Zombie Story

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen- Leon (Day Five)

Heather really came in clutch, not just with the defending me from the group, but with all the baby supplies she brought back. She brought enough powdered formula that we would no longer need to rely on the Almond milk or the back up generator fridge. She was also smart enough to bring back reusable diapers so we'd no longer have to go on runs for them.

Honestly, if you had asked me before thr apocalypse if I ever would have cleaned reusable diapers, the answer would have been a flat out no, absolutely not. It would have disgusted me. But something about being covered in zombie guts and fluids on the norm made washing diapers a little easier. Well that and baby Luke. I couldn't believe how much I loved him. I think I was finally understanding what is was to be a mother.

He was my motivation to keep going. My motivation to make a better world.

I pulled the sheets up, curling myself in a ball of blankets. Despite how tired I was, I couldn't sleep. If I had to guess, it must be 2 or 3 am. The elders had the only clock in their room, so the sound of the crickets and the time that passed by was my only indication of the time. Sleep finally started to overtake me when I heard a knock at my door. Rather banging. At this hour?

I had a strong urge to pretend I was asleep and ignore it, but the banging sounded urgent. I hauled myself out of bed, glancing at Luke for a second. Peacefully asleep in his little drawer. I couldn't help bug smile as I unlocked the door and pulled it open.

Instantly I was met by a snarling, bloody figure. I instinctively backed up in response almost tripping over my feet. Luke was woken up almost instantly by the banging and snarling of the creature, his wails captured the attention of the zombie in front of me. Where was the silence he had when Heather reprimanded the group earlier. The distraction ended up working in my favor though and bought me time to turn around and grab the gun off my night stand. I couldn't risk shooting at the zombie so close range, what if it went through him and hit baby Luke? Instead I slammed the base of the gun down on the head of the creature. This didn't kill him, but it managed to redirect his attention to me. I picked up the blanket I was snuggled in earlier, Ready to fling it onto its face, to at least hinder its disease filled jaws.

Only then did I see it's face clearly. Eduardo. I didnt have time to dwell on my discovery as zombie Eduardo lunged at me. I trapped his head within the blanket, twisting it around his skull, and dragging him to the floor. I had a foot ontop of each of his arms to avoid being scratched before I finally shot him. The sound echoed through the room despite the silencer, sending Luke's wails into full on screeching.

Heather, Aspen, Colt, and Belle all raced into my room. They had rooms upstairs so it made sense that they were the first to rush in.

"What," Colt pointed a finger at the bloody bundle at my feet, "is that."

"A zombie," Belle answered without removing her stare from the body.

Colt snorted, "Yeah obviously, but how did it get in."

"It was already in," I answered, slipping the gun into the waistband of the sweatpants I was currently wearing, "Everyone get your weapons. We don't know who else is infected."

The group looked confused but scattered out to collect their weapons. I couldn't ignore Luke, I hated to hear him cry. I kissed his forehead before pulling away, I'd have to leave him here. I dragged the body out of my room, blanket and all, and shut the door behind me. The door muffled Luke's cries but regardless I would make sure no undead made its way upstairs. Once we made sure that there was no more zombies, we could also take the body of Eduardo outside.

Heather, Colt, Belle, and Aspen returned with their guns and knives. They were fast. That was good. I kept my voice low, "That zombie was Eduardo. He's an elder so it's safe to assume that Helga and Gertrude are either bitten or dead. Everyone upstairs is fine, clearly, but do you know if anyone sleeps with an unlocked door?"

Heather's eyes widened, "The kids! They don't lock their door sometimes theres never a reason to keep it locked, I-"

"Okay let's go!" I cut her off, we didn't have time, "Everyone follow me!" The five of us raced down the stairs. Once we were down I redirected the group, "Colt and Belle, go check the elders room. Aspen and Heather with me. First check on the kids then we'll check on everyone else."

Everyone dispersed to where they were supposed to be without complaint. Heather ran ahead of me and Aspen, she flung herself into the kids room. It was open.

"Leon!" She cried. I followed quickly behind her to see the scenario. Leon was using a small chair to keep a zombified Helga back. Berlin was standing in front of the smaller children, Alice, Princesa, and Phoenix, in an attempt to protect them in case Helga switched directions. Heather wasted no time in hurling herself into the fight, bashing her dagger into Helga's head. As soon as Helgra dropped onto the ground, Alice ran to her mother sobbing while Aspen rushed to check over Phoenix, Princesa, and Berlin. Despite Alice's sobs, Heather's and my attention was on Leon. While he did manage to keep Helga distracted from the group, his left arm had deep gashes running down to his wrists.

Heather pulled the young boy into an embrace while I nervously looked back to the entrance, "Heather, who are his parents?"

Heather shook her head, patting Leon's dirty blonde hair down, "The group found him and his brother. They're alone." Phoenix was obviously hispamic so that lift only Berlin to answer the question on who his brother could be.. My assumption was correct as I turned to see Berlin's watery eyes. I was sure he must be the brother despite his contrasting black hair and green eyes. Berlin was doing his best to hold back his tears, but he was so young and the situation was so traumatic, they fell anyways.

Belle and Colt rushed in, Belle took the liberty of speaking first, "Gertrude was devoured and dead. Helga must have had time to turn while Eduardo was eating."

Colt nudged the girl to remind her of the children listening in on the conversation. They've witnessed worse though throughout their lifetime I'd assume.

Geoff, Bill, Carmen, and George rushed in shortly after. Instantly George and Carmen ran to Phoenix and Princesa. They must be their parents. I ignored their sobs as they kissed Phoenix and his sister and instead focused back to Leon, "Hey bud, you and your brother were so so brave back there, you guys protected everyone." It was true, they both had stepped up despite the consequences it would have.

Heather and me shared glances. We both knew that it wouldn't be long before those scratches turned him. First he would lose his sense of taste and smell. Then he would have a fever. Then he would die. And then he would reawake as an undead. And who knows how quickly he'd go through those stages. Leon looked wide eyed at me and Heather, his hazel eyes filled with fear. In the dark room, his hazel eyes almost looked brown. His expression reminded me of him. He was so scared. I couldn't repeat this mistake.

"Am I going to die?" His shaky voice seemed to silence the room.

"No! Don't let my bother die, please!" Berlin wailed out, his attempt at remaining calm was broken.

I quickly shook my head, "No, of course not. Everyone except Geoff and Heather, leave the room." The group responded their protests, they clearly had their own opinions on how to handle the situation, but I cut through them, "Now."

The group was still shaken from everything which must've been why they were herded out without any more complaints. Heather and Geoff looked expectantly at me. "What do you need me here for?" Geoff asked nervously.

I nudged Leon towards one of the beds before facing Geoff, "You're the closest thing to a doctor. I think you know where this is going."

Geoff vigorously shook his head, "Y-you don't mean...?"

I walked over to Geoff, lowering my voice so Leon wouldn't hear. Although he'd find out eventually, "Yes doc,

You're cutting his arm off."