You are on your way home when zombies begin to take over your town. You've never believed in zombies, but now you see them with your own eyes. Write a science fiction story telling what the zombies do, what happens to everyone you know, and what you do about it. Make sure you create and describe characters, conflict, and the setting.

Be sure to write in MLA format! 12pt Times New Roman Font, double spaced, and 1” margins.
write on an 8th grade level and write enough to fill 1 and a half pages in a word document

3 answers

Title: The Night the Zombies Came

Your Name
Your Teacher's Name
The Course Name
Date

It was a normal Tuesday afternoon when the world I knew turned upside down. As I walked home from school, I could hear the distant sirens wailing in the background. It was a sound I had grown used to in our small town of Millfield, but today felt different. The sun hid behind dark clouds, making everything look grey and ominous.

Suddenly, a loud crash pierced through the air. I glanced toward the source and saw two figures staggering down the street. They walked with an unnatural, jerking motion, their clothes ripped and stained, and their skin appeared pale and decayed. I blinked hard, thinking this must be some sort of joke. But as they came closer, it became clear that I was not looking at actors in a horror movie; I was staring at zombies.

Panic gripped my chest as I turned to run home. My heart raced as I sprinted down Maple Street, and my mind filled with thoughts of my family and friends. What about Eli, my best friend? He lived just a few blocks away. Was he safe? I hoped he was inside playing video games, completely unaware of what was happening in the world outside.

As I reached my neighborhood, I noticed more zombies wandering aimlessly, their glazed eyes searching for something—someone. I spotted a few neighbors peering from their windows, too scared to step outside. I knew I had to reach home quickly. But when I finally arrived, my heart sank. The front door stood wide open, and the living room was in disarray. It looked as though a storm had swept through our home.

“Mom! Dad!” I yelled, but no answer came. My voice echoed in the empty house. I dashed through the rooms, desperate to find them. My younger sister, Lily, had taken refuge in our secret hiding spot under the stairs; I found her there, trembling and clutching her favorite stuffed animal.

“What’s happening, Josh?” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. I hugged her tightly, trying to comfort her. “I don’t know, but we have to stay quiet and hide until help comes,” I replied, trying to be brave for her sake.

As we crouched together in the dark, I recalled all the zombie movies I had laughed at with Eli. I never thought they could be real. Suddenly, the sound of moaning filled the air. The zombies outside were getting closer. I remembered Eli had mentioned a place he wanted to go during a zombie attack—the old school gym, which had thick walls and plenty of supplies.

“We need to get to the gym,” I said, hoping it would offer safety. Together we tiptoed out of our house and into the street. Zombies roamed like lost souls, and I was scared every time one turned in our direction. Just as we reached the corner of our block, I spotted Eli running toward us, his face pale with fear.

“Josh! You made it!” he exclaimed, relief washing over him. “I thought I was the only one left!” We quickly explained our situation, and together, the three of us began our trek to the gym. It felt like an eternity, shuffling between shadows and hiding behind cars as zombies shuffled by, searching for their next prey.

Finally, we reached the school. The door was still unlocked, and inside, we found a large group of students and teachers barricaded in the gym. Mrs. Thompson, our science teacher, stood with a flashlight, trying to calm everyone down. “We’re safe here for now,” she said, but I could see the worry etched on her face.

As night fell, we listened to the groans of the undead outside. Fear hung thick in the air, but in that gym, I felt a flicker of hope. I glanced at Eli and Lily, thinking about how our lives had changed in just a few hours. I knew we had to stick together and find a way to survive until help arrived.

The night wore on, and as we huddled together, I promised myself that we would face whatever came our way, whether it was zombies or anything else. Together, we would make it through, because as long as we had each other, we could fight back against the darkness.

Works Cited
N/A

Who is your intended audience?

What genre will you choose?

What point of view will you use?
(1st person limited, 1st person omniscient, 3rd person)

Where will your story take place?

Who are your main characters? List them, and provide some initial details. What do they look like? What are their characteristics?

What type of conflict will you use?

How will you incorporate dialogue?

Intended Audience:
The intended audience for this story is predominantly middle-grade readers, particularly those in 6th to 8th grade who enjoy science fiction, adventure, and horror themes. The age range typically enjoys relatable characters and thrilling plots that stimulate their imagination.

Genre:
The chosen genre for this story is science fiction/horror, specifically focusing on the zombie apocalypse subgenre. This allows for exploration of themes such as survival, fear, and the transformation of everyday life into a fight for survival.

Point of View:
The story will be written in 1st person limited point of view, focusing on the perspective of the protagonist, Josh. This allows readers to connect deeply with his emotions, thoughts, and experiences as he navigates the chaos surrounding him.

Setting:
The story takes place in Millfield, a small suburban town. Key locations include Josh's neighborhood, his home, and the local school gym that serves as a sanctuary during the zombie outbreak. The setting transitions from a normal, familiar environment into one that is chaotic and terrifying as the zombie threat emerges.

Main Characters:

  1. Josh: The protagonist, a 14-year-old boy with short brown hair and glasses. He is brave but also deeply concerned for his family and friends. He is resourceful and determined, trying to maintain calm in a crisis.

  2. Lily: Josh’s younger sister, around 9 years old, with long curly hair and expressive blue eyes. She is shy and easily frightened, but she has a strong bond with her brother. Her innocence adds emotional weight to the story.

  3. Eli: Josh's best friend, also 14 years old, with a lanky build and messy black hair. He is adventurous and humorous, always cracking jokes even in dire situations. His knowledge of horror movies creates a contrast to the real-life horror they face.

  4. Mrs. Thompson: Their science teacher, an older woman with a compassionate demeanor. She is practical and tries to organize the students and teachers as they seek safety in the school gym.

Conflict:
The primary conflict is external: the survival of Josh, Lily, Eli, and their schoolmates in the face of a zombie apocalypse. This conflict is intensified by internal struggles, such as fear, trust, and the responsibility Josh feels for protecting his sister and friends.

Incorporating Dialogue:
Dialogue will be woven throughout the story to enhance character development, convey emotion, and create tension. For example, moments of fear can be highlighted through frantic conversations between characters, while their interactions can reveal their relationships and growth. It will also serve to break up longer narrative passages, making the action feel more immediate and immersive.

For instance:

  • Josh: “We have to get to the gym! It’s the safest place!”
  • Lily: “What if we see one of them, Josh? I don’t want to—”
  • Eli: “Just stick close to me! We can make it, I promise!”

Through dialogue, readers will sense the urgency of the situation and the dynamic between the characters, allowing for a more engaging and relatable reading experience.