[ WP ] When people die , they explode violently , destroying everything within 50 feet .

Blinking eyes studied a tall, austere gentleman. `` Welcome,'' said the man in life-long rehearsed tones of authoritative formality. The sudden movement of his lips was counterbalanced by his eyes, which remained unhurried and calculating. 
 `` The department of health has assembled this committee in order to find a solution.'' An uncomfortable pause followed as the man moistened his lips, and went on, `` We are as a society faced with a galling and unwelcome reality. The human population has plateaued at its terminal capacity...'' 
 
 Steve stared out of the window. He imagined how he would survive if a zombie burst into the room. Well first and foremost he would never turn his back. That's just asking to get your spine, or your shoulder, or even your achilles chewed up. A real tried and trusted noose around the neck, that is. The table he leant on was made from pine. It would be easy enough to tear a leg off, and that would be more than enough to crush a skull. And with any luck the metal bolt would rip out with the leg. But of course one undetected zombie would ambush him. It does n't matter how good you are, there's always one that will get through the defences, and at that point your survival is all about thinking fast. You sit there happy as a pie, no zombies around, and then before you know it, *Brains* seemingly hops out of the void and he... 
 
 ``... has determined that the people in this room will design this solution. I will now take suggestions on the topic.'' Steve snapped back to attention. He looked at the others sitting at the table, already in earnest conversation. 
 `` So I suggest that we build burial scrapers,'' said a man with an immaculate haircut, and the desire to see two hundred metre tall morgues. 
 An angular woman laughed sharply. `` Our resources are already stretched to the limit, should we build such ghastly monuments then the cost will cause even more deaths elsewhere. No,'' she said, agreeing with herself. `` What is required is a greater human effort. All the talk is of all those that are dying. But what about those living? Ca n't *they* do more to help? I do n't see why some kind of law can not be passed requiring each individual to be responsible for another.'' She crossed her arms with the satisfaction of a good point, well made. 
 Steve said *Hmph* but did not nod in agreement. 
 `` Would you suggest something different, then?'' Asked the angular woman. He imagined baying hordes spilling out of sky scrapers, into the arms of designated carers, waiting patiently to be shredded and devoured. 
 `` I'm not sure I like the thought of corpses at all,'' he said. 
 `` Well thank you for that contribution,'' said the woman scornfully. `` It was very helpful.'' 
 
 There's always one, thought Steve. You can hack, stab, shoot, or run; But no matter what phial the survivor drinks from, there's always one zombie rolling round in the the safety net. It can lurch from behind a door, fall from a cupboard, wait in your shower, or even grab you from behind the bins. Steve glanced again at the windows... 
 
 `` We have heard many suggestions that I will take under advice,'' the tall, severe man said, watching the room with the same cold, unfeeling eyes. `` Before the committee disbands are there any other suggestions?'' 
 Steve instinctively raised his hand. 
 ``... Yes?'' Said the man dubiously. 
 `` Well, we could, just...'' 
 
 The extinguisher just hung there beside the window, whispering the solution that had been there all along. Steve thought about it. Explosions. They always work. Wherever a bomb goes off, in that place shall no zombie be. Fire, the great medicine. 
 
 ``... you know,'' said Steve. 
 The man raised his eyebrows. 
 ``..just blow them up!'' He concluded. 
 
 A moment of silence was broken as the angular woman let out a laugh of derision, which was picked up by a few others. But for the first time, a bright glint lit up the eyes of the committee leader, who made a note on the paper before him. 
 
 `` Thank you all,'' he said, watching Steve. `` All of your ideas and suggestions have been greatly appreciated, and I shall advise the Department of Health as to our thoughts and conclusions.'' 
 He placed his pen into the inner breast pocket of his blazer, and folded up the piece of paper, on which only one sentence had been written. 
 
 
 
 

