A Bite of Zombie

Chapter 7

Brook was led through various doors. She was even examined thoroughly to make sure she had no bite marks from the undead that now walked the earth.

"She's good to go." The woman in a white lab coat reported with a soft smile.

Luckily they didn't take any samples of her blood. With a sigh, she followed the men in front of her. Adam and Devyn stood shoulder to shoulder, talking about things she couldn't quite hear. Threading her fingers behind her back, she decided to study her surroundings as they walked through a corridor. Finally they approached the last door, or at least that was what Devyn said.

"Don't be too shocked by what you see." He winked at her.

Crimson stained her cheeks as her blood began to boil, a mixture of emotions swirling around inside her.

"O-Ok." She mumbled.

"The blush looks good on you." Devyn chuckled.

She eyed both men and felt her stomach drop when she looked at Adam. Was that heat in his eyes? The heat disappeared as soon as it appeared. Devyn punched some numbers into the key pad by the bolted door. Soon as it swung open, she gasped.

"How?" She whispered in awe.

It was just like being outside, yet they were underground. She shoved both guys out of her way and walked out onto the grass. A field surrounded her, trees off in the distance. The sun was bright above them. The sun?

"I-I don't understand..." She breathed.

"No need to understand, just enjoy." Devyn said.

She did enjoy this moment. Running out into the opening, she did what she once enjoyed doing as a child, she twirled around in circles until she floated down onto the soft ground. Warm, it was warm. This was supposed to be impossible. Whoever found a way to make this possible was a genius.

"The sky and sun sure feel and look real, but they are not. We are actually a couple of miles under the earth's surface." Devyn declared with a grin.

Closing her eyes, she relished how the breeze pushed through the grass, tickling her arms and legs. She could live down here. Her eyes popped open and the joyful smile turned into a frown. How could they live like this though? With the knowledge that those things still walked the earth.

"Are things able to grow down here?" She asked as she sat up.

Devyn sighed and shook his head, "No...that is why we go to the surface. Even though food is scarce, stuff still grow on top."

"We may be able to create this." Adam spoke next while motioning towards the field and sky."But you must keep in mind that it is not real."

It wasn't real, none of it was. It felt and looked real, yet it wasn't. Brook slowly stood up, straightening herself. Combing her fingers through her hair, she realized she was in desperate need of a bath.

"Is there any place I can clean up?" She asked as she turned to face the men.

"Follow us." Devyn told her.

Both men walked across the field with her behind them and into the nearby woods. Beyond the trees was what looked to be a village. A village with modern style houses. She continued to follow the men up to the back of a two story house that was painted blue with brown shudders. It was a gorgeous house just like the other's yet this one was unique. This house was the only house that had color to it. All the other houses were white with grey shudders. Devyn opened the large wooden back door and stepped aside, "Ladies first."

She was relunctant as she entered the house, walking into the medium sized kitchen. To her left was a stove, sink, sparkly black counters, a long wooden island table with the same sparkly black top. To her right was a dinner table big enough to fit seven to eight people and a red rug beneath the entire length of it. Ahead of her was a short hallway that branched off into the living room, staircase to the second floor and another room with the door closed. The house was lovely and had a homey feel to it.

"I think she likes it." Devyn leaned over towards Adam and intentionally whispered loud enough for her to hear.

She more than just liked it, she loved it. There wasn't a speck of dust anywhere and the air smelled clean. She could smell a roast in the oven. Something she hadn't had in a year. For the past year all she ate were canned food and, uh...other things. A woman suddenly came out of the room in the hallway. That's when she noticed the room was actually a bathroom.

"Sorry guys, dinner's almost done!" She said as she rushed over to the stove and slid on an oven mit.

Devyn dropped himself down onto a chair at the table, leaning back lazily in it. Adam found a seat across from his, his muscles tense as if he were awaiting some sort of attack.

"Penny, there's no need for the rush. Take your time." Devyn informed her.

The woman named Penny pulled out the roast and gently placed it ontop of the stove. Her very long chocolate brown hair was pulled back out of her face. Even pulled high onto her head, the long length still reached her waist. Brook wondered just how long Penny's hair really was and how in the world did she take care of it. Brook fingered some of her much shorter hair and shrugged. She prefered her shorter hair, it didn't weigh her head down. Penny took off the oven mitt, placing it on the counter next to the stove. That was when she noticed Brook and cocked her head.

"Who's this?" Penny asked as she blinked a few times. "I would have known her if she is from down here."

"This is Brook. Brook, this is Penny. She is a cousin of mine." Devyn introduced the two.

Brook studied the young girls appearance and realized she had to be around the same age as Brook. Brook was now 21. Penny was built a bit bigger than Brook, her figure that of an athlete. Penny's eyes were the same shade of brown as her hair and her skin tanned.

"Nice to meet you Brook!" Penny beamed.

Penny had a smile full of pearly whites, so white it nearly blinded her. Penny rushed over and shocked the living hell out of Brook by giving her a bear hug. Gasping for air, Penny finally released her hold, "Sorry!"

"I think you two will make perfect friends!" Devyn announced happily.

Adam groaned and rolled his eyes with annoyance. Brook studied all three of them and thought about how quickly her life was changing. Would she do ok down here with all the humans? Would she be able to keep her 'secret' without anyone figuring it out? Would she be able to go...without feeding? So many questions rolled around in her head. Along with those questions came fear. What if I hurt someone?