Survival Mode

Chapter Twenty - Nine

The group was quickly running through the zombie swamped streets of Burkland. They were nearing the mansion and intended to be inside immediately - safe from the zombies. Shellington, Peso, and Malcolm were struggling to carry Kwazii to the mansion. His body felt like dead weight. His flesh was cold. His gray eyes were wide with shock and horror. No one knew what kind of excruciating pain he was suffering from right at the moment.

But they finally did arrive at the mansion. As Doctor Wilson worked quickly to lock the gate and the front door leading to mansion, the three men placed Kwazii's limp body on the couch. His breathing was labored. Peso rushed to gather up medical supplies while Kate squeezed her twin brother's hand. Dashi went in to the kitchen to collect supplies as well. The others stood back - watching in horror as their dearest friend turned to one of them.

Hours had passed. Nothing was working. Peso tried any treatment there was to cure Kwazii's transformation to a zombie - but the medication only slowed the changing. He was now responsive too. People had given up though. Many had retired to their bedrooms to sleep. Tomorrow they would decide what to do with Kwazii if he did not turn to a zombie in the middle of the night. Kate still held his hand tightly. Tweak and Dashi stood behind the two. Peso and Shellington were close by as well.

Tears slid down Kate's cheeks. Kwazii smiled up at his sister and wiped away her tears. "All things come with a purpose, Kate. Never forget that."

She looked at him angrily. "Are you telling me this whole entire situation has a purpose!? You are insane, Kwazii Young. You are the only family I have remaining and you actually have the nerve to say such a thing while you are basically dying!?"

"Kate," Peso whispered soothingly to his new girlfriend. "Let's head on to bed. We will decide what to do with Kwazii in the morning."

Kate glanced up one more time at her twin brother. "Promise you won't turn during the middle of the night?"

He smiled. "I promise."

With that being said, Kate and Peso exited the room and walked up the stairs to their bedrooms. Shellington came up beside Kwazii and gave his shoulder a squeeze. He then left and followed after Kate and Peso. Dashi next sat beside Kwazii on the couch and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Will you be okay down here by yourself? My father insists we block the entrance to upstairs just in case for the night."

Kwazii smiled and nodded reassuringly. "Yes, I will be fine."

"Well alright. Good night, Kwazii. Hopefully you will still be with us in the morning," Dashi replied to him. She then turned to Tweak. "Will you close the gate leading upstairs when you are done here?" Tweak nodded her head. Dashi smiled and then headed on upstairs.

Now Tweak and Kwazii were alone. Tweak stood uncomfortably before Kwazii. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair and let out a sigh. "Kwazz...I apologize for earlier. I - I was upset. And - Oh God. I don't know how I'm going to get through this." She sat herself down beside Kwazii and held her head in her hands.

Kwazii put an arm around her. "I promise Tweak, it will be okay. We all knew eventually someone would be bitten."

Tears collected in Tweak's eyes. She looked up at him. "Why? Why did it have to be you? You had so much more to live for. You are only twenty - four years old! Kwazii, I - I don't know how to put this but... I - I never stopped loving you..."

Kwazii was shocked into silence. He lowered his head and let out a sigh. "Tweak... I never stopped loving you either. The only reason I left you when we were teenagers was to protect you. It - it was the hardest thing for me to ever do and I -" he was cut off by Tweak pressing her lips to his. Kwazii's eyes grew wide but he returned the kiss.