Spooky tales

Life hasn’t always been easy for Elsie, a homeless university student living in her bus for a year, still she tries to remain positive because it could have been worse.

Her bus has been remodeled by her into a cosy cottage from the inside, her bus has solar panels so if there is no gas she can always rely on solar power, but because it’s been cloudy for the past couple of days she’s relying on gas more.

She hopes the sun will shine soon for some financial relief.

Elsie finished filling her gas tank. The flickering lights of the convenience store behind her added an extra layer of gloom. She grabbed her bag of crisps, soda, and a handful of treats for Lars, her one-year-old cat, who was cozily napping back in her bus. Life in her remodeled vehicle had kept her safe and mobile since the world went dark, and she could carry her home anywhere she went.

A sudden, low moan echoed from somewhere nearby. Freezing, Elsie scanned the area. Just as she caught sight of a shambling figure in torn clothing, the store cashier, wide-eyed with terror, locked the doors from the inside, shutting her out. Panic surged through her, and she bolted for the bus, nearly fumbling the keys as her hands shook.

The thing was closing in on her, a hand slamming against her window as she managed to lock herself in. Lars, startled by the commotion, sat up in his basket, his confused meows breaking the tense silence.

Elsie didn’t wait; she jammed the keys into the ignition, floored the pedal, and sped off, watching the figure grow smaller in her rearview mirror. Its rotting arms reached out as it staggered after her, and she shuddered at the sight.

When she was far enough away, Elsie dared to breathe again. Her tank was full now, thank goodness, so she wouldn’t have to stop anytime soon. She glanced at Lars, who had already curled back up, content and unbothered. Smiling despite the circumstances, she flipped on the TV, tuning in to the emergency news broadcast.

A stern-faced reporter, looking frayed at the edges, confirmed her worst fears: a full-scale zombie outbreak was sweeping the nation, and survivors were advised to avoid contact with the infected at all costs. Her heart thudded as she looked back at Lars, who snoozed like nothing had happened, blissfully oblivious to the chaos outside.

Switching off the TV, Elsie started a recording for her vlog, relaying her encounter at the gas station. She spoke with a brave front, but her fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Her eyes drifted to the concealed weapon she kept on the dashboard. It was a precaution she’d taken in case of emergencies, and now it felt like it would be an unfortunate necessity.

Elsie glanced back at Lars one last time, his soft purring a comforting rhythm in the silent night. She steeled herself and looked to the road ahead. Survival wasn’t just a matter of avoiding zombies; it was about keeping her wits sharp and her heart steady.

She will keep on driving forward to avoid running into these beings, there were more of them as she drove passed a block where shadowy figures emerge.

“Don’t look” Elsie said to herself. Now was not the time to freeze.

She left the town and drove on a long road stretching ahead towards the horizon, she placed the car on autopilot to calm down, she nervously ate from the nacho crisps she bought. Despite the horrible encounter she didn’t drop her stuff.

Elsie placed Lars cat treats in a bowl and watched the latest broadcast.

She’s safe now, but for how long? Where will she sleep safe? Would her bus keep these creatures out?

Zombies tend to be less active during the day,” the anchor reported. “With armed guards stationed outside major stores, some communities are opening their doors for brief shopping periods. But remember, supplies are limited, and shops will close by 5 PM. No deliveries will be made until further notice.”

Elsie’s heart raced at the prospect. It was a chance to stock up on essentials. She glanced at the clock—3:30 PM. She could make it if she hurried, but she had to be cautious.

“Lars,” she called softly, looking back at her kitten, who had rolled over, blissfully unaware of the impending adventure. She walked over and gently nudged him awake. “Looks like we’re going shopping. You ready for some excitement?”

Lars blinked sleepily, then stretched, letting out a soft meow as if to say, “Let’s go.”

With newfound determination, Elsie quickly gathered her supplies. She checked her makeshift weapons, ensuring her bat was within reach and her small collection of bullets was secure. She tucked a few snacks into her bag for later, giving herself a moment to breathe before stepping back into the outside world.

“Alright, autopilot,” she muttered as she maneuvered into the driver’s seat. “Let’s see if we can get in and out without any trouble.”

As the bus rolled onto the road, she felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The prospect of shopping brought a sense of normalcy, but the threat outside always loomed large in her mind. She drove cautiously, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger—movement in the trees, the distant sounds of groans, or the sight of lurking figures.

As she approached the town, the streets were surprisingly quiet. A few survivors scurried about, clutching bags filled with supplies, but the air was thick with tension. She spotted the makeshift barricades around the store, guards standing watch with weapons at the ready.

Elsie parked the bus at a safe distance and took a deep breath, her heart pounding. This was it. She could do this. She felt the reassuring weight of Lars curled up in her backpack, and that comfort bolstered her resolve.

“Just in and out, okay?” she said to him, adjusting her grip on the steering wheel as she prepared to step outside.

She hurried to the back, loading her backpack with supplies—canned goods, a bottle of cooking oil for her stove, and a few snacks for herself and Lars. Each item was a small victory in a world turned upside down; the oil could sustain her for weeks, especially as the skies grew cloudier and her solar panels became less effective.

With the backpack secured and Lars nestled inside, Elsie felt a moment of pride and accomplishment. She was doing this; she was surviving. But as she turned to head back to the driver’s seat, a blood-curdling scream shattered the fragile peace.

Her heart raced as she turned to see a woman, panic etched across her face, struggling against a man who had once been her companion. He was no longer human; the ghastly transformation had taken hold, his eyes vacant and his teeth bared as he lunged for her wrist, desperate to bite.

“Don’t!” Elsie shouted instinctively, her instincts kicking in as she dashed back to the bus. She needed to get a clear shot. She fumbled with the locks, her hands trembling as she slipped inside the driver’s seat, grabbing her gun and aiming through the window.

Just as she positioned herself to get a better look, loud moans filled the air, echoing the call of the undead. More zombies appeared, staggering toward the commotion, drawn by the scent of living flesh.

“Damn it!” Elsie hissed, shutting the window with a swift motion just as the first of the zombies reached the woman.

The sound of gunfire erupted outside, crackling like fireworks as desperate shoppers defended themselves. But Elsie felt guilt having people at the mercy of these freaks, She couldn’t leave those people to die; the world was harsh enough without her adding to the suffering.

“Hang on!” she shouted, She gripped the steering wheel and slammed the gas pedal, the bus lunging forward. With a powerful surge, she aimed it straight toward the cluster of zombies.

The impact was jarring, the bus lurching as undead bodies flew over the roof like rag dolls. The horrified faces of the shoppers turned to her, confusion and hope mingling in their eyes.

“Run now!” Elsie urged, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Get to your vehicle!”

She could see the woman she’d seen earlier, scrambling to her car as more zombies spilled into the parking lot, their moans growing louder. The moment felt surreal, the echoes of gunshots ringing in her ears as she maneuvered the bus, creating a barrier between the shoppers and the oncoming horde.

Just as the last of the shoppers managed to climb into their car, Elsie jerked the steering wheel, veering away from the now-crowded lot. As she accelerated, she glanced in the rearview mirror, watching the chaos unfold—zombies clawing at the sides of vehicles, survivors desperately trying to escape.

When she felt the bus stabilize, Lars poked his head out of the backpack, his wide eyes searching for reassurance. He gave a tiny meow, as if to say, “Is it safe now?”

Elsie exhaled deeply, her shoulders sagging as adrenaline coursed through her. “It’s okay, buddy,” she whispered, reaching back to gently scratch his head. “We made it.”

But as they sped away from the town, the reality of the situation settled in. The world was changing again, and it was getting harder to shop, harder to survive. Every trip outside her bus was a gamble, and she couldn’t ignore the growing risk.

“For now..”