In The End

Chapter XII

Sarah sat with Kyle, who by now was able to sit up and speak. Sarah asked, "How do you feel today"? Kyle still had a slur in his voice from the swelling in his cheeks and tongue. "I feel like thit" he replied. Then he looked at Gavin, who was still laying on his stomach. His cuts were a purple-ish yellow. Kyle said, "But he'th much worth". As they spoke, Xavier walked in and saw Kyle. Xavier smiled and said, "Welcome back, Kyle. We missed ya". Kyle said, "Thut up Xthavier. I don't wanna be in the thit hole". Xavier chuckled, "I see you're still a douche like always". Xavier looked at Sarah, "Are Ronny and Frank back yet"? Sarah said, "No and I'm getting kind of worried. It's been about five hours. They should have been back by --". Her sentence was interrupted by the sounds of an engine. Xavier and Sarah walked out to see who it was.

They saw a truck roll into the camp. When Sarah saw Frank, she smiled. However, once she saw the dim look he had, she knew something was wrong. Her and Xavier ran up to the truck to help carry the items. Jacob said, "We got the stuff". He lifted the two tanks out of the trunk, as Frank grabbed the other supplies. Sarah said, "What happened? Where's Ronny". Frank looked at her with a sad look. He didn't say a word as he grabbed a backpack. Sarah looked around for Ronny but couldn't find him. Her eyes teared up as she fell to the ground. She shook her head. Xavier grabbed and held her. As she cried, he tried to calm her down. Xavier began to cry himself.

Kyle managed to stand up and walk to the opening of the tent and saw Sarah and Xavier crying. He didn't need an explanation to know what happened. Frank walked into the tent. Kyle asked, "How'd it happen"? Frank said, "We were cornered by a swarm of biters. We were climbing the fence. Once I got over, I had trouble starting the truck. But once I got it to start, Jacob came and said that Ronny sacrificed himself for us to escape". Kyle said, "Did you thee him after you got to the truck"? Frank said, "No. But his sacrifice helped save Gavin". Frank walked up to Kyle and said, "I didn't know Ronny that well. However I knew him well enough to know that he was an amazing leader and an inspiration to use all". Frank patted Kyle on the shoulder, "Stay strong".

As Frank walked away, Jacob walked into the tent with the air tanks. Kyle said, "Tho I heard you were with Ronny for his final momenth". Jacob looked at Kyle, somewhat suspious, "Yeah, I was". Kyle said, "Tho he thacrificed himthelf for you two to make it back here"? Jacob nodded. Kyle said, "And you were the only one to thee it". Jacob walked up to Kyle, "What are you trying to say". Kyle looked him dead in the eyes, "What'th your name"? Jacob looked for an emotion on Kyle's face, but was unable to find one under the bruising and swelling. "Jacob. Why"? Kyle said, "You'd better watch yourthelf Jacob" Kyle said. Jacob replied, "You shouldn't be the one talking. We almost killed you twice. When we found you and when Zack put a gun to your head. I'd been fortunate, not threatening". Kyle tried to smile and said, "But you didn't pull the trigger". Jacob chuckled and walked away.

Kyle walked out of the tent and sat by the campfire. He watched an old lady washing clothes. She had several baskets of laundry to do. As the clothes hit the water, Kyle could hear it. Suddenly, all other noises were blocked out and only the sound of the water was heard. That is until Zack sat next him. Zack said, "So. You can move now. That's good". Kyle said, " Yeah. Why? You want me to thlave away like the otherth"? Zack said, "Woah! Slur alert. We need to get a translator for you". He began to chuckle, "No, no. No slave work for you. What I have for you is something easy. Once you're more healed, you'll go out with my scout as his backup. It's easy. Just make sure no one sneaks up on him, that's it". "Why me" Kyle asked. Zack said, "Well Ronny was originally going to get that job but seeing as he's gone, I thought Gavin should do it but he's too...unpredictable. Which leaves you".

As Kyle and Zack discussed Kyle's job, Xavier and Sarah were in the tent with Gavin. Xavier helped Sarah hook Gavin up to the tube and tanks. They worked in silence, as Sarah was still upset over the death of Ronny. Occasionally, Xavier glanced at her. She would look at him and he'd look away. Finally Sarah broke the silence by saying, "Ronny was a good man. He was exactly what this group needed. He was also the only person who could get us out of here. Now that he's gone, I don't know if we can escape". Xavier said, "I might have a plan, myself, to escape".

Suddenly, Nick walked in and said, "Xavier, can we talk"? Xavier looked at Sarah. Sarah said, "It's ok. I've got it from here". Xavier got up and walked to Nick. They walked out into the camp. "We have a problem" he said. Xavier said, "What's wrong"? "Suzy's gone. We were planting traps and suddenly, she just ran away. Gregg and I tried to chase her but we lost her". Just then Gregg walked up to Nick and Xavier and said, "Before Suzy left, she was saying something about the railroad. Do you know anything about that"? Xavier shook his head, "I don't. I'll ask Zack tomorrow if we can go check it out". As they spoke, someone yelled Gregg's name and he walked away. Nick said, "Look Xavier, Suzy is the first. Everyone will leave. They've lost the common sense to stay and I don't wanna be here when Zack unleashes his rage on us". Xavier said, "Everyone's just scared. I'm working on a plan, but we have to wait until Kyle is more healed. We need all the men we can get. Plus I still need to figure out what we're gonna do about Gavin. He can barely sit up, let alone run". Nick replied, "I know where they keep the keys to the van. Once you're ready, tell me and I'll get them". Xavier smiled and patted Nick on the shoulder.

Meanwhile, back in Maryville, Ronny walked down one of the city streets. He was dripping sweat and was breathing heavily from the hospital. Ronny held his shoulder as it continued to bleed. He was filled with anger and hatred for Zack and his group. He wanted to kill them all, but he wanted to escape while he still could. Suddenly, he heard screaming. Ronny began to follow the screams in hope of finding the person. As he got closer, he heard gunshots. Then he saw the person screaming. She was sitting on the ground with her back leaned against the car. Defending her were two men trying to take on about a dozen and a half biters. Ronny watched as the two men struggled to fend off the biters. He calmly walk toward the chaos. The girl stood out compared to the two men and the biters because of her tye-dye tank top.

Ronny began to shoot at the biters. In about a minute, all of the biters were dead. One of the men smiled at Ronny as he said, "Thank you for the help". Ronny just glared at him. The man's smile quickly faded, "Are you ok"? Ronny shot the man at point blank range. Then before the other man could pull his gun out, Ronny shot him down as well.

The woman cried out when her friends fell. Ronny ignored her as he began to search the men for anything useful. He found the keys to the car in one of the men's pocket. As he opened the car door, the woman yelled, "You killed my friends! You killed my friends you bastard"! Ronny ignored her as he started the car. The lady stood up and tapped on the window. Ronny rolled the window down enough for him to hear her. The woman cried out, "Please just kill me"! Ronny looked around and saw that the mens' guns were empty and she didn't have a gun. He replied, "You're already dead". He rolled up the window and drove away, leaving the woman screaming and crying for him to come back and kill her.