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The waitress finally made her way over and asked if we needed anything. I pulled my gaze away from the TV and told the waitress to bring me a Killian’s, and Rusty and Haley proceeded with their orders. Being an Irishman by blood, the good old hand of a pint was always the easiest thing to fall back on in times of crisis.

Time went past, as did empty bottle after empty bottle, and finally I was in an inebriated state. I began making small talk with Rusty and Haley, went up and sang a couple songs, talked to a couple girls and had a good time. I had finally succeeded in breaking the curse.

We left home after closing and walked on in the doors of my house at around 2:30. We broke out the pipe, packed it up, and passed it around a few times. "So… you guys just wanna chill here tonight? I mean fuck man… it’d be easier on gas since we’re supposed to be up tomorrow to go get Billy." I said to them, "Yeah man…. Sounds like a plan to me…" Rusty said through chapped lips, looking at me with extremely heavy eyes and the gimpyest grin you ever did see. "Alright, well I guess that’s the plan, then.. Just go to sleep wherever you fall… and don’t fuck in my bed… especially not with me in it… I’m still sore from last time man…" At that Haley laughed and threw her shoes at me and we all just passed out where we were sitting on the bed.

I went to sleep in a state full of monsters and maniacs, as I usually did. Dreaming of blood and gore as I had every night since I could piss straight, Not knowing I would open my eyes in a place a phase worse than the dreams. A place where the monsters and maniacs were your own flesh and blood, coming after you… well for your flesh and blood. If I had known…. I wonder what kind of fucked up dreams I’d of had instead.

Chapter 2: World’s Worst Hangover

Usually I’m not one for hangovers, but for some reason, this morning in particular decided it was Fuck with Bam Day, and was celebrating it by doing a fucking jig in my skull. I looked around and the others had already gotten up and started their day. I got up and walked into the kitchen to find them standing in the kitchen and listening to the little CD Player/Radio thing we had mounted under the cabinets.

"Wouldn’t watching the news on TV be a little more informative guys?" I said with a yawn. Niether of them looked away from the radio and Rusty only spoke to tell me the TV was out for some particular reason. As I walked over and began listening to the current report, the fear that had gripped me the night before, grabbed me by the heart with its frigid hands once again.

"…Ladies and Gentlemen of the regions of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Union, and Rowan counties… The violence and sickness that has recently overtaken the majority of our southernmost neighbors, seems to have reached our very backyards. At this time you are asked to remain in your homes, arm yourselves well, and barricade all doors and windows until help arri…"

It was about this time the phone began ringing incessantly. I ran over and checked the ID and saw my mom’s number. "Hello?"… then I heard static and finally my mom’s voice came through. "Cameron… Look… We’re not going to make it back any time soon. They’ve put up roadblocks and stuff all over and we’re being asked to stay indoors…" "Well… are you guys okay?… Mom?"…"Yeah we’re fine. Your dad’s got a major cough… but that’s what I tell you and him both about smoking." she said, feigning a laugh. "Yeah, I know mom… just promise me you guys’ll stay in touch and let me know whats going on."…"Yeah, I promise… Just listen to me Cameron… I love you… Just remember that okay?.." "I love you… too mom… whats going on?"… it was then the line went dead. I tried yelling for her and calling back but there was no dial tone, and when tried from a cell phone, it would give us a busy signal.

I sat down at the table and stared at the ground. "What happened man?" Rusty said. "That was my mom… not to sound melodramatic or anything… but we never say I love you… you know? Its like… we’ve never really needed to… we’re all close and know how we feel… somethings wrong. I think my dad might be getting sick." Rusty nodded, "Wait… you mean theyre still in the mountains?" Rusty continued…" I figured they’d be halfway back by now." "Yeah… theyre barricaded in… roadblocks everywhere and whatnot… theyre stuck."

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