[ WP ] The dead begin to rise as zombies , but have no interest in human flesh or brains , preferring normal human food sources .

James hated the undead but he hated being hungry more. He peered around and examined the entrance. The store looked overrun with the creatures. He had to move quickly if he wanted to get anything. He threw his hood over his head, made sure his shoelaces were tied and dashed for the doors. When he busted in and looked about, James noticed most of the food was gone. The freezer section was decimated and since the doors were open, anything left probably thawed out. Nothing worse than a thawed frozen pizza. Half-eaten produce laid on top of the bin. Most of the dead gathered there. Easiest thing to get to and James figured that was the first thing they detected. Half open boxes of cereal littered an aisle, their contents spilled out. The crunching due to the shuffling feet from the dead trying to scoop handfuls up would drive most mad, but James shook the sound aside and began his search. There were a few stragglers limping around in front of him but he was quick enough to dart through them and get to what he wanted: the canned goods. On the top shelf, he noticed a few cans of peaches. Salivating, James quickly reached out to grab a few cans. He threw a couple in his pockets, but as he went for the last can, a bony rotting hand clasped on to it. 
 James froze. Beads of sweat began to form on his brow. He thought of running to the next aisle to find something else, but his stomach growled. James decided he would not be pushed around. He grabbed the can and tried to wrestle it from…whatever was next to him. 
 
 
 The hand did not loosen its grip and as James struggled, he heard a raspy moan next to him. 
 
 
 * “ Peeeeeeaches, ” * the voice muttered. ” 
 
 
 “ Excuse me. ” James followed the arm back to the attached body. There stood the remnants of a man in a tattered brown suit. The tie, best he could tell, was a dingy red with faint beige lines streaking across. 
 
 
 “ Excuse me, *sir*, ” James sarcastically uttered. “ I was here first and I need these peaches. ” 
 
 
 James tried to snatch the can, but the man held on. For someone who had not used his muscles in a long time, the gentleman possessed some strength. The muttering voice became a low growl now. 
 
 * “ Myyyyy peeeeeeeaches, ” * the man snarled. He jerked back, tearing the can from James ’ hand and furrowed his brow the best he could to display his anger and impatience. In almost an instant, the man crushed the can and the bright yellow peaches began oozing from the top. Another zombie crawled down the aisle and tried lapping the juice from the floor. Another soon appeared, sniffing loudly. This one ’ s jaw was barely hanging on but it did not deter it from coming down the aisle and grabbing the can from its fellow dead. More and more began making their way and James knew if he did not act fast, he would be trapped. He began climbing the shelves and threw himself over the top, landing on a legless one on the other side. He gathered himself for a moment looked around for anything else, grabbing boxes quickly. He pushed his way through that same few scattered up front and made it back outside. 
 
 
 James walked back to his apartment, disappointed at his haul this time. He threw the cans on the counter, grabbed an opener and slid the peaches into a bowl. James grabbed a spoon but stopped when he heard a rustling coming from his room. 
 
 
 * “ Jaaaaaaaames, * ” a voice called out. 
 
 
 James smiled and pushed the door open. A very pale woman lay on the bed, reaching out to him. Her silver hair was slightly dirty and her floral print blouse had a slight tear on the shoulder, but aside from that, the woman looked almost normal. Her jeans looked new and toenails freshly painted a sapphire blue. 
 
 
 * “ Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaames. Peeeeeeeaches? ” * 
 
 
 “ Yeah, ma. I got em. I couldn ’ t get too many. The stores here are picked clean. ” He scooped a slice of the peaches and guided the spoon toward her mouth. 
 The woman lunged suddenly at James and the bowl, causing him to step back and drop the spoon and a piece on the floor. Luckily the chains attached to the bedposts kept her from successfully grabbing the whole thing. 
 
 
 “ I know ma, I ’ m sorry. Don ’ t worry. Charlie and me will go up the road to the city. He ’ s bringing his shotgun in case we need to force our way through. I ’ ll get you some more peaches, I promise. ” 
 
 He gave her the bowl and left the room as she devoured the fruit immediately. James went back to the kitchen to grab a box of cereal he salvaged and sat on the couch. His stomach continued to growl as he forced the dry crap down. He looked at the peaches and again, began to salivate. The thought of eating those peaches filled him with a moment of happiness, but the sudden cry from his mother in the next room dismissed the idea. He knew his mom was dead. He knew the peaches did nothing for her. They didn ’ t keep her alive. He figured she also gets no pleasure from eating them. But she wanted them. Every day, she wanted peaches, and you don ’ t disappoint mama. 

