Invasion of the Undead

Chapter 7

For the next three weeks, the group stayed close to their hideout. They were venturing out only on patrols and supply runs. There had been no return of Brandon and his hoard since they had taken down his lair, in an attempt to rescue Aaron. Nicole didn’t go out at all. The loss of Aaron had hit her hard, and she felt little if any reason to fight. Everything that had mattered to her was now gone.
Jason had stepped up to run the group in Aaron and Nicole’s place. He organized the patrols, kept track of weapons and supplies and tried to boost morale. After three weeks, he decided enough was enough. Nicole needed to rejoin the group and start to make a new life for herself. He knew how much she missed Aaron, and while he didn’t want to disrupt the grieving process, he knew that Brandon posed a genuine threat to them still. He had to snap her out of it.
Nicole laid in the bed letting the tears roll down her face. She couldn't believe Aaron was dead and that she had killed him. It had been three weeks, and she still couldn't stop crying. She knew they still had a fight ahead of them, but she wasn't sure if she had anything left to fight for. Then she felt someone sit down behind her. She turned over to see who it was.
"Hi, Jason," she said.
"You OK?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said as she wiped the tears away.
"You're a really bad liar."
Nicole laughed, "I'll be OK."
Jason wrapped his arms around her. Surprised but touched by the gesture, she hugged him back. As they pulled apart, their eyes met. Nicole could feel her heart starting to race as Jason gazed into her eyes. In the next moment, Jason pulled her close and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. Her heart pounded in her chest. It seemed like forever that they were locked in this passionate kiss when they finally pulled away.
"I'm sorry." said Jason, "I know you just lost Aaron. I'm sorry."
"No, don't be sorry." she said, "I think I needed that."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I hope I'm not too forward, but I really like you Nicole. I just wanted to tell you that."
"I like you too."
Then she pulled him closer and kissed him again.
Nicole awoke with a start from the nightmare she had had to find Jason sound asleep next to her.  His arms wrapped around her. She smiled, feeling like Jason had been sent to her to mend her heart. As much as it hurt losing Aaron, something told her Jason was a good man and was who she was meant to be with now. Maybe it was love; perhaps it was security. Either way, she didn’t care; she knew she needed him right now. She rolled over, snuggled up closer to his muscular chest, and went back to sleep. A couple of hours later, she awoke. This time Jason was awake.
"Good evening beautiful." he said, "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah." she replied, "Did you?"
"Oh yeah."
Nicole smiled and kissed him.
"Maybe we should go check in with the others."
"Whatever you say."
She laughed and took his hand as they headed downstairs. When they got downstairs, everyone was waiting.
"Are you OK Nicole?" Lexi asked, her eyes filled with concern.
"Yeah. I'm OK." she said as she gazed over all of them.
Liz and Kelly had done a fantastic job getting everyone mended and back to health. James stepped forward. A fresh scar ran across his forehead, and several more went up and down his arms.
"So, what's the plan?" said James, "How are we gonna take down this Brandon dude??"
"It's not going to be easy, but if we work together, I know we can defeat him."
"Then let's do it!" said Jason.
Nicole smiled at Jason.
"So, what do we need to do??" said Shawn
"Ready all the weapons and ammo. Then everyone who is willing and able, get ready, cause tonight we're going hunting," said Nicole.
"Hell yeah!” said Jason, "You heard her boys. Let's get ready to hunt."
Everyone cheered.
For the next few hours, everyone busied themselves with preparations. As the clock ticked down the hour, they gathered in the front room armed and ready. Jason made his rounds, inspecting everyone’s gear and supplies, then he approached Nicole.
"They're ready," he said.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
"I was born ready."
"Then let's do this."
They opened the door and carefully headed out into the night. Nicole scanned the neighboring buildings and yards as they stepped off the front porch. She signaled Jason.
“I think we should head for the tree line rather than go through the neighborhood. We can circle the city and approach from behind.”
“Good idea,” Jason agreed.
Walking up the embankment to the trees, Nicole reflected on the night's plans. Tonight, would be a showdown; there was no doubt about it.  Perhaps even the last showdown with Brandon. She had to avenge Aaron and everyone else she had lost. She blamed Brandon for all of it from the very beginning. They slowly moved from the tree line to the path. Brandon was sure to show up sooner or later, she thought.  She should have kept her thoughts to herself.
"Hello again, Nicole," said Brandon as he stepped out onto the path.
"You won't get away this time, Brandon," she said.
"Is that so, my dear Nicole?"
"You've killed too many people I care about, and I won't let you hurt anyone else."
"You could've avoided all of this if you would've just let me change you. I loved you Nicole. I wanted to give you immortality."
"You wanted to make me a monster."
"Is that what I am, Nicole? A monster? Is that what I was when you told me you loved me?”
"That was before I knew what you were. You lied to me."
"I suppose your right. Enough of this chatter. It's time to end this."
He snapped his fingers, and an army of zombies and vampires emerged from the woods.
"Weapons out!" shouted Nicole
Everyone pulled out their weapons and stood ready to battle.
"Kill them all!" Brandon ordered as his army raced towards Nicole and her friends.
Brandon watched, basking in the destruction he was causing. Nicole was furiously fighting her way towards him. He watched her for several minutes before slipping away into the woods.
Jason and Jacob were right behind Nicole.
"Damn it. He got away again," said Nicole.
"We know where he is; let's go after him," said Jason.
"Let's end this." she said, " What about the others?"
"Jacob, go back to the others. You all finish off Brandon's army. We're going after Brandon." said Jason.
"You got it. Good luck man," said Jacob, as he ran back.
Jason and Nicole crossed into the woods and to the tree line on the other side. From the embankment, they could make out the different houses in the neighborhood. It took extraordinarily little time to spot Brandon’s hideout; it was just three houses away from the edge of the trees where they stood.  Slowly they made their way down the embankment, careful to stay low to the ground. Once they reached the houses, they crept through the shadows staying close to the buildings for cover.  Reaching the edge of Brandon’s hideout, Nicole turned to Jason.
"Maybe I should do this alone." she said, " I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
"I'm not going anywhere. I've got your back. We're in this together."
"OK, If you’re sure," she said, "Let's do this."
Surprisingly, they met no opposition upon entering the house. There had been no zombie guards outside either. The giant throne-like chair in the parlor sat empty. Nicole drew a breath. Was this a trick?
"I knew you'd come." said Brandon, as he entered the room from a door behind the throne, "I am going to enjoy tasting your blood, Nicole."
"You're not going to touch her," said Jason.
"Oh, I see you brought a friend. Don't worry, young man; it will be my honor to kill you first."
"The only person dying tonight is you, Brandon," said Nicole.
"Always so spunky, Nicole." said Brandon, " Maybe I won't kill you. I'll turn you as I intended to all those years ago."
"Not gonna happen," said Nicole.
Nicole rushed forward with her knives, determined to put an end to Brandon once and for all. She took a swing at him, but he dodged to the side and then lunged at her. He would have caught her had Jason not tackled him from behind and sent him flying in another direction.  Jason reached for his weapon and aimed at Brandon, but the vampire was too quick and moved out of range. The bullet just barely missing Nicole. Brandon laughed manically.
“You’ll do the work for me at this pace.”  He called out as he dodged Jason a second time.
Angered by his failed attempts, Jason threw himself at Brandon, but Brandon did not move this time. He reached a hand out and grabbed Jason by the throat. It would have been the perfect opportunity for Jason had he not thrown down his gun in an attempt to have his hands free to grab the vampire. Now he regretted his decision as he stared into the cold dark dead eyes in front of him.
“Are you really willing to die for her?” he said.
“Go to hell,” Jason said as he attempted to break Brandon’s hold on his neck.
Brandon laughed and threw him across the room. Jason hit the wall and landed on the floor unconscious.
"Jason!" Nicole screamed as she raced over to him and kneeled to check on him.
Brandon just laughed, " You thought you and your pathetic little boyfriend could kill me. That's hilarious."
"You won't win Brandon," she said.
"It appears I already have." he said, "Your great protector is unconscious."
In a flash, he was standing over Nicole.
"You will be mine, and no one can stop me," he whispered in Nicole's ear.
Realizing he had dropped his guard Nicole pulled a knife, whipped around, and stabbed him through the heart.
"I can stop you," she said as she pushed the knife deeper into his chest.
His eyes widened in shock, and he collapsed to the floor.
Nicole turned her attention to Jason. She checked to see if he was still breathing. He was. She tried to wake him but to no avail. She reached down and pulled him close to her. The others would arrive soon, and when they did, they would get him more serious help.   When the others finally found her, Nicole was sitting next to Brandon’s dead body with Jason lying motionless in her lap. His only movement was slow deep breaths.
"You did it!" said Jacob realizing Brandon was dead and Jason was not.
"Yeah." she said, " But Jason's hurt. We have to get him back to the house."
Jacob nodded, and with the help of the others, they lifted Jason and headed home.