Zombified (Book 2): Shady Oaks (22 page)

She jumped when everyone standing around her bed chuckled. Cindy was holding her hand and Mick stood by her head on the other side. Next to him was Sean and Scott. Jenny, Charlie, and Jake stood together at the foot of the bed. Jimmy was still resting his back, but he was in the bed next to her.

“
What's going on?” she said, slurring the words slightly. She frowned and rubbed her eyes again as her memory started to return. She looked up, now everyone was slowly coming in to focus and she noticed the other beds full of patients. “Did I miss something?”

Mick glanced at his wife over Brooke's head, the relief he was feeling was mirrored in her eyes and they smiled at each other.

“
A little, we'll fill you in later,” Mick said as he gently ruffled her hair.

Although Jake was very busy, he took a few more moments to quickly check her vitals. Earlier, after administering the vaccine to Connor, he started the process of bringing him out of the coma and was pleased that the boy was responding quickly with no complications. Darrell's scratches turned out to be minor and Jake thought he'd be fine, but was still testing him to make sure if he needed the vaccine he could be treated.

Jake gave her a big smile. “You're going to be fine.” He held up a finger. “As a matter of fact, you can go home as soon as you are up and able to move about on your own.”

Brooke's eye grew big with happiness and she sat up. “I can't wait!” As she moved, she grimaced and looked down at her leg under the thin blanket. She looked up at Jake.

“
That leg will be sore for a few days, keep it clean, take all the antibiotics, and you'll be running around again in no time.”

Brooke nodded and as everyone began to disperse, Brooke asked for Jimmy. Cindy moved out of the way so Brooke could see. Jimmy,
lying on his side, gave her a goofy grin and a wave. Megan and Darrell, with one arm securely wrapped in bandages, stood next to their son and were talking together in low voices.

“
Can you move him closer to me so we can talk, please?” she asked her brothers.

They immediately took hold of Jimmy's bed and slid it closer. She grabbed his hand and as they began to share their experiences, Mick saw his chance to go outside. He wanted to check with Dexter, who was still in Shady Oaks, as to whether it would be safe to bring Brooke home later that afternoon. He grabbed Cindy's hand on the way out and gave her a gentle tug. Smiling, she turned and went with him.

Exiting the tent, he paused and put an arm around her. The sun was rising, turning the sky from a murky purple to a deep blue. Although incredibly tired, he took a deep breath of the fresh, clean air and smiled.

Together, they had survived another day – and together as a family they would continue to fight if they had to. Saying a deeply felt prayer of thanks, he stepped out into the bright new day.

****

His luck wouldn't last forever, but for now victory was within grasp. He would never know that he would become a legend, he would be given outlandish names by story tellers and a few would stick, such as the Zombie King, and Destroyer of Men. Every man, woman, and child around would know the stories and pass them on.

His horde would rampage, causing chaos and death, but only for a short time. The vaccine, quickly followed by a permanent cure, would severely impede on their success.

He would fight to the bitter end, but instead of going out in a blaze of glory, he and his zombie army would eventually fade away until seen no more.

That time was yet to come, however. Surrounded by his brethren, he turned hungry eyes toward another town. He seemed to smile, his mottled and rotting lips curled back to reveal broken and jagged teeth, with bits of stringy flesh caught between them and a few dangling down to his chin.

For now, the world was still his for the taking. With a slight nod, he gave a mental command and they surged onward.

THE END

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