“Z” Day Celebrations Begin with Dreadfully Ever After, by Steve Hockensmith – & a Giveaway!

Oh please, I am desperate! I was bitten by a dreadful not five days ago and if there is any chance of an antidote, I must discover it as soon as possible! I have managed to keep it a secret until now, only my brother knows so that he can perform the office of beheading should I be unable to procure a remedy. My parents would be devastated if they learned, I beg of you to send me this book before it is too late! If there is a cure for Mr. Darcy, maybe it will work on me, too!

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My 3 sisters and I grew up reading, watching and loving all things Austen. My older sister found another love in her adulthood…zombies! We are not sure how or why, but she was hooked! (She even has a Zombie attack emergency plan for each of us…I sure do love that girl!!)

Therefore, when I first discovered the book P&P&Z I was horrified (How could they?!?)…and then quickly memorized (How perfect!!!) as I realized I HAD to get this book for my sister. Who would imagine an Austen/Zombie combo? It was as if it was written for my sister!

I am sure she would appreciate a continuation of the story to see what becomes of our lovely, zombie fighting, Elizabeth and Darcy!

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It was the late hours of the night, and the early hours of the morning – the time when the sun, swallowed whole by the darkness of the night, is ready to escape its confines and greet the world. Slivers of sunlight had begun to brighten the horizon and stream though the curtains, creating shadows on his face. A beautiful, angelic face now marred by rotting flesh, and scars – I held his hand tight, and caressed his cheek soothingly.

How helpless was I, not being able to do a thing more for the love of my life! I could not leave the house, for I knew that the moment my foot hit the threshold, I’d be faced with those monsters – a horde of savage, brutish beasts controlled only by the virus streaming through their blood, making them desire nothing more than the flesh of another human being, turning them into zombies. I wanted to run for help, but I knew that the doctor himself had been contaminated. I had no hope, and I had no choice, I could either let him turn into a freak like them, or end his misery.

I lifted his head up so that he could sip the herbal tea that I had made him. Fennel, licorice and ginger root when boiled together made for a medicinal tea, known for its analgesic and anesthetic properties – I’d learned this while I was an apprentice for Dr. Dashwood. I’d added peppermint because I knew he loved peppermint tea best, but unbeknownst to him, I had also been adding small amounts of arsenic to my concoction. As he sipped the tea,he elicited a sigh, the sound of which sounded exactly the same as my heart breaking.

“Help me, Lizzie!”, he cried out in pain. “Oh, Darcy,Darcy,Darcy.”, I said,cradling his head in my lap, bending down to kiss his feverish cheek, while I could smell his breath beginning to smell faintly of garlic. I did not know how else to alleviate so I picked up my favorite book, “Pride & Prejudice” and read to him. The sun had finally, come up now, and I could hear his breathing getting shallower. I held his callused hands in mine and tried to keep him with me, hoping these romantic words would make his last few moments pleasant – that such beautiful words were what he remembers me by, always.

When the moment finally arrived, I recognized it. But I was not alone, I could tell by the look in his eyes, so had he. He pulled me close, and hoarsely whispered these words into my ear, words I’d just earlier read to him, “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” – and as a silent tear escaped my eyes, trailing down my pale cheek, he closed his eyes, and was gone.

~The End~
(Original Passage – 490 Words)

Sorry, I almost got a bit carried away, and invested in the story, barely made the 500 word cut. Thank you SO much for this amazing opportunity – I would be ecstatic if I won, I’m a huge Austen fan! :)

Email: Enamoredsoul@gmail.com

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To whom it may concern,

I do not request this apothecary kit for myself,as I am always in excellent health due to the walking that I must do every day to reach my dear sister Bertram’s house(not that I would ever complain!),but for my nieces Maria and Julia,particularly dear Maria.

You see,with their father Sir Thomas,along with his eldest son off to Antigua,there is hardly a soul around to defend the girls from these repulsive “dreadfuls” that I’ve heard so much about. Their younger brother Edmund does attend his sisters on a few of their social engagements but not often enough,since he is too busy getting ready to take orders.

The only other alternative that I can see to ensure the safety and virtue of my nieces is to include their cousin Fanny in their outings;after all,if she is to be seized by one or more of these creatures,our loss would be hardly be a great one,considering who and what she is.

However,my nephew objects to that sensible solution so I must urge you to consider my modest proposal.

As a widow who only lives the best she can on what meager economy is hers to command and whose one true duty in life is in providing what she can to the family of her beloved sister Bertram (a lady who would be too delicate to stir from her sofa if such vile beings dared to invade her estate), making a gift of this set of medical potions to such a humble woman as myself would be a great act of kindness on your part.

Indeed, it would and surely Sir Thomas would reward your goodness as soon as he returns to England. Perhaps he might even present you with a Moor Park, which you might appreciate more than some people do, or another token of his esteem that a poor widow such as myself can offer beyond my warm hearted gratitude.

Most Sincerely,

Aunt Norris

Residing at the white house near
Mansfield Park

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~February 2011~
Though far from the stench of the Dreadfuls, the apartment was oddly tense and nervous, as the first young Roommate paced anxiously by the window, her gaze flitting out searchingly ever few minutes.

“It will surely arrive soon.” The other roommate replied to the last furtive glance, her eyebrows knit above her eyes in concern.

The pacing roommate frowned, unsure of whether she had to explain for the umpteenth time how important this was – Jane Austen … and Zombies. Surely nothing was greater? But before she could explain the cultural significance of mash-ups, her eyes caught on the white mail van as it turned the corner of her street. Her breath caught and she stared as it stopped at her building.

“It’s here!” she squealed and ran towards the door, nearly pulling it off its hinges in her haste to get to the elevator and down to the mail slots. She was so quick, she did not notice the roll of her roommate’s eyes, but just punched the buttons until the elevator doors closed. The ride down was agonizing and the doors opened much too slowly – but then there she was, bounding towards the man with the mailbag. “Is it for me?” she demanded, looking at the thin package.

“Ammy Belle? Apt 507?” he replied, giving only the barest of glances to the address on the label.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she yelled and nearly ripped it out of his hands, laughing maniacally upon seeing the Quirk symbol on the package. “It’s here!” she yelled and pressed the package over her head.

The mailman frowned. “Important?”

“Oh yes!” she replied, her arms still by her ears, a crazy light in her eyes. “It is – Dreadfully Ever After!”

The mailman stared at her, shrugged and went on his mail route way.

She ignored him and bounded towards the elevator, primed for the action packed third installment to Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, that would be had over a cup of tea and a soundtrack of lilting Chinese string instruments …

As you can see: I am a huge fan. I am the Ammy Belle of the story, whose excitement for the imminent arrival of her PPZ: DEA book can only be had by her excitement for this contest! You must award me this honour – I am near certifiable with jealousy over anyone else who would get it … Also, Jane Austen is my home girl – especially when she’s been mashed up with some good old Zombie fun!

In short – Thank you for the opportunity to win this, and salivate over my mailbox for weeks on end, until my poor mailman delivers it to me! :)
Thanks! apereiraorama[at]gmail[dot]com

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Greetings! I am a nurse in a band of young ladies who are sworn to fight the dreadfuls in true Bennet-sisters style: killing the dreadfuls while keeping proper manners in the rest of society. Recently, we ran out of supplies, and this apothacary kit would be greatly appreciated in order to keep the dreadfuls at bay.

Thank you most sincerely for your consideration!

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