text: [Themes: horror, serious, horror, post-apocalyptic, zombie]
  
  You are far from home on a trip when the morning news reports mass hysteria and multiple murders. At first you think it's a hoax. Unbelievingly, you listen as the broadcasts confirm that the recently dead are rising and cannibalizing the living!
  
  You control your shock and try to think. Your hotel will not be safe. You are unfamiliar with the area, but you do have some ideas. You consider your options...
  
  Fort Gyver - this old military base isn't too far. You think you'll be safe if you can get inside and grab some weapons. You expect to see many people, and zombies, on your way there.
  
  Marven Mall - this shopping mall isn't too far. It will offer a good mix of equipment and provide reasonable shelter, but you can expect to encounter many looters and zeds on the way.
  
  Stackling Towers - this large, residential tower is very close. It's also practically abandoned now. It should provide good shelter. Food wont be a problem, but other gear may be hard to find.
  
  the Country - You want to escape the area immediately and head for someplace less populated. You'll worry about shelter and equipment as you go. Reaching a rural area may be difficult, but once you're there it should be very safe.
  
  You head to:
  
  [Author's Note: How will YOU survive the zombie apocalypse? An easy game. 25 pages to a successful ending.]
  
  > Marven Mall
  You head into the street towards the mall. There are very few people outside, but you do see some folks franticly packing cars in front of a high-rise condo a few blocks away. The morning sun sits brightly over the horizon. Far off, you see an elevated freeway jammed with traffic. The sound of sirens drifts softly through the moist air from all directions- one seems to be getting closer.
  
  You come to an intersection where there was a violent car accident involving a station wagon and a police cruise. You see no one around. The siren you heard has past far off and is now fading. A pharmacy on the corner has it's door held open by a headless corpse.
  
  You look in the wrecks..... both vehicles are empty of bodies. The police car is locked and empty. The wagon took the bulk of the damage; blood covers the steering wheel and driver's seat and door. You decide to search it for anything useful.
  
  The station wagon has a plastic grocery sack with a loaf of bread poking out the top. It's in the back away from the blood. The bag is flimsy though, and kinda full. There is also a large, leather lady's handbag on the front passenger side floor, so you grab it and dump it out in the back and stuff the plastic bag with the food into it. You then pick through the dumped contents for anything useful and put them back in the purse. Finally, you pull the spare tire out of the way and take the tire iron.
  
  As you stand up from the wagon's trunk, you hear, "Don't move! Put your hands up and turn around."
  
  You raise your hands to your shoulders and turn. A cop is pointing a pistol at your face. She's large for a women. Her name tag reads- "Heigs". She says, "Say something."
  
  "Something." you reply.
  
  She lowers the pistol and looks around. A bright red pony tail pokes out from beneath her dark blue hat. "Do you know what's happening?!?", she asks, grabbing your shoulder with her free hand and looking into your eyes.
  
  "Well....", you begin, not quite sure what to say.
  
  "Zombies!" she declares, as though that explains everything. "Just like the fuckin movies! I didn't believe it till a few minutes ago...." She trails off, lost in a thought, but quickly comes back. "We have to get to the mall. There are too many reasons to explain right now. You comin?" She asks. She starts off toward the mall, glancing all around. You follow her.
  
  > Continue...
  [two weeks later...]
  
  ..... getting to, and in to, the mall wasn't a problem. The tire iron was VERY useful.... Dealing with the mall security guards wasn't hard either- Officer Heigs showed a strong sense of authority... and her side arm. Arguments over who could stay were quickly shouted down with a combination of common sense and base morality. There was a flood of refuges the first day, and the infection did nearly spread in the mall, but it was contained. Survivors stopped coming the second day, and the current head count is now over thirty. Clearing the building was more of a challenge, and many folks fear the inside of the mall is still unsafe.
  
  Now, a frightened collection of strangers defend it against an ever growing crowd of undead. There have been plenty of arguments, but everyone has remained civil, and a basic plan has been forming- and while most of the details are already agreed on, some are not.
  
  Everyone agrees that leaving will be necessary soon. It's only a matter of time before the food runs out... or the zombies get in. The vehicles in the garage can carry everyone, but they must be reinforced first. (and that work has already begun.) The destination is Pandrice Island, a small, sparsely populated island. To reach it, you'll need to get to Bay Point Marina for a boat (or possibly a helicopter). You and Katherine agree that it's a good idea.
  
  The disagreements on the plan are about what to bring, and what supplies should be gathered on the way to the harbor. The different opinions have been championed by the emerging leaders. Support is split equally between them into a few groups; with a few folks, Katherine included, still undecided.
  
  The leaders and their positions are listed below.
  
  Ron Culling is a mechanic. Extra fuel and special tools are his priorities.
  "We may have to fuel or fix the transportation at the marina."
  
  Brian Crane is a teacher. Extra food and general equipment are his priorities.
  "We will need a good supply of the basic necessities."
  
  Jack Matson is a soldier. Extra ammo and better weapons are his priorities.
  "We need to arm ourselves! It's dangerous out there!"
  
  Who will you support?
  
  > The Mechanic
  It's obvious that reliable transportation, both to and from the marina are the most crucial components of the plan. You spend the next few days convincing Katherine and Doc that the mechanic Ron Culling has the right idea, and you quickly build a strong majority. Jack Matson is furious over the final decision, and you see little of him after the vote.
  
  You and Ron spend much of your time together in the garage preparing the vehicles, and you get to know him well. You also get familiar with the vehicles. You take a break from welding and look at them now.
  
  "The cars should be as safe as the van by the time we leave." Ron says, reading your thoughts. The three cars have been reinforced, but not as well as the van. They do handle better, though. The van has been heavily modified- there are iron bars and chicken wire on the windows, a ram plate on the front, a gunner's hatch cut into the roof, puncture-proof tires... the works. It's the safest vehicle available, but it's also the slowest and least mobile.
  
  The other vehicles are a pick-up truck (an F-350), and five motorcycles (all KLR650s). They haven't been modified, but they are the most mobile. The cycles have spare fuelcans, and the truck has four-wheel drive and a dual fuel tank. The cycles are the best for getting around all the stalled traffic, but they offer no protection from the zombies; or the weather. The truck is safer then the cycles, but not as much as the cars.
  
  You return to welding, working for as long as able before needing rest.
  
  You lay down and fall asleep.
  
  From a deep dream, you are jolted awake. Katherine is eagerly shaking you and whispering, "We have to get out of here- NOW." She looks around. Behind her, you see Ron and several others, armed and ready. "Matson has gone crazy! He's already shot Crane and his wife and God knows who else!" You knew he was nutty, but you never suspected this. "We need to leave. They're coming now!" she ends.
  
  Your small band runs for the garage. Kat slows down to watch your back, but you urge her on. You are almost there when one of Matson's guards steps right in your way! You blast him in the chest and hurdle his body, leaving the head intact; Jack can deal with him later. Once inside, you jump in a vehicle and start it up. You take. . .
  
  > A cycle
  You rev up the motorcycle. Doc throws the garage doors open, and then violently cracks the skull of the single zombie lingering by the exit. Your companions jump in the other vehicles, waiting for your signal. Doc throws one more bag of gear into the truck before hurling himself on top of it.
  
  "I'm riding with you..." Katherine says as she steps to your bike. "...but don't get any big ideas." she jokes as she gracefully straddles the seat facing backwards securely. You rest your weapon on the handlebars. "let's three-sixty." she concludes with a final quip, her sub-machine gun gripped and slung tight about her broad shoulders and ample chest. You feel her draw a serious posture, and you begin your journey.
  
  Bay Point Marina is still a long way off when you encounter your first serious obstacle- a horde of the undead congest your way through a small town. You nod to the drivers behind you waving agreeingly- you'll split up if needed. You slow down to consider your options.... you can:
  
  > go through the mob of zombies on the main road.
  You over-estimate the vehicle's capabilities, and your own, and soon find yourself stuck. Zombies surround you. You shoot desperately while trying to get out of the situation, but you are trapped. Katherine slows her rate of fire when her ammo is low. Your hands tighten- you are bit. Blood gushes from the wound and you feel faint. Katherine snaps the last reload into her weapon, looking at you sadly.....
  
  You have not survived the zombie apocalypse.