Zombies in the Park [Open]
Jake, having seen the zombies (or at least zombies of some sort) once before when he met Jo, wasn't so surprised when they returned. Of course, he wasn't sure what it was he was supposed to do. Being a cat, his natural instinct was to run and hide. But he remembered what Jo had told him about zombies. They were bad and scary and dangerous. Especially dangerous to people. Jake didn't know if the zombies could infect him (he certainly hoped not!) but he decided it was best to remain on the safe side. He tried to stay as far away from them as possible. They didn't seem to be too interested in him though. Cats must not have been their preferred meal. But he was still worried.
He and Jennifer were going to rent a truck and move his spaceship today. At least, that had been the original plan. Jake had almost forgotten about his ship entirely after moving into Jennifer's place. It was pretty nice for a human home. It reminded him a lot of Jake's apartment (only not as messy.) Scientists were naturally messy people. Mostly because they were so scatterbrained.
Jake couldn't rent a truck. At least, not on his own. That was going to be Jennifer's job. Jake's job was to meet her at the site of his ship and help her with the loading. But Jake had been there for almost forty-five minutes and she hadn't arrived.
She's probably just delayed. Traffic or paperwork or something, he told himself. But then he saw the zombies milling about in the park and he began to worry about her. There weren't too many people around, but those that had dared to walk about the park were being chased by lumbering semi-human beasts. Jake needed to associate himself more with the local news. Then he might have been more prepared for this outbreak of the living dead.
Jake sniffed at the air for any scent that Jennifer was nearby. He didn't smell her. She's fine. Don't worry. She can take care of herself. She's a smart human. He really didn't need to be hanging around his ship at a time like this. Maybe I should go look for her. Perhaps the ship's computer can track her whereabouts. Wait, no. I don't have a DNA sample.
His contemplation was broken when he heard a child crying. A young boy of about three or four was sitting in a sandbox at the park's playground, a zombie quickly approaching him. Jake searched about for any sign of the boy's parents, but there was no one in sight. So Jake darted across the grass and headed for the boy. The zombie didn't see him coming, but luckily Jake didn't have to get too close. Once he was within ten feet of the creature, his collar began to glow and the zombie was frozen in time. Then Jake hurried over to the boy.
"You okay, kid?"
The boy cried a little bit more, sniffled, and then took interest in the telepathic cat by trying to pull Jake's tail.
"Ouch! Careful! It's attached, you know."
"Joey! Joey! My baby!" A woman yelled from across the park. When she approached Jake and the boy she flinched at the sight of the frozen zombie, then snatched up her son and hurried off without so much as a thanks.
Jake blinked. I better head back to the apartment. Just in case. She might be looking for me, too.
So Jake ran off towards the sidewalk and headed back to Jennifer's place. Just to make sure she was safe.