The Dead Flash Series | Book 2 | Rebuilding

by Crist, J. D.

  "I will find your mom," Emily reassured Bridgett. "I need you to open the gate."

  Bridgett looked at Emily and then took off running towards the gate. Emily began to make her way through the crowd, killing the zombies as she moved. Emily couldn't help but smile as she heard barking over the screams. Emily turned to see Marley run through the gate along with Sam and most of the people of Sanctuary.

  Emily continued to work her way through the crowd and saw that some men and women were helping in the fight. It wasn't long before Marley was by her side, and Emily could see that all of the zombies had found the permanent death.

  "Are you alright?" Howard asked as he approached her.

  "Yeah," Emily sighed. "I'm fine, but Shawn was shot."

  "We saw it," Howard said, looking in the direction of Shawn.

  Emily followed his eyes and could see that Sam was already with Shawn and was helping him to his feet. Emily walked with Marley and Walter to Shawn and Sam.

  "We need to get him back to Doc," Sam said as he helped Shawn stand.

  "I've had worse," Shawn insisted.

  Emily heard a coughing noise behind her before she could speak. Emily looked down at Jeff, who was still barely alive and was coughing up blood. Emily walked over to Jeff and knelt beside him.

  "You fucking bitch," Jeff choked out. "You are going to get all these people killed."

  "If you’re right," Emily smiled. "Then I'll see you, Hell."

  Emily watched as Jeff took his final breath and life left his body. Emily took her knife and stuck it in Jeff's eye. Emily pulled the knife out and slowly stood. As she turned back, she saw that all of her friends had been watching her. Emily wiped the knife on her jeans to clean the blade and walked back towards them.

  "What do you want us to do with all of them?" Sam asked, nodding towards the remaining people of the camp.

  "They come with us," Emily said.

  "All of them?" Cole seemed shocked by Emily's reply.

  "All of them," Emily said with confidence.

  "All of the women and girls were slaves," Emily began to explain. "Some of the men were playing a part to keep their families alive."

  "What kind of person could pretend to be one of these bastards and not be a bad person?" Sam asked, looking at the group.

  "I did," Shawn answered.

  "We will interrogate them and ask the women what each man did. If they are innocent, we will give them a choice to join us."

  "And if they weren’t?" Howard asked, looking at her over his round glasses.

  "For now, we will keep them locked up until a decision can be reached," Emily replied, looking back at him. "We will keep them in quarantine."

  "I'll get them all loaded up, and we can head home," Howard said as he walked towards the survivors.

  Emily wrapped her arm around Shawn and helped Sam lead him to one of the trucks outside the barrier. Once Shawn was in the truck, Emily shut the door and turned to see everyone loading into the different vehicles.

  "I was told to give you a message," Sam spoke.

  "I'm listening," Emily replied.

  "First, Hope is fine but not happy," Sam started. "Second, Bobby brought Hope her little bit of luck, and third, if you do this again, Julia will probably kill you."

  "I figured," Emily smiled. "Sam, how did you guys find this place? I never told anyone where it was."

  "We were trying a road on a guess when we came across Marley. He led us all the way here. I have no idea where that dog finds the energy."

  "He is exhausted," Emily responded as she petted Marley on the head. "He just wasn't ready to give up."

  "I think it best that we get everyone back to Sanctuary right away," Sam said as the last of the people climbed into the vehicles. "If you want, I can bring a team back to scavenge anything useful."

  "Let's go," Emily smiled.

  Sam nodded and headed back to the car he drove. Emily walked around the truck and climbed inside while Marley jumped in the bed.

  "You hanging in over there?" Emily asked as she started the truck.

  "Never better," Shawn smiled back at her.

  "Let's go home."

  "I'm sure Charlie misses us," Emily teased.

  "Let's never tell Hope about that," Shawn laughed even though Emily could tell it hurt him. "She may kill me as soon as she is old enough to reach the knives."

  "Deal," Emily laughed as she put the truck in drive and began down the road.

  Emily felt Shawn reach over and take her hand. Emily interlaced her fingers with his as she turned back onto the main road.

  Chapter 21

  Emily and Shawn drove back to Sanctuary in silence, still holding hands. Emily prepared to put the truck in the park as they approached the gate to enter the code. She was surprised as the gates began to open upon her approach. Emily pulled through and drove the truck straight in front of the clinic. Emily let go of Shawn's hand as she climbed out of the truck, and Doc walked out of the clinic.

  "Is everyone all alright?" he asked, looking at Emily with concern.

  "Shawn's been shot in the shoulder," Emily explained as she walked around the truck.

  "Everyone else is fine and is settling the new arrivals into the quarantine zone."

  "New arrivals?" Doc questioned. "I thought this was a rescue mission?"

  "It was," Emily said as she opened the truck door and helped Shawn to his feet. "Turned out that more people needed to be rescued than just me and Shawn."

  "I see," Doc said, still confused.

  "If you fix him up first, we can talk about the others," Emily said as she helped Shawn around the truck.

  "Of course." Doc seemed to realize what was going on and came to help Emily with Shawn.

  Emily walked with Shawn to the surgery room and helped him on the table.

  "I'll be back to check on you in a little bit," Emily said to Shawn.

  "Give her a kiss for me," Shawn smiled up at her.

  Emily left the surgical room and walked out of the clinic to the street. Emily could see Sam trying to organize everyone into the quarantine area and knew that she should help, but she had to do something first. Emily looked across the street to the bakery and saw Julia standing there with Hope. Emily took off at a run as Marley jumped out of the truck and joined her. Emily scooped up Hope and wrapped her in a hug.

  "I missed you so much," Emily said as she held Hope.

  "She missed you too," Julia smiled at her. "I tried to get her to lay down, but she refuses."

  "Thank you, Julia," Emily said as she looked at her friend. "For everything."

  "Next time, don't just take off and leave me a note," Julia said sternly.

  "I'm sorry," Emily replied. "I was afraid you would try to stop me."

  "Damn right I would have!" Julia replied. "I understand why you had to go. I was just afraid we lost you by the time I told Bobby Hope needed a little luck."

  "I knew you could handle it," Emily smiled.

  "This was a one-time thing. I need you to change that code right away," Julia was back to sounding stern.

  "I will, I promise," Emily said as she moved Hope to her hip. "I have to help get everyone we brought back settled first."

  "You brought people back?!" Julia did not try to hide her shock as she spoke.

  "Most of them were prisoners just like I was," Emily explained. "They deserve a chance."

  "What about the ones that weren't prisoners?" Julia asked, concerned. "How do we keep them from getting in?"

  "We will be careful," Emily smiled. "There will be a trial-type interview for each person. I'm still working on the details, but none of them will come in until we are sure they are safe."

  "What about the ones that it's discovered were willing participants. What will we do with them?"

  "I don't have all the answers," Emily admitted. "But we will figure it out together."

  "I trust you," Julia replied after a moment.

  "I'll follow your lead. Let me take her for a bit long
er while you take care of things in there. It's not a place for a baby."

  "I owe you big time, Julia," Emily said as she handed Hope back to her. "I'll be back. I promise," Emily said to Hope before taking off for the gate.

  Emily walked towards the gate with Marley and could hear that some of the men were not happy with Sam's directions. Emily picked up her pace to get inside.

  "I'm staying with my family!" a man shouted at Sam. "You are not taking them away from me again!"

  "I'm not taking them away from you, but we have to take precautions to keep everyone safe," Sam explained, trying to remain calm.

  "Then just let us go!" the man yelled. "No one asked for your help!"

  "Do we have a problem here?" Emily asked as she approached them.

  "This gentleman is upset that we are separating the men from the women and children. I thought it best until we know which men were playing a part and which weren't."

  "I agree," Emily said, looking at the man.

  "I'm not letting anyone take them away from me again!" the man continued to yell at Sam.

  "What's your name?" Emily asked.

  "Steve," the man answered. "I just want to be with Mariann and Bridgett."

  "Let me ask you, Steve," Emily began. "If I agree to let you stay with the women, then I have to let all of the men. I'm sure you know some of the guys here don't want to give up their ways. Do you want them having access to where your wife and daughter sleep?"

  "Of course not," Steve said as he visibly calmed down.

  "This is the best way for us to keep them safe until we can figure things out."

  "Fine," Steve said, looking over at Bridgett and Mariann.

  "We are putting all the men in the back cabin," Sam spoke. "We will bring cots and tents if needed."

  Steve turned and walked to join the other men as Cole led them to the back cabin.

  "Is Doc going to come to do the exams?" Sam asked.

  "He's patching up Shawn right now," Emily replied. "Depending on what time he finishes, it may have to wait until morning."

  "I'll go ahead and tell them he'll be doing it in the morning," Sam nodded. "I've got this under control if you want to go check on Shawn."

  "Please make sure they all get something to eat," Emily requested.

  "It won't be fancy, but we will get them something," Sam agreed.

  "Thank you," Emily smiled at him.

  "We will take care of them," Sam replied, not looking at her.

  "I meant for coming after us," Emily said, looking at Sam.

  "We're family," Sam turned to look at her as he spoke.

  "But if you run away like that again, I will personally lock you in a cell."

  "I understand," Emily nodded as she turned and headed back out into town with Marley.

  Emily walked through the gate and took a deep breath. She had never been so happy to be home. Emily looked at the clinic but knew that Doc would not be finished yet. Instead, Emily headed to the bakery and picked up Hope from Julia. Hope fell asleep in Emily's arms as she walked home. Emily decided to skip the bath tonight and let Hope sleep. Once Hope was in bed and Marley was in his usual position under the crib, Emily walked out and shut the door. Emily grabbed the baby monitor from her room and headed back into town.

  "Sam had me carry this while you were gone," Howard said as he handed Emily her walkie. "It doesn't go with any of my outfits, so I thought it best to give it back to you."

  "Thanks," Emily smiled as she took the walkie and put it on her waist.

  "Doc radioed," Howard continued. "He said that Shawn is out of surgery and awake if you want to see him."

  "Thank you, Howard," Emily said as she took off for the clinic.

  Emily jogged through the door of the clinic and to the patient rooms.

  "I told you she would be here," Doc said to Shawn.

  Shawn turned towards the door and smiled at Emily.

  "How's he doing, Doc?" Emily asked as she walked towards Shawn.

  "He will be fine if I can convince him to rest," Doc said, exhausted.

  "I have work to do," Shawn said as he tried to sit up.

  "No, you don't," Emily said as she put her hand on his chest and pushed him back down.

  "Normally, I would say he could go home and rest, but we both know he won't," Doc continued. "Someone is going to have to watch him ensure he doesn't push it."

  "You have a lot of work to do in the morning, Doc," Emily started. "You go get some rest, and I'll take Mr. Stubborn to my place for the night."

  "Are you sure?" Doc asked, looking at Emily.

  "Yeah," Emily replied. "I owe him for dropping me on my ass."

  "You can explain that later," Doc said, rubbing his eyes. "Here's his pain medication. He can walk around tomorrow but no lifting or using that arm at all."

  "You got it, Doc," Emily said as she took the medication.

  "Alright, let's get you home," Emily said to Shawn.

  "I'm not sure I feel safe sleeping there," Shawn smiled at her. "You may kill me in my sleep for that whole dropping you’re thing."

  "Get up," Emily laughed as she grabbed Shawn's good arm and helped him sit up.

  "I'll see you in the morning, Doc."

  "I'll wait for you before I start," Doc said as he turned to make his way upstairs.

  "Are you sure about this?" Shawn said as he stood up.

  "I am," Emily replied as she took his good arm and led him out of the clinic.

  Emily walked with Shawn to the house and closed the door behind them once they were inside.

  "I'll lay on the couch," Shawn said as he started to make his way across the living room.

  "I don't think so," Emily said as she grabbed his arm and led him towards the stairs. "The moment I fall asleep, you will sneak out and do everything Doc told you not to."

  "You don't know that," Shawn said in the tone of a pouty three-year-old.

  "Look me in the eye and promise you weren't planning on sneaking out," Emily said to Shawn as they reached the stairs.

  "Well, I could still do the same thing if I sleep in the guest bedroom."

  "Come on," Emily said as she led him up the stairs. "And I never said you were sleeping in the guest room."

  "I'm not going to fit in the crib," Shawn joked.

  "You are going to sleep in my room," Emily replied as they reached the top of the stairs.

  "Now listen," Shawn said, laughing. "I am supposed to be resting. So, if this is your trick to get me into bed…."

  "Oh, shut up," Emily replied as she hit him in the stomach. "You get in there and lay down while I check on Hope. I'll be right back, so don't try to run off."

  "Yes, ma'am," Shawn pouted as he walked into the bedroom.

  Emily made her way to Hope's room and peaked in. Hope was still fast asleep, and Marley stood up as she entered. Emily tried to get him to stay with Hope since his spot was taken in the bed, but Marley pushed past her and headed for her room. Emily looked one more time at Hope and saw that the bandana was back to hanging above the crib. Emily quietly closed the door and headed to her room. Shawn was lying down on the far side of the bed, and Marley had laid across the foot of the bed.

  "He started to lay on the floor, but I called him up," Shawn explained. "I hope that's okay."

  "It's perfectly fine," Emily smiled. "I'm just going to clean up a little first. Not all of us got a sponge bath tonight."

  "Don't remind me," Shawn shuttered.

  Emily grabbed her pajamas and headed into the bathroom. After a quick shower, she brushed her hair and teeth. Emily walked back into the bedroom and was surprised to find Shawn was still awake.

  "I thought you would be asleep by now," Emily commented as she sat down on the bed.

  "I haven't gone to bed by ten since I was a kid," Shawn laughed. "It just feels wrong somehow."

  "Most day's I'm lucky to make it until then," Emily admitted as she slid into the bed.

  "You are amazing," Shawn said as she laid down.
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  "Well, I know the pain killers are working," Emily laughed.

  "No, really," Shawn insisted. "It killed me to treat you like I did at that place."

  "It's okay," Emily tried her best to sound reassuring. "I knew it was an act."