Stage 6 by Dylan James Page A

“Do you two even want to be a part of our group?” Kevin looked off towards the wall, obviously not fond of the idea of being ‘part’ of anything. Sarah looked as if she was about to speak, but then quickly glanced over at Kevin and fell silent.
    After a few moments of tension, Kevin turned to face me and he said, “Before you guys found us, we were scared and shocked by what was happening. We didn’t even know how this was transmitted, or that it could infect animals, or what! If you wouldn’t have come by when you did we would be dead now, I’m sure of it. It seems to me that you guys are much more prepared, much better armed, and much more experienced than me in this zombie warfare stuff. For that reason, I would like to join up with you guys to learn more about how to survive. I just got out of hell; I have no intention of going back.”
    Kevin gave an attempt at a smile, and offered his hand to me. I grinned broadly, glad to see this uncharacteristically emotional speech from Kevin, and took his hand firmly. I then let go and looked at Sarah.
    She returned my gaze and said simply, “I want to join too.”
    It was obvious she was not sure what she wanted to do, and was simply following Kevin, probably the only person she felt like she knew, but I was happy nonetheless. The more the merrier in this hectic world.
    I then looked around and asked, “Anybody have any objections to these two joining us from now on?”
    Lucy ran over to Sarah and hugged her. I guess the two of them had become friends at some point.
    Everybody was shaking their heads, and then Steve said slowly, “I guess I don’t have a problem, but on one condition. We still don’t give Kevin back his gun until he’s proved himself trust-worthy.”
    Kevin immediately stood up with an outburst, “What do you mean I can’t have my gun I have to protect myself don’t I!?”
    I then said firmly, “Sorry Kevin, that’s the way it is. There’s no way around that for now at least. We can’t have you going crazy and shooting that gun around anymore. Are you still with us?”
    Kevin grudgingly sat back down and nodded, “Alright, then.”
    I stood up and said, “Let’s go see George and this biting pig of his.”
    We all filed out of the room, and the whole group minus Steve who stayed behind with Victoria, followed me to where George said he’d be. The second house to the left of the gas station huh? I easily spotted the house he was talking about, as in this town all the houses were spaced at considerable distances from each other.
    We walked up to it and met a woman who was also walking there but from a different direction, who good-naturedly asked us, “Are you folks wanting to see my Joe?”
    I smiled and replied, “If that would be ok with you ma’am, we are curious about this strange incident.”
    She walked over to the open door of the house and waved us in, “Well come on in, my name’s Carey. Joe has had lots of fun being the center of attention for so many people. He’s the first room on the left up the stairs.”
    I thanked her and we went up the stairs and found the first door on the left. There was a man in a bed who I assumed was Joe, and a crowd of four-five people around him. One was obviously a doctor, holding some type of instrument to Joe’s chest. Joe looked deathly ill, with pale white skin and his hair falling out in clumps.
    As we entered the room (which was very large fortunately), one of the people turned and greeted me, introducing himself as “Bob, the town veterinarian.” greeted him in turn, and he said, “Well let me guess, you guys are here to hear the story of the biting pig eh?”
    I smiled and asked, “I’m guessing there have been many other curious folks?”
    He replied, “Oh yeah, there’s been no end of visitors. Well Joe isn’t feeling very well right now, so I’ll take it upon myself to tell you guys what happened. It was like this, I was out there with Joe at the farm this morning, as we