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2073 Words
The growls grew in volume as they approached the gates that let them inside their sanctuary. It wasn’t long before the vehicle bounced, and there were thuds sounds against the SUV. The SUV lurched forward and backward until the growl's intensity was lowered. Amber heard the doors shut then the voices and growls came.
Amber opened her eyes and asked, “Are they alright?”
Sheila lowered her lips against Amber’s ear, then raised her head, and Amber smiled weakly.
“Davis. Good job,” whispered Amber.
“Speedbumps,” retorted Davis.
“You’re a dork,” snickered Amber while Sheila stroked her head.
Davis watched the men as they cleaned up, then made the bodies disappear and opened the gates.
When the group was in front of the main house, Aidan spoke up, “I’ll carry your mother in the house.”
“Wise idea. My boys won’t want to go through this,” conveyed Amber feebly.
“True. She’ll be nude,” related Davis.
“We’ll unpack the vehicles than the supplies,” commanded Joseph.
Joseph turned toward his young pregnant wife and requested, “You and Sheila watch my mom.”
“We will,” said Jessica.
Right before, Shirley sauntered away Alexandria halted her with words, “Not so fast, Shirley. You’re helping us unpack.”
Aidan’s eyes took in Jessica then he commanded, “Show me the way.”
When Jessica walked for the door, she turned and said, “Come on.”
And Aidan followed.
“What happened to you?” probed Jessica.
“I’ll tell you when I’m in my room,” replied Amber.
“Alright,” responded Jessica.
“Don’t worry, Jess. I’ll be fine,” said Amber.
“With the way you look, it’s hard to believe that,” stated Jessica.
“We’re pretty sure I’m immune,” reported Amber.
As soon as they stepped through the threshold of Amber’s house, her dogs acknowledged them with happy tones and jumped around their feet.
“Behave, guys,” ordered Amber, the dogs partially listened.
As Aidan lowered Amber, her weight was placed on her feet, and a hand went against his powerful chest as she steadied herself.
“I’m a mess. We need a sheet,” ordered Amber.
“You are definitely a mess,” remarked Jessica.
“Thank you, Jess and Aidan,” whispered Amber.
As soon as Jessica placed the sheet down, Aidan eased Amber on the mattress. Once her body hit the bed, the dogs were all around, giving her attention. Amber made the dogs stop, so the blood wasn’t all over the place.
“You are welcome,” said Aidan.
“I’ll help you with your clothes,” reported Jessica.
“I won’t fight,” remarked Amber with a meek smile.
“Do you want anything else?” asked Aidan.
“Carry me in the restroom,” answered Amber.
“I’ll leave the room,” responded Aidan.
“No. Turn your back,” replied Amber.
Without hesitation, Aidan turned away from Amber and Jessica while Amber was undressed.
“While you’re in the tub, I’ll get some medicine and bandages,” reported Jessica.
“Thank you,” whispered Amber.
“We’re done, Aidan. You can turn around,” conveyed Jessica.
“Jess. Please, bring me food and drinks,” pleaded Amber.
“Of course,” remarked Jessica.
Aidan picked Amber up while the sheet clung to her body with his stride he was inside the bathroom within a few heartbeats.
“I’m sorry you got stuck helping me,” conveyed Amber.
“I don’t think it would be wise if your kids saw you this way,” reflected Aidan.
“You’re right. Besides, the boys and my birthday suit wouldn’t mix,” retorted Amber.
“Still trying to be funny even though you’re hurt,” said Aidan.
“That’s me. Try to make someone happy, even if I’m not,” stated Amber.
“You get well,” remarked Aidan.
“I will try,” expressed Amber.
“I’ll bring a clean sheet. You get clean, and Jessica will tend to your wounds,” commanded Aidan.
“I’ll yell when I’m done,” reported Amber.
“I’ll wait outside,” conveyed Aidan after he placed a clean sheet down.
When the water was high and warm enough for Amber, she slid down into the hot water. A sigh escaped Amber’s mouth as the warm water engulfed her sore, bloody, and dirty body. Amber washed all the blood and dirt from her body plus her hair then let the dirty water out. As soon as the grime from the tub and the murky water was gone, she filled it with warm water. Amber settled into the bathtub and smiled.
“Alex. You don’t want to see her like this,” related Aidan as he stood between Alexandria and the bathroom door.
“I want to see her,” stated Alexandria.
Amber’s eyes opened, and she said, “Listen to Aidan. You don’t want to see me like this, please.”
“I’ll do what you wish,” responded Alexandria.
“Thank you. I’ll be done soon,” remarked Amber as she watched the shadow move from the milky windows in the double doors.
The dogs acknowledged someone entering the bedroom, then came Jessica’s words, “I returned with the supplies.”
“I was about to get out of the water,” replied Amber.
“Do you want me in the bathroom?” asked Aidan.
“Give me a little bit of time,” answered Amber.
After her words, Amber watched the water lower down as she raised her buttocks onto the tub’s edge.
When Amber had the sheet positioned around her torso and hips then said, “I’m ready.”
“I’m coming in,” warned Aidan.
“Alright,” said Amber.
When Aidan stood in front of Amber, he watched her expressions as she was lifted from the tub then stated, “You’re in pain.”
“Nooo. How did you guess that? Two zombie bites,” retorted Amber.
“Funny. Alex is the same way,” conveyed Aidan.
“Now you know where she gets it from,” remarked Amber with a grin.
After Aidan positioned Amber on the bed. Aidan took a step back, so Jessica was able to mend Amber.
“Yes, I do,” responded Aidan.
“Are you going to just stand there like a lump on a log?” asked Amber.
Aidan gave Amber a glazed-over expression, then the lights came on in his mind. Aidan turned as he said, “Oh. Okay. I’m sorry.”
Both of the women giggled at Aidan’s reaction, and words of knowledge Amber would be nude. Jessica sat on the bed beside Amber then spread ointment on the bite marks on her forearm and shoulder.
“Help me with my night-shirt,” pleaded Amber.
After Jessica gently slid Amber’s night-shirt over her arms and torso, she said, “There, all better. It’s time to eat.”
“Thank you, Jess,” said Amber.
“You’re welcome. Someone has to do it. You can’t do it yourself,” remarked Jessica.
“Sit back, relax, eat, and watch your television,” ordered Aidan.
As Amber inched her way on her bed in an upright position, then requested, “When everyone is done eating, bring them in here.”
“As you wish,” replied Aidan.
After Amber finished her supper, she sat there with her dogs around her, and her eyes grew heavy. When Amber’s eyes were almost closed, the group knocked then walked inside her bedroom. Amber’s eyes snapped open.
“Thank you. We have to lay down the ground rules. Everyone will follow these rules, or they will get kicked out,” declared Amber.
Amber continued when no one responded, “When it’s time to eat, we eat. There’s only one reason not to, you were busy. There’s no, I don’t like the food. If you don’t like it, you don’t eat. There’s a smoke hut, so no smoking in the houses. We need clear heads, so the alcohol with be limited. Any questions?”
After everyone shook their heads no, Amber continued, “Breakfast will be between 7 A.M. to 10 A.M., lunch will be 1 P.M. to 3 P.M., and supper will come at 7 P.M. to 10 P.M. This will make it easy for all to eat. We’ll need supplies for additional buildings.”
“I’ll cook, but I will need help,” stated Jessica.
“Emilie and Shirley will help you,” conveyed Amber.
“I can do that,” responded Emilie.
“Alright,” said Shirley in a way that sounded like a cuss word.
“Shirley, leave the men alone that are taken, or you will be gone,” commanded Amber.
“I just flirt,” pouted Shirley as she placed her hands on her hips.
“Yeah. Whatever. Stop it,” demanded Amber.
“Whatever,” muttered Shirley.
“Alex. Help Missy with the animals while I heal,” requested Amber.
Before the group departed the bedroom, Amber ordered, “I want my children and sister to stay. The rest will leave.”
After everyone but her family members departed the room, Amber spoke, “I will go after Travis when I’m better. We should get supplies and additional vehicles for the trip. Also, we should watch Shirley. She will be a headache.”
“We’ll be able to get people along the way. We’ll resupply as often as we can,” conveyed Joseph.
“Good. One thing. When I was attacked at the bar, Shirley saw it happen and said nothing,” related Amber.
“I thought I saw that but wasn’t sure,” said Aidan.
“That isn’t good,” remarked Melissa.
“I’m not surprised,” expressed Alexandria.
“You know I’ll keep her in line,” declared Melissa.
Amber laughed, then said, “Exactly.”
“Before you all leave, I have one final thing. We had to do horrible things. We will have to do it again,” stated Amber.
“It’s a horrible thing we did, but they left us no choice,” declared Joseph.
“We need to remember not to go for the easy out,” explained Amber.
“We shouldn’t be too passive. We’ll get killed,” reflected Alexandria.
“Alex is right. Get your head out of your ass, and remember you have a reason to live,” verbalized Melissa.
“Thank you all,” whispered Amber.
“Goodnight,” said Amber’s family.
“Goodnight,” whispered Amber as her eyelids grew heavy.
When the group was outside the door, Alexandria’s back smacked against a wall as Aidan’s mouth found hers and took it.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you,” conveyed Aidan.
“Don’t worry. We’re safe,” said Alexandria.
Immediately Aidan acknowledged the rest and stated, ““We should keep an eye on her.”
“Even though she’s immune?” questioned Alexandria.
“Would be smart,” responded Melissa.
“I’ll take the first watch,” commented Aidan.
When Aidan was in the bedroom, he turned everything off except for the television. The room was painted in a pale blue glow. As Aidan sat in the chair by her bed, he touched Amber’s forehead. It was as if Amber was on fire even though the room was comfortable.
- Writer
