Doctor Clive's Shelter - Morning
Ember's eyes fluttered open, the world around her swimming in a haze. The sterile scent of antiseptic stung her nose, and the soft hum of machinery echoed in her ears. She felt the cool touch of a hand on her shoulder, and a gentle voice cut through the fog.
"Easy now. You've been through quite a bit. Take it slow."
Blinking away the grogginess, Ember focused on the figure beside her. A doctor in a worn lab coat regarded her with a mix of concern and relief. The sterile, whitewashed walls of the makeshift clinic came into view, adorned with hastily hung curtains.
"Where are my children?" Ember's voice, though raspy, carried an urgency that cut through the calm atmosphere.
The doctor offered a reassuring smile. "They're in the living room, dear, playing with the other kids. They're safe. I'm Doctor Clive by the way"
"Ember," she stated, her name a flicker of warmth in the cold air.
A surge of relief washed over Ember as she pushed herself upright, ignoring the dull ache that pulsed through her leg. She swung her legs over the edge of the makeshift bed, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
In the living room, a scattered assortment of mismatched toys lay strewn across the floor. Ember's heart skipped a beat as she spotted Shang and Kibo, their laughter harmonizing with the joyful sounds of the other children. The sunlight filtered through the bullet holes in the walls, casting dappled patterns on the worn carpet.
Ember's eyes widened as she realized something extraordinary — the sun's warm embrace. It was morning, and the world outside, despite its decay, was waking up. She felt a tingling sensation as she flexed her fingers, the unmistakable signs of returning humanity. The transformation had receded, leaving her in her human form.
Turning back to the doctor, Ember's determination flickered in her amber eyes. "We need to go. We can't stay here."
The doctor, a middle-aged man with tired eyes, nodded solemnly. "Ember, your leg—"
"I don't care about my leg. We've stayed in one place for too long. My children and I need to keep moving, and find a safer place."
The doctor sighed, understanding the urgency in Ember's words. "Your leg is still healing. If you push too hard, you might break it. You need time."
Ember's jaw tightened, but she nodded reluctantly. She couldn't risk slowing them down, especially with the safety of her children at stake. The doctor reached for a crutch, placing it within Ember's reach.
"Use this for support. Take it easy, and give yourself time to heal. There's a lot of danger out there."
Ember accepted the crutch, a silent acknowledgment of the compromise between her urgency and the reality of her physical state. Pausing to watch her children frolicking in the warm embrace of sunlight, Ember drew in a steadying breath, anchoring herself in the fleeting serenity of the moment.
As the aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, the doctor's voice rang out, calling the children to the dinner table. They gathered eagerly, a motley crew of young survivors with haunted eyes and resilient spirits.
Ember's keen gaze landed on the doctor, who seemed to have a surplus of raw meat. Shang's eyes widened with hunger, and he made a furtive attempt to grab a piece, but Ember's firm hand halted him.
"Wait, Shang," Ember whispered, her voice a gentle reminder of patience.
Curiosity danced in Kibo's eyes as she observed Doctor Clive, her small hand reaching out instinctively for a piece of uncooked meat.
YOU ARE READING
Werewolf in a Zombie Apocalypse
Hombres LoboA virus unleashed due to humanity's arrogance devoured all of human civilization. Decaying remnants and the shuffling masses known as the 'Undead' remain in its wake. Many werewolf clans had succumbed to the apocalypse. But Ember and her family, the...
