Horrific Shorts: Zombie Edition

The pharmacy was the last place marked on June's salvaged city map with a green "X." She'd circled it the night before, her finger lingering over the name.

Orrin's Meds & More

One of the last known stores that hadn't been raided—or at least, not completely burned.

"We're going in at dusk," Lara said. "Quick sweep. No staying longer than ten minutes."

June nodded. "And no kissing anyone until we're out."

Milo blinked. "What?"

She smirked. "You'll see."

The building was wedged between a wrecked diner and a crumbling parking garage. The windows were boarded up. One door was half-broken, the word "HELP" scrawled on it in dried blood. Inside, it was nearly pitch black.

Lara led with her axe. Tess limped beside her, revolver in hand. Milo and June followed, whispering.

"Why'd you say that back there?" Milo asked. "About kissing."

June grinned. "You'll see. Just don't chicken out."

They passed fallen shelves, expired pill bottles crunching under their boots. The back room still had a powered fridge—running on backup solar cells.

Jackpot.

Antibiotics. Painkillers. Fever suppressants.

Even a half-full bottle of insulin.

Lara filled her pack, heart pounding. Every second here was stolen time.

Then came the sound they all dreaded.

A door creaked.

Then… footsteps.

"Someone's here," Tess whispered.

They ducked behind the shelves.

A lone figure moved through the front. Tall. Cautious. Armed.

Not infected—human.

June peeked out, recognized the worn leather jacket. She smiled.

"It's him."

"Him?" Milo asked.

Before she could explain, the man turned the corner.

"June?"

His name was Ryder. Scruffy, sharp-eyed, and wearing a crooked grin even in this broken world. He'd saved her once, weeks ago, from a collapsing train tunnel.

She stepped out. "Ryder. You survived."

He dropped his blade and rushed to her.

Their hug was fast.

Their kiss—faster.

Milo's jaw dropped.

Tess whispered, "Told you so."

Ryder looked around. "You're with a group?"

Lara nodded, stepping forward slowly. "Are you alone?"

"Was. Been tracking this place for days. Figured tonight was my shot."

June smiled. "Sorry. We beat you by five minutes."

He raised his hands. "No fight here. We can split the stash. You saved my life once, remember?"

June handed him two bottles. "Fair deal."

Outside, the sky turned dark violet.

They packed fast.

As they prepared to leave, gunfire cracked in the distance.

"Scouts," Ryder said. "There's a group pushing west. Raiders. Not like the old ones—organized. Armed."

"How far?"

"Close."

Lara looked at the supplies, the crumbling map, then at her people.

"We run east tonight. Through the river sector."

"Flooded," Ryder warned.

"We'll take that risk."

As they slipped into the shadows, June leaned toward Milo.

"I told you," she said.

"Told me what?"

"Kisses and chaos always go together."