by M. D. Massey
“Nick, I know what’s happening. I have a lot of explaining to do, but I need to know if you’re injured first.”
Nick paused, contemplating. He was having trouble putting words together, his anger and despair taking over. He gazed at Jenna, crying.
“Nick, I’m only going to ask you once more, and you need to be completely honest. If you have an injury due to an undead, you need to tell us.”
“Undead?”
“Henry will explain more in a bit, Nick.” I tried to be soft and mellow, much like the way mom always was with him. He was a momma’s boy, so I hoped it would calm him down. The thought of my mom made my heart ache. I still hadn’t spotted her anywhere.
“No, I think I’m fine.” He looked at his arms, shaking them out.
“Shrug off your jacket so we can be sure.” Henry wasn’t as calm and soothing as I tried to be. He was demanding and growing impatient. Nick glared at him, then took off his jacket and turned three hundred and sixty degrees. He looked fine. I was so relieved.
Henry walked up to the gate and grabbed something out of his pocket. In a split second, he had picked the lock. I walked closer to Nick as he knelt next to Jenna. “Don’t touch her.”
Nick stood, nodded, and walked backward, still looking at her, holding in the rest of his tears. “I loved her, Elaina. I loved her so fucking much.” He walked over and hugged me.
“I know. I know. I’m sorry for what I had to do.” I looked for the courage to tell him I had also shot our father, but I couldn’t form the words yet.
“Elaina, what’s going on? Where did you get the gun? Where did you learn how to shoot like that? You were always afraid of guns.” His emotions were all over the charts…a bit like mine and Claire’s.
“There’s a quick-spreading virus that makes people undead, but we’ll get into it more later. We don’t have time to talk about this right now.”
“Wait. Undead?”
“Yes, undead. Like a zombie.”
Nick shook his head. “That’s so cliché. And seriously? I thought that was just movie or TV shit.”
“I know, but look at what Jenna was like. And the rest of these people, our family and friends. I felt the same way just a few hours ago. One minute, I was about to walk down the aisle to marry Henry, and the next, Liam arrived.”
“Liam?” He looked at me with bewilderment.
“Yes, Liam. Liam is Henry. Henry is Liam.” Nick seemed as confused as I was. “We will get into that later. Right now, we have to go across the way and get Nate.”
Nick looked around the street. “Holy shit. Look at all those dead people.” He realized they were our family and friends.
“True dead.” Again, he looked at me, his watery eyes full of confusion and sadness.
“True dead? Wait, like that show with vampires?”
It was not the time to make comparisons between real life and a television show.
“Yeah, sort of. I guess. But there are no such things as vampires. At least, I hope not,” I mumbled. I felt like I was experiencing déjà vu.
“Who’s Nate?”
“The wedding coordinator. Have you seen Mom?”
“No, but I saw Dad.” Nick was distraught. “He looked…he looked like Jenna before he bit her. She had tried to help him,” he said in a soft tone. “That bastard,” he grumbled under his breath.
“I need to tell you something.” Nick turned and looked at me. My heart tried to beat out of my chest. I felt guilty. I chewed my cheek, trying to find the appropriate way to tell him while trying to swallow the lump in my throat. “I gave Dad a true death,” I blurted, tears pouring down my cheeks.
He shook his head, turned, and walked to Claire. They embraced. I wasn’t sure if he was pissed at me or pissed about everything. I knew I did the right thing for our father. It was the only way I could help him.
“It had to be done, Nick.” She tried to comfort him as best she could. With all the sadness and pain she had to deal with, I appreciated what she said.
We all walked over to the flower shop, but Nate was no longer pounding on the window. I looked over at Henry, and he raised his gun. “Elaina, slowly open the door and call for him, but stay outside. Claire, you stand guard with Nick.”
Nick marched over and got in Henry’s face. “I don’t think so! You are not putting my sister in harm’s way!” Apparently, I was his sister again. It must have been a one-sided on again/off again relationship.
“Back off, Nick.” Henry spoke through clenched teeth.
“Make me, asshole.” Nick stood inches from his face.
I grabbed him by his shoulder. There was no time for macho behavior. “Nick, please. Don’t. We’ve all been through enough today as it is. Please don’t act like this.”
“He’s trying to kill you! Who is he? He surely doesn’t sound or act like the Henry we know!” Nick still stood in his face, like a brick wall that wasn’t going to fall any time soon. I was nervous something would happen. After what I had seen Henry do, I knew he could take Nick out in seconds.
“He’s not trying to kill me! He knows what he is doing.”
“How do you know?” Neither one of them was backing down.
“Because I have seen him react to this in a much better way than the rest of us would! He seems to be highly trained.”
“Be quiet, Elaina. Step back, Nick.” Be quiet, my ass. Henry appeared very calm, but I could see the anger raging in his fading eyes.
“Don’t talk to her that way!” Nick put his finger in Henry’s face. I grabbed Nick, trying to yank him back. Henry growled. They had been nose-to-nose over me a few times before. I didn’t want it to happen again.
“Get your fucking finger out of my face before I make you eat it. Remember when I choked you? That was a walk in the park, mate.”
I got in front of Nick so he could see me. I couldn’t let them fight. Henry would kill him. “It’s fine. Really. Let’s just find Nate. Once we get back to Henry’s apartment, we’ll explain as best we can. I promise.”
Nick pursed his lips together, then backed up. He walked away, but turned around. “You, my friend, are fucking mental. Take notice that if one hair gets harmed on her head, I will fucking kill you.” Henry smirked, then continued to walk to the flower shop. “I mean it, asshole!” I think Henry may have taken that as a compliment. Nick looked at me, shook his head, and went to stand next to Claire.
“Ready, Elaina? On three.”
“On three, like ‘one, two, three’? Or what you did back at the truck?” Welcome back, Elaina. Glaring, Henry wasn’t amused.
“Just open the bloody door and stand back.” Hesitantly, I touched the handle. I didn’t see Nate anywhere in the front of the shop. I opened the door and bell chimes went off. I stepped back, and Henry pushed through in a lame attempt to block the doorway, but there were large potted plants in the entry.
“Nate?” I called out. Henry waved me behind him.
“Nate, it’s Henry Daniels. Are you still in here?” No answer. Henry put his finger to his lips, walking past the floral coolers and toward the back of the store. “Nate! Answer if you are in here.”
A rustling coming from behind the counter to the right and Henry pointed at it. He raised his gun as we stepped around the counter.
“No! Don’t shoot. Please.” Squatting, Nate fell back against the wall. I would imagine seeing a gun pointed at his face would have been just as scary to him as missing a sale at Barney’s. Although, in his book, missing a sale at Barney’s may have been worse.
“Are you bit?” I tried to stay calm, but my adrenaline spiked. It didn’t come out calm, like when I tried to get through to Nick.
“Bit?”
“Yes, bit! Are you motherfucking bit?” I barely gave him a second before I yelled, “Answer me!”
“Ahh… No, no, I don’t think so.” Don’t think so? I would think that would be something you’d know. Henry still had his gun pointed at him. “Please, don’t shoot me. I’m not ready to go yet.” He choke
d on the words.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, for the love of… Nate, just stand up so we can see your physical condition.”
“Is he going to shoot me?” Nate’s voice shook, like he was on the verge of bursting into tears. He trembled as I tried to see any wounds on his miniature body.
“Depends. Get up and show us.”
Hands raised, Nate rose from behind the counter.
“Step around.” Henry directed with the business end of his gun. Nate shook his head. “Step around now, or I will put a bullet in your fucking head!” Henry was spitting mad. This wasn’t what I signed up for. I didn’t want to shoot people out of anger.
“Whoa, Henry. Calm down. Let’s not shoot anyone who is normal.”
“He’s pissing me off,” he ground out.
“Well, we can’t just go around shooting people just because they piss you off!” I snapped. I think I would be on the top of the “Pissing Henry Off” list. Nate looked back and forth between us. Henry grumbled something to himself.
I looked back at the man. “Nate, please, just come around the counter so we can check you out.” Henry backed away a little to give Nate room. He stepped out slowly, still trembling. “Remove your jacket, please.” Without protest, he shrugged it off. “Turn all the way around.” We both examined him, then looked at one another. Henry nodded and lowered his gun. “Okay, come on out. You look clean.” Nate sighed, somewhat relieved, as he put his jacket back on.
“What’s going on?” he said, looking around.
“Where’s the phone?” He dug around the inside of his jacket and handed it to me. “Thanks. It was my mom’s. Did you see her?”
“This is your mother’s? No. When I ran out of the church, I realized I had left mine behind. I saw this one lying on the street and grabbed it, just in case I needed one.”
“So you didn’t see her at all?”
“No. I’m sorry, Elaina. I didn’t.” My limbs tingled like they were going numb. Nate grabbed my arm, whispering, “Please, tell me what’s going on.” He glanced at Henry. “What’s with G.I. Henry and his British accent?”
“Let’s just get back to the truck and head to his place. We’ll explain the best we can when we get there.”
“Nope. I’m going to go home.”
“Yeah… No, you’re not.” My emotional self was numb, but at least I could still rely on my smart mouth.
“I just want to get home, Elaina.”
“Did you see what happened out there?” I pointed toward the window. “Look, Nate. Look at the bloody window. There are true dead bodies in the streets. There are undeads roaming, hunting for their next meal. If you go home, you will certainly become one of them.” Trembling, he stepped back, looking to be absorbing what I had said. I think I nearly scared the piss out of him.
“True deads?” Nate tilted his head to the left. “Like that hot vampire show? I don’t like the sound of this.”
Oh, Jesus Christ. Not again.
“For fuck’s sake!” Henry yelled. Nate jumped at the sound of his booming voice. “No, this is not like some bloody vampire show! No one likes this! Now move!”
“Okay, okay, fine, you brute.”
The three of us left the shop, rejoining Nick and Claire.
“Anything out here?” asked Henry.
“I haven’t seen anything.” Claire sighed.
“All right then.” Henry put his hand up in his shirt and pulled out another handgun, handing it to my brother.
“Nope. Not touching it.”
Henry shoved the gun at him. “Take it. Don’t be bloody stupid.”
“How do I know it’s a legal weapon?”
“What the fuck does it matter, Nick?! Do you see what is out here?” I pointed straight ahead. “Look around!”
Sighing, Nick reached out and took the gun. Henry nodded.
“Think of it this way. You will be protecting Elaina.” He brushed past Nick.
“Wait. If he gets a gun, I want one, too.” We all turned and looked at Nate.
“Sorry, mate. Fresh out.” Henry was curt as he kept walking toward the truck. I knew it was a lie. Back at his apartment, he had put another handgun in his backpack.
I took a deep breath as we passed the bodies of my family and friends, knowing I would relive this moment every time I pulled the trigger. I had to find a way to block out my emotions or I wouldn’t make it. I stopped short.
“Nick, do you still have that flask in your coat?” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small silver flask. “What’s in it?”
“Does it matter?”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t.” I opened the top and just about drained it, choking a little once I felt the fire rise in my throat. “Holy shit! Tequila?” I coughed.
“Careful. It will kill ya’. Now move. I’ve got the back.”
I tipped back the flask again, emptying it, then wiped my mouth with my arm, handing it back to him. I know… Really girly, right?
Chapter 3
My feet were as heavy as lead weights. Maybe it was just Henry’s boots, but it was so hard to walk past all my true dead family and friends. I tried not to look and stay cool. Again, I managed to get past my father without dropping to my knees by his side. I felt terrible leaving him there, but what was I supposed to do?
Henry unlocked the truck, Nick standing guard while we hopped in. Claire and Nate were pretty petite so the three of them fit perfectly in the back. Henry started the truck and turned the radio on. Nothing, just dead air. He looked at me, lips pursed, and shut it off.
It was a quiet ride back to Henry’s. Undead activity was high, but we needed to get to safety and not use any more ammunition.
“I’m going to park out front where I left the limo. That way, we can get away quickly if need be. I don’t want to risk going back into the garage. Too many places for the undeads to sneak up on us.”
“Do you think someone will steal it?” I asked.
Henry shrugged. “Maybe.” I hoped not. “All right. Are we ready? I will lead. Then Elaina, Nate, and Claire. Nick, you cover behind us. Everyone hurry, but remain calm.”
“What are we, in kindergarten? Single file…boy, girl?” Nick mumbled.
“Nick, can it, would you? I’m sure he has a reason,” I snarled.
“I don’t really. I just felt like being bossy again.” I smirked at Henry as he winked at me. Even though I didn’t know who he truly was, I still loved him. I knew it didn’t make sense, but my Henry had to be in that body somewhere.
We made it up to Henry’s apartment without incident. He unlocked the door and waved us all in, then locked the door behind him.
“Damn… Nice place.” I was shocked that Nick actually complimented him since their relationship had been mostly touch-and-go from the beginning. They got along, for the most part, but only for my sake.
When Henry hit the light switch, nothing happened. Perfect, I thought. There was a collective groan throughout the group.
“Thanks, but I can’t take credit for it. I bought it furnished. The only furniture that’s mine is that trunk.” Claire, Henry, and I looked at one another and smirked.
“What’s so funny?” Nate didn’t look amused. He stood there with his hands on his skinny hips.
“Nothing. Never mind.” Henry put his gun down on the dining room table. “All right. A couple rules. Do not open the door for anyone. Try not to be too loud. There’s plenty of food and water here, for now, so eat something to keep up your energy. We are in for a long journey together.” He rattled off rules like we were children at camp.
“Claire gets the spare room, Nick and Nate can flip a coin for the couch. I’m going to go make a call in our bedroom.” He put his arm around me when he said that. “Hopefully, I can still get through. Feel free to fight over the shower. Towels are in the cupboard in the bathroom.”
“Our bedroom?” I was a bit curious, seeing as it was only the second time I had actually been inside his apartment. The only time I was in
his bedroom was when I changed out of my dress.
“Yeah. I think of it as ours.”
“Okay.” I shrugged and headed down the hall to the shower, yelling, “By the way, I call the shower first.”
Without me realizing it, Henry walked in the bathroom behind me. I turned on the shower, jumping when I turned around to see him standing there. “Jesus, Henry. What?”
“I have a master bath. You can use it, if you wish.”
“No. I’m good.” He still stood there, staring at me. “Is there something else?”
“I just wanted to look at my beautiful bride again. Alone.”
“In case you missed what happened today, we aren’t married. And we aren’t exactly alone.”
He cupped my face with his right hand, rubbing my cheek with his thumb. “I know, but you are beautiful, and you are still my bride-to-be.” That was my Henry. A soft smile crossed my lips.
I looked over at the mirror and saw a blood-speckled face, dirt, and an unintentional messy up-do. I pursed my lips. “I think I left my beauty back at the church.”
“Nope. You are beautiful to me, no matter what.”
He leaned in to kiss me, but I shied away, all the emotions I had kept at bay flooding me. He pulled back. “What? What’s wrong, love?” Had he missed what happened?
“I… Well, I…I just need to get into the shower and get all this gross off me. Can we talk after?”
Henry nodded and turned around to leave the bathroom. He looked back at me. “I will be in our bedroom making my call. Yell if you need me.”
“Okay.”
When he closed the door, my legs gave out, dropping me to my knees. What was supposed to be the best day of my life had turned into the worst. My chest ached and my stomach twinged with hunger, but I was too nauseous to eat.
I begged silently, Please, wake up from this nightmare. I tried to pull myself together, but I couldn’t hold it back anymore. The girl I was had vanished.
I curled up on the tiny rug and cried like never before. I pulled at the rug’s fibers, letting all the pain out. I pounded my fists on the floor, screaming into the towel. I hoped that neither Henry nor anyone else heard me. I needed that moment to myself. I needed to open the floodgates. Then I realized I had to get in and out of bathroom before anyone worried.