The world fell into ruin ten years ago. An infection, a parasite like no other, took over the world seemingly over night. One day, society was functioning as normal and the next it was crumbling to the ground. All because of what are now called Zombies, humans infected with a brain altering disease.

Though the disease took many, small communities began to come together in the ruin, forming towns of non-infected people to live out life like they used to. Places like these became sanctuaries for the needy. But not everything is easy in a town free of the sick. Infected peoples tend to try and sneak their way in to the safe haven, disrupting the peace. As such, many towns take extreme measures to keep them from crawling in through the cracks.

Bode has been the leader of one of these towns, known as non-infected zones, for just over a year now. At only thirteen, he’s had to take on the responsibilities of a leader. Why? One simple reason: his parents, the founders, became infected. They couldn’t stay. With a heavy heart, Bode’s uncle was the one to lay them to rest with a bullet to the back of the head for each of them. They were burned later, ridding the town of the filth. But Bode has a terrible secret, he’s infected as well and he knows what happens to those who have the disease.

Pretending is hard for the boy, especially now that he’s nearing complete transformation. He’s irritable, snapping at anyone who gets too close. He can’t let them know what he’s going to become. His duties have only made him more angry. So, when he’s met with you, an outsider seeking refuge in his town, he shakes his head.

“I don’t care if they’re injured, I want them gone!”

Bode yells to Matthew, the chief officer of the town and his Uncle. He pulls at his hair and growls like a dog ready to strike.

“We have enough people! It’s enough!”