Survival Mode

Chapter Thirty - Two

The morning sun rose high into the sky and lit up the now desolate Burkland. Shellington yawned quietly as he awoke. He opened his eyes slowly and began to stretch when he felt something move in his arms. He lowered his eyes and smiled when he saw Dashi asleep in his arms. She looked so peaceful... she was absolutely beautiful, Shellington had to admit.

She began to slowly open her own chocolate brown eyes and looked up into Shellington's enchanting blue ones. A smile reached her lips and she giggled, causing him to blush. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice soothing and beautiful all at once.

"Good morning, Dashi," Shellington responded. She took him by surprise when she curled up beside him and closed her eyes.

"How long were you staring at me?"

This caused Shellington to blush a deeper red. He looked away from her gorgeous face and replied with, "Only a couple minutes... You look absolutely adorable when you sleep, 'ya know?"

Dashi opened her eyes and looked up at Shellington again. She smiled and shook her head. "No, I didn't know. But... thanks for the compliment. Your hair is a mess - but it makes you look pretty attractive."

Shellington couldn't help but laugh. "Why uh - thanks! No one has ever said that to me before. But then again, I have never slept in the same bed as someone before other than Tunip. And if he ever said that to me hell - I'd throw him out!"

The most adorable giggle escaped from Dashi's mouth and Shellington immediately wanted to kiss her so bad. He ran his fingers through her silky auburn hair and smiled. Dashi looked up at him with worried eyes. Shellington stopped and pulled his hand back. "What's - wrong?" he questioned.

"Shellington, we can't - be together..."

He was shocked by her words. "What do you mean by... we can't be together? I thought that it was official..."

Dashi shook her head. "No, no. It's not and it never will be. Shellington, I made a promise I would never love someone ever again when Michael died - and I intend on keeping that promise. Please understand, Shel. I've already developed feelings for you and that goes against my promise - I don't want to completely break it..."

"Dashi," Shellington said, his voice stern. "This will most likely be your only chance to be happy again. Why turn it down for some stupid promise you made two years ago to yourself? I bet Michael would want you happy."

Dashi looked at him for a moment before whispering, "Get the hell out of my bedroom."

Shellington's eyes widened. "But -"

"I said - OUT!" Dashi shoved him out of the bed and he fell to the floor. Dashi curled up into a ball and began to sob. "I thought you finally understood..." she whispered, "but you're actually just like everyone else!"

Shellington pulled himself off the floor and placed a hand on Dashi. "I do understand. I'm sorry - I didn't mean what I said. I just want you happy again, Dashi. I want you to remember what love feels like again." She ignored him. Shellington let out a sigh and exited the room. Terrific... now what?

Meanwhile, Tweak stood before a mirror looking at herself. Her face was pale and her eyes were wide. No... This can't be happening... She stared at her torso. It was bigger than usual.

She was definitely pregnant.

Tweak wiped at tears that had begun to slide down her cheeks. She placed her hands over her belly and closed her eyes. Last time, I didn't care... but after the death of my son and Kwazii... now's not the time to have a baby... I don't want this... She removed her hands from her belly and looked again at her stomach in the mirror. It wasn't... too noticeable. But would the others notice? What if they questioned her? What if they questioned her... dignity?

It wasn't like she had it anymore. It was obvious she wasn't a virgin... considering she was pregnant before... and now pregnant again... Tweak moaned loudly in frustration and turned away from the mirror. She wasn't going to let an unborn child stop her from what her duty was now. Her duty was to protect who was still alive in Burkland... which was only their group and Carter and Tominnow... God knows where those two were.

She stepped out of the room and immediately wrapped her arms around her stomach. She felt insecure about this... she began to renter her bedroom when Tunip came running down the hall yelling her name. Tunip paused when he reached her and panted - trying to catch his breath. When he finally did, he placed his hands on Tweak's shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Dashi...and my brother...slept...together..."

Tweak gasped. "Bloody hell... this better not be one of your tricks again, Tunip! Dashi absolutely hates your brother."

"I walked in on them." Tunip began to snicker. "Shellington was staring at her like he was in some sort of trance. Don't worry - they were clothed. Imagine if I walked in on them naked, Tweak. Wouldn't that be disgusting?"

"Yeah... disgusting..." Tweak folded her arms across her stomach tighter. What if Tunip notices...?

"Hey, what's the matter?" Tunip asked, noticing Tweak was covering her stomach up tightly. Tweak's eyes widened as Tunip began to remove her arms. He looked at her stomach for a moment, then back at her. "What's the matter? It's okay to gain weight, Tweak. It never hurt nobody."

Tweak shook her head. "But that's not - fat - Tunip..."

"Not fat? Then what is it?" Tunip's eyes went to her stomach again and they widened moments later. Tears began to form in Tweak's eyes again. "Oh my gosh... you're pregnant, aren't you?"

She nodded, her tears beginning to slide down her cheeks. Tweak covered her face with her hands and shook her head. "Oh God, Tunip... I don't know what I'm supposed to do! Kwazii - he's the father - and he's technically dead at the moment!"

Tunip placed a hand on Tweak's shoulder and smiled. "It's okay, Tweak. You'll get through it. I may be eleven, and I may not understand what it is like to have something seriously traumatic come and take you off guard, but I promise you - I will help you through this. And I promise to find a way to bring Kwazii back to you... You deserve your happiness..."

For a moment, Tweak stared at the eleven year old, stunned. He had matured so much since the zombie apocalypse began. Tunip removed his hand and quickly walked down the hallway leading to the living room. Tweak watched him, and smiled. For a boy who had been through so much, he was most definitely emotionally stronger than most of the people currently living in this mansion.

In Kate's bedroom, Kate paced back and forth several times. Peso sat in a chair watching her curiously. Kate paused in her footsteps and looked out the open window. "Peso," she whispered, "I need you to leave. Now."

Peso stood from the seat. "Why? Kate, you've been acting strangely odd since Kwazii - well - turned... Please talk to me, Kate. Please... let me help you -"

"Hurry! I haven't much time!" Kate ran up to the window and looked around. "If you really want to help me, Peso, you're going to have to leave." She turned her head and looked at him, tears forming in her crystalline blue eyes. "Now!"

Before he left, Peso turned to look at Kate one more time. She was staring out the window, tears sliding down her pale cheeks. Peso let out a sigh and exited the bedroom.

That was when Kate saw it - a man, his ugly form hunched over as he walked - came closer to the mansion. Kate smiled and within her mind, she said one name in particular.

Kwazii.

The man looked up at her. His white eyes were almost disturbing - but not as disturbing as his torn, green flesh. Kate was sure she saw a smile form against his forest green lips. Kate, she heard a voice say in her head.

Kate smiled joyously and stuck her head out the window. We haven't much time... Have you told any of your... zombie buddies?

Not one, the same voice said.

Good, Kate replied, no one can know that I can speak telepathically with your remaining human side. So we best hurry and finish this conversation.