Zombies

XVIII

{Author's Note}

{I may as well change the weekly publishing to Sunday, but to excuse myself this week, I've brought you a really long exciting chapter! Note that this is my first time writing about a battle, so it's probably not the best, but I tried. Also, part of this was written at 1:00 AM so it may be a little different than my typical style. When it's really late, my style changes a tiny bit. But enjoy, and thank you again!}

Ashley:

Not soon after the darkness, I saw light again. Not the light at the end of the tunnel, but the light of morning. Rough hands, and soft sobs. Whispers and gentle touches. My eyes fluttered open fully, and I could feel the rope loosen around my abdomen. I gasped for air, unrestricted by the horrid rope, like a fish out of water. “You’re alive! Oh my god, Ashley, I thought you were dead!” The familiar voice trickled into my ears. “I’m okay, Mitch.” I gasped, trying to stay conscious. That was a complete lie. Even though the rope was gone, I could still feel it, and my arm still bleeding a little. I studied it, and noted that it would need stitches if possible. “Mayor Mars is dead.” I whispered. Mitch picked me up effortlessly, like I was a small child. “I know, Ash. We need to take you to Doctor Ben right away,” He explained, carrying me off. I wanted to snuggle against him and let my worries melt away, but I couldn’t sit by and let the demons win. “No, I’m okay! I need to help!” I cried, helplessly. “Calm down, Ash. Linda has taken charge. Actually, she was Mayor Mars’s sister. Who knew? But she has control over the situation. It’s okay.” He comforted me. I realized there was no use fighting him about it, and looking at my gruesome arm, I knew I really did need help, so I just quieted down. I was cold and stiff from the night, and I was in agonizing pain. I was brought inside and met with concerned voices. A man came over and examined my arm. “Looks like a knife, huh? The same knife that killed the Mayor.” The doctor said. “It needs stitches, but luckily, I can do that.” With that, he took his kit, and sewed my arm back up, but even though it was sterile, it hurt like hell. Doctor Ben’s house functioned as the Gardenwall hospital, and Louise was still there. She was recovering slowly, but well, and came to visit me after the stitches. Louise, Jerome and Mitch were all with me at that time, as the sun began to climb into the sky with treacherous speed. “We need to get Ryan and Jason! And watch the back wall!” I spluttered. Nobody understood the urgency of the situation though. Mitch kept telling me I was tired and hurt, and just needed some rest. Doctor Ben told me that I needed to be careful with my arm and take it easy for the next couple of days. Nobody understood the dire situation. Finally, I got up, and marched out of the house, trailed by Mitch and Jerome. “Ashley, please, I know you want to get this straightened out, but you need to sleep. You.. you.. if I hadn’t found you when I did..” Mitch stuttered. His eyes darkened as he realized what could have happened if I was found any later. “I would have been dead, yeah, I know. And I’m so thankful that you did find me, but this is important. Gardenwall is in danger, and I can save it.” I said, looking at him without stopping. My eyes gleamed with determination, and we approached the front gate where Mayor Linda was organizing search parties. “Ashley!” She exclaimed, seeing me. “Linda, the town is in trouble! Jason and Ryan are trying to overthrow it!” I cried. Getting the words out was a huge relief. I felt like I had done my part, warning the Mayor. Linda’s eyes flashed with brilliant fury. “Are they the ones who murdered my brother?” She demanded. I nodded. Linda’s eyes flashed with such fury, that I feared for my life for a moment, but she turned away. “Ralph! Come here!” She demanded in her rough deep voice. The guard who I argued with last night scurried to her call. “I need to guard the front gate. Can I trust you to defend the back walls?” She asked. “Yes ma’am!” He nodded, with a gleam of excitement. “Good. Now, Mitch and Jerome! If you’d like you can stand guard at the hospital or fight here with me.” Linda offered. Unsurprisingly, Jerome immediately took up the offer to go to watch the hospital, since Louise was there. Mitch hesitated and looked at me as if I had the answer. “What about me, Madame Mayor?” I asked. The mayor looked over me, and bit back an amused smile. “You’ve done enough, Ashley. I don’t think you’re in a condition to fight. Go back to the hospital for a while.” She told me. I nodded respectfully, as if I was going to listen to that! After I was instructed to return to the hospital, Mitch volunteered to go guard the building. “I’ll see you after this, okay?” I said, smiling lightly at him, as we walked back to Doctor Ben’s abode together. “Yeah. I hope.” He said. We reached the building, and I walked in, leaving him behind.