Rise of the undead

As she approached the counter, a small television mounted on the wall caught her attention. The news anchor's serious expression and the words flashing across the screen made her stomach drop. Something about a virus—one that had been frozen for decades and had now somehow resurfaced.

Ava frowned at the screen, unable to make out all the details, but before she could focus, it was her turn at the register.

She quickly stepped forward and placed the pregnancy test and pickles on the counter. The cashier, an older man with thin lips and glasses, glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

Ava swallowed hard, trying to act casual as she dug through the pockets of her baggy jeans for cash. She knew how this looked—seventeen and buying a pregnancy test—but she had no choice. Finding a few crumpled bills, she placed them on the counter. The cashier rang up her items without a word.

Once she had paid, Ava shoved the test and the pickles into her school bag, grabbed her skateboard, and hurried out of the store.

Back on the street, a strange buzzing filled her ears, and for a moment, she felt as if the sidewalk beneath her was shifting. Then her gaze landed on the military trucks rolling past, their presence unsettling.

That's weird. When did military trucks start driving through town?

She shook off the uneasy feeling and hopped onto her skateboard, pushing forward toward home. The temperature was dropping fast, and she wanted to be indoors before nightfall.

Something felt off. She just wasn't sure what.

Ava finally made it home, relieved that her apartment wasn't too far from Lucas's house. She lived in a cozy third-floor apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

As soon as she stepped inside, she dropped her school bag onto the sofa in the TV room and unzipped it, pulling out the jar of pickles. Her mouth was already watering—she could almost taste them—but something still felt missing.

Holding the jar in one hand, she walked over to the open-plan kitchen, which was to the left of the living room.

 The kitchen was warm and inviting, with light brown wooden cabinets and a center island where the stove and sink were built in. Ava headed straight for the fridge, opening it quickly.

Her eyes landed on a jar of cheese spread, and suddenly, she knew exactly what she had been craving.

Grabbing the cheese jar, she walked back to the island, placing both jars on the counter. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her just how hungry she was. Without thinking twice, she twisted open both jars, pulled out a large pickle, and dipped it straight into the creamy cheese before taking a big bite.

A loud moan of satisfaction escaped her lips as the sour pickle mixed with the salty, velvety cheese on her tongue. It was unexpectedly perfect.

Without hesitation, she reached for another pickle, dipping it generously into the cheese before taking another bite.

 One by one, she devoured them, scooping up more cheese each time until there was nothing left. By the time she finished, both jars were empty, and her stomach was pleasantly full.

She let out a small laugh at herself, shaking her head at the ridiculous yet strangely satisfying combination. With a satisfied sigh, she tossed the empty jars into the trash.

Now, all she wanted was a hot shower before her parents got home.

A warm shower was exactly what she needed after a long day—to wash away both the exhaustion and the lingering traces of what she had shared with Lucas in his bed. She could still feel his lips on her skin as she thought about it.

Ava entered her bedroom, a cozy space with dark wooden floors. Her bed sat in the center, covered with a knitted blanket her grandmother had made, along with a mix of white, blue, and pink cushions. Teddy bears were scattered across the bed, a quiet contrast to her otherwise plain room.

Ava was never the girly type, and her space reflected that—just a simple desk with a computer, an old office chair that had once belonged to her father, and a bookshelf near the window.

She made her way to her built-in closet, opening it to grab a pair of sweatpants, an oversized jersey, her fluffy bunny slippers, and a fresh set of underwear. Once she had everything, she headed straight for the bathroom, eager to rinse off the day.

The hot water felt like heaven against her skin, melting away her tension.

When she was done, she wrapped herself in a towel, dried off quickly, and slipped into her cozy clothes. Feeling refreshed, she stepped out into the hallway and made her way to the thermostat. In their house, the rule was simple—whoever got home first during the winter had to turn on the heat. She adjusted the settings, letting warmth spread through the apartment.

Just as she finished, her phone buzzed with a message. Ava frowned and picked it up, reading the screen.

Dad: I have to work late tonight. Tell your mother not to wait up for me. Love you, Buttercup.

A small smile touched her lips, but concern quickly crept in. Her father was in the navy, and sometimes his job demanded long, unpredictable hours. Her mother, too, had a demanding career—she worked as a nurse at a nursing home in New Jersey.

Setting her phone down, Ava walked to the kitchen, filled the kettle with water, and switched it on. It was already six o'clock, which meant her mother would be home any minute now.

While waiting for the water to heat, she turned on the TV. As expected, the news channel was playing—it was practically a routine in their house.

She reached for the coffee powder, adding sugar and coffee to a mug, but her attention snapped back to the television when she overheard something unsettling.

The news anchor's voice was tense. "Scientists have discovered a virus hidden in the ancient ice of Antarctica. It has been dormant for thousands of years, but something went wrong during research, causing the virus to leak. Authorities are urging the public to take caution."

Ava's heartbeat quickened as she listened.

"If exposed to the virus, individuals should seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms include a high fever, red eyes, and a burning sensation on the skin, followed by severe breathing difficulties. The virus aggressively attacks the organs, often leading to sudden death."

A cold wave of panic washed over her.

"There have been multiple deaths reported, and some countries have already been placed under lockdown. Authorities strongly advise against drinking tap water, as contamination risks remain unknown."

Ava's breath caught in her throat. She slowly turned her gaze toward the kettle.

She had just filled it with water.

Her stomach twisted. What if there was something in it?

Before she could think any further, the front door swung open, making her jump.

"Sweetie, I'm home!"

Relief flooded her as she spun around, seeing her mother step inside.

"Mom! Thank goodness you're home," Ava said, rushing to meet her. The rich smell of pizza filled the air, momentarily distracting her. She noticed her mother struggling with two large boxes and hurried to help her carry them into the kitchen.

"Thank you," Rose said with a tired smile.

Ava placed the heavy box on the island and glanced at her mother, noticing the exhaustion in her eyes.

"Mom, did you see the news? They were talking about a virus outbreak," Ava said, her voice laced with worry.

Her mother frowned, setting down the second box. "What virus? The only thing I've heard about is flu season starting. The elderly at the home are already getting sick."

Ava took a deep breath, reaching for the cupboard to grab plates. Then she remembered her father's message.

"Oh! Dad texted. He has to work late tonight and said not to wait up."

"He probably called while I was driving," her mother replied, sighing.

Ava opened the first pizza box, her stomach grumbling. Despite her unease, the sight of the gooey, melted cheese and crispy crust was tempting.

Maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe everything would be fine. But deep down, the uneasiness still lingered.

And she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was coming.

Ava noticed her mother reaching for the faucet, about to fill a glass with water. Panic surged through her, and she quickly intervened.

"Mommy, stop!" she blurted out.

Her mother frowned, pausing with the glass in her hand. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

Thinking fast, Ava forced a smile. "I was thinking... since it's so cold, maybe we could make hot cocoa on the stove with milk instead?"

Her mother's expression softened. "That sounds lovely," she said with a warm smile. "I'll dish up while you make the hot cocoa."

Ava let out a quiet breath of relief as she grabbed a small pot, the milk, and cocoa powder before heading to the stove. She wasn't sure if the news was exaggerating, but she wasn't willing to take any chances.

As she stirred the cocoa, her mind drifted back to the military convoy she had seen passing through the streets earlier. The sight had unsettled her, and she needed to know if her mother had noticed anything similar.

"Mom, did you see any military vehicles when you were driving home?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Her mother looked up from plating their food. "No, why?"

Ava hesitated. "I saw some on my way home. It just seemed... unusual."

Her mother gave a small shrug. "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe just a routine patrol."

Ava wasn't convinced, but she didn't push further. Instead, she poured the steaming cocoa into two mugs while her mother added sugar. They sat together at the kitchen island, finally settling down for dinner.

Ava took a bite of her pizza, but something felt off. It tasted good, but she craved something more. She stood up and walked over to the fridge.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" her mother asked.

"I just need something to add," Ava muttered, scanning the shelves.

Her eyes landed on a bottle of mustard. Without a second thought, she grabbed it, closed the fridge, and returned to the island.

Her mother watched in mild horror as Ava unscrewed the cap and drizzled mustard generously over her pizza slice.

"Are you sure you want that?" her mother asked skeptically. Ava nodded enthusiastically. "It's the most delicious thing ever."

To prove her point, she took a huge bite, savoring the unexpected mix of flavors. It was heavenly.

Her mother chuckled, shaking her head as she continued eating. They spent the rest of dinner chatting about school, tomorrow's hockey game, and her mother's hectic day at work, especially the growing number of sick elderly patients.

But even as they laughed and talked, Ava couldn't ignore the quiet dread curling in her stomach. Something wasn't right.

After finishing supper, Ava helped her mother load the dishes into the dishwasher. As she wiped her hands on a towel, her thoughts drifted to Lucas.

Before heading to her room, she grabbed her phone and typed out a quick message:

"Hey there, just thinking of you. I miss you and wish you were here. I miss your hugs."

She pressed send, locked her phone, and turned to leave.

Just as Ava was walking down the hallway, she heard the front door creak open. It must be her dad, home from work. Instead of heading to her room, she turned around and walked toward the entrance to greet him.

Her mother was already there, helping him take off his coat and scarf. But as Ava stepped closer, her eyes locked onto her father's face. His hair was damp, and his eyes looked glossy—like he was sick.

"Hey, Daddy," she said cautiously, stepping forward.

Her father's tired gaze met hers, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Hey, Buttercup."

"Why don't you sit down? I'll get you a beer," her mother offered, taking his hand in hers.

Before Ava could hug her father, her phone buzzed in her hand. She frowned and looked down, seeing that it was her friend Anya. Without thinking much more, she answered the call.

"Hello?" Ava said, heading to her room to continue the conversation.

"Ava, did you watch the news?" Anya asked, her voice laced with worry.

Ava entered her room, closed the door, and walked over to her bed, lying down.

"I did. They mentioned something about a virus being exposed," Ava replied. "Why? Do you have any symptoms?"

Anya suddenly burst into laughter. "Hell no, I'm fine," she said. "But what I do have is lovesickness."

It must be Bladen, Ava thought. Anya had been crushing on him forever.

"Is this about someone whose name starts with a 'B'?" Ava teased. Anya squealed in excitement, making Ava pull the phone slightly away from her ear.

"We kissed!" Anya blurted out.

Ava sat up straight in shock. "No freaking way! You two finally got together?"

Anya giggled. "I went to the ice-skating rink, and we talked. When I was about to leave, he grabbed my hand, pulled me closer, and kissed me. Turns out, he's been feeling the same way about me all along!"

"That's amazing!" Ava exclaimed, lying back on her bed again. "I mean, you've both been crushing on each other forever. It's about time!"

Excitement filled Ava's heart for her friend. Now, they could finally go on double dates, and things wouldn't feel so awkward anymore.

But then Anya's tone shifted. "Even after all this, I'm kind of worried. My parents haven't come home yet."

Ava frowned and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was already 8 p.m. That was strange.

"Did you try calling them?" she asked.

Anya sighed heavily. "The last time I spoke to them was this afternoon. They were both busy at work."

Ava sat up again, thinking about how her father had just come home late. Anya's parents were in the Navy, just like her dad. Maybe they were just working overtime.

"Well, my dad just got in," Ava reassured her. "Maybe they're still busy and will be home soon. I'm sure they're fine."

Anya let out another sigh. "Okay," she said. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the game."

Ava still felt a twinge of concern. "Are you sure you'll be okay?" she asked.

"I'll be fine," Anya replied. "If I hear anything, I'll let you know. See you tomorrow."

"Take care of yourself " say Ava "see tomorrow"

She hung up the phone and noticed a message from Lucas. A smile spread across her lips as she opened it and began to read.

"Just got home from practice. It's hectic out there, and freezing, but it makes me miss you more. Wish you were here."

Ava's heart melted. She missed him too—more than she wanted to admit. But before she could let herself get lost in the warmth of his words, her thoughts drifted to the test she had bought earlier. It was still in her school bag, untouched.

What if she was?

What would she do? They had only known each other for five months and had been dating for just three. She was only seventeen. So was Lucas. Their parents would kill them if they found out.

Ava let out a heavy sigh and stared at her phone screen, her lock screen photo of her and Lucas smiling back at her.

It hadn't been easy between them. They met at the principal's office—her, the new girl in town, and him, in trouble for fighting with one of the hockey players. It felt like love at first sight, but it was complicated. At the time, Lucas had still been with Cherise.

Ava had developed a crush on him, but he was in a relationship. Then, a month later, Lucas caught Cherise cheating on him. He broke things off, and after some time, he finally asked Ava out on a date.

She rolled onto her side, placing her phone on the bedside table.

If she was pregnant…

She still wanted to finish school. She had plans for next year. But it wouldn't be easy. She knew her parents would be furious.

Without realizing it, her hand moved to her lower abdomen, resting there. A deep worry settled in her chest.

Tomorrow, she will take the test. And if she was pregnant… she would have to tell Lucas.