Ž
Bobby sat up in bed and held his head. Nausea moved through his body and his mouth watered. He swallowed a few times then lurched up and staggered to the master bathroom. He made it to the toilet before he vomited. He was on his knees hugging the cool porcelain of the toilet. Maybe he’d overindulged just a bit last night? He’d been celebrating the demise of Esther and he chuckled weakly and spat foulness out and pushed himself up. He walked to the sink and turned on the tap and put his head down into the sink puckering his lips to water pouring out.
He swished the cold water around in his mouth and spat, then filled his mouth and drank thirstily. His hand snaked in and splashed cold water on his heated face and he felt better for it. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and grinned. Then chuckled, then he laughed and he staggered back and sat heavily on the toilet. The bane of his life was gone and it had been glorious.
When he’d made his first million, Esther had promptly divorced him and taken half his money. The divorce lawyer had been like a tick and had tried to suck him dry. It had been a long and ugly battle and though he’d won, Esther had as well. It had niggled at him for years and when he’d seen her on occasion, the old hatred had bubbled forth.
“Well, it was a pleasure watchin’ you die. Oh, wait, you aren’t really dead, are you?” he said and stifled a snigger. His head hurt but it was worth it.
“Damnit, I should have filmed it with my phone. Shit fire and save matches.” He shook his head and stopped. He stood and walked back to the sink and dipped his head for another drink. He and Avery needed to get on the road. He didn’t know what time it was but it felt like late morning. It really didn’t matter; he had all the time in the world. It wasn’t like there was a time clock to punch anymore and he thought that he might like retirement. Turning off the water he yanked the hand towel off the bar and wiped his face. He tossed the towel to the floor and walked back into the bedroom. He found his trousers and put them on. His stomach rumbled and he thought maybe a beer would settle him out.
He opened the door and walked toward the kitchen. He heard someone in the kitchen and called out.
“Get you some breakfast cause we’re leaving within the hour.” He turned the corner and ran right into the arms of a zombie. He screamed and backpedaled and tripped over the rug in the dining room. He felt hard on his rump and pain shot up his tailbone.
“Avery!” he screamed as he scrambled to his feet. He saw another zombie and jumped out of its way. He ran barefooted across the living room and saw the front door open. Rage and fear filled him. When he got to the door, he didn’t see the Humvee. He did, however, see half a dozen zombies in the yard and they turned toward him.
“Fuck!” He felt hands on him and he jerked wildly and shoved. If he could get back to the bedroom, he could get his gun and shoot these things. He was nearly to the bedroom door when he felt something grasp onto his neck and he let go a wavering screamed as teeth sunk into his throat. As he felt the warm spray of blood slide down his body and strong hands begin to tear at his arms, he thought of Avery, the little chickenshit bastard. Avery had betrayed him and had let the zombies into the house. Avery had killed him.
Ž
Zahara watched as the children gathered around. It was show-and-tell time. They would be leaving tomorrow and Xander thought it best that the children knew what Ethan was. If they saw the werewolf out of context, he said he was sure it would traumatize them and none of them wanted the children frightened.
“We’re gonna do a little magic, show-and-tell kids. What you’re about to see is very secret. This is our family’s secret and we can’t tell anyone,” Rose said as the children got settled. Ethan, Xander and Zahara all sat in rocking chairs. Zahara wore a large loose t-shirt. Ethan and Xander were bare chested and wore very loose and stretchy shorts. They were going to change fully and wanted to make sure they kept themselves fully covered.
“I’m first, watch as my nails grow. We are werewolves. We were born this way. But we made Ethan one, cause he’s just too silly to know any better,” Zahara said and Ethan shot her a look. She grinned and let her nails grow into claws, slowly and there were oohhs and aahhs from the twins. Lauren’s eyes widened.
“Aren’t werewolves supposed to be dangerous?” Lauren asked nervously.
“We sure are. But we don’t hurt the people we love or like. We protect them. Ethan chose to be a werewolf so he could protect you all from zombies and bad guys,”
