I think everyone has seen at least
one horror/monster movie in their life. And we all know that moment where the
monster bursts out of the shadows and the orchestra score does something abrupt
and jolting to startle you out of your seat.
Thankfully, in our case, Hollywood
got it wrong and if you want to survive, one of the best things you can do is
not overthink things. I don’t want to lull you into a false sense of security
but these are not rocket scientists you are dealing with. They are dumb,
simplistic creatures that are running on the most natural base instinct.
They do not lurk in the shadows.
They do not spring traps. They are not even capable of understanding what a
trap is. And so while it may be as scary as hell on the movie screen, it just
doesn’t work this way in the Zom’Poc World.
Now, I hope you have been paying
attention when we’ve talked about how zoms will power down with no stimulant
present. So consider this scenario. Imagine you have avoided
the shambling hordes that are out looking for food. You retreat into a secluded
apartment complex that kept out a lot of the surrounding traffic noise by its
architectural design. Now, Zom Melly Mel was bit, turned, and is now locked
inside his apartment.
So
you get inside the kitchen and you are rattling around looking for canned
goods. And you are making quite a bit of noise when you do it. There are no
traps laid. He does not lie on the bed pretending to be dead so he can jump up
and grab you at the most opportune moment. The zombie brain doesn’t function
like that.
In
his zom brain, he heard the rattling of the canned goods and the opening and
closing of cabinets. When that happens, his tiny brain kicked on and said,
“Wake up, old chap, there might be a spot of meat over there, there might.
Let’s go have a look see, shall we?” [Don’t ask me why zombies think with a
British accent.]
So
he powers up and begins shuffling in search of more meat. Now, this is why I
bring this fact to your attention. More than likely, if you have managed to
stay alive this long, you have clearly learned to stay off their radar. You can
sneak and skulk and commit skullduggery with the best of them. But being too
quiet and too stealthy can be a danger.
It
has been my experience that zoms are not too much different from people in that
some people need glasses and hearing aids. Others do not. Some zoms are
incredibly perceptive. Others, be it natural abilities or the degeneration
brought on by decay, are not.
So,
as strange as this sounds… Knock.
Now,
I am not saying you want to storm in a place all hootin’ and hollerin’ so that
you bring in every zom in four counties. But sometimes, a simple knock at the
door will get them up and moving. Surprise attacks are one thing but the last
thing you want to do is get caught off guard.
Keep
that in mind. Happy hunting.
