She shrugged again this time with a jerk. “Ah, she also told me not to tell you. Said you’d overreact about her safety and what not”. Her eyes were roaming around the room, looking anywhere but where I stood. How can she be so stupid? Sure the store over was pretty close but what if...
“Did you see any Bodies outside?” I started forward not even paying attention when the three losers stepped back with their weapons drawn again.
“A couple, but they were far off—jade I think you should calm down...” She placed both her hands in front to, protect herself? Maybe? Just how pissed did I look?
“I’ll calm down when I wring you’re sisters neck”.
Course I won’t do it.
I was half way towards the outside when a firm hand gripped my arm. I shivered at the sudden contact and spun around. I had to crane my head back farther than what I was used to took look at the giant in front of me. I’m like, five-six but this dudes probably six feet and infinity! Okay, so maybe I might’ve exaggerated, like six-three or so.
Long fingers tightened around my arm, and I winced. Hope- fully not outwardly.
“W-what?” Oh yes, the stuttering has begun!
“Where exactly do you think you’re going?” He stared down at me. Is he glaring? And do I detect a bit of teasing in those eyes?
“I-I’m gonna g-go look for my f-friend”. Don’t stutter you fool! A corner of those tempting lips perked up slightly. Oh god—is he getting closer?
“It’s rude to leave in the middle of a conversation. Even ruder to leave without telling me your name”. He spoke slowly as if I were child, as If I were slow in the head. Maybe I am slow in the head. I can’t even process anything at the moment. Nika help me!
“J-Jade...it’s Jade”. I answered in a whisper. “Jade”. He repeated back. He even makes my name sound dirty when he says it. Alright, it’s enough right?
Let go of my arm before you rip it off!
“Uh...” I tried to tug my arm away but, it was like it was encased in steal.
“Good to meet ya’ I’m Evan”. He jabbed his thumb towards the three behind him. “Big guy is Tony, skinny fellow is Dean, and the lady is Samantha or Sam”. He didn’t even look at them during the introduction. Someone shoot me...soon.
“Uh-huh”. I can’t even talk anymore. I’m done. At that his smirk turned into a full on grin. I’m dead...yep.
“Wasn’t so bad huh? Didn’t take too much of your time right?” he was just too close to me. And the fact that his voice got husky— which doesn’t help my current situation the least bit. Anyone...
“Am I interrupting something?” The lust filled smog cleared right out of my head, I jerked my arm free and whipped my attention to my one and only savior.
“Nope, not at all. In fact you saved me from making the worst decision of my life”. I shot a dirty look towards Evan and hid behind Elise. Placing both hands on her shoulders, I heaved a heavy sigh. “Thank god, you’ve returned. I was gonna kill you for leaving Nika behind to check the other store, you could’ve waited”. Ah!
Today is just so exasperating.
“I’ve no patience when it comes to that girl. It was an in—out operation, barely took me ten minutes to search the place”. She looked back at me and to Evan. “Who’s this person?” I snuck a peek over her shoulder, he was still grinning. He caught my look and raised an eyebrow. Could Elise feel my hands warming?
“That’s Evan, the three over there are Tony, Dean and Samantha”. Hopefully she’ll rule out who’s who, I’m too tired to explain it myself.
“Okay...and when did you all get here?” Her tone no-nonsense like. She was poised, a hand on her hip, back straight, chin up. Are ya gonna rumble Elise?
“I’d say, half an hour or so ago. You must be the one Jades been screamin’ about”. Evan has this weirdly alluring air about him. And tell me I’m not being egoistical or something but, he’s been looking at me the entire time...right? I mean I’m not all that interesting to look at. Personally if I were a guy I’d probably look once then stalk off without a second glance, that or otherwise.
“You? My names Elise by the way, thank you for asking. And the one with the goo-goo eyes is my little sister Nika”. I sup- pressed a chuckle.
“Goo-I don’t have goo-goo eyes!” She shrieked, shaking her head from side to side. In rapid motion, she stilled and I might have been surprised but I knew the peaceful moment wouldn’t last forever. I righted myself and turned towards the door. Nika was inside the shop in seconds, she darted to our side producing her deadly knitting picks in each hand. I had my hold on the hilt of the katana, ready to charge at any given moment. Elise was by my side baseball bat held firm against her hip.
We turned towards the door and heck, what do you know. A couple turned into about thirty of those things. It’s a horde.
I looked behind me and found Evans grin gone, in its place something else. Hate? Determination? A sort of fire in his eyes, told me that the playful Evan has disappeared for the moment. Still, that face is even hotter than that cocky grin he had on earlier.
I shook out my arms, loosening the muscles from when they tensed in his presence. The decaying monsters came closer to the shop, looking even worse here than they were where we came from. Game face on, game face.
Shouldn’t be a problem, thirty against seven. Hopefully those behind me knew how to fight their way out of this. I can take on three at a time. Just need to pull through smoothly.
“Okay, let’s go-”. A fit of coughing sounded from behind. I turned towards the noise and gasped. I knew it. Dean had his arms braced against the glass case. His back bones peaked against his long sleeve shirt. I hope no one’s squeamish in this room. His breathing labored, he gagged and hacked, black liquid shooting out of his mouth onto the glass. After a few moments of watching him shower the case in blood, he stilled, a low growl emitted from him. His skin took on a more ashen color. His body swayed, I clutched the handle producing a sound from the leather. He turned to the noise; glazed over gray eyes met mine, dark drool dripping down his chin to the floor from his nose and mouth. This is wrong, so fudging wrong.
Chapter 14
I never knew my thought process was so excessively slow. Or maybe the scene happening in front of me, was just slowing down fraction by fraction.
“Hold him back!” Evan shouted towards Tony. Everything became a blur in a matter of seconds. Tony tried to hold back Dean, but totally underestimated his strength. Dean latched onto Tony’s arm, he struggled to break free, and he didn’t notice the puddle of blood on the floor and slipped right into Dean’s arms. Dean how led before sinking his teeth into Tony’s arm. His screams practically shattering my eardrums.
“Tony!” I didn’t even notice Samantha’s small form huddled in the corner of the room. She tried to race towards him, but I caught her hand and yanked her to my side. For someone so small she was stubborn, her sobs so loud even that rose above the incoming threats outside the shop. She wriggled in my arms, fighting my hold.
“Hey!” Her head snapped towards my voice, she stared at me, tears streaking down her dirt covered face.
“H-help him!” She bawled.
“I can’t! He’s gone”. I wish I could have been a little more sensitive but all the sensitivity in me flew out the window. She has to learn to get over the loss right now and fast. Still she kept crying, her fingers dug into my arm. The sting from her nails did nothing to me.
“Jade!” I looked to the door, Elise was outside next to the Hummer. They were everywhere. Elise and Nika held them off brilliantly, steal bat flying through the air smashing heads. Nika’s knitting picks jutting out of eyeballs here and there. Girls got great aim.
When one of them got too close, Elise ran up close behind it, kicking its legs out from below. Its head banged loudly against the shop window. When it tried to get up, Elise finished it off by slamming the steal bat into the things head. Black blood exploded from the impact spattering the thick glass window. She must have s
lammed her all into that one hit, because the sorry suckers head gave through, forever mid-stuck in between the glass.
“The heck are ya’ waitin’ for? Get in the blasted truck!” Elise sprinted towards the driver’s side and yelled at Nika to get in. I looked at Samantha who shook violently, her knuckles white from gripping my arms. I blinked, Evan was already shoving me out the door.
“C’mon”.
Minutes passed, then hours. The blazing morning day sun turned into a cooling night. Nika’s still form breathing silently in the back seat. Her head lolling from side to side.
“She’s dead to the world now”. Elise spoke. Her eyes weary yet trained ahead.
“Yeah, it’s been a long day”. I lifted my hand to inspect the healing pinky. The bandage red around the nail.
“What happened there?” Evan’s voice was an odd change in the truck’s atmosphere, he was so quiet I hardly knew he was there.
“Oh, I uh...I broke it”. Because Elise decided to be a hot shot.
“How did you break your pinky finger of all things?” I leaned back in my seat, and instantly regretted it. I felt his hot breath at the base of my neck. Why did I have to go and sweep my hair to the side? And why is he so close I could feel his breath?!
“Well, it was due to...someone’s idiotic thinking. It wasn’t so bad, it only hurts a little now”.
“Who’s this someone of whom you speak of?” his voice a low timbre against my ear. Okay, now I’m getting suspicious. Dude quit now or you’ll find your own black boot shoved up you’re-
“I said I was sorry. You’re never gonna let it go, huh?” Elise glanced my way, a small enough smirk working its way up her lips unnoticed unless you were really looking.
“Sorry’ ain’t gonna cut it, no matter how many times you say it. It was a stupid idea and now you have to bear the consequences of said action”. She sighed and drummed the steering wheel with her fingertips.
As I eased my hand back down, Evan gently took hold of it, pulling my hand closer to his face.
“Isn’t it about time you...redress this wound, the blood will seep through and the scent might attract unwanted attention”. I sucked in a breath, and exhaled shakily. Don’t touch me right now...I swear- I nod instead, not trusting my voice. He asks Elise for the first-aid kit, she looks at him through the rear view mirror and tells him it’s underneath the seat. Still holding onto my hand he bends over and sit’s back up with the case in his other hand. It’s a bit uncomfortable to sit straight ahead, so I turn my body sideways, and lean against the armrest.
He opens the case and takes out a roll of bandage wrap and antiseptic wipe. I didn’t realize I was goggling at him until Elise poked my cheek. I blinked once and turned my head slowly in her direction. She gave me one of her signature smirks that says, you can’t hide it Jade, it’s showing all over your face. I reply with my own little smirk, Nothings showing. And yes he is one fine specimen of a man but I can’t.
She frowns in response and shakes her head. I guess that’s the end of that, great chat.
“How does this not hurt like heck?” I swing back my attention to the man behind me. He is staring at my pinky in worry. Worry? Bro, you just met me and you’re worried?
“Like I said, it doesn’t hurt anymore”. He looks at me and it takes all of my will power not to turn into mush from his stormy gaze. In all my 17 years, I never thought I’d meet a guy; well, technically he’s not the first I’ve noticed. I’ve been in a couple of relationships in the past but they’ve never been... what’s the term—real? I mean, it always starts with the friendship stage, then moves on to the development of romantic feelings stage, then at the end we get together just because we’ve become interested in one another. They don’t always last long. Sure, we had fun and did all those cliché couple stuff, but in the end we’re both looking the other way, finding new people. So, relationships don’t work for me; and I’m sure they never will. Still, it doesn’t mean I can’t browse around candy store now does it?
“Besides the bleeding it looks okay, no signs of infection and the bone’s in place”. Carefully, He starts to wrap a clean bandage around my pinky. He reaches into the case and takes out a small roll of medical tape, taking a small portion of it and sticking it to the loose cloth, he tucks the rest away and sighs. Are you done now?
“Okay, good as new”. When he let’s go of my hand, I immediately miss the warmth. Stop it Jade, don’t do this to yourself. You need to focus on what’s important right now.
I have no idea why I feel this way, maybe because I’m usually always nervous around good looking guys? Nah, can’t be.
“Thanks”. I mumble. He smiles and leans back to put the case away. I turn back around in my seat and face forward. It’s been what? Half a month since this nightmare started, and all the stress is starting to catch up to me. Margaritas by the seaside sounds great right about now. Of course, I don’t plan on drinking by the way that would be dangerous and foolish. I wouldn’t be able to think straight buzzed. Liquor and sharp objects don’t mix ya’ know?
Chapter 15
“Take a right here”. Ooh, am I dreaming? I’ve never dreamed about hot guys before and surely not one who’s voice makes my body tremble.
“Up ahead, that red building—okay, park here”. The truck rolls to a stop, my body still free floating at the edge of unconsciousness. I feel a warm hand against my skin.
“Hey, Jade. Wake up”. Five more minutes. In fact, let me sleep forever.
“Is she dead?” I hear Nika’s voice in the background, but everything else sounds muffled. I’m so blasted tired. Then a light slap, as if someone hit something.
“You don’t gotta be violent, I’m just asking cause she looks so still!” My ears flinch from the loud noise. I want to wake up. Apparently both my eyes think otherwise. The truck shakes along with the sound of someone shifting. The warm hand leaves my arm, and I am too tired to snatch it back. Then I feel it against my forehead, letting out a soft sigh.
“She’s a little warm...” The voice is soothing. Don’t take away your hand! It feels good on my skin.
“A little? What do you mean by a little?” Elise is next to me, concern in her voice. I feel another hand reach me and caress my cheek. Mm, god I hope I never wake up.
“I mean, it’s nothing to worry too much over. She’s just worn out, and from the looks at the sunken purple bags under her eyes, it may be due from over working”. Both hands are smoothing over my hair and down to my neck. Not my neck!
“I told her to rest so many times before. But, she’d wave me off and give some stupid excuse about how she’s ‘nocturnal’ or ‘doesn’t need a silly thing called sleep’”. Anger and worry are war- ring against each other. I think she wants to be mad at me but, she can’t help but agonize over me. A deep chuckle tremors the air.
“She just wants to prove to you guys how strong willed she is. I could tell that you’re both very important people to her, and maybe stressing over you’re guys’ safety is important to her”.
The hands stop roaming over my face and disappear.
No! Come back!
“Yeah? Or maybe she’s just being hardheaded”. Ouch. Well, hardheadedness runs in the family so she’s right about that.
Enough of this. I start to open my eye lids slowly, and flinch at the bright light in my face. I groan loudly and cover my eyes with my hands. I’m blind!
“Easy...be careful opening your eyes, the suns directly in front of you”. Yes sir! When the sting subsides, I block the suns glare with my hand and peel one eye open. Then the next open. I have to blink a couple of times for the bright lights to stop dancing at the corners of my vision. This sucks.
“Good morning, sunshine”. Bright green eyes stare back at me. Elise has her elbows leaning against the middle armrest, more stray hairs have escaped her pony tail, and the strands stick to her face like glue. I should tell her to fix that.
“Don’t start”. I snap. I have a right to be grumpy, I’m beat
and I’m debating whether or not I should go back to sleep or do something. “What time is it?”
“It’s ten past nine in the morning”. I look to my left and Evan is even closer than I would like him to be. I noticed a few things I couldn’t have last night in the dark lighting. His dark brown hair frames his face in loose waves, the ends reaching the back of his shirt collar. The humidity making the tips curl having him combing back the waves with his hand every couple a minutes. He’s also a lot younger than I thought him to be. Interesting.
“Oh, that explains why the suns abusing me right now”. I must have slept in a bad position because now, there’s a painful crick in my neck. I sit up and stretch my arms up, rolling my head from side to side.
“The sun is abusing you?” Evan questions with amusement. I yawn twice and rub my eyes.
“Yes. The sun likes to abuse me with its blasted brightness. I can already feel my energy draining out of me”. I lift my hand and look out the window. And it’s not just me the suns tormenting today, the black cement looks to be boiling, tar is oozing from the cracks. As if one step outside would put you ablaze.
I may not be a vampire but this would torch the heck out of my skin.
“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. It’s not as hot out there as it looks”. I glare up at Elise and scoff.
“Well, not everyone is so gung-ho about the heat as you are”.
She squints back at me and laughs.
“Interesting choice of words Jade. “Gung-ho”, and where on Earth did you learn that from?” She sit’s up and crosses her arms. “Obviously from movies— and don’t you dare go on about my word choice, I’ve already got the undead on my heels and I don’t need a blasted grammar Nazi chasing after”.
I really don’t need this at nine in the morning.
“I wasn’t going to. And no, I’m not on friendly terms with the heat either, but maybe I’m not as sensitive as you are”. She snickers and turns to the front.
“That...was entertaining!” Nika is laughing behind us, her face scrunched up from the act.
Staying Alive: New Addition Page 10