You Make Me Sane

Four

Fighting was done and over with for now. Richtofen walked over to check on the bite. "No such improvement, not any worse either.." He mumbled, wrapping the bite back up. "Should I go into town to get supplies? Zombies don't pay me much mind, and I can defend myself." I suggested. "It's too risky." Dempsey said. "It does seem that she can handle herself quite well." Takeo added. Before they made their decision, I was already on my way out.

  The nearest store was a small grocery store. Everything was trashed, but canned goods were all I could find that was good and not smashed all over the place. I put as much canned food and other necessities as I could into a few cloth bags I had found at the front of the store. I was rushing to get back to the church with the three bags of supplies I managed to get. I was happy about what I had found, and I was sure the others would be too.

  As I walked through the doors of the church, the men were putting boards back up. I set the bags down and took out a can of Vienna sausages, eating them one by one. "What did you manage to find?" Nikolai asked. "Some beans, corn, soup, fruit, basically anything canned. I left with some of what was even there. There is so much more there." I replied as they started to eat out of one can with some spoons I found. I smiled a bit as I ate my last sausage. "Good find, Azalea." Dempsey commented. "Thanks. I try. Plus everything else was either no good, or on the floor." I replied.

  Looking up at the giant hole in the ceiling, I started thinking about my brother, who was about eighteen when he was sent away to join the French Army. I was only about three at the time, but I still remember his scent right before he got on that green truck to head to war. I sighed softly and closed my eyes as I snapped out of my little daydream. Opening my eyes after a while, I saw Dempsey asleep next to me. I smiled a bit and kissed his forehead. He was out cold, and so was everyone else. Looking around, I decided to keep an eye out for any incoming zombies. Luckily, nothing right now. I looked back over at the sleeping soldier. It was actually nice to meet a Dempsey who was more serious.

  Soon, the four men started to wake up. "Greetings and salutations." I greeted. "How long have you been up?" Nikolai asked. I shrugged. "Maybe about two hours, maybe three. Hard to keep track."  I replied with a smile. Dempsey walked over to me. "What is it, Soldier?" I smiled at him. "How ya holding up?" He asked, hands in his pockets. "I'm fine, Dempsey." I replied, looking out the window.

Suddenly, I felt imense pain shoot up my arm. I tried to hold back the moans the pain gave me. "You alright?" Nikolai asked. "Stay..away.." I said as I ran outside to avoid the cruel thoughts that began to flood my head. "Kill them! Eat their flesh!" A voice in my head ordered. I tried to block it out until I regained control of my mind. Everything became black as I fell to the ground.

  I awoke on solid concrete. Looking around, I saw my four friends. They were just as confused as I was. They were all on their feet while I was sitting down. "You alright, Azalea?" Takeo asked. I nodded and stood, readying myself. I noticed the bags of food that I had gotten. Good thing someone brought it. I looked around, scanning the area for zombies. "Azalea, a word, please." Richtofen said, grabbing me by the arm and leading me away from the group. "What is it, Doc?"
  "Your urges are becoming more frequent, yes?" He asked. I nodded, "Why do you ask? I've been fighting it." He sighed, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I'll find a way to undo this." He stated, his voice grave and monotone. He kissed my forehead before turning his back towards me. "Richtofen?" I called to him as he walked back. I was confused, but wasn't too concerned. I followed him back to the others as zombies began to show.

  About half way into the fight, I started to lose control of my body, causing me to collapse to the ground. "'Zalea!" Dempsey yelled, making an effort to get to me. "Stay away!" I yelled to him, trying to stand up. There was no way I was able to get back in control. "Dempsey, hit me with your gun!" I yelled to the American. "What?!"
  "Damn it.. JUST DO IT!" I snapped before I felt the butt of the gun hit my head and everything became black.

  I awoke with my head throbbing. I groaned softly as I sat up. "Sorry, Azalea." Dempsey said. "It's fine.. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to fight that one.." I replied, rubbing my temples. "I'm going to get Richtofen." He said before walked off. It wasn't long until I saw the Doc run over. "How are you feeling, Liebe?" He said, checking my pulse. "I'm fine, Doc.." I replied as he checked on the bite on my arm, which was starting to fester. This concerned him to a great extent. He tried his best to treat it a bit more before wrapping it back up in a different bandage. The alcohol the burned the wound felt so good, but I managed to hide the pleasure it gave me. Richtofen helped me stand and watched me stumble. "Easy, meine liebste.." He said as he and Dempsey helped me walk to the over side of the gate to meet up with Nikolai and Takeo. I tried to stand on my own. I stumbled a bit, but I managed to stay on my feet. "I'm surprised you woke up." Nikolai said. "Why's that?"
   "Dempsey hit you pretty hard." Takeo replied handing me a gun. "It was enough to knock me out cold, which was what I needed." I giggled a bit. I felt Dempsey pat my head, causing me to look up at him. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked. I nodded in response. "Dempsey, I'll be alright." I replied with a smile.

Richtofen walked off to a zombie corpse. Didn't know what he was doing, and I didn't want to know. I was helping the others put boards up on the holes into walls and doors as Richtofen worked on his own project. I sat on the stairs of the teleporter, looking at my arm. I was a bit suicidal for good reasons. I shouldn't risk my friends' lives just because I got bitten by a zombie. Soon, Richtofen knelt down in front of me. "Liebe, it's going to be alright." He reassured, moving hair out of my face. "I'm still risking your lives, Edward." I argued. "You haven't turned yet. I'm going to make sure it never happens." He vowed, wiping blood from his face. It was sweet that he was trying to help, but I just didn't think anything could help me get back to normal..