For over an hour, the group continued walking through the forest towards the wooden shack alongside their Big Cat companions. Even Atlas, Ianessa, Carmilla, and Illumin rode upon Tank and Storm too.
Granted the moon still shined on them, but their footsteps remained careful and quiet. Quiet enough to not alert any undead that could be seen lurking around. The walk was nowhere near short, but not especially long either.
By the next hour, the group finally made it to the wooden shack. "Finally! My fucking feet are killing me." Serenity relieved. The rest of the group got off of the tigers and started walking towards the shack.
"Zakariyya, Atlas, take the tigers with you to check around the shack. Make sure no zombies are in the area, or inside the building. Atlas and Zakariyya nod, motioning for Storm and Tank to follow them around and inside the Shack.
As they left, Carmilla started coughing feverishly. Amid her coughing, she coughed up blood on her hand. Her eyes were near bloodshot, but no one could see due to her mask. "H-hey! Are you okay?!" Illumin asked, concerned.
"I-I'm fine little one, don't worry about me. It's just a strong cough that's all." Carmilla reassured with a weak smile. "Don't lie Carmilla, lying is bad." Serenity wagged her finger in disapproval. Serenity closer to Carmilla and wiped the blood off her face with her thumb.
"Just... hang in there, 'Kay?" Serenity said with a mellowed tone. "Of course. Thank you," Carmilla thanked. Carmilla and Serenity hugged each other, in mutual fear of never getting a chance like this again.
Carmilla took out her notebook, jotting down more notes about her symptoms and experience as a bite victim. Then at her heel, something fuzzy nuzzled against Carmilla. It was Zolt. The little blue-eyed tiger cub could sense her sadness, and he wasn't having it.
Tears began to stain Carmilla's mask as she kneeled and grabbed the cub closer to her chest. She silently began to sob as she and Zolt hugged and nuzzled for the next minute.
Afterward, Atlas and Zakariyya returned to the group with Tank and Storm. "Everything's all clear. Inside and out." Zakariyya threw a thumbs-up with a nonchalant facial expression. "Alright then, everyone inside." Ianessa asserted.
Upon entering the large wooden structure, the group immediately set their bags to the side and took a moment to bask in the safety of their new space. Serenity immediately sat on the nearest chair next to the front door.
"Thank God! Finally, I can relax." Serenity exhaled. "This place looks really homey, I'm surprised you didn't claim it weeks ago." Zakariyya looked at Atlas. "I almost did, but Gacha told me and Ianessa it was best to save it for emergencies," Atlas replied.
"Ahh, I see. Good on him for thinking about us." Zakariyya grinned, happy to hear about his brother in arms. "Okay, this should be a good place to regroup and stay until everything at the house quiets down. If we can get ourselves together and ready beforehand, we might be able to take the house back next week-" Ianessa's speech was interrupted by Carmilla's coughing.
Everyone rushed to her in concern as she dropped to her knees. "Carmilla!" Zakariyya kept a hold of her by the shoulders. "Carmilla, are you okay?" He asked. "I'm fine, just... tired," Carmilla spoke weakly. Her voice was becoming more hoarse.
"Shit shit shit shit SHIT!" Serenity paced and banged her fist against a metal table in cursed anger. "Fuck man... fuck." Atlas's head throbbed. This felt all too familiar to him but in a different way. "L-let's put her into a bed then. We shouldn't keep her up if it-" "No, don't... don't waste a bed on me." Carmilla coughed.
"Get me on that chair over there.. next to the front door where Serenity sat..." Carmilla pointed. Zakariyya and Serenity obliged and picked her up, slowly putting her on the chair as she asked. "Carmilla you're getting worse, you need medicine." Serenity urged.
"No use... I snuck some when you all weren't looking. None of it works..." Carmilla admitted. Granted, Ianessa was the only one baffled by this piece of information. "I'm really sorry for stealing, but I had no choice... I was desperate." Carmilla apologized with her head down.
"Hey, it's okay. We're not mad. If anything, you're probably the only one in this group who I'd give authority to steal at this moment in time." Ianessa assured her. "That's... sweet," Carmilla remarked with a chuckle.
"You guys can go on ahead and sleep. I'll stay with Carmilla throughout the night. Make sure she's safe and comfortable." Zakariyya assured. "Will she... be alright?" Illumin asked, curiously. "I have no doubt. She's a strong nurse." Zakariyya nodded to him.
Although hesitant, everyone agreed to go to their respective bedrooms after wishing Carmilla well with hugs and nuzzles. Leaving just the two of them in the moonlit darkness of the kitchen entrance.
"Hey, Zak... you don't have to do this. Sleep, please. I'll be fine-..." Carmilla coughed up more blood as she tried to speak. "Don't talk too often Milly. You'll only hurt yourself." Zakariyya consoled. Carmilla started to chuckle, then her chuckles shifted into laughter.
"I haven't heard that nickname in a while. It takes me back to when we were kids..." Carmilla reminisced. "Huh... I guess it does, doesn't it." Zakariyya agreed. "I still remember when you, Gacha, and Serenity confessed that you liked me at the same time." Carmilla giggled.
"Hehe... yeah." Zakariyya humored her, slightly embarrassed by the recalling of that memory. "It's funny, I would've said yes to you if I wasn't so overwhelmed at the time..." Carmilla admitted. Zakariyya's nerves were shaken, and his heart had jumped. He was at a loss for words.
"Zak, can you please take my blindfold off? I... want you to have it. So the group can remember me." Carmilla offered. Zakariyya was already overcome with emotions and friendly valor, but he still abided by her wishes.
Zakariyya took off the blindfold and rested it upon his forearm. He looked back at Carmilla and saw something bizarre... she was crying tears of blood. Blood-red tears streamed down her face, originating from her now exposed silver-grey eye color.
"I don't wanna die, Zak... I really really don't wanna die..!" Carmilla began to cry. Zakariyya felt pity and sadness for his friend. He got closer to Carmilla and hugged her with all of his warmth and embrace.
"Ya Rab, khalli sahbi yib'a ma'ak fī el-ganna..." Zakariyya whispered. "Zakariyya...?" Carmilla was confused by his change of literacy. "I'm praying for you Carmilla..." Zakariyya responded, softly pressing his forehead against hers. "Whether you believe or not... I want you to always be happy." He assured.
Carmilla's smile didn't waver, but her eyes grew heavier than the weight of her organs thanks to the virus. "Will you still stay with me... at least until morning...?" Carmilla asked. "Of course I will. I'm not going anywhere." Zakariyya said persistently.
Zakariyya sat down on the floor next to Carmilla, this time holding her hand until they both went to sleep.
Before they knew it, sunrise came.
YOU ARE READING
Zombie Life
Short StoryA group of childhood friends finally leave college together as a success! They are about to have the summer of their lives... until a new pandemic arises... and the dead start eating the living.
