Sirens of the Zombie Apocalypse (Book 2): Siren Songs by E.E. Isherwood Page A

what I'm saying don't you? The only way to stay alive now is
to be prepared, all the time. I told you earlier the bonds of
civilization are coming off. Bad people are going to be coming out of
the woodwork looking to capitalize. Our only hope is to—”
    He stopped to consider his next words. Liam figured he was going
to say something like “stick together” or “stay
positive” or some other platitude.
    “—kill potential threats as they present themselves.”
    Everyone remained silent for a few moments, the reality sinking
in.
    Victoria said, “Are you saying we have to go around killing
people? I have no problem killing zombies, but people?”
    “Imagine yourself captured by a registered sex offender who
lives down the street. He knows the police will never come around
again so he decides to have some fun. If you don't have a gun on you,
and you can't run or get away, you're probably in big trouble. But if
you have your gun on you, and you know how to use it, you can defend
yourself. But here's the problem now. If you point your gun at him
and tell him to get lost, what do you think he'll do next? Go home
and cry in his pillow? If he didn't have a gun the first time, you
can bet he will be armed the second time he goes out. I'm a sworn
officer of the law—well I was—but the way I see it we
have to accept the law is gone. The only thing that matters is
survival. You have to kill threats immediately once they are clearly
identified.”
    Victoria got up and left the room. She wasn't crying, but Liam
knew why she was upset. “You couldn't have known, but looters did capture her in the Arch. She was unarmed. She ran
up all the steps, all the way to the top, to keep them from nabbing
Grandma and me. It was dumb luck she was rescued by the police. I
told them where she was so they could keep their eyes open for her.”
    “Oh hell. I'm sorry. I need to go apologize.”
    “No. I'll go. Thank you Phil. She won't hold it against you.
But I'll go talk to her.”
    Phil leaned hard back into the sofa, looking even more tired.
    As Liam got up to find Victoria he let the words tumble through
his mind.
    Kill threats immediately.
    This dilemma is addressed in many different ways in a plethora of
zombie books and movies, but there is no consensus. Letting bad
people escape to fight another day almost always results in a more
dangerous fight down the road. Killing bad guys without a trial never
sits well with people of good conscience, but it does eliminate the
short-term threats. One method keeps people safe. The other defers
the danger. Liam thought he knew which was which, but as he walked in
the hallway of his boyhood home he realized the choice wasn't so
simple.
    There's no blueprint for the apocalypse.
    3
    He found Victoria in his room, poking around at all the little
tchotchke's he had on his desk and shelves. She even found his messy
nightstand, with a few personal effects littered about.
    “You know I was just joking when I said I'd show you my
retainer!”
    She looked back at him and smiled weakly.
    She's exhausted.
    “Phil feels terrible about his example. He said to say he
was sorry for causing you any pain.”
    “It's OK. He's right of course. That's what's so troubling
to me. If I had a gun up in the Arch, I would have killed those guys
with it. I'd have had a choice. But I never dreamed I'd become a
murderer. Is that what we must become to survive? Murderers?”
    “You wouldn't have been murdering those thugs. It would have
been self defense. That is NOT murder. Big difference.”
    Victoria moved to sit on his bed. “Love the superheroes bed
spread.”
    “Uggg. I'm so glad I put away all my dolls. Oops! Did I say
that out loud?” He noticed his books near his bed and had an
idea to change the subject. “You know, I'm sure we have a Bible
somewhere around here. I could probably get you one that has the Old
Testament, as well as the New if you'd like?”
    Her reply surprised him. “No, I think I prefer the