My Apocalypse Written By James Yake Edited By Andrea Curran It began as every other day began; a sunny, hot, New York Saturday. Jason and his brother James did what they normally do. They woke up, made breakfast, and watched SportsCenter, catching up on scores from last night's game. They'd always been close growing up, so it only made sense to get an place in the city together. It worked out perfectly. They had no idea that their world, everyone's world, was about to change. After eating breakfast, Jason went out to get the paper. Reading the front page, he called into James about a food contamination article which piqued his interest. “The authorities have no idea how it started,” he told James, “and they don't know which food is contaminated.” “That's crazy...” replied James, “What are they suggesting we do about it?” “They don't say. I guess just make sure we cook our food thoroughly...? I mean, there's not much else that can be done.” “Yeah, I guess. Hopefully they find the source of it soon.” Concerned, James looks down at his bacon and eggs. Weeks pass and both brothers work long hours. One evening, they decide to go to a bar and enjoy the Yankees game. The bar is packed. Of course. The Yankees are playing the Red Sox. “I've never seen it so crowded in here!” Jason is shouting over all the din. “Yeah, it's crazy in here!” They find a seat at the bar as two younger women get up and leave. During a commercial break, they notice a news flash about the food contamination. It's still baffling researchers who are now on the case. “...authorities still have no idea what is causing the food borne illness. The list of foods affected is growing daily,” an attractive blond reporter is saying. “Reports of people affected are coming from all over the United States, although it seems to have started in New Jersey and is moving outwards from there. We urge you to keep a lookout for flu-like symptoms shortly after eating.” The game cuts back in and the crowd seems to quiet slightly, enough to hear a few people comment about, “government conspiracy,” or, “they'll figure it out.” Jason and James aren't convinced. They have a feeling in their gut that something just isn't right. They decide to head home to get some rest for work in the morning. The next day at work, Jason notices that many of his coworkers are absent. “A lot of sick calls,” his boss tells him. “The food poisoning, I guess.” Later, as the brothers watch the news, the pretty blond reporter tells New Yorkers that the food poisoning epidemic is getting worse. Symptoms now include death and what appears to be reanimation. She looks incredibly stoic as she reports that the reanimated bodies also seem to be taking on zombie-like characteristics. “The corpses have all been reported to have a hunger for human flesh. One confirmed killing of a family member of the deceased has been reported. Loved ones are advised to stay away from anyone with symptoms.” The boys can't believe what they are hearing. James becomes very stern and Jason's jaw drops slightly as his mind races. “New York, stay in your homes until further notice. Do not eat or drink anything new.” Again, the news report cuts into regular programming. “Fuck me,” Jason exclaims. They go to bed that night with a barricaded door and the weight of the world on their shoulders. Neither are getting much sleep, but as James drifts off, he dreams of zombies attacking his brother; like the kind from movies. Blood and guts...and loved ones turned into zombies, themselves. When James awakens the next morning from his terrible sleep, he tries to turn on the TV. He tries the lamp on his bedside table. He tries his cell phone. All are out. He calls for Jason. “Dude, the electricity is out! What the fuck?” No reply. James walks into the kitchen. Jason is sitting on a bar stool rocking back and forth. “Sick, I feel sick...” Jason is saying. He leans over and dry heaves and then vomits on the floor. James helps his brother to bed and tries to call their doctor on his cell. Nothing. Through the night, James sits with his brother. He falls asleep around the time dawn comes, with purple light coming in through the window and dreams of their childhood. Suddenly, he awakens as Jason draws a deep, rattling breath. “Jason!” he exclaims. “Jason, look at me!” Jason's eyes are scared. His breaths are coming less frequently. He's choking and shaking with chills. He grabs James' hand and draws a few last breaths and then, nothing. James collapses at his bedside, in a comatose state. He doesn't know how long he's been lying there when Jason twitches. 'Just nerves. Nerves. He's dead,' James thinks. He closes his eyes. He doesn't want to see it. Seconds later, something cold touches his leg. He opens his eyes. Jason's face is staring down at him, eyes distant and clouded. James is paralyzed with fear. “Brother?” he whispers, shakily. Jason, or what used to be him, let's out a slow moan. Suddenly, he lunges and attacks his living brother. James scrambles to the closet and locks himself inside, noticing the bite mark on his left shoulder. Outside their front door, the paper sits on the step. The headline reads, “The Undead Have Taken Over, The End Is Here. God Help Us All.”