If You See A Zombie Chasing a Human In Belmont This Week ...

Attention: Belmont residents! Do NOT be alarmed if you see teenage zombies wandering through local parks and playgrounds this week. They are harmless, that is unless you are a human teenager. Then you could find yourself caught in the middle of the ultimate battle of ... HvZ!

Now, while many adults can't tell the difference between a zombie teenager and a normal teen, it is good to know that what is occurring in and around town for the next couple of days is not the start of a growing undead menace. 

What began yesterday, Wednesday, May 15, and is running through Tuesday, May 21 is the introduction of the popular role-playing game "HvZ" to Belmont organized by Belmont High senior Kate Zolner and her classmates.

Essentially, "HvZ" (Humans vs. Zombies) is a game of moderated tag in which "humans" must remain vigilant and defend themselves with socks and dart blasters to avoid being tagged by a growing "zombie" horde.

As noted in the New York Times, Zombies can pop up anywhere at anytime so humans must be prepared to defend themselves and stay in groups if they can. Classrooms and other designated areas are safe zones (and hopefully that includes prom!). The game is over when time has expired or when all the humans are "consumed."

Zolner tells Belmont Patch that the game has spread across the country since it was first introduced at Baltimore's Goucher College in 2005.

Fellow senior Will Staub initially suggested the game here and others – Miriam Hamburger, J.T. Minor, Joey More, Anna McGlashen, Henry Smith, Joe Fitzgerald and Zolner – have organized the game in the past couple of weeks.

The moderators created some fun “missions,” such as scavenger hunts and capture the flag, all with a storyline that connects to the theme, said Zolner.

"It has been a great game so far because students in all grades have signed up and we believe it will really bring the school together," said Zolner, who recieved the backing of the school administration and the Belmont Police for the game.

Zolner said that while many guidelines have been put in place to protect the safety of the players and nonparticipants, "we understand that people could be worried if they saw kids running around with Nerf guns. We just want them to understand that this is a very organized game," she said.

Flyers have been distributing around town where the game will be played. If the public has any questions, they can contact the moderators at at BelmontHvZ@gmail.com

But just in case, I'm carrying a clean sock with me at all times.