The guy quickly got everyone's attention. People stopped what they were doing, some even pulling out their phones to record him.
"What's wrong with this dude?"
"Did someone escape from the mental hospital?"
Whispers went around the little crowd watching near the entrance.
"Hey, what are you doing?" one of the store workers called out, stepping outside to check on the guy. He grabbed the stranger's shoulder, and the guy stopped banging his head and slowly turned toward him.
"What's your problem? You're breaking the glass! You gotta pay for that!" the worker yelled.
Suddenly, the guy opened his mouth wide, showing off some sharp, wolf-like teeth, and bit down on the worker's neck.
"AHHHH, HELP!"
Blood went everywhere as the worker screamed and tried to get away, but no matter how hard he fought, the guy was too strong.
"Somebody, go out and help him!" someone from the crowd shouted.
But nobody moved. They just stood there, filming it with their phones like it was a show.
The worker struggled for a few seconds until he stopped moving. Then, his body twitched... and slowly stood back up.
"What are you two doing? Run!" Jaxon's voice yelled, snapping his two sisters out of their shock.
"Move it!" He shouted again as the three of them ran toward their car.
"What was that?!" Natasha gasped as they ran.
"Didn't you see it? They're zombies!" Jaxon said, breathing hard.
"What? You seriously believe that?" Natasha shot back.
"Just move!"
'Damn it, I messed up. We should've just gone straight home,' Jaxon thought, cursing under his breath. He'd miscalculated the time.
But there was no time to think about it. They ran through the back of the store as Jaxon led his sisters, avoiding the crowd that was still frozen, watching what was happening outside.
'We can still make it,' Jaxon thought.
Just then, a figure stumbled out from the narrow hallway and lunged at Natasha.
Both of them crashed to the floor as the zombie tried to bite her neck.
"Ahhh! Get off me!" she screamed, trying to push it away.
Jaxon reacted without thinking. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, swinging the gas tank with all his strength.
Clang!
The heavy tank slammed into the zombie's head, twisting its neck at a crazy angle before it fell to the floor.
"Natasha, you okay?" Jaxon crouched beside her and helped her up.
Natasha's face was white as a sheet. Her hands were shaking, and she looked like she was about to cry.
"Brother, more are coming!" Cindy trembled as she pointed. Four more were running toward them. The zombies were super fast, like rabid animals gone wild.
"Run to the car! Forget the boxes!" Jaxon shouted as he grabbed both his sisters by the arms and pulled them along.
They ran as fast as they could. Jaxon kicked over store shelves and displays behind them, hoping to slow the things down. Their footsteps echoed through the narrow back hall until they burst through the exit door and reached Natasha's car.
"I'll drive! Get in, quick!" Jaxon yelled, seeing that Natasha was still frozen in shock.
As soon as they got inside, the four crazy zombies slammed into the windows, cracking the mirrors and pounding on the doors.
"Brother!!" Cindy shouted, freaking out.
"Hold on!" Jaxon hit the ignition and stepped on the gas. The tires screeched as the car sped off, leaving the zombies chasing behind them.
A few minutes later, they finally lost the ones chasing them. Jaxon checked the rearview mirror and saw Natasha sitting in the back seat, shaking, while Cindy hugged her tightly.
"You okay, Natasha?" Jaxon asked softly.
"I... I think so. Those were monsters, right?"
Jaxon nodded. "We'll talk when we get home. Everything's fine for now, just try to relax."
The road ahead was still clear. Cars passed by like normal, but every now and then, they could hear screams for help coming from nearby streets.
Jaxon didn't stop. He pressed harder on the gas, wanting nothing more than to get home safe. After a few minutes, they finally arrived at their gate.
Cindy jumped out to open it while Jaxon drove the car inside.
"Close it, quick," he said. The metal gate clanged shut behind them.
"Get Natasha inside. I'll carry the stuff," Jaxon said, and Cindy nodded, helping her sister toward the house while he started unloading the car.
After carrying everything inside, Jaxon locked the door and turned around to see his sisters sitting on the sofa, still shaken up.
"Where's Mom? Did you see her?" he asked.
They both froze for a second before realizing what he meant.
"Mom!" they shouted together and rushed off in different directions, calling her name as they searched the house.
Their voices echoed through the rooms until Natasha called from upstairs, sounding relieved. "She's up here, she's okay, just sleeping!"
Jaxon and Cindy hurried to her room. When they saw their mother sleeping peacefully, they both let out a big sigh of relief.
Especially Jaxon. He was the most relieved of all. This family was something he wanted to protect no matter what.
He wasn't their blood relative. He had been an orphan before Isabel took him in when he was just ten. He still remembered those days, sitting alone, feeling lost, until a kind woman sat beside him, talked to him, and gave him a home. That woman was now the person he called Mom.
Isabel woke up to the sound of their voices. She sat up and stretched, her long black hair falling over her shoulders. Even though she was in her early forties, she was still a beautiful woman with kind blue eyes.
"Jaxon, you called earlier. Is everything okay?" she asked in her gentle voice.
"Mom!" Cindy ran to her and hugged her tight.
"What happened? Are you all alright?" Isabel asked, holding her daughter's shoulder.
Jaxon took a breath. "I'm glad you came home early, Mom. Actually... there are zombies outside."
"Zombies?" Isabel blinked before laughing a little. "That's a funny joke, son."
"No, Mom, he's telling the truth," Natasha said seriously. "We were attacked too. If it wasn't for Jaxon, I..." She stopped talking, her voice shaking a little.
Seeing her daughter's pale face, Isabel's expression changed. "You've been through a lot," she said softly, opening her arms. "Come here, honey."
She pulled her into a hug.
'Why didn't you believe me before?' Jaxon thought with a sigh.
"Brother, how did you even know the zombies were coming?" Cindy suddenly asked, making both Isabel and Natasha turn their eyes toward him.
"Yeah," Natasha added, raising a brow. "You've been staying at home all day, yet somehow you knew?"
All three of them looked at him curiously, waiting for an answer.
It was quiet for a moment until Cindy spoke again. "Brother... are you like, a reincarnated person?" she asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Pfttt..." Jaxon burst out laughing. "Cindy, I didn't know you were into those stories too. Guess you're more of a fantasy fan than I thought."
Cindy's face turned red as she looked away, pouting.
"Sorry for laughing, Cindy," Jaxon said, smiling a little. "It's nothing that crazy. My friend on Discord told me about it. I didn't really believe it either... but I took the chance, and thank God I did."