The man swayed for a moment, then focused his bloodshot eyes on Casimir. He didn't look friendly.

"Don't shoot me," Casimir said, "I'm not a zombie."

The man quickly loaded two more shells into the shotgun and snapped it shut, pointing it directly at Casimir's face. Casimir smelled the burnt tang of gunpowder as the residual smoke went up his nostrils.

"Don't move," the man commanded.

"I won't," Casimir said and, fueled by alcoholic courage, he turned and bolted.