Ryan and Jackson were roommates at the time and headed home after work. They lived in the suburbs of Jurgen, a large city. Jurgen was a wealthy city as it was a center for trade. It had a large harbor that had hundreds of ships come and go everyday along with huge airstrips for people to travel and move cargo. It had many skyscrapers, some of which Ryan has worked on himself.
Jackson and Ryan's house was a large bungalow on the corner of the street. Jackson majored in architecture and mi looked in interior design so he knew his way around a house. They're house was the best one in the neighborhood. It had a refurbished kitchen and living room. A dining room with stained wood decor and 3 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms.
"The neighbors seem a bit more lively today than usual. I think I saw some of them mowing their lawn! Can you believe it?"
Jackson was big into caring for the house. He had basically rebuilt it from scratch at this point so he had a deep love for his creation. Every chance he got he would compare it to the neighbors. How good his was, how he had appliances they didn't and how his grass was neatly trimmed every week. Some of the neighbors hated him for it but there's nothing they can do.
"I don't know why you care about those things Jackson. It's their propert, they can do whatever they wish to it. It's none of our business wether they fill the cracks in their driveway or not."
Over the years of living together Ryan had picked up some of the 'perfectionist' attitude when it came to the house. Although he wouldn't admit it, he likes to compare the houses too.
"Yeah but it's such an eyesore. How do they expect the market to get better if they don't put in effort into it. I recently looked up our houses market value and if we were to sell it, it would go for 3.4 million dollars! Crazy huh.."
"Well too bad we can't sell it. Not many people have that kind of money, especially since the down-payment is half a mil in itself. Now I am going to go to bed, I suggest you do the same. We have work early in the morning."
"You mean we we get to sit around all morning and do nothing. Come on Ryan, when was the last time you went out and had some fun? I know some girls down at the bar who are down to do something if you know what I mean!"
Jackson was a bit of a player. Almost every week he was with a different girl, sometimes more than one. He had always been this way. Even in college he was getting girls to sleep with him left and right, it was a miracle he passed. Except the fact he slept with his professor.
"Jackson you know I'm a loyal man, Sarah is the woman I'm in love with. I can't just go around with other girls like that."
"Bro...it's been 3 years. You have to let her go already. When was the last time you saw her? Sophomore year? Face it, she's probably off fucking some other guy right now, just like you should be off fucking a girl."
"Nice try dumbass but I'm not falling for it. She's just studying abroad and when she graduates we'll be back together like the good old days. You'll see."
Ryan went off to his room and shut the door behind him. Jackson shook his head as he left the house and went out partying for the night. Ryan would just lay on his bed and go to sleep till the morning came.
Jackson was st Emilios Bar and Grill where he was talking to some girls at the bar. These girls were blonde and happened to be identical twins. He bought them some drinks and drank with them. Later he had brought them to dance and one vomited all over the floor.
"I don't feel so good, I'll be back in a bit!" One of the girls said.
Jackson looked down at the floor with disgust. Some had gotten on his shoes and pants.
"She must've had a little too much, I have to go wash this off." He looked at his watch which read 2:53 am. "I think it's about time I headed home. It was fun ladies but a man has to work in a few hours so I bid you adieu."
Jackson said his goodbyes and took the bus home. He had found some paper towels to wipe himself off with and had thrown them away. The bus ride is short as there's not much traffic at night. He waived goodbye to the driver as he walked off the bus and into his home.
The following morning, Ryan was up and had showered and ate breakfast. Jackson was passed out on the couch so he just sat in the recliner. Turning on the TV a news headline caught his attention.
'Zombies? Or just a crazy internet trend?'
Ryan leaned over and shook Jackson to wake him up.
"Hey Jackson, what do you think of this craziness? You think it could actually be zombies?"
Jackson looked up at the TV still half asleep, "Hey I was there last night! I had twins that I was with but one of them got sick so I left."
The two paid close attention to the screen as the news anchor went into more detail.
'We have just received word that the US government is deploying troops into the area. Is this really a prank or is it something much more serious? Next up, sports with David!'
Suddenly the channel changed and a national alert was being broadcasted.
"STAY INDOORS...DO NOT GO OUTSIDE! STAY AWAY FROM LARGE GROUPS! FIND SAFETY IMMEDIATELY!"
"Ryan...I don't think we're going to work today..."
Jackson and Ryan exchanged glances before they got up and locked and barricaded everything they could. They consolidated all of their non-perishables and prepared for power to go out.
"If this really is what they say it is, then you might've been right about the virus thing Jackson. But let's hope you were wrong!"