The Apocalypse: Life After Death

Chapter 11: Intentions

Ashley's POV

I wipe the tears from my eyes as I try to understand what I just did; what I had to do... There was nothing I could have done for her. I would have gotten both of us killed if I stayed. I try to shake the thoughts from my mind as I run out of the building behind the hundreds of employees trying to escape the zombies.

My eyes widen as I notice a few zombies headed towards me. I need to act fast or leaving Beccs up there would have been for nothing, if I die here and now then what was it all for? The woman comes at me and I don't have a choice, it's either kill or be killed. I close my eyes, whispering an 'I'm Sorry' as I stab the woman in the head. I try to hold up her body as she falls to the ground. I'm sure this was someone's mother, sister, daughter... but it had to be done. I let her fall to the ground as I see more zombies headed this way.

I have to get out of here. “I'm so sorry.” I whisper again before taking off.

–

I try to wrap my head around everything Hannah has just told me. Eric is doing all of this because he's in pain?

“He wasn't always this way.” She tries to explain to me.

I hold my hand up stopping her from talking. As much as I want to feel sorry for him, as much as I want to forgive him... I can't. “He took my sister.” I tell her harshly as I try to move her from in front of the door so I can get in the car.

“It was never his intention to hurt her!” She practically shouts, causing me to turn and look at her. “He really does... did love her.” She nods slowly. I can tell that she means what she's saying.

“Did?” I question.

“He was upset that she figured it all out sooner than he wanted her to but I'm sure he's not going to do anything to hurt her. He really loves her, Madame Vice President.” I pause for a moment, deciding if I want to take her word for it. If I should go easy on him because this girl; his sister; is telling me to... no, I can't. I have to hold him accountable for everything he's done.

“It doesn't change what he's done.” I tell her and she drops her head as I get in the car. “Put her in the car behind me.” I instruct a guard. I want her with me in case something happens. The guard does as he's told and we head to the building where Eric and his men have been held up.

–

“Where are they!” I shout, kicking over a chair. We've searched this building top to bottom and there is no sign of Eric or Kyla.

“They were here, I swear. This is where we had her. Eric must have moved her when he sensed you were on to him or something.” She tells me. I clench my jaw and let out a puff of hair.

“Ashley!” Angel shouts as she runs into the office we're currently in.

“Angel, what are you doing here?! I thought I told you and Spencer to stay at the house where the detail can keep an eye on you.”

“I needed to look for Kyla Ashley. You couldn't expect me to just sit around and wait for news on her.” I nod and roll my eyes. I guess I knew that she would never do what I unfairly asked of her.

“Did you find her?” I ask.

“No.” She shakes her head. “I came here to look but I'm guessing Eric had already hightailed it out of here, but that's not what I came to tell you. I went back to your house...” She pauses and the look on her face has me worried. “All of the guards were dead Ashley and Spencer was... gone.” The words barely leave her lips before my hands are around Hannahs throat again. I don't get myself anytime to process the information, I'm afraid that if I do I may start crying and Ashley Davies does not cry. The Vice President cannot cry!

“Where are they?” I squeeze tighter and she slaps at my hand, begging me to let her go.

“I don't know.” She's barely able to get out.

“Where are they!” I squeeze even tighter. Her eyes are turning red and watering. I feel Angel come place a hand on my shoulder.

“Killing her won't get them back.” She whispers in my ear. I grit my teeth and drop Hannah from my grasp. She coughs and places a hand to her neck, rubbing it as she tries to regain her breath. I close my eyes and turn away from her. This isn't me, I'm not the person Eric is making me into. I don't do this to people.

“Where are they Hannah?” I ask the girl again.

“I don't know.” She says and I turn back around and start walking towards her. She scurries backwards to get way from me.

“I'm not going to hurt you.” I bend down so I'm eye level with her. “Why would he want to take Spencer? I understand that Kyla figured things out so he had to take her, but why Spencer?”

She coughs a little a rubs her neck. I roll my eyes and stand up as I hold out a hand for her to take. She takes it and I help her to her feet. “I'm sorry about your throat.” I tell her, she nods. “I just want to know where my sister and my girlfriend are, so you can understand my frustration right?” She nods and coughs again. “Do you have any idea where Eric could be holding them or why he took Spencer in the first place?”

“He wants to hurt you like you hurt him.” She says and I scrunch my brows. I understand that I killed what used to be his mother but... “He said that there were four things you cared about most in this world, your sister, your girlfriend ,your friend and this city. He said he wouldn't stop until he took every single one of them from you.”

“Aiden.” I turn to Angel and say. He's got Kyla and Spencer, he would be going after Aiden next.

“I'm on it.” Angel nods and runs out of the room.

“Keep her here, I don't want her running off and telling her brother our plans. And see if you can find any more of Erics people, and his little brother JoJo. Bring them all here and keep them here until I say otherwise.”

“Don't hurt my brother please.” She begs. I turn to face her.

“I don't plan on it.” I reply honestly.

“He's innocent in all this. Just following orders.” She adds.

“Alright.” I nod and turn to walk away.

“And Madame Vice President,” She says, stopping me in my tracks. I turn back to look at her. “You saving my life a couple weeks ago...” She pauses again.

“Yeah.” I urge her to continue.

“That's the only reason I'm helping you. I'm loyal to my family and I hate what you did to my mom, but being out there having to kill some of those things myself... I understand why you did it, so I don't fault you for that. Eric was a good person once, but killing all those innocent people and claiming it to be for the greater good...” She stops and shakes her head. “It was too much.” She adds after a moment. I nod and head out.

I have to find the love of my life and the only blood family I have left. When I see Eric I'm gonna kill him.