"Here, Gramma."

"What's this, sweetheart?", you say as your little granddaughter slips the childish wristband
over your hand, a very serious look on her face.

"It's my panda. For good luck."

You look at her for long moments, but decide not to question, kissing her on the forehead.
"Thanks, baby. Don't worry, and be good, okay? I'll be back to pick you both up."

"Bye! =D"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was 'sposed to be a fun Halloween night.

Drop little Hazika and Kamau off at the Halloween party your grandniece is throwing with a bunch
of the other neighborhood kids. Call Jahi and Lina on your cell, wish them luck with the show they're acting in tonight --
it's a really big deal for them, both got lead roles!
Then, it's off to the church social with a couple of old girlfriends for some catch-up chatting and gin rummy.

Right.

All it takes, you learn, is some creepy idiot with a skin-bound book standing just outside of the church to ruin a rare night of relaxation.
Everybody inside seemed okay for now, but next thing you know, your girl from out of state,
God, she was just standing next to you, but now she's in pieces. Some of her,
unfortunately, is in your 'fro, but you're trying real hard not to think about that.

You got other worries. You get back to the van by the skin of your teeth and as you drive,
you see that all of downtown is in flames. You're driving over and through
the endless hordes of demons and zombies munching their way uptown, wondering what to do.

A bad night. "The rest of your friends are barricaded in the church, it's okay.", you think to yourself.
You compose yourself and hang a right, remembering Hazika and Kamau at your grandniece's.
Maybe you can get some folks together with the biggest cars you got, go through and pick up whoever
you can. Maybe you can get to Lina and Jahi out from midtown. Maybe.
Hopefully you'll get all of them well ahead of the demons.

Start praying and gun the engine. Lord. It's gonna be a loooooong night.