{"id":361,"date":"2013-07-22T15:09:38","date_gmt":"2013-07-22T15:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/?page_id=361"},"modified":"2025-04-15T01:07:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T01:07:38","slug":"chapter-103","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/story\/chapter-103\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 103"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 103<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

You are the best thing that\u2019s happened to me in this crazy new world we live in.\u00a0 You have been both my rock and my security blanket, my shelter and my shoulder to cry on.\u00a0 Every time I\u2019ve needed you, you\u2019ve been there for me\u2026 including that day, one year ago, when I was speeding down the interstate, all alone, and you were there in the middle of the road.\u00a0 You were there, and I haven\u2019t felt alone since.\u00a0 So I promise to do the same for you:\u00a0 to be your rock and your security blanket, your shelter and your shoulder to cry on.\u00a0 I promise to be there for you, for all the days of our lives.<\/i><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monday, April 15, 2013<\/b>
\nWeek Fifty-Two<\/i><\/p>\n

As a teacher and a military wife in her previous life, Gretchen had always been practical.\u00a0 She and Shawn had stuck to a strict budget, putting every penny they could spare into savings for the future.\u00a0 She had stayed on him about turning off faucets and lights in an effort to conserve water and electricity around their small house in Atlanta.\u00a0 She had saved shoeboxes, two-liter soda bottles, and the cardboard tubes from toilet paper and paper towels to use for projects at school.\u00a0 And although none of that mattered anymore, now that her money was worthless, the house destroyed, and her students dead, practicality had never been a more important trait to possess.\u00a0 In the undead world, it was everything.<\/p>\n

That was why, one year after the apocalypse, Gretchen was so surprised to find herself trying on wedding gowns.\u00a0 For a brief second, standing on a pedestal in front of a wall of mirrors, she could almost pretend that nothing had changed, that she was just another blushing bride, about to be married for the second time.\u00a0 But even if she could forget, there were reminders all around her.<\/p>\n

The small bridal boutique had not been looted like most of the other shops on the street, but even so, its front window was shattered, the white gown on the window display mannequin stained with blood.\u00a0 This made for such an ominous sight that Gretchen, her hair standing on end, had almost insisted they turn away.\u00a0 But Abby, whose idea it had been to come in the first place, convinced the group to go in.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve come all this way,\u201d said the older woman, surprisingly persuasive in her sweet, maternal way.\u00a0 \u201cIt would be a waste of petrol to go back with nothing.\u00a0 Come on, let\u2019s find you a wedding dress.\u201d\u00a0 She had taken Gretchen by the hand and practically dragged her in.\u00a0 It was better on the inside.\u00a0 Abandoned.\u00a0 Untouched.\u00a0 But the musty smell of death and the thick layer of dust that clung to all the dresses still gave Gretchen an uneasy feeling.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at you!\u201d\u00a0 Abby\u2019s gasp made Gretchen jump.\u00a0 She nearly toppled off the pedestal, until Riley\u2019s arm shot out to steady her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re absolutely gorgeous!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen forced herself to smile at her reflection in the mirror.\u00a0 She felt far from gorgeous.\u00a0 Her hair looked greasy, pulled into a messy knot on the back of her head.\u00a0 Her face was bare; she couldn\u2019t remember the last time she\u2019d worn makeup.\u00a0 The white dress she\u2019d tried on made her appear bottom-heavy; it was too big on top, yet tight across her growing belly.\u00a0 But she couldn\u2019t deny that it was beautiful.\u00a0 \u201cThe gown\u2019s gorgeous,\u201d she amended Abby\u2019s statement matter-of-factly.\u00a0 \u201cBut it doesn\u2019t fit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll just have to find something that does!\u201d chirped Abby, bustling back to the racks.\u00a0 She seemed to be on a personal mission to make Gretchen the most beautiful bride the zombie apocalypse had ever seen, ever since she\u2019d overheard her complaining at breakfast about her lack of suitable clothing to wear.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like I\u2019m going to be walking down the aisle in my pajamas,\u201d Gretchen had sighed, gesturing at the baggy plaid pajama bottoms she wore under the old University of Michigan sweatshirt that had belonged to Shawn.\u00a0 \u201cNothing else fits.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense!\u201d snapped Abby, brandishing the wooden spoon she\u2019d been using to stir the pot of porridge.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s high time we find you some proper maternity clothes.\u00a0 And why not a wedding dress, too, while we\u2019re at it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Naturally, the unofficial leader of the group, Selena, dubbed the idea of wedding dress shopping \u201cbarking mad,\u201d but Abby found an unexpected ally in Howie, who agreed that Gretchen deserved to have something nice to wear on her wedding day.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll even come with you,\u201d he offered.\u00a0 \u201cBelieve it or not, footing the bill for a wife as fashionable as Bree taught me a thing or two about picking out clothes.\u00a0 Also, I have excellent taste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley, who was to be Gretchen\u2019s maid of honor, agreed to accompany them, and Nick, always up for an adventure, jumped at the chance to go as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s lovely,\u201d snapped Selena, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she rounded on Abby.\u00a0 \u201cSo you\u2019ll be taking a pregnant woman, a hemophiliac, and an epileptic on this little expedition of yours, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen put on a patient smile, the same one she\u2019d always reserved for the parents who blamed their children\u2019s problems at school on her.\u00a0 Howie hardly batted an eye, but she could see that Nick\u2019s feelings were hurt.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll be fine,\u201d she spoke up quickly, shooting him a smile of reassurance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if something happens?\u201d Selena persisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2019s going to happen,\u201d said Riley, equally stubborn.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t know that.\u00a0 What if Howard falls and skins his fucking knee, or Loverboy collapses in a fit of convulsions?\u00a0 Then what will you do?\u201d challenged Selena.<\/p>\n

Gretchen could see Nick\u2019s face getting redder and redder, while Howie stared at the ground, his shoulders slumped.\u00a0 She wished she could say something more in their defense, but she could not deny the validity of Selena\u2019s points.\u00a0 Was a wedding dress worth the risk they would be taking?\u00a0 Of course it wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 And yet, Abby had conjured up one of Gretchen\u2019s old, girlhood fantasies, that of the fairy-tale wedding, and in that moment, she felt like doing something fun and frivolous.\u00a0 It had been so long since any of them had, she could even understand why the others were so quick to volunteer to go along.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure Martin will come with us,\u201d said Abby, never losing her pleasant tone of voice.\u00a0 \u201cIf anything should happen, he\u2019ll know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes, an amputee \u2013 quite the obvious choice.\u00a0 Should\u2019ve thought of it myself!\u201d Selena mocked her scathingly.<\/p>\n

Gretchen frowned at Selena, but she was also wondering why Martin, of all people, would be Abby\u2019s choice to accompany them.\u00a0 The young Norwegian spoke only broken English, and his missing arm made it impossible for him to shoot a gun.\u00a0 He was never invited to go on supply runs because he could only carry half as much as the others.<\/p>\n

Abby turned her back to Selena at that point, addressing only Gretchen, Riley, Nick, and Howie.\u00a0 \u201cDid you know that Martin was a medical student?\u00a0 Yes, he was training to be a doctor when the dead rose.\u00a0 Needless to say, he never finished, but I still expect he knows more about medicine than anyone else here.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Though she kept her voice light and cheery, these last few words were surely meant to snub Selena, who prided herself on her pharmaceutical knowledge.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, Selena turned on her heel, muttering something under her breath about them all being \u201ca bunch of nutters\u201d as she stalked off in a huff.<\/p>\n

Martin agreed to go with them, and so did Kevin, at Brian\u2019s insistence, after his own request to go was swiftly rebuked.\u00a0 \u201cThe groom can\u2019t see the bride in her dress before the wedding!\u201d squawked Abby.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s bad luck!\u201d<\/p>\n

And so it was that the seven of them had set out towards one of the small towns tucked into the countryside that surrounded the castle.\u00a0 Abby drove the van, claiming to know of a bridal shop mere miles from the castle.\u00a0 Gretchen rode shotgun, but kept turning around to talk to Martin, who sat in the back.\u00a0 She\u2019d never had a proper conversation with him before, as he was quiet and kept to himself, but after learning of his medical training, she found herself suddenly curious to know more about him.\u00a0 Martin, she realized, might be the key to her baby\u2019s survival.\u00a0 With every week that passed in her pregnancy, she\u2019d found herself worrying less about miscarriage and more about actually delivering this baby without the aid of modern medicine.\u00a0 More than ever, she missed Jo, whose presence would have eased her mind.\u00a0 Martin now gave her fresh hope that, when the time came, someone would know how to help her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo Martin,\u201d she said, smiling back at him, \u201cI didn\u2019t know you were a med student.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJa<\/i>,\u201d answered Martin in his thick, Scandinavian accent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that like?\u201d she wondered, just trying to make conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you working in a hospital when the plague hit?\u201d Nick added, before Martin could answer.\u00a0 Gretchen thought she understood his interest, having witnessed a similar conversation that had taken place between him and Jo on the day she and Brian had arrived at the base.<\/p>\n

Martin shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI was\u2026 on holiday.\u00a0 How do you say\u2026 spring break?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d\u00a0 Gretchen smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI was on spring break from school, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Martin smiled back, she realized it was the first time she had seen him do so.\u00a0 \u201cTeacher, ja<\/i>?\u201d he asked, pointing at her.<\/p>\n

She nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d she said again.<\/p>\n

Martin cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cMine friends and I went skiing\u2026 in the mountains.\u00a0 We had a\u2026 a small\u2026 how you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA cabin?\u201d Gretchen guessed.<\/p>\n

\u201cJa<\/i>, a cabin.\u00a0 Communication was\u2026 not good.\u00a0 We were\u2026 isolated.\u00a0 When people got sick, we knew nothing.\u00a0 Then\u2026 the dead came.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen shivered, imagining him and a small group of college students huddled in a remote cabin, cut off from the rest of the world, oblivious to the zombies skulking outside in the snow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d she asked in a whisper.<\/p>\n

Martin described the events in a deadened, emotionless voice.\u00a0 \u201cThey attacked.\u00a0 Killed mine friends.\u00a0 The bites spread infection\u2026 brought them back from death.\u00a0 So when I was bit, I knew\u2026 I knew I was dead if I could not stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cYou were bitten?\u201d<\/p>\n

He held up the stump of his right arm.\u00a0 \u201cOn the wrist.\u00a0 We learned at Uni about amputation, so\u2026 I took the saw, and I cut it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen swayed a little in the front seat, feeling sick.\u00a0 \u201cYou cut off your own arm,\u201d she murmured, more to herself than to Martin.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you stop the bleeding?\u201d asked Nick in morbid fascination.<\/p>\n

\u201cLit a match.\u00a0 Used the flame to\u2026 how you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCauterize,\u201d said Kevin in a low voice.\u00a0 His face was a grim mask, hiding any reaction to the story.<\/p>\n

\u201cJa<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n

They fell into a stunned silence after that, leaving Gretchen to wonder the rest of the way into town if she would ever have the strength of mind to do such a thing to save her own life.\u00a0 She hoped she would never have to find out.\u00a0 But if anything went wrong with her pregnancy\u2026 if drastic measures had to be taken during delivery\u2026\u00a0 She shivered again, stopping that thought in its tracks, and rubbed her belly, praying that the baby inside would make a safe and smooth transition into this world.<\/p>\n

Now, while Kevin and Martin \u2013 armed only with a large knife \u2013 stood guard at the door of the bridal shop, Gretchen stared at her changing body in the mirror of the dressing room, as she waited for Abby to bring back another gown.\u00a0 There weren\u2019t any full-length mirrors in the castle, and she was mesmerized by the sight of herself and her smooth, swollen belly, streaked with faint stretch marks.\u00a0 It was especially jarring when she turned to the side and saw her own profile.\u00a0 Until she\u2019d started trying on dresses, she hadn\u2019t realized how big she had gotten.<\/p>\n

By her best estimate, she was five months along \u2013 more pregnant than she had ever been before.\u00a0 This was both a relief and a concern, because she was over halfway through her pregnancy, and there was no turning back now.\u00a0 In another four months, she would be bringing a baby into the undead world.\u00a0 That thought was almost as scary as the dreaded word miscarriage<\/i>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere, dear, try this!\u201d trilled Abby, opening the dressing room door a crack to hand her another gown on a hanger.\u00a0 \u201cThis one has an empire waist, so it won\u2019t be so tight \u2018round the middle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d said Gretchen, taking the dress.\u00a0 She struggled into it, disappearing in a cascade of satin as she tried to slip it on over her head.\u00a0 Abby and Riley had both offered to come in and help her, but Gretchen found herself surprisingly self-conscious.\u00a0 She would have to get over that soon, she knew.\u00a0 She doubted giving birth during the apocalypse would allow her much modesty. \u00a0Still, she managed to squeeze herself into the dress and then let Abby in to lace up the corseted back.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, this is lovely\u2026 just lovely!\u201d Abby clucked as she tightened the laces.\u00a0 \u201cTurn around; let me look at you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen spun slowly, and when Abby got a good look at her from the front, her whole face lit up.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeautiful,\u201d she declared.\u00a0 \u201cCome and look at yourself properly.\u201d\u00a0 She took Gretchen\u2019s hand and pulled her out of the dressing room.<\/p>\n

Everyone oohed and ahhed over her as she stepped onto the pedestal in front of the mirrored wall, and even when she saw her reflection from every angle, Gretchen had to admit that Abby had made the right choice.\u00a0 The dress did fit her beautifully, the sweetheart neckline accentuating her pregnancy-enhanced bust, while the white satin draped modestly over her bump.\u00a0 It was simple, yet elegant, appropriate for the occasion.<\/p>\n

Gretchen smiled at Abby\u2019s beaming face in the mirror.\u00a0 \u201cI think this\u2019ll do just fine.\u00a0 Thank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be more than fine, and you\u2019re more than welcome.\u201d\u00a0 Abby slipped an arm around her waist and gave her a little squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cNow then, Miss Riley, what will you be wearing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley made a face.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I don\u2019t-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the maid of honor must have something<\/i> special to wear to compliment such a beautiful bride!\u201d Abby insisted, making Gretchen blush.\u00a0 Riley looked equally embarrassed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, alright\u2026 why don\u2019t you pick me something out, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

This proved to be a mistake.\u00a0 A few minutes later, Riley was perched on the pedestal next to Gretchen\u2019s in a cloud of powder blue.\u00a0 \u201cThat color\u2019s just gorgeous with your blonde hair!\u201d Abby gushed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it goes perfectly with Gretchen\u2019s eyes.\u201d\u00a0 But Gretchen didn\u2019t think the pastel blue bridesmaid gown suited Riley at all, and she could tell by the look on Riley\u2019s face that she wasn\u2019t alone in thinking so.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm\u2026 I don\u2019t know,\u201d she said, coming to Riley\u2019s rescue.\u00a0 \u201cI think maybe something darker would be better.\u00a0 What about more of a royal blue?\u00a0 And a little more fitted?\u00a0 I mean, Riley\u2019s got the body for it \u2013 might as well show it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHear, hear!\u201d Nick chimed in.\u00a0 Gretchen caught his eye in the mirror and winked.<\/p>\n

If Abby\u2019s feelings were hurt, she didn\u2019t let it show.\u00a0 \u201cWell, back to the drawing board, I suppose.\u00a0 You girls go get changed and then help me have another look around, eh?\u00a0 And in the meantime, Howie, why don\u2019t you take Nick over to the men\u2019s side of the shop and pick out a pair of nice suits for him and Brian to wear?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen thought it wise of Abby to put Howie in charge of this task, seeing as how he had the best taste.\u00a0 Privately, Riley agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, if it were left up to Nick, I have a feeling he and your husband-to-be would show up to the wedding in blue and orange leisure suits,\u201d she commented, her voice carrying over the wall that separated their dressing rooms.<\/p>\n

Gretchen snorted with laughter.\u00a0 \u201cAt least they\u2019d match your dress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, god!\u201d burst Riley, making Gretchen giggle some more.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, thanks for covering my ass back there.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think<\/i> you wanted me looking like Alice in Zombieland at your wedding, but who am I to question anyone\u2019s taste?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty bad,\u201d she admitted quietly, afraid Abby would come back and hear them laughing.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll find you something more modern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u00a0 I have enough ugly bridesmaid dresses back home.\u00a0 They may be the only thing from home I don\u2019t miss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAww\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Gretchen thought of her old wedding dress, even more beautiful than the one she wore now.\u00a0 She had taken such care to preserve it in pristine condition.\u00a0 She wondered if it had survived the fire.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, will you help me get out of this god-awful thing?\u201d Riley voice, almost wistful for a second, changed quickly back to its offhanded tone.\u00a0 \u201cThe zipper\u2019s stuck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, if you unlace me,\u201d replied Gretchen, relieved to have a reason to wipe her eyes and pull herself together before she got too weepy.\u00a0 She met Riley outside the dressing room, where they took turns helping each other with the gowns.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026 how<\/i> many ugly bridesmaid dresses did you say you had?\u201d asked Gretchen, to keep the conversation going.\u00a0 She wanted to laugh with Riley, not cry for Shawn.\u00a0 She knew it would be better to focus on the here and now, on Brian and their imminent marriage, than to dwell on the past, on her last wedding and late husband.<\/p>\n

But in doing so, she was inadvertently reminding Riley of her own<\/i> past.\u00a0 \u201cToo many to count,\u201d Riley scoffed, jerking at the laces on Gretchen\u2019s gown.\u00a0 \u201cI was starting to feel like Katherine Heigl in that one movie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c27 Dresses<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 The most recent one was the worst.\u00a0 It was this big, poofy princess dress \u2013 pink with ruffles.\u201d\u00a0 She sounded as disgusted as if she were describing one of the rotting corpses roaming around outside.\u00a0 \u201cMy sister-in-law Kelly was such a diva.\u00a0 Well, I guess she wasn\u2019t really my sister-in-law \u2013 she and my brother never made it down the aisle,\u201d she said, her voice softening.\u00a0 \u201cBut they would have gotten married, if the world hadn\u2019t gone to hell.\u00a0 They\u2019d be celebrating their first anniversary in another week or so, actually\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

She swept her long, blonde hair over her shoulders, under the guise of giving Gretchen better access to the zipper on the back of her dress, but Gretchen knew better.\u00a0 Riley, never wanting to show weakness, was hiding her face.\u00a0 But with the back of her neck exposed, she looked especially vulnerable, and when Gretchen touched her to unzip the dress, she could feel Riley\u2019s shoulders trembling.\u00a0 She wrapped her arm around them, pulling Riley into a hug.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so sorry\u2026\u201d\u00a0 What else was there to say?\u00a0 She knew how Riley felt.\u00a0 They\u2019d all lost family and friends, planned for events that had never taken place.<\/p>\n

Riley sniffed and swiped at her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u00a0 Yeah, so anyway\u2026 at least there are no embarrassing photos of me in that dress for Nick to see.\u201d\u00a0 She forced a wry smile, blinking back her tears.\u00a0 \u201cWe better hurry up so we can help Abby find something tolerable and get the hell out of here.\u00a0 No offense, but I hate this bridesmaid shit.\u00a0 Not<\/i> that I\u2019m not honored to stand beside you; you know how happy I am for you and Brian. \u00a0You\u2019d think it would be different after the zombie apocalypse, though.\u00a0 But oh no, here I am\u2026 always the bridesmaid, never the bride.\u201d<\/p>\n

She smiled again to show she was kidding, but Gretchen knew some truth lay underneath it.\u00a0 Smiling back, she patted Riley\u2019s shoulder again and said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u00a0 Your turn will come.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure I believed that when people told me before.\u00a0 But now?\u00a0 Now my chances of finding someone are next to nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you already found someone,\u201d Gretchen pointed out.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Riley turned toward her dressing room.\u00a0 \u201cNow I just have to worry about keeping him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2026Alive.<\/i><\/p>\n

Gretchen filled in the unsaid word in her head, and a lump rose in her throat.\u00a0 She was all too familiar with the fear of losing the one she loved, but she supposed it was even scarier for Riley, knowing Nick could lapse into one of his seizures at any time.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get dressed and go check on the guys,\u201d she said, to reassure Riley.<\/p>\n

Riley nodded, but just as she reached for the dressing room door, they heard a horrific, high-pitched scream.<\/p>\n

They looked at each other.\u00a0 Riley\u2019s eyes were wide, and Gretchen\u2019s heart felt lodged in her throat.\u00a0 \u201cAbby,\u201d she choked.\u00a0 Riley was already running, the blue dress poofing out around her knees as her bare feet slapped the floor.\u00a0 Gretchen hitched up the skirt of her gown with one hand and held the bodice in place with the other as she hurried after her.<\/p>\n

In the center of the store, they met up with Howie and Nick, who had come running from the other side.\u00a0 \u201cThank god,\u201d said Nick when he saw Riley.<\/p>\n

Howie still looked worried.\u00a0 \u201cWas that Abby?\u00a0 Where is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the bridesmaid dresses are back here, c\u2019mon!\u201d\u00a0 Riley veered left, leading them to a smaller room off the main floor that was filled with colorful dresses.\u00a0 \u201cAbby?\u201d she called.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack here!\u201d they heard Abby\u2019s tremulous reply.\u00a0 \u201cHurry!\u201d<\/p>\n

They raced down a long row of dresses to the opposite end of the room and rounded the corner, nearly colliding with Abby, whom they found cowering, unarmed, behind a dress rack in the next row.\u00a0 \u201cIt came out of the stock room!\u201d she gasped, pointing.\u00a0 Gretchen followed the path of her finger and saw a lone zombie wobbling toward them on one high heel.\u00a0 The other heel was hanging halfway off the undead woman\u2019s foot, which she was dragging behind her on a broken ankle.\u00a0 This, coupled with the constricting cut of her bloodstained pencil skirt, slowed her down.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatch out.\u201d\u00a0 Nick pushed past the rest of them, stepping in front of Riley as he raised his trusty ax, but Martin beat him to it.\u00a0 The Norwegian appeared out of nowhere, releasing an animalistic battle cry as he barreled down the aisle from the other side of the room.\u00a0 The zombie turned toward the sound as he came up behind her, his knife raised.\u00a0 Gretchen couldn\u2019t help but gasp as he brought it down swiftly, the blade plunging through the remnants of a French twist on the back of her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoa, go Martin!\u201d cried Nick as the zombie collapsed at his feet.<\/p>\n

He stretched out his hand to slap Martin a high-five, but before he could, Abby shrieked, \u201cMartin, look out!\u201d<\/p>\n

No one had noticed the second ghoul skulking among the yards of taffeta and tulle, not until it was too late.\u00a0 Gretchen clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle her scream as she saw the zombie stagger right through one of the racks and seize Martin by the stump of his missing arm.\u00a0 Nick took a wild swing with his axe, but only succeeded in embedding it in the zombie\u2019s neck.\u00a0 It was Riley who sprang into action next, jamming the end of a hanger through the creature\u2019s eye socket, but not before its jaws had clamped down on Martin\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 When they pried the dead zombie off him, they could see blood starting to seep through his jacket.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy god\u2026 Martin,\u201d whimpered Abby, as Martin shook off his jacket to see what damage had been done.\u00a0 It was as bad as they\u2019d feared:\u00a0 his t-shirt was torn, the bite marks visible beneath it.\u00a0 Fresh blood pooled amid the torn flesh.<\/p>\n

Nick yanked his axe out of the zombie\u2019s half-severed head and stumbled backwards, looking stunned.\u00a0 \u201cShit\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, man,\u201d he mumbled, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me see.\u201d\u00a0 Howie stepped forward to insect Martin\u2019s wound.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that bad,\u201d he said hopefully.\u00a0 \u201cWe can bandage this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere-\u201d\u00a0 Riley ripped a strip of fabric off one of the dresses and handed it to Howie.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe this\u2019ll help.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s good.\u00a0 We\u2019re gonna need more than that, though.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley seemed to relish in shredding the bridesmaid gown, turning it into a tattered pile of bandages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat should do it,\u201d said Howie.\u00a0 \u201cTake off your shirt, Martin, so I can secure this better.\u201d\u00a0 They all watched as Howie folded several of the strips into a thick pad and applied it to the bite.\u00a0 He lay another length of fabric over it and wrapped it around Martin\u2019s torso, tying it tightly to keep it over the wound.\u00a0 \u201cThirty-six years as a bleeder will teach you the best way to tie a bandage,\u201d he said with a grim smile, stepping back to admire his handiwork.\u00a0 \u201cThat should be good enough to get you back, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026 what of the virus?\u201d Martin asked miserably.\u00a0 All the color had drained from his already-pale face, and he was visibly shaky.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re all immune, right?\u201d said Nick with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, AJ got bit and didn\u2019t get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he really?\u201d asked Abby, her anxious expression clearing.\u00a0 \u201cWell now, that\u2019s a relief to hear.\u00a0 We\u2019ll just need to clean this thoroughly when we get back to prevent infection, and you should heal up good as new, Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin looked at her, and behind the guarded look in his eyes, Gretchen could see a flicker of hope.\u00a0 \u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried to match Abby\u2019s encouraging tone.\u00a0 \u201cOf course,\u201d she chimed in.\u00a0 \u201cYou survived one bite already, didn\u2019t you?\u00a0 You\u2019re going to be just fine.\u201d\u00a0 But a quick glance at Riley told her not everyone shared the same optimism.<\/p>\n

As they walked back out to the main room, they heard Kevin call, \u201cMartin?\u00a0 Everything okay back there?\u201d\u00a0 They trouped up to the front of the store, where Kevin stood guard.\u00a0 \u201cWhat the hell happened?\u201d he asked, taking in their pale faces and grim expressions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a couple of them<\/i> hiding in the back,\u201d Howie explained.\u00a0 \u201cAbby was almost attacked, and one of them bit Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin\u2019s green eyes flashed.\u00a0 \u201cYou were bitten?\u201d he asked Martin, speaking slowly and deliberately.<\/p>\n

Martin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cJa<\/i>.\u00a0 Mine shoulder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe bandaged it,\u201d Howie added quickly.\u00a0 \u201cIt didn\u2019t look too bad.\u00a0 No worse than AJ\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

A significant look passed between the two of them.\u00a0 Kevin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWe should get back.\u00a0 Did y\u2019all find what you were looking for?\u201d\u00a0 He raised his eyebrows at Gretchen, who realized she was still wearing the wedding dress.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah.\u00a0 I should go change, though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll help you bag it up,\u201d Abby volunteered, putting an arm around her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go with you,\u201d said Riley, and the three women walked back to the dressing rooms, where Riley and Gretchen took off their dresses.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Abby, my dress got kind of bloody,\u201d said Riley, tossing the brain-spattered blue dress over the top of the door.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t sound too sorry.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s alright.\u201d\u00a0 Abby let out a weak laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose I was being silly, suggesting we come here.\u00a0 I feel just terrible about what happened to Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guilt gnawed at Gretchen\u2019s stomach for the same reason.\u00a0 If their little escapade to loot a wedding dress had gotten him killed\u2026\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s just go,\u201d she said, pulling her clothes on in a hurry.\u00a0 Abby finished smoothing the garment bag over her gown and tucked it over her arm as the three of them went to rejoin the others.<\/p>\n

Nick was waiting for them outside the dressing rooms, with a sheepish expression on his face and a sapphire blue dress in his arms.\u00a0 He held it up for Riley to see.\u00a0 \u201cI saw this and thought it would look good on you.\u00a0 It\u2019s like what Gretchen was describing, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen looked at the sleek, satin gown and then at Riley, who was staring at Nick with a bemused expression on her face.\u00a0 Then, seeming to snap out of it, she snatched the dress out of Nick\u2019s hands.\u00a0 \u201cYou guys are just so<\/i> determined to see me in a dress, aren\u2019t you?\u201d she replied, rolling her eyes.<\/p>\n

Nick grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna try it on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley checked the size on the tag.\u00a0 \u201cIt should be fine.\u00a0 You did good, Nick.\u00a0 Now let\u2019s get the hell out of here.\u201d<\/p>\n

No one objected.\u00a0 As they hurried to the van that was parked out front, Kevin said, \u201cI\u2019ll ride in the back with Martin.\u201d\u00a0 But once Martin had climbed in, he turned to the others and muttered, \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u00a0 If he turns, I\u2019ll take him out.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Martin did not turn during the tense ride back to the castle, but once they\u2019d arrived, he announced that he was going to lie down.\u00a0 \u201cWatch him,\u201d Gretchen heard Kevin whisper to Selena, whom he\u2019d ordered to stand guard outside of Martin\u2019s room.\u00a0 \u201cIf he turns\u2026 you know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know why we don\u2019t just lock him up!\u201d Selena hissed.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what you did to AJ, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, she didn\u2019t have the same tact as Kevin, and this time, Gretchen wasn\u2019t the only one who heard.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease\u2026\u201d\u00a0 They all looked up to see Martin standing in the doorway, his eyes filled with tears.\u00a0 \u201cPlease\u2026\u201d he begged.\u00a0 \u201cIs not safe, I agree.\u00a0 Lock me up.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

The others exchanged glances.\u00a0 Abby shook her head, tears starting in her eyes, too.\u00a0 She reached for Callum\u2019s hand.\u00a0 On the boy\u2019s other side sat Gabby, anxiously biting her lip.\u00a0 But no one said anything.<\/p>\n

Then AJ spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s right, you know.\u00a0 It\u2019s the safest way to be sure.\u00a0 It ain\u2019t no picnic, trust me, but it\u2019s better than opening the door for someone else to get bit.\u00a0 If he\u2019s immune, we\u2019ll know in a day or so, and no harm done.\u00a0 And if he\u2019s not\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He trailed off, rubbing the half-moon scar on his wrist.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll all be safer this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin cleared his throat, looking warily at Martin.\u00a0 \u201cAre you okay with this, Martin?\u00a0 Is this what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJa<\/i>.\u201d\u00a0 Nodding miserably, Martin echoed AJ\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cIs safer for everyone this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, alright.\u00a0 It\u2019s settled then.\u00a0 We\u2019ll put you in the dungeon for the night.\u00a0 You can keep Alistair company.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin nodded again in silent agreement.\u00a0 Abby burst into a fresh batch of tears, but Martin remained stoic.\u00a0 They took turns telling him goodbye, promising they\u2019d see him bright and early the next morning.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just for one night,\u201d Kevin reassured him, putting a hand on his good shoulder as he led him away.\u00a0 \u201cAnd when you wake up tomorrow, we\u2019ll be able to put this all behind us.\u201d<\/p>\n

When they were gone, Gretchen turned to Brian, who was sitting beside her.\u00a0 \u201cWe should wait to get married,\u201d she whispered, stroking the back of his hand.<\/p>\n

She could tell by the look on Brian\u2019s that this was not what he\u2019d wanted to hear, but she was still surprised when he asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d\u00a0 She blinked incredulously at him.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t have a wedding tonight, knowing he\u2019s down there wondering if he\u2019s about to become one of them!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly why we should get married tonight.\u00a0 It\u2019ll make for a good distraction, take everybody\u2019s minds off what\u2019s going on,\u201d said Brian rationally.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, we picked this date for a reason.\u00a0 Why else did we wait all this time, when we could have married each other six weeks ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen smiled sadly, remembering their reason for waiting.\u00a0 In a way, it was already their anniversary.\u00a0 One year.\u00a0 One year since the dead rose.\u00a0 One year since the day they\u2019d met.\u00a0 Brian had been particularly adamant about turning that anniversary into a reason to celebrate, rather than mourn.\u00a0 And Gretchen wanted to give him that:\u00a0 a chance to make new memories, good ones, to take the place of the bad ones that still haunted him.\u00a0 But still, she was unsure.\u00a0 She still felt guilty about what had happened at the dress shop.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, baby,\u201d Brian begged, placing his hand on top of hers.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to wait anymore.\u00a0 Especially after what happened today.\u00a0 When you guys got back, and I found out what happened, I thought, \u2018My God\u2026 that could have been Gretchen.\u2019\u00a0 Life\u2019s too short to wait.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to go another day without making you my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh c\u2019mon, Gretch,\u201d Nick butted in.\u00a0 Gretchen looked up, embarrassed; she didn\u2019t realize he\u2019d been eavesdropping.\u00a0 Nick gave her one of his big, goofy grins.\u00a0 \u201cEven if he does just want to get in your pants tonight, the guy\u2019s got a point.\u00a0 What\u2019s the use of waiting, when we could all use the distraction?\u00a0 Besides, I wanna see how Rye looks in that dress I picked out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Nick.\u201d\u00a0 Riley rolled her eyes, shooting Gretchen an apologetic grin, but that was all Gretchen needed to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, alright,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cIf no one has any objections\u2026 we\u2019ll get married tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cY\u2019all better speak now, or forever hold your peace,\u201d added Brian, looking around the room.\u00a0 When no one spoke, he grinned and gave Gretchen a kiss on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s settled, then.\u00a0 See ya at the altar.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Gretchen would never forget the flurry of activity that had proceeded her first wedding, the feeling of butterflies fluttering in her stomach as her mother and bridesmaids flitted all around her, buttoning her into her dress, touching up her makeup, re-pinning pieces of hair that had fallen out of place.\u00a0 She had wanted everything to be perfect, and they had helped her to make it so.\u00a0 Her nerves had been at their peak when she\u2019d stepped into the sanctuary on her father\u2019s arm, but when Gretchen had looked down the aisle and seen Shawn\u2019s face, it was as if all her stress had simply melted away.<\/p>\n

When she closed her eyes, she could still see Shawn\u2019s face, smiling at her, his eyes shining behind his glasses.\u00a0 When she opened them, her own eyes were shiny and wet with tears.\u00a0 They spilled over as she glanced down at her dress, staining the white satin bodice.\u00a0 What would Shawn think if he could see her now, already five months pregnant with someone else\u2019s child and about to marry another man, when he had only been gone a year?\u00a0 She hoped he would understand, that he would even be happy for her, but even so, it was guilt, rather than nerves, that gnawed away at her this time.\u00a0 She had taken off the necklace that held her wedding rings, and she felt naked without it.<\/p>\n

Riley had gone to find her another necklace to wear, and when she returned and saw Gretchen\u2019s face, she said, \u201cAww, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen sniffed and wiped her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOh, nothing.\u00a0 Just being sentimental, thinking about Shawn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley gave her a sympathetic smile and a hug.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you go getting cold feet,\u201d she said, shaking Gretchen\u2019s shoulders as she started to release her.\u00a0 \u201cYou know he would have wanted this for you.\u00a0 He would have wanted you to survive and start a new life, and you have.\u00a0 You are.\u00a0 So don\u2019t second guess yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen forced herself to smile back.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u00a0 I guess I just needed to hear someone else say it.\u00a0 So thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure.\u00a0 Hey, look what I brought back.\u201d\u00a0 Riley held up a teardrop-shaped sapphire pendant on a silver chain.\u00a0 \u201cFound it in the gift shop.\u00a0 I figured it fits the \u2018something borrowed and something blue\u2019 part.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beautiful.\u00a0 Thanks, Rye.\u00a0 Put it on me?\u201d\u00a0 She turned around so Riley could fasten the clasp at the nape of her neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere you go.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen spun back around to face Riley, the best substitute she had for a floor-length mirror.\u00a0 \u201cHow do I look?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou look gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo do you, girl!\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley rolled her eyes, but Gretchen was being sincere.\u00a0 The dress Nick had picked out for Riley matched the sapphire pendant and fit her like a glove, the sleek satin hugging her body in all the right places.\u00a0 He was in for a treat when he saw her walk down the aisle ahead of Gretchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI peeked in the chapel on my way back, and it looks like they\u2019re ready.\u00a0 Should we get in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen took a deep breath and released it slowly.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 I think I\u2019m ready now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Riley grinned and offered Gretchen her hand.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hand in hand, they left the tiny chamber in which Gretchen had gotten ready and walked toward the chapel, where the others would be waiting.\u00a0 It had gone quiet in the castle, Gretchen noticed, and the sound of their footsteps scuffing on the stone floor seemed extra loud.\u00a0 For hours after Kevin had escorted Martin to the dungeon, they\u2019d been subjected to the sound of Alistair\u2019s angry shouting.\u00a0 \u201cAre ye MAD?!\u00a0 First ye lock me in here and leave me to rot, and now yer goin\u2019 to chain up a zombie beside me?\u00a0 This is torture!\u00a0 TORTURE, I tell ye!\u201d\u00a0 Alistair had gone on ranting and raving for close to an hour, but his screams had eventually died down.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t heard a peep from the makeshift prison since.\u00a0 The silence unnerved Gretchen.\u00a0 She would be glad when morning came, so they could let Martin out of there.<\/p>\n

As they approached the chapel, soft strains of music filled the silence.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re ready for us,\u201d Riley whispered.\u00a0 \u201cAre you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead.\u201d\u00a0 She watched as Riley rounded the corner to enter the chapel.\u00a0 After waiting several beats, long enough to give Riley time to get down the short aisle, Gretchen followed her.<\/p>\n

As soon as she set foot inside the chapel, the music changed.\u00a0 AJ stood in a corner of the chapel, softly strumming the Bridal Chorus<\/i> on the acoustic guitar Brian had brought back from a supply run.\u00a0 Gretchen beamed at him as she glided past, and he winked.\u00a0 Then her attention turned to her husband-to-be, standing at the altar with his hands folded nervously in front of him.\u00a0 He was wearing the black tuxedo Nick and Howie had picked out for him at the bridal store, and Gretchen thought he had never looked more handsome.\u00a0 Nick didn\u2019t look bad, himself, standing on Brian\u2019s left in a matching suit.\u00a0 But it was Kevin who truly looked distinguished, standing in the center of the altar in his full Air Force uniform.\u00a0 Brian had asked his cousin to conduct the ceremony.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t an officiant, according to the old laws, but under their current circumstances, he would have to do.<\/p>\n

Brian reached out and took Gretchen\u2019s hand when she reached the altar, and they turned briefly to face the rest of the group, standing in rows behind them.\u00a0 Abby was in the front, beaming up at them, with Callum and Gabby at her side.\u00a0 Across the aisle with In-Su, Howie gave them a wink and a grin.\u00a0 Shaun and Liz were holding hands in the second row, while Ashton and Lucio stood shoulder to shoulder.\u00a0 Even Selena had shown up, though she stood alone in the back.\u00a0 The only one missing from the ceremony was Martin.\u00a0 Gretchen tried to push him into the back of her mind as she turned and took Brian\u2019s other hand.<\/p>\n

Facing each other, they said their vows.\u00a0 Brian read his off a piece of paper he\u2019d pulled out of his pocket.\u00a0 \u201cGretchen,\u201d he began, his voice husky with emotion, \u201cI met you, one year ago, on the worst day of my life.\u00a0 It was the day I lost my whole world.\u201d\u00a0 Remembering how broken Brian had looked when she\u2019d rescued him on the roadside that day, Gretchen\u2019s eyes welled with tears. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019d lost my family, my faith,\u201d he continued, his voice cracking.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d lost everything, everything that made me the person I was.\u00a0 I even lost myself.\u00a0 But I also gained something special that day \u2013 April fifteenth, two thousand twelve, the first day of the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen smiled through her tears as Brian squeezed her hands.\u00a0 \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been the easiest life,\u201d he admitted, \u201cbut you\u2019ve made it worth living, Gretchen.\u00a0 You saved me in more ways than one that day, and you\u2019ve been my saving grace every day since.\u00a0 I promise to love and protect you for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

His blue eyes were bright with unshed tears, though hers had already started to trickle down her cheeks.\u00a0 Struggling to keep her composure long enough to get through her own vows, Gretchen swallowed hard.\u00a0 She reached into the bodice of her dress to dig out the folded scrap of paper she had tucked there, earning a few laughs from the group.\u00a0 Smiling, she unfolded the piece of paper, cleared her throat, and began to read the words she had penned there.<\/p>\n

\u201cBrian,\u201d she started, her voice shaking, \u201cyou are the best thing that\u2019s happened to me in this crazy new world we live in.\u00a0 You have been both my rock and my security blanket, my shelter and my shoulder to cry on.\u00a0 Every time I\u2019ve needed you, you\u2019ve been there for me\u2026 including that day, one year ago, when I was speeding down the interstate, all alone, and you were there in the middle of the road.\u201d\u00a0 Brian smiled, the tears still sparkling in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou were there,\u201d Gretchen repeated, \u201cand I haven\u2019t felt alone since.\u00a0 So I promise to do the same for you:\u00a0 to be your rock and your security blanket, your shelter and your shoulder to cry on.\u00a0 I promise to be there for you, for all the days of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin led them through the exchanging of rings, a pair of silver bands Brian had looted on one of their supply runs.\u00a0 A lump rose in Gretchen\u2019s throat as she watched Brian slide the simple band onto her finger, next to the engagement ring he had given her.\u00a0 It felt good to have a wedding ring around her finger again, but she couldn\u2019t help but think of the band that was there before it, the one now tucked away with the rest of her belongings.\u00a0 She was someone\u2019s wife once again, but she was also someone\u2019s widow, and she could never forget that.\u00a0 She could never forget Shawn.\u00a0 But then, she knew Brian felt the same way about Leighanne.\u00a0 Neither of them could be forgotten or replaced.\u00a0 They would live on through memories \u2013 tucked away, like the rings, for safekeeping.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the power vested in me by\u2026 Brian,\u201d proclaimed Kevin, to a few chuckles, \u201cI now pronounce you husband and wife.\u00a0 Go on and kiss your bride, cous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Grinning, Brian pulled Gretchen into his arms and planted a kiss upon her lips.\u00a0 With her eyes closed, she couldn\u2019t see the latecomer stagger into the chapel.\u00a0 It was Selena\u2019s scream that broke the kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHE\u2019S ONE OF THEM!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gretchen looked up as everyone turned around, in time to see Martin \u2013 or what used to be Martin \u2013 making his way up the aisle.\u00a0 His once-blue eyes were clouded over, his complexion the color of ashes.\u00a0 As he lurched toward them, his arms outstretched, Gretchen saw that his good hand was gone, his wrist a bloody stump.\u00a0 The sight of bone poking out of the mangled flesh made her gag.\u00a0 She clapped a hand over her mouth, heaving.<\/p>\n

Selena sighed and pulled a dagger out of her belt loop.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, mate,\u201d she said, and she plunged the blade through Martin\u2019s skull.<\/p>\n

For several long minutes, they all just stood and stared at the spot where Martin lay, his unseeing eyes fixed upon the ceiling.\u00a0 Then, needing to understand fully what had happened, they trouped after Kevin as he left the chapel and returned to the dungeon where he had chained Martin.\u00a0 There they found the empty manacle, Martin\u2019s severed hand lying near it on the floor.\u00a0 On the other side of the small room, Alistair\u2019s gutted corpse lay in a sticky pool of blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have turned, then ripped off his own hand trying to get to Alistair,\u201d said Kevin sadly, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cWe should have had someone stand guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEh\u2026 it\u2019s not like Alistair\u2019s a big loss,\u201d grunted AJ, shrugging.<\/p>\n

Privately, Gretchen agreed, but it didn\u2019t make her feel any better.\u00a0 She was wracked with guilt over what had happened to Martin.\u00a0 But the sick feeling in her stomach was not just one of guilt, grief, or even disgust.\u00a0 It was worry.\u00a0 Now that Martin was gone, they\u2019d lost the closest thing they had to a medical doctor.\u00a0 The hope she\u2019d felt that morning had died along with him.<\/p>\n

She looked at Brian, who was still holding onto her, his arm around her waist.\u00a0 As the newlyweds locked eyes, the silent question passed between them:\u00a0 What are we going to do now?<\/i><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

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Chapter 103 You are the best thing that\u2019s happened to me in this crazy new world we live in.\u00a0 You have been both my rock and my security blanket, my shelter and my shoulder to cry on.\u00a0 Every time I\u2019ve … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":103,"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\/361"}],"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=361"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":585,"href":"http:\/\/dreamers-sanctuary.com\/undead\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/361\/revisions\/585"}],"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=361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}