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mine. “That's someone still alive, I guarantee it.”
     
    We turned back to my dad as he carefully peeked out of the closed curtain that hung over the glass in the door. Immediately the tension left his shoulders. “It's Amanda and her father,” he told us, pulling the door open.
     
    Dad beckoned for them to come in quickly, and shut the door behind them. Amanda rushed over to me and hugged me, her body trembling violently. “Where is your mom?” I asked, dreading the answer.
     
    “She's dead,” she replied, her voice breaking as she started to sob. I looked past her, and saw her dad was crying as well. He was normally immaculate, but his dress slacks and button-down shirt were torn and covered with blood. He looked as if he'd aged ten years since the last time I'd seen him. I shook my head in disbelief. It had only been a week ago. 
     
    “Were either of you bitten?” My dad jumped into the conversation, wanting to establish facts first.
     
    “No,” James, her father, responded. He was silent for a moment, his mouth tightening in pain. When he did speak again, his voice was thick with grief. “Lisa,” he stopped, swallowing painfully. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Lisa is dead. She was attacked by one of those monsters.”
     
    Dad shook his head in regret, placing a hand on the other man's back. “I'm sorry to hear that, James. Lisa was a good woman.”
     
    James exhaled heavily. “Amanda and I barely made it out of there in time.”
     
    “Where were you at?” I directed my question to Amanda.
     
    “We were at home,” she responded, but her voice was flat and lifeless.
     
    My mom walked up, placing her arm around Amanda. I was relieved to see her. Mom had a way about her that others found comforting. Hopefully, she could help my best friend. “Come in here, Amanda, and lie down for awhile.” Amanda let her lead her into the living room.
     
    James picked up where she left off. “We were all at home when this mess started,” he said, keeping his tone low. “I couldn't believe it. In fact, I still can't believe it. None of this seems real, but all you have to do is take a look outside and know that it is.”
     
    “I know what you mean,” Dad responded, shaking his head. “Do you know anyone else still alive?” It was hard for me to listen to him ask that question. My mind simply couldn't accept the thought that everyone I knew was dead.
     
    James shook his head. “I was up all night calling people. I couldn't make contact. I'm not sure if the cell phones are out, or if it's simply that many people trying to reach their friends and loved ones. I don't know about you, but to me it's the worst feeling, not knowing if they are alive and no way to find out.”
     
    We all nodded in agreement. Jayden was leaning against the wall, watching us. He spoke up. “So how did the zombies get to you?”
    “ It was all my fault,” James replied, his voice so low I had to lean forward to hear it. About 4 I got up and turned on several lights. I didn't realize it would attract them like it did, and I never dreamed they were as strong as they are. Within minutes, they had the house surrounded.”
     
    “What happened then?” I asked, desperate to hear what he would say. Knowledge was power. I wasn't sure we could survive this, but I was going to learn everything I could that might help us.
     
    “I went up to the second-floor and opened a window for a closer look. They were hitting the sides of the house, even the walls. At first, there was only ten or so, but more kept coming. They knew we were in there, and they were determined to get to us.”
     
    My heart jumped in fear. “Are they smart enough to open doors or pick up something to break windows out?”
     
    “I don't think so, at least that wasn't how they got in at my house. They just kept coming and coming, hitting everything they could. Finally, enough of them were able to break the door down. After that, we locked ourselves