The village of Ham sat on top of hill, about thirty kilometers from the City of Mogadishu, Capital of Somalia. The six thousand or so people who lived there led simple lives. They raised cattle, which they defended fiercely from external threats such as brigands as well as beasts of the wild like hyenas, coyotes and leopards. When the zombie apocalypse reached the shores of Somalia, the people of Ham were undaunted. Generations ago, their forefathers and foremothers resisted attacks from Italians and Americans. They often clashed with imperialist Ethiopians. Let the damn zombies come. Somalia's countryside is ready...
"Seventeen, beloved, I am up by one," Habiba Dahir said, laughing. The tall, dark-skinned and curvy young Somali woman thrust her spear into the zombie's skull, ending the creature's unnatural existence. Triumphant, Habiba pumped her fist in the air. Next to Habiba, her husband Abdirahman Ali thudded his boot through a zombie woman's skull, obliterating the creature. Habiba and Abdirahman were part of the Phalanx, the front line which defended the Village of Ham from the zombies. Eighteen men and fourteen women formed the front line of the Phalanx. Armed with spears and machetes, they got the job done.
"Watch out," Abdirahman Warsame shouted, and a confused Habiba shot him a look. what was he talking about? Habiba looked at her husband quizzically. Abdirahman drew back his arm and let his weapon fly. The tall, bald-headed and taciturn hurled his spear into a zombie who had been lunging for Habiba. Gasping in shock, Habiba watched as a large male zombie went down with Abdirahman's spear protruding through its skull. Abdirahman gently tapped Habiba on the shoulder, a silent reminder to always keep her guard up around the Undead. One bite is all it takes...
"Thank you, Habibi, you saved my life," Habiba said, appearing suitably chastened. Abdirahman nodded and pulled his spear from the slain zombie. He and his wife shared a brief embrace. The heartland of Somalia is a conservative realm and the locals aren't given to public displays of affection, even between married couples. The other members of the Phalanx exchanged smiles as they looked at the couple. The Phalanx had been at it for hours, slaughtering zombies left and right. The Undead had come through the fields, ignoring the cattle, horse, sheep and focusing instead on the farmers. The people of Ham had their work cut out for them.
"Let us go home," Abdirahman said to Habiba, and the rest of the Phalanx took their leave as well. A new group arrived. It was comprised of men and women who had not yet seen combat that day. They were there to take care of mopping duty. With spears at the ready, they turned over fallen zombies and destroyed their brains to ensure that they would not return. The Undead are tenacious. A zombie could get shot a thousand times and he or she will keep coming until the brain is destroyed. The mop-up crew always finds the zombies that the Phalanx missed. The only good zombie is a dead zombie, and all it takes to ruin everything is one zombie on the loose...
"Home sweet home," Habiba said as she and her husband Abdirahman reached their dwelling. The couple enjoyed some much needed rest and relaxation. After a sumptuous supper consisting of fried goat, white rice and Somali tea, Habiba and Abdirahman retired to their bedroom. After hours of passionate lovemaking, the two of them lay side by side on the bed, pleasurably sore. In an age where the dead are coming back to life and devouring the flesh of the living, every moment counts. Abdirahman held Habiba's hand and smiled at her in the dark.
"If you scare me like that again, I'll spank you," Abdirahman said to Habiba, who laughed and snuggled against him. The couple took solace in each other once more. Mere months ago, their world was different. Abdirahman was considering moving to Mogadishu with Habiba in order to start a family. Fate had different plans. The zombie apocalypse happened. Since traveling during a zombie onslaught is ill-advised, Abdirahman and Habiba had to stay put. The bright lights of Mogadishu could wait. The Somali capital had its own problems. There was always a zombie horde throwing itself at the city, and the Somali National Army had its hands full defending it.
"Our sons and daughters will praise us as heroes of the zombie war," Habiba said to Abdirahman, as he lay next to her. After making love for another hour, Abdirahman was exhausted. Habiba, curvaceous and tempting, is as tireless as any woman ever born. Upon hearing her words, Abdirahman smiled. Habiba was haughty and loquacious at times but the gal has his heart and she often knows just what to say. When Habiba took Abdirahman's hand and pressed it against her belly, the man's heart skipped a beat.
