Cowen Carpenter - Short Story - Marion County

Herald and the Ghouls

There was a boy named Herald deep out in the country. One day he went to go fishing. He heard a sound coming from the bush and the bush started shaking. As he got closer the bush started shaking more rapidly. When he got to the bush, he opened it and saw some squirrels fighting over some nuts. “Oh, just some squirrels” Herald turned around and fell on a log. He was knocked out for a few hours at most.
When he got up there was cars all over the road, the streets were deserted, and there wasn’t a single person in sight. When he got home he noticed his mom Marline packing food and drinks and his dad Milo packing knives and weapons.
“What’s going on mom?” Herald asked.
“We have been overrun.” said Marline.
“By the undead?” Herald asked.
“Ghouls!” said Milo.
“No this can’t be true.” Said Milo.
“It is true,” said Milo as he was packing a bat with screws in it.
“I need some fresh air.” Said Herald.
“Ok but be careful there are ghouls everywhere.” Said Milo.
Herald goes outside and sees a man limping with blood on his mouth.
“Hey are you ok?” Said Herald.
The man starts to run at Herald.
His dad comes out and bashes the man multiple times in the head with a screwed bat.
“I guess they ran out of feed in the city. Are you ok?” said Milo.
“Dad why would you do that?” said Milo.
“He was going to eat your flesh,” said Milo.
“He needed help!” exclaimed Herald.
“No, did you see how pale he was?” asked Milo.
“Fine, but why did you hit him in the head?” asked Herald.
“Listen, in order to kill these things you have to hit them in their head. As long as you don’t get bit you will be fine.” Said Milo.
“All right boys let’s go find somewhere to camp. Maybe somewhere on the hillside will work nicely.” Said Marline.
There were ghouls everywhere. Herald and Milo tried taking as many out as they could with their guns. They were almost there but there was just one ghoul out on the road so they figured they would knife kill it. But as Marline pulled out her knife 10 from each side started walking over. She ran for the truck, but one ghoul tripped her and sadly bit her.
“NOOO!” Milo screamed.
“DRIVE OFF I WON’T MAKE IT!” Marline shouted.
All they could do was watch them eat every piece of her.
“So, mom is gone?” asked Herald.
“Yes, Herald I’m sorry I tried my best. It will be ok. We will make it through this. I know we will.” Said Milo
They made it to the hillside.
“Dad there’s something in the bush.” Said Milo
They killed the ghoul in the bush.
“I don’t like this place.” said Herald.
“I don’t either but let’s try and stick it out for now.” Said Milo.
The next morning, they ate breakfast and went out to a nearby town to scavenge for supplies.
“Stay close to me son.” Said Milo
They scavenged a good bit of food, drinks, and even took down some ghouls. They went back to camp to cook some of that fish that Herald caught a while back.
“This is good dad.” Said Herald.
“Thanks Herald.” Said Milo while eating a piece of fish.
The bushes started moving around.
“Son, you need to get in the car.” Said Milo.
“No dad we fight together.” Said Herald.
There were five ghouls coming out of the bushes. Milo took down two and Herald took down three.
“We need to move they shouldn’t have found us this quickly.” Said Milo.
“Yes, but where to?” Asked Herald.
“ I don’t know let’s figure that out tomorrow.” Said Milo.
“Ok dad.” Said Herald.
The next morning, they ate, scavenged, and hit the road.
“Dad we should go into the woods not too far from town.” Said Herald.
“Ok let’s set up here.” Said Milo.
“Ghoul by you!” said Herald.
“Got him, thanks son. Alright, how about we stay here, chill, and eat for a second.”
“ Right?” asked Milo.
Herald laughs.
“Ha yeah mom used to be a good cook.” Said Herald.
“Yeah, I miss her too, but we can survive without her.” Said Milo.
“Thanks dad I love you we’ll live.” Stated Herald.
The end.

Cowen Carpenter

12

Short Story

Marion