The Infection: Zombies Awakening (Book 1) - EDITING

Chapter 23 - Friends will always return

Or was I?

Suddenly, I felt two arms wrap beneath me, lifting me by the back and hind legs. The rushing wind was no longer coming from under me, but at the side instead. I had completely stopped falling stright vertically down. But, what was happening now?

As I opened my eyes, I realized that I was no longer tumbling down the bridge alone. I was still alive. Better yet, I was being lifted by someone. Someone was carrying me. And that unknown person cradling me in his arms looked familiar.

A zombie, who had a sleeveless brown overcoat and wore a long red tattered scarf. Now I knew-I knew I was resting in the arms of... Remember!

"R-Remember..." I managed to say, flabbergasted to see him again. He came back.

Remember said nothing, eyes pointed to where we'd land. Until we landed safely onto the bottom of the bridge does he speak.

Once he releases me, does he look give me the same dolls stare. In his eyes however, shone victory. At that moment, I couldn't help but run into him, giving him a big hug. Just feeling his own presence within my grasp once more, leaves me in tears of joy.

"Remember!" I cried, overly ecstatic to see him again. "Remember! I missed you, I missed you!!!"

As I clutched him tightly, he didn't say anything. Just like him. He really did come back. And for a brief moment, I was glad for falling off that bridge.

"Rima," Remember struggled to speak.

"H-huh?" Looking down, I then realized that I was on him. I had accidentally toppled him down. He was no longer in balance as he lies back on the floors with me weighting him down.

I gasped. "Oops! S-so sorry." And quickly got off him. Just by seeing him, it was as if my whole world itself, had lightened up. And that scar on my heart has finally been healed.

"Remember," I smiled sadly. "Thankyou so much for saving me. I'm grateful for that."

"I'm just so glad I get to see you again!"

At that moment, Remember looks at me, slowly coming to return back with the best smile he could effort. "Yea, me too."

Sitting up, he then studies my face. "Rima?"

"Y-yes?"

"Your face." He muttered, hand touching the side of my face gently. "It's...wet."

I nodded.

"Are you sad?"

"I was. But now I'm not anymore." I shook, wiping my face. My eyes were probably red and swollen by all the tears being shed.

Remember continued to look at me, eyes filled with confusion.

"Rima...I'm sorry." Remember replied. His eyes gaze into mines, with a deep sorrow expression. "I...I broke our promise; our friendship. But..."

He stops just as I reached forward one more, giving him another warming hug. I closed my eyes, as my head rests upon his cold chest, feeling nothing but the bare tattering clothing covering it. It wasn't his fault. It was mine's.

"No," I protested. "I'm the one who's supposed to say sorry. I shouldn't have made you leave in the first place. If I didn't, then none of this would've happened."

"I missed you remember." My voice grows weary with each word being said. "I-I'm so sorry."

"Rima..."

At that moment, I then feel his hand softly touch the rim of my chin, tilting it up to face him. A slight smile is raised from the corners of his lips. "If me leaving makes you sad, then I'll stay with you." He states. "I'm here now, so I forgive you. Besides,"