The Most Uncommon Cold I - Life in the Time of Zombies by Jeffrey Littorno

As soon as he got the words out, Glen began to shake with laughter.
         The laughter went on for what seemed like a minute or two.  Once it trickled off to just the faint tremors of a giggle, I said, “You know this place better than I do, so what do you think we should do now?  We could go down and check on that gate to make sure it’s strong, but that might attract more of those things.”
         All signs of the recent laughter drained from Glen’s face.  After a moment, he answered, “We could head up to the roof and get a look at what’s going on.  Plus, I’m not really sure how long this room is going to be safe.”
         As if on cue, a loud banging began again on the metal gate. 
         “I think you’re right.  The roof would give us a better perspective and be safer.”  Even as the words came out of my mouth, the image of those things surrounding us and our being trapped on the roof with no exit flashed into my mind.  I saw no reason to mention this to Glen. “So how do we get up to the roof?” 
         “Out there,” he answered slowly and pointed out the door.    
     
    Chapter 7
     
         Glen peered through the door ’s peephole for a long time before suddenly grabbing the knob and yanking it open.  A blast of surprisingly hot air rushed into the room. 
         “Ready?”  He asked trying to sound confident.
         I looked at him for a few seconds before answering, “Not really, but let ’s go anyway.” 
         I moved out the door and onto the metal platform that served as a landing.  Glen followed me and turned to lock the door behind him.  Then I heard him snicker.  He shook his head and quietly said, “I don ’t suppose there’s really any reason to lock the door.”
         I just smiled weakly and shook my head.
         We stood just outside the door for a long time listening to the sounds.  There was the blaring of car alarms which had been so constant that I had stopped hearing them most of the time.  The ringing of a burglar alarm a few blocks away could be heard.  There was a faint rubbing, scratching sound.  All at once the sound of gunfire burst out, causing both of us to jump. 
         “Time to go,” I announced to get Glen moving. 
       He headed toward the stairs down to the ground.  This was certainly not the way I wanted to go, and without thinking I reached out and grabbed Glen’s shoulder. At the moment that my fingers made contact, his head whipped around toward me. For that instant, his round, soft-looking, freckled face was gone.  In its place, I saw a glimpse of dangerous rage that put me on my heels.  Then just as quickly, the face of the young minister returned.
        “I thought we were headed up to the roof,” I said almost in a whisper.  “Do you think heading back to the ground is such a good idea?”
         Glen smiled and looked at me as one who is used to calming the worries of others.  “It will be okay.  We have to go down and around the back of the building to the ladder that goes up to the roof.  It’s the only way up.”
         I did my best to return the smile and said, “Okay, F-- Glen, after you.”
         We made our way slowly down the stairs to the floor of the alley.  The rattling on the gate was getting louder and stronger as we got closer.
         Glen paused a moment , staring at the gate seeming to consider the things on the other side.  I wondered what might be going through his mind.  Maybe it was something to do with saving their souls.  Of course, I had no idea if those things even possessed souls.  The only thing that I knew for sure was that there was no time to stand around like this.
         “C’mon!  Show me this ladder!”  I said more loudly and harshly than intended.
         He turned quickly to the left and started walking toward the back of the building.  The pounding on the gate boomed down the alley, and Glen’s pace