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The first thing Geoff did in the morning was receive (and read) an email, a real life fucking email, from Otto. It had read:
It’s getting bad. You can stay at the farm, it’ll be safer.
Upon further inspection, the email had been sent not only to him, but also to Jawn, Lucas, and Awsten, who was currently asleep next to Geoff. The second thing Geoff did in the morning was wake up his boyfriend and show him the email. They packed while watching the news. An infection was spreading around, they had known this for about a week, but after months of anticipation, a returning tourist had finally brought it to the US. While at first this had seemed like a curable disease, so far no cure had been found. The disease rendered all organs useless, except for a part of the brain, reducing the infected to what was basically a walking corpse. From the pictures displayed, it was horrifying. And now, everyone in the nation was at risk of becoming basically a zombie. Since Geoff and Awsten lived in LA, he could see why Otto had invited them to stay with him on his farm in the middle of fuck nowhere, Texas. Geoff looked up from his suitcase to see Awsten staring at the TV, where an image of a so-called “zombie” was displayed. Immediately he felt sick. “Oh god,” he muttered, “I’m gonna throw up. Turn that off.” Awstens hand found the remote and he fumbled to shut off the TV. “Geoff… that was horrible.” His voice was a whisper. “I know. Jesus Christ, we have to live with those- those things around us?” “But just think about it. They were people- oh holy fuck I’m gonna be sick.” Geoff followed Awsten as he ran to the bathroom, kneeling beside him as he threw up. “Shhh. It’s ok, it’s alright. You’re good now, you’re ok.” He passed a wad of toilet paper to the hunched up man and rubbed his back. “Thanks,” Awsten mumbled. “Any time. I’ll get you a cup of water. Do you want to stay here or on the couch?” “The couch please.” “On it. Let’s get you up off the floor now.” “Here you go,” Geoff set the glass of water on the coffee table. “I’m gonna finish packing your bag.” “You don’t have to,” Awsten took the glass. “You need to rest, and I’m nearly done with mine anyway.” “But still-” “Hush,” Geoff smiled. “You just rest your pretty face and let me do it, ok? Can’t have you sick in the car” He could see Awsten cave, sinking into the couch and only grumbling a bit when Geoff kissed him before walking back to finish packing. Geoff drove most of the way. Getting out of LA was hell, with everyone trying to leave the city, but after they had successfully made it past the toll booths it had been semi-smooth sailing. He tried to avoid major cities, and they spent one night sleeping in the back seat by a gas station. Sure it wasn’t comfortable, but at least it was only one night. Awsten sat in the passenger seat, entertaining himself by doing whatever on his phone, likely scrolling through Twitter. While he was still shaken up, Geoff noted that he was doing much better than yesterday, where both of them had spent the entire drive nauseous. The part of the ride that stuck out to Geoff the most was in Texas. They had a while left to go until they reached the farm, but hey, at least they had made it to the same state. The car was winding through the suburbs when Geoff thought he saw something. “Hey Awsten?” he asked, “Do you see something over there?” Awsten looked up from his phone. “Um… maybe?” he squinted. “I don’t think so…” “Ok. I just thought I saw something by the road.” Yeah I’m looking… oh god.” “What is it?” “I don’t know. A fucking zombie? Maybe? Just look Geoff, it’s even worse than the pictures. It’s horrible.” Geoff spared a glance in the direction of the thing and- fuck. It was horrible. The figure was stumbling around in someone’s yard. Its skin had a green tint to it, and its hair was matted and seemed to have parts torn out. There was blood dripping from one torn up arm and foam coming from the mouth. “Oh Christ,” he muttered. “Let’s get out of here.” Awsten just nodded. Finally, they arrived. Geoff turned off the highway and onto the semi-familiar road to Otto’s farm. Since their first zombie sighting, they hadn’t seen any more, and Geoff hoped to keep it that way. He parked the car in front of the house just as the front door burst open and Otto ran out. “You finally arrived!” he exclaimed, “Fucking took you long enough. I was worried.” Awsten jumped out of the car and hugged him, Geoff following suit. “Have the others arrived yet?” Awsten asked. “Nope. No sign of them yet.” Awsten frowned. “But they live here in Texas? They should be here already.” “They haven’t responded at all. I don’t know where they are,” Otto shook his head nervously. “Well, at least we’re here?” Geoff asked. Otto gave a small smile. “Why don’t you two come inside for dinner?” “I’m starving,” Awsten complained. “I didn’t eat anything.” “Maybe that’s cause we both spent the whole ride nauseous?” “Well how was I supposed to help it? That thing was horrible!” Otto looked concerned. “That thing? You saw a zombie?” “Well, yeah,” Geoff shrugged, “but we were in the car and it was on the other side of the road so we were fine.” “Well if you’re sure,” Otto said skeptically, “then I guess it’s fine. I should probably feed you guys anyway.” Awsten grinned. “Fuck yeah let’s eat!” As they settled down at the table, Otto dished out spaghetti. Awsten was right, they were both starving. Geoff hadn’t eaten since they had breakfast, and that had only been a few granola bars and day-old coffee. It hadn’t been enough for the 10 hour drive. Otto laughed as they both ate like they’d been starved, going in for seconds before he was even halfway finished with his plate. “Damn, did you guys eat anything?” “Nah,” Awsten said through a mouthful of spaghetti. “The granola bars Geoff packed were nasty.” “Hey! You said they were fine.” Awsten chewed, looking thoughtful before saying, “I lied.” Otto and Geoff both burst out laughing. “Goddammit, I missed this,” Geoff said. Otto just grinned. He seemed to be doing a lot of that. “Oh also, I just remembered,” Geoff stood up, “do you have a phone charger I could use? Mine died on the drive here.” “Um yeah, it should be by the couch?” “Ok Cool.” He stepped away from the table, moving his empty plate to the sink before wandering over to the living room. It was a nice room, a nice house actually. Old, but well decorated. Geoff plugged his phone into the charger located on the cushions, before wandering over to the mantel. There were the typical candles and family photos usually put on a mantel, but one in particular caught his eye. It was of Otto and Awsten, smiling together after a show, drenched in sweat. Geoff barely remembered it, that night blending in with the countless other shows done in shitty bars and basements. He wasn’t sure where he had been when the picture was taken, but the two boys seemed to be in an alleyway, neon signs lighting them up on one side. For a picture dating back to the 2000’s, it was pretty good quality. Geoff wondered if Jawn had taken it with the camera he’d been so proud of. “Whatcha doing?” a voice said behind him. Geoff yelped, flinching back. “Otto,” he gasped, “where the fuck did you come from?” Otto simply grinned and turned back to the photos Geoff had been looking at. “I was curious,” he shrugged. “Why are you standing in the middle of my living room? Weren’t you getting a charger?” ‘I was looking at the pictures. Found this one from an old show we did.” “Oh yeah, I remember that. I think Jawn took it? We’ll have to ask him when…” he trailed off. Geoff’s grin dropped. “He’ll come soon enough. Him and Lucas.” “Yeah,” Otto nodded, “they’re just… held up. They’ll be here eventually. Suddenly Awsten interrupted them. “Hey Otto,” he said, throwing a duffel bag of clothes at him, “can you take this to wherever me and Geoff are sleeping?” “Yeah sure thing,” Otto replied, fumbling with the bag a bit. “Come with me Geoff.” “Hey wait- I can help too!” Awsten walked over to him. “You’ve been driving for two days straight,” he kissed the side of his head, “lemme help you sweetheart.” “Fine. But only cause you got to sleep on the road. I’m fucking exhausted.” If Geoff had been a bit more awake, maybe he would’ve noticed Otto staring at them with an expression of mild sadness, only snapping out of it when Geoff tuned to him and said, “Lead the way.” He followed Otto up the stairs and down a hallway, turning into the master bedroom. “My parents, um, I haven’t seen them since I arrived, which was like, two weeks ago? Yeah. so I was thinking you and Awsten could, uh, stay here. I have my old room anyways.” “Oh!” Geoff exclaimed, surprised. “Yeah, that’s fine.” “Great,” he said awkwardly. “Here’s your bag, I’m gonna help Awsten with the car.” “Yeah sure. Hey, thanks for letting us stay here.” “No problem. I’d hate to see you trapped in LA. Goodnight.” “‘Night, dude.” Geoff closed the door and looked through the duffel bag, looking for the pajamas he knew he packed, eager to change into something he hadn’t spent all day driving in. Once he finally found them he quickly changed and climbed into the double bed. The last thing Geoff was aware of were the blankets rustling and the bed dipping beside him as he finally passed out.
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Geoff had never understood the idea of waking up and not knowing where he was. No matter how tired he had been, he always remembered the previous night. Unless, of course, he had gotten drunk, but that was neither here nor there. But maybe he had jinxed himself, because today Geoff woke up with a gasp, shaking himself out of a nightmare. The details were fuzzy, but he could vividly remember being chased by the zombies.
And here I thought they didn’t affect me as much. I guess I was wrong.
He sat up, making note of the absence of his boyfriend. Awsten must’ve been downstairs, probably with Otto. Geoff dragged himself out of bed, stretching a bit before walking down the hallway. Geoff had been to Otto’s house multiple times before, but that was years ago, and clearly things had been moved around. He hadn’t noticed it last night, but there were spaces on the walls where pictures clearly used to be. A dresser was placed awkwardly, as if it had been shoved from it’s place against the wall. Geoff wondered what had happened here. Had this all been Otto’s doing? That was a question for later, not when he was only half awake. Shrugging it off, Geoff continued along the hallway and down the stairs, where he was met with Otto and Awsten talking, just like he had guessed. “Oh hey!” Otto smiled at him, “I made coffee, and we have toast and stuff in the kitchen.” “Sweet, thanks,” Geoff wandered into the kitchen and began searching through the cabinets. “There’s cereal in the cabinet next to the fridge!” Awsten called, right as Geoff found a mug and began pouring himself coffee. “Ok cool!” Once breakfast was acquired, Geoff returned to the living room and sat next to Awsten on the couch. Otto had taken the old leather arm chair, and was watching as Geoff carefully set down his dishes on the coffee table next to Awsten’s mug. “Did you sleep well?” he asked. “Yeah, pretty good. Beats sleeping in a car at the Walmart parking lot.” Awsten snorted. “I didn’t wanna wake you cause you were driving all day,” He explained before Geoff could ask. “Thank you. It was much needed.” Otto reached over and grabbed the remote from the table. “S’it ok if I turn on the TV?” They both nodded, turning to watch. The TV flickered to life, black screen lighting up, immediately displaying the news, paired with pictures of diseased patients dressed in hospital gowns. “Across the world, nations are dealing with a new pandemic. About a week ago, this strange virus made its way to the US, and now the entire nation could be at risk. Earlier this week scientists brought attention to the lack of a cure, and now new information about long term symptoms in Europe have only raised concerns.” The air in the living room was tense as all three of them looked at each other. Awsten grabbed Geoff’s hand. Eyes once again fixed on the screen, Geoff hardly noticed (Otto did). “These long term symptoms of this so-called ‘zombie’ virus include digestive, respiratory, and immune system issues, along with sporadic trance-like episodes and, in severe cases, total organ failure and loss of consciousness while the patient's body is still operating. Officials recommend staying away from large crowds and public spaces, and to sanitize regularly. This has been today’s morning news, now we’ll move on to-” Otto turned off the TV. “Jesus Christ,” Geoff muttered, waking up a bit more. “I think I need to lie down,” Awsten stood, swaying slightly. “Ok, let’s bring you upstairs,” Geoff glanced at Otto, “You fine if I bring him upstairs?” “Of course! Sorry for turning the TV on.” “Nah man, you’re good,” Awsten replied. “I’m just shit with this stuff.” “No you’re not,” Geoff laughed, leading him to the stairs, “You just have a perfectly valid fear of gore and shit.” “Yeah sure,” he said, stumbling a bit on the stairs. “Sorry to ditch you Otto!” “You’re fine dude, don’t worry!” “Ugh. I might actually throw up,” Awsten said as he settled into bed. “Do you want me to get a bucket or something? I’m sure Otto has some.” “I’ll be fine. I think. Don’t worry about it.” “Are you sure you don’t need anything?” “I don’t know. Maybe some water or something.” “...Your water bottle is literally right next to you.” “Oh right. Thanks dude.” Geoff chuckled at his boyfriend. “Sure thing bro.” “Ew,” Awsten promptly collapsed from his sitting position, nearly hitting his head before properly settling down. “Leave me alone now please.” “Alright then. Holler if you need me.” Geoff smiled at the thumbs up Awsten gave him before leaving the room, closing the door behind him. Otto was standing awkwardly by the kitchen sink, having moved the breakfast dishes to the counter. “He’ll be ok, right?” he asked upon seeing Geoff. “Yeah don’t worry about it. He threw up right before we left, and he survived the car ride.” “Oh god did he throw up? Geoff I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to-” “Dude” Geoff laughed, cutting off a very panicked Otto. “You’re fine. It wasn’t your fault, and nobody is blaming you for it. Awsten’s just. Awsten. And sometimes he gets nauseous and throws up. Don’t worry about it too much.” “Ah. Well, alright then,” he shifted his weight. “How about we do something? Hang out or whatever, just forget about this?” Otto nodded at Geoff’s suggestion. “Sure. Let’s do that. I think I have a deck of cards somewhere.”