The Walking Man- Our collection kicks off with a story from Guy Burtenshaw. He tells us about a man surviving in the wake of the zombie apocalypse. During his routine trip to a nearby liquor store, he encounters the wrong type of survivor, but manages to escape and be rescued by a group living in a mall. There he learns that some of the undead have been continuing what they did when they were still alive. What follows is very unexpected.
Spiders in from the Garden- Jason R. Davis tells us about George. He's a simple man who's lived a simple life and is enjoying his retirement. Until his gardening is interrupted by the undead. His wife finds him at the back door trying to get in. She lets him in and seals his fate. The cause of the undead? Well there's just no newspaper big enough.....
Afterlife Death- Jeremy Thompson gives a cautionary tale of science going a little too far. Sign your body over to science and you run the chance of coming back in a way you never expected. Don't let it get you down though. If you can survive long enough, people don't want to touch you, but I hear the buffet is amazing.
Plague Ferry- Matthew Pedersen presents zombies in space! One of the last sane people left in the ship realizes what the plague victims are doing to the other people on the ship. The captain won't listen and when the sane person's ray of sunshine goes away, so does his sanity. And that's what you get for not listening to reason.
They Walk the Night- Kevin A. Harris introduces us to Seymour, an anthropologist, visiting Haiti to learn about creatures called zombie. Seymour talks to locals, reads some local books on the subject and encounters a zombie. Then the dreams start. Seymour even thinks he encounters a zombie. Then one night it all becomes clear before it goes dark. A man, a plan, a zombie, Haiti!
Thirty Seconds- Eugene Gramelis talks about what it would be like to bring someone back from the dead, if only for a little bit. That's what Bob and Malcom have done. The effects only last for about 30 seconds, but sometimes that's just enough time to learn of betrayal. It was never a life for a life, it was just revenge. Time for you to go home to your wife. She "needs" you.
Requiem for the Living- Timothy A. Wiseman kicks things off with a man devouring his wife. Now before you just go ick, there are a few things to consider. The man had been traveling and came home to his family. He knew he didn't feel right, but he kept going along with the daily grind until it was clear something was wrong and he was admitted to the hospital. He makes a recovery, but just not in the way that was expected.
A Flash of Light- Stuart Conover's Justin has just woken up in a hospital after being sick. Justin thinks this is a fine thing but soon starts to realize that everything might not be ok. His roommate keeps groaning, but no one has really come to check on them. After a slightly comedic thump to the floor, Justin checks on his roommate. Before everything comes to a head, Justin realizes he may not be fully in control of himself. Bright light bang!
Zombi 6: Salvation- James Park pens an open letter from a survivor to the rest of what remains of humanity.The undead are winning and so now is as good a time as any to reflect on some observations about the undead and their habits, the world at large's situation and some of the more mundane things about survival. Salvation will come from Charlene.
Survivalism- Amy Braun's survivor is a running for their lives while strapped into a straitjacket. It's not what you think. They're just really intense. When it really comes down to it, no matter how much you prepare and get ready, there's always some variable you can't prepare for and you might as well go out swinging.
Six- Daniel DeLong's story finds two survivors in a basement while the undead are trying to get in. It takes a little time, but they focus and find they may have a chance at salvation. We leave them as their attempt is under way, but you can't help but feel a little hope for them.
The Season- Brendan Wilhelm talks about a community where the dead come back to life once a year to roam their town. Sometimes they're let in, sometimes they're blocked. Sometimes they're the love of your life and you're truly good and ready to spend eternity with them.
The Le Ka Massacre- Joseph Rubas talks about an incident during the Vietnam War. The unit was supposed to go check out a disturbance in a village, but they weren't expecting what they found. They didn't expect the outcome that followed. It was their own. It was their own!
Zen and the Art of Bicycle Delivery- Michael Seese presents a fun twist on zombies. Our delivery person talks about the before and after and what led them to their present lot in life. Hurry with that delivery, but hold the anchovies!
Virulent- Eric Morgner ends this anthology with a cliffhanger entry about a group of survivors trying to escape and find a brighter future. What a cruel way to end things.
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