Alexis, or Lexi for short, looked out the bus window as it bounced down the country road, staring idly at the fields as her best friend Mel rambled on. Not that she was intentionally ignoring her, but if she had to listen to one more story about Mel fucking a guy she was going to pull her hair out.
Instead she was more focused on what would happen after high school. In a few weeks she would graduate a senior and attend Washington Community College. The same college her father taught at. Not that she didn't like her father. But how was she supposed to grow with her father so close?
Lexi became nervous at the thought. She was always the shy one and never really broke out of her shell. Losing what friends she did have and making new ones seemed like a daunting task. It would be easy to rely on her father for support. She wanted to be an adult in all the sense of the word, not just a title.
"I swear he came as soon as he put it in me..." Mel trailed on.
"Must have sucked." Lexi replied, twirling her light brown hair around her finger. Not that Lexi would know. She had been in relationships before. But they were always few and far between. After she earned the reputation of a prude she let her next boyfriend feel her breasts, but was so freaked out she broke up with him soon after.
It's not that she didn't want to have sex. She often thought about it. How some guy would sweep her off her feet, set up a romantic date, and finally deflower her on a proper bed. Not in the back of Steve Millers truck.
Suddenly she felt herself slam forward as the bus screeched to a stop. She barely had time to react and put her arm out to brace herself. Several of the students were tossed around as they weren't sitting properly.
"What the fuck!" One called out. She tried to see out the window but could only see the rear ends of the other students.
"Lexi is that your Dad?" Another random voice called out. Alexis stood up and pushed her way to the front just as her dad was climbing in. Finally she could see why the bus stopped. Her father had parked his car across the lane.
"What's going on?" Lexi questioned. This wasn't normal behavior for her dad. He was a well respected biologist, and could have taught anywhere but chose Washington so he wouldn't force his family to leave. Even after his wife left him for another man, he held his head up and stayed put for Lexi's benefit.
"There's something horrible happening." He started. "As crazy as this may sound, the dead, well, the dead aren't staying dead for long."
Lexi looked at her dads face. She knew he wasn't joking but had he gone mad?
"Dr. Dawes, like zombies?" A boy asked. Laughter erupted.
"I'm good at killing zombies on Black Ops, let them come!" Another remarked. More laughter came.
"I'm not saying it is or it isn't. I deal with facts. And these facts are no laughing matter. Now I'm going to take Lexi and do what I think is best for her. I hope your families do the same for you."
Well, I almost made it out of high school without too much embarrassment, she thought to herself as she followed her dad to his car. She buckled in and took a deep breath.
"Really Dad? Zombies?" She looked at him, studying his face.
"Some say it's zombies. Some say it's just the Russians. And others yet are saying Russian zombies. All I know is some colleagues of mine, whom I put my full trust in, have reported the dead rising. This isn't the Walking Dead. This isn't a movie or television show. It's factual life. Soon people will be evacuated and the military will try to contain the bigger cities. Life as we know it, is over."
Lexi let his words sink in as she stared out the window. They were driving the wrong way to their house, but she noticed suitcases in the backseat.
"Lake house?" She asked.
Her father nodded. "It's secluded enough and away from the big cities. It will be our shelter for now."
She could tell her father was really shook up, but still found it hard to believe. How could this be possible? Would she ever find love? Or a normal life after this? She wondered what her dad packed for her. Did he even think about bras? Deodorant or razors?
The monotonous scenery of farm fields finally put her to sleep. She dreamt of every horror movie her conscience remembered and not just the zombie ones. Suddenly all creatures and killers were after her. She could hear the scrape of Freddy's razors, the laugh of Chuckie.
Lexi woke with the sound of a car door. The sun was setting and they had been driving for a few hours already. Her dad had pulled into a gas station.
Something was off though. Even in the small town they stopped at there was a line half a block long. She could hear conversations outside. The same conversation her Father had with her hours ago.
"It's already getting bad Lex. Looting and riots have started. Fear has taken over. It will be a lot harder to contain now."
It took some time to make it to the pumps. Lexi took the chance to stretch her legs and use the bathroom. If the line for the gas was long, the bathroom was twice as long.
She washed her hands and looked in the mirror. Her shoulder length brown hair hadn't been brushed since this morning and was looking rough. She put it in a pony tail with a hair tie she wore on her wrist before turning sideways. Her school shirt didn't flatter her petite frame but she admired her breasts. Not huge by any means, but a nice handful that could draw the attention of men if she wore the right clothes.
"Lexi! Over here." Her dad called for her at the door. He had a sack full of snacks and drinks. It would still be another hour or so before they arrived at the lake house.
The lake house had been the family getaway growing up, but after her mom left Lexi and her dad decided it was best to avoid it. Now she's glad to be going back. If it was that crazy in the small town she'd hate to see Washington. Or even Chicago for that matter.
They finally pulled into the long drive down to the big white house on the lake. It wasn't the only house on the lake, but the neighbors were spread out quite some distance with almost like a forest of trees in between.
Dr. Dawes unlocked the door for the first time in years and hit the lights. Lexi saw the white sheets covering the furniture and was reminded of her dream.
Grow up, she thought to herself. But the more she thought about it the more it freaked her out. The dead was supposed to stay dead. If zombies were real, what else could be real too?
"You know what Lex, just take the master bedroom." Dr. Dawes said as Lexi brought in her own luggage. "I'll just take the room by my study."
"I'm gonna take a shower and turn in for the night. Love you Dad."
He kissed his daughter on the forehead as she passed him for the stairs. Indeed it has been a long day for everyone, he thought, but to barely be an adult and not experience life except for this? Would he even have had a daughter if he knew what would happen? He quickly pushed the thought out of his head. Of course he would. Lexi brought him more joy than he ever knew.
Lexi found the master bedroom and threw the suitcase on the bed. "Okay Dad, let's see what you did." She said aloud to herself. She unzipped it, half expecting a zombie to pop out. But instead, she saw some pajamas and jeans. A few t shirts here and there. Shampoo and conditioner.
