Undead Rises

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴇɴ

ᴄᴏʀᴀ ʜᴇɴᴅᴇʀꜱᴏɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ

The feeling of arms encasing my body felt strange but welcoming. I hugged everyone who greeted me and whispered grateful words into my ears. Grateful to see that I was awake. I was grateful too; I didn't think I would ever be able to unsee the things I saw in my dreams. My nightmares.

Tobias was the first to hug me, when he had his arm wrapped around my waist and his head buried in my shoulder, I knew that I had missed a lot. Tobias had a bruise on his face, and he seemed drained and dull, like all of his life had vanished away leaving him in this empty shell. It was sad to see my brother this way. His grip on my torso grew tighter, and I tried to match his grip, he needed this hug more than I did.

I was bombarded with bear hugs from Kai and Jasper, who were not shy in picking me up and twirling me around like a rag doll. Seeing them in their usual goofy matter made me smile, it felt normal. It helped me ignore the large fact that I had been bitten, the fact that I was most likely going to die soon.

Zoey's hug was gentler, like she was too scared to hurt me. She had the same dull energy as my brother. Like her usual warm color had been turned into a bland grey. I knew something had happened between them while I was asleep. I made a mental note to talk to my brother about it later.

I was slightly surprised when Aria had come up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug. But then I remembered the moment we shared until I fell into my deep sleep. I remembered the way she held me and comforted me as I slowly drifted off. I think I hugged her the longest, it felt like the only way to show my gratitude. Aria stayed with me during that experience, so that I wasn't alone.

She has kept her promise. Everyone was alive and safe.

"Thank you."

"I made you a promise didn't I. No need to thank me."

"I know, but I'm doing it anyway."

Everyone stood in silence until Aria, and I eventually pulled apart. I walked with everyone to the fire they had been sitting around. The orange glow shined through the vast opening of darkness that surrounded us. I took a seat on one of the blankets surrounding the campfire. While sitting between Kai and Aria, I noticed that Joseph has been sitting around the fire.

I looked over to Aria, hoping she could give me an explanation. Before she could say anything, Zoey stepped in. "I invited him to stick with us. We've grown to like the old guy. I hope that's okay with you." She gave me a small smile; I returned it with one of my own as well as a nod. "What did I tell you guys about calling me old?" Joseph scowled, I supposed they had been teasing the old man for a few days now.

A bubble of laughter floated around the camp site. That bubble soon burst when Jasper stood up with his medical bag. He approached me with a sad but gentle smile on his face. Kai stood up and move out of the way for the paramedic. Jasper crouched down and pulled out the supplies he would need from his bag.

I moved my body to face him stretched my leg out to his lap. When I had woken up, I noticed my pant leg was torn and a bandage wrapped around my leg. I wanted to thank him for everything he has done for me, but a sick feeling registered itself in my stomach. I wasn't ready to see the wound on my leg, wasn't ready to see how the infection was spreading.

"Here, lay down." Aria whispered in my ear as she helped me lean back, my head resting in her lap. Her hands made its way through my hair, gently swirling her finders through strands of my short hair. With her hands in my hair, I was able to calm myself. She made me feel calmer.

Aria's green eyes stared down at me, a small smile on her face. The glow from the fire reminded me of the time we had spent in the factory. Even right now, she looked beautiful. When we were at the factory, I kept looking away from her, I wish I hadn't. How could I look away from the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes upon. I knew that I was nearing death with every second that passed by, and all I wanted to do was look at her.