The whole caravan shook. The tires popped like gunshots. I slammed the brakes and my wife Sarah and I ricocheted in our chairs. It seemed like our staycation escape to the Scottish Highlands had officially ended. It was heart-breaking. We had been in isolation for so long. Staring at the walls. Those god damn walls. I was too busy being scared to be disappointed though. Being stranded in the black of night on an endless country road will do that to you. But Sarah wasn’t scared. She left the caravan.

Sarah was always the bold one, despite her small stature. I worried that tonight it would get her in real trouble. Deep down, I knew this turn of events was no accident. With panic washing over me, I fumbled with the seatbelt and got out to followed her. When I opened the door, the stench of burnt rubber stung my nostrils. I ran to the back of the caravan and found Sarah there. She was inspecting a strange object on the road: a plank of wood with long nails poking out.

I hurried Sarah to get back in the caravan, even though it couldn’t drive much further. But it was our only shot at escaping. We ran to the door, when a fiery beer bottle smashed against the bonnet. Our home away from home was engulfed by devilish flames.

As we backed away, I became aware of movement in the dark. Then, four figures emerged. Gas masks hid their faces. They also wore neck braces, heavy winter jackets that covered leather overalls, and thick gloves. No part of their body was exposed. In their hands were long, sharpened table legs.

One figure said, “Go back and isolate. Diseased rodents! Stay away from our town!” No, I thought. I can’t go back. Those walls. Those god damn walls. I said, “We’re not like that. I promise. We mean no harm. We just want a break.” My plea didn’t work. Time to leave. I won’t prove them right about me. What happened to us doesn’t make us bad people. But bold Sarah had other ideas in mind.

Sarah’s eyes turned blood red. Her mouth gaped and fangs elongated from her mouth. She drooled like slobbering dog. I lunged to hold Sarah back. But it was too late. Sarah grabbed the first figure, sunk her teeth into their neck but tore nothing but foam from the brace. I charged to save Sarah, but they buried their stakes into her fast, and she was no more. I turned and ran.

A gentle orange glimmer rose above the hills. There was nothing to protect me from the sun. Four hours of running led me nowhere safe. I sat on the roadside, oddly at peace. Life isn’t really worth living without Sarah, anyway. And this death, surrounded by Scotland’s natural beauty… It would be a good end. It’s better than living… no, existing… in between those walls. Those god damn walls.