CAPTION: AND SEVEN BILLION ZOMS.
3.
Reverse view, looking past the zombies—who don’t yet see Benny coming down the hill. His sword is slung over his shoulder.
CAPTION: THEY’RE NOT EVIL. THEY’RE NOT ANYTHING.
CAPTION: WE DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON’T DIE. OR WHY THEY WANT TO EAT PEOPLE.
4.
View of the legs of the zombies, with the waitress in the foreground. Creeper vines have grown up and tangled around their ankles and calves. Clearly they haven’t moved in a long time.
CAPTION: UNLESS THEY HAVE PREY TO FOLLOW, ZOMS WON’T GO ANYWHERE. SOME OF THEM JUST STAND IN PLACE FOR YEARS. I USED TO THINK THAT WAS FREAKY. NOW I THINK IT’S JUST SAD.
PAGE 8:
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1.
Benny stands on the other side of the garden fence as he sprinkles some liquid from a small jar onto his sleeve.
CAPTION: WE USE CADAVERINE. IT SMELLS LIKE ROTTING MEAT.
2.
The zombies look at him as he cautiously approaches.
CAPTION: ZOMS DON’T EAT THEIR OWN KIND.
3.
Benny sidles carefully past them toward the front door. The zombies are alert, but they still haven’t moved.
CAPTION: THE TRICK IS TO MOVE VERY SLOWLY. ZOMS REACT TO QUICK MOVEMENT, SOUND. THE SMELL OF LIVING FLESH.
4.
Inside the kitchen, Benny begins stuffing items into a satchel. Knives, a metal saucepan, a bar of soap.
CAPTION: SCAVENGING KEEPS US GOING. ALL THE FOOD’S TOO OLD, BUT THERE’S ALWAYS OTHER STUFF.
5.
In the bedroom, Benny takes underwear from a drawer. Men’s boxers now hang from his satchel, but he’s taking a bra and functional-looking panties, too.
CAPTION: CLEAN UNDERWEAR? WORTH A LOT MORE THAN GOLD.
PAGE 9:
* * *
1.
Benny walks away from the house. The zombies stare at him. Benny’s satchel is full.
2.