horde, but not without sacrifices. Jack and Emily, weakened by the battle, collapsed on the floor. Lily rushed to their side, her heart heavy with both grief and gratitude. In their final moments, they looked at Lily with eyes that seemed to convey a profound message - a message of love, pride, and a farewell.
With tears streaming down her face, Lily whispered her love to her parents. In that moment, she realized the true meaning of family. It wasn’t just about blood relations; it was about the love that bound them together, transcending death itself.
In the quiet aftermath of the battle, Lily buried her parents beneath the farmhouse, their bodies now at rest. She planted flowers atop their makeshift graves, a symbol of the love that continued to bloom even in the face of adversity.
And so, in a world overrun by the undead, a young girl stood alone, carrying with her the undying love of her zombie parents. Their story became a legend, a testament to the enduring power of love, reminding the survivors that even in the bleakest of times, love could triumph over death, illuminating the darkness with its eternal light.
About the Creator
Peanuts and Crackerjack
Bottom of the ninth inning. The game is tied with two outs, two strikes and a man on second. I tap the bat on home plate. The rigid vibrations it creates reminds my aching digits that this isn't over. The practice swing only adds to the heft of mental burnout... Man on second, willing to chance it. Pitcher eyes him but doesn't give in to the dangerous bluff. I kick up dust, readying the peculiar stance I've had since the days of little league. The bat lays stiff upon my cramping shoulder. Pain has no reason to be acknowledged; it's a fleeting afterthought. The sun sits passed high noon, but the stadium lights are on anyway. They trick my brain into believing they are the cause of this sweltering heat. Sporadic clouds are motionless, they too, don't want to miss this exhilarating predicament. Anticipating the next pitch, intensifying roars from the crowd rumble the stadium... Behind me, the crafty catcher adjusts his stance and spits to the dry dirt. Behind him, the staunch umpire doesn't flinch or even blink; he knows how important his call will be. The pitcher winds up, his grip tells me its gonna curve. The release is fierce! Beads of sweat from his hair and face disperse in every direction as the force of his might is unfailing. My left leg lifts—an instinctual move that will increase the power of my swing. It's all down to my two, bloodshot eyes. They lock onto the speeding, white dot as it instantly becomes the target I intend to destroy. The swing is late, but I manage a solid tip. The ball is taking a fast bounce toward the pitcher who is recovering from the almighty throw! Man on second leaves in a desperate rush! I fling the bat to the side with a sense of urgency and make a mad sprint to the only destination I have—first base. Three defenders race inward to be the first to retrieve the skidding ball. Man is almost on third! I watch the open glove of my adversary, wondering if I’ve done enough to win this race. I switch my attention to his eyes, looking for a clue, some kind of reaction that tells me the ball is in the air and heading his way. All I see is frustration. The deafening roar of the crowd spikes! Something happens that I can’t see! My opponent abandons his post right as my left stride touches the bag. I waste no time turning my head to see the pitcher laying on his stomach, pounding the mound with an open glove. He misses the opportunity to out me and the ball has quickly bounced past him. Excitement grows! This isn’t over yet... It's become an imperative fight to tag out the runner heading homeward. The catcher falls to his knees in obvious despair as he watches my teammate make the run of his life. He knows it’s going to be close when he sees the shortstop fumble the ball a second too long. I jump up and down with no plans on leaving first base. All my chips are on the speed and agility of the active runner. His cleats dig into the dirt, trailing a dust-filled cyclone from the rapid and strenuous strides. With a thrusting dive and an outstretched arm, he lands on his chest to begin the crucial slide to home plate. The shortstop fires the ball to the catcher! It immediately begins closing the gap! Nail-biting doesn't begin to describe the anxious vibe permeating the stadium. The bench begins to celebrate even before he reaches the plate. Forty thousand cheering fans reach maximum crescendo, filling the air with a glorious sound. Everyone knows how this story will end… My teammate is met by the entire bench as his fingers inch across home plate, instantly followed by the unmistakable motion of the catcher's glove attempting to tag him out—its milliseconds too late. The ump swings his arms outward, officially calling him safe.
By Lamar Wiggins6 days ago in Fiction
My To Be Read List
I have been taking some time away from writing. I haven't forgotten about Vocal, the truth is I just have been too busy pursuing other things to write online and honestly, my little family and I just had a really hard month between the flu and a weird eye infection/cold circulating our house. I'm currently sipping some warm peppermint tea because my throat is sore.
By Chloe Rose Violet 🌹7 days ago in BookClub
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