Crowded Yet Desolate: A Zombie Novel by Lee Dunter

would word it. He didn’t know why he was becoming bitter towards Joe, who was right: Kyle had to be dealt with.
    Time ran with them, and eventually they found a house to rest in at a small subdivision. The twins led the way over a picket fence to the small backyard of a white house with green trimming. Once all were over, they stood in a circle, staring at each other, heaving and gasping for oxygen. No one dared move forward, say a word, even twitch beyond their movements necessary for breathing in fear of igniting what was next.
    “Just fucking do it already,” Kyle said. When no one moved, he stepped into the middle of the circle. “Come on you pussies! Do it! Before I become one of them. Come on, can’t you bitches finish me off?” He flailed his arms as he screamed, looking opposite of his typically composed self. Ryan knew that this was no longer Kyle speaking; he had probably never used such language in his life. He was trying to taunt them, to quicken the process so that they could move on safely. Ryan’s heart filled with pity and compassion at Kyle’s selfless act. Still, no one moved.
    Kyle whirled towards Ryan, stepping towards him. “What? Are you gonna cry now? Afraid to murder me like you murdered your precious wife?”
    What the hell? Ryan thought. Kyle continued to yell, but Ryan didn’t hear any of it. How does Kyle know about Deborah? How does he know what happened? His pity drained away. He wanted to hurt Kyle, to rip him apart. He must have begun to move forward, for Joe grabbed Ryan’s shoulder and pushed him back against the fence. Joe dashed towards Kyle, who waited without defense, and wrestled him to the ground. The machete was pulled from the pack. Ryan watched this happen while in motion, and just as Joe was bringing the blade down towards Kyle’s throat, Ryan kicked Joe away in the chest, and he fell away.
    Dropping to his knees, Ryan pulled the machete from his own bag and swung it at Kyle. In an instant, Kyle’s hand was severed and twitching lifeless on the ground. Ryan could see the bones sitting smoothly against the newly created nub of Kyle’s arm. He fought the urge to vomit. Kyle’s ensuing scream jolted the rest of the circle and they rushed Ryan, pulling him off.
    Albert held him around the chest. “That’s enough. Calm down. Don’t be cruel.”
    Ryan was confused. What was Albert implying? Then the truth hit him. They mistook Ryan’s attempt at saving Kyle’s life for torture, vengeance for the pastor’s stinging comments.
    Joe was again standing with his machete. He approached Kyle.
    “No!” Ryan screamed. “Stop!”
    Joe backed away from Kyle with suspicion in his eyes. Kyle rolled on the ground, clutching the nub of his arm, which was spurting blood all over the grass.
    “Albert.” Ryan turned forcefully back to Albert, and Albert jumped back, alarmed. “Could this save him? The bite was small, and we got the shirt tied around the wound soon as it happened. And now we cut his fucking hand off.” Ryan’s voice was incredulous, hysterical.” Is it possible that the virus hasn’t spread?”
    Albert regained his composure and pondered the question. “It’s not likely,” he began, “But, yes, I suppose it’s possible.” He paused, shaking his head. “With his heart rate so high, the likelihood–”
    “I didn’t ask about the likelihood,” Ryan interrupted. “I asked if it was possible.”
    “Yes, It’s possible,” he said with sympathy.
    “No, please,” Kyle said. “Just kill me. It hurts so bad, just kill me.”
    “Shut the fuck up,” Ryan shouted. “We’re not going to kill you.” Ryan caught the twins exchanging nervous glances. Ryan pointed his finger at them. “You’re not going to kill him. No one else has to die today.”
    Albert crouched to observe Kyle, who was now fading in and out of consciousness. Watching this, Ryan couldn’t believe he was responsible for inflicting this pain. He was the cause for the dark pools of