{"id":252,"date":"2013-07-21T22:39:02","date_gmt":"2013-07-21T22:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=252"},"modified":"2013-07-21T22:39:02","modified_gmt":"2013-07-21T22:39:02","slug":"chapter-54","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-54\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 54"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 54<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

So, I guess I should try to write about that day.<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that I can\u2019t talk about it.\u00a0 I can, actually.\u00a0 Better than I can the day the dead rose.\u00a0 Far better.\u00a0 I have no problems talking about it.\u00a0 At least, as far as anyone can tell.\u00a0 I just \u2013 it\u2019s like my pen runs out of words every time I start this entry.\u00a0 It still scares me, you see.\u00a0 It\u2019s still such a fear I have.\u00a0 I know what I want to write, or to say; I just can\u2019t find the way to actually put it out there.<\/i><\/p>\n

I think I\u2019m not making any sense again.<\/i><\/p>\n

That day scared the hell out of me.\u00a0 It was like a lesson, though.\u00a0 It definitely showed me something, taught me something.\u00a0 It kind of made me see things.\u00a0 See myself, see\u2026 others.\u00a0 It opened my eyes.\u00a0 Everything is different now.\u00a0 Not just in the undead ruling the world sense, either.\u00a0 The way I am; the way people are, in general.\u00a0 As crazy as some of them drive me, the people I\u2019m with now, the others, they\u2019re my family.\u00a0 Kevin\u2019s like this protective father figure, even though he\u2019s not that much older, while Jo\u2019s become a mother to us all.\u00a0 I love them all, really.\u00a0 We\u2019re family.<\/i><\/p>\n

Except Nick.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u2026 Except Nick.<\/i><\/p>\n

And see, I just\u2026 Nick is, well\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n

Forget it.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Wednesday, May 2, 2012<\/b>
\nWeek Two<\/i><\/p>\n

She stared at her journal, almost expecting it to talk to her, as she tapped it impatiently.<\/p>\n

Riley hated the fact that she\u2019d been left behind.\u00a0 She understood why she was and knew that Kevin felt she was capable of going out, unlike Howie.\u00a0 It was just the fact that she was forced to wait in the church.\u00a0 It felt like she was babysitting, even though she knew she wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 It irritated her a bit and had made her grab for the notebook she\u2019d been jotting in since she\u2019d found it in the Sunday school room.\u00a0 Only instead of just writing random thoughts, she found herself writing about everything that had led up to her current situation.\u00a0 She wanted to do a retrospective journal of sorts.<\/p>\n

She was sitting against the wall in the kitchen, wanting to be away from the others in the multipurpose room, her notebook propped up against her legs as she chewed on her pen cap thoughtfully.\u00a0 Hair fell into her face, and she blew it aside impatiently, trying to think of how to write the tale she wanted to tell.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the ironic thing about it all?\u00a0 I have too much time for my personal life now, and my former achievements now mean jack shit.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

She stared at what she\u2019d written so far.\u00a0 What to say next?\u00a0 In a sense, it had all started with the interview she\u2019d done with Kevin, hadn\u2019t it?\u00a0 The story started there for her, all leading up to Infernal Friday.\u00a0 She supposed that was why she\u2019d started where she had.\u00a0 Writing a journal also meant there\u2019d be something left behind if the worst happened.\u00a0 Something people could come upon, to show that there had been survivors, that there had been life.<\/p>\n

Just in case.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t easy, constantly thinking of the worst, but in a sense, it came naturally to Riley.\u00a0 The worst in life was what had made her career before her world was destroyed.\u00a0 It was what she\u2019d thrived on, a calamities provided the best stories to cover and really were career-makers.\u00a0 Yet now, thinking of the worst really did nothing more than to psych a person out.\u00a0 And when one was facing the worst enemy possible, one that never rested and never quit, she didn\u2019t need help in that by considering every bad scenario.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Gretchen asked, as she took inventory of the food in the kitchen.\u00a0 They were running low on the last of the supplies they\u2019d brought with them as they arrived.\u00a0 They had already acquired more clothing, but they\u2019d have to go on a food run, and soon.<\/p>\n

Howie gave them a quick look as he walked by, before going back to whatever he was doing.\u00a0 Riley wasn\u2019t sure what that was and, honestly, didn\u2019t care much.\u00a0 The man was still a bit of a snob after two weeks, to put it mildly, and it irritated her now and then.<\/p>\n

She glanced up at the other woman, giving her an easy smile.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know Gretchen that well yet, but she felt comfortable with her.\u00a0 They were close in age, and she was far more mature than Kayleigh, so it was nice to have another young woman to relate to.\u00a0 Riley hadn\u2019t had a lot of girlfriends growing up \u2013 far too much distrust amongst teen girls, in her opinion.\u00a0 Then, later, when she\u2019d been old enough to have girlfriends who were past that, she had let her career consume her before everything else.\u00a0 If nothing else, she now had the chance to create bonds with people.<\/p>\n

Maybe she could make up for all the mistakes she\u2019d made in the past, mistakes that still stung.<\/p>\n

She motioned towards the notebook in her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m making, like, a log of everything.\u00a0 Journaling everything that\u2019s lead up to this, and us together now.\u00a0 Just, ya know, in case.\u00a0 If we leave, and other survivors come, they\u2019ll know there are others.\u00a0 Or, in case something happens\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to know we left a sign that we were here.\u00a0 I understand.\u00a0 That\u2019s not a bad idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was thinking of suggesting we all do it.\u00a0 It would kinda help us deal, too, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAs a kid, it used to be how I\u2019d get it out.\u00a0 Writing, telling stories\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Riley felt herself grin. \u201c\u2026 that or beating up my younger brothers and playing sports.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen laughed, sinking down into a chair beside her.\u00a0 \u201cNo brothers here, just a little sister, and I always sucked at sports.\u00a0 But I had a diary.\u00a0 Not that I ever kept up with it that well.\u00a0 It was basically for the crush of the month.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cCrush of the month, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you know, junior high.\u00a0 Whatever boy I suddenly thought was just oh-so-hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee now, I had the \u2018one of the guys\u2019 problem.\u00a0 Just friends, all of\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She found herself trailing off when the loud squeal of tires across the pavement caught her attention.\u00a0 The two women shared a glance before quickly heading outside, where Kevin and Jo were standing guard.<\/p>\n

Riley could feel it:\u00a0 something was wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cJo!\u00a0 It\u2019s Nick!\u201d Kayleigh cried, as she ran over, completely frazzled.<\/p>\n

She felt herself suddenly go on autopilot as she ran over to them.\u00a0 \u201cWait, Nick?\u00a0 What the hell happened?\u00a0 Kayleigh, where\u2019s Nick?\u201d\u00a0 Feeling several pairs of eyes set upon her, she fell silent shortly after.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe, he collapsed\u2026 and he was twitching, and just\u2026 oh my God, what if he got the virus?\u00a0 What if we can get it, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

For a moment, it felt like Riley\u2019s heart had stopped.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s Brian?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe stayed with Nick\u2026\u00a0 We didn\u2019t know what to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin looked between them, appearing to think for a moment.\u00a0 Riley glanced around at them all, feeling the wave of panic rise in a way she hadn\u2019t expected.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, Kayleigh, I need you to lead Jo to where Brian is.\u00a0 Riley can drive and help keep a watch out.\u00a0 Gretchen can help me guard the church till you get back.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the others headed to the car, Riley paused by Kevin. \u201cThanks.\u00a0 I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you need to go with them.\u00a0 It\u2019s alright.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a nod, she raced to the Hummer, catching the keys from Kayleigh, who, much to Riley\u2019s relief, said she was too nervous to drive.\u00a0 Driving gave Riley something to focus on right then.\u00a0 She started the engine, glancing back at Kayleigh in the backseat.\u00a0 \u201cWhich way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeft, then right\u2026 and, and then\u2026 it\u2019s just, we were\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpit it out, Kayleigh!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were out\u2026 out by the tennis courts.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a nod, she thrust her foot against the gas pedal.\u00a0 The short ride felt like an eternity, despite the crazy driving she knew she was doing.\u00a0 She felt the walking dead she ran over as she drove, bumps on the road interfering with getting to her destination.\u00a0 She thought of the time she\u2019d known Nick \u2013 three weeks, tops.\u00a0 Yet he was the closest person she had to her now, and she couldn\u2019t handle even the idea of something happening to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cRiley!\u00a0 There they are!\u00a0 Stop!\u201d Jo yelled, shaking her fiercely out of her thoughts.<\/p>\n

Her foot slammed the brakes, and she hardly noticed the jerk forward, as she cut the engine and jumped out of the Hummer.\u00a0 There was no thought; she was running on pure adrenaline, running to where Brian sat.\u00a0 She was just dimly aware of Jo and Kayleigh following behind her.\u00a0 She spotted Nick lying unconscious on the ground.\u00a0 Brian looked up, as he fired off a shot to an incoming undead.\u00a0 The shot missed the skull, but caused it to stumble as it hit it in the neck.\u00a0 He took advantage of its hesitation and fired again, killing it this time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Riley asked, kneeling beside them.\u00a0 \u201cNick?\u201d\u00a0 She nudged him gently.<\/p>\n

His eyelids fluttered as the Hispanic woman kneeled beside her.\u00a0 Brian stood.\u00a0 He nudged Kayleigh, and the two kept their guns at the ready, in case of any sign of danger.\u00a0 Kayleigh shivered at bit at the sight of Nick once more, while Riley leaned over him, her eyes filled with concern. Jo glanced back at Brian. \u201cTell me what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were taking some marks out.\u00a0 He looked at Kayleigh for a few minutes.\u00a0 The next thing we knew, he was on the ground convulsing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long was he like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably a few minutes, I think.\u00a0 He\u2019s been out since.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jo nodded; there was a knowing look in her eyes when Riley turned to look at her.\u00a0 She knew the older woman had a good idea of what had happened.\u00a0 Before she could ask, however, his eyes opened, and Riley hugged him tightly before letting go.\u00a0 \u201cNick!\u00a0 You\u2019re awake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah\u2026 what happened?\u201d\u00a0 He sat up slowly, rubbing his temples.<\/p>\n

\u201cNick, do you know where you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, yeah, I\u2019m at MacDill Air Force base.\u00a0 But how\u2019d I get out here?\u00a0 How come we ain\u2019t at the church?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know what day it is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s Wednesday, Jo.\u00a0 May second, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the last thing you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre we playing twenty questions?\u201d he asked with a tired smile.\u00a0 \u201cThe last thing?\u00a0 Riley and Kayleigh fighting again\u2026 I had to pull down Rye bread so she didn\u2019t get all toasted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRye bread?\u201d Riley heard herself asking, fighting back a laugh despite herself.\u00a0 Only Nick could be this random and this odd, after going through what he just had.\u00a0 It was official:\u00a0 that boy was truly one of a kind.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s your name now.\u00a0 It\u2019s been decided\u2026 it\u2019s official.\u201d\u00a0 He yawned.\u00a0 His face looked worn.\u00a0 Perhaps it was Riley\u2019s mind playing games with her, but he suddenly seemed to look older.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026 can\u2019t anyone tell me what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we get back, okay?\u00a0 Jo will explain everything there.\u201d\u00a0 Riley helped Jo assist Nick up off the ground.\u00a0 He was shaky on his feet, unsure of his footing, and she didn\u2019t like the look of confusion written so clearly in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go then,\u201d Riley commanded, as she let Nick lean upon her and followed Jo and Kayleigh back to the Hummer.\u00a0 He gave her a weak smile, and she gave him one in return.\u00a0 They walked slowly.\u00a0 Brian trailed behind them at a distance, still looking behind them to make sure they weren\u2019t ambushed.\u00a0 They shared several glances before either of them broke the quiet between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo me a favor, Nick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever scare the shit out of me like that again.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a Tonic-clonic seizure.\u00a0 I suspect it\u2019s because of his old injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s likely a one time thing, right?\u201d Riley heard herself asking, wishing that to be true.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t sure if she could handle seeing Nick like that again.\u00a0 Or, even worse, seeing Nick actually going through it next time, if a next time happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he\u2019s had one before.\u00a0 It may be a pattern.\u00a0 In fact, that\u2019s why I abandoned him at the hospital, when the virus hit,\u201d admitted Jo.\u00a0 \u201cI found him having a seizure in his room, and I mistook it for the virus, as seizures were one of the symptoms.\u00a0 I believe Nick\u2019s, however, are a result of his head injury the night before the virus hit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian nodded in understanding.\u00a0 They were all gathered in the back hall of the church, away from the Sunday school room where Nick was supposed to be attempting to rest upon a couple of the sleeping bags.\u00a0 \u201cHey, he did hit his head against the roof of the Hummer before we got out of the car.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jo nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes that can set off a seizure to someone who has a history of them or had a recent head injury.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, he\u2019s hit his head before\u2026 a couple times actually.\u00a0 And nothing happened like this then,\u201d Riley interjected as her eyes skipped back to Nick, who she could spy through the open door frame.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no set way to cause a seizure.\u00a0 Every time he bumps his head, it doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019ll be having one moments later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a liability now, you know,\u201d Howie pointed out, almost looking smug, as he brushed off his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure he\u2019ll still be more useful than you,\u201d AJ replied with a smirk.\u00a0 Riley shot him a grin; she was really beginning to like AJ, even if he was a bit strange.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have to be careful, though\u2026\u201d Kevin said, as she stood and walked away.\u00a0 Riley headed into the room where Nick was lying down.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t feel like being a part of the discussion anymore.\u00a0 It was stuff she knew already, and she felt bad that Nick was now isolated from the others.\u00a0 Jo had explained what had happened to him first, away from everyone else, so that way, he could rest, while everyone else talked.\u00a0 She knew he wasn\u2019t because of the way his eyes kept making their way over to the door.<\/p>\n

She doubted Jo had told him it was likely to happen again, and she understood why.\u00a0 All it could do was bring him down, make him worry about being a bother, like what Howie\u2019d had the nerve to insinuate.\u00a0 All this gathering away from him likely wasn\u2019t helping, either.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t his fault this had happened, and she figured he may need some cheering up.\u00a0 Or at least a companion.\u00a0 If not, well, then, she\u2019d tried anyway.\u00a0 She was never any good at this sort of thing, but after everything that Infernal Friday had caused, her whole mission now was to change.\u00a0 It was to be a better person, to be a better friend to her new surrogate family.<\/p>\n

But Nick wasn\u2019t exactly what she\u2019d consider a brother.<\/p>\n

What was he, then?<\/p>\n

She wasn\u2019t exactly sure.<\/p>\n

He smiled as she sat beside him, getting comfortable on the edge of the sleeping bag.\u00a0 \u201cSo I scared you, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, so don\u2019t do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhy, what are you gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna royally kick your ass all the way back to Hollywood.\u201d<\/p>\n

He propped himself up a bit, stifling a yawn before answering.\u00a0 \u201cYou would not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley gave him a questioning look, trying not to smirk as she stared him down.\u00a0 \u201cOh?\u00a0 And enlighten me as to why I wouldn\u2019t, oh wise and musical Nick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you love this ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

She scoffed at him, laughing softly.\u00a0 \u201cOne too many knocks to the head, Nick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, I\u2019m right.\u00a0 I have a completely lovable ass.\u00a0 So much that kicking it would just make you cry because you damaged such an enjoyable and lovable ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou definitely need some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

He smiled at her.\u00a0 It was a full one, winning and charming, as all his smiles seemed to be.\u00a0 He watched her for a few moments, looking as if he was debating something with himself.\u00a0 Nick stuck his tongue out at her as he lay back down again.\u00a0 His arm yanked hers, pulling her down next to him. \u201cKeep me company till I doze off, then?<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

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Chapter 54 So, I guess I should try to write about that day. It\u2019s not that I can\u2019t talk about it.\u00a0 I can, actually.\u00a0 Better than I can the day the dead rose.\u00a0 Far better.\u00a0 I have no problems talking … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":54,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/252"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=252"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/252\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":253,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/252\/revisions\/253"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=252"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}