Bound in Desire: Love's Dark Hold Amidst the Zombie Apocalypse

Stop running

I woke up to the sounds of rain falling on the roof, feeling groggy and sore from the previous night's ordeal.

It was the afternoon once I woke as I look around me
I see Lincoln and Mason preparing for the trek back to the sanctuary.

"We need to get going," Lincoln said, his tone brooking no argument.
Once he noticed I was up.

Mason brings up the rope. "afraid we gotta tie you back up. It's slippery out so we won't attach you to either of us incase you fall down or something."

I sat on the chair as Mason walked front of me with a rope in his hands.

"Hold still," Mason said firmly. As he gently started to wrap the rope around my wrists.

Lincoln, standing nearby was watching with arm crossed over his chest.

Mason's fingers moved as he secured the rope. He was gentle despite the firmness of his actions. "This is for your own safety," he said."We need to make sure you don't try running off."

My eyes flicked up to meet his,"I'm not going to try anything. I just—"I say frustrated but was cut off

"—Don't try to argue," Mason interrupted."You're not in a position to negotiate."

He continued to tighten the rope around my wrist ensuring that it was secure but not overly tight. Mason's hands brushed against my skin with an occasional intentional touch lingering a bit even now and then.

As he finished up he looked up. "I know this isn't easy. But we're doing this to keep you safe. If you make a move to escape or put yourself in danger it's our job to stop that."  He tells me as though his words and actions are something a rational person would do.

Lincoln stepped closer."We're trying to protect you from yourself, and from what's out there."

I try and breath evenly as my eyes forming tears.

Mason took a step back to inspect his work. "Just remember, we're not doing this to punish you. We're trying to ensure you stay safe."

He brushed a stray piece of hair from my face, his touch tender. "We care about you. That's why we're being so strict."

We went out and the cloud turn grey fast yet again another day of rain and cold weather.

The ground already wet and the rain starts coming down creating a slip and slide effect.My shoes slipped, and the cold soaked through my clothes. I was tired and sore, but the thought of being trapped with them was unbearable they intimidated me.

In a moment of adrenaline, I decided to make a run for it.

I tried to run away, my hands still bound as I ran through the mud, my vision become blurred by the rain.

I didn't get far before Lincoln's voice shouts behind me. "Stop!"

Ignoring him as I kept running, my heart pounding. As my feet hit the ground.

The rain made it difficult to see and I slipped, crashing to the ground. I get up though with my hands tied made it difficult once finally I get up amd run again my vision deteriorated by the rain,

Suddenly my foot caught on a root, and I went crashing into a tree. The impact caused me to cry out in pain as I cut my arm against the rough bark. The sharp pain was instant, and I could feel something warm run down my arm.

Lincoln and Mason's voices through the rain. "Stop running!" Mason shouted, his voice filled with both concern and frustration.

I tried to get up, but my injured arm was screaming painfully. I looked down and saw that I had cut my arm deeply on the tree bark. Blood was coming from the wound.

As I struggled, I hear groans from the surrounding darkness. I looked up and saw five zombies coming from the shadows, their rottting forms coming toward me. Panic ran through me as I realized I had no weapon to defend myself.

I tried to crawl away, but the zombies were closing in fast.

Just as one of the zombies reached out for me, a hand grabbed me by the collar and yanked me back. I was pulled roughly to my feet and turned to see Lincoln and Mason.

"Damn it!" Lincoln shouted, his voice full of anger and relief. "We told you to stay close!"

Mason stepped forward pushing me behind him and pulling out his weapon . With swift, practiced movements, he took out three zombies, his blows lethal.

Lincoln kept a firm hold on me as he pulled me close. "You're not running away again," he said, his voice harsh but laced with underlying concern. "Do you understand how dangerous this was?"

I nodded. Lincoln's hand was on my back, holding me as Mason finished off the last of the zombies.

Once the threat was gone, Lincoln wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close.  A hiss comes out of my mouth from my ankle twisting. Lincoln's eyes widened as he saw my injury's . "Damn it,! Look at what you've done! Emmy!"

Mason quickly looked at my arm, his expression hardening with a mix of frustration and worry. "We need to get back to the library so we can clean that up. It needs stitches."

I make no move. I don't want to be stuck with them. I don't care if they are attractive they are crazy.

Lincoln carefully picked me up. "You're not going to make this easy, are you? Let's get you back and taken care of."

Lincoln's hand, which had been so stern and controlling earlier, now rested gently on my upper back and legs as he carried me through the storm. The rain continued to pour, but the immediate threat had been dealt with.

I lean into his chest his body hear helping me be warm.

As we reached the library's shelter once more, Lincoln's grip on me still firm, but there was a hint of relief in his eyes.

Lincoln set me down carefully.

I sat down, my hands still tied but my body shivering from both cold and fear. Lincoln and Mason exchanged glances, their expressions softening slightly as they realized the gravity of what had just happened.

"We're going to clean this up and stitch it," Lincoln said, his tone serious but not unkind. "You need to stay still and let us take care of it."

Mason pulled out a makeshift medical kit and began setting up the necessary supplies.

Lincoln touch was firm as he cleaned the wound. "You're lucky it wasn't worse," he said, his voice low and focused. "Try not to move too much."

Lincoln's hands were steady as he gently examined the cut. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "This is going to hurt, but it's necessary."

As Lincoln began to stitch the wound. His brow was furrowed in concentration, and he would occasionally glance up to make sure I was coping.

Mason stood nearby, his expression a mix of both concern and support. "We're here with you," he said, his voice soothing. "Just focus on staying calm." As his hand rested on my face the other holding my arms all the way down.

I bite my lip to stop from screaming.

The stitches felt sharp, Mason's hand brushed against my hair as Lincoln worked, "We're not letting you get hurt again," he said softly.

Once the wound was stitched and bandaged, Lincoln and Mason helped me settle down on the bench. My arm throbbed,

Lincoln's gaze remained stern but softened with concern.

"Stay there," Lincoln said, his tone now tinged with reluctant care. "We're not letting you out of our sight again. We're here to protect you, whether you like it or not."

Mason nodded in agreement, his voice firm but less harsh. "We'll make sure you're safe, but you need to start listening to us."