An Era Of Zombies

Part 21: The Lurking Danger

Janelle watched as another human fell. She hated this, being the one to send people to their deaths. Janelle had tried to be fair, and only brought volunteers but she doubted that these people had expected it to be like this, or perhaps they did know, but decided to go anyways. Janelle did not know if it had been stupidity or bravery that'd brought them here. But there were 60 of them. Although it felt like they were winning, at least 12 people have been killed already. She couldn't stand the sight.

"Janelle!" It was Will, Asia running beside him. She let out a sigh of relief and smiled, they were both alive. They finally reached Janelle and Silas, who was standing beside her. "We have Asia we can go now."

"You're right, I don't like this. I'm calling a retreat, my son and the others are with you right?" Janelle asked, worried about her son.

"I just saw Wade and Darcy. I'm sure Sonnet and Ford are here too," Will answered.

"Asia honey are you okay?" Janelle asked, realizing that she hadn't said anything to her yet.

"I'll be okay Janelle, Will saved me," Asia said and smiled up at Will.

Janelle shouted the retreat back to Camp Resilient.

«»«»«»

"Where are we going?" Darcy asked. Asia and Will had found her, Wade, Sonnet, and Ford. Will & Asia were now leading them somewhere.

"A cave," Will answered.

"What happened in there?" Darcy asked.

"What happened out here?" Will said instead. "You know that I can see your lipstick on Wade's lips right? Why did you even put it on?"

Asia smacked Will's arm, "Will! That was rude!" Darcy laughed. She was a little vexed, but not mad.

Ford began to walk beside Darcy, "How was it?"

"Lovely, lot's of tongue and hair pulling," Darcy joked.

"Oh dear, I think I'll need to have a talk with Wade then," Ford said. "Wanna hear a secret?"

"What?" Darcy asked.

He leaned down and whispered into Darcy's ear, "I kissed Sonnet."

Darcy raised an amused eyebrow, "Took you a while."

"I know," he laughed. Darcy was glad though, she thought that Ford and Sonnet were a great couple.

"We're here," Will said. They got into the cave.

"Why this cave?" Sonnet remarked.

"Because it's close and we're going back," Will said.

"Why?" Sonnet asked.

Asia explained what had happened, her being injected, Will rescuing her, who Lady Lucien was, and her plan. Darcy had gasped several times. She couldn't believe that this had happened. And the thought of Lady Lucien's plan frightened her. Darcy had cringed when Asia had told them how she'd been injected with the mutated zomtoxin, her own aunt had done it. Asia had become Darcy's friend. She was going to make Lucien pay.

"So we return now?" Wade asked.

"Will you help us?" Asia asked.

"Of course we will," Wade replied and smiled.

"It's almost morning, shouldn't we sleep?" Darcy asked. She wasn't trying to be a baby but Darcy could feel herself getting sleepy.

"No, we can't. Janelle's gonna notice that we're still here, we need to do this, now," Will responded.

"What are we waiting for then?" Ford grinned.

"You're sure you want to come?" Will asked, "This is dangerous."

"Danger calls to me," Ford said, "Wade too."

"Thanks Clifford," Wade said. Sonnet began to laugh hysterically, Will tried to hide his laugh.

"Your real name is Clifford?" Will laughed.

"Yes, yes it is. I am Clifford Mckay."

"I think it's cute," Sonnet remarked.

"Yes, for a dog," Will joked.

"Says you, Fitzwilliam. What is this, England?" Ford retorted.

Will smirked, then got serious again. "Look what you've done, we're wasting time."

"Lighten up Will, you started it you know," Asia said.

"Lies!" Will shouted in mock anger.

"Come on, let's go," Darcy interjected, "Danger lurks."

«»«»«»

"I forgot the plan," Sonnet said. He was crouched next to Darcy and Wade right outside the zombie headquarters. Will, Asia, & Ford had gone inside to destroy the Tempest machine.

"We're supposed to wait here for Will and the others to come out, and we go in if there's any trouble," Wade said. Sonnet noticed that Darcy's hand was in his, Awe. Sonnet realized how much she missed Ford then. She hoped that he was safe, out of the three of them(Will, Asia, & Ford), Ford was the weakest since he was full human but she had faith in him.

"Here's some trouble," a voice purred. Sonnet spun her head around, Lady Lucien was standing there, six zombies right behind her. Darcy & Wade had both froze.

"Do not talk, be silent or I will cut off your tongue, do not think I'm bluffing, now get up and follow us. Risk making an escape or trying to hurt us and I promise one of my zombies will scratch and turn you where you stand," She instructed.

Sonnet stood up and followed Lucien like Sonnet and Wade. Darcy looked brave and Wade looked angry. Darcy's hand squeezed Wades, and he squeezed it back. Sonnet begun to feel a dread, this could be the real end. Ford, Sonnet thought. But then Lucien spoke again, "Sonnet you come with me."

She obeyed and followed Lady Lucien into a room, and then Sonnet's memory returned.

«»«»«»

"Which room is it in?" Asia asked, as they went from room to room, doing their best to be unseen. Ford was with her and Asia too. Sonnet and the others were waiting outside for them to return. If they weren't out in 10 minutes, they'd storm inside and help.

"I don't know," Will replied, "maybe it's that one." He pointed to a room at the end of the hallway, they ran towards it. The door was closed, Will tried to open it and found it unlocked. Asia had a small stroke. The Tempest was in here, but so were Sonnet, Darcy, and Wade. They were all kneeling on the ground, hands behind their head. A zombie stood behind each of them, a gun ready to blow out each of their brains. And Lady Lucien was here too, crap.

«»«»«»

Ford gasped, Sonnet. He was relieved that she was alive but feared what might happen now in these few minutes. Her head was down, she wasn't looking at him."Hello, my beloved niece," Lucien said.

"Blood is thicker than water," Asia said. She was unarmed, only with her enhanced zombie strength, "Blood does not mean family, or love Lucien."

"You make me proud you know, I must admit I'm not that surprised that Fitzwilliam here has managed to save you," Lucien said, "Sonnet?"

She made no move at the mention of her name, but did look up at her. Her eyes were shining but she was not crying. He wanted nothing more than to rush to her. But he willed himself to be patient. Lady Lucien began to speak again, "Sonnet, you will follow me now, or I will make sure that boy you're looking at dies first."

Ford saw fear creep into Sonnet's eyes, and she stood up. The zombie behind her letting her. Sonnet walked over and stood by Lucien's side. "Tell them the truth sweetie," she said to Sonnet.

What truth, Ford wondered. Sonnet lowered her gaze so that Ford couldn't see her face, "Lucien is my mother."