The Safe Zone (The Dead Zone Book Two)

Untitled Part 17

Paige glances around surreptitiously, wondering why exactly Doc had called for her guards to escort her to the clinic. She didn't mind escaping her prison home, but with Bryson coming for them any day now, she didn't like being separated from Zach. It had already been established that when she was at the clinic, the guards were to wait outside, and since Doc was nowhere to be seen, she was alone for the first time in weeks.

His research folder sits on one of the counters, beckoning her. She knew if she asked, Doc would gladly share his discoveries with her, but since he wasn't here, she took it upon herself.

Opening the folder, the first thing she sees is a detailed sketch of the Mortuus Vivens virus. It looks the same as it did the first time Doc had let her see it through the microscope. She jumps as the sound of gunfire rings in the distance, dropping the folder in her surprise.

Making her way to the front doors, she steps outside, only to be barred by the guards.

"Back inside!" One yells, shoving her roughly across the chest with his assault rifle. He slams the door in her face, shutting her off from the commotion. The gunfire hasn't stopped, if anything, more guns are joining the frenzy. What was going on out there?

Running over to the window, she peers outside, only to see people running down the streets in panic, several roamers following behind. She curses when the window won't budge; she's sealed in. Turning back to the room, she scans the area, her eyes landing on a shiny metal scalpel. It wasn't much, but it would do. She wished she'd been able to bring the handgun with her, but it had been too noticeable.

She felt the overwhelming need to get to Zach. Something was happening out there. In times like this, it was imperative to stick together.

Jogging through the clinic, she searched for a different exit, but came up empty. The front door opens and falls shut, alerting Paige that someone had entered the building. Finally, Doc was here- he'd tell her what was going on. Rounding the corner, she says, "Want to explain wha-"

A heavy figure falls into her from the side, cold hands latching painfully on her arms. The roamer catches her by surprise, knocking her off balance, sending both of them to the ground in a painful tumble. Paige screams as a set of infected teeth sink into her shoulder, sending sharp burning pains throughout her entire right side. Lashing out with her legs, she manages to shove the roamer off, but its too late. Blood seeps from her wound, and suddenly, life seems to pass by in slow motion. She'd been bitten.

The roamer rises again, foam dripping from his maw, tainted red with blood. Her blood. She thrusts the scalpel through its eye as angry tears fall, not stopping until she's certain the vile creature is dead. Sliding to the floor, she cradles her arm, wondering how she'd been so stupid to let this happen. She'd let her guard down, and it had cost her everything. She questioned how much time she'd have left. A few days, at the most. Mere hours if she wasn't one of the lucky ones.

Then, she realized it really didn't matter, did it? No matter how much time she had before she turned, she was going to die. And unless someone put a bullet through her brain, she would become one of them.

She tried to stand, to go to Zach, to say goodbye, but shock was quickly taking over, making it impossible to do anything past the shaking that was consuming her from the inside out.

The door opens again, so she scoots back against the wall, the only thing between her and the next monster coming to eat her alive was the scalpel clutched tightly in both hands.

Two people enter the room, and at first, she thinks she must be seeing things. She remembered the first time she'd seen those blue eyes, saving her from the roamers, although they'd seemed so much colder back then. She wished they could save her now, but she knew better. She'd dreamt for months about what it would be like to see Bryson again- never did she imagine it would be like this. Their 'hello' had quickly turned to 'goodbye' in the worst way.

Bryson falls to his knees next to her, tearing her jacket away from the bite mark. Zach chokes on a sob, and after a few seconds, his warm hand slips into hers. Bryson holds her other hand, whispering words that she couldn't comprehend.

"Please, you guys have to leave." It was obvious the fences had been compromised; it definitely explained all the roamers and gunfire. Who knew how many others there were? Or when Zach would get a second chance to escape? Not to mention all the noise would attract them for miles.

"We can't leave you here." She has to focus hard to understand Bryson's words.

"Shoot me. Before I can turn. I'll only slow you down if you try to get me out of here."

"Paige, I can't-"

"You have to." She interrupts. "Or at least leave me a gun. I'm already as good as dead." She knew it, they all knew it. She turns to Zach, pleading with her eyes. "Do what you did for Tori."

"You're my friend, Paige. I don't want this to be my last memory of you."

Gunfire erupts again right outside the clinic doors.

With a curse, Bryson plants a rough kiss on her mouth, that one kiss saying everything, calming her soul. Bryson loved her.

He hands his handgun to her, regret and sadness clouding his eyes. "I'm not going anywhere until its over."

With a shaking hand, she raises the gun, never taking her eyes off of Bryson's.

The door opens again, smacking against the wall as if someone had flung it open in haste. Doc charges into the room, screaming, "Wait!"

He charges forward, wrestling the gun out of her grasp, flinging it across the room. He pulls something out of his coat pocket, and the next thing she knew, hot pain flashes up her thigh. She screams in agony, and the last thing she see's before darkness takes over is Bryson's eyes hovering over her.