Fight or flight? Humans debate best apporach to dealing with zombie horde

-->

With every passing hour Ryan Wallentine’s chances of survival are dwindling.

But Wallentine, a human in the zombie apocalypse that has taken over Utah State University’s campus, has a plan to survive. And he’s not alone.

Humans are using a variety of tactics to stay alive. Some stay indoors and hide from the conflict. Others prefer direct confrontation to fight off the zombies.

After hearing rumors of the zombie uprising, Wallentine joined the human forces to fight against the undead.

“I was walking around campus and heard that the end was near, that the zombies were coming,” he said. “Naturally I was a little concerned.”

But when the bloodletting began, Wallentine’s response was more flight, less fight.

“I’ve just tried to avoid and starve the zombies,” said Wallentine, who does not carry weapons or seek out zombies to fight like many of his fellow humans. “I don’t go around asking for it. Some people carry around giant guns that just call ‘come and kill me.’ ” 

Jake Hadley, another surviving human, prefers a different approach.

 “It’s more of an advantage to have the guns rather than lay low,” he said. “My guns just saved me two minutes ago. Without them I would be a zombie right now.”  

Craig Poulsen, who led a battle against the zombies, agreed with Hadley. He felt that direct confrontation with the zombies was a better tactic. 

His method was tested in a battle outside the library when he faced a horde of more than 40 zombies. “I feel like I have a good chance of survival,” Poulsen said moments before he was turned undead.

Wallentine’s plan to avoid the zombies rather than confront them had kept him alive through Wednesday morning, though it hasn’t prevented all encounters with the undead.

“On Tuesday I was leaving the Business Building and saw two zombies coming so I ran to a parking lot,” he said. “But then two other zombies came out from behind a car and another from the Engineering Building. Luckily I managed to get to Merrill Hall in time.”

Wallentine’s biggest concern is that the zombies will collaborate with each other to ambush him. “There is definitely some paranoia,” he said. “I’m looking over my shoulders all the time.”

Wallentine advises other humans to be on the lookout. “Stay alert,” he said. “If you see a zombie, either be a really good shot or run like hell.” 

The zombie numbers are growing each day. Tuesday night the zombie horde totaled 229 undead. Wednesday morning its numbers had grown to 298.

“It’s exciting for me, there are a lot more zombies now,” Wallentine said. “I’m pretty darn sure it’s going to get harder and harder but it’ll make my job more interesting.” 

UnDeadline reporters Sarah Menlove, Bradley Wells, Christopher Farnes, Hannah Romney, Ronald Henline
 contributed to this article.

A scientific solution? Zombie cure may be in works

Professor Andy Anderson explains the
biology of the zombie infection

Blood and rotting carcasses are scattered across Utah State University campus, spreading infection to all who come in contact.

But while many humans are fighting the battle against zombies, others are searching for alternative solutions.

Utah State University health officials have studied the biology of the zombie infection and are developing a vaccine to immunize humans. There is currently no cure available for those already infected.

"We've seen a bigger issue this year with the zombie prevalence," said USU Student Health and Wellness Center representative Andrea Sinfield. "This is the first year we are actually doing the vaccine and it’s a test run, but we've seen great results in the lab. It looks like we are going to be able to get rid of the zombie problem.”

Sinfield said the vaccine is available to all surviving humans, but eliminating the virus from those already infected is proving more difficult.

“The infection basically kills the human body and reanimates it,” human resistance leader Sgt. Tony Edwards said.

Andy Anderson, a biology professor at the university, believes that even though humans now have an increased knowledge of the infection, zombies are increasing in number, forcing humans to find short-term solutions.

"There are life forms that are very resistant,” Anderson said.“The most resistant one that comes to mind right now is prions. They are self-replicating proteins. They have no genetic material. The only way to reliably kill off prions is to reduce them to ash.”

Until an antidote is developed, humans may eliminate zombies by starvation or by burning them.

UnDeadline reporters Addison Hall, Brooklin Peterson, Blake DeVries, Kyle Heywood, Ryan Gudmunson and Tavin Stucki contributed to this report.

Library: Safe zone or deathtrap?

The Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University has one way in and one way out.

That makes it a deathtrap for any human who dares to step inside.

So it was on Wednesday morning three of the remaining 356 humans, Kat Combs, Eric Lott and Nathan Cutler, stood in the foyer looking out at the surrounding pack of more than 40 zombies.

“The zombies have our backs up against a wall,” Cutler said as drooling zombies paced back and forth in front of the windows.

As The Horde grows in members, humans are finding themselves outnumbered during attacks.  

“I witnessed a horrific scene yesterday,” said Combs, gripping her machine gun tighter against her chest. “Nine humans got trapped against a swarming group of around 50 zombies. The undead devoured their souls. I feel helpless. There is no way to make it out of here alive unless I wait until they leave.”

While the three humans watched the pack outside, the once stagnant, brain-hungry group suddenly erupted into a running fury chasing a lone human.

Moving from one safe zone to another, the human sprinted toward the engineering building.

“This is going to be bad,” Lott said. “The undead will show no mercy.”

Combs, Lott and Cutler watched as the undead ferociously consumed the fleeing human.

“That’s why I can’t go out there,” Combs said. “I am a fighter, I am going to survive.”

Screams from the dying human could be heard from inside the library. The fresh kill created a diversion the humans had been waiting for.

 “Now is our chance,” Lott said. “We have to go now.”

With a quick decision and guns at the ready, the three humans rushed to the exit door and fled the library.

UnDeadline reporters Michael Royer, Becca Golver, Paul Christiansen, Jessica Wardell and Joseph Meadows contributed to this report.

Zombies zig, humans zag: Tactics evolve as war enters fourth day

Like eager customers preparing for a big sale, famished zombies are learning to window shop for humans — stalking them as they approach the exits of buildings at Utah State University.

That’s just one approach zombies are using that members of the human resistance are learning to counter as the war between the living and undear enters its fourth day. But human are responding in kind, developing methods to increase their chances of survival.

Human combatant Dylon Jones has learned to “avoid open spaces near buildings with many windows and exits,” he said, noting that zombies can’t kill what they can’t see. “And travel in groups of two or more in case you encounter a group of the undead.”

Fellow resistance fighter Parker Christensen said those humans who remain alive at this point in the war have had to rely on cunning and tactics.

    

“It takes more skills to be alive than undead,” Christensen said. “Anyone can make it as a zombie.”

Nikki Tatton would rather not have to test her mettle against the undead, though.

“I run inside when I see them,” she said.

As the Horde size increases — more than 300 humans have been turned in the past three days — zombies are using their numbers to overpower their adversaries.

“I lost half of my group to a massive zombie horde outside Mountain View Towers,” said Mason Moore, who considers himself an expert undead evader. “Now I avoid shortcuts and stay to the perimeter as much as possible.”

Many humans like Jacob Barton are relying on the tactical training their captains provided in impromptu drills earlier in the week.

“More people could make it if they remembered to run, to keep their guns ready and to avoid bottleneck areas like the library,” Barton said.

Jeffrey Rutledge broke two of his own rules of survival.

“I was caught and turned last night,” Rutledge said as blood pooled out of his freshly bitten neck. “I should have stayed with my group and moved more quickly.”

UnDeadline reporters Matt Walker, Chris Larsen, Kelsy Ensign, Summer Taylor and Skylar Christensen contributed to this report.

For human resistance fighters, as goes the battle, so goes the war

In yet another illustration of the fate of humans across campus, four resistance fighters planning an attack on a group of zombies near the Geology Building on Wednesday were met with a violent counter-attack.

Zombie numbers have steadily increased across the Utah State University campus since the outbreak began on Monday morning — a fact some attribute to their organized, ruthless and unyeilding hunt for humans.

The humans were confident going into the fateful fight.
“It’s time we get rid of these monsters,” said Danny Mueller, a human. “I’m losing my friends left and right and we can’t afford to lose more.”

But the humans were not prepared for the savage force behind the zombies’ strategic attack.

“Get ‘em,” cried King Strike, on the first zombies to be infested this week and now a leader in The Horde.

On Strike's order, an army of 20 zombies came out from behind trees and bushes to engage in the counter attack.

It was a strategy that has been perfected by zombies as their numbers have grown this week.

“You have to get as close as possible without being seen and then pounce,” said Ethan Ackerman, a zombie. “It takes a little bit of stealth and a little bit of predator.”

The humans immediately sprang into action.

“Move, move, move,” said Mueller as he reached for his gun and sock bombs and fired at the incoming hoard.

But he was not quick enough. Mueller's blood covered the ground as he joined the undead.

“Don’t let the others get away,” Strike demanded as his zombies continued their assault.

The zombies chased the remaining humans across The Quad. The survivors took refuge in the Ray B. West building.

“They got lucky,” Strike said. “Next time we will get them all.”

Strike expressed confidence that the war would end with an undead victory.

“We are going to get everyone,” Stike said. “You can’t escape us and you can’t hide from us.”

UnDeadline reporters Janessa Colton, Misty Inglet, Anna James, Kevin Meacham and Dawn Otterby contributed to this report.

In mortal twist of fates, some undead now fear the living

They have been eating human flesh for days, but some of the undead at Utah State University argue zombies are the true victims.

“I’ve been running from humans all day,” said George Eager, a zombie. “They get together in groups and just start shooting at you. It’s pretty terrifying.”

Using guns and grenades to arm themselves, humans are teaming up with each other to hunt the zombies.

“They are ruthless,”  former human Chase Ward said. “I used to be one of them. I know how they think. As soon as they see one of us they grab their weapons even if we are nowhere near them.”

Ashley Angus, one of the living combatants, travels with other humans in case of an assault.

“It’s just easier for us to travel in groups,” Angus said. “When we see a zombie we know at least one of us will be able to get him.”

While Angus feels it is advantageous to stick together, Ward thinks it is unfair.

“None of us asked for this,” Ward said. “I would give anything to have my mortality back. At least the humans still have something worth fighting for.”

UnDeadline reporters Kori Slager, Aimee Cobabe, Heidi Smith, Stefani Lewis and Cory Checketts contributed to this report.

Friendship or hunger? Zombies must choose

As the population of zombies continues to surge, the undead are facing an increasingly difficult choice between feasting on brains and honoring friendships.

“It gets pretty confusing at times because we want our buddy Chase to survive,” zombie Ethan Ackerman said. “But the need to feed is so strong. Plus his brains would taste so sweet.”

Ackerman, who turned zombie two days ago, formed a human alliance with friend Chase Madrigal. In the alliance, which was pledged by blood, the friends agreed the sanctity of human life would be protected in case of a zombie transformation.  

However, since Ackerman became a zombie his views have changed.

“I would be really stoked if he was a zombie with me and we could go hunt together,” Ackerman said.

Now Ackerman craves human brains and the opportunity to personally initiate Madrigal into the zombie pack. “I think Chase would respect that more,” Ackerman said.

Although Madrigal contemplates zombie transformation, he believes his friend will remain true to the alliance.

“I don’t think they would be dicks enough to follow me around,” Madrigal said. “But if anyone transformed me I would want it to be my friends.”

Like Ackermen, zombie Marisa Rich devoted her allegiance to the zombie pack. She said her burning desire for human flesh breaks the bonds of former alliances.

“I want to eat them, but I want to protect them,” Rich said. “Usually I just can’t resist.”

Some humans have become paranoid that their former allies will use their own strategies against them.

“Since all my friends are zombies now, they are probably going to come after me,” said Richard Webster, a human. “They know where I am and they know how I work.”

Abandoned and left to survive on his own, human Jacob Ehle also has become skeptical — even of his closest friends.

“When it comes down to it, zombies will look after themselves,” Ehle said. “I would do the same thing.” 

UnDeadline reporters Natalie Thatcher, Jonathan Larson, Kellianne Smith and Erin Davies contributed to this report.

'A rough night for everybody': Humans lose leaders, zombies lose battle

The stench of rotting flesh and burning cannabis permeated the air Tuesday at Utah State University — the night human leaders Fate and Solomon were captured by zombie forces.

“Solomon went out with a hunting party of his elite soldiers,” said Coltin Grover, the zombie Omega leader. “After turning his men, we took him.” Fate was captured later, when her effort to save Solomon failed.

In anticipation of a large-scale rescue effort of humans, the zombies rallied their forces.  

“There will be blood spilt tonight,” said Zac Stewart, an outbreak observer for the League of Supernatural Nations. “Humans will be meeting with the largest zombie forces they have ever seen.”

The confrontation between the opposing sides held different significance for each faction.

“The purpose of it was to lure the humans in,” said Christopher Johnson, a zombie death captain.

Rescue, not retaliation, was the goal for the human resistance.

“The humans are trying to get their human partners back who have been captured by these ferocious zombies,” Stewart said. “The zombies want to prevent this and turn them onto their own side.”

With the screeches of zombies chanting “never shall we die” in the distance, the humans prepared to rescue their imprisoned leaders.

According to Stewart, the zombies chose to hold Fate at the engineering building and Solomon at the Living Learning Center on USU’s campus. “We felt like the engineering quad would be a good place for us to square off with the humans,” Stewart said of the area directly outside the engineering building. 

The rescue mission was a triumph for the humans. Both of their captured leaders were liberated from their respective internment sites due to “a lot of miscommunication and confusion left and right” on the zombie side, Grover said. “It was a little bit of a rough night for everybody.”

UnDeadline reporters Rachel Lewis, Chase Christensen, Tasia Briggs, Madison Stone and Kelsie Davis contributed to this report.

Z- Harmony? They’re after your hearts, not your brains

Some newly infected male zombies were surprised this week by a growing attraction to human woman.

But as the zombie population increases at Utah State University, it has become more difficult for the undead to attract living dates — a fact some attribute to their decaying flesh.

And that makes Brandon Whitby sad.

“I mean, so what if someone’s missing an eyeball or a limb?” said Whitby, a member of The Horde. “We may be dead but there’s nothing wrong with a little lovin’.”

Baden Thomas, another member of The Horde, attributes his lack of human action to epidermal deformities.

“My tongue is basically nonexistent at this point,” Thomas said. “It would be like kissing leather.”

In addition to decomposing flesh, human girls are repulsed by the smell of the undead, which has been described by some to be akin to moldy socks and empty sardine cans.

“They just don’t appreciate the smell,” said Nick Clason, a self-proclaimed example of putrid waste.

Eric Everson, a psychological resident for Counseling and Psychological Services at Utah State, said it’s important to establish common ground in every relationship.

“Obviously being dead is a pretty big difference,” Everson said. “But there needs to be some common interest, whether it’s an interest in sports or other activities.”

Thomas agreed.

“I want to date a girl with leprosy,” he said. “Then I could converse with her about things we have in common, like losing an arm.”

Despite Everson’s advice, Kelvin Boxham, a fighter for the human resistance, said he would shoot a zombie’s brains out before dating one.

“I used to think it was all just personality,” Boxham said. “But over time I realized that you need to be physically attracted; and zombies are ugly pieces of crap.”

Whitby understands that inter-mortal relationships might require humans to reevaluate their sexual morals.

“It’s necrophilia,” Whitby said. “And it’s not as bad as people think it is. People think it’s so gross but they just have to get over that initial psychological hump.”

Everson said he’d never seen a human-zombie relationship work, but didn’t rule out the possibility — particularly with all the newly undead on campus this week.    

In the meantime, he offered some advice to the men of the zombie community: “Make sure all appendages are there when you're around her — if not, cover them up.”

UnDeadline reporters Lauren Petty, Madeline Millburn, Manda Perkins and Jisa Robinson contributed to this report.