Hopeless| A Zombie Novel

Chapter 5- Cleo

"We are headed to a army base up in Rosewood, y'all are welcome to join us." Jerry speaks holding Marley's hand, she looks tired and is keeping a close eye on a nearby Ellie who carries her child.

"You military?" Travis asks the question I was already wondering.

"Yes sir, Marley and I are from Macon Georgia, but I was transfered here to help try and contain the situation." I can see the pride in Jerry's eyes as he speaks so fondly of the past. "Of course, God had other plans."

"Well it is somewhere to start, Henry could be there." I state. A lot of military blockades could be used as communities, I've only heard of one from a sketchy radio cast some months ago.

"If you guys are coming with us, I want your weapons." Elliot growls now standing in front of Travis, practically towering over my best friend.

This guy is so paranoid. We don't know them either but at least we aren't demanding their weapons and being rude, have they had some bad run-ins before? For all we know they could be the bad guys, but for now I have to trust they're good, after all they know where Rosewood is, and we don't. I feel more trust towards, jerry, Leo and Marley. Ellie is sort of mysterious so I haven't figured her out yet.

"There is no way, in hell we are going defenseless." Travis challenges. Travis may be shorter, but he's quicker and not as hotheaded.

"And you won't, Elliot calm down everythin' is fine." Jerry speaks. You'd think since he's military he would be the hothead one, but he's the peacekeeper who looks way too stressed.

"Look I don't mind fighting this out with you all, but right now isn't the time." Amber pipes up surprising how she hasn't spoken up till now.

"She's right, my baby needs shelter, and I quite honestly need sleep." Poor Marley, the woman just gave birth and has to go through all of this.

The tension dissolves as we all agree and disperse. I stay by Marley and take her hand as Jerry grabs his gun from Leo and heads to lead us, Elliot is right beside him, Travis and Amber are whispering to one another.

Not a word is said as we all begin our journey, I can only hope there won't be too much trouble. Marley looks pale, and shivers due to the chilly breeze. Now I'm one of those people who complain when I'm even a little bit cold, but I happily take off my think sweater and give it to her, she seems about my same size. She must be colder than I thought since she happily takes it and rushes to put it on, and quickly takes my hand back.

"You know I'm a nurse, and I have never seen anyone bounce back like you." I've been told I'm good at making people feel comfortable, it's a gift I'm thankful to have at times.

"Thanks darlin', but to be honest I ain't feelin' so hot and can't wait to get some sleep." She admits smiling as she glances at her husband.

It seems we are now in the middle with Ellie walking next to us, cradling the sleeping newborn to her chest in attempt to keep her warm. The guys lead the front still, Jerry, Leo and Elliot, while Amber and Travis bring up the back with their weapons ready just in case.

"Your little girl is so calm probably one of the most calmest kids I've held." Ellie comments.

I look to the child and see that she looks a healthy weight, and a healthy color of pink. She has light red hair just like Marley, her little eyes flutter open to show blue eyes just like Jerry's she's the perfect mix of the two. I have never wanted kids, but when I was going through clinical I worked with many of them, and this baby had to be the prettiest.

"I think the name, Cleo suits her." Marley smiles naming her child. "Cleo was my Nana's name." Hmm Cleo, you don't hear that name much, hey who knows she may be the only Cleo left.