I heard five muffled knocks at the door. “Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud. » My signal that the coast was clear. He stayed all day until it was safe to go out for supplies. Bud would still be my lookout, so you might as well use a zombie you've befriended to your advantage. I knocked three times to let him know I would be leaving soon. He hated waiting, but my parents refused to let him into the house, or the “fortress,” as my father called it. Even though Bud has been my friend for almost a year now, my mom and dad still don't trust him. “You….. Come…. Outside?" He mumbled. I've been trying to teach him to communicate, but he's still working on it. "On my way." I whispered back. "I just have to grab my bag." You can't be too loud, the other walkers might hear you and invade the house It's called the undead, the walkers It was discreet and not too scary for the siblings. and slides out onto the porch. “Be careful,” my mother says, “Remember to use the other entrance when you come back.” The other entrance is a concrete tunnel that was built over the house during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It connects about a half-mile of underground path into town from the house. the city, Bud begins to mumble. He tries to speak whenever he can, practice makes him perfect. He really enjoys learning but it frustrates him. " More…. Lessons today? He growls. “Maybe,” I reply. “Only if mom allows it.” “Okay,” he whispers. He really loves learning and hates being a zombie. But he's not completely zombified, he has memories. He was bitten at nineteen. This strange illness he had since he was turned on... middle of paper... it's okay! He shouts back. “No, you won’t!” » I shout back. Knowing that nothing else will change if you are bitten again, but they would surely tear him apart for taking action. “Come with me!” "I can't!" He shouts. “Your parents, they don’t like me!” I can't go! » He said as he threw a few punches at a nearby walker. “But I do!” I said grabbing the back of his shirt and pulling him into the tunnel. “Why would you…you could have gotten bitten!” He said surprised. “I’m keeping you safe!” "Yes I know." I say, “But you were in trouble so I brought you in anyway.” “B-But…” he stutters. “But nothing, you stay here for a while.” I say sternly. "Alright." He agrees: “But why? I'm not a family. Why are you doing this? He asks. “Anyone willing to fight a horde of zombies just for my safety is family to me.” I respond with a smile. He smiles back as we drive home.