A Dramatic Change

Tom squinted nervously through the blinds out into the street again.

It still seemed pretty clear but it had been for almost half an hour now. At this point he had to admit to himself that he was just stalling. Behind him, his younger sisters Jessica and Britney sat on the couch watching the television with despondent gazes.

The news was playing and none of it was good, it hadn’t been for weeks now.

Tom glanced back at them and steeled himself for what he had to do next, they needed him.

"I'm going to get some food," he said in a tone of determination he didn't at all feel. "You know the rules; don't let anyone but me back in, and only if I'm alone."

Britney stared up at him and nodded with a look of apprehension. Jessica, on the other hand, didn't seem to register anything he said at all. The last twenty days of solitude had been hard on them all but the usually vibrant Jessica seemed to be taking it the worst.

It couldn't be helped, Tom rationalized as he made for the door, it was just too risky to let them stray outside. He didn't like the idea of going out there himself but they needed supplies and he had already put it off for far too long.

“Don’t go…” Britney’s voice was small and choked with fear, “Please Tom, if you don’t come back… I don’t know what we’ll do.”

Tom paused with his hand outstretched towards the door handle. His shoulders slumped and he let his arms drop limply to his sides. He couldn’t even bring himself to face his youngest sister as he replied.

“I have to Brit, The cupboards are bare, the fridge is just a cold, empty shell and the pantry’s only got a few tins of tuna, a can of fucking chickpeas and an ancient jar of Vienna sausages that I’m not too sure about.” He shrugged, as much to himself than to her. “There was nothing else for it but to take the risk or starve.”

He heard the movement behind him right before he felt her small arms wrap around his waist. Britney pressed her face into his back to muffle a single hiccuping sob. Placing his arms over hers, he turned in her embrace and hugged her back.

“I’m going out there and I’m going to return safe, okay? Trust me… I’ll be fine, it’s the two of you I’m worried about.” He lied, kissing the top of her head before gently prying himself free of her clutches.

His heart sank as he watched her drift back to the couch like a zombie and wrap herself around Jessica who wordlessly hugged her back.

Taking a deep, steadying breath Tom set the latch to bolt the door behind him and pulled it closed until he heard it click securely in place, then hurried down the front path to head for the local supermarket.

He knew to keep his eyes down and his ears sharp as he made his way to the nearby mall, centers of population were high risk areas and it wasn't hard to notice the… situation as you approached one.

The number of 'them' increased. As Tom rounded a corner he was spotted by a stunning young blonde who changed course and began tottering in his direction. He knew instinctively by now not to look directly at her but it made little difference to her after she spotted him.

"Excuse me!" she called in a friendly fashion, making a beeline straight for him.

Tom glanced up at her and immediately regretted it.

She was rushing towards him in mile-high stiletto heels that showed off her endless long tanned legs. She was wearing a skin-tight, hot-pink club dress that barely covered her luscious round ass and firm hips before it stretched out extravagantly across her heavy, bouncing bust.

Yet, for all her luscious, grabbable curves, the rest of her body was as lean and trim as that of a swimsuit model. Tom knew that glance up at her face would doubtlessly reveal a breathtakingly gorgeous visage framed by her glossy, tumbling platinum locks…

He shook his head vigorously and picked up his pace to pass her by without stopping or even making eye contact. It was too much for a simple young man to bear!

It wasn't a good start, he was still over a block away from the mall and already getting harassed. They were appearing everywhere now and growing ever bolder in their advances. Living in the suburbs meant that 'it' had taken a while longer to reach them but now it was here, it was really beginning to take hold.