[NOTE: POTENTIAL SPOILERS]


The car lingered with the odorous concoction of burgers, fries and weed. Dennis sat in the driver’s seat impatiently tapping on the steering wheel staring at the red glow of the traffic light. Beside him sat his childhood companion Andy who was pulling out fries from the brown oil stained bag with one hand while pinching a joint in the other. Dennis proceeded to roll down his window aggressively. “My car is going to stink of weed for days. Do you mind?”
“Don’t worry bro, I’ll get you some of those uh.. dangling.. tree things that smell fresh.”
“And would you stop eating. I have other people to feed besides your fat ass?” The traffic lights flashed green prompting Dennis to step on the pedal.
“Jesus man. You sound like my ma. Chill.” Andy stretched out his arm and offered Dennis his joint, “Have a puff.”
Dennis slapped away his hand away dismissively. “Can’t you see I’m driving? That weed is getting to your head. Why the hell did I buy it for you in the first place?”
“You know Doc. I might not be as smart as you but I’ve been reading”
“You’ve been reading…”
“I’ve read that pot actually reduced the number of crashes in some states.”
“That’s because those stoners are driving slow as shit and they have no place to be. We do. And I’m not worried about driving, I’m worried about cops. They see two brothers in a car smelling like dope. Fuck! Would you get rid of that thing already?”
“Alright alright. Jesus. You sound like my ma.” Andy took one last drag and flicked the joint out of the window. “You’re such a buzzkill man.”
“You owe me airfresheners. And money for the weed. And money for the food you ate.”

After several minutes Dennis finally arrived home pulling into his driveway. The sounds laughter and chatter could be heard from the car. Hopefully they didn’t break anything. The two men exited the vehicle and approached the front door. “You didn’t eat all of the food did you?” Dennis asked.
“Only the fries,” Andy admitted.
“Couldn’t you have just eaten my salads? You know how much they like fries.” Dennis rubbed his forehead.
“What are you my ma? Fuck greens man.”
“I’ll let them deal with you. Good luck making an excuse.”
“Why you gotta leave me hanging?”

Dennis unlocked the door and did his best to hide his foul mood under a forced smile. Dennis wondered how a day of work was capable of draining away one’s ability to do simple things. “Hey guys! I bought you lunch!”
“Dennis!” Aaron, Tommy and Ellyse shouted collectively as they ran to embrace their brother. Dennis knelt down wrapping his long arms around the three children tightly. How could simple things like hugs suddenly lift up a person? “Don’t forget to say hello to Andy.”
“You smell funny Andy!” Aaron said while pinching his nose.
Andy scratched his head trying to think of an excuse. “Well uh… I-.”
Damn stoner needs my help. “He was farting the whole time I was driving. Must be something he ate. Stay away from the car unless you want a stronger whiff,” Dennis joked.
“Ewww!” the children cried as they cleared away from Andy.
“Gee... thanks.”
“You owe me. I have some work to do and deadlines to meet. Make sure they eat and do their homework”
“What am I a baby sitter? And I know jack shit about Maths”
“Consider the weed payment. If they’re any trouble just call me. It’s elementary school maths. If you don’t know that you don’t deserve to call yourself an adult.”
“Fine fine. I’ll be on the X-box while I’m waiting though.”

Dennis walked to the kitchen table where the children were sitting and distributed the food amongst them. “Andy ate all the chips.” Dennis said. “Again…”
“But I wanted chips!” Tommy cried.
“You’re a strong little man. You can last a day without them can’t you? Batman probably doesn’t even indulge in those things.”
Tommy nodded. “I can last!” Aaron shouted.

The boys always had a passion for superheroes. They wore their costumes in Halloween, their rooms were littered with comic books and action figures, and they would role play almost every day which meant that there were plentiful fights that needed mediating. Though on the bright side they were easy to convince so long as he mentioned the name of a hero they admired.
“How about you Ellyse? You think you can make it without fries?”
“I’ll be okay. My teacher told me eating too much fries is bad due to its salt content.”

Smart girl. Ellyse was quite mature for her age and the one Dennis trusted to keep an eye out on the boys. Perhaps the absence of a mother naturally lead her to assume greater responsibilities. She knew some cooking from Dennis’ limited experience and managed to keep the house very tidy. Dennis adored her curiosity in his work even though it was far too complicated for her to truly understand. Dennis broke a smile. “Well they’re okay every once in a while. And considering how you guys are always running around you can handle them just fine.” Dennis huddled them in closer and lowered his volume to a whisper. “Now listen. Make sure Andy doesn’t eat any of the chicken in the fridge. We need that for dinner tomorrow. Also try to pretend that he’s helping you out with your homework so he can feel good about himself. I know you guys are smart enough to get through it on your own. How about it?”
“Yes sir!” the children whispered together.

Dennis nodded and headed up stairs into his dimly lit study closing the door behind him. He couldn’t stand open doors. The intolerance probably developed in his early years of highschool when his parents would often argue. There were piles of papers scattered on his desk and stacks of books throughout the floor. I should consider getting another bookshelf. A half full glass of coffee from the previous night sat besides his laptop. On the walls hung white boards scribbled with roughly written notes and calculations. Back to work. Time flew by as he scribbled notes, scanned papers and wandered around his room lost in a jungle of thoughts and questions. He only took breaks to snack on the salad that he had ordered from the drive through. At one point Andy entered his study to tell him that their power was cut and hence no television or games. Dennis opened his drawer and handed him a lighter with some candles and a Gameboy that was dangerously low on batteries. “Tetris. Hours of fun,” Dennis said as he escorted an upset Andy outside. He continued where he had left off, but only an hour into his work he was disturbed by a ruckus down stairs. It sounded like the boys were fighting once again. But the shouting of Andy soon changed his mind about the severity of the situation. He could hear Andy running upstairs towards his room and smaller footsteps trailing behind him. Andy pushed through the door of Dennis’s study and slammed it shut the instant he entered the room. He pressed hard against the door with his back and slid down to his bottom as though his legs had just died. What game were they playing? There was a bang on the door. Followed by another. And another. “What the hell is going on?” Dennis asked.
“Th-The kids. They just attacked me out of nowhere man,” Andy stuttered.
Dennis couldn’t see it clearly before as the only source of light in his room was coming from his laptop. But as he examined closely he could see deep scratches and several bite marks that tore into his friend’s clothes and flesh. “Oh shit!” Dennis gasped.
“They were laughing and playing their games one moment and then they vomited blood and were knocked out. I went to see if they were okay but then they jumped me. What the fuck do we do?” Andy cried.
The only phone he had was downstairs. The power was out which meant that his computer had no internet connection. Fucken dead end. The banging grew more fiercely with every passing moment. “We have to wait until the power returns,” Dennis said.
“Do you have any weapons?” Andy asked.
“We’re not hurting them.”
“I’m just asking!”
“The only people asking for weapons are those planning on harming others!”
“They tried to kill me. I am soaking your carpet with my blood trying to hold this door. Give me some goddamn insurance!”

Dennis approached his bookshelf and reached for a thick textbook. The inside had been hollowed out to contain an M1911 pistol. Essentials of Human Embryology, 2^nd Edition. If anyone were to pick up this book they earned the gun. Dennis slammed the pistol on his desk. “I’m holding onto this. You keep your back to that door. Both of us will wait until the power gets back.”
“Fire that gun.”
“I told you I’m-“
“I know!” Andy yelled. “Fire that gun at the ceiling. That way the neighbours will hear and they’ll report to the police.”

So the stoner outsmarts the Doc. The weed didn’t slow Andy’s neurons after all. Dennis cocked the pistol and pointed it at the ceiling letting loose eight bullets into the plaster facing away from the blast. His ears rung and only after a few seconds could he hear footsteps of another person running up the stairs towards his room. It was as though they expected the gunshots and were just waiting for the signal to go. However this meant that they too would also be in danger. The children had found a new target and abandoned the door thrashing. “Run away from them!” Dennis shouted through the door. “Get the fuck out of here!” But all he could hear under the ringing of his ears were the slapping of his siblings’ feet against the floorboards as they hurried towards their new prey. Then there were gunshots. Three in quick succession. Andy quickly scrambled up and threw open the door to see an Asian man holding a smoking pistol standing in front of the dead children. Blood was flowing down their head staining the wooden floor. “What the fuck di-“The man shot Andy in the head before he could finish. Dennis was paralysed. Aaron... Tommy... Ellyse... Andy… Dennis lifted his pistol pointing it at the man’s head.

The three men sat around the table each with a tray of food in front of them. On the tray was a black slab of ambiguous meat, mashed potatoes and a handful of chopped carrots and broccoli.
“You cooked the shit out of it!” Doyle complained.
“I followed your instructions,” Osborn said. “You are a poor teacher.”
“All you had to do was fry the patties. If you would let me go from this chair, I would have done an infinitely better job. What kind of ignorant motherfucker does not know how to fry meat?”
“It’s mystery meat. A meat with an identity crisis. Give me a break.”
“Why the fuck did you choose mystery meat out of all things? And mashed potatoes? Really? Are you not aware of maggot eggs?”
"They were pretty much the only thing in the fridge besides canned vegetables,” Con explained.
“Did you cook the shit out of the vegetables too?” Doyle asked.

Con stabbed the broccoli with his fork and delivered it to his mouth. “It’s fine. I guess his years of boiling ramen paid off.”
“Eggs too,” Osborn added.
“Well any of you guys planning on eating your vegetables? I’ll trade you for the… meat.”
“Fuck no. Mystery meat is already at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to prison food. And this is burnt mystery meat which wouldn’t even make it to the list. Fuck that,” Doyle said.
“I’ll take it. I’ll take both,” Osborn said as he transferred the black slabs to his tray using his fork. “Ungrateful assholes.”
“Hey. I’m a vegetarian. I’m an asshole by nature,” Con said.
“Fuck you. Being a vegetarian is a choice,” Doyle criticized.
“It isn’t by choice that my taste buds reject meat.”
“What kind of freak doesn’t like meat? We’re omnivores. Meat is part of the description.”
“Indeed it is. How did Wilson’s meat taste in your mouth T-bag?”
“What did you say?!” Doyle threatened as he stood up from his seat fork in hand.
"Doyle please don’t stab Con with your fork. You're acting like my parents,” Osborn said.

Osborn pinned down the black slab with his fork and sliced off a piece and placed it in his mouth. Despite it being burnt to a crisp, it sounded as though Osborn was chewing on gum. The mystery of mystery meat… After an immense amount of effort he finally swallowed. “You know guys it ain’t too bad. It tastes kind of like uh…” Osborn sliced off another small piece and ingested it. “It tastes like a cheeseburger. I don’t, kof, see why, kof..” Osborn coughed more violently as he gripped his throat with both of his hands.
“Dude I think he’s choking! Do something!” Doyle shouted.
“Pea…” Osborn wheezed struggling to form words. “Pea…nuts.”

Osborn’s head slammed into his tray flinging potatoes across the table.


“He’s gone,” Con concluded.
“Well it’s about time. Get me his keys and let me outta here,” Doyle demanded.

Torch, radio, keys, badge, pepper spray, and a Glock. Con unbuckled Harry’s belt and equipped it to himself.
“Yo. A little help over here,” Doyle said.

Con unholstered the pistol and unloaded the cartridge to check the ammunition. 10 rounds unfired. Con reloaded the gun with a clack and pulled back the slide pointing it at Harry’s head. With a tremendous bang that rung through the cafeteria a stream of blood and brain bits flew from Harry’s head leaving a trail across the stainless steel table. Doyle unfortunately did not escape the gore and was stained with a fresh coat of red once again. “And the fucken blood from the other guy just dried…” Doyle muttered angrily. “How about a little warning next time. I think I got some in my eye,” Doyle complained.
Con pointed his gun at Doyle. “Dude what the fuck?!” Doyle asked, “I know I’m kind of a dick but you don’t have to shoot me for it.”
Con stepped forward and pressed the Glock hard against Doyle’s head. “Five years ago. You did a job that landed you a case of money. Five years ago. My sister and little brothers became one of those things out there. Five years ago, they were murdered along with my best friend. Coincidence?”
“I’m sorry man I didn’t know!” Doyle cried as sweat and tears flowed from his face. “P-Please. Don’t k-kill me.”

Con gripped the pistol as though he was channeling all of his hatred to the bullet in the chamber. The hatred that was bottled up for 5 years. His hands shook not out of fear, but out of pure animosity. His index finger wrapped around the trigger so tightly that a simply twitch would end Doyle. Con relaxed his arm and lowered it back to his side. He mustn't be tempted by the calls of revenge he thought to himself. Con holstered his gun and walked towards the door. He shoved away the obstacles that braced against it and began unwinding the electric cable. “What are you doing?” Doyle shouted. Con pulled out the broom sticks that were slid between the handles. “Stop it! You’ll kill us both!” Doyle warned. Con pulled out the mop. The last item stopping the monsters from the other side getting in.
“You see T-bag. These Zees will only eat meat eaters.”

Con opened the door to a hallway of darkness filled with glowing yellow eyes staring into the cafeteria. “Kind of convenient ain’t it.” Con walked past the yellow eyed creatures as they ran past him into the cafeteria. I won’t kill you. But I won’t stop you from being killed.

Dennis sat waiting for his visitor to arrive on the other side of the 2 inch thick glass barrier. He had been in prison for... He couldn't even tell how much time had passed. Suddenly out of the blue he was informed that someone wanted to meet him. But who? Aaron, Tom, Ellyse, Andy. They were all dead. He had failed to avenge them. No bullets were fired when he pulled the trigger because he had carelessly spent them on the ceiling and was instantly tazed by the killer as consequence for his mistake. By the time he regained consciousness sound of sirens approached his home. Framed and on death row. The door on the other side of the glass opened allowing an Asian man holding a thick book to enter and take his seat opposite Dennis. He must have been well into his 50s showing greying hair and deep wrinkles on his forehead. His dark eyes hinted one of callousness. A no nonsense kind of man Dennis assumed. He was the murderer. The one responsible. The Asian man opened the book. "Prior to gastrulation there are two special layers each with different fates. One will develop into the embryo and ultimately form the offspring. The other will…" The man lifted the book for Dennis to see. “As you can see I can’t continue the story with this hole in the pages. It looks like a pistol don't you think. An M1911. Do you know what happens next in the story?”

A surge of anger exploded from within Dennis as he found himself leaving his chair and slamming his fists against the glass. His body had acted on impulse. He wasn’t even thinking. "How rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Chen. I work for PETA," the man said. Chen was clearly not fazed by the look on Dennis's face. A look of disgust and pure animosity. If only he could shatter the glass. Chen ignored his fury. "Let's cut to the chase. You may be wondering why I killed your people. Starting off with your siblings. They were... How could I put this politely? Aggressive. Unrestrained. If I hadn't pulled the trigger they would have slaughtered me just as they would your friend. Which brings me to my next point. Your friend Andy was it? Did you recognize his injuries? He would have become something like them eventually. I was expecting him to have already turned at that point. A very peculiar case. I regret killing him."
"What did you do to them?" Dennis asked restraining the anger seeping from his voice.
"Besides kill them? I can't give all my secrets away.” Chen raised his index finger “Unless you help us?"

Wasn't taking away everyone I held dear enough? "What do you want?" Dennis asked.
"Not me. But we. PETA. To put it simply, we want you. We want your skills relating to the detection and resistance pathogens. Your resume was quite an impressive read. 1st class honours upon graduating, 6 published papers, employed as the head researcher for the FDA. Very impressive for a 23 year old."
"Get on with it."
"You were previously acquainted with our pathogen. The one that drove your siblings insane. You remember the fast food establishment you bought their food from? The one you visit quite regularly every Friday. Well we made a request for one of the employees to infect your order."
"How did you know it wouldn't kill me?"
"Because it only affects meat products and from my sources, you don't eat meat. How can I put this simply?" Chen stroked his chin. "Imagine a zombie that only ate meat eaters. You are what you eat after all."
Vegetables must eat a lot of vegetables then. PETA engaging in biological terrorism? So the day has finally arrived where they lost their shit. "I won't be a part of it. You're insane just like those religious nuts," Dennis argued.
"We want you to create a vaccine," Chen explained.
"What?" Dennis was caught off guard.
"How would you like to save those meat eaters?"
"Why would you want me to 'save those meat eaters'? It defeats the purpose of whatever your demented organisation is doing."
"We have our reasons. None of which will concern you."
"I say it concerns me."

There was the slightest shift in Chen's expression. His light smile faded back into an emotionless face. "We are being lenient and wish to discuss with you civilly. If you are not aware, the warden of this prison takes a keen interest in our work. Do not think that you are in a position to negotiate." Chen’s expression reverted back to one of false gentleness. "But I feel I owe you that much for what you’ve been through. So listen carefully. We will distribute the pathogen through meat products, mainly McDonald chains due to their global dominance in the fast food industry. This will result in a worldwide epidemic affecting the meat eating population. But you know these people, they can't go a few days without consuming flesh. So we sell drugs that will temporarily allow them to eat meat and resist turning for a high price." "You're insane."
"And you'll be a part of this insanity. Now that I have disclosed such sensitive information, you have two choices. The easy way or the hard way. Not that anyone would believe what you said."
"What makes you think I can't convince them?"
"Because we will convince you not to. So what do you say?"

Dennis hesitated before giving his response.. He was trapped now. "Okay…"
"Congratulations. You have extended the date of your execution indefinitely. You will start work tomorrow."
"Wait. Where would I work?"
"Here in this prison on death row inmates. You'll know who to listen to," Chen said as he rose from his seat walking to the exit. Just as he was about to open the door he turned around to Dennis one last time. "A word of advice. The warden is a very... fastidious. He will know if you’re stalling, working or failing. So do try your best. Oh and I almost forgot. Think of a new name and shave that head and chin of yours. You brothers all look alike so I doubt you'll be recognized as the 'child killer on the news'."

Chen exited the door. Ironic coming from an Asian... Animal loving capitalists, vegan bioterrorism, zombies that discriminate. The fuck did I get into?

Interesting, very interesting. I'll look into it further when I have the time but so far, you've done good.

Thanks a lot dude. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

Great story. Some errors with the spacing here and there but overall, it was great.

God damn PETA man.

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it. :)