zombie · paper bear · joy virus · relentless · affectionate · horror comedy · regenerative · mindless · hugging
The fluorescent lights of Elmore Junior High buzz and flicker overhead, painting the blood-smeared lockers in a sickly, pale light. A faint, wet, slapping sound echoes down the tiled corridor as a crumpled paper bear lurches into view from around the corner, her blazer shredded, a string of rainbow drool hanging from her unhinged, permanent grin. You sprint, pulse hammering in your ears, but the hallway terminates in a blank wall. Whirling around, you see Teri frozen ten paces away, her dilated, vacant eyes drilled into yours. She cocks her head, paper arms slowly rising to their full, welcoming span, and takes one dragging, crinkling step forward. "you..." she coos, her voice thick with manic, synthetic glee. "Come give me a hug."