I looked reluctantly at the front door. No, not that way. It would have to be the back door.

I pushed the curtain aside and studied the back yard, looking for anything that moved. It looked clear. I put my hand on the latch of the sliding back door and hesitated. What would I do once I got onto the roof? Just hang out there? For how long? Maybe this wasn't the best idea.

Then I heard it. The unmistakable beating sound of a helicopter. Oh my god, it was here! And I was about to miss it!

Without thinking, I dropped the shotgun, heaved the glass door aside, and dragged the ladder out as quickly as I could. I set it up at the roof's lowest point and then examined the sky. I couldn't see it, but the sound was getting louder.

I had to hurry. Gripping the ladder with both hands, I began to climb. Was the ladder shaking or was I? The cable guy always made this look so easy. The ladder teetered a bit and I pressed myself against it. I didn't realize how tightly I was hugging it until I felt the step digging into my cheek. Taking a deep breath, I peeled my face off the step. I had to keep climbing.

I was about halfway up when something grabbed my foot. My heart practically lurched out of my throat. Then I looked down.

Mom.

No, not Mom. Flesh-Eater Mom. Her skin was a sickly greenish color as she tilted her head toward me in the harsh sunlight. Her hand, the one with all her fingers still on it, was wrapped around my ankle.

The sight of her--and yet not her--broke my heart. She'd never make me french toast again. Or make sure all my socks matched. Or tell me how beautiful her little girl was. The ache inside formed a tight ball and radiated across my chest. 

Until she began pulling me down, and I felt my grip on the ladder slipping.

I blinked myself back to the present and tugged, but her grip was surprisingly strong for a corpse.

"Let go of me!" I shrieked and stomped my entangled foot down onto her face. Her hold on my foot loosened as she stumbled back a step. That was all I needed to wrench it free and scramble up the steps.

The ladder pitched to one side just as I peeked over the top. My weight shifted backward and my frenzied hands reached for something to grab onto. They caught onto the rain gutter. It groaned and buckled under my weight. To my horror, the ladder dropped out from under me and fell away. I screamed when one of the gutter fasteners popped loose.

I clawed my way onto the roof and didn't stop until I was several feet away from the edge. Rolling onto my back, my chest heaved and my nails dug into the shingles. I closed my eyes in relief.

I'd made it.

My eyes snapped open at the sound of the helicopter not far away. I had to make them see me!

The incline of the roof made me slip and stumble, but I muddled my way to the chimney to pull myself up. Shading my eyes against the sun, I scanned the skies again. There.

"Over here!" I waved my arms wildly, willing them to see me. "Come back this way!"

My shouting garnered me some attention, all right. I watched with growing dismay as other flesh-eaters on the street turned toward the sound and began shuffling toward my house.

"Hey!" I didn't care about being surrounded by monsters. I had to get that helicopter's attention. I pulled my white t-shirt off and began swinging it around my head. I didn't care that I was half naked now. I continued waving my shirt flag. "Over here, you idiots!"

Where were they going? Didn't they see me jumping up and down like a crazy lottery winner?

I beat my fist against the chimney, ready to press my forehead against the bricks and cry, when I finally saw the helicopter change direction. Come on guys, this way. This way! I swung the shirt from side to side, hoping with all my might that they could see me.

They did.

The helicopter was soon hovering over me, and I had to cling to the chimney to keep from being blown off the roof. A ladder unrolled, and I reached for it. It wasn't close enough. Letting go of the chimney, I stumbled toward it, fighting against the blasts of wind from the helicopter blades. I lost my balance and fell onto my hands and knees, sliding a little down the incline.

A tentative glance behind me made my insides roil. A small crowd of the monsters stood below, staring up at me, waiting for me to tumble down. I would not give them the satisfaction.

I crawled back up toward the ladder. Gusts buffeted it about. My hair whipped around my head and stung my eyes. With a grunt and a lunge, I grabbed again. Success!

With shaky hands, I grasped the rope edges of the ladder and placed my feet onto the first rung. The ladder swayed unsteadily and my stomach lurched. Wind blew me in random directions as I clung for dear life. With great effort, I pried open my white-knuckled hands to take the next step up.

I looked down. The helicopter was already rising higher. One more step up. And then another.

After what felt like hours, I finally reached the top. A pair of strong hands hauled me inside and I trembled with relief. Someone wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and helped me into a seat.

That's when I saw you. Vivid eyes, stylish hair, and those full lips curved into a smile just for me. You never were the girl next door. You were as beautiful as ever and I felt my heart thump  even faster. You weren't dead. And you weren't undead either.

"How did you—" I began.

"Nice outfit," you said at the same time.

I looked down at my bra and blushed, pulling the blanket more tightly around my shoulders. My shirt had long since blown out of my hands during my trek up the rope ladder. "Um, yeah." I looked back at you, at how the faded black Riot Grrrl t-shirt clung to your curves. "You look good."

You looked like you wanted to hug me, but instead glanced at the two soldiers in the helicopter with us. I remembered the numerous times I had pushed you away when you tried to hug me in public. I was too embarrassed to allow it. Too afraid of being judged.

Too stupid...

I was done with stupid.

I let go of the blanket and lunged forward, locking my lips onto yours, not caring who saw. You tensed with surprise at first, then melted into me, throwing your arms around my now-bare shoulders.

You whispered into my ear, "I like this new you."

"I like her too," I whispered back, my breath caressing your ear. "I'm leaving the old me—and the fear—far behind."

***

This story is definitely different from anything I've ever written. First off, I never write about zombies. In fact, I don't know if you noticed, but I never used the word "zombie" in the story. Not even once! Anyway, I woke up one morning with the most bizarre combination of thoughts: the old Joust Atari game, and something unwanted knock-knock-knocking on my door. A story began unfolding in my head, and I began writing. Because, if you're a writer, you know it's the only way to get those voices to calm down and shut the hell up. :)

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this story, I'd be honored if you'd consider clicking the Vote button. Thanks again, and have an awesome day!