The Dead Are Among Us

Surprises

I woke up at dark, the cold of the house nipped at my toes sending chills up my legs throughout my body. "Burrrr.." I shivered, pulling the fluffy red blanket up and around my body. I slid off the bed and padded towards the door, I barely peeked my head out to see if Dawson was up and about, but he was fast asleep on the couch, 'shoot' I had to pass by him to get to the other bedroom where my bag was, I need fresh new clothes. The thought of something comfy made me tingle with delight, I hadnt dressed for comfort in a while. I tiptoed down the stairs without a sound, only clumbsy me made it halfway past the sleeping Dawson before tripping over my extra long blanket. "Shit." I moaned from the floor, I quickly tried to gather the blanket back around my exposed legs, "eehummm." I snapped my head up wide eyed to see Dawson standing with his arms crossed, eyebrows bunched in curiousity. I gave up my attemp to cover myself, at least it wasnt thongs. I just grabbed the tail of my blanket and drug it behind me, never turning my back on dawson until I reached the doorway. He smirked at me, smiling with his eyes looking me up and down hungrily. I slammed the door behind me after sneering at him. Yessss, finally, comfort clothes come to mama! I picked up my leopard printed VS sports bra, some black lacey panties a large knitted sweater that hung to my upper thighs, and some black leggings, I slipped my UGGs on to top off the 'starbucks white chick' look, although I hate coffee, I loved leggings and I would go insane without my UGG's. Its was an appropriate outfit for the weather, between fall and winter now, even though we were near middle Ga it was slowly starting to cool off. I had my second thoughts about wakling out in front of Dawson since our first encounter for the night, but I might as well suck it up and get the 'walk of shame' over with. I walked out the door, enjoying how nice and comfy the boots felt on my feet. I watched my feet walk all the way to the living room. "Nice boots." He mocked, making me snap my head up to glare at him. "I know, they are nice." I snapped. "Well you know they're not gonna be very good for running if we have to leave all of a sudden." - "well I dont plan on that happening." I walked toward the pantry where some of our food supply, sliding my soft boots accross the floor on my way there. I opened the pantry door and looked over my choices. Brownie mix, ramen noodles, veianna sausages, baked beans, fruit coctails, or grits. "Mhhhh" Grits and eggs fresh from my chickens sounded great, and maybe some bacon, we have a lot left from the pig I that was sick, I put him down and harvested the meat, freezed it and its been in the horse trailer freezer waiting on a day like today. I plucked the bag of grits from the pantry and strode over to the stove, breakfast food was my favorite! "What are you doing?" Dawson asked from the living room where he watched 'War of The Worlds' with actors and actresses who are probably long gone by now. "Im cooking, what does it look like?" I sounded like a smart ass on purpose. "You probably need to wait to cook that." He told me. "Why?" - "Because what if we start to run short on food Rylie?"- "Then we'll butcher a pig or gather more eggs. Its pretty simple." I shot back at him holding my hands up in a 'duh' kind of way. He turned without another word and began watching the movie again. I started the grits in a pot I found under the counter, I turned on the burner and walked out the door. It was pretty much dark out so I grabbed my gun off of the back porch along with a flashlight. I stepped down the steps with my sawed off shotun in one hand and my flashlight intertwined with it so I could see where I was walking and aiming. I made my steps quick and quiet, just in case there were anymore of the monsters lurking around, shit I hate to go into that areana alone, especially just for some damn bacon and eggs, but oh well, no turning back now. I opened the door to the areana and stepped in, the stench was horrible, it made me not want super as much. I shined my light out across the areana, I wouldnt dare shine it outside if I were alone, because I've learned that it attracts the fuckers.

I entered the areana cautiously checking behing me every few seconds, you never know If one of the undead have managed to have a third life even after a headshot. I stumbled over the bodies in my trusty dusty uggs and thankfully I didnt see any movement, but that doesnt mean they're not watching. I made it safely to the trailer and opened the door cautiously. I flipped on the switch flooding light into the small living quarters, before my eyes had time to ajust the door slammed loudly behind me. "Oh shit!" I jumped at the noise, gripping my gun tighter. "Suprize." A low, demonic voice bellowed, I didnt have time to react before a pair of huge arms engulfed me, resraining me, so all I could do was pul the triger fiering into the ceiling. The gun was snatched from my grip and I was shoved to the floor with a cold thud. I knew who was here, I dont know how they did it, but charlie had found me. I picked myself up off the floor, and squinted my eyes to see Charlie standing there in the shadows of the bedroom, my bedroom, smiling at me. "'Dear mama and Daddy, If your reading this I just want you to know I love you. Something came up and I had to leave here for my own safety, I've made it a long ways hoping and praying that you would coume walking back in the door,, telling me it was all over, but if your here and safe now thats all that matters, there are fresh vegetables in the attick of the barn and the pigs should be hanging around somewhere. I'll be somewhere in Valdosta, I'll have the horses and chickens with me, they've kept me sfae and fed for a long time, I hope to see you soon. Love Rylie."' How could I be so stupid, I should have known they would break into the barn and look through all the toolboxes my daddy had in the back, where I hid the short note while Dawson loaded the truck. I stood there waiting on Dawson to come bursting in the door, "How sweet, I wish my kids would have made it that long so they could leave me a heartfelt letter. Oh well." he crumpled up the paper and threw it on the floor, along with some of my hope. I sighed out loud. "Whats wrong honey? Cat got your tounge." My mind was racing, I didnt know what to say or do, I just kep thinking how I could be so stupid and careless, at least they dont know Dwasons here, surely he heard the gun shot. I'm gonna get shipped back with Charlie and 'the gang' I'm gonna die, they wont like me at all, Oh god what have I done. "If you leave now.. I-I wont um.. I'll um.." I just stuttered, I didnt have a real threat against him, plus I didnt know how many were even here. I know of Charlie and big John. Were they the only ones? If they were maybe I could somehow manage to escape. "I'll go with you." I said calmly holding my hands up in surrender. He looked at me knowingly, like he could sense the fact that I was mustering up an escape plan already. "Your lying" He spat. "No- no Im not I swear, Im afraid of the zombies and if I dont have a man around I might not live for much longer, Ill run out of food." I said trying to soften him up. He smiled a softer smile and held out his hand. I hesitantly took it and followed him out of the horse trailer. "By the way, Rylie. Where is your friend?" He asked curiously looking at me to detect a lie. "He was bitten and I killed him." I said back confidently hoping he would buy it and not check the house. "What a shame, he seemed to take a liking to you. But who could blame him, your not to bad on the eyes, I cant wait to get you back home." He steped over zombies, watching me like a hawk. I shivered at the thought. As we exited the tall bulding my eyes shifted for the darkness, when my vision was as good as it could be my eyes imidiantly started darting around looking for any type of wepon that might be lying on the ground or up against the tin building. My attention got hung on an old rusty machetti halfway stabbed into a stump close the Charlies running truck, I pulled my hand from his drawing his attention. "Sorry its cold." I dumbly stated rubbing both of my hands up and down my upper arms pretending to warm myself slipping my hands down into my sleeves. "Its warm in the truck." He smiled a genuinly warm smile that I knew was fake as hell. We got close enough to the truck and machetti that I knew it was time to take action, big john was behind me, I would take him out first, then Charlie. I lunged at the stump and grabbed the machetti, I snatched it out forcefully, I didnt realize how rusted it was untill I got it in my hands. I slashed into big johns mid-section with ease, causing him to double over and crumple to the ground heaving deep breaths holding his giant arm over the slash wound that now revealed his guts. Yeah, he's done for. I didnt waste any time turning to slash into Charlie, but as soon as I turned a shot rang out, It stopped me in my tracks, Charlie sat leaned up against his truck and stared at me smiling, I wasnt hit, neither was he, "There's more.." I whispered Charlie nodded his head up and down stalking torads me, I didnt back up or flinch, I stood my ground with my machetti cocked back ready for his face to come into range, I heard footsteps behind me stomping towards, when I felt the time was right I spun around swinging my machetti deep into the side of a strangers neck, I snatched it out and regained my posture, the man laid on the ground before me bleeding out, he gasped his last few breaths but that wasnt what I was listening for, adrenaline coarsed through my veins hightening my senses to the max, I heard another set of footsteps coming from behind, no.. two sets of feet. I spun before they got to me, but it was a trick, Charlie was already there with a baseball bat, he swung before I could, making contact with my left shoulder, it knocked me to the ground but I rolled and stood before he could ready his weapon again. my arm hurt like hell but I couldnt let it slow me down, it might cost me if I do. I lunged at him, swinging with all I had. It wouldnt hurt my feelings to take his whole head clean off. But instead he ducked causing me to be thrown off balance when I missed. He took the opportinty to hit me hard accross the back, knocking me to the ground, and knocking the breath out of me as well. before I could recover he was on top of me pinning me to the ground. Once he got me on my back, four other men came running towards us. "Get me some rope out of the toolbox, she's going with us this time." He didnt smile or even glare at me, He just looked me up and down, he was in controll completely. He picked his fist up above his head and slammed it into my cheek causing my teeth to cut into the inside of my jaw, I immidiantly tasted the coppery flavor. "If you ever- PUNCH- Try that again - PUNCH - I will kill you - PUNCH" I couldnt really see anymore, my vision was speckling, but I wasnt scared, My adrenaline was at full throttle so I wasnt in pain. Bravery was my only defense. "Some man." I managed to cough out along with blood and one of my previous crowns that was now shattered. He clamped his big hand around my throat and squeezed it tight. "Tough girl huh? You'll be fun to break, but you'll learn soon enough." He smilled now, I could only see a very dark figure in front of me, blackness was about to consume me, but I had to fight it. I was lifted by my arms being bound behind my back with a thick prickly rope. Shoving me to my knees the men began to tie my feet together, I caught a ragged breath allowing my brain to regain most of its conciousness. I glance around thinking that now would be the time for Dawson to save me, if he hadnt been discoverd and killed, but by the sounds of the stomping coming from the house, I didnt see how they had'nt caut him. A familiar looking boy came into veiw, he took over binding me while the others looked around the house and barn for anything they could steal. "Kaiden?" I asked so quietly no one else could hear; I had never actually seen him, but it had to be him, he was identical to Dawson. His peircing blue eyes shot to mine, searching my face for familiarity. "How do you know my name?" He asked sounding almost just like his older brother. I looked around towards the men searching the grounds to make sure they were'nt close enough. Charlie had made his way into the house. "Your brother, he's inside." His eyes widened at my statement, he stared at me helplessly. "Yell that there are a group of zombies headed this way from the woods." I whispered. He hesitated and then made up his mind. "ZOMBIES, COMING FROM THE WOODS!" He yelled, everyone snapped into action, the men had cranked up my daddys toyota and was pulling it from the areana to take along with the horses, shit. "RETREAT, RETREAT!" Charlie bursted out from the house screaming, he jumped into the truck as it sped off he bellowed to Kaiden, "GET HER BACK, I WANT HER IN MY ROOM, CLEAN AND DRESSED." He nodded and scooped me up into his arms, He flung open the door to the Horse trailer and hoped inside as it began to roll. There were two men inside working on a dying big John, They both glared at me when we entered. I'm gonna have a go at her before we get back." the scruffiest looking one said. I burried my helpless face into Kaidens chest. He held me closer and began to walk towards the bedroom section of the trailer. "Charlie said he didnt want anyone touching this one." Kaiden shot, "Well what 'Charlie' dont know wont hurt him." He pitched as the men began to laugh. He walked back to the bedroom and laid me on the bed gently slamming the plastic door shut, and locking it. He looked at me as he paced back and forth in the tiny space provided, I just trembled and bled, my face was a mess, I could feel the adrenaline start to wear off. "Let me help you." He said leaning towards me to untie my feet, Then gently pulling me into siting position and untying my hands. He opened a few drawers before finding a rag. He sloshed his water bottle into the rag and pressed it gently to my busted eye. I flinched, but managed to stay in place without squirming to much. "Whats your name?" He said kindly. I took a deep shaky breath and looked into his beautiful eyes, "Rylie." I exhaled. "I'm Kaiden, nice to meet you." He said smiling at me. "How do you know my brother?" He asked while he dabbed away the blood. I explained the story to him of how we met, and how he saved my ass multiple time, but as I explained it to him I realized what it felt like to talk about him, what was this feeling? I didnt want to be seperate from him. Was it love? or just because he was the only human I had seen in a while and his anoying controllingness grew on me. I realized I might never see him again, or Daxx. As if he read my mind he spoke up. "We have to escape." He said looking me in the eyes. "I know, we do." I said back. We talked for the next thirty minuts about our escape plan, it was perfect. My hopes were lifted. Just as soon as I could enjoy the foolproofness of our plan, a loud banging coming from the door got our attention. "What do you want." Kaiden asked irritated. "If you dont let me in Im gonna rip this door down." The more cleancut guy said from behind the wimpy door. "What do you want in here?" Kaiden shot coldly. "I want a peice of that ass you've been hoarding up back there." they both laughed from the outside. "No" Kaiden said blankly, all of a suden the door flew off of the hinges and onto the floor, I jumped back and sunk into the corner as far as I could. The two men entered the crownded room and stood in front of Kaiden who was now also standing, The scruffy one grabbed Kaiden and slung him out of the room, I could hear struggling but I couldnt tell who was winning. The clean looking muscular 'pretty boy' was the one I needed to be worried about. He grabbed at me but I kicked my feet in hopes that he wouldnt be able to get a good grip on me, much to my avail, he did. He snatched me accross the bed and pulled me up by my arms his face inches from mine. "I've waited a long time for something like you to come around, your struggling will just make it better for me. So I wouldnt advise it." He said low and scarylike in my face. His hot breath trailed down my neck and to my chest as he pulled my sweater up and over my head, I was frozen with fear trembling once more. I dont have anymore energy to fight, my body throbbed with exhaustion and pain. But I wasnt just gonna sit by and let some strange man take me any way he wants, I would at least have to try. He strugled with my leggings to where I was on my knees on the bed, I thought about the consequinces to a failed attempt to what I had in mind, but it didnt seem any worse than what was about to happen anyways so I went for it, I punched the man right in his ballsack, he imidiantly doubled over in pain dropping to the floor groaning. I Jumped over him and ran into the kitchen area where 'Scruffy' had Kaiden in the sleeper hold. I grabbed a pan from the counter and whopped him in the back of the head, he fell limp to the ground, Kaiden sucked in air and managed to get to his feet somehow.