Teenage Zombie Party
David Bernstein
Teenage Zombie Party
By David Bernstein
Copyright 2011 David Bernstein. All Rights Reserved.
Smashwords Edition
Cover design by David Bernstein
Interior formatting by Kody Boye
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronically, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the proper written permission of the copyright owner except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. People, places, events and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living, dead or undead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.
The Valentine’s Day party was a hit. Almost every teen from town was at Holbrook’s Farm, partying and dancing as if the world was about to end. The barn was secluded, half a mile from the nearest road. Jebediah Holbrook’s parents were away at a farmers’ convention in Albany, New York. It was the perfect time to throw a party.
Jeb; Debbie, Jeb’s girlfriend; John; Alice, John’s girlfriend; and Keith all partook in the party’s construction.
Christmas lights ran throughout the barn and along the nearby fence. Disco balls hung from the rafters, and most of the barn’s lights were replaced with red bulbs. Strobe lights, two on each side of the makeshift dance floor, hung on the walls. Hay bails acted as seats, placed inside and outside of the barn. Jeb and his friends had pooled their monies together and purchased five kegs of beer and numerous bottles of rum and tequila. They were going to make a killing and make a name for themselves as the best party throwers around.
Jeb and Debbie watched over the crowd of teens from the loft area of the barn. John was behind his crude saw-horse D.J. table, making sure the music flowed continuously. Keith, all six-two, two-hundred and five pounds, patrolled the downstairs floor, checking the barn’s nooks and crannies and making sure no problems arose. Alice was in charge of the outside, patrolling the grounds and keeping an eye out for the police. It was unlikely that cops would show up with the barn being a number of acres away from the nearest residence. All five friends had agreed to remain sober and make sure, with all the hay about, that the barn stayed smoke free.
From above, Jeb signaled John, putting two fingers to his mouth before pointing to a particular area of the barn. Someone was lighting up. John in turn relayed the signal to Keith who found the smokers and made them head outside to finish their cigarettes.
With the barn doors wide open, Jeb could see who came and went, and the newest arrivals--the Mahoney brothers--made his stomach churn. Alice confronted them as they neared the entrance. Jeb had been hoping they wouldn’t show, but word spread fast in the small town of Oneonta. He watched as Alice spoke to them.
It was her job to keep track of everyone that paid, keeping a written log. Jeb could see the girl growing animated, her annoyance-level rising.
Jeb turned to Debbie and told her to wait in the loft and keep an eye on the crowd. He climbed down to the barn floor, took a deep breath, and headed toward Alice.
The Mahoney brothers were notorious for causing trouble. The oldest, Jim, was serving time in jail for attempted robbery. All the younger ones, three arriving at the party, had all had run-ins with the law.
“Hey, Tyler,” Jeb said as he approached Alice and the brothers.
“This bitch won’t let us in,” Tyler said.
“Ten bucks gets you all you can drink,” Jeb said.
Tyler came over, putting his arm around Jeb. “You see, Jeb, I left my wallet at home, thinking this was a free party. But I’m willing to help you out.” Tyler motioned to his brother Teddy, who reached into his jacket and pulled out a clear baggy full of red pills. “We’ll sell these at your party, giving you a cut, of course. Fair enough?”
“No,” Jeb said, vehemently, pulling himself away from Tyler.
“You don’t think that’s fair?” Tyler asked, astonished.
“I don’t want you, or anyone else, selling drugs here.” Jeb felt a twinge in his stomach, a butterfly or two. Standing up to the Mahoney’s was asking for trouble.
“You heard him, boys,” Alice said, holding out her hand. “Ten bucks each.” Tyler placed a finger against one of his nostrils and launched a slimy golden booger at her. She retracted her arm quickly, barely getting out of the snot’s way. Fuming, her face scrunched up in an angry snarl, she raised her hand to hit the punk, but Jeb held her back.
The Mahoney brothers began laughing.
“You’re a disgusting dirt-bag, you know that?” Alice told Tyler.
“That wasn’t called for, Tyler,” Jeb said.
“The bitch started it,” Tyler said, an evil grin on his face.
“Listen,” Jeb began, “if I let you in without paying, then everyone will want their money back.” He paused. “I think you should just leave.”
Keith, who had been walking the dance floor, came over. “Problem?” he asked. Jeb worked hard to restrain a smirk. Keith was a formable foe. Even the Mahoney brothers wouldn’t want to start a fight with him around.
“No,” Tyler said, flatly. “We were just leaving.” He turned, about to leave, the added: “Besides, we already sold a shit load of pills. Why do you think everyone is having such a good time at your lame-ass party?” His brothers laughed. They turned around and headed into the night. From the shadows, Tyler yelled, “You’ll be seeing me, Jebediah.”
“Better not be tonight,” Keith warned.