By: M.A. Dosser.

Bringing a baby into a zombie-infested town wasn’t my best idea. But her mother needs medicine. I couldn’t leave the baby with her.

Zombies don’t see well in the dark. As long as we’re quiet, we’ll be fine. Just please don’t cry.

We should make it out clean, but I roll my ankle leaving the pharmacy and trip. Strapped to my chest, she bounces up and down. Hard.

No crying, though. Instead, she giggles. For the first time. I’ve never heard a more beautiful sound.

The zombies hear it too. They’re coming.

Time to run. Luckily, she likes the bouncing.

© 2024. M.A. Dosser

M.A. Dosser is the co-founder and editor of Flash Point Science Fiction and a senior lecturer of communication studies at Vanderbilt University. You can read more about his creative and scholarly work at maxdosser.com.