The news got in the way of SpongeBob and Patrick. I didn’t care about the news; I wanted my show. The newsman said something about a “Class Five Something.” I didn’t know what he was talking about. I just wanted my show back. Daddy yelled at me to not change the channel if I knew what was good for me. I knew a spanking wasn’t good for me, that’s for sure. Mommy and Daddy watched the newsman talk, and they had funny looks on their faces. They looked at each other with those funny faces. Daddy sat down on the floor next to me.

“Honey, do you remember what Mommy and I told you to do when something really bad happens?”
“Yes Daddy, call the policeman.”
“No sweetie. Do you remember what to do when something really bad happens and Mommy and I have to leave the house?”
“Yes Daddy, hide in the basement.”
“Good…good. Ok then sweetie, that’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to stay in the basement for awhile. Whatever happens, do not open the door.”
“What if you and Mommy come back?”
“…Do not open the door. Do you understand?”
“Yes Daddy.”
“Alright then sweetie, go downstairs.”

I never liked the basement. It’s dark and cold and scary. The stairs squeak really really loud. There’s nothing to do down there except read these really old books. I heard Mommy and Daddy talking upstairs, then the front door opened and closed. I looked around the room and I saw what I wanted: a TV. I turned it on and found my show again. I was happy I didn’t miss that much of it. No newsman came on again for awhile. He showed up after my show and said things like “the death toll is astronomical” and “the disease is spreading like wildfire” and things like that. I still didn’t know what he was talking about. Then the newsman showed pictures of what was happening outside. I got really scared really fast. People were running around, screaming and bleeding everywhere. They had bumps all over their bodies, and they were acting like they were crazy or something. People were trying to help, but the scary ones just ran after them and bit them. People bit people and made them bleed, and then they had bumps all over them too and started to run around and act crazy.

I heard really loud booms outside. People were yelling and screaming outside of my house. Someone threw something at the window and it broke. The yelling got louder and louder. I heard something outside of the basement door.

“Sweetie, it’s Daddy. Open the door for me please.”
“You said to not open the door.”
“I know honey, but it’s over now. Everything’s ok. Let me and Mommy in.”

I don’t know what to do.