The zombie launched himself into me and I was shot off of the bike as it continued racing down the road. He snarled and growled. I kneed him in the gut before I gave him a right hook to the temple and slipped out from under him. I spun on my foot and kicked him in the head. I was met with a sickening crack and pop and his body laid limp on the pavement. His head still moved.
I took my helmet off so I could breathe. I tried to take a step but pain shot through my back, bending me as I gasped for air. I whimpered as I limped to the side of the road. Once I was laying on a bed of moss I took in deep breaths, my chest burning. I fell asleep there. In the morning my body was still screaming but I managed to stand and make my way to my bike. I hit the road again, now driving far slower and with gritted teeth.
It was the middle of the night when I banged on the gate, my breathing heavy. I waited there in the freezing cold until the mayor emerged. When he set his gaze on me he wore a severe snarl.
"What are you doing here?"
"I-"
"You're putting us in danger."
I slouched, my eyes on his shoes. He was right.
"Can I just see my sister?"
He sighed and gestured toward her home. I walked to that big house. Opening the door and stepping into the front porch I turned to see her curled onto her side on the couch. On the balls of my feet I skittered to kneel before her. I pushed her hair out of her face. Her cheeks were battered from crying and her eyes were still wet. I wanted so badly to wake her. I looked at her like she was my daughter. She wasn't far from it. I pressed my lips to her forehead.
"I love you so much."
Slowly I brought myself to my feet. Tears fell down my face to slide across the resisting leather of my jacket. I had to leave her. She was safe. I couldn't compromise that but when I turned to leave I heard her shout my name before I felt her body slam into mine and her arms wrap around me. My muscles spasmed and pain shot through me as my knees buckled. I turned and hugged her back. I fell into her.
"Are you hurt?"
I groaned in response and she helped me lay on the couch. She then ran upstairs and quickly came back with a first aid kit. She eased off my jacket and shirt.
"Is it bad?"
"Black bruises. What happened?"
"A zombie knocked me off my bike."
"I'm so sorry."
She patted cream on my wounds before grabbing my shirt and taking it into the kitchen to soak it in water before sticking it in the freezer. She then returned to kneel before me.
"We don't have an ice pack."
"It's okay."
"I was so scared, Belle. I love you so much. I'm so sorry for how I treated you."
"I love you, too," I said. I knew what else I wanted to say but I searched myself to be sure I meant it, "I forgive you."
She ran her fingers through my hair. Tears poured down her face. She awkwardly leaned her head on my shoulder and sobbed, grasping my hand tightly in her own. I meant to just rest my eyes but before I knew it I was shivering against my icy shirt being slipped over my head. Angela soothed me. When I was clothed again I stretched.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Did he hurt you?"
"No."
"How'd you get free?"
"I found a gun and forced my guard to let me go."
Her lips quivered again and I wrapped my arms around her. Her body shook. I lifted her onto my lap, her body giving in to the sobs that grabbed hold of her. I rubbed her back and hummed. Her tears became more and more intense until she was gasping for air. Her body weakened when she began to catch her breath.
"I'm here," I soothed.
After three shaken breaths she laid her head on my shoulder. It brought me back to our childhood when I acted as her comfort blanket. I missed those days in a strange way.
"I can't stay, though."
Her eyes widened and she breathed, "Why?"
"He'll come back here."
"He'll come back anyway."
"And it'll anger him more to know that they've hidden me. I'll still come see you. I promise."
"No," She swore, sitting up and gripping my arm hard enough to brand my flesh with her fingerprints, "I'll hide you."
"You can't do that. You know that."
"Then I'm coming."
"You're safe here."
"I don't care."
"If anything happened to you-"
"-I don't care. I need you. Please!"
It was then I heard heavy footsteps descending the stairs. I turned to look at Jackson.
"What's going-" He froze when he saw me, "You're safe?"
"I am."
"Were you followed?"
"No but we don't have much time. I need to leave. I just needed to see Angela first."
"You shouldn't go alone."
"I am. That's final."
"You can't survive alone."
I felt Angela's hands on my face, forcing me to look at her, "Think of what losing you will do to me."
"Alright."
She pressed her lips to my cheek and ran up the stairs to pack her things. The air was cold but in a way that was strangely comforting.
Jackson sat on the couch and I followed. I wrapped the blanket Angela was using around me and leaned my head against the cushion.
"Did they hurt you?"
"No."
"Why did they take you?"
"He said I entertained him, and I was beautiful."
He didn't hide his disgust, "That's sick."
"That he thought I'm beautiful?"
"That he thought he had any right to do that."
"I know."
"You're safe now," He said, placing his hand on my shoulder.
I turned my head to see that John was coming down the stairs. I stood and crossed my arms over my chest. He stopped, his excitement draining from his face.
"I'm so glad you're safe. Can we talk in private?"
I walked out to the back porch and he followed. I leaned against the railing and watched as moths danced against the light above my head.
"This got me thinking-"
"-No."
"What?"
"I'm not giving you another chance."
He stuck his hands in his pockets and bowed his head. He had always looked boyish but now he looked like a child.
"I love you."
"I don't care. You're not coming with us, either."
"Is this because of Jackson?"
"Does it matter?"
"It matters to me."
"I don't care about what matters to you."
I went back into the warmth of the house. I was met with my sister carrying a suitcase down the stairs. Jackson stood to take it from her.
"You ready?" Jackson asked.
"Let's go."